R Books

Read the other reviews for more in-depth opinion. I love me some Bradbury, so I love this book.

This book showcases some of Ray Bradbury's greatest short stories. His talent is to create a story that the reader is immediately able to sink into no mater how unbelievable the plot, the setting or the characters, and from time machines, to interplanetary adventures, this book is truly filled with the improbable which Bradbury makes seem imminently possible. This is truly is an enjoyable read.

These stories are the most piognant I have ever read except in The Martian Chronicles. These stories are mind blowing. Bradbury is the greatest short story writer of our time and maybe all time.

I highly recommend this book to any fan of Ray Bradbury's work, or to anyone who wishes to introduce his classic works into their library. He is a passionate visionary that writes not only about sci-fi, but his colorful writing style encapsulates the sometimes ineffable feelings that each and every one of us have had about every possible situation in life, and dare I say, in death. I always feel like a kid again when I read his books, I am taken away to warm, sunny Saturdays when I was still in awe of the newness of life. I can hardly force myself to read the works of others as I am convinced that no one can do with words the magic that Ray Bradbury has done.

Ray Bradbury is a genius-pure and simple. He is a great. Proof is his power to affect the heart while engaging the intellect.

Adjust yourself into your most favorite reading place, and prepare to enjoy this gem's story well-placed in it by the magical hand of its wizard-author Baird. I stand in awe in the light of Baird's tale. A great deal of the characters'histories is handled masterfully by this master bard in the first two chapters--revealing the richness and the riches. If you, like me, hunger for new dimensions of richness, please read R. Dennis Baird's book here...The light of his gem transferred into me

I fell in love with the characters as the story unfolded and enjoyed the strong moral values it contains. I love this story and the civilization the author has created. You won't be disappointed in reading this book. I highly recommend!

In a decade when the fantasy and science fiction genres are burgeoning like never before, the lack of worthwhile reading material has been at a surprisingly all-time low. Mr. Baird's Brazen Serpent Chronicles is one of the rare exceptions. Talon of Light breaks away from the current trend of 'trying to be different' from the traditional greats . . . and usually failing miserably. Mr. Baird truly understands the need for a clear line between good and evil, the traditional struggles--both corporeal and spiritual--that make a great fantasy story great, but he also understands what really makes a fantasy unique . . . not the basic underlying themes, but the people the story involves and the individual journeys they each must make. Without being forced, Talon of Light succeeds at being different. It is an intensely character-driven tale, each with their own quests and trials, each culminating in a powerful harmony. I highly recommend The Brazen Serpent Chronicles: Talon of Light.

An engrossing fantasy with some unexpected twists and turns that make it all the more enjoyable. there are things here that don't happen in most fantasies--an ancient prophecy which is out-of-joint, a reformed villain...and a hero who is NOT the first to receive the magic sword...Characterisation is exacting and well-built, and there are plenty of dragons for the dragon-lover.

Talon of Light is a thrilling book. You never know what will happen next and it kept my interest all the way through. There are many exciting battles and wars wich are not gory or gross but moments of true character. The charecters are very well developed so you get a feel for them. You are always on the edge of your seat to find out what will happen to them. They are also very well defined as good or evil, and throughout the book are morals that make you think. This is not a book that you will forget about. You will always remember the lessons and morals and maybe even apply them to your life.

Hank the cowdog is really funny! Infact, it's the funniest book in the world. I love Hank the Cowdog books. Drover dog, Hank's assistant is extremely funny. In book 29, chapter 1 he asked "Whose rear? Mine or yours?" Hank says he's always a pipsqueak, but Drover is kind of cute.

Hank the cowdog is really funny! Infact, it's the funniest book in the world. I love Hank the Cowdog books. Drover dog, Hank's assistant is extremely funny. In book 29, chapter 1 he asked "Whose rear? Mine or yours?" Hank says he's always a pipsqueak, but Drover is kind of cute.

Hank the Cow Dog the Case of the Vampire Vacuum Sweeper is the coolest book ever. It�s about a dog that tries to save his ranch. It�s really funny when Slim gets trapped in the bathroom then Ms. Viola comes. My best character is Slim he�s very funny. I would recommend you to read it cause I gave it 5 stars. *****

I love all the Hank books, and this is a great one for the Christmas season. These books are hilarious and more important to the young reader, fun to read. I'd also check the rest of the series.

Author of "Hobo Finds A Home" editor "Of A Predatory Heart"

This is one of the greatest books in the universe. I think one of the funniest parts was when Hank and Drover were stuck out on the porch and Drover got the hiccups. I also liked the part where Hank told Rip and Snort they had Creeping Termanal Entropy and Rip called it Creepum Termite Hoopum-Hikum. I didn't like the part where Hank made Muggs fight with Rip and Snort. I like Buster, Muggs, and the "other two" (my little sister and I call them Fleabag and Scrap). In short, this was another good Hank the Cowdog Book. I can't wait for the next one.

