O Books

Tulle is written by one of Boston's best young writers right now. It is written with confidence and is not afraid to toy with different plays on words. There is a thin line between success and failure when working like this. With 'Tulle' it's success all the way. My favorite poem was the witty 'Witches of Monin Na Gloigeann'. This poem conjures up so many chaotic images, I get the feeling that is what O'Donoghue intended. O'Donoghue skips gently but surely between the light side and the dark side. 'Bova' is very dark and despairing. "Is this the same book!?" I ask myself. With someone moving so comfortably through so many themes, I don't have to ask but only to definitely announce- "Mary O'Donoghue is the voice of the new generation!". I only hope that Tulle is not the last installment.

Tulle is written by one of Boston's best young writers right now. It is written with confidence and is not afraid to toy with different plays on words. There is a thin line between success and failure when working like this. With 'Tulle' it's success all the way. My favorite poem was the witty 'Witches of Monin Na Gloigeann'. This poem conjures up so many chaotic images, I get the feeling that is what O'Donoghue intended. O'Donoghue skips gently but surely between the light side and the dark side. 'Bova' is very dark and despairing. "Is this the same book!?" I ask myself. With someone moving so comfortably through so many themes, I don't have to ask but only to definitely announce- "Mary O'Donoghue is the voice of the new generation!". I only hope that Tulle is not the last installment.

Tulle is written by one of Boston's best young writers right now. It is written with confidence and is not afraid to toy with different plays on words. There is a thin line between success and failure when working like this. With 'Tulle' it's success all the way. My favorite poem was the witty 'Witches of Monin Na Gloigeann'. This poem conjures up so many chaotic images, I get the feeling that is what O'Donoghue intended. O'Donoghue skips gently but surely between the light side and the dark side. 'Bova' is very dark and despairing. "Is this the same book!?" I ask myself. With someone moving so comfortably through so many themes, I don't have to ask but only to definitely announce- "Mary O'Donoghue is the voice of the new generation!". I only hope that Tulle is not the last installment.

Tulle is written by one of Boston's best young writers right now. It is written with confidence and is not afraid to toy with different plays on words. There is a thin line between success and failure when working like this. With 'Tulle' it's success all the way. My favorite poem was the witty 'Witches of Monin Na Gloigeann'. This poem conjures up so many chaotic images, I get the feeling that is what O'Donoghue intended. O'Donoghue skips gently but surely between the light side and the dark side. 'Bova' is very dark and despairing. "Is this the same book!?" I ask myself. With someone moving so comfortably through so many themes, I don't have to ask but only to definitely announce- "Mary O'Donoghue is the voice of the new generation!". I only hope that Tulle is not the last installment.

This is where I just want to say in a deep husky voice 'If there's one book you gotta read all year...then it's Tulle'. It's that exciting a read from a richly talented poet. A friend mailed me this raving about it. His hype was on the mark. I will type 5 titles of poems randomly and bet you when I read over them they will be classics- 'Cattle Cars', 'Textures', 'If You See Kay', 'Trupi M'Leshon' and 'Embezzlemen'. Yes! I knew it, they are 5 classics- classics amongst classics. This collection is clever, funny, sad, sentimental, mocking of sentiment- everything! Bring on Book Number 2!!!

I use this book and also the author's AD cookbook daily to help with supporting our global Active Directory server infrastructure. This is an absolutely indispensable reference.

This book is a great resource covering a wide variety of interactions with Windows Servers. Whether you are new or experienced, this book is an invaluable tool.

We're a software engineering company, and I maintain our internal servers (6-7 servers) as well as provide customer support on our products. A lot of that involves asking for information from the customer - and this book helps in putting together scripts that I can send out that will send back information to us that avoids us asking to exchange 5 emails to get the same result. Anything that saves my time - and our customers time - is worthy of purchasing. Well done, well organised book - and the author returns emails!

This book is not one for beginners who don't know what they are doing and are looking for detailed explanations of topics. This is made purely for the admin who needs to get a job done, and quickly, and knows already what they are trying to accomplish. I really appreacieate all the scripting examples and also how Rob puts in some great building blocks for scripting (like how to redirect your output to an excel file rather than just the usual Wscript.Echo output that you can redirect to a text file or to stdout). Great Job Robbie!!

This book has a sound foundation for managing a windows 2003 server. The chapters are logically organized. I used some of the examples in the book to migrate some file shares in my network from unix to windows, the book was there for the rescue (the fact that the author has a solid windows/unix experience makes this book even more attractive). The solutions in this book include windows scripting, an area that is seldom talked about in windows literature. If you are serious about managing a windows 2003 server competently then you want to have this book in your arsenal.

