Writers Books

Influenced by his readings in Carlyle and John Ruskin, Marcel Proust knew his art, whether it was art theory, the role of the artist in society, or the works of Vermeer, Manet, or Mantegna. For Proust, a painting inspired a thousand words. Painter Eric Karpeles enhances one's appreciation for reading Proust's In Search of Lost Time (À la recherche du temps perdu) with his superb compilation of 206 illustrations in Paintings in Proust: A Visual Companion to In Search of Lost Time. Combining his knowledge of art with his love of reading Proust, Karpeles carefully matches every painting or painter referenced in Proust's monumental seven-part masterpiece with Proust's own textual passages from the Moncrieff/Kilmartin/ Enright translation. The result is nothing less than profound. With its introduction examining the various ways in which Proust used art to extend his descriptive vocabulary and its comprehensive index of artists and paintings referenced in Proust's novel, Karpeles' labour of love will appeal to anyone with a love for reading Proust. Highly recommended.

G. Merritt

As a dedicated Proustian for twenty happy years, I have read his long novel several times but this new book by Eric Karpeles has taken my pleasure to a new level. Although I enjoy looking at paintings, I have a very limited knowledge of art history and, as a result many of Proust's allusions and even many descriptions were wasted on me. Vermeer's `View of Delft' is such an important part of the novel that I made a point of finding a copy of the painting - but I lacked the knowledge to track-down all the other wonderful references that Proust uses. Who was the daughter of Botticelli's Zipporah that could so win Swann's heart - even though she was not his `type'? Thanks to Karpeles, I now know what she looked like and have also become aware of all the other wonderful faces that Botticelli created.

What were the paintings of Pieter de Hooche that inspired this exquisite description of Vinteuil's sonata? "He began, as always, with the sustained tremolos of the violin part which for several bars was heard alone, filling the whole foreground; until suddenly it seemed to draw aside, and - as in those interiors by Pieter de Hooch which are deepened by the narrow frame of a half opened door, in the far distance, of a different color, velvety with the radiance of some intervening light - the little phrase appeared, dancing, pastoral, interpolated, episodic, belonging to another world." I have savored that description for many years but, being unfamiliar with the painter I could only go so far in my appreciation.

Eric Karpeles has assembled every pictorial reference that Proust made in all seven volumes of the novel. He has tracked-down the reference - however obscure or arcane - and his publisher has reproduced each one, alongside the original quotation. This is a magnificent book and I am in awe of what Karpeles (a well respected painter in his own right) has achieved. I suspect that the publisher will market this as a reference book, but it is so much more than that. I sat and read it from cover to cover as a work of art in its own right.
I am proud to put my name to this review.
Patrick Alexander Marcel Proust's Search for Lost Time: A Reader's Guide

This publication will undoubtedly please any Proust fan and will make you wonder how nobody had the idea before. It lists and reproduces all the paintings alluded to in Proust's masterwork "A la Recherche du Temps Perdu" (In Search of Lost Time). Each work is reproduced in full color, next to the passage of the book in which Proust mentioned it (or sometimes just alluded to it, only mentioning a detail of the work without naming it, and this is where the book does a wonderful documentation job).

The illustrated works (more than 200 of them) range from Renaissance paintings by Titian, Fra Bartolomeo, Da Vinci, etc, to Vermeer's famous View of Delft (illustrated next to the description of Bergotte's death), to modern works by Degas or Manet, but there are also numerous works by lesser-known artists, whose reproductions would be very difficult to find elsewhere (Léon Bakst, Gustave Jacquet,Jehan-Georges Vibert...).

This book is all the more important to the understanding of Proust as he himself acknowledged that "La Recherche" was a work whose theme was the birth of an artistic vocation in the narrator's soul, the novel itself being the result of this birth. He also wrote that " my book is a painting" (as quoted in the present book). Art, and painting in particular, holds a central part in the whole work and, until now, no one had undertaken the necessary task of documenting this. "Paintings in Proust" is at the same time a very helpful and a beautiful contribution to the study of one of the most important works in Western literature.

