Clubs Books

Well, even in the tenth revision, it is one of the classics one photographer needs to have in his bookshelf.

It is not "how-to" (albeit it is how-to) but to get the idea of having that image created in your mind and then banned on chip of film.

Galen Rowell writes clear and deep essays about what his heart touches.
It does help if the reader has a broader knowledge about art, painting, and especially "construction techniques" to frame a picture with your camera.

Highly recommended!

Galen's images are inspiring, but the real value of this book is the wealth of topics, inspiration, and creative thinking presented in the articles.
This is NOT a coffee-table book. It is one you should take the time to read and digest. If you're an outdoor photographer you will appreciate the energizing effect of Galen's writing. A rare gem among countless other "pretty pictures but not much substance" offerings.

This is a must read for anyone who likes to shoot landscape photography. This book doesn't go into a lot of technical details, and the author assumes the readers have a basic knowledge of how SLRs operate, but rather it deals more with the "why" of photography and "when", which I found to be very interesting and thought provoking. Galen Rowell shares his insights about mountain light and how his mind works when he is out with a camera along with what photography meant for him, and it changed my approach to landscape photography. He also shares his unsuccessful stories, which is not very usual for these types of books, and it's good to see that even for photographers of his level things have never come easy. Luck is a big part of it all, and he has a great essay there on how to be in a better position for its appearance. In addition, this book is full of his outstanding landscape art, and that alone is worth whatever the price you will pay for it.

It's a great book ! you'll find all you need about photographing up in the mountains ! Galan Rowell was a great person ! A book worth reading by anybody who enjoys photography at high altitude.

This is a book about making meaningful landscape photographs. This is not a book about which f/stop to use or how to adjust your depth of field or exposure. There are a ton of those types of books on the market. This book is about vision, learning to see and connecting personally with your images.

If you're comfortable with the mechanical aspects of your camera and are struggling with "technically well executed but lifeless images" this is your guide.

I highly recommend it.

Jennifer Perkins is a fun & talented crafty chick. Her style shines through in this beautifully printed, high-quality book. The introduction to tools & supplies was especially helpful since I am new to jewelry making. The book is jam-packed with awesome projects that include step-by-step, easy to understand directions. [...]

Jennifer Perkins hits a home run with her Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry. If you love to collect little bits of junk and don't ever throw out a pair of prescription glasses, here's the jewelry book for you. Jenn's book is chock full of techniques, from using a high speed drill to embroidery to sewing, each technique is used all to make the funky jewelry projects. I love the tips throughout the book that will give your projects a polished look.

Even if you don't have a Naughty Secretary style (although you should seriously reconsider if you don't), you can use all the tips, techniques and your own bits and pieces to make unique jewelry that expresses who you are. The book lists for under $20, which means you can't go wrong - it's got style and kitsch that will make you smile!

Jen is so much fun and so creative. There is something in here for everyone. This is a fabulous book and I am thrilled with my purchase.

I bought this book in order to support the crafty cause of Jennifer Perkins and other crafty ladies (and of course the naughty secretaries) worldwide and was so thrilled when I started reading it! I have been making jewelry for years, but this book has presented me with techniques and tricks that I have never even imagined!

The instructions are laid out in a simple to follow manner with lots of photos so that it makes it really easy to take her projects and create them exactly as presented or take the idea and run with it! I feel like I could read this book cover to cover over and over again and still find something new that I hadn't seen before - it is literally full of inspiration! Her helpful hints in the back of the book are equally inspiring and useful. Way to go Jennifer!

Yes, I said it -- right in the title of this review! You'll shed your "secretary status" and be the boss if you want to be, by using the fantastic ideas offered in this cool book, The Naughty Secretary Club, The Working Girls Guide to Handmade Jewelry, by the sassy, funny and talented Jennifer Perkins.

