Clubs Books

My best friend and I have loved this since the third grade and we are now going into the seventh grade. In the third grade when we discovered this book we put a yellow paper clip on the page with the sweetest poem and since then we have both left the school that the book belonged to. The paper clip is still there today and most people in the school know about the paper clip so they don't move it. They all know the story.

I thought that this book was well thought out. Though, this book gears to middle and elementary aged children. If you want to have a cute little autograog signing inside a yaerbook or autogragh book, this is the book to use. Inside the book are 11 different sections such as, "I Love You, I Love You", and "Forget-Me-Not".I'd recommend this book to any middle school aged child to read.

I had this book in the fourth grade and was delighted to find it available used on Amazon.com! It was just as wonderful as I remembered it and my kids love it, too!

Let me start out by saying that my mother had this book when she was little. She loved this book and still remembers many of these little verses. Such as: "You love yourself, You think you're grand, You go to the movies and hold your hand, You put your arm around your waist, And when you get fresh, You slap your face!"

"Grandma has a habit, Of chewing in her sleep, She chews on Grandpa's whiskers, And thinks it's shredded wheat."

This book spoke to me about ME! I especially liked the very first section - Be Honest With Yourself About Yourself. It starts out with a slam. If you can't see yourself in these pages, you're not looking! This book kills any excuses about why your life is not the way it should be and guides you on the path to making it what you want it to be. Excellent!

This book is helping me to evaluate myself and make the changes I need to make to ensure my life is better for me and others around me. It's all about Spirit, Mind & Body. It's not proper writing - it's writing from the heart - clear and concise, honest and true.

I want to know what I need to know, quickly, honestly, and without fuss. And Gina Johnson Smith gives it to me the way I need it. I look forward to Volume 2!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is full of wisdom-bringing both the practical and the spiritual into one arena. Each section is short and to the point. Mrs. Smith doesn't waste words or time.

I saw myself all through this book. If you want to really grow spiritually. If you're really serious, YOU NEED TO GET THIS BOOK!

THIS IS A VERY GOOD ACCOUNT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE 500 CLUB. EACH PLAYER IS PROFILED BRILLIANTLY. THEIR CARRERS ARE WELL TOLD AND A READER GETS AN APPRECIATION FOR EACH MEMBER. THE AUTHOR DOES A GOOD JOB ON THIS BOOK. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TO ANY FAN WHO WANTS A LOT INFO ABOUT EACH MEMBER OF THE 500 CLUB.

I think that this book by Bob Allen and Bill Gilbert is an excellent book to read and see the many and the few(which ever way you want to see it)great hitters who have been lost in all the Babe Ruth and the Hank Aaron Home Run Derby. This book goes into detail about the life and careers of all of the 500 home run hitters. Do you remember the name Eddie Matthews or Mel Ott because they both hit 500 home runs. And how about Harmon Killebrew, second only to Babe Ruth in American League home runs. I don't think that Willie McCovey gets the credit that he deserves for hitting as many home runs as Ted Williams. I for one am glad that these two guys wrote this book to let you know how great of hitters these guys really were.In conclusion I feel that any real baseball fan should go out and get this book to remiss about the old times of baseball.

In baseball every pitcher dreams of winning 300 games in a career for power hitters it is the mark of 500 home runs that drives them to excel. This book, The 500 Home Run Club, takes you inside baseball?s exclusive fraternity that only has 15 members.

Watch baseball history come alive as you read about the power of Harmon Killebrew of the grace of Henry Aaron. Watch baseball?s magical wizardry in the story of Babe Ruth, or the trials faced by Jimmie Foxx. See how Ted Williams missed 5 years and still hit 521 home runs.

The game covers some many different eras, from early baseball with Mel Ott, to the 50?s with Yankee great Mickey Mantle to the 80?s with the raw power of Mike Schmidt of the Phillies. So many of the true legends of this game are here in this book.

You?ll also read what other players had to say about these 15 great hitters, all of which are in Baseball?s Hall of Fame. For the serious and true baseball fan in your life grab copy of this book, you won?t be disappointed.

Great storyline! Details of exciting battles, meshed with interesting backgrounds of the participants, plus a touching story of the main character.

A refreshing new outlook, touching human story, exciting action and adventure, loads of information on military matters....and all this from a foreigner!! A really enjoyable book!

