Pat O'Brien Books

This book has helped my toddler learn the proper way to treat our dog. The simple words and touch-and-feel pictures make it enjoyable for him to listen to.

This book is a great way to help teach your children how to get along with dogs and cats. I can't wait until mine is old enough to enjoy it.

I think this book is great. It shows how young children should interact with animals so that they will enjoy them the rest of their lifes.The idea of having the reader pet them gently in the various pages of the book is very creative.

This is an incredible book of historical significance, as former major league pitcher Jim "Mudcat" Grant profiles the thirteen African-Americans who won 20 or more games in Major League Baseball and ten pitchers from Negro Leagues Baseball who he feels would have achieved that feat in MLB.

Grant writes from a knowledge gained from his own experience in the pro game; he is the first African-American to reach the single-season milestone in the American League and win a World Series Game for an AL club, both achieved in 1965 with the Minnesota Twins.

The updated edition includes additional text and photos and a chronicle of Grant's visit to The White House, with Dontrelle Willis of the Detroit Tigers and former fire-balling aces, Mike Norris and Ferguson Jenkins.

The MLB season is in its opening weeks and dreams are still as fresh as the sod in the stadium outfields. Each of the pitchers in the book dreamed of diamond glory and will forever be remembered for their achievements due to Grant's meticulous work in bringing their stories to life.

This book covers both the African-American Major League pitchers who have won 20 or more games in a season (the "Black Aces": 13 of them to date) and African-American pitchers from the Negro Leagues who the author thinks would have been in the "Black Aces" group (eg Satchel Paige). The lead author is Jim "Mudcat" Grant, the first AL "Black Ace" and his own experiences along with his intimate knowledge of many of the other subjects lend great authenticity and charm to the book.
It is an historical celebration of great baseball players and a reflection of trying times. I am enjoying it greatly.

It is a gratifying experience to read a review as positive as Mr. O'Connor's a full 25 years after I wrote "The Woman Alone." I'm touched and pleased that it still speaks to people so long after the events in my life that produced it. What more can a writer ask?

The author's definition encompasses not only women living by themselves, but those psycologically dependent on husbands and alone inside a marriage, along with many other situations. She (the author) mixes her own experiences with experiences of women she interviews. She successfully creates a beautiful reference for women and men coping with how to make decisions under many circumstances. You so much admire how she moved from a 1950's dependent housewife to a strong person, able to cope with the many obstacles anyone can face in finding an identity. This book is one of the finest works I have ever read on any subject.

If I had to summarize the book in one sentence it would be this, "Sal did and does ordinary things in extraordinary ways." Sal is portrayed as a "can-do guy." He has worked against the odds all his life and come up on the high side. He has always known that "You never stub your toe standing still." Go for it, his motto. For a finish, amid a world of spin, it is refreshing to hear from a man who speaks out honestly. Read the book; you'll profit from it.

In connection with a construction project at Princeton University I searched hard, with assistance of the University's Library and interlibrary transfers, to identify the BEST resources on traditional masonry construction. IRISH STONE WALLS, and its cohort STONE BUILDINGS by the same author and publisher, are truly outstanding. One should not be distracted by the word Irish in a title. I'm not an art historian, but expect the principles and techniques described apply to any traditional masonry construction with English or Irish (and to some extent any European) cultural heritage. These are NOT field manuals for modern masonry construction using portland cement, steel reinforcing, assemblies and details now in widespread commercial use. Rather McAfee focuses on load bearing stone, dry laid or with lime mortar. Thorough knowledge of these "outdated" materials and techniques are of critical import in conserving and restoring old buildings. But the value of McAfee's work is not exclusively historical. Some of the principles we admire in old stone walls and historical buildings are properly applicable to new construction. McAfee's books will benefit any architect in using (or recognizing) traditional and "vernacular" building styles; to any mason working in stone; to anyone concerned with quality craft in masonry construction; to anyone else who appreciates historical building forms, materials and methods of construction. If bigger, Patrick McAfee's books would qualify as "coffee table" items; they are certainly beautiful enough. For those who are interested they also appear intensely practical, whether or not one is in a position to use the methods elucidated. The author dares to posit (rarely) a few aesthetic judgements, with which a reader might disagree or might find inconsistent with local project considerations. But even these opinions are valuable to anyone who strives to understand, or judge the qualities of, historical structures. Architects, trade craftspersons, preservationists, and all others interested in traditional masonry should have IRISH STONE WALLS, along with its sibling STONE BUILDINGS, in their libraries.

Not only is Pat O'Brien an excellent broadcaster, he knows HOW to tell a story. This book is loaded with sports anecdotes to keep up with your sports fanatic friends. Organized by month so that you can easily find an appropriate story beforehand, O'Brien helps you recall unforgettable moments in sports that will make you sound just like an expert.

A couple meet through the Internet. What they do not know is that they are sharing a house.

I really enjoyed this book, enough to pass it on to my husband. The story evolves into an erotic who's next. I found it touched my romantic heart, with terrific sexual pleasures, as well as the awakening of a woman to life. I enjoyed the new discoveries that were played out, as if I too were experiencing them. I recommend this to any who enjoy the fantasy of opening yourself to new adventures.

I don't think "A Reader from Iowa" can actually have read this book. The couple do not meet over the Internet - they meet when Rupe, the gorgeous sytems analyst (I know, it looks like an oxymoron), moves into one of the rooms advertised for rent by Tine, widow of a prominent artist. And Tine, at least, knows who she's cybering with - some of the time: I will admit there's a twist in the tail. I enjoyed this book. Before the erotica kicks in there is actually quite a moving portrayal of Tine's efforts to get on with her life which is good writing in any genre. There are great food scenes. There's a sub-plot about stolen art, and some interesting, sexy characters doing interesting, sexy things. This was not half bad. And if you weren't convinced that cybersex is "real" sex, this book might just make you reconsider.

This simple volume offers a unique inside view of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church in Ireland. The author is a sincere, but disillusioned priest who made his way thru the seminary, while revolting against much of the rigid discipline. After admission to the priesthood, he is moved from parish to parish, in an attempt to keep his views smothered! He offers a liberal's expose' of the hierarchy of the church, as well as an insight as to what might be at the root of many of the "troubles" now affecting Northern Ireland. This is a sometimes slow, but rewarding, read for both Catholics and Protestants with Irish roots or Irish interests.