A rare pleasure, and a book that makes Proust even more vivid. Whether used as a companion guide to a reading of the seven novels or on its own as a visual primer, Paintings in Proust is a joy to hold and to behold. You might want to visit www.paintingsinproust.com.

This is an absolutely essential companion to Proust's In Search of Lost Time. The book reproduces all the paintings and drawings that Proust makes clear reference to in his novel. It also contains works that he alludes to, but doesn't name or definitely describe, which Karpeles judges may have been the source of the inspiration. Some of these works are very difficult to track down; Karpeles does a truly wonderful service to all Proustians by gathering them together in one book. There are 206 illustrations, 196 in color. The quality of reproductions is excellent, although the details of some of the larger paintings suffer from reduced size.

The book is arranged by the seven volumes of the novel. Each work of art is accompanied by a short introduction setting the context within the novel and the excerpt which references it. Karpeles also provides a helpful index which lists every reference in the novel to either the painters or paintings mentioned. The references include the page numbers from the French Tadie Pleiade Edition as well as the Moncrieff/Kilmartin and Moncrieff/Kilmartin/Enright translations (but not the latest Penguin translation).

The footnotes at the end of the book are a gold mine of Proustian tidbits and should not be ignored. In addition to listing where the works are displayed and dimensions, Karpeles provides much interesting information and clarifies some textual issues. For example, in discussing the painter Mihaly Munkacsy, he explains that due to "Proust's often illegible scrawl ... Munkacsy's name was never used in the earliest editions of the novel .... The intense [editorial] scrutiny of Jean Yves Tadie restored Munkacsy to his rightful place ... and his correction resulted in the change also finally being made by ... Enright in his revision of the ... translation."

There are some minor inconsistencies in the way the works are reproduced. For the most part they are shown in their entirety, but for a small few only a detail is provided as Proust refers only to that portion of the work. Generally details are reproduced in addition to the entire work. An example is the "patch of yellow" in Vermeer's View of Delft, which is highlighted (but without a caption identifying it as THE patch) with an illustration in the beginning of the Introduction. Because of the vagaries of color reproduction I've always thought the patch was difficult to pick out except when looking at the View in person. I would have liked a detail of Carpaccio's The Patriarch of Grado Exorcising a Demoniac highlighting the prototype for Albertine's Fortuny cloak that Proust describes. But these are minor quibbles to an overall excellent book.

I should add that Karpeles makes a point not to reproduce paintings that may have been the inspiration of works that Proust "made up" such as Elstir's Miss Sacripant or his Le Port Carquethuit (any number of Monet's views of Rouen, Dieppe, or Honfleur may have been the model). He also confines himself to works Proust mentions in the novel, not in his letters or shorter pieces.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Don't sleep on this one or you will regret it. The author is bringing it to you fresh from the Wood, Inglewood, California. If you didn't grow up as an African America Girl in Los Angeles, but you want some idea of the influences, read this piece of work! This author takes you on a journey, visual and verbal through her poetry and essays that is so real, you will be entranced and unable to put the book down. Leave no page unturned as you feel the Passion, Pride, and Politickin of Ms. Shariff, an incredible writer, with a mind STILL developing with fresh new thoughts.

I am scared of you Ms. Shariff aka Supa Sister. I'm out!

This book had me laughing out loud because of the frankness expressed in these poems and essays. It is very refreshing to see written many things I have thought about: romance, politics and the Hip-Hop community. Ms. Jamal and her collection of "in yo face" words make you stand up and take notice.

Ms. Jamal touches on your fears, accomplishments and fantasies. On page 10, she introduces Ghetto Poem, my interpretation of this poem is about how close we all are to being homeless. Looking at someone else's backyard could easily be my own one day. As scary as some of Jamal's work is, it is our reality, and the world we live in. I challenge you to take the plunge and delve into Passion, Pride, and Politickin. It's a wonderful experience.