A refreshing new outlook, touching human story, exciting action and adventure, loads of information on military matters....and all this from a foreigner!! A really enjoyable book!

i love the book and look forward to reading more books from kwame teague in the future. keep writing kwame because you tell it from the heart where everyone can feel what you are writing. if we had more writers like you everyone would want to read more and would never give up. you are an inspiration to us all keep your head up and keep writing

If a book ever deserved five stars, this book does! It is a rare blend of frankness, humor and social insight. It is written in the vernacular of the ghetto, with a potent appeal to the hip hop generation. The language -- though strong -- is indispensable to the portrayal of the concepts and realism that constitute Teague's objectives. Teague doesn't gloss over the imperfections of ghetto life. Neither did Langston Hughes. Neither is Teague a poet, as Hughes was -- although he accomplishes through prose many of the things that Hughes did with poetry, as he often captures the rhythm and symbolism of poetry. Teague does not attempt to romanticize ghetto existence. He presents it as it is: the good and the bad. The bad is notorious. The good is usually overlooked. But not by Teague. He paints a vivid picture of the culture of the ghetto, of the interpersonal ties and loyalites, the intrinsic morality -- yes, I said morality. This book -- actually two books in one -- should have immense appeal to a brand new audience: the hip hop generation who starve for literature geared to their needs. In addition, however, the book should be read by those who think they know the ghetto, but don't live there and have never lived there. Let them 'live' a ghetto existence through Kwame Teague, and be awaken to the human beauty of the ghetto, juxtaposed against the ugliness of the deteriorated physical environment.

This is one of the most outstanding works of literature that I have ever read. Teague portrays the general experience of a black male growing in the ghetto through two unique formats. The first, in "The Adventures of Ghetto Sam," in the form of a comic-like structure, where Ghetto Sam serves as the "ghetto hero/protagonist." Sam is a street savvy individual in the midst of a conspiracy between foreign diplomats, a multi-billion dollar corporation, the city of New York, and the US government. The plot is quite creative and overall captivating. While "The Glory of My Demise" is a more realistic, thought provoking examination of the ghetto experience through the eyes of the character Kwame Jamal. This half of the work is sort of a tutorial to those who base their knowledge of black circumstances on the statics and demographics, to show them that its more than numbers, but real occurences. Overall, the urban dialogue and manipulation of plot create a remarkable work that anyone can get into. Look out from Kwame Teague.

LTC (USA, Ret) L.H. "Bucky" Burruss was more than a skilled special forces or unit operator, as the S&T commander he knew how to how to evaluate a soldier's ability and teach what he and the instructors had learned to his students. This book is an excellent extension of that skill

I found the characters in both combat and non-combat to be extraordinarily real. He has has found a way to capture the essence that makes up both a combat arms or special forces soldier in a way that I have rarely experienced in a book.

He manages to "pull no punches" on the "horror of war" yet still convey the adrenaline rush that combat brings. I could feel the main character's guilt when he let down his team. Bucky's emphasis on the "fundamentals of combat arms" and KISS rather than "fancy manuevers" cannot be over empasized for military combat leaders. The reality of army politics is brought into painfully clear focus as is the arbitrariness of the fates. Finally, he deals with the choices that we each make and their consequences in an honest manner that is at times also painfully clear.

He decidedly define's "All That Matters" for each of his characters.

I would recommend this book to anyone contemplating a career in the military. I certainly hope that Bucky's next book is already at the press.

It's ironic that the last and best of L.H. Burruss' four novels is the only one out of print.

If there's any justice in the publishing indusstry -- and that's probably a huge stretch -- someone with a modicum of courage and a common-sense feel for marketing will make sure "All That Matters" is back on the bookshelves post haste.

And if there aren't any commercial publishers with these evidently rare qualities, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld should twist some Pentagon arms to ensure "All That Matters" gets reprinted and makes it quickly into every PX book section and post library in the world, and then lean on whomever may be left in Follywood who didn't threaten to leave the country (and, of course, then didn't) were Dubya to be re-elected and who now merely hiss and spit whenever the president's name is mentioned, to make a blockbuster movie out of "All That Matters."

If the movie were done right -- Joe Pesci as Father Fallon, the feisty, life-affirming priest; Julia Roberts as Mary McClanahan, the unfaithful wife; and Ed Harris, or, maybe even better, Nick Cage, as Ed Walker, the man around whom this novel orbits -- it could inspire recruitment for the Army as effectively as "Top Gun" did for a certain other branch of U.S. warriors.

"All That Matters" takes its strength from all of Burruss' previous works. His only nonfiction book, "Mike Force," introduces us to the mind of a young Tidewater Virginia man and descendant of soldiers during his two tours of duty in Vietnam as a Special Forces officer leading the rapid-response teams of mostly Montagnard fighters who rode their helicopters to the rescue of beseiged outlying units. "Mike Force" is a gritty, sometimes hilarious, sometimes tragic, always honest and eloquently woven narrative by a man who worked as an English teacher before deciding to give the Army a try.