Everyone hanging out at the water cooler will be gawking at your stylish and unique accessories, which you will have learned to make from this inventive, cool, and (take a note on this next thing, cause it's a great boon for all of us in these tough times!) economical jewelry crafting book.
The introduction explains what to expect from the author and why she happened to develop the sort of fun and funky jewelry designs at which she excels. This book was meant to be! Even as a grade school kid, Jennifer Perkins was designing in her head and also actually creating her amazingly fun style of jewelry. She has a great sense of humor and every piece reflects this.

This book is very well laid out.

Following the introduction, you will note that the projects are all marked for levels of ability. When I read a jewelry design book, especially one which uses items I am not in the habit of using myself, I find this very helpful. The neophyte would be categorized as "First Day on the Job". The intermediate jewelry designer would be comfortable making Jennifer's "You Deserve a Raise" projects. The most sophisticated of designers or crafters, familiar with jewelry making in a variety of ways, and already knowledgeable about most aspects of it, get to be "Running the Show".

After that explanatory section comes a listing of supplies and tools of the traditional jewelry making sort. Then we have some pages of "office potluck", which are all sorts of things which have office themes and will be used in the projects.
Then comes a list of basic tools which will be needed, such as glues and pliers and so on.

When a "hot tip" is noted in the book, it's in a little white post-it type square, and it's sealed with a lipstick red smoochy kiss. Look for those to add to your education concerning what Jennifer is discussing right on that page.

Of course we all know you must go to Secretary School before you can be a secretary, right? This section shows some of the jewelry making techniques you will be using.
Finally, before the projects begin, there is a page concerning drilling, and lots of cool things you can do with a drill. I liked that and found it short, sweet and to the point. All of these sections which I have just discussed are illustrated with excellent clear photos.

Now we get to the very substantial chapters:
Chapter one is called A Case of the Mondays, Chapter two is Hump Day, and Chapter three is TGIF. I loved this inventive, amusing set of labels. How perfect!
When you are done with the projects and finished with the final chapter, there is also a great list of patterns and pictures, a selection of blogs to check out, resources, unlikely sources (very useful) and the index.

The Naughty Secretary Club, which is subtitled "the Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry", uses a lot of inexpensive materials in tons of ingenious ways.

Even if you have never been a secretary for a single day in your life, if you are a curious and crafty type who loves new styles, and colorful handmade jewelry, this is the book for you. You will save tons of money making these projects as well...one of my favorites, for example, has fabulous high fashion and yet it is made from shredded junk mail ( see the "Shredded Junk Mail" necklace, with a bonus project of "Shredded Junk Mail" earrings I am crazy about)!

As you can see from that project I just mentioned, the secretary theme truly is embraced, with many of the jewelry pieces using transformed office supplies in clever and appealing ways
Paper clips, typewriter keys, scrapbook paper, binder clips and more make their appearance in this unique, completely fun book.

I really enjoyed all the colorful repurposed items the authors uses in her projects. An example of this is "Quitting Time" headband. It is an adorable leopard print felt headband you create and then decorate with a green grosgrain ribbon running through a watch jauntily adorning it. Totally cute!
A necklace which I found fascinating and very pretty was the "Binder Folder Bling" necklace, billed as one of the easier projects. It is as chic as it gets, and it has matching earrings. I adore the "Paper Clip" necklace too, which is a kind of a colorful "Y" or fringey style necklace with tons of color, both in the paper clips and in the paper you use to cover the paper clips! Very cool!

The author uses so many materials in so many eye popping ways! You will be encouraged to look around at any supply store you happen to be in, in a whole new light! Her book, The Naughty Secretary Club, The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry, deserves more than just a glance from the reader. Get it, read it, and love it! You will be able to wow your friends with your crafting abilities after creating any one of these projects. Go ahead! Play and then have fun wearing these pieces yourself, and/or giving them to pals. You can't go wrong with this hip jewelry crafting book!

What a delightful story that can remind us of the bygone days of old-fashioned country Christmases! Ruthie is a small-town girl whose family finally receives the honor of choosing the Christmas tree for their town--and sure enough she and her papa find the perfect balsalm. However, war comes and Papa leaves. Ruthie and her mother have more worries than they expected.

