Robert Burns Books

richie was a friend first and later my brother-in-law. you need to read this book to understand what the brave pathfinders endured. i was very lucky to have personally know him before and after the war. writing this book was both theraputic and heart wrecthing for him but, he knew he had to write it. the big c took his life much too early. rest in peace brother.

This is one of my favorite audio books. The narrator does a fantastic job.

Great book. Absolutely loved it. Very sad he's gone and won't be able to follow up on the next tour he did.

I was in Vietnam with the 9th Inf Div Pathfinder Det (13 Pathfinders for the entire division) and the 1st Bde 101st. I knew about half of the people that were with Rich Burns at the time, but don't remember meeting him. I can vouch for his accuracy of a lot of what happened during that period of the war.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about what we did. There is a US Army Pathfinder Association that is trying hard to gather more information from those of us that did this job. It's located at www.USPathfinders.org. For those interested, There is a history section that might be helpful.

i cant say anymore but its a must read dam good book

I have used this book to train new college grads and engineers who are new to the ATE industry for years. It is the only text book I Know of that completely covers this topic

This book is very practical and easy to understand. I just graduated college and am working as an entry-level IC Test Engineer. There are some chapters that are a little more involved but with enough experience, one will be able to understand it.

This is probably one of the best books in the market today for test engineers and product engineers. Most of the discussions are oriented towards catching some of the common mistakes made during the development of a test methodology for a circuit. It teaches test/product engineers what to look for when they encounter test problems(which keep popping up very regularly!). I would have appreciated a more detailed chapter on the statistical analysis of test data and analysis of datalogs to determine test issues but I guess that would take up much more space. I would also have preferred reading about some case studies where test issues were investigated and the solution found, but that too would have taken up some space. In all, this is THE book for test/product engineers who deal with a myriad of testers in the market today. A Quick solution of test related issues is key to huge savings in production costs and reading this book end-to-end will definitely aid in the debug of test related issues.

Hi..

When I was interning at Maxim, my supervisor introuced me to this book. I liked it it so much, that I immediately bought one for myself.
This is an awesome book. My supervisor said, that no other book has been written on this subject with so much detail. It almost covers every aspect of test engineering.
It is extremely easy to understand too. So, it is not a problem whether you are an expert or just a beginner.
I recomment this book to everyone who believe in KNOWING IT ALL!

I've been a Test Engineer for 13 years and take it from me, this book is so close to real life situation. It obviously written by people who practice the art of Test Engineering. I wish that I had this book in my very 1st year. This is the bible for every TE.

An excellent first book for readers who have their PSA rising. Reading is very helpful for prevention and for those with cancer recurrance.

I am a family nurse practitioner. I found the book to be very clear and comprehensive. If you're male and over 40, this is required reading!

This book could very easily save your life. While it reaffirmed things I know about fiber, insulin, and exercise, it gave me a lot of new information about how to keep from getting prostate cancer (like my father had), and other important information. It also described "insulin resistance", which is something that I have and has baffeled my doctor for well over a year! Dr. Bob, thanks for writing this great book.

This is a serious step in the right direction to minimize the possibility of developing Prostate Cancer. Many volumes have been written on dealing with the disease after detection but nothing notable of taking preventive measures. This should be must reading for every man!

This book is entertainingly and enthusiastically written and gives excellent information on how to eat to avoid prostate cancer or counteract prostate cancer--help slow or stop its growth--once you have it. I was apalled, however, at how Arnot started his chapter on "surgery," describing two groups of couples in which the men had prostate cancer. The one, happy giggling group was composed of couples where the decision was to "watch and wait" regarding the prostate cancer--in other words, not have radiation or surgery for the present. In the other group, the men had had surgery within the previous year and "These men appeared morose, even depressed. Many complained of the need to wear diapers. Months after the operation, many no longer had any sex life at all."

