Woody Allen Books

In "Jim's Journey: A Wake Island Civilian POW's Story," LA Magnino has done a magnificent job of recounting her father Jim Allen's experiences as a Wake Island contract worker, defender, and prisoner of the Japanese.
Jim's story is but a microcosm of the men, civilians and military alike, galvanized by the Great Depression whose paths led them into one of the greatest sagas of WWII history.
Magnino's writing style is clear and rivals many of the other Wake Island stories I've read. She carefully negotiates her father's less than colloquial English to extract a tidy narrative. Maginio's work also reveals, to the credit of her father's skills of observation, many details of the Wake experience not previously documented by historical scholars.
While I would not consider "Jim's Journey" a necessarily scholarly work itself, it does remain an important contribution to the historical records of WWII.
REVIEW EVERY BOOK YOU READ, AUTHORS DESERVE THE OPINIONS OF ALL READERS!

I received this book for Christmas, autographed by the Author & Jim Allen from one of my daughters. The book is very well written and has lots of interesting photos and illustrations to complement and authenticate the story. It certainily gives those of us that were too young to fight or be involved in WW II a better insight of what transpired to our servicemen and civilians that were taken as POW's by the Japanese. The recoginition of the civilian POWs was a very long time in comming, which unfortunately happens all to frequently.

I would highly recommend this book for all.

It's interesting to see how a prisoner of war can recall with such detail, even though they may not have spoken of the ordeal in years... Magnino does a wonderful job of preserving Jim's memories... Especially interesting to those who know of Pearl Harbor, but not of other POWs and battles.

This is a very detailed and educational story. It's great to have a personal account to better understand the sometimes forgotten history of Japanese POW's during WWII.

Jim's Journey: A Wake Island Civilian POW's Story is the compelling, true-life account of James A. Allen and his survival of 1,354 days of imprisonment as a civilian prisoner of war after being captured by the Imperial Japanese navy in December 1941 when the Marine garrison on Wake Island was finally overwhelmed. Jim was held in Japanese POW camps in China, Korea, and Japan. In addition to his eye-witness account of life as a POW, Jim's Journey also relates what happened to him when he was finally liberated and returned to America. It would be thirty-seven years before the U.S. government would official recognize that Jim and other eligible civilian POWs for their contributions to the dramatic defense of Wake Island against insurmountable hostile forces. Jim's Journey is a welcome and much appreciated contribution to the history of POW experiences arising from World War II in the Pacific Theater.

Allen Wheelis who has written a series of extraordinary novels and professional psychiatric books, offers a moving, beautiful, and powerfully evocative memoir. Psychoanalysts, he says, know too much to hide behind self-decption and this astonishing book reveals the shape of a life seen straight, seen without distorting lenses.

It can be embarassing sometimes for a reader to hear about sexual desire-- particularly when it reveals so well that forbidden place men seem to know. Somehow, Wheelis avoids going overboard. At one point, he admits to the reader that if we like him, he has failed to truly reveal himself. Perhaps the reason I like him is that I am thankful. Usually male sexual desire is loaded-- we (as men) are either taught to embrace it (machismo) or chastise it. In this case I it was simply felt and explained.

Throughout the whole book I felt nothing but pain for this poor little boy; abused by his father, who grew into the adult victim of his elderly mother---a mother whose repressed sexual desires (due to her husbands illness) were directed toward her son. I cried for Allen the boy and Allen the man.

I am editor of the professional journal "Psychotherapy In Australia" and also a therapist. So I've read many many books on, by, and for therapy and therapists. Allen Wheelis' "The Listener" is utterly distinctive and forced me to confront myself about just how honest I have been with myself in my own life. It is also beautifully written. I've read this book three times now, ans gained more each time, and I've set off on a quest to read all his other books. Irvin Yalom has reviewed this book by asking if a more honest autobiography has ever been written. I have no fear in answering "No".

