P Books


Books-Under-Review-->Arts-->Comics-->Creators-->P-->69
Related Subjects: Panter, Gary
More Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250
P Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

P
Alexander Alekhine's Chess Games, 1902-1946 : 2543 Games of the Former World Champion, Many Annotated by Alekhine, with 1868 Diagrams, Fully Indexed
Published in Library Binding by McFarland & Company (1997-07)
Authors: Alexander Alekhine, Robert G. P. Verhoeven, and Leonard M. Skinner
List price: $125.00
New price: $100.00
Used price: $93.48

Average review score:

Expensive, but a great work
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-21
This book compiles all known games played by Alexander Alekhine over his career. It includes many (MANY) games from Simultaneous displays, as Alekhine did so many of these exhibitions all over the world, throughout his career. It also includes every 'serious' tournament game, and all of Alekhine's match games, along with many consultation and blindfold games. This is not a biography, although there are light biographical sketches periodically, and also information on his travels between each new destination.

As with every McFarland Chess book I own, the physical quality is quite high -- hardcover, very well bound.

There is a lot to like -- I'd consider it the only book on Alekhine's games anyone would need, but for two slight drawbacks:

First, not every serious game is annotated. This is not a really serious problem, because the games which are not annotated are generally annotated elsewhere. For example, none of the Alekhine/ Capablanca match games are annotated, despite the fact that Alekhine annotated most of his wins and some of the draws for his best games collection. It's hard to fathom why they were not included here. This makes it less all inclusive than it would otherwise be.

Second, all the annotations are Alekhine's. This is a minor issue, since his notes are generally accurate and good. Still, notes by other players would be nice, especially in the way it was done in Forster's epic biography of Amos Burn (in my opinion, the book by which all other Chess biographies should be measured). Forster commonly included notes by several players of the day within individual games, and he often added his own notes, or annotated a game fully himself where no other notes were available.

Another slight demerit to this book are a regrettable number of typos. I have not noticed any in the prose of the book, but I have noticed a few in the game notes, just going from a random sample of games.

That said, this is a great work. I wish it had been more of a true biography/ games collection, but that would have made the book absolutely huge, and a truly monumental work, as Alekhine lived, as the saying goes, in 'interesting times'.

This is a wonderful book in any Chess lover's collection, and is a true desert island book.

The Standard against which all others will be judged
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-21
Alekhine was not just World Champion, he was important for the development of Chess itself. He thought in terms of what it meant to unbalance the position. Alekhine took this concept and forced it into his games. Whether he was on the hunt with his own attack, or desperately defending he relished positions in which he could take some advantage he had and use it to the maximum. That he greatly favored being the attacker is obvious. This book is the most complete collection of his games in existence and will reward your study many times over. Not for the beginner, it is very expensive but worth every penny

Stupendous
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 1999-09-19
This book is truly a marvelous book to have in my library. I have been collecting chess books since 1969 and despite having almost 500 chess books not much comes close. This book most clearly resembles the excellent two volume book on Rubinstein by John Donalson and Nicolay Minev. As big as a phone book this book does not easily fit on all bookshelves. The only caveat is that there could have been more anotated games. One example is that all the games from NY 1924 should have been annotated as Alekhine himself annotated all the games from the tournment and all of his games from that tournment should have been annnotated.

Excellent Chess Book!
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 1999-02-28
This book is excellent! It is expensive but worth every penny! It would have been nice if it included some rare photos but this is very minor. Even if you own other works of Alekhine's this is still a good book to have because of it's completeness. The publisher has other chess books of this quality on chess masters such as Capablanca, Marshall, Steinitz and Reshevsky.

Terrific, colossal tome!
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-30
This book is everything Amazon's desription says. And it's a very solid hard-cover job, with excellent layout and printing. Some interesting biography bits prefacing each chapter were new even to a die-hard Alekhinbe fan like me.
Finally a book that does him justice. One could only wish that *all* the games were annotated, à la "Chess Stars" series (I have all four Tal volumes), but it's really hard to complain about a fine book like this.