This picture is biased, black-and-white, unrealistic and I beleive cruel to people who are trying to decide what to do about prostate cancer. Surgery IS the gold standard treatment for younger men with cancer detected early--men who might die prematurely and very painfully if they did not have surgery, which has a better than 90 percent chance of curing them. And certainly men like Bob Dole, General Schwarzkopf and thousands of others who had surgery are not morose and feeling as if their lives are over--in fact they probably feel a lot better than the 30 percent of those who watch and wait and after ten years have cancer spreading throughout their bodies.

People have to make their choices as best they can, and both watchful waiting and surgery can be appropriate. Arnot's description painting surgery as totally black was neither good journalism nor good medicine, and as the wife of a 59-year-old-man who will probably have surgery, I did not appreciate the depiction. Less than 8 percent (some say 2 pwercent) of men wear diapers after recovery from surgery and all who have surgery are certainly NOT MOROSE compare to all who wait being giddy and happy. For the fifty to thirty percent who cannot have natural erections, there are several good alternatives that will make the penis errect--and the nerves that cost erections DO NOT hinder sensation or orgasm in anyone--men may not get errect but they can feel and have orgasms! Many people take the lemons of this experience and the surgery and make lemonade, glad to be alive and have a chance at a cure. Making a blanket and untrue statement that suggest surgery leads to moroseness is neither helpful, accurate or true. The next edition of this otherwise very good book should correct that.

Sara Burns makes the world of medical transcription come alive to those unfamiliar with the field and creates a "chum-hood", if you will, to those of us who share experience in the field, to the point of pure nodding hilarity in which we can identify with common experiences.

Her book is an absolute delight to read. As a medical transcriptionist for almost 20 years, I feel she blends a perfect recipe of information, heaping cupfuls of wit and humor, and plenty of wisdom from her 29 years of experience. She offers everything from practical advice for not only the prospective or new transcriptionist but also wisdom to benefit the seasoned transcriptionist that adds spice to a job you already love. Many times, this book is just plain fun that will have you laughing out loud.

I absolutely loved her chapter, "You Might be a Transcriptionist if ... ," which had me cackling to the point of my tummy almost hurting, and I found myself filling in the blanks with my own experiences on the job. It would be fun for all of us MTs to send Mrs. Burns our "You might be's" so she could be the beneficiary of the same types of wonderful hoots she provided the reader. What an absolutely clever and fun chapter. Quite a change from some of the usual material on the subject of medical transcription, which tends to be on the rather dry and serious side, making one wonder if the field of medical transcription is devoid of individuals with an ounce of personality. Certainly, Sara debunks that speculation and offers her charmingly infectious personality. She draws you into her world and lets you know enough about her own life story that just fills you with a desire to sit with her in a couple of cozy chairs, sipping tea, and asking her to share more stories about herself and this interesting profession.

Funny thing is, working at home, we don't always have another transcriptionist friend ready at hand to talk to. Reading Sara's book was like having a luncheon with her, sharing the ups and downs of the job, the hysterical things that happen, helpful hints, pros and cons ... you name it, she covered it. She essentially became my mate for the duration of the book. I also so appreciated hearing some of her faux pas, gaining comfort from the fact that even a seasoned transcriptionist makes mistakes. Goodness, when you are an independent contractor, you are your own worst critic, so knowing that even the mature transcriptionist makes a mistake here and there, is able to laugh about it, and then move on is ever so comforting. Even the cartoons were a hoot because she nailed every aspect of being a home-based transcriptionist.

My conclusion: We transcriptions have needed a book like this. Sara Burns has filled the void. Many of us are fun, we love our job, and it is far from boring. I definitely would recommend this to those looking into the field and those new to the field, as there is much sound advice given from a woman with vast experience. Additionally, this is a book I would highly recommend to the seasoned transcriptionist who will find themselves smiling and laughing throughout as we can identify with every aspect of what she shares and even gain some helpful tips and new perspectives on our profession. It is simply a refreshing book. Finally, I even think physicians would benefit a great deal from reading her book as they could gain an understanding of what we have to deal with as a transcriptionist, might even laugh at themselves, and might even gain a greater appreciation for those of us who work so hard to make them sound their best.