Reviewed by Missy

Okay people, there's a new Sharif in town -- Jamal Sharif. Anyone caught flipping through the pages of her book "Passion, Pride and Politickin': Homegrown Poetry and Essays," will be sentenced to her 'n-yo-face brand of poetic justice. Ms. Sharif's "Public Service Announcement" about the "Consequences of Pussy Politics," or her insightfulness of "Why Good, Black Women End Up Alone: As Response to Joy Jones," will arrest your metaphoric senses. These are just a few of the titles from her book with powerful messages regarding self-love, self-pride, cultural diversity, and the Black experience seen through the eyes of a Black woman not afraid to speak her mind.

As Ms. Sharif so profoundly states in her Preface: "In every person's life, and especially every woman's, there comes a time when one must have the courage to define herself, herself." Each poem and essay in "Passion, Pride and Politickin'" candidly defines the real Jamal Sharif and the world she lives in. From cover-to-cover, Ms. Sharif holds no punches and makes no apologies for her outspokenness. If you're looking for a reference book of life's lessons, with a touch of inspirational healing messages, then "Passion, Pride and Politickin'" is definitely a must read book for those sentenced to a life lacking confidence and facing one's fears.

I'd like to hire Ms. Sharif to write my life story. Perhaps, she already did!...

Jamal Sharif paints pictures with her poetry that keep you grounded and lift you into a higher mental state all in the same sequence. I enjoyed the essays immensely as well as the poetry. If you don't have this book I'd suggest you do it now!

This past weekend at the 2nd BWRC in Dallas, TX, I heard Ms. Jamal Sharif recite one of her poems from Passion, Pride and Politikin': Homegrown Poetry and Essays, and was impressed by her "in your face", "tell it like it is" manner. Her message was clear, and I was feeling every word she so eloquently delivered. Afterwards, I had the pleasure of meeting this talented young woman and was impressed by her poise and character. That being the case, I purchased Passion, Pride and Politikin': Homegrown Poetry and Essays and read the entire book during my bus ride to and from work a couple of days ago. This sister's gift for expression is to be highly commended. Keepin' it real throughout, Ms. Sharif took me on a trip back to my neighborhood, back to my girlhood, back to relationships that failed because of me and in spite of me. She made me recall games played joyfully as a child, made me ponder the state of our children and the world they're growing up in right now, made me remember friends I've lost through violence and drugs. Her commentary on love-for others and for self-is insightful and will make you think, as well as, incite hours of serious self-examination. For one so young, she has a wisdom beyond her years and I have a great deal of admiration for her and her work.

Take time out of your day to travel with this intelligent and gracious sister. Passion, Pride and Politikin': Homegrown Poetry and Essays is a must read for poetry lovers and truth seekers alike.

Of "our world, our wooden world," as O'Brian wrote in the Nutmeg of Consolation. As an O'Brian devotee who is compiling a quotation book for naval officers and mariners (The Literary Mariner; look for it next year), I have found this Muster Book to be more useful, in its own way, than even Dean King's excellent Sea of Words. King's work is mostly a wonderful timesaver--you needn't hunt up terms in other reference books--but Gary Brown's POB Muster Book is unique and indispensable: no where else will you find the attention paid to and the cross-referenced information on the characters, ships, and animals of the entire Aubrey-Maturin series (what one reviewer called the Aubreyiad, a term I like very much).

Once the book was in hand, for example, I was able very quickly to answer three questions that had been bothering me: was Awkward Davis and Awkward Davies the same man (yes); were the Dumanoirs mentioned separate characters (yes); and what were the names of the various cannon in Surprise.

There is a very useful and succinct summary outlining the entire series, and the lengthy essays on each of the major characters also walks through all the books from that character's perspective (warning: if you haven't read the Aubreyiad through, these will be spoilers). Gary Brown also makes good use of helpful references to biographies (Dean King's and Nikolai Tolstoy's--see my Amazon reviews) and to historical works. This is simply a stunning achievement.