This is a surprisingly gritty story of wartime heartache, but it still managed to perfectly capture the Christmas spirit and the true meaning of the holidays. The prose is gentle and folksy, and the illustrations are to die for.

This was purchased for my nephew and he loved it. Since he lives in the moutains, it was a story he related too. He liked it so much, I ordered another one for a gift and it was also well received.

This is a wonderful story that shows the importance of keeping family traditions alive and about the courage it sometimes takes to carry on in the most difficult of times. You will absolutely love Ruthie and will warm up to her really thoughtful and loving mother. This is a story very close to my heart since I grew up close to the Appalachian Mountains and remember how excited we were at Christmastime--- to just be together.

I bought this for my kindergarten granddaughter as her Christmas book. I wanted something a little different from the typical Christmas book and this one delivered. She really enjoyed the book.

I have been collecting Christmas books for my family for years and this was my 2007 pick. The illustrations are lovely and the story simple and sweet. Very interesting for those who enjoy Appalacian literature.

Craig Seymour is a wonderful writer. His latest book "All I Could Bare" had the can't-put-down quality of a great novel.

I'd read and loved his biography of the late singer Luther Vandross and I was anxiously awaiting the release of his latest book "All I Could Bare".

It did not disappoint. It gave me great insight not only into Craig's life as a stripper but also his personal relationship with his boyfriend.

It's official. I now have a HUGE crush on Craig Seymour!!!

This was fun reading and it was interesting to read about the life of a stripper. One always wonders what kind of person does it. He seems sort of a different type from others who go into it and certainly had different reasons but there was enough explaining of other characters so it covered things pretty well. I'm always curious. I wasn't really aware that bars allowed that kind of thing but now I remember going to one in Houston and I was so embarrassed to touch the guy. I didn't want him to think I was just exploiting his body. It sounds like these kind of places don't exist anymore. Would I ever have the nerve to go to one? I don't think so. What else can I say? Good book. Always interested in knowing the experiences and life of gay people. Craig sounds pretty level headed. Oh yes, but one thing. I don't understand how Seth could have put up with that. It's very close to having an open relationship. So when Craig wanted to experience other men sexually Seth took it so hard and it ruined their relationship. That part was quite different from normal relationships.

Back in the early 1990s, a handsome, young, and affable African American graduate student and teacher found himself nervously attending his first gay strip club to see a live performance by his favorite porn star. Here, customers were allowed to freely fondle the naked dancers. Openly gay but a gay-sex virgin, nervous and slightly apprehensive, Craig Seymour gets his good friend Seth to accompany him.

Excitement soon replaces apprehension and Seymour finds himself falling in love with the clubs as well as his good friend Seth, to whom he ultimately surrenders his virginity. They become live-in lovers.

But as the strip clubs are becoming an ever growing obsession, our hero is able to appease both his lover and his jones by making strip clubs the topic of his master's thesis, with the cautious approval of his school advisor.

Now a club regular, Seymour interviews and gets to know a cast of characters as colorful and crudely affectionate as anything in a Bob Fosse musical.

His first interview subject is dancer Jake the Guess Model, a straight `gay-for-pay' former construction worker who tells his customers he is bi `because [they] like to think there's a chance.'

And then there is Dave, a customer just out of a twenty-one-year monogamous heterosexual marriage and now having the time of his life hanging at the clubs and fondling beautiful young male dancers dangling their eye-level rock hard jewels for his perusal approval.

Dave's favorite dancer is Matt who sports leather chaps publicizing everything usually known as `privates.'

Sassy drag queens, dirty old men, sugar daddies, and dis-effected club owners abound throughout this breezy, affectionate tome.

Author Seymour also learns of and writes about D.C.'s rich gay history, dating back to the 1800s. Then, knowledge of fifty-year-old poet Walt Whitman's love affair with Irish immigrant Peter Doyle, thirty years his junior, was as casual as the then published stories of sexual liaisons between black and white men in Lafayette Square "under the shadows of the White House."

