Ken Howard Books

I purchased "Virtuoso" solely for the inclusion of wire walker/artist, Philippe Petit ("Man On Wire" film fame). I had no idea that the other individuals featured would be just as fascinating and interesting. A true find. I had watched a video or an interview with Charlie Rose and Philippe Petit in which the book was showcased and immediately knew I had to have it!

This is one of those extraordinarily rare books that inspires me to buy not one, but 100...for family, friends, and colleagues. The idea is so simple and so brilliant but more important, it is beautifully executed. Truly inspired virtuoso selections, gorgeous photography and wonderful writing-- rarely, does one find all of these qualities in one body of work. My only regret is that the book wasn't available during the holiday season or I would have used it for ALL of my X-mas gifts. With tremendous respect, LCLJ

What's great here, in addition to stellar photos and high production values (what kind of paper is this?) is the surprising quality of the selection of the people. I like seeing boxers and map makers, basketball players and glass blowers set next to each other.

Joseph Campbell's sadly over-used expression "Follow your bliss" is personified in the 40 profiles that fill the pages of The Virtuoso. What a revelation to find that the world possesses such remarkable individuals in places we might least expect to find them. The Virtuoso says much about taking risks, about going as far as you can to arrive at a place that is larger than yourself. Love, and a dash of madness, are at the core of every choice a Virtuoso makes, shaping the lives of these extraordinary talents in the most unimagined ways, and those who come into contact with them. It takes a vision to see the vision in others. Clearly this author has that. Bravo!

Wayne Gretzky's retirement from hockey seems a fitting occasion to remark on the phenomenal collection of virtuosos Ken Carbone has gathered together in his new book. The gift of a Virtuoso like Gretzky, and of this book, is the realization that absolute focus and dedication to a passion can lead one beyond oneself. That message resounds like a gong through the handsomely designed pages and expressive photographs of The Virtuoso. The thrill of sharing a Virtuoso's talent is the transcendence it offers, the visceral feeling that one is witnessing, in the Eastern sense, life lived fully in the moment. Inspiration, indeed.

Lew Howard has done a great service I believe. This one stop shop for much of the BRILIANT Ken Wilber's work will save you much time and facilitate the assimilation of what I think are some of the most important ideas and developments in our world. The quicker we are able to live the awareness's presented, the safer and happier this world will become. Lew Howard's well laid out and explained book allows that time to come yet quicker I think. I encouraged 2 friends to buy the book and they both agree with this assessment. THANK YOU very much Lew.

"Introducing Ken Wilbur" is an excellent and accurate title to this book. I have enjoyed reading bits and pieces of Wilbur's works in the past but found it hard to stick with his larger works and was somewhat (not entirely) disappointed in Wilbur's novel "Boomeritis." Mr. Howard has condensed and summarized the kernals of Wilbur's philosophy. Howard's book - almost a textbook - also helped me understand how Wilbur came to the conclusions that he did.

A friend of mine also read this book and we found that it opened up some interesting discussions regarding politics and religion. As a liberal/green/analytical/sort of buddhist/sort of catholic person, it helped me understand and communicate with a conservative/pro-war/very catholic friend and colleague in a meaningful, less reactive way. I hope, really, that by educating people about their place in a complicated spiritual/psychological world, we can actually achieve that ideal of a more peaceful, successful, happy world.

I would also add that I found Mr. Howard's sincere admiration of Ken Wilbur very touching and quite appropriate. Both authors deserve our attention.

This is an excellent place to start in learning Ken Wilber's work. The author has done an outstanding job of organizing and annotating Wilber's ideas. I have tried to read Wilber before but always had the feeling I was taking a graduate level course when I hadn't had the "1A" course or many of the prerequisites. I was confused by terminology and concepts relating to previous or related works and gave up. Lew Howard has started at the beginning and created a whole sequential "curriculum" of Wilber's ideas and concepts. This book also provides a kind of master index to Wilber's books so you can explore topics in greater depth.

Lew Howard provides a very useful summary at the end of each chapter. I found this a good way to self-test myself to see if I had assimilated the chapter before continuing. I also found the summaries a place to return to for reviewing terms or concepts referenced later in the book.

At the end of many chapters, the author has included a topic with the title, "What Difference Does it Make?" He illuminates the importance of ideas with respect to those in other chapters on this topic. These sections are similar to the comments an instructor might give at the end of a lecture to provide insight on a lecture subject.