P
Alma Mater: A College Homecoming
Published in Paperback by Addison Wesley Publishing Company (1995-09)
Author: P. F. Kluge
List price: $12.66
New price: $35.57
Used price: $23.93

Average review score:

ACCURATE AND RIGHT-ON
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-21
Kluge takes you into the inner workings of a small liberal arts college in Gambier, Ohio during the '90's. He looks at the admissions, grades, decisions, teaching expectations/styles,tenures, fraternities, etc., that make this college click and draw in more students. He discusses his contributions and his interaction with other professors and departments. Being a college instructor myself, I found that much of what he expressed so well, could apply to my Micronesian college. Good writer and accurate in his observations and conclusions. I liked it and have recommended it to other professor-types.

Looking back...
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-12-30
This book is a great look at small liberal arts colleges through the eyes of a past graduate returning to teach at his alma mater. The book provides insight into the inner workings of a college both from an administrative and academic point of view. Kluge's reflections are always though-provoking and yet the prose is so wonderfully simple. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

Politics, personal dramas and prickly collegiality
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2002-01-11
Liberal arts colleges evoke a certain image in the American imagination: ivy-laced little cities on a thousand different hills; places rich in tradition, where teachers teach, students learn, and smallness encourages community and accountability. As compared to big research universities, their professors are less likely to be distracted by big-city pretensions and obsequious grad students. The small-college ideal is what much of America likes to think higher education once was and should be again.

Kluge, in this touching, sardonic reconsideration of his own alma mater, Kenyon College (the book is essentially a diary of the year he spent back in Gambier, Ohio, as a visiting professor), shows us that the reality of a real liberal arts college -- its ghosts, aspirations, conceits, compromises -- is far more complicated. Its history and traditions are as much a curse as a blessing. The dignified, self-knowing exterior it presents to prospective students and the public may mask self-doubts, intrigues, identity crises. For faculty as well as students, small size and intimacy means academic and cultural debates are more difficult to avoid, the stakes higher, the joys and sorrows more intensely personal.

Though not the author's primary purpose, Alma Mater provides a rich and interpretive portrait of contemporary American academic culture. Today a college like Kenyon, isolated though it may be by geography, is awash in the same turmoils as the biggest and most unwieldy Research I institution: race, gender, fraternities, curriculum, faculty roles and rewards, and, as always, money. Just as TV and computers have virtually wiped out traditional regional cultures, so journals, conferences, and faculty mobility assure that professors in vastly different settings will be wrestling with the same ideas, controversies, and alienations.

Kluge's vivid, indeed exquisite, writing draws out larger truths behind quotidian events and observations. Office corridors strangely dark and deserted in the middle of a weekday become a metaphor for faculty overspecialization (increasingly treated like free agents, professors ply their little projects in solitude from home) and the consequent loss of campus collegiality and sense of community. Figures at a faculty meeting seem to come from some central casting of academic types and images. And anyone who has taught a college course would empathize with Kluge's take on grading: "Splattering comments on papers, you sense you are working harder on grading than they ever did on writing, that you are obliged to take seriously what they took casually."

To his bemusement, Kluge, ultimately discovers he can't go home again. But he gives us a loving and richly detailed portrait of the inner life of a college he still loves, a "good place," and we understand why.

Academia Nuts (and Bolts)
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2002-05-12
As a professor at a small college (Muhlenberg, in Allentown, PA), I found these descriptions of Kenyon to be instantly transferrable. When Alma Mater was sweeping Muhlenberg a few years ago, my faculty colleagues swore that Kluge must have been hiding behind the drapes, so perfectly did he capture the scene here. Of course, friends on other campuses said the same. Kluge has hit upon something universal about what it means to be a faculty member at a liberal arts college in a book that is at once funny, moving, and spot-on accurate.

Every autumn, I make a point of pulling Alma Mater off the shelf to recharge my professorial batteries. In so doing, I remind myself of both the peculiarities and the nobility of this profession. And I remind myself, as well, of what excellent writing sounds like.