I took the book on vacation and throughly enjoyed it. It gets you hooked very quickly. The main character is amazing and the story takes several turns. I enjoy trying to solve the mystery before it is revealed, but the story kept me guessing.

Case Study was a nice surprise. I am always looking for new authors who come up with interesting characters. If you love a good detective type story with an unpredictable ending this book is for you. My only complaint is that I have to wait a few months for the next book!

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2BDRVA6HWUVB Please have a look at the 2 minute video trailer

Case Study is a fun and thrilling read. For those of us who have tired of the expoloits of Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Taylor Case is a refreshing change. The plot is unique and the outcome isn't obvious or predictable. The characters feel like real people with challenges and insecurities the average reader can relate to. I strongly recommend this book. CR Cardin is a great new author with an imaginative hit which makes a great read!

Today I should have clipped the dog, cut the grass, washed the floor and many other little chores but my day consisted of feeding the animals and reading one of the best books I ever read. I truly couldn't put "Case Study" down - didn't even feed myself until I finished the book. Can't wait until the others are published.

This is an excellent book covering almost every aspect of not just chanting but understanding what all those lines, dots and wiggles surrounding the text in the chumash mean. There is a complete rundown of every te'am and how it fits into the context of the verses, and there is an example in a later section on how each te'am is chanted, basically in the Ashkenazi tradition. There is also a lot of interesting history of the development of the Torah scrolls and history on Torah and Tanakh traditions and also a section on pronunciation.

One word of warning. In order to understand the significance of the te'amim in the context of the verses, you need to have a fairly good knowledge of biblical Hebrew, both vocabulary and grammar. The context of the words in a verse determines which te'amim is assigned to their accents. This is, of course, separate from the te'amim that are assigned to indicate the vowels and pronunciation.

If you want to know absolutely everything about chanting Torah, Haftarah, or one of the Megillot, this book is for you. Every special circumstance is discussed, every rule of reading is discussed and the history and evolution of how and why we chant the way we do today is discussed. It is a wonderful resource for those who teach trope.

This book is a must for anyone seriously studying the nuances of cantillation. This large tome includes chapters on grammar, punctuation, and epistemology. I recently heard a lecture on the meaning of the trope (musical notation)in relation to the meaning of the Hebrew words; amazingly, they informed each other. Such information fills these pages. My son, who studies old manuscripts elaborating some of these topics, was thrilled to receive this book as a birthday gift. The author, Joshua Jacobson, is also the director of a chorale, specializing in Jewish music and his CDs are well worth the price. He's a master in many areas of music and I was fortunate to attend a conference recently where he was the keynote speaker. He's an outstanding scholar and a mensch.

I know of no book that can even compare to the scope and depth of this one, therefore I cannot give it anything but 5 stars. It is a thorough reference of the history and melodies of the cantillation, including a CD and musical notation of all cantillations used for public reading. It is appropriate for all levels of knowledge--from a beginner to an experienced reader.
The grammar he presents is not quite up-to-date and there are minor problems with the phonetic notation he gives certain letters and vowels. However, all in all it is quite excellent.

It is a great book that finally shows that the cantilation is not arbitrary, how it contributes to the sense of the text, how
it works with grammar. Instead of teaching the Taamim as
a dogma, it actually shows how one can understand a text and
put the Taamim himself. It also reveals the grammar of the texts.
I bought four more for my friends.

I read this book that I purchased from a Bible teacher just a few weeks ago. I thought it was fantastic even though it was written years ago. The book confirms many of the medical components written in the Bible that no one but God could have revealed to the author.

There are many other chapters that apply just as much to Evangelical Christians today as when the book was written sixty plus years ago. This book is really timeless. It is also written in simple language that anyone can understand.

I think this is one of the best books I have ever read. I was so impressed that I purchased two more copies and gave them away and kept my copy to read again.

Patf

The book is awesome. I've read other books co-authored by Dr. Dehaan and it very insightful. He really allows you to see the bible on the topic from a medical perspective. A must read. Sister Ford

When I first received this book it sat on a shelf for a month or so, but when I read the first page I couldnt put it down. I have read this book (160 pages)about 5 times. It is very helpful and its illistrations command your attention and involkes deep thought. I highly recommend this book for anyone that is a teacher or minister of the Word of God.