As an academic, I was first introduced to O'Brian by a colleague who thought I might find it interesting to compare O'Brian's works to Jane Austen's. As I did so I became convinced that there was more than a chance connection between the authors' works, but with O'Brian's expansive Aubreyiad, trying to corroborate the simplest connection became so time consuming it was discouraging. I happened across the first edition of this book on Amazon, ordered it, and three published academic articles later, it may well be the most indispensable work in my library. So much so, that when a newer edition came out that included the last few novels O'Brian wrote, I had to have it. I haven't been disappointed. Whether you're a "fan" or an academic, Gary Brown's meticulous research is sure to add to your understanding and appreciation of the genius of Patrick O'Brian.

I must say that my recent purchase of "PO's Muster Book" is worth the investment. I wish I had bought it sooner.

I am not quite finished with all 20 and 1/2 volumes of the O'Brian 19th century odyssey, having only finished the first 18, but I became an Aubrey/Maturin junkie after reading the first two novels and watching the movie. Comprehending the wealth of people, places and events, real and imagined, combined with a liberal use of foriegn languages was difficult and intimidating. I was often confused, because I didn't readily remember names and places from one chapter to the next.

Fortunately, before I started no. 5, I discovered, through Amazon, the companion books advertized there. I purchased "Sea Of Words", "Harbors And High Seas" and "Patrick O'Brian's Navy". Problem solved. I constantly cross referenced my new literary tools several times a chapter to interpret the rich mix of story and detail woven together in O'Brian's romantic chronology. The downside is that I needed to carry a tote when I went to read at the coffee shop as well as use an extra chair to hold my not so portable library.

Recently, I have added "The Patrick O'Brian Muster Book" and I immediately liked using it. Actually, it could be a "stand alone" companion book, except that it is absent of maps, diagrams, pictures or a commentary on the life and times. I know that this type information is beyond the scope of "Muster" by nature, so, my other books are still important to me, just not needed by the night stand.

That said, I am pleased with the appearance, organization and thoroughness of "Muster". Formatted like Webster's, it is highly informational and allows quick alphabetical access to the who and the where along with the what and the when not as easily accomplished by the other companion books. I can quickly remind myself of the names and places and not lose track of the story in doing so. Additionally, it lists all O'Brian's books with a Cliff Notes style summary and along with each item is the cross reference of all mentions in the series by book and chapter. It has helpful optional references to deliniate the fact from fiction.

While I finish the series and re-read it, as I'm sure I will, "Muster" will be my favorite companion. Now, when I'm reading on the plane, I won't have as much baggage.

There are other companion books to Patrick O'Brian's world and works, but none better than this one. Being a foreigner and rather a recent fan, I really need the help of such books to attain at least the merest understanding of what's going on, so I own several others which I enjoyed enormously. However none is so complete and helpful as this one. Most recommendable.

Anthony Gary Brown's "The Patrick O'Brian Muster Book" is truly the ultimate literary companion volume for O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin nautical historical novels. Every serious fan of the series should get a copy. Every named person, animal, ship, or even cannon gets its own entry, very often exploring obscure references (and nicely cross-referencing multiple appearances throughout the series). This new edition of Brown's work covers the entire series, including the twenty-first volume left unfinished at O'Brian's death. It serves to enhance reading (and re-reading) the novels and will provide many hours of pleasant browsing for the serious fan.

A pebble to polish is an excellent book for fiction, but also a helpful book for anyone taking care of a child who has autism.

This book will bring encouragement as well as helpful suggestions on how to deal with the disorder.

A Pebble to Polish takes you on a journey into the world of autism as seen through the eyes of a young mother, Cassandra Delaine. Several events happen in Cassie's life that change her forever. When her son is diagnosed with autism, she is crushed. She didn't plan for this and now her whole life is turned upside down. With the help of a group of loving women going through similar trials, Cassie learns how to handle her difficult but sweet child as well as teach others about life with autistic children.