I've read many, many self-help books in my pursuit to resolve issues such as controlling food intake, poor social skills, negative self-image, and just simply how to manage what happens externally, so that I'm internally balanced. Then I read Wheelis's "How People Change". POW. What a great impact on me. And in that small book, I got a good glimpse into his life. I absolutely had to know more about him. But while reading Listener, I had to keep reminding myself that is not a self-help book. What I was thinking while reading, was how interesting it was to hear about his emotional challenges, the whole range of dilemma's he lived through. This book supplies a lot of very valuable lessons on how *not* to live life, in contrast to his People Change book. 1.) I will make absolutely sure I am emotionally available to my wife when I do find her and get married. LIke Wheelis, I've been over-analytical, but moreso than Wheelis, been very lonely,( full of meaningless short relationships where sex was pretty much it) 2.) Concerning his agony over not being able to sow his wild oates, not getting enough sex as a young man, this is something I used to dwell on. My attitude, as a Christian I've recently become, is, everytime I feel that heart-in-the-pit-of-my-stomach feeling when I see a beautiful woman with wonder what I'm missing out or how I'm suffering, this life as a human being is short and I'm running out of time to give as much as possible, not lust as much as possible. The lust you experience with one spouse is enough! No other sex is necessary. I wish that Wheelis could have replaced his thoughts of deprivation, during his life, with these sort of thoughts. I am not saying to be a Christian or even religious, but take *some* kind of spirtual approach and realize that a part of you never dies and just because you didn't experience as much sex as you wanted, doesn't mean you've officially blown a "chance". You are eternal, and there are joys ahead after this little margin of human existence, I'm convinced (yeah i guess I *am* asking you to a little religious), that make human lust very minor in comparison. I really felt for him and the pain he described. In an especially sexually-explicit segment of about two pages, he speaks for all men, in terms of our unfortunate hard-wiredness to want sex so bad and under any condition that we want. More than anything, this book will drive you right back to his How People Change book to re-read it and absorb it. ( If your inspirational book of choice is something else, then go re-read that again. I recommend the road less traveled)

This was different from most of the books we read. It's nice to include some non-fiction. My daughter wanted to read it 3 times in a row! She loved the danger of the crow because it was so dramatic compared to most kids' books - yet still not over the top scary. She likes to finish the sentences and guess what's wrong with each tale the skink tries. The activity is fun at the end and I think she'll enjoy it in a different way when she's older (using it like a real map with the letters and numbers). She's 3 yrs old. She likes to point to all the letters and sing the alphabet at the end and she loves finding the paw prints.

Grab your kids head to a reading ASAP! It's an interactive good time for both kids and adults. Janet, her husband Tom and daughter Laura make the book come alive.If you're lucky you'll get to play a part in the book. I was an (wise)owl.

This charming story is about Little Skink, a lizard, who's enjoying a nice peaceful day...that is, until she goes hunting for ants for breakfast. A hungry crow goes after Little Skink's distinctive blue tail. In order to save herself from becoming Crow's breakfast, Little Skink snaps off her blue tail. Her tail continues to wiggle, keeping Crow's attention. Little Skink uses the opportunity to save herself by hiding under a log.

Little Skink is sad about losing her tail, so she starts to wonder what it would be like to have a tail like one of the other animals in the forest. Every day, she imagines she has the tail of whatever animal walks by her. No tail is suitable, and she's sure she'll never find "just the right tail" to replace her lost bright blue one. The story ends on an upbeat note, sure to please the reader.

Author Janet Halfmann's precise text makes this a fun story to read. Coupled with the outstanding illustrations by Laurie Allen Klein, the reader is provided with excellent visuals to see Little Skink in the assorted tails she sports while trying to find "just the right tail". This scientifically accurate book has a "For Creative Minds" section at the end of the story with a unique Footprint Map to help children recognize the distinct footprints of several animals, as well as a "Tail Matching" Activity to help the reader remember and correctly identify the tails of the animals portrayed in this story. As always, Sylvan Dell Publishing has printed a quality, beautiful, fun, and scientifically accurate book for children. Author Janet Halfmann's text urges children to think in a logical, creative way; add in the colorful, crisp images created by Laurie Allen Klein, this book is a sure bet to stimulate the minds of animal-loving children everywhere!
In addition, readers can find cross-curricular "Teaching Activities," an audio reading, child-friendly "Learning Links," and comprehension and math quizzes for free at www.SylvanDellPublishing.com