I was recently given this book to read and from the title I did not know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of this writers spiritual insights into our basic matter.
There are many chapters that he expands on what GOD has done to bring us closer to HIM and why these things occurred. I found one statement very profound in the chapter Chemistry of Tears. Dr. De Haan state that "tears are the distillation of our soul" the book is full of such gold nuggets.
I highly recommend this book to enhance your view of GOD's love for you GOD bless jb

SIMPLY A MUST READ BOOK. NUMEROUS MEDICAL TEXTS ARE USED FOR REFERENCE ON THE EXPLANATION OF WHY JESUS HAD TO BE BORN OF A VIRGIN. SIMPLY AN AMAZING MUST HAVE BOOK, NOT ENOUGH SPACE TO EVEN SCRATCH THE SURFACE ON THE INFO CONTAINED IN THIS BOOK, PLEASE READ IT.

A powerful tale for 'children' of all ages.....I was spellbound! Beautifull written, every page made me fall in love with the "People of the Book". This is a story that families will enjoy for generations to come. I'm eagerly awaiting the rest of the trilogy!

A Child of the King is a very well written book. It happens in the land of Withershins, where Prince Abbadon reigns. Jotham, a boy reaching maturity, lives at the orphange at Flotsam Manor. He always suspects that unseen eyes are spying him, and thus earns him the reputation of "weirdo". Yet Jotham is very skilled at his craft in woodworking, and his imagination comes alive in it. After moving to Acraisia, Jotham learns of a King in the land of Dominus that will adopt him and be a father to those who have no father. Jotham sets out to find this King and his son, Prince Morning Star. Yet Jotham's friends, Alfric and Gwyneth, try to persuade him otherwise, that all he hears is just lies.
This book shows two worlds, good and evil, and shows the wars of truth and lies raging between them. The characters of God's three persons, Satan, and Christians are marvelously portrayed in this story.
In my personal opinion, I think this book should have a sequel. I can see it becoming a trilogy like Lord of the Rings. Yet, sadly, Bill Bright is gone, and Marion R. Wells has not written more. Perhaps it was never meant to have a sequel, and perhaps they left it for imaginations to soar.

The story's main character is Jotham. He learned to be a wood crafter while in the orphanage and then began work in Acrasia. The back of the book describes it best:

"[The authors] take us to a place that seems familiar, yet full of suspense and mystery. The authors bring us to a world that pits good against evil in the larger-than-life kingdoms of Prince Morning Star and Prince Abaddon. Read as these mighty rulers battle for the hearts of Jotham and the people of Withershins."

**** Here is a book that will lift your heart and strengthen your faith. I enjoyed every minute I spent within the pages of this novel and am happy to recommend it. ****

Biblical truths can often be taught more effectively via a a fictional story than the normal teaching and preaching we usually experience. Christ set the example for us by telling stories to teach His truths. Bill Bright and Marion Wells have followed that example in a profoundly effective way in this book. The illustrations of God's love, forgiveness, redemption and restoration have put a whole new focus on theological concepts I've intellectually understood for many years, but perhaps not deeply experienced in my heart. Reading this allegory I sensed a new and deeper understanding of God's heart, of how He really feels about me as His child. Prince Morning Star's interactions with Jotham in areas of trial and temptation I likewise experience has given me a whole new perspective on what it really means to have a victorious personal relationship with Christ--to be a child of the King!

Collaboratively written Bill Bright and M. R. Wells, A Child Of The King is a fantastic and entertaining tale set in the mystical land of Withershins. A simple orphan's quest to find his father plunges him into an inexorable tidal wave of dark machinations, kings, princes, power struggles, and a great deal more in this magnificently engaging and fully satisfying fable.

I've done a lot of Internet searches for information about spina bifida. This book is the best overall source I've found. I highly recommend this book for parents and caregivers of children with spina bifida. My daughter is now two years old, and I still refer to this resource often.

I purchased this book when my daughter was prenatally diagnosed with Spina Bifida. Since she's been born I have purchased more copies for family members. This book is an excellent resource for parents and loved ones. It teaches about the condition and related concerns in an easy to understand manner. This is by far the best book I have found on Spina Bifida. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is expecting/has a child with Spina Bifida. I would also recommend it for family members and caregivers of children with Spina Bifida.

This book is a wonderful book for anyone who knows of someone dealing with a child or teenager with spina bifida. Its very organized, informative, and even has several photos of kids with spina bifida. I highly recommend it!

I am the nurse practitioner in a spina bifida clinic. I give this book out to all new parents of children with spina bifida. Many of them tell me that they refer to this book often.