The story of how the gay strip club scene began in the 1960s, where dancers could legally bare all, is beautifully told. The owner of a local bar on O Street, Chesapeake House, offers a pair of sailors $50 each to strip down and dance for his patrons. Soon the club is drawing huge crowds that include the likes of Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, and Rock Hudson. Other clubs (as well as bath houses) soon open and prosper on O Street, the city's gay red light district.

Although Mr. Seymour's depth and fascinating chronicle of how this charmingly tawdry industry evolves is both interesting and informative, it is his personal transition from thesis writer to booty dancer that makes his memoir a thoroughly entertaining read.

Likable and self-effacing, the author writes thoughtfully, ironically, and humorously about his second job:

"...get on stage, disrobe quickly, try to get a hard-on, and then walk out among the customers, who for a tip--generally a buck--got to stroke, fondle, poke, and prod [your] bod. It was more like sex than dancing, and it had become my job."

He also writes with great care and much soul-searching about maintaining his monogamous relationship with Seth while almost every night allowing strangers and regulars to feel him up.

Seymour's partner is more trusting than most, and it is admirable that the author repays that trust with honesty and a form of fidelity.

However, after six years of being with the only man he's known sexually, the author approaches his partner with a proposition that dooms the romance, if not the friendship.

With the cocaine bust of Mayor Marion Barry, a champion of D.C.'s liberal sexual exhibition laws, restrictions are shortly thereafter imposed on the strip clubs. Customers are no longer allowed to fondle dancers, and dancers aren't allowed to fondle themselves. This, of course, cuts into everyone's income, and author Seymour, now single and sparked on by the success of his thesis, embarks upon a career as an entertainment journalist, which eventually takes him to New York. Thanks to his unique literary gift and ability to ask his celebrity interviewee's frank and probing questions, he quickly ascends the ranks.

His ability to get such stars as Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, and Mariah Carey to open up and discuss such things as masturbation, size-queendom, secret babies, cheating boyfriends, and mental depression are shocking, revealing, and often quite poignant. His discussion with TLC's Lisa Lopez regarding her romance with Tupac, his death, her premonition of her own death, is particularly moving. Craig Seymour's keen observations of human behavior, particular with regards to his celebrity subjects, are empathetic and caring, always intelligent, never fawning.

Eventually, Mr. Seymour's busy schedule--writing for The Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, Vibe, the Buffalo News, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, to name a few--become all-consuming, making it nearly impossible for him to have a personal life.

He re-thinks academia, and eventually returns to the University of Maryland to finish his Ph.D. While working as a professor at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, he hears that the old strip clubs on O Street will be torn down. He returns for a bittersweet farewell that brings him full circle. The year is 2006.

Craig Seymour's warm, witty, and honestly rendered self-examination of his seemingly unlikely but totally plausible life as grad student turned gay stripper, turned journalist, turned college professor, is quite the odyssey, and quite a lesson for us all. There is so much life out there for all of us to enjoy. This story reminds me of the famous quote from Auntie Mame: "Life's a banquet but most poor sons-of-bitches starve to death!"

Author Craig Seymour definitely heard the dinner bell.Looker: A Novel

This was a very well written and entertaining book. This was the type of book I couldn't put down once I started to read it.

I feel that Craig is very brave writing this book seeing he teaches at the college level. I get so tired of people writing stories after they retire and have nothing to lose. It is great to see him write this type of autobiography.

I also learned several things I didn't know before so this book was also educational in a way. I never knew about the strip clubs being cracked down on the patrons touching the dancers at the end. I am ashamed to admit this, but I had no idea about Frank Kameny until I read the book and also learned a couple other things about gay history when he mentioned his research.

This is a very good book to read and you might even learn a few more things about gay history like I did:)

I just finished reading "All I Could Bare," and what a great read it was: poignant, smart and informative all at the same time. It's a genuine contribution to cultural studies about the sex industry but also a very moving portrait of what it's like to be in a relationship as a gay man. It' a rich book on so many levels and the run ins with Mariah and Janet don't hurt! You'll love this book.