By: Gayle Jacobson-Huset
Assistant Editor
Stories for Children Magazine

A hungry crow tries to make Little Skink's Tail a meal. Little Skink tricks the crow by dropping her beautiful tail and hiding. Little Skink then imagines what she would look like with various types of tails of other animals in her woodland habitat. After considering how the other tails would look on her body, Little Skink discovers that her tail has grown back just the right size for a Skink!

The students in my fifth grade class had been creating their own story plots about an animal they had been researching. They included information about predator/prey relationships, habitats, ecosystems, behaviors and food needs. The students had done much thinking about a problem that their story's main character would need to confront.

When I read them, Little Skink's Tail by Janet Halfmann, the students were delighted. They recognized the plot
and enjoyed how the Little Skink imagined wearing other tails. The students thought it was "neat" how Janet Halfmann took factual science information and developed it into a "tale" touched by a bit of magic and wit.

Even though the students realized that the audience was most likely intended for 5-7 year olds, they felt the plot was interesting enough for older students. The students enjoyed the illustrations by Laurie Klein that extended their understanding of habitats and animal interrelationships. They also enjoyed the activities at the end and wanted to try them out.

As a teacher, I appreciated the clarity of the plot line, the accuracy of the information, and the simplicity of the theme. The story does not overwhelm the students with too much information, but highlights how a plot can be developed around one significant event.

Oh no, Little Skink's Tail is stolen! She is scared and sad. Can she get another tail? What kind of tail would she like next? A skunk's tail, a turtle's tail, an owl's tail? No tails she sees in the forest seems just right. Luckily, she is a lizard. Do you know how lizards get their tails? This book will tell you.
Author Janet Halfmann and Illustrator Laurie Allen Klein do a splendid job in telling this tale and in painting not only Little Skink, but also all of the forest and its inhabitants. Therefore, the young reader will learn all about a whole woodland habitat. One matching activity in the back goes further in explaining the uses of many other animal's tails, for instance a rabbit raises its cottontail to tell other rabbits about trouble ahead. This book is a terrific addition to a home or classroom, ages 5 - 8. Just think how wonderful a forest or lizard unit would be in a classroom. One can just see a diorama created by children based on the book!

A fabulous book, with so much to read and see, and LEARN! Gloria Allen is always thorough in her research. Wonderful!

Gloria Allen's "A Maryland Sampling" is much more than a book about needlework or samplers. In truth, it weaves multiple histories of young girls, the early days of female education in Maryland, families and tradition to create a fascinating picture that deserves to be told. Equally important, "A Maryland Sampling" details, to a greater extent than ever before, the embroidery work of young African-American girls in Baltimore and the teachers and schools that sought to give young girls of color an education equal to that of while children. Even if you're not a needleworker or sampler collector - and I am neither - "A Maryland Sampling" is a beautiful book with a beautiful story.

A former curator and then director of the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum in Washington, D.C., Gloria Seaman Allen brings to bear her considerable years of experience and expertise in "A Maryland Sampling: Girlhood Embroidery 1738-1860". A beautifully illustrated history of Maryland samplers and pictorial embroideries that were the instructed obligation of young girls who were thereby able to showcase their needlecraft skills and abilities. Now these samplers are highly prized among collectors and antiques dealers. Allen focuses specifically on Maryland and how needlework traditions from its 18th and early 19th century English, German, and French settlers were carried on down through the end of the American Civil War. A truly seminal work of painstaking scholarship, "A Maryland Sampling" is especially recommended as an addition to academic library American Cultural History reference collections, and to the attention of needlecrafters, as well as Americana collectors and dealer.

Dr. Allen is an excellent historian and this beautiful, informative book gives evidence to it. For anyone interested in the historical aspects of needlework of the Baltimore area, this is a must see and read book. The pictures are sharp and clear and the history of the girlhood embroideries is right on track.