Whose sacred cows are trampling asphodel by the Kokosing?
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 14 total.
Review Date: 1998-05-22
Professors, even visiting ones, have one rare luxury. They live and work in a place where everyone stops and listens to their opinions. Did P.F. forget to mention all the fawning adoration that was his lot in tiny Gambier? Tough life. This book was accurate in what it did record (I was there too, after all), but by synecdoche presented a part to be taken for the whole. An easy for example; it's convenient to present anecdotal evidence that the entire student body was lazy and spoiled, since this excuses the professor(s) from having to pay attention to or bother about the ones who are not either of those things. And it gives an old fellow something to gripe about and be nostalgic for. There's excellent mileage in such an opinion, without a doubt. Maybe even a book. And, after all, Alma Mater is on my bookshelf, reminding me of my undergraduate days and of the coot on Middle Path who used to reply to my passing "good morning" with outraged glares and once a tirade about perfectly decent looking young women who chose to dress like hoboes. Ah, nostalgia. Who gets that much bang for the buck in a big city? Such thoughts are a comfort while paying student loans. If you are connected with Kenyon, this is an amusing read which raises corollary questions about the relative laziness or degree of spoilation found in the professors at a small, expensive liberal arts college.

P
Analysis for Financial Management + S&P subscription card
Published in Paperback by McGraw-Hill/Irwin (2005-10-31)
Author: Robert C. Higgins
List price:
New price: $74.53
Used price: $70.00

Average review score:

Needs to be on every Executives desk....
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-01
This book served as the foundation of a recent course offered by MIT - Sloan Business School for the technical manager.
Excellent content of important financial concepts, always keeping focus on teaching the implications financial analysis can have on managers, executives and companies.
The references to useful URLs, as well as the real life access to S&P Market Insight web are an additional bonus.
Torsten K. Gessner

An understandable text book!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-02
I was asked my a corporate finance professor to purchase this book along with our school required text book. This book was a fraction of the size of our text book and packed a much greater punch. Just read this book and skip out on your textbook because the text teachers you nothing that can be applied to real life situation.

Really concise, useful book
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-14
After dealing with fat hard-cover textbooks with hard-to-find answers, this book is refreshingly concise and useful. It sounds strange, but I could actually call this a "readable" textbook-- i.e. sit down and read it cover to cover-- which is an accomplishment for a textbook. Highly recommended.

Easy to understand...
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-04
This book has been around for a while and is useful even for people without a Finance background. As you proceed further in the book, the chapters get in to complicated issues in finance. Nevertheless its important for a manager to understand the financial implications of every decision. Strongly recommend.

One of the best Financial Text Books I've Come Across
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-28
I have to say, I normally wouldn't consider writing a review for a text book. But this one is good.

In most of the financial classes I've attended, I am usually left scratching my head when introduced to new concepts because the text is so dense and the examples provided very rarely explain it enough. This textbook is so well-written that, although much of the material builds upon concepts introduced in earlier chapters, reading the earlier chapters isn't entirely required to understand the subject matter: each chapter stands on its own.

Also, Higgins's style is reminiscent of those fine classic textbooks from the mid-20th century, such as Elements of Style by Strunk & White and The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham, interjecting dry, and at times belly-laughingly funny, humor into the text.

This book deserves to be a classic.

P
The Apprentice Adept: Split Infinity, Blue Adept, Juxtaposition
Published in Paperback by Ballantine Books (P) (1989-07)
Author: Piers Anthony
List price: $14.85

Average review score:

Must read this book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2001-05-21
I tell you all, read the Apprentice Adept series. It is wonderful. P. Anthony created two worlds that are the same yet totally opposite in which a man, a serf, named Stile has to save his life with the help of a finely crafted, beautiful female robot named Sheen. Stile crosses from the science frame (Proton) to a world of magic (Phaze) in order to escape the threat on his life. However, in Phaze, the threat still follows him. Stile gains special magic powers in Phaze that help him and he also meets some new friends, a unicorn, a werewolf, a beautiful woman called the Lady Blue, and a vampire that helps him defeat the threat. But the problem is solved yet; Stile has to save Phaze and Proton from destruction. A wonderful Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel Anthony-style.