So, two thumbs up for Sara. Get this book. You not only won't be disappointed, but you will be glad you did because you will have had so much fun ... it's not just a "how to" but a wonderful story that unfolds in the process. Enjoy!

The previous reviews give an excellent description Sara Burns' book, so I will not repeat what they have to say as I agree with their reviews and praise. I have been in the field for many years and found Sara's book to be a wonderful compellation of wisdom, humor, practical advice, and refreshing honesty, written in a lighthearted, easy, and witty style. I enjoyed Sara's book from start to finish and was sad to turn the last page. I found myself nodding in agreement and smiling with understanding at the humerous, frustrating, and fulfilling moments that she describes so well. With so many years of experience, Sara's insights and practical suggestions will be invaluable to someone considering medical transcription and will provide a good understanding of all aspects of this field. She has a way with words that will hold your attention, whether you are someone looking to get into the field or have worked in the medical field for years. I highly recommend her book - read it slowly and enjoy it!

I absolutely love this book. I was so happy with it that I ordered 3 more for my transcriptionist friends. I find myself constantly quoting something from the book while I am at work. I also have a better understanding of how my doctors feel some days by the time they get to the office. I was amazed at the similarities that we transcriptionists have. We are certainly not alone in our love for our work and in our frustrations that we have at times.

Reviewed by Lynn Bee for RebeccasReads (3/08)

Sara Burns has spent 29 years as a medical transcriptionist and is writing to share her expertise. Much of her advice as a home-based independent contractor will be helpful to those in other professions as well. Her experiences taking her show on the road --spending a year living and working in Kauai -- may well inspire home-based workers in many fields.

Burns wrote the book for three distinct audiences. She says that experienced medical transcriptionists will smile and share in her reminiscences.

She hopes to give newbies a clear picture of what they are up against. While sharing some very good advice, she admits that the field is in constant change and acknowledges that many areas of the profession have changed drastically since her earlier stints in hospitals and clinics.

She also aims to inform the curious about the duties and importance of MTs. While the cover promises spicy anecdotes, the text is general and often repetitive. "Discover which famous person was a flirtatious rascal in the recovery room," teases the back cover. This item is at the tail end of the book and no names are named.

The author does provide some solid guidance about those television ads that promise you a life of ease and great financial gains when you take their class to earn a degree in her field. She is adamant: it just doesn't happen that way.

Burns has an impressive work history and obviously loves her chosen field, but I would not recommend "You're a Medical What!?!" to the casual reader. This book for the serious reader.

Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (4/08)

"You're a Medical What?!" is a compilation of anecdotes written about things author Sara Burns has experienced in her twenty-nine years as a medical transcriptionist. Her passion and love for her chosen career resonate throughout the book, However, she is upfront with the reader about aspects of her job that are not as glamorous. Burns states that she wrote the book for three distinct groups: veteran transcriptionists, those considering a career as a transcriptionist, and "any inquisitive individual who happens upon this book." All three groups can appreciate the book and gain important knowledge. However, people with backgrounds in the medical field or those who are familiar with medical terminology will be able to better identify with her stories.

Burns offers helpful tips for those interested in seeking a career in medical transcription. She also discusses where the profession is headed for the future and how vastly it may differ from its present state. She provides good advice for those trying to decide between working at home and working in a traditional office setting. (These tips are helpful for anyone considering working at home, regardless of his or her profession.) She challenges the reader to ponder if he or she has enough self-motivation to remain focused and complete the work on time. Another important item to consider is whether a particular person can work well alone or if interaction with other people is needed.

The author uses humor to depict the job of a medical transcriptionist. She includes some cute cartoons, but the best part is her takeoff of Jeff Foxworthy's "you might be a redneck" routine. She devotes an entire chapter to her "you might be a medical transcriptionist" theme, including such quips as, "If every time you sit in a chair you automatically feel for the foot pedal with your foot, you might be a medical transcriptionist."