THIS IS A WONDERFUL BOOK OF 384 PAGES, WITH MANY BEAUTIFUL PICTURES. IT DOCUMENTS MARYLAND SAMPLERS AND EMBROIDERIES. THE BOOK GOES IN DEPTH TELLING ABOUT THE SCHOOLS, TEACHERS AND THE PUPILS, INCLUDING THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY WHO CREATED THESE BEAUTIFUL WORKS OF ART.

VERY INTERESTING TO READ, AND A VALUABLE BOOK TO HAVE, FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN SAMPLERS AND THEIR HISTORIES.

As a Training Manager for a large wireless company I was charged with rolling out our online learning system. As you would expect, I and my company, did a good deal of research before we purchased our system. Michael Allen's book was very helpful in identifying the questions we needed to identify, as a company, before we took the step.

I highly recommend this book. Even though you will likely experience some frustration in your search for the most effective online learning system, his book will make the process less painful.

The book really focuses on the "how to" of developing and designing your online courses. It honestly lays out the pros and cons of online learning. You will find it helpful.

This book is a must have for the aspiring e-Learning developer. It reviews enough theory to make the point and directs the reader quickly through the logic and science of good e-Learning design.

This book takes e-learning to its core mandate, that of engaging and involving the learners, so that they learn the key skills and knowledge required.

An excellent and easy read, with lots of good examples and non-examples, nicely compared side by side.

Dr. Allen is a champion of learner-centric design - and has written a refreshingly reader-centric book about the topic. He understands that learning is an "internal, personal, and ultimately individual act." His words reveal his passions and opinions in such an authentic manner that you can quickly understand his perspective, and extract points of meaning that can directly apply to your work. As a producer and designer of interactive media, I continually find his insights an inspiration.

I purchased this book as I was beginning to design an eLearning curriculum for my company. The book was a great jumpstart to helping me structure the program, consider ways to involve the learners in eLearning, and remember to find ways to make the course material memorable. I found the accompanying online and CD-based demos to be good stimulators, too. Although I won't be using an authoring tool like the one Michael Allen invented, it was easy to take and apply several of Allen's ideas to my project.

Every recipe I've made has been a huge success. For active vegans, or anyone looking for offbeat ways to boost protein and nutrients in their daily intake, this book is idea. It's also great for vegetarians and vegans who don't want to depend overly on soy. Healthy, easy, and inventive, these recipes add a great dimension to the daily diet!

Nuts come in an incredible variety and are to be found as integral elements of every ethnic cuisine on the planet this side of the Eskimos. "The Nut Gourmet: Nourishing Nuts For Every Occasion" by Zel Allen is an amazing compilation of recipes that incorporate nuts in appetizers, breakfast dishes, soups, salads, main dishes, grains and legumes, sauces, sandwiches, vegetable dishes, relishes and condiments, spreads and dips, smoothies and beverages, desserts and confections. Beginning with a roster of great advice for the novice kitchen cook about the health benefits of nuts, buying and storing nuts, tips and tricks with their use, nut measurement equivalents, and 'The Nutcracker's Toolbox', "The Nut Gourmet" goes on to feature simply wonderful recipes that range from Pistachio Pea Pate; Poppy Seed Dressing; Sesame Nut Patties; and African Peanut Soup; to Raisin Walnut Bread; Cheezy Tofu Spread with Pine Nuts; Nutty No-Bake Pie Crust; and Very Berry Parfait with Macadamia Nuts. Enhanced for the novice with the color photography illustrations and the inclusion of a glossary, a resources list, and nutrition tables for nuts, "The Nut Gourmet" is an ideal and enthusiastically recommended specialty addition to personal and community library cookbook collections.

This is a delightful book, full of delicious recipes for every occasion. The book makes nuts come alive on your plate and in your palate! And it's written by someone with years of experience teaching people about great nutrition. It's a book for everyone.