The Apprentice Adept
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2001-05-18
Beginning in the mundane setting of scientifically and socially advanced planet Proton, a serf named Stile makes his way to the top of the lowest social class: Serfdom. Stile's life soon becomes endangered. His only hope is a self-willed machine woman named Sheen who was sent to protect and love the little man. It doesn't stop there: Stile finds a gate way to another dimension where magic rules instead of science. Across this "curtain" Stile's life is still endangered, but he is a powerful magic-user called an Adept, the Blue Adept. As the Blue Adept, Stile Battles an unknown enemy that hunts him. Stile's friends: lovely Lady Blue, Neysa the Unicorn, and Kurrelgyre the Werewolf help him in the magic world called Phaze (similar to Piers' other magic realm Xanth) to protect him and find the anonymous conspirator. In Proton frame, Sheen and her self-willed robot friends aid Stile in protecting him and discovering the unknown menace. Later, Stile has to save Phaze and Proton from destruction. He has to battle Adept and Proton Citizens alike to save the worlds. A wonderful story full of adventure!

An outstanding journey to an alternate state of mind
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 1999-09-02
Another great series by Piers Anthony!! The way that he mixes modern thinking in with exciting fantasy is amazing. His vast imigination is so articulately translated to the page giving the feeling that he actually visited this place instead of created it.. and the plot thickens and keeps you hanging throughout each book. Bravo Mr. Anthony

Must read series for ALL Sci-Fi Fans!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 1999-06-05
Piers Anthony gives us a dynamic story in the Apprenctice Adept Series. From Robots and Androids, to Unicorns and Werewolves. This series was a joy to read! I highly recommend it.

Loved this part of the series!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 1998-02-21
The first three books of "The Apprentice Adept" series are a wonderful read. I couldn't pull myself away from the worlds of Phaze or Proton for even a moment without planning my next re-entry! The melding of magic and technology, the ease of transition between the two worlds, the intrigue of two "different" political systems, and THE GAMES! Sure you knew that Stile was going to be successful, but it was great fun watching it happen! I would recommend them to my friends, but I would also warn that some of the themes are a bit adult, and should probably be considered rated PG-13.

P
The Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt
Published in Leather Bound by Deseret Book (2007-09-11)
Author: Parley P. Pratt
List price: $29.95
New price: $28.24
Used price: $29.00

Average review score:

Family History in the making
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-25
Parley P. Pratt was a great man who made a great impact on the people in his day. He was searching for truth and serving as a missionary when his life changed for the best. Parley came into contact with a book that would change his life forever. That book is The Book Of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. When he read it, he decided that he needed to be baptized into the only true and living church upon the face of the land. When talking to his wife, Parley discovered that she had also come to find the Book of Mormon and had been baptized. Parley spent the rest of his life preaching the gospel to all the world up to the point that he was murdered by a jealous ex-husband of one of his converts. Parley was a great example of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. For more information about The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints, visit[...]or talk to your MORMON neighbor.

Must See the Footnotes
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-11
This is a great discovery. You have probably heard the stories of Parley P. Pratt. Now you need to read them, and please review the historical significance in the footnotes. Also, good photography to compliment and help establish a mental picture.

Great autobiograpahy
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-20
This autobiography is outstanding. The book chronicles the life of
Parley P. Pratt. The book if entertaining, inspiring, and motivating.
The book contains several enjoyable stories. We can learn alot from Pratt's life.

Excellent Prose and Poetry Tells the Story of the LDS Church
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2004-01-29
A very vivid account of the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints written by man who lived it and contributed much to the LDS church. The book is written in flowing prose and interspersed with poetry, letters, etc. Parley Pratt joined the church after reading and accepting the Book of Mormon. His story follows the LDS church through their persecutions in Missouri, and Illinois and brings the church to its present location in Utah.

I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the LDS church as it is written by one of their early leaders.

A Great Read.
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2004-05-25
Parley P. Pratt along with his brother Orson was among the earliest leaders of the Mormon church. His historical significance alone makes this worth the read. Luckily not only is this work historically important is is also really entertaining. Of all the books I have read on the early church this was easily the most entertaining.

Parley Pratt is a master storyteller. Furthermore, he lead a fascinating life that makes for an engrossing read. My favorite was the story about the dogs. (You have to read it to find out what I mean) There is some inspirational talk here as would be expected from any work by a religious devotee. Really a fun read and worth your time.