Skillfully crafted, Janet Lord Leszl walks you through not only the life of the characters but she also teaches you about autism. The sequence of events and the descriptive way the book is written make it hard to put the book down. The flow of the story is well thought out with intense highs and devastating lows. The author intertwines trauma, humor and information in such a way that it leaves the reader with a greater understanding of autism and the desire to learn more about this strange and complex condition.

I laughed, cried and cheered along with Cassie and her friends as I learned more about autism. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a good read and better understanding of autism. I would consider this a must have for parents of children that are newly diagnosed or suspected of having autism.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in autism! The characters and plot are so interesting that I could not put the book down!
Debbie Clutts - Howard County Autism Society

What a way to learn more about autism! Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. There is so much symbolism throughout this book in the names of the characters and the characters themselves. It's so much more than just fiction. I love the story and the way the author used fiction in order to teach us facts. Cherish the pebbles in your life.

I bought the book not knowing what to expect, but I found myself not able to put it down....I highly recommend it, not only for parents, but for anyone - it may shed more light on how parents struggle with and survive autism on a daily basis.

Since it's fiction, it introduces the reader to autism in a "easy to read" format instead of being jammed with technical terms that are only familiar to those in the "autism industry."

It was a great read for me as the parent of a newly diagnosed child.

I certainly qualify as an addict. For the last five years, in addition to my other reading, I have always been in the middle of one of the twenty Aubrey/Maturin novels. I'm now in my fifth (sixth?) reading of the series. These novels are so rich in period detail and characterization I can't imagine getting tired of them.

As other addicts know, part of the charm of the novels are the numerous obscure and offhand references to various "Persons, Animals, Ships and Cannon." Mr. Brown's handsome, very well written dictionary of ALL of those references is a delightful companion clarifying many nuances in in O'Brian's prose. Actually, it's a joy just browsing through the book without one of the novels at your side.

The book also includes two insightful summaries of each novel, one from Aubrey's point of view and one from Maturin's, as well as descriptions of O'Brian's rare inconsistencies and errors in plotting from novel to novel.

How on earth I ever managed to enjoy Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin novels before reading Anthony Gary Brown's wonderful dictionary is a mystery. Brown's book is a must have for all those who wish to get the most out of reading O'Brian's excellent naval stories.

This book is an astonishing piece of research, a listing and historical analysis of thousands of items--well, characters, animals, ships, and cannons--from Patrick O'Brian's series of novels. I cannot imagine how he did it, but what a delightful treat for the rest of us. This book is not just an indispensible companion to the Aubrey-Maturin novels; it's also a great pleasure just to leaf through and read. If you like the O'Brian's books you need to have this one too.

Anthony Gary Brown's "Persons, Animals, Ships and Cannon in the Aubrey-Maturin Sea Novels" is a wonderful resource for anyone who loves the nautical fiction of Patrick O'Brian. The depth and breadth of research evident in this companion volume to the Aubrey-Maturin series is truly awe-inspiring. Every "proper name" reference -- no matter how slight or obscure -- has been diligently tracked and, where ever possible the historical reality behind the fictional is revealed. Characters I had assumed to be merely creations of Patrick O'Brian's imagination are shown by Gary Brown to be based in actual persons. Whenever Stephen Maturin speaks of an obscure botanist or philosopher, Brown has explained who he or she was and what was the significance of their work. There are many, many hours of delightful browsing in this volume for any Patrick O'Brian fan.