I had the privilege of meeting Kim Vogel Sawyer in 2007 at the ACFW conference in Texas. She is a best selling author of both CBA & CBD. As a pre-published novel writer I was a little intimidated. Okay, who am I kidding? I was a lot intimidated. But I found Kim to be a very gracious, non-intimidating author. And I give the credit to the fact that she truly writes for God.

The story has many threads, and the blurb on the back of the book and on Kim's website doesn't mention the thread that struck me the most. What touched me, was the thread about how much we need the love of our earthly father. I followed along with the bittersweet moments as some in the community embrace Marie, but her Father holds back his welcome. And her mother is a Godly wife who follows her husbands lead, even when it breaks her own heart. The conclusion to this thread was very healing for me.

This is a great read from a proven excellent writer. I end each book with a desire for the next book to be ready to read. I did have the pleasure of being able to purchase both Bygones and Beginnings from Amazon at the same time. Then Amazon had a prepurchase deal on the final series, Blessings. I have yet to finish it, but know it will be just as great as the other two. I highly recommend all three books, and all others Kim Vogel Sawyer has written. Thank You

I liked this book.I think she is a very good writer and will enjoy reading more of her books.Nadia Rehmani author of Sharper Than A Two Edged Sword.-my true story

It's been over two decades since Marie Koeppler married Jep Quinn. Jep's world offered the young Mennonite girl an exciting new life - until his death left her a very young widow and a single mother.

Shunned by her Old Order Mennonite family and friends, Marie makes a life for herself and her daughter in the "outside" world. In the twenty-three years since she left Sommerfeld, Kansas, she has all but forgotten her roots. But then her old Mennonite beau shows up with shocking news: A beloved aunt has died, leaving her house and café to Marie's daughter, Beth. The stipulation: Beth must live three months in Sommerfeld in order to claim the inheritance.

When Marie reluctantly accompanies her daughter back to her childhood home, she's unprepared for the onslaught of emotions and memories that await her there. Before long, she's yearning for and finding the faith she lost so long ago, and - much to her daughter's dismay - reclaiming old habits, lifestyles, and maybe even an old love.

But then someone starts stealing from the Mennonites, and suspicion falls at the outsiders' door. Even Henry, who never quite healed from Marie's abandonment of their budding relationship so long ago, turns an accusing eye on her and Beth.

Sommerfeld is a community built on strict biblical principles and rigid tenets. It's populated by good people with preconceived and often misplaced suspicions of outsiders. Marie despairs of proving her innocence, and her sincerity in returning to the Mennonite faith. Can she and Henry overcome the obstacles and rekindle the embers of love? Can they all find a way to let bygones be bygones?

Kim Vogel Sawyer's Bygones is a fascinating look into the Mennonite world, seamlessly woven into a fascinating, completely believable storyline. It's a well-written tale of faith and hope, of forgiveness and love, and of human frailty and strength, all portrayed in characters so real they move and breathe. Definitely a winner!

Marie is a former Mennonite girl who fell in love with a truck driver and left. In the interim, he died shortly, and she gave birth to his little daughter. Excited, Marie took her two week old back home where she was promptly rejected by her father and told to get out of his life, forever.
She did, keeping in touch with only one friend, her dear Aunt.

The aunt passed, leaving her little home and cafe to Marie's daughter with provisions they live there three months. Almost an impossibility, Marie accompanies her 20 yr old daughter Beth back to the Mennonite communtiy where they stand out in a negative way and make no friends.

Henry, who has remained single for 20 years, torn over his lost love, welcomes them to the community and makes things as easy as possible. One sister accepts them, but Marie's mother and father and several siblings do not.

Beth has a hard time living for three months without television, electricity, or modern conveniences, but Marie feels the pull of familiar days and she is happy. She actually turns back to the faith and culture of her youth. It is only when a mystery crime spree spoils her stay that she knows she must return to Wyoming.