This is a fun and well-written book. Sara Burns does an excellent job of recounting her life-experiences so the reader can easily relate to many of the situations. She includes humor to entertain and keep the audience interested. In addition, she serves as sort of a mentor for people considering making medical transcription their career.

An ambitious book (derived from a business school MBA course) that uses experts to deliver an overview of market structure/dynamics in Pharma, Biotheraputics, Medical Devices and Informatics. The material is generally interesting and reasonably well presented although the partiality of the authors is often a little too noticeable ('irrational exuberance' is probably the best way to describe the chapter on medical devices). There are also surprising omissions - medical imaging is dismissed in a short paragraph, WTO discussions on compulsory licensing non existent and the issue of reference pricing is mentioned but left unexplored.
The content is also beginning to show it's age (2003 imprint) and the data underlying some of the chapters is nearly a decade old.
That said it's a good overview particularly of pharma and remains readable and coherent throughout.

For all U.S. taxpayers and those who employ them, healthcare is one of the most important industries and yet, for most of taxpayers, it is probably the least understood. According to Burns, almost all attention has previously been focused on those who pay for and on who provide healthcare services. He explains that, in this book, he and other contributors focus their attention on the producers of healthcare products.

This book was primarily written for two different audiences: students and their teachers in graduate programs of health administration, and practitioners in each of several sectors (pharmaceutical, biotechnology, genomics and proteomics, medical device, and information technology) "not so much to educate them about their own sphere of activity, but rather to educate them about the other sectors that are increasingly interdependent with their own." The five industry sectors "are responsible for supplying a majority of the innovative products utilized by physicians and hospitals and which are increasingly demanded by consumers." As is later explained, "This supply and demand logic has exerted both positive and negative effects."

Of special interest to me is what Burns and other contributors have to say about innovative thinking and why it is not only important but indeed essential to the healthcare industry. (Much of the innovation is achieved in the information technology sector which Jeff F. Goldsmith examines in depth in Chapter 7.) Because the aforementioned five sectors are all for profit, Burns and associates examine the business models and corporate strategies of firms in those sectors. "As a result, the book may be more at home in health administration programs located in business schools [e.g. Wharton at which Burns is the James Joo-Jin Kim Professor, and Professor of Health Care Systems], but it may still be useful for programs in schools of public health and public administration." Given the rapidly increasing costs of healthcare, and especially given the fact that there is not as net a national public health program, my own opinion is that all public officials should read this book. I also highly recommend this book to all organizations which currently do business -- or are planning to business with -- producers of healthcare products.

Make no mistake about it: This is not an "easy read" but I hasten to add, that it rewards generously those who read it with appropriate care. Although healthcare students and their teachers comprise one of its primary audiences, this not so much a textbook as it is a rigorous analysis of urgent issues and significant crises which should also be of interest to senior-level executives of organizations which assume the substantial costs of coverage for those involved, for example, and to those in the news media who have -- until now -- devoted little (if any) attention to producers of healthcare products, other than to draw attention to their quarterly and annual financial data.

For me, the most interesting and most valuable material is provided with the last chapter, "Healthcare innovation across sectors: convergences and divergences," which Burns co-authored with Stephen M. Sammut. Obviously, it is highly advisable to read the seven chapters which precede it to derive full benefit from it. Burns and Sammut summarize the technological developments across all of the five segments (i.e. pharmaceutical, biotechnology, genomics and proteomics, medical device, and information technology) and suggest what can be learned about the business of innovation in healthcare. They carefully examine "various changes in market structure of each sector, the major business models used in each sector, the key success factors and distinctive capabilities of firms in each sector, the convergence between and among sectors, the formulation of value-adding alliances, and the managerial skills needed to sustain innovation and change in each sector."

Obviously, this is not a book for everyone but, now that I have read and then re-read it, I think The Business of Healthcare Innovation will be of substantial value to far more people than I originally assumed.

Bravo!

The market dynamics, business models, and corporate strategies of pharma, biotech, genomics, medical device development, and health care information technology are converging. And you better get ready.