I love this vegan cookbook! It has good information about nuts and lots of yummy recipes! I hadn't used pistachios before finding the cookbook, but now I'm hooked! I use this frequently when I have guests coming for dinner and they love it everytime. I highly recommend this book!

Even if you don't love nuts (I do!), you're sure to enjoy this cookbook. Both recipes I've tried--Butternut Corn Cashew Soup and Gourmet Garden Loaf--were terrific and there are tons of other creative recipes for everything from appetizers to desserts. There are also helpful tips on buying, storing, and even cracking nuts, as well as nutrition information.

I read this book at the house of a fellow dog lover and ended up ordering 6 copies for other dog lovers I know! Can't wait to share it with them, as they will appreciate the not only the humor, but how well it represents the personalities of dogs we have all known and loved.

This book must be written by a really smart old dog because he does seem to know how everything works. I read some of it to my dogs and they totally agree. We all had a great tummy scratch and took a nap. I just ordered two more for other pups I know. Great fun!!

This book must be written by a really smart old dog because he does seem to know how everything works. I read some of it to my dogs and they totally agree. We all had a great tummy scratch and took a nap. Great fun!!

Cute and clever collection of observances on doggy behavior. Just for fun, but one of the cleverest of its type, and I love the illustrations.

I've never read a book which so expertly captures the warmth and humor of owning a dog. If I didn't know better, I'd say my dogs wrote this book. If you've ever owned a dog, or better yet, if you've ever seen a dog, this book is a must! It's funny!

It has been a few months since the events depicted in the preceding novel, "Early's Pride," and retired detective Brady Kincaid is back in town. He is back to visit his many friends, catch up on what he has been happening in the small town of Early, Michigan and to attend the annual Early's Founders Day Fair. However, his plans quickly go out the window and the former Detective is asked to again help the small police force, as a murder has been committed.

Librarian Penny Penelope has been found dead at the town's bookstore, Brickley's Books. She was struck several times in the head by an axe and based on the lack of blood at the scene, it is clear that her body was moved and later dumped at the bookstore. It is bad enough to have a dead body in a bookstore on any day, but even worse when the Fair is about to open and the bookstore is set to host Miss Holly LaFrance who will be signing copies of her new book. The very same book that was blasted in a scathing syndicated review column that happened to run in the local paper today.

Brady is needed and despite some misgivings about being paired with Officer Alice Drinker, he is glad to assist. He misses serious police work and this case intrigues him from his first visit to the crime scene. As the fair opens and the investigation moves forward, they find that the killer wasn't the only one with secrets to hide. Public image is one thing but as so often the case, private reality is far different.

With many of the characters involved in Early's Pride back, this is another enjoyable read with characters that feel like old friends. Unlike the previous book, the focus in this "cozy" style murder mystery is primarily on Brady Kincaid and the case as well as some important decisions about his future that he needs to make. As such, there is less romance than in the previous book. Not to say there is not a romantic element, there certainly is, but the primary element in this novel is the mystery. The solution, which is readily apparent from early in the novel to seasoned mystery readers, still provides an enjoyable read and a very entertaining story.

On the Chopping Block
Bobby Jaye Allen
What a delight to enter the lives of our friends in Early again.
The local librarian has been the one chopped and we are led on the chase of the killer(s).
Once again we are offered clues and can try to guess up to the end just who is responsible for the murder. We get to revisit old friends such as Brady Kincaid and also meet new ones like Alice Drinker.
I for one hope to be able to continue into this little window of their lives.
Thanks Ms Allen, you have scored another hit with this reader.