The most painful paragraph is when sweet, loyal Henry believes that Marie is the culprit of the crimes. I am ready for book 2

I first stumbled upon O'Finioan on YouTube and watched the long interview with him by Project Camelot (over one hour) plus another shorter interview with him and someone who remembered him from an operation. In this video he even begins to cry in the middle. He is clearly sincere.

On his website one can see now that he is paying for this. His daughter's house, near her bedroom, has been bombed. He is also having a hard time feeding his family even though his book clearly could have made enough money for him to live on royalties. But no. The book is not being reprinted and it is out of print and it is, frankly, expensive. On his website a very low-cost e-book version is available. Thanks in advance to the kind Amazon reviewers who let this post be posted.

UPDATE: Now that I have read (or tried to read) half of this book I would give it two stars rather than five, but can't change my star rating here. I was SO sure I would be supportive of this book -- until I tried to read it. It is very coarse, and I am one of the LAST females that would call a book sexist, but this one really is in a weird way. Just everything seems so tawdry, cheap, seedy or ugly without relent. I'm sorry. Maybe it's a guy thing? I do not recommend this book. I liked the video of the author but the book? Oh my. I don't know if I can ever even finish reading it.

I believe the events in this actually took place!
I would tell everyone to read this eyeopener!
Onec you start reading, you can't put it down!
Good job and best wishes to the author.

I loved this book!!
I couldn't put the dang thing down until I was finished reading it!
I hope there is a follow up to this story.
It sure tells it like it is!!!

Innocence Turned Deadly is a book everyone should read. As the author says, "It's mostly true!." and..thjat is what makes it so frighting!
I have had the pleasure of hearing Mr. O'Finioan on a couple of radio interviews, and he is great to listen to!
I can't wait to read his nect book!!

This remarkable first novel of Duncan O'Finioans brings to mind another first published in my lifetime, CATCHER IN THE RYE. INNOCENCE TURNED DEADLY has the same classical input into today's circumstances as CATCHER'S had those years ago. The urgency lies in the factual information such as when he writes about the Gestapo. Believe it. It is the Truth.

Quite possibly the most charming cat stories ever written. Jenny the cat is filled with wonderful emotions that everyone can relate to...nervous about making new friends, afraid that she's not good enough, she proves herself through all sorts of wonderful adventures. Highly recommended!

Friends gave us this one for a birthday present for our six year old. Have since ordered the whole series!
Nice to have children friendly, wholesome story...our children can't hear it enough!

I loved these stories when I was a little girl and its been a joy to pass them along to my own daughters. I love how Jenny realizes her own worth even though she feels so small and shy sometimes. Friends, loyalty, and fun adventures makes these stories timeless

I love Jenny Linsky. I love her gentle nature, her kindness, her shyness. I loved her from the moment I opened the book and read the first paragraphs to my (then) 5 year old daughter. I loved her as I made red pom-poms to tie onto a red scarf so my daughter could dress up as Jenny for Halloween. But five years later, she's my second favorite Linsky. My most favorite is my three year old daughter, Zoe Linsky, whom her big sister lovingly named after the nicest person she could think of, a little black cat named Jenny.

I am so glad they re-released this book--my mother was thrilled to receieve it. Seller sent the book in great condition and it arrived very quickly.

Whenever we have guests over who are willing to read books to our kids (relatives and close friends!) we always put this one in the stack. It's such a fun book to read outloud, and fun to listen to others read it for the first time as they can't help but laugh as they turn through it.

We'll save it for our kids to read to their own some day.

My 6 yr old and 4 yr old boys think that this story is HILARIOUS! They love it!

Helen Lester has such a wonderful way of writing for children. The illustrations by Lyn M. Munsinger are so captivating that children want to see them again and again. So do adults!
This book teaches us all to accept ourselves for who we are. Trying to be someone we are not just doesn't work.

I don't have any kids, but this book has actually been around for a long time. I was born in 82, and this book was by far my favorite. The illustrations are great and the message is even better. It's a really witty way to tell children that labels don't matter. The illustrations also make the book even better, my personal favorite as a child being when Fluffy sticks marshmallows all over his quills to make himself more fluffy.