Written by business gurus at the Wharton School and health industry executives, The Business of Healthcare Innovation provides an invaluable analysis of key business trends in the manufacturing side of health care. Editor Lawton R. Burns, Ph.D. and contributors focus on the producer side of health care and demonstrate how manufacturers serve as the principal drivers of health care innovation.

Specifically, The Business of Healthcare Innovation:

1. Provides an insightful, detailed overview of the most influential players - namely, the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, genomics/proteomics, medical device, and information technology sectors.

2. Describes and assesses the market structures, business models, and corporate strategies of each of these six sectors.

3. Shows how the six sectors are converging, drawing increasingly on the trends, tools, and solutions of each other.

A compelling, business-savvy look at the manufacturing side of health care, The Business of Healthcare Innovation is highly recommended for executives, policy makers, investors, and consultants to business and government decision makers.

The book provides a comprehensive look at the economics and rationale of product development, pricing and marketing in the healthcare market. Anyone who thinks that we (collectively) are being gouged by the medical device or pharmaceutical industry should take a look at the signficant costs incurred and capital risked by companies trying to innovate in that market.

While the approach taken in the book is largely academic, the information provided is easily understood by a general audience.

The Business of Healthcare Innovation, a new book edited by Wharton Health Care Management Professor Lawton R. Burns, is a must-read analysis of key commercial issues in the four major business sectors developing innovative healthcare products - pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, and information technology. Thoughtful executives will be grateful for the book's solid research foundation and unwavering focus on practical business strategy issues.

Each sector receives a chapter-length analysis that includes market structure, key players, product development, commercialization, alliances, business strategy, and growth prospects. The contributors, who represent both Wharton faculty and industry executives, have done an excellent job of explaining the dynamics behind each sector. The chapter notes also provide an invaluable guide for further research.

Executives on the commercial side of the pharmaceutical industry should be sure to read the chapter on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), which reviews all known empirical research on the surprisingly limited benefits reaped from M&As. More practically, the chapter describes the most important managerial processes needed to extract synergies from M&As, with particular emphasis on the critical role played by the broader healthcare value chain.

The final chapter intriguingly suggests that the frontier of innovation lay in the convergence of these four sectors, such as new drug-device therapies or greater use of imaging in surgical treatment. This technological convergence will undoubtedly require new hybrid value chains, suggesting many exciting opportunities for the executives and companies responsible for moving drugs to market. Executives could profitably use this chapter as the basis for a rich strategic planning discussion.

I think I read all of Max Schulman's books while attending Florida State University in 1947, the year FSU was born. Until then, except for The Holy Bible, I had read little fiction and suddenly realized what I'd been missing. The best part was talking with girls about my new reading habit. It apparently impressed them and I got laid a lot. Thanks, Max.

At the suggestion of my father, who read the book while in the AirCorp in WWII, I decided to read this book. I believe it to be one of the funniest books I have ever read! It is a timeless classic about a small town boy and his transition into college life. It covers all the problems that freshman face: going to see an advisor for suggestions on classes, the courses themselves, the attempt to make friends, the different type of people one meets on a university campus, and the homesickness one feels for their family and an old love. This book is a well written comedy that you will not be able to put down!

When I was in high school I was a big fan of the writer Max Shulman. He published "Barefoot Boy With Cheek" in 1943 when he was in his early twenties, a new graduate of the University of Minnesota. ("The University of Minnesota is, of coure, wholly imaginary.") There he had earned a reputation as the editor of "Ski-U-Mah," the campus humor magazine. He published a half dozen novels, two of which became musical comedies on Broadway, while two others became television series and movies. He is probably best known for "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis," which became a successful TV series, and "The Tender Trap," a movie starring Debbie Reynolds.

I recently came across a well-worn copy of "Barefoot Boy---" in a used-book store and read it again. It's an outrageous satire of college life, a story of the hilarious freshman year of Asa Hearthrug at the (imaginary) University of Minnesota.