I've been sampling this book for a couple of weeks and I can't tell you how much I've been enjoying it! For a fan of the Aubrey/Maturin books its almost as good as having a new POB come out! I think of someone I want to look up, then by the time I've read that entry I've been led to another, and then another and I keep stumbling on the most amazing facts and interesting historical stories.While just keeping track of all the names in the books is useful enough, the "enhanced" information - all the details about "real" people and ships and historical events - is the most exciting treasure for me.I can not begin to imagine the hours and hours invested in this masterpiece, though the careful attention to details and proofreading suggest it was a labor of love. All I can say is that I'm very grateful to the author for having written it. It will make reading and re-reading the Aubrey/Maturin books an even greater delight, and for me at least, it will lead deeper into the historical literature behind the series.Every bookstore in the country should stock this on the shelves next to the Aubrey/Maturin books so new converts will have it in hand right from the start.

It's comprehensive: soil to sky.
If you require, the how and why.

Drury's book is a practical and useful book for not only the writing poetry, but for teaching poetry. His definitions and examples are practical, clear, and unaffected, unlike some of the other more convoluted handbooks. A definite must have for any poet or teacher of poetry

From Abecedarium (a poem arranged according to the alphabet) to Word (the basic unit of the sentence) The Poetry Dictionary takes us on a journey of discovery.

Along the way we encounter such familiar terms as Poem, Carol and Muse and unfamiliar terms like Drottkvaett (an Old Norse stanzaic form) and Synecdoche (a figure of speech in which a part of something indicates the whole). We find old standards penned by the likes of William Shakespeare and Robert Browning but also see lesser-known verse by Woodrow Wilson and Agha Shahid Ali.

Such a book cannot, however, be created by a single man. The acknowledgments make it clear that many individuals contribute to the dictionary. Even Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Lord Byron pitch in, providing translations for Francois Villon's "The Ballad of Dead Ladies" and Dante Alighieri's "Francesca of Rimini" respectively.

Throughout the dictionary, related terms are grouped into major entries and subordinate terms are placed within larger entries. Terms that appear elsewhere as individual entries are proceeded by asterisks, creating a web of connections that shows how the elements of poetry are intertwined.

Each entry provides a pronunciation guide and a definition in the first paragraph. Additional paragraphs give more information.

Many entries contain one or more model poems that illustrate poetic forms or devices. Most of the examples are whole poems, but some are excerpts from longer works.

The Poetry Dictionary may be read as a guide to the practice and history of verse or as an annotated anthology of model poems.

This text is beautifully organized; it's intriguing, and leads the reader on from reference to reference, poem to poem. It's littered with examples and a wide variety of poems, citing old works as well as contemporary reworkings of old forms, Neruda and Keats under Odes, Passerat (16th century) and Weldon Kees (20th century) under Villanelles. Definitions are clear and easy to understand. A fun read, a great resource.

If you are a professional, aspiring or amateur poet, this book is a must have. Part anthology, part dictionary, part encyclopedia, it provides indespensible and clear advice. There is inspiration on practically every page!

This is the perfect companion to Jack Kerouac's classic novel, offering a wealth of information, fascinating stories, and gorgeous photographs about the world chronicled in that novel's pages. But it offers so much more -- a richer understanding of Gary Snyder & Philip Whalen, as well as their poetic work, and an in-depth look at the times & experiences that shaped all three writers. There are countless books about the Beats, many of them quite good indeed ... but this is surely one of the best. The author truly knows & loves his subjects, without being blinded by any need for glossy hagiography. It's as honest a book as you'll find about these three remarkable men & their times. A very enthusiastic recommendation!

John Suiter's work on the founding fathers of Beat poetry and prose is a marvelous read. Suiter takes us along the trail through post war America and ties together the Beat poets, Jack Kerouac, McCarthyism, San Francisco and the North Cascades Forest Service Fire Lookout system of the 1950's. Imagine the poet/Zen Buddhist Gary Snyder being blacklisted from working for the Forest Service! Do you want to know how Jack Kerouac got the idea for his Dharma Bums work? What was it like spending a month and a half completely alone on top of a mountain in the Pacific Northwest, looking for the telltale smoke of a developing forest fire? Do you know what a "lightning stool" is, what you do with it and would you like to see a photograph of one? What was it like being at the famous Six Gallery poetry reading in 1955 when Allen Ginsberg first read "Howl"? If these questions interest you, or if you want to know about the origins of Beat writings-this is the book to get. Author Suiter launches the reader away through Old Mexico to visit with young Robert Mitchum as Christ in a glass coffin and William "Junky" Burroughs, up through Yosemite to camp with Kerouac and Snyder, a stop in San Francisco at City Lights Bookstore and Lawrence Ferlinghetti and finally Japan and Hozomeen, and the Void from Desolation. A delightful Masterpiece of fact and photographs!