Burruss made the Army a career. He was one of Col. Charlie Beckwith's top aides in creating the elite counter-terrorism Delta Force, and eventually served as its deputy commander.

He gives readers a fascinating insider's look at a Delta operation in his novel, "A Mission for Delta," a sophisticated thriller that itself would lend itself well to the silver screen. "Heart of the Storm" puts his characters in the middle of Kuwait during Iraq's temporary conquest of that small country, then follows them during what soon became Desert Storm.

"Clash of Steel" was Burruss' first novel after "Mike Force." It provides an intriguing look at how a special unit secretly drops into Iran with the mission to harrass an encroaching Soviet army convincingly enough that the Soviet government decides pulling out is the better part of realpolitik. The time frame is near the end of the Cold War, with the premise based on tensions between a Glasnost-leaning Mikail Gorbachev and his hard-line top military brass.

Burruss has given us a rich body of work from a warrior who demonstrates why soldiering should be held not only as an honorable profession but one that is vital to preserving as free a human society as exists in the world and which is constantly besieged by those who resent it.

His work can be a literary Mike Force for our national conscience, provided the free-market publishing moguls will do their job.

There is nothing fake about and no "hype" in this magnificent novel. It is a story of REAL soldiering and real life written by a gifted warrior and talented writer. Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel L.H. "Bucky" Burruss was the Deputy Commander of Delta Force at Desert One in 1980 (and for years after), having led "quick reaction" combat units from Mike Force all over Vietnam. He is a legend in the Army, beloved by all ranks, a genuine but quiet, understated hero with a remarkable depth of human understanding.

On of the great appeals of ALL THE MATTERS is that it is all real; there is no hyperbole in it, no contrived action scenes, no Arnold Schwarzeneger-type or Sylvester Stallone-type heroics (although both would probably PAY a fortune to play the lead character). And it's certainly not all combat. Burruss gives the reader a rich but exciting mix of life in uniform and out of it, entwined with moving and credible romance, homespun humor, and the hard choices of everyday life.

This would make a beautiful movie or TV series --- one that would bring tears to your eyes, huge smiles, immense pride in being an American, keen appreciation of the unsung heroes in our military, disgust at some of the "ticket punchers" who permeate the upper ranks, eager to read how the plot unfolds, and longing for a sequel.

Let's hope Burruss is writing it now.

Benjamin F. Schemmer --- Former Editor, Armed Forces Journal International; Former Editor-in-Chief, Strategic Review; Author, THE RAID

C.E Laine not only possesses a compelling command of language, but also makes perfect use of every silent pause found between the lines of her poems. Allegory is much like opening a letter from a friend you've been wishing to hear from for ages. There's a pure familiarity that becomes all wound up in a sense of renewed self-discovery when looking at pieces of life though her imaginative eyes. One can easily meet (or rediscover) their mother, brother, or locate a forgotten lover amid these pages. C.E's scope of theme is set on a wide range of vision, thus enhancing the freshness and intensity of the work as a whole. Poignant, clever, and daring are but a few words best suited to describe. You'll also notice this poet's words skills are every bit as effective whether the poem fills a page or merely runs a few lines deep. Also, another attractive feature is the way Allegory performs well for either male or female audiences, refusing to be tied down by a monotone perspective. If in search of a read that is far above average and well worth your time and attention, I highly recommend this publication. Allegory is to be remembered, as well as shared.

C.E Laine not only possesses a compelling command of language, but also makes perfect use of every silent pause found between the lines of her poems. Allegory is much like opening a letter from a friend you've been wishing to hear from for ages. There's a pure familiarity that becomes all wound up in a sense of renewed self-discovery when looking at pieces of life though her imaginative eyes. One can easily meet (or rediscover) their mother, brother, or locate a forgotten lover amid these pages. C.E's scope of theme is set on a wide range of vision, thus enhancing the freshness and intensity of the work as a whole. Poignant, clever, and daring are but a few words best suited to describe. You'll also notice this poet's words skills are every bit as effective whether the poem fills a page or merely runs a few lines deep. Also, another attractive feature is the way Allegory performs well for either male or female audiences, refusing to be tied down by a monotone perspective. If in search of a read that is far above average and well worth your time and attention, I highly recommend this publication. Allegory is to be remembered, as well as shared.