"St. Paul and Minneapolis extend from the Mississippi River like the legs on a pair of trousers. Where they join is the University of Minnesota."

Asa is promptly registered into a liberal arts program in order to become a "well rounded-out personality," and is then recruited into the Alpha Cholera fraternity, where he emotionally joins in singing the frat song:

"Stand, good men, take off your hat
To Alpha Cholera, our swell frat.
In our midst you'll find no rat,
And don't let anyone tell you that."

He soon meets Yetta Samovar, and is promptly recruited into the Minnesota Chapter of the Subversive Elements League, where he emotionally joins in singing:

"Workers, workers,
Don't be shirkers,
There's a job we have to do.
Flee your prison,
Collectivism
Is the thing for you to do."

Back at Alpha Cholera he gets invited to a sorority song-title party at Beta Thigh, which he attends as "Tea for Two," with a silver tea service balanced on his head. His date, arranged by his frat brother, is the beautiful Noblesse Oblige, whose song title costume includes a smudge pot attached to her navel. "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," of course!

Asa becomes torn between Noblesse, the fraternity, and the Belongers, or Yetta, the Subversives, and the Unbelongers.

He loses his bid as the dark horse candidate for the student council, flunks all his classes, and returns to his home at Whistlestop and his girlfriend Lodestone La Toole.

Each chapter of the book is preceded by a penetrating quotation in French or Latin, like the one I chose as the title for this review.

An appreciation, or at least a tolerance, for silliness and absurdity is the minimum requirement to enjoy this outrageous satire of college life. I will highly recommend the book to those with that appreciation or tolerance.

You may or may not be aware of this characteristic of Minnesota Scandinavians: We LOVE to make fun of ourselves!

I first read this book in high school (in the mid '50's). I still haven't stopped laughing when I think about it. I want my h/s son to read it, since he's thinking about going to college soon. I think Asa's adventures would help him. Or, have I misspelled "Asa's name." I sure hope not. It's a great book, really, and are Shulman's others.

Book 3 of the historical fiction Rebel King series chronicling the life of the Bruce was incredible. After reading the first 2 books this one packs the knock out punch. Charles and Carolyn Bruce keep the bar set high and continue to surpass it.

The character development of both the English noble and Scots is wonderful. You feel what they feel, you see and hear what they see and hear. They are real. Book 3 picks up in 1310 as Bruce recollects himself and tries to firm up his place over the English supporting Scottish lords. He has all but mastered Scotland except for the English garrisoned castles in the interregnum left by the death of Edward I and the face off between the English nobles against Edward II and his favorite Piers Gaveston. We see this resolved over the course of a few years then the last half of the book is taken up by the few weeks leading up to and including the battle of Bannock Burn in which the last English garrisoned castle of Stirling and ultimately the freedom of Scotland hangs in the balance.

Charles and Carolyn Bruce present their amazing ancestor and most of the famous Scottish and English historical figures in vivid detail. Even Sir John Comyn, the son of the slain Red Comyn is portrayed and given more attention than the usual footnote in history books. The battle, emotion and drama were intense and kept me up until the wee hours of the morning. I just can't say enough. I really enjoyed this book. It has enough historical base to be believable and enjoyed by a student of Scottish history yet the detail brings it all to life and provides true entertainment. A pleasure to read. The only thing I do not like is that I have to wait a while for them to write the next book.

For the non Scot the ability to understand just even a small part of the feisty loyalty of the Scot to the ancient warring clans will make a large contribution to their ability to enjoy a caleigh. My first such event was a source of confusion as I did not comprehend from where all the clan pride and pomp originated from. It was obvious that I needed to know more before I even joined in the second such a session. Now many years later I continue to seek out knowledge from where the fierce loyalty stems from. The series on Robert de Brus provides an enjoyable look in to one of the Scottish historical personages and events that have marked history for centuries. It will continue to so mark history for centuries more and I can recommend all the Rebel King series for the non Scot as well as those of Scottish heritage.