"Poets on the Peaks" by John Suiter is a beautiful and insightful book. The text and pictures hold your hand through wonderful reminiscing with and about some of the greatest poets of our time. The landscapes that inspired the poetry that Gary Snyder, Philip Whalen and Jack Kerouac are famous for is staged perfectly throughout the book. It gives you a sense of time and place that makes you feel as if you were in those look out towers and you experienced that electric and quiet time. Learn, escape, and love with this book. It is well worth it!

Writer-photographer Suiter provides a literary portrait of Beat era poets Gary Snyder, Philip Whalen, and Jack Kerouac in Poets On The Peaks, which centers around their early experiences as fire lookouts in the 1950s. As such, Poets On The Peaks provides a hard book to easily categorize: it covers beautiful Cascade Mountain scenes and peaks, fire lookouts, and literature and biography alike. The writings of these three juxtapose nicely with the photos and images, making this a recommended gift choice for the holiday season.

In his first book, John Suiter has produced a work that contributes significantly to the literature on early development of the Beat literary movement and to understanding the disparate characters of Snyder, Whalen, and Kerouac. Using the common experience of all three men serving as fire lookouts in the Northern Cascades in the early to mid 1950's, the author evokes portraits of how each writer was influenced by wilderness and the isolation of a fire lookout, and how each used the experience in his work. Drawing from recent interviews with Snyder and Whalen and others who knew them during the early 1950's, from previously unpublished letters and journals, and from extensive close readings of all three writers, the author crafts a portrait of the evolution of a literary movement, of a wilderness ethic, and perhaps unintentionally, the devolution of Kerouac contrasted against the focus and dedication of Snyder and Whalen. The book is illustrated with photographs of the fire lookouts and their locales.

Poppy reaches out to everyone and anyone. Regardless of whether you are religious or not, this book will connect with some part of you like nothing else. It is an inspirational story of a former movie actress who loses faith after a life full of heartache and loss, only to gradually find it again in an unexpected and quite mysterious vistor in her darkest days late in life. It took me by surprise how much I enjoyed this book, and I'm sure it will surprise and touch you, too.

Such a powerful story for such a small book. I was truly impressed with the messege this story had to give. I can only hope that when I am old I have a little angel to help me along the way. This story will touch your heart and uplift your very soul.

Poppy, Angel of Love is a well crafted and inspiring story of love. I do believe that people come into our lives for a reason and I believe there are angels out there watching over us. This story shows that miracles do happen and that we are not alone. A must read for inspiration and hope.

"Reading POPPY is an experience that will remain with you forever. I loved it!" Og Mandino

"A very special book, unique in my experience...Barbara Larriva has given us a great gift of love." Lawrence Block

"A touching story for all ages. POPPY's magic leaves a lasting impression. I smiled through my tears." Danny Thomas

When is the movie coming out? This is a touching story of multi generational proportions, and the little child shall lead her. A great book to take on a flight, or snuggle up on the couch with a hot cup of tea. Where positive triumphs over negative, where smiles will heal tears. Get it, enjoy it and tell others.

Compiled and edited by John Tullius Pronto!: Writings From Rome is a unique and enthusiastically recommended selection of stories, essays, and poems all written by a gallery of distinguished contributors expressly by special request and on location within the boundaries of Rome. Embodying the ancient city of Rome in verse, majesty, sensory impressions and more, Pronto!: Writings From Rome is an impressive, moving and diverse offering showcasing dozens of literary snapshots into the life and lore of this great center of European and World history. Whether you are an armchair traveler who enjoys well crafted travelogues or are planning your own personal trip to the Eternal City, you will enjoy reading Pronto!: Writings From Rome.