In reading this collection, I was struck by a few things. First, the poet is comfortable and eloquent in a range of poetic styles. She doesn't confine herself to any one style, which impresses me no end. Second, C.E. gives just enough detail and imagery to allow the reader to form their own mental image, and avoids the "too much detail" trap.

I highly recommend this, and am impatiently awaiting C.E.'s next offering. Evidently, an aviation-inspired collection is on the "to be completed" list, and I am looking forward to that as well.

AMERICAN CZAR was featured in the May 2000 edition of ForeWord Magazine.

Here is what they had to say:

"...Written by a master story-teller, Martin tells a tale that is difficult to put down, yet at the same time, is a quick read with true-to-life characters and circumstances which relate to everyone no matter where they live."

Brenda Ramsbacher, ForeWord Magazine, May 2000.

" . . .

AMERICAN CZAR is rich with human truths of people dreaming of a better life. As John quickly learns, sometimes it's the ordinary people who can do extraordinary things if only given a chance. Written by a master story-teller, Martin tells a tale that is difficult to put down, yet at the same time, is a quick read with true-to-life characters and circumstances which relate to everyone no matter where they live."

Brenda Ramsbacher, ForeWord Magazine, May 2000.

When Gregori Rasputin and the Russian Imperial Family are killed in the early 1900's, a conspiracy to take over the Russian throne by the evil monk dies with them. But decades later a valuable letter written by the Czarina is discovered. It alludes to a vast treasure, and sparks the hopes of the Russian people that a Czar will come to lead them to prosperity. When an American college student accidentally discovers the treasure, he is proclaimed Czar despite his protests. The young man is the focus of one struggle after the other. He becomes the central figure between Russia and the rebel state of Chechnia, Russia and the U.S., and the communist faction that just won't quit. Help comes from the most unexpected source. While the young man wrestles with his desire to return home, he finds courage he didn't know he had, and even discovers the love of his life. Will the Russian people get the Czar they've been looking for? Was it from God? You decide . . .

I may be somewhat prejudiced in regards to this book since the piece on the front cover belongs to me. If you are only a little interested in collecting police equipment or documenting historical facts about police equipment, this book will send you over the edge and make you want to know more. If you are a bonafide collector, of the few books written on this subject, this is the one to have. Matt Forte is not only a writer who is easy to read but a great guy. He wrote this book to help others who are interested in this field of collecting and historians alike.

A fascinating look at the nuts and bolts of policing--the invention and manufacture of early handcuffs, nippers, batons and laterns. There are great photos not only of the equipment, but of ads in police magazines and catalogues, of some of the inventors, and of police in their dress uniforms. A find for police historians and collectors alike.

If you have an historical or collecting interest in early American police equipment and its development, and for argument's sake are limited to one and only one book on the subject, this is the book to have. "American Police Equipment: A Guide to Early Restraints, Clubs & Lanterns", by Matthew G. Forte, is at the top of a very short list. If you have this book and no other, you stand head and shoulders above those who have every other book yet not this one.

The writing is lucid and literate yet not esoteric or technical. The style has a natural, smooth flow, enabling Mr Forte to impart a wealth of information without overwhelming the reader or taxing the reader's patience.

Of particular appeal is the format used in the chapters on billy clubs and night-sticks, handcuffs, mechanical nippers, chain nippers and police lanterns. An historical introduction, elaboration and summary precede a photographic gallery of actual items, one per page. Accompanying each item are an informative description, the date on which the item was patented, the first and last years in which advertisements for the item appeared, an approximate lower and upper market value, and a reference to the item's actual patent drawing as it exists in the United States Patent Office files.

Whilst the book comprises much more, this in itself makes the book essential. Apart from a few public museums and an even fewer, inaccessible private collections, so many scarce and rare items will not be found together in the same place. "American Police Equipment" is a work of the highest quality in every sense, as evinced by the not merely widespread but universal acclaim and praise it accordingly has garnered since its publication.

This is a great read if you like poetry. I can't seem to find any new poetry at the book stores, so I bought this book on a whim. I'm glad I did. If you are like me and looking for new poetry, get this book.

I recently read this book, because I read John Mangini's first book Pleasure Seeker. This book is completely different. Much more artistic and poetic. I enjoyed Pleasure Seeker because the poems are more in story form. But none the less, And Then There Was Me is very compelling. I highly recommend it.

I recently read this book and it is great. The poetry is artistic and powerful. The best poetry I've read in a long time. The title poem And Then There Was Me should be a classic. It's hard to find new poetry now-a-days. If you're looking for something new and different, buy this book!