This book will go on my bookshelf as my ultimate Wilber reference.

I call this book a 1st class passenger's guide to the universe (hitchhikers would not have access to the scenicruiser seats). This is essentially a survey course that puts Science and Spirituality in a perspective where both can be well understood.

Drawing heavily on Ken Wilber's work, Lew Howard defines the terms and concepts and illustrates them until you have a good working knowledge before showing how the forms and constructs work together and evolve. Each chapter starts by showing where it is leading, then breaks these complex issues into understandable pieces and concludes with a summary. Things which I had assumed, believed, or wondered about all of my life have been changed, clarified, or deepened with his clear empirical evidence.

Everything is put into focus, from the subatomic to the geopolitical levels; everything from outside of the self to deep within. This book is a great reference to Life, the Universe, and Everything. Thanks to this book, I can look at everything around me with a deeper understanding.

For those who wish to delve more deeply into Ken Wilber's work, this book will provide an excellent roadmap. For those who want to open the door to meditation, this book will do that for you as well.

My copy (which is well soiled with the stains of seeking fingers, dog eared, and paper clipped) is within arms reach as I sit by my computer.

Ken Hoffman really has a way of putting a smile on my face. This collection of stories is easy to read and hard to put down. I have just lent it to my mother and know she will enjoy it, too.

This is the only time I have received a book as a gift that I actually liked. Someone gave me a copy at work. I LOVE IT. Now I am going to give it to my sister to read.

Ken Hoffman has a unique way of looking at the world. His ability to find the interesting aspects of everyday life make for a thoroughly enjoyable read. I would recommend this to my friends.

I have read it twice.

Both humorous and substantive. One part is about the Hoffman's bittersweet story of infertility treatments that result in an adoption - a tale that is both funny and encouraging. It is very easy reading and I recommend it to everyone.

Ken Howard, distinguished stage actor and Harvard U. instructor, shares his success factors in public speaking. He writes in a conversational tone and uses his personal experiences making this book easy to read and absorb. He gives examples to help reduce the fear of public speaking along with tips to increase memory. He explains how a speaker can share his/her insights in a professional manner and at this same time let your personality come through. I found Act Natural to be one of the more useful books that I have read on this subject. Paragraph headings include:

1) Making Fear Your Ally
2) Acting is what you Do
3) The Speaker Prepares - Structure and Storytelling
4) Discovering Your Photographic Memory
5) Getting Real - The Power of Emotion
6) Persuading Them
7) Taking Your Act into any Room
8) Letting Go
9) Some Concluding Words About Words

Ken Howard has written an excellent and practical guide to public speaking. From preparation to techniques to control and harness stage fright , this book provides solid useful tips that work for me. I have used this book to prepare for several large audience presentations and found the advice very helpful

This book, written by Ken Howard, a star of stage, screen and television and an experienced teacher at presigious schools, breaks new ground for those of us who dread to face the frightening task of speaking in public.
Howard draws on his extensive background to give you effective methods to overcome stage fright (you really don't want to eliminate it.) His advice on developing your memory for any kind of speaking situation -- whether addressing a sales conference or handling a job interview, is outstanding.
Howard uses techniques advocated by famous actors' coaches to strengthen your performance and to do it naturally.
Readers of this book will be impressed with the improvement they will make.
In fact, as a long-time student of how to improve my public speaking, I believe you'll find some individual chapters worth the price of the entire book.
I know I did.

This is a great book for anyone who is a fan, but also a real treat for people living in the metro-Detroit area, as a few of the celebrities asked are local TV and radio stars. She wrote to a lot of people over the years and has a great collection of stars' heroes, from Soupy Sales to Les Paul and of course Davy Jones! It's neat to find out who inspired the celebrities to be who they are today.

Mary Guerra is an authority on fandom as she is a member of a fanclub or two herself. I know this since she belongs to the fanclub I run for Davy Jones, Davy Devotees. Though the concept of fandom is normally perceived as being something the nonfamous possess, Mary spent years contacting various celebrities asking them just who they consider themselves a fan of and what fanclubs they would join if they could! She received personal responses from legends in the field of entertainment like RoseMarie and Phyllis Diller to Les Paul, inventor of the electric guitar, Richard Petty, of racing fame, columnist, Liz Smith and "Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe. Shirley Jones, Peter Noone and Mary's personal favorite, Davy Jones of The Monkees, are just a few of the many other highlighted celebrities. If you've been a fan of anyone at anytime, this book gives you an interesting look at who those we admire actually admire. At times the featured celebrities provide laughs and at other times intriguing revelations. Overall this is a fun read with a lot of heart!