I thoroughly enjoyed this third book in the series. Excellent character development. I can't wait to find out what happens next! Awesome battle scenes bring you right to the battles of Bannock Burn, you can almost smell the battlefield!

I've just finished reading this third book in Charles Randolph & Carolyn Hale Bruces' "Rebel King" trilogy. I am at a loss for the proper words to describe this great work! The authors have brought to life King Robert de Brus and his courage, fortitude, and committment to independence for Scotland.

The authors' description of the battle which gained Scotland independence from the English is totally accurate in the historical sense, while giving the reader insight into the character of King Robert, James Douglas, Thomas Randolph, Andrew Stewart, and many others of the brave Scots who fought & died that Scotland might be freed from the yoke of English tyranny & oppression.

The authors also provide, in my humble opinion, very accurate portrayals of England's King Edward II, Hugh le Despenser, the Earls Of Lancaster, Hereford, Clare, and the other main players on the English side.

The description of events leading up to the battle are true to life and form. The battle itself is described in very accurate historical detail, and vividly portrays how King Robert and his close advisors planned and executed the scenario whereby a small (in relative terms) army of patriotic Scots defeated in detail an overwhelming (but ineptly & arrogantly led) English army.

This is a truly wonderful book, in a magnificent series detailing the life & times of Scotland's greatest leader and patriot. I now feel at a loss, I wish the story hadn't ended!! Being of Scottish descent, I had dreamt my whole life that someday a truly great writer would tell this story. The Bruces have done so, and the maps & artwork accompanying the narrative are excellent. I very highly recommend this outstanding work to anyone who likes historical fiction (although the "fiction" is that minimal amount necessary to provide dialogue amongst the characters; all the rest is history and so very true!) and particularly those, like myself, who have Scottish bloodlines (Robertson on my mother's side) and want to learn more about their forebears.

It's too bad there's not a "10 star" rating...I would certainly give it to this book in particular and to the entire "Rebel King" series by these incredibly gifted authors! I certainly hope that Charles & Carolyn continue to produce MORE of their magnificent work on the history of Scotland. I would love to see them do a work (or a set) on the life of James "The Black" Douglas!!! I know it would be as great as this book and series is...truly magnificent reading at it's best. Once you start the story, you cannot(at least I couldn't) put the book down!

Sure, most Robert Burns poems are on the `Net. Sure, we can look them up, print them out, and then recycle them. But what if you are at home, with no computer on, or in the park, or in a bus or train or plane? This is a smooth, slim, handsome volume, with a purple picture of a thistle on the cover and a ribbon placeholder inside. This is a book of poems for the ages--familiar, resonant, humorous, and ready.

Burns is a legendary lyric poet whose Scots verses inspired Wordsworth and Coleridge. A number of his poems and songs, "Auld Lang Syne" " To a Mousie" "Tam O'Shanter" " A man's a man for a that" are among the most well- known in the language.
Burns bright star burned briefly, and his life was filled with passionate and romantic loves about which he wrote some of his greatest poems. " My love is like a red red rose" is perhaps the most well-known of these.
In brief lines he expressed a great range of feeling, from satirical to humorous to tender and loving.
Here are the concluding verses of one of his signature poems, "To a Mousie"
But Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best-laid schemes o mice an men
Gang aft agley,
An lea'e us nought but grief an pain,
For promis'd joy!

Still thou art blest, compar'd wi me!
The present only toucheth thee:
But och! I backward cast my e'e,
On prospects drear!
An forward, tho I canna see,
I guess an fear!

Robert Burns was and still is the greatest Scottish poet to ever live. This book takes you deep inside the mind of the Scots and makes you feel like one yourself. A perfect selection of literature, it is sure to be among your favorite bedside books. Buy it!!!