P
Avro Arrow: The Story of the Avro Arrow From Its Evolution To Its Extinction
Published in Paperback by Boston Mills Press (2004-07-03)
Author: The Arrowheads
List price: $19.95
New price: $14.40
Used price: $9.50

Average review score:

Avro Arrow - Book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-13
An informative summary of the wonderful Avro Arrow aircraft which was way ahead of its time but killed off by stupidity, politically motivated interference from the US and Canadian governments and deliberate misinformation from all sides. A fascinating but sad and familiar chapter in the history of western aviation. See also the BAC TSR-2 aircraft and the Decca Secondary Surveillance Radar system.

The original source of all things arrow, and a fine book as well.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-12
This was the original serious history of the Arrow, and remains one of the best sources for information on one of the greatest should-have-beens in aviation history. Minimal politics, maximum info.
When it was first released, it had no equal for the number of drawings (three view and schematic), let alone the number of photos it included. Introducing the swept wing follow-on to the CF-100, and supplying more information on the tentative projects that resulted in the selection of the Arrow, the book was and remains a landmark, not just for the Arrow, but for the extent of information in anything short of a pilots manual. The first three view of the Arrow with the modified air-intakes, and even a little on the Mach 3 Arrow, as well as a flight log for each flight of the Arrow. A treasure then, and a treasure now, data and graphics from this book are to be found on most websites that deal with the Arrow.

Avro Arrow
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-07
I am now a believer in Avro. Wish things had gone different for this part of human history.

Jim Pendleton

Good Book

Avro Arrow
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-02
Bought this for my husband's birthday and he loves it. Enjoyed the technical part and feels the story line is pretty close to the facts. Pictures are great.

truly engrossing
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2000-07-30
One of the finest book dedicated to this controversial program! Being interested in technical details and aircraft perfomances,I found many factory drawings about structures, internal systems arrangements, armament layout and cutaway views. Important performance figures are available from tables and charts. But the most interesting feature is the the description of the development and testing phase that shows all the potential of this doomed plane. Finally some basic facts on an aircraft still surrounded by an halo of mistery about its birth and its death!

P
Badge 149: "Shots Fired!"
Published in Paperback by Infinity Publishing.com (2006-08-25)
Author: Gary P Jones
List price: $18.95
New price: $12.31
Used price: $10.00

Average review score:

Thrilling!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-16
The narrative style of this book makes the reader feel like they are sitting down with an old friend recounting a special piece of their history in law enforcement. For those who are interested in the harrowing adventures of cops in a big city, this book is definitely for you. A truly enjoyable read!

If you like thrilling cop stories . . .
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-14
. . . Badge 149 "Shots Fired!" is for you. Gary Jones has taken a stack of his own personal experiences as a police officer in South Florida and turned them into an exciting, fast paced re-telling of the daily heart-pounding, adrenalin pumping, often dangerous situations police officers are exposed to everywhere. Using official police reports, radio transmission tapes, interviews with former co-workers, and his own personal memory, Gary keeps the reader glued to the pages of his book.

Police officers are often faced with "Shoot/Don't Shoot" scenarios which almost always require an instantaneous decision, knowing their actions will later be scrutinized in minute detail by investigators, lawyers, the media, and the public. Throughout the book there are "Situation" analysis questionnaires in which the reader has a chance to decide what they would do if they were in the shoes of the police officer. At the end of the book you can see the right answers, and what your score would be.

If you like true cop stories turned into an interesting and entertaining book, then go get Gary Jones' Badge 149 "Shots Fired!". I highly recommend it.

Top Gun
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-10
This book is testament to all the fine Men and Women in Law Enforcement. Written in a manner that shows the dedication of the officers, the callous attitude of the criminals, the failings to society of the Justice system. Exciting events that are True, that really happened in a beautiful city by the ocean. While tourists partied in Ft. Lauderdale little did they know what was happening around them.. Great read, masterfully written, keeps your adrenaline flowing. This book should be made into a movie, makes most of the Hollywood crime movies look like a Sunday School picnic.