This collection of very short stories from, for the most part, fledgling authors, is really quite impressive. In "Little Jewels," we are shown views of an unhappy marriage and a husband's indiscretion through the eyes of the family dog. A devastated woman tries to come to terms with the loss of her mother, and becomes reacquainted with the beauty in life thanks to an "Angel on a Bicycle." A "One Night Stand" in a hotel in Rome turns out to be a most intriguing experience - one that is both painful and pleasurable for a lonely spinster. In "The Invisible Necklace," angels help a woman rid herself of three self-imposed burdens: Exile, Enslavement, and Exploitation, and her thoughts of suicide, as well. A novice writer takes the criticism of her poem and turns it into one of the most skillfully crafted pieces in this book, which I highly recommend.

Exceptional writing with a combination of reality and fantasy that makes you wonder. I especially enjoyed the ending. The whole story has a "twist" that you never even see coming. Bravo!

Pronto! Writings from Rome--This collection of eclectic stories is reading entertainment at its best. From the first page to the last, each story taps into some of today's best writing talent. By the time you finish reading this collection of stories, you will feel like you have been right in Rome. This is a great read.

Pronto! Writings from Rome is a collection of short stories that make you feel as if you are there ... you can share the romance of the characters, setting, storyline. My favorite is "Steps". It is about a women we can all identify with... too much in a hurry to stop and smell the roses. The lesson she learns from strangers in a far away place speak quietly to her heart, calling out the person she truly is. Each piece is unique to itself; an enjoyable read!

Quests And Kingdoms; A Grown-up's Guide To Children's Fantasy Literature by K.V. Johansen is a seminal work exceptionally well written and recommended for its relevance for teachers and or parents who wish to understand the actions of the children with whom they're involved. Quests And Kingdoms is a practical, accessible education on the subject of the impractical, fanciful mind of the child, and to where such a mind may be when indulged in books of fantasy at an age so susceptible to fantastic beliefs.

Quests And Kingdoms; A Grown-up's Guide To Children's Fantasy Literature by K.V. Johansen is a seminal work exceptionally well written and recommended for its relevance for teachers and or parents who wish to understand the actions of the children with whom they're involved. Quests And Kingdoms is a practical, accessible education on the subject of the impractical, fanciful mind of the child, and to where such a mind may be when indulged in books of fantasy at an age so susceptible to fantastic beliefs.

Quests And Kingdoms; A Grown-up's Guide To Children's Fantasy Literature by K.V. Johansen is a seminal work exceptionally well written and recommended for its relevance for teachers and or parents who wish to understand the actions of the children with whom they're involved. Quests And Kingdoms is a practical, accessible education on the subject of the impractical, fanciful mind of the child, and to where such a mind may be when indulged in books of fantasy at an age so susceptible to fantastic beliefs.

Quests And Kingdoms; A Grown-up's Guide To Children's Fantasy Literature by K.V. Johansen is a seminal work exceptionally well written and recommended for its relevance for teachers and or parents who wish to understand the actions of the children with whom they're involved. Quests And Kingdoms is a practical, accessible education on the subject of the impractical, fanciful mind of the child, and to where such a mind may be when indulged in books of fantasy at an age so susceptible to fantastic beliefs.

Quests And Kingdoms; A Grown-up's Guide To Children's Fantasy Literature by K.V. Johansen is a seminal work exceptionally well written and recommended for its relevance for teachers and or parents who wish to understand the actions of the children with whom they're involved. Quests And Kingdoms is a practical, accessible education on the subject of the impractical, fanciful mind of the child, and to where such a mind may be when indulged in books of fantasy at an age so susceptible to fantastic beliefs.