This is the best volume you'll find of the poetry of the great Bobby Burns (1759-1796). What's so great about this guy is that his poetry is never really sad or whiny like, well just about everybody else, but his poetry is really happy and merry; just a song you sing while drinking scotch. Another thing is that Burns is just the voice of Scotland. His poems in the Scottish dialect are nothing short of delightful like one of my favorites of his, A Red, Red Rose
Oh my luve is like a red, red rose ,
That's newly sprung in June
Oh my luve is like a melodie
That's sweetly played in tune
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I,
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun!
And I will love thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only luve,
And fare thee weel awile!
And I will come again, my luve,
Though it were ten thousand mile!

This book gives all you need to know about when and where
Burns met anyone,wrote his poetry,whom the poem was
about and many other items of interest about Burns.

Och, every Scots should have a copy!! Maurice Lindsay is a well-known poet, broadcaster and writer on many aspects of Scottish life and Literature (see his Castles of Scotland for one). He has written several on Burns already.
If it touched Burns, it's listed here. This is not a collection of Burns poems, but a companion to them. An excellent work for people just becoming acquainted with Scotland's beloved poet and need to understand the poetry better. Many editions of Burns works have glossaries to help with the Scots, but it still leaves the general reader or student with a lot of questions. This book fills in the gaps, so should be used as a study companion piece to books with Burns' complete works.

Highly recommended for fans of Burns wanting to understand the man and the period he lived.

Just about every person, place, or thing mentioned in the songs and poems of Robert Burns (1759-1796) is given a paragraph or two. Indispensible encyclopedia on the "most gifted British soul" of the 18th century.

It is very much to the credit of the young art museum at Brigham Young University that they are publishing such fine catalogues that not only enhance the Museum's large collection, but serve to fill voids in the compendium of art literature. This superb catalogue, edited by Marian Wardle, gives evidence of the vision of Campbell B. Gray, the Director of the Museum: his presence is palpable and promises a strong commitment to the art world.

Aptly subtitled 'The Legacy of Robert Henri, 1910 - 1945' this collection of works by women artists reflects the emphasis of the great teacher on the modernist perceptions of his pupils. The names of the artists sadly are not household names, but after reading and viewing this fine book it is embarassing to admit that fact. This is not an overview of 'lesser art' championing a feminist movement: this is an investigation into the art of women artists whose work is informed by their state of being women with all the powerful inferences that suggests.

Wisely, this catalogue is lead by essays written by contemporary women in the arts. Editor Wardle introduces the précis in 'Thoroughly Modern: The "New Women" Art Students of Robert Henri'; Sarah Burns offers 'fabricating the Modern: Women in Design'; Helen Langa writes 'American Women Printmakers: Adventurous Choices, Modernist Innovations'; Betsy Fahlman essays 'The Art Spirit in the Classroom: Educating the Modern Woman Artist'; Erika Doss offers 'Complicating Modernism: Issues of Liberation and Constraint among the Women Art Students of Robert Henri'; Gwendolyn Owens contributes 'Hidden Histories: Robert Henri's Female Students and the Market for American Art'; and finally Lois Palken Rudnick concludes the book with 'Modernizing Women: The New Woman and American Modernism'.
A broad spectrum of information, this: an even broader exposure to the visuals about which they write!

The photographs, which accompany the texts in appropriate places, create a sense of history that will be difficult to match in other books about this interesting subject. But the overwhelming part of the book is the art itself. These are paintings and prints of astonishingly fine quality, works that vie equally with those of men artists from this period. The reader makes refreshing discoveries on almost every page to the point of putting the Brigham Young University Art Museum on the travel itinerary for art lovers. And as with any exceptional, scholarly book there is a complete 'Artists' Biographies' section at the back of the book, a very fine compilation by Stephanie Andrews McNairy. This is an historically important, aesthetically rewarding book that deserves a large audience. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, January 06

American Women Modernists...was stunningly beautiful, and contains fresh information, including many illustrations, about a long over-looked topic.

I particularly liked the extensive listing of "Artists' Biographies", and the very helpful "Notes sections. The nine-page Bibliography is an excellent resource for those of us interested in learning about so many talented contributors to American art.

A "must-read" for all art collectors!