Real Street Cops
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-02
Great book, puts you in the action, makes you think with the scenario questions at the end of every chapter, Shows how a team of cops go out and do proactive police work to make the streets safe. READ IT

Badge 149: Reality with Style
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-28
As voracious a reader as I am, I have rarely purchased a book more worthwhile. I found the narrative style to be absolutely delightful, flowing smoothly and easily. Opening with the heart-pounding car chase grabs the reader's attention and interest, which never have a chance to wane.
The hatefulness and hypocrisy of the Deerfield Beach Sergeant, the ensuing pain and hardship from the injury, the pace, the perfect amount of humor sprinkled in ( I LOVED Natalie's "contributions" to the rug)...all this and more made a fascinating read. I thought the "situations" were a unique addition to the narrative, most especially situation #6, deadly force. They made the reader an analytical participant rather than a passive observer.
All in all, Badge 149 accomplished something very important: readers will have a new appreciation for just what - - and how difficult - - the role of a policeman truly is. It will also help the reader to identify with police officers as whole, multi-faceted individuals.

P
The Bandit of Kabul: Episode Two of the Series "As The P Wheel Turns"
Published in Paperback by Regent Press (2006-08-01)
Author: Jerry Beisler
List price: $29.95
New price: $29.95
Used price: $23.86

Average review score:

Radical politics, Asian spirituality, and hash smuggling
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-18
Jerry Beisler is in the midst of chronicling his eventful life, decade by decade, in a series of books called "As the Prayer Wheel Turns." The 1970s is covered in "The Bandit of Kabul" ($29.95 in paperback from Regent Press), studded with black and white photographs of the times and the people -- from Rebecca, whom he marries in 1971 in Goa, India, to Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, to "Dutch Bob," who "tried to recruit anyone of worth he met in the Kathmandu Valley to assist him in his Hash-to-Amsterdam deals." The author signed up.

An author's note sets the tone: "This book is set in some of the world's most remote and exotic locations, but you will not be reading poetic or minute descriptions of the sights, sounds or smells of those places. & There is no time for dwelling on these things during this era of endless war that produces murderous national leaders, idiotic economic policies and draconian, tyrannical laws. But the historical facts, the action and adventure, the spirit and spirituality of human beings are here; this story beings and ends in love."

It's also the story of Beisler's entrepreneurial spirit. Gravitating away from the "false-bottom suitcase parade" smuggling contraband into Amsterdam, he and Rebecca would return periodically to their ranch in Northern California where Jerry would sell museum-quality Tibetan carpets and tend his marijuana garden (now long gone, of course, replaced by "ecologically perfect nut trees").

He also helped produce music shows "for the local college crowd & about 8,000 party-hungry students." It sounds like the unnamed "state university" was Chico State University, described as somewhere between the Bay Area and Oregon, 157 miles from San Francisco, just outside the radius promoter Bill Graham insisted on when he booked his acts so as not to dilute the potential audience. For Beisler that meant "Fleetwood Mac, Santana and Taj Mahal, came through town on their coastal swings to or from San Francisco."

During a time of estrangement from Rebecca, Jerry had met a woman in San Francisco. Later, once again united with Rebecca, he received a letter from "that 'hot-house flower.'" Almost matter-of-factly she wrote: "I am going to have your baby in a few months & and someday, if the child asks about the father, I'll just say he was the Bandit of Kabul."

Copyright 2007 Chico Enterprise-Record. Used by permission.