Brilliant diagrams, excellent keys, simply mapped out and laid out information for difficult and also the easiest of dressage manoevres. It's bound at the top for a vertical flip, with a hole punched down near the bottom so you can hang the book on a nail on your bulletin board or at home and keep it open while you study it. It has handy hints how to achieve positions and gives you ideas to improve certain flaws. It is by far the best book on jumping exercises I have read so far that is dedicated purely to jumping exercises.

Just about EVERY page has another full A4 riding arena on it showing the pattern where the horse is going, it shows crossbars and it shows trotting poles, verticals, gymnastics and where to place them, it shows where you should be directing your horse and what way to approach with an excellent use of diagrams and patterns which have a key right next to it so the design remains uncluttered and simple to read. It even gives you cheap alternatives to make some jumps yourselves and offers quick solutions. A best buy for anyone serious about jumping - or even dressage - to keep their horse supple and to keep their horse (and themselves!) from boredom. Brilliant.

The best how to book on ground poles and jumping that I have experienced. It's a great tool by an expert to keep your horses (young and old) interested as well as the rider thinking. Linda laid out the book very well. Good illustrations and great explanations accompany each exercise. The ground pole exercises are very helpful to use between jumping lessons. This one is a book to keep and give as a gift to a riding friend!

This book has so much info on different exercises and each exercises has little hits about when to use this exercise and what to watch out for while riding it.

This book breaks the demands or jumping down into a logical progression of skills until it takes the insecure beginning rider into a confident partner to the jumping horse. If these lessons are followed correctly, it can also take a training level horse into a skilled show jumper. This book is a must for anyone interested int he discipline of jumping.

This book creates a great foundation to train yourself and your horse to excell in jumping no matter what your intentions may be. I personally would recomend this book for all ages and engligh riders even the one's with no intention on jumping.

I bought this book (along with others)for my Dad after he was diagnosed with Stage 4 RCC. He absolutely LOVED this book. He then bought 5 copies and gave one to me, my brother and three other people because he felt we would all benefit from reading it. I read it and agree with him 100%. This book is an easy read and really put things in perspective. Great book for anyone going through this or for someone whose loved one is in this situation.

For anyone facing the big C or anyone with a relative in the same bandwagon, this is the best, most uplifting and practical book to get. It will give you advice, nutrition guidelines that help and most importantly, how to battle the depression that may arise. Get it!

Somewhat helpful, mostly things I had previously read in other books. But it was interesting and did keep my attendion. I did gain some knowledge that I have put in place in my treatment and am finding it helpful.

This book was easy to read and gave definite things to do to stay healthy and be a long term survivor.
It is especially good for people who first receive the diagnosis of cancer.

Living where "cancer" is an everyday word has made me perhaps a bit sensitive when I hear it in the real world and how it is being used. I was pleasantly surprised by this book as not just another soother. It actually touches reality. Makes cancer real and beatable. It makes you realize you're not alone, that there are resources out there as well as information available if you take the time to read it. This book has a great summary of everthing and I recommend it to my newly diagnosed patients. We need more realistic books about cancer, not just ones that gloss over it.

Thank you to Greg Anderson. Well done.

I've read a great many stories about substance abuse by people both unknown and famous (rock star biographies are nothing if not diaries of substance abuse), and I gotta hand it to Callahan: I have never encountered more addicts of every stripe and variety than on the pages of his autobiography, "Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot." His assistants, friends, helpers, caseworkers- all drunks and junkies, the whole lot of them. Kudos to the cartoonist for escaping that poisonous environment and getting sober, particularly in view of a tragically gained quadriplegia that is a greater justification for drinking than most.

Don't Worry is a hard-core, politically incorrect, and unsympathetic look at disability and substance abuse. It's a no frills presentation, just like Callahan's artwork; it cuts to the message, without flowery language or pretentious literary devices. Callahan has a casual, down-homey style that makes this a quick and easy read, in spite of the heavy subject matter. He exhibits very little self-pity, and instead clinically and factually recounts even his most personal travails (with government funding, changing his waste bag, intimacy with women, etc.), injecting his caustic wit and black humor. He recognizes his injury as due to drinking (as well as the converse), but doesn't spend a lot of pages searching for deeper meanings. I was curious about what he thought made him a big drinker in the first place (i.e., before the accident)- was it boredom and the freedom of the 70s, or deeply held fears of abandonment due to his adoption and inability to meet his birth parents?

This book was written in 1989, when Callahan was 38. Looking back at some of the achievements