This is one of the two books we ordered when we found out that our baby would be born with sb. We have read lots of books since then and still think this is the best. It is very comprehensive, presents the information well, and I have referred to it often over the past 8 months. We ended up purchasing several copies to give to our family members so they would understand what is going on with our son.

I love Christmas books...and I certainly love this one! This is the kind of book you can read to your whole family. It talks about the real meaning of Christmas...and the special love that is is shared between family members.

Also recommended:

Christmas at Grandfather's House: a heart-warming novel in stories--a collection of inter-connected holiday stories.

Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices--a story about the blessings simple acts of kindness can bring.

I first "heard" this book at a church women's group. Two of the ladies
presented it as the program. One read the letters - and at different times during the reading, the other lady placed items (mentioned in the book) on the table or board. It was very touching - brought back many Christmas memories to those of us present. Very well written. I, myself,
was so impressed, I ordered a copy for four of my grown children as a Christmas gift for each family.

Reviewed by Susan Pettrone for Reader Views (11/06)

"The Christmas Letters," written by Bret Nicholaus, is a heart-warming tale of a Grandfather's love for his family and the legacy he left them, that only he could provide. The reader is instantly drawn into the setting for this book, a family gathering in which everyone surprised when typically quiet `Grandpa' asks for everyone's attention and proceeds to hand out envelopes to each member of the family. As the family sets spellbound, Grandpa explains that he would like each member to open their envelopes. As the family follows Grandpa's wishes, confused glances are exchanged when hand cut red velvet alphabet letters tumble onto the table in front of each member of the family.

As the family sits silently, Grandpa explains that each letter symbolizes an important part of the holiday for him. Continuing on, Grandpa tells each recipient what their letter means to him and why each letter stands for a special part of Christmas. Combining the letters C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S, he explains, adds up to what makes Christmas complete for him. The family members realize that he is in fact telling them that they are each an important part of Christmas for him and without one of them; his Christmas would not be complete. As they sit silently thinking about their individual letters, Grandpa reaches for another envelope, tears it open, and withdraws the letter "J." Confusion is once again seen in the faces around the table until Grandpa speaks. He tells them that the "J" stands for `Jesus' and says..."without this piece of Christmas, there can be no peace of Christmas." As the meaning dawns on the family, Grandpa cuts the "J" into small pieces and hands one to each person present. With this simple gesture and the deep faith behind it, the family is reminded of what Christmas really means in their lives and how Jesus is the "piece" that defines Christmas for what it truly is.

This book touched a part of my heart that I didn't expect it to, upon first opening the cover. I found myself transformed to a Christmas Eve celebration, with my own family in attendance and saw through its pages, how everyone adds their own special "piece" of Christmas to the family. I was touched by Grandpa's love for his family and his need to tell them so. I too have an older father and I know my Christmas' with him will someday be no more. Somehow, through reading this book, although it brought tears to my eyes, it also brought a peace to my soul as well. It is a book that I intend to purchase for many friends this holiday season, as it is one of timeless love and deep faith as well. It is not just a story of Christmas but a story of deep love for not only family but for Jesus as well.

I would highly recommend "The Christmas Letters" as a gift for anyone on your list. It is a book that is rare indeed, as it can touch the youngest and the oldest heart alike with its message. It would be a welcome addition to any family bookshelf and reading it aloud could easily become a family tradition during many Christmas seasons to come. This book is one that will stay with you long after you close its cover and will touch you every time you read it. It is a jewel of a book for the Christmas season ahead and one that should be on everyone's "must read" list.

The Christmas Letters by Brett Nicholaus is one of those books that as soon as you finish reading it, you can't wait to pass it on to someone else so they can enjoy it too. While taking out Christmas decorations, the narrator reflects on the previous Christmas: the last he spent with his grandfather. Grandpa gave each member of his family a small piece of red felt cut out in the shape of a letter. Each letter signifies something special about that person that was important to Grandpa. Putting all the letters together spelled CHRISTMAS, and without any one of them, the holiday wouldn't feel complete. Grandpa also takes the time to remind his family the real meaning of Christmas and how much he loves them. The book has beautiful illustrations and is a really quick read. It's perfect as a gift book or to put out on the coffee table for guests to read. It will stir your emotions and remind you of what Christmas really means. I did pass the book on to my mom, and she thinks it will be a best-seller. I hope so!

As the family has done for years, they all come together to share Christmas with Grandpa. Four generations invade the patriarch's home to shower each other with love. However, this year turns out slightly differently as Grandpa announced to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild that "This may be the last Christmas I get to spend with each of you". He gives his beloved relatives nine sealed individualized notes using the letters in the word Christmas to symbolize the recipient. The loving notes explain how each brought joy and happiness into his well filled contented life as well providing them with a life parable.