This book is fabulous. My husband and I found it to be a quick, entertaining read. We particularly enjoyed the entry from Mike Clark, our favorite radio DJ. It's interesting to see what people celebrities find heroic, and it conveys more of an inside look into their personality as well.

I am an avid fan of Stuart Kaminsky, John D. MacDonald, Cornell Woolrich, and Jim Thompson. Ed McBain fits in incredibly nicely with this amazing authors. I had read Ed McBain before - "Cop Hater" and his incredibly delightful retelling of the Christmas Story with the officers of the 87th precinct. As Evan Hunter, Ed McBain soars as the author of "The Blackboard Jungle." If you haven't seen the movie, you should. Anyway, I will digress... my point is that Ed McBain is a wonderful writer and not to be missed.
This book features Matthew Hope, a Florida attorney, who is hired by Sarah Whittaker to get her out of an institution for the insane. The novel goes back and forth with Matthew believing that she is sane and perfectly normal, not to mention incredibly attractive, and utterly crazy. He tends to go toward the idea that she is normal, probably because she not only seems to know what is going on, but also because he would love to be involved romantically with her. Did I mention that she's due to inherit over a billion dollars?
The plot twists and turns over the delusions that Sarah is supposed to possess and the discovery of a decomposing body in the swampy areas of the Florida coast. It seems for a long time that the two plots have nothing to do with one another. Or do they? Well, I won't spoil any plot points, but I do want to say that the final explanation is a wonderfully brilliant stream of consciousness (in my opinion, delivered in a much better way than Virginia Wolf) that was so eloquent that it will stay with me for years to come.
I read somewhere that Evan Hunter didn't want to use his real name when writing mysteries because he didn't think the genre was "serious" enough, thus coming up with the pseudonymn Ed McBain. Well, he had nothing to be ashamed of... Matthew Hope is a hero for the ages, all the while maintaining the appeal of Travis McGee and Toby Peters-- real men characters.

This is a pretty short novel featuring Matthew Hope as a lawyer who often ends up playing detective (also an older book... 1985). In this story, there are two plot lines going on. In the first, Hope is retained by a young lady who's been involuntarily committed to a mental institution. She seems very sane, and blames the situation on her mother who is trying to control a chunk of money she's inherited. In the other plot line (that seems totally unrelated), a pair of detectives find the body of a young lady in a swamp. She was shot in the throat and her tongue was cut out, and she's been there for six to nine months. As the two plots unfold, they start moving towards each other with a twist at the end... Good read.

Probably the best of the Matthew Hope novels. Excellent plotting and characterizations. The cops, Bloom and Rawles, are wonderful, full dimensional characters. I love Matthew Hope's naivete, he's an unreliable narrator who has a "hope"ful view of humanity, unlike McBain himself, or whatever his name is. This one's great!

Ken Howard gives an excellent overview of his career as an artist, and superb insights into his working methods and motivation. There are no step-by-step exercises, which generally stiffle creativity. It is a very good book for all artists.

Excellent book for painter's of all levels.Ken Howard is a master in his use of shadow and light.This book contains lots of paintings,including the figure and is written in such a way that you feel Ken Howard is talking to you about painting ,his art,and that you have just been visiting his studio.

This book is a great resource and I highly recommend it! Our men's group is going through the book a chapter per week and has been blessed every week. We come prepared with a story about the application of one of the action items found at the end of each chapter. What a great way for men to be intentional with their kids and share with other men looking for similar successes.

I highly recommend "They Call Me Dad". It is the simplest, yet most helpful book I have ever read on fathering. It is easy to read and motivating as well. The book will be especially helpful to fathers of mid to late elementary children who are approaching a time when they must kick their fathering into higher gear.

This book is an absolute must have if you are learning to paint(or draw) or polishing your skills.The author has given a detailed description of the various techniques involved in creating your art work.I personally love this book & always use it for reference.

Excellant book of this english painter's career.Large format and excellant illustrations highlight this painter of interiors,landscape,and especially fine figure pieces. Reprinted by the Royal Academy of Art.