Remembering the Hippie Trail
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-05
If "The Bandit of Kabul" writer/adventurer Jerry Beisler were to revisit Afghanistan and environs today, he would surely perform the appropriate bodily function.
A New York Times travel section piece (1/21/07) by Joshua Hammer provided a timely comparison between the Afghanistan of the early 70s, as described in Beisler's book, and the Afghanistan of 2007.
What was once called the "The Hippie Trail," before that, "The Silk Road," and before that "The House of Genghis Khan," is now undergoing, according to the Times article, "an accelerating nationalistic effort to bring tourists back by `promising them that they won't get killed.'"
Mr. Beisler, using his own inadversedly, unfettered-by-graying-conventions writing style, vividly recounts the kind of wild-eyed, courageous inquisitiveness so prevalent in that early time by travelers, not tourists.
The smells, sights and intrigues of that wilder, yet no less dangerous, era are all in "The Bandit of Kabul."
Using Asia as a home base, the author and an assortment of his here-now-and-possibly-never-again fellow male and female adventurers and entrepreneurs blaze trails similar to Ken Kesey, Jack London and Kerouac. In fact, Kesey's cohorts appear among the many colorful characters in this counter-culture history. All journey by rickety buses, ox carts or horseback to explore the pre-Taliban world of the opiated East. We will begin by running hard and fast from the breakout of war!
To quote:
"Our first train trip was not nearly so posh. We were two of twelve, emitting excessive body odor from nervous fear . . . at Allahabad, we were forced off the train when it was commandeered by soldiers for the war effort."
That took place in India when the 1971 Indo/Pakistan war broke out.
Or, in Kabul:
"The gun slipped out of Billy Batman's hands, dropped to the floor, discharged and shot him in the testicles. He chose to die. Billy's wife said it was a conscious decision."
And have you ever been to a Christmas Day beach party in Goa?
"After piling a half dozen sated and stoned party-goers into boats and clearing the shore break . . . the fishermen set up for themselves several bottles of an illegal, powerful whiskey and launched into a celebration of their own . . . they swilled liquor until they were blind drunk . . . these outriggers were very narrow and no one had any experience in manning such a craft . . . we managed, by hand signals and body language, to get them to row us ashore for a swim at Chapora Beach. After a relaxing, enjoyable dip and a few hits off the chillum, it was then up to us to pile the besotted fishermen, now asleep, back into the boats and launch ourselves and the other fools towards our home beach - in the darkness, through shark-filled waters."
A four-part autobiography, "The Bandit of Kabul" is book two of the series "As the Prayer Wheel Turns." Book one "Hoosiers and Hippies in the Sixties" is due out in January.

Reviewed by Ed Leslie, now retired after 35 years writing for television and print.
Stinson Beach, CA.

Larger than life adventures
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-20
The Bandit of Kabul fell into my hands unexpectedly. In other words, I probably would not have picked it up at a bookstore. Like many gifts, this book was a genuine pleasure to have received. These adventures of a wide cast of "characters" are crazy and riveting. Additionally, the descriptions of Afghanistan, at that time in history, are vividly done. Hands down, this author has lived a story wilder than the earlier American beatnicks and counter culture tripsters. He took the road trip to new heights, so to speak. Not wanting to downplay the originality of hitting the American highways as described by Kerouac and Kesey, nevertheless, that is a far cry from riding horses through treacherous mountain passes in Afghanistan. Author Beisler and friends were smart, young and had nerves of steel!

Wild women in an untamed country
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-06
Even if I were not on the scene prior to the time that this book takes place, I would enjoy reading about Jerry's high adventures along the now infamous hashish trail. I'm captivated by his love of adventure, political awareness and romantic vision. The characters and settings come to life in vivid detail punctuated by the wonderful snapshots that add spice to an already tasty book. Historians, politicians, archivists take note - this is the real deal.

A rollicking good read for those who 'missed the boat'
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-06
I saw this book in my local shop and liked the cover and the title. As one who had done a little traveling in Asia I was intrigued about the adventures Jerry and his intrepid friends had back when some of these countries were still somewhat innocent and open to westerners rather than the dark footnotes to current events they've become today. These guys' (I use the term loosely...) appetite for adventure and exotic travel knew no bounds in the anything goes era of the late sixties and early seventies.
As an old pot-smoking hippie myself I enjoyed their continuing quest for the next hashish haven. The descriptions of the places and the never-ending mad-cap adventures kept me turning the pages till there were none left. It, apparently, wasn't all fun and games as there were several near-death situations and judging by the last chapter, entitled: Where Are They Now? This parapatetic, picaresque life was not for the faint of heart as it seems that about every third person depicted in the book is either in jail or deceased. This 'Kat from Kabul' must be on one of his last lives. I highly reccommend this to anyone who ever wondered what it was like to be a wild and crazy hippie back in the day on the 'hashish trail'.


P
Betrayal's Baby
Published in Paperback by New Dawn Publishing Company (1992-06)
Author: P. B. Wilson
List price: $7.95
New price: $64.86
Used price: $2.59
Collectible price: $28.00

Average review score:

Eye Opener
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 2000-11-29
I gave this book to my father as a birthday present because he was/is a victim of child abuse and abandonment. It took him almost 64 years to allow God to begin healing his heart. The book opened my eyes to a lot of my family problems. Through this book I will be able to prevent my children from becoming victims also. I'm buying a book for each of my five siblings and my children. I finished the book in five hours, my dad is still at the beginning of Chapter 1. He has had the book for two months. Sometimes the truth is painful, but once the bonds are broken, freedom is beautiful.