Christmas is coming soon, but Grandpa proved accurate as he died in the summer. Yet everyone gathers at Grandpa's house because they all believe he is there for them through his letters and in spirit to celebrate Christmas with his loved ones.

This novella is a terrific tale as each of the family members receive a precious memento from a person held in high regard and cherished by all. Readers will appreciate the gift from Grandpa as Bret Nicholaus provides touching short vignettes of what Grandpa as says in his letters to each person. THE CHRISTMAS LETTERS is an uplifting holiday tale that reminds the audience what really is blessed about life is giving and receiving love.

Harriet Klausner

I highly recommend this translation of Joinville and Villehardouin.

The translator has taken care to translate these works into lucid, contemporary language without dumbing down the writing. Her work has paid off, providing a readable and lively edition still suitable for scholarly review.

Whether you are reading these for enjoyment, personal interest, or academic reasons, this translation is a good one.

I had to read this book in my Medieval and Ranasance Class at OSU. This book gives a first person view of what the Crusades were like. My teenage son has read the book several times and used for several research papers in high school.

These are both excellent accounts of the crusades. Villehardouin proves insightful in what he does not say. A small army of crusaders faces unbelievable odds in Constantinople and yet somehow they conquer and hold this territory. It brings up the question of whether the conquest was an accident or a conspiracy, and a reader can answer that question through careful reading. There are other books wholly committed to this argument of conspiracy vs. accident.

Joinville gives an equally appreciable account of a crusade, this time a failed attempt in Egypt by Saint Louis. Joinville is an author that gives a huge amount of information. The integrity of Louis is apparent as well as the mistakes made by the crusaders (Joinville rarely places direct blame of any failure on Louis, noting instead Louis's brother and his failures.)

This is a well introduced book and is not difficult to read in my opinion.

Chronicles of the Crusades is a chronicle of the Crusades from two of the senior participants who took part in two of the Crusades. The book covers the descriptions of the fourth and the seventh crusades as seen through the eyes of Geoffroy De Villehardouin (who took part in the fourth crusade) and Jean De Joinville (who took part in the seventh crusade). The two chronicles were translated for this book by Margaret Shaw. The book was published in 1963 around the time of her death. The two chronicles give us a look into the two crusades as chronicled through the eyes of two important noblemen of their time. This in itself will taint the purity of the chronicle. Chronicles such as these lay out the justifications for the crusades and tend to gloss over the blemishes. These two are no different. They were written to glorify the Crusaders and surely the writers would not put on ink anything that would later detract from their names. These chronicles do an excellent job of showing how the two chroniclers thought and how they wanted these two crusades remembered. When this book is read this should be kept in mind. The average crusader was a mixture of those driven by greed and religious extremists. The crusaders were allowed to plunder the lands they conquered. In today's terms they were allowed to take war trophies, thus stealing from the inhabitants of the land. They were barbaric in their means of taking the land and the raping of women was allowed, if the women were not of the Christian faith. The fourth crusade received condemnation on its behavior when the Christian city of Constantinople was sacked. This was due to the crusaders raping of the women. This of course is not pointed out by Villehardouin. The chroniclers mention a little of the plunder, but do not mention anything else. Though the chroniclers are quick to point out the cruelty of the Saracens. Margaret Shaw refers to these two chronicles as being the most reliable accounts of the crusades written in French. I would have to disagree that these chronicles should be taken as completely accurate. Joinville refers to Prestor John as if he was a person who actually existed, thus showing that his accounts are not strictly cemented in fact. The chronicles give an overview of the crusades and do not go into much detail on the equipment used and the everyday life of the average crusader. This book is a good book to show the chroniclers thoughts and perspectives but if you are trying to get an accurate picture of what happened during these crusades I would look into other books as well. Such books that describe the opposing views as seen from the Muslim side and other books that can give specifics on how the crusaders lived and their equipment could help in understanding these crusades better. I am giving this book 5 stars because it does accurately convey it's title. It does cover the Chronicles of the Crusades.

The two accounts in _Chronicles of the Crusades_ provide readers with fascinating accounts of the 4th and 7th crusades. Villehardoun's observations of the sack of Constantinople leave some questions regarding whether it was a conspiracy to destroy the city or not; ultimately it is up to the reader to decide... It does, however, provide a window into 12th century warfare and politics.

Joinville's chronicle of the 7th crusade into the Holy Land was similarly fascinating, providing more information about a European's impressions of the Near East and Christian-Islamic conflict than Villehardoun. I much preferred Joinville for this reason. Together, both accounts provide a well-rounded history of the time and place - a tremendously interesting read for professional and armchair historians alike.