What can I say? I loved On The Chopping Block. Bobby Jaye gets
better with each book. It was like old home week. Hearing about the lives of cousins Claudia and Joyce, a deeper look into Brady Kincaid and what he's thinking makes me hope that Bobby Jaye's next book will continue with him
coming back to Early and joining the police force. Of couse there is the enigma of Alice Drinker and Brady, can't wait for her to sort that one out.
A terrific read. Couldn't put it down. Even stayed up late to finish it. Rock on Bobby Jaye

On The Chopping Block,Bobby Jaye Allen's third book takes place in Early,Michigan. Brady Kincaid has arrived to visit with friends and attend Early's Founders Day Fair.
When the brutally murdered body of the town librarian, Penelope Powder is discovered, Brady is quickly pulled in to help with the investgation.Brady is a former homicide detective who now works as security for a teacher's college in Ohio.He has worked with Detective Newkirk in the past, but we meet Alice Drinker who has replaced vacationing Officer Bebout. Alice is an attractive woman with an intriguing personal history, much of it rumor.
Once again,Ms Allen presents us with an unusual set of characters.There is Randall Zebner,the sweaty photographer, Holly LaFrance,author who is at the fair for a book signing of her latest publication,her agent Worthington Smitherly, pompous and pretentious,and Marva Greeves who had hopes of being appointed to the Library Board.The introduction of Peter Yee who trained as a "Vrai Nez" or true nose gives us an insight into the perfumery business.
Brady and Alice quickly narrow down their suspects but to tie it all together and get all the physical evidence in place makes a very enjoyable story.
We see Brady's growing attraction to the lovely Alice Drinker. With the crime solved and suspects in custody, we leave Brady pondering whether to go back to his job at the college or accept an offer to return to Early as a homicide detective.

"On the Chopping Block," third in a murder mystery series by Bobby Jaye Allen, returns us to Early, Michigan for its Founder's Day Fair. The story opens with the vicious axe murder of Miss Powder, the town's librarian. As luck would have it, Brady Kincaid is in town to visit friends and attend the fair, and once again he's called on to assist Early's homicide squad in solving the murder. There seems to be a connection between Miss Powder's death, Brickley's bookstore where her body was found, Holly LaFrance, best selling author, in town to autograph her latest book, and the release of syndicated column, "On the Chopping Block" which blisters Ms LaFrance's book with an excoriating review. Besides assisting Detective Bebout in solving the case, Brady meets Officer Alice Drinker, a woman he's immediately attracted to and who might be the deciding factor whether to accept the offer to join Early's detective squad permanently. An interesting piece of the puzzle is the role of the master perfumer, Peter Yee. The information about "true noses" or "vrai nez" and the talent it takes to create a fragrance makes this book all the more worthwhile reading.As a reviewer, I love the tart lines the author came up with to describe poorly written books. My favorite, and I'll probably borrow it someday, describes a book the reviewer didn't like: "A real hangnail of a story--annoying as hell." There are many more originalthoughts and readers will get their money's worth with "On the Chopping Block." Five Stars. An interesting

I have only scanned the book, however I am historically familiar with a
lot of the content which motivated me to buy the book as a collectors
item. I also order the book for my grandson and a friend's son.

Doug Murray

Here is a man who should be an inspiration to a whole generation. This book is more proof that he is more than just an athlete. This book is recommended reading for all teenagers

On the Shoulders of Giants speaks of a bygone, sometimes forgotten piece of America and its culture that nevertheless has great, reaching tentacles into our present, and that will continue to shake and embrace us well into our future. Beautifully written, with a title that says it all, this book is just as evocative and fascinating for non-sports, non-jazz fans as it will undoubtedly be for those entrenched in both subjects.

A wonderful discovery.

Especially interesting are the musicians and music that originated or passed through Harlem during this time.

The Harlem Renaissance continues to contribute to society today, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar explains why in this memoir.

Skip Allen's debut novel, "Out of the Ashes" explores the frightening possibility of domestic terrorism in the United States. Matt and Annie, having failed in their previous relationship, are suddenly thrust together in a battle to stop an attack in the American Heartland when al Qaida terrorists launch their deadly biological attack.

Not only does Skip Allen weave a masterful tale that spans three continents, he does so with a level of authentic detail that can only come from a lifetime of experience. Only a person with a military intelligence background would understand the intricate relationships of government entities and offices as described in this realistic story. With impeccable research, you will believe you are in Costa Rica with Matt and Annie as they face their own possible death to serve their country.

Symbolisms of the Islamic faith are richly interwoven throughout this well-researched tale that rips names from the headlines of today's news to add to the totally realistic feel of this book. You will be angry, frightened, and more vigilant after having read this book.