I bought this book because I'm going to school to become a teacher. It teaches kids that it is ok to be your self. Kids will laugh and so will parents.

A must read for all those swinger questions you wanted know but just didn't know who to ask. Very easily written and very easily read.

We purchased this book in addition to another one on the same subject.

Though both books were excellent and similar in content, this particular book had some different perspectives.

In fact, there are first hand accounts of many different scenarios that have happened to people in the "Lifestyle".

The book answers many of those doubts you have about whether this way of life is cut out for you and your spouse...the author pulls no punches and speaks from first hand experiences as well.

I highly recommend this book for those nagging questions in the back of your mind.

Learned alot of information on the Lifestyle. I thought I knew alot, but I only knew a small part of it. Even if you aren't thinking about actually getting into the liefstyle, it has a lot of information to open your mind to new things.

Excellent book, well put together and very informative. Covered all aspects of swinging that a beginner would need to make an informaed decision about the lifestyle. I personally enjoyed the personal stories touch. Thanks, Fred

This is a great book if you are considering entering the swinger lifestyle. Answers lots of questions and gives great advice. Gave me and my wife a different outlook. Very easy and quick to read. Very glad we bought.

This book was an entertaining easy read. The detail is as good as any book I've read and entirely what a werewolf book should be. It pulls no punches and gives gory and ravenous details that will truly make you think twice about what's in the dark. A must read for any science fiction lover.

The only book I've read more than once, and thats saying something. A book about a man who spends his days, and nights fighting werewolves. Its so in your face, its absolutely fantastic reading. Brian P. Easton makes it crystal clear right away that the Beast, as werewolves are often referred to in this book, are completely and absolutely vicious and evil. Nothing humorous or cute about them. Not this story. The main character Sylvester is the toughest SOB you'll ever read about. The things he endures physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritally are terrifying. Its hard not becoming what you hate. "The beast will kill you one piece at a time, Sylvester. Bite by Bite", said his mentor early on in the story. I highly recommend this truly exhilarating novel to anybody. Without a doubt my all time favorite book. As good as the vampire masterpiece I am Legend.

If the last 70 pages had been more satisfying this would be 5 stars, easy. But, as it stands we have a disappointing climax, a weak ending for most of the main characters and an unnecessarily long denouement. On the plus side, the werewolves are cool, described as massive, vicious, demonic remorseless monsters, and there's an interesting werewolf hierarchy that's unique to this book. It also violent, and action packed, with a good story and interesting first person narrative. I did find the main character to be a bit cliche, but he was still filled with monkeys. All and all, a good bleak, violent, gritty horror novel/character piece. Recommended for fans of werewolf fiction.

I profoundly regret that this seems to be the only novel produced by Mr. Easton. You don't have to get very far into his prose to decide that he is no amateur as a writer. This book is of exceptional quality for any genre, but is particularly outstanding in the wolfman category. It certainly stands out among today's popular fare of werewolves humanized as sexy heroes in romance potboilers, or as noble saviours of the environment (viz., White Wolf Publisher's lupine Green Peace-niks). In this book, though, the werewolves are all big, truly scary, and irredeemably malevolent toward humanity. Having read about 300 fiction and nonfiction books about werewolves (not counting short stories) over the years, I'd put this in my top 10 of favorites. This novel has plenty of lycanthropic action and gore enough to satisfy any aficionado of the genre. Yet the saga of Sylvester's journey from orphan to manhood as a werewolf hunter is also a thoughtful examination of the psychology of hatred, and how it can make you strong enough to endure incredible sacrifices---yet ultimately rob you of your own humanity. This is the kind of book that leaves the reader reporting for work the next morning still groggy from lack of sleep, because you simply can't put this book down.

I have been a horror fan, especially a werewolf fan for many years. Usually, it's quite hard to find a decent werewolf book. However, this is a great book, and a must read for any werewolf fan out there. It is a bit brutal at times, and the werewolves are not cute and fluffy. But that's what makes the book so wonderful.