"Outstanding and anointed of God"
Helpful Votes: 11 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2000-09-05
This is one of the best books that I have ever read. P.B. Wilson was truly anointed of God to write about the feelings of betrayal. I laughed and cried (yes CRIED) through the entire book. I was so enthralled and enlightened by Betrayals Baby that I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is suffering from the terrible feelings of betrayal, no matter where it comes from, family members, friends, church, or job.

I have just purchased three more books written by her. If they are anything like this one, I have spent my money wisely.

Helping all who've been betrayed
Helpful Votes: 11 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2000-07-12
This book is so powerful that I now recommend it to the clients in my counseling practice. I've never read a better book to inspire those whose heart's have been broken by betrayal. We have, until recently, had such a difficult time obtaining it that I suspect I am not the only one who has this opinion. Thank you

One of the finest books on God-inspired loving relationships
Helpful Votes: 12 out of 13 total.
Review Date: 1999-09-22
I have never read any other book other than the bible that moved me as much as this one did. It shows how, by using Godly principles in loving, we can not only heal past hurts, but also heal those relationships that seemingly were destroyed. This book very definitely deserves a five star rating.

Bitterness Unveiled
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2002-09-18
This book is excellent. For those of us who have been through hard times in life, and have had situations that have been hard to let go. This book will aid you toward the godily way to view your situation. Bunny even tells you about some of her experiences, which sort of gives you a new light. I highly recommend this book!

P
Beyond Survival
Published in Hardcover by G. P. Putnam's Sons (1990-01-16)
Author: Gerald Coffee
List price: $18.95
New price: $12.00
Used price: $1.73
Collectible price: $18.95

Average review score:

Great Book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-03
I was given this book in 1998. Pulled it off the shelf in Hawaii while on vacation in the winter of 2008. Inspirational from start to finish, no wonder Jerry is one of the top 10 speakers in the country. I couldn't put it down. I have sent this book as a gift several times. Highly recomend it.

Inspirational
Helpful Votes: 19 out of 19 total.
Review Date: 1999-04-02
I had an opportunity to hear Dr. Coffee speak in California this past summer. To say he left the room speechless was an understatement. Inspiration,patriotism and an acknowledgment of our God were messages he left with us.

The book goes into great detail about the spirit of man and the strength that lies within each of us. His years spent in North Vietnam as a POW and the indomitable spirit required to survive unheard of torture is an incredible tale. Dr. Coffee states that he is an ordinary man much like everyone else - he merely endured extraordinary circumstances. I think not!

This book should be required reading in our high schools. To hear Dr. Coffee speak or to read his book will make one proud to be an American. I strongly urge you all to read this uplifting and incredible saga of an incredible human being.

Excellent Book - A "Must Read"
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-01-25
This book looks at a man with a comfortable, happy life who is forced to endure hell on earth as a Vietnam POW. The struggles he faced to the small personal victories that got him through are all applicable in our own lives. Through the book, the author also offers a keen perspective on the Vietnam Conflict.

An Example of How Powerful The "Will To Survive" Can Be.
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 1998-06-24
Gerald Coffee really goes "Beyond Survival" with his seven years of POW experience in a North Vietnamese Prison, (the infamous "Hanoi Hilton") during the Viet-Nam War. Just when I thought things could not get any worse for Coffee, they did. Broken and beaten he continues to survive one day to the next by maintaining his faith in God and a belief that the US Government would someday come to his assistance. Father, Husband, Soldier, and Hero, his story struck deep in my heart. He is an inspiration to all of us to "make each day count".

A Wartime Story for Anytime
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2002-10-23
This book reads like a novel. Not only is it about Captain Coffe as a POW but as a son, husband, father and a friend. His courage, faith and humor leave one feeling that they too can have all of these principles, no matter who you are or where you've come from. That there's nothing that life throws at us that we can't overcome and prevail. You walk away feeling as if you know Capt. Coffee and would be honored if he was your friend. An experience not to miss - highly recommended for any age group.


Books-Under-Review-->Arts-->Comics-->Creators-->P-->69
Related Subjects: Panter, Gary
More Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250