Ann Baker
Author of "No Coincidence" and "Timing is Everything"

Out of the Ashes is written very well and the story is very intriguing. The book contains so much wonderful description and details about Costa Rica that the reader comes to know the country even having never been there.

At times in the middle of the book, I had to remind myself that al Qaida were the bad guys. Mr. Allen seems to know a lot about the fundamentals of Islam by revealing the thought processes of the terrorist recruits - he definitley did his homework. I was slightly disappointed that Christianity only plays a negative role in the story, but that is attributed to how well Mr. Allen conveys the terrorist frame of mind. The bad guys aren't nice people afterall.

I really, really loved the final 100+ pages of the book with the exciting action and the great twist I didn't see coming, but it completely felt natural. Again, I think Skip Allen writes very well. I don't regret reading Out of the Ashes at all.

As I read Out of the Ashes, I imagined it being played as a movie in my head. Hollywood producers should give Mr. Allen a call, I am certain that it would make a successful movie. Hollywood could use some new material instead of re-making all those same old movies.

I for one will certainly be checking out SkipAllen.com to look out for the sequel.

WOW!!! This is an exciting and timely book! Be warned! You will not be able to put it down until you turn that last page. It is a story of America's war against terrorism and Al Qaeda's war against America! It could be ripped from the headlines of the future; although we pray not.

This first novel weaves literary fiction and historical accuracy with great skill. Allen's use of the written word captivates his reader and makes the heart pound with anticipation of the next plot twist. His unique ability to explain the construction of Al Qaeda's cells, their recruitment programs and their deployment of WMDs, only adds to this tantalizing tale of good vs evil, embodied by the book's two heroes, Matt and Annie, intelligence operatives who just happen to like each other, a lot.

Make no mistake; however, this is not a love story. It is a carefully woven and frightening tale of the conviction and cruelty of the terrorists, and the commitment of the United States to defeat them, at all costs.

In conclusion, I am waiting for just one more thing: Skip Allen's next book! This is screaming for a sequel! Buy this book now and be ready for one scary ride........

I just finished reading Skip Allen's very thrilling, suspenseful, and enjoyable debut novel. At the end, I was left yearning for more...maybe a sequel? I hope so!

Allen's writing style is superb. He writes very succinctly, yet conveys much meaning.

The characters are very well fleshed out. I especially like how the author goes straight to the root causes of how al Qaida managed to recruit 3 young red-blooded Americans. The family backgrounds, the painful upbringings, the torn emotions...all are very believable, intriguing, while at the same time very scary indeed.

The technicalities and subplots woven throughout this tapestry of a novel are intriguing; especially the descriptions of weapons, computer/encryption descriptions, military procedures, etc. Very interesting indeed.

Other highlights are: detailed descriptions of biological agents, the luscious landscape of Costa Rica so beautifully described, and Allen's arresting ability to tell the story from all sides and all perspectives, allowing the reader to enter the chilling, obsessive and complex world of al Qaida.

In summary, I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read more exciting work from this author.

Matt Garret and his love, Annie Stewart, are great additions to the genre of adventure fiction. Their creator, Skip Allen, has written a first novel that begs to become a series--a long series. Faced with a plan by al Qaida to send American bad guys into America's Heartland with a biological weapon of mass destruction, Matt and Annie weave through a circuitous adventure that keeps one turning pages and trying to remember to breath. The suspense is almost unbearable and the whole plot is so well written and realistic that one feels they have opened a book with "For Your Eyes Only" scrawled across it. Out of the Ashes' is a truly fantastic tale. It lets us look into the murky world of al Qaida and marvel at the depth of their fanaticism and takes us thru the complex of our own intelligence network. The Navy Seals do their legendary best and the code breakers work away, unsung but celebrated in our hearts. It is a story of the best and the worst that man can do; luckily, honor, integrity and sheer courage perseveres. It is filled with riveting action that makes for a wonderful read, one can hope that Allen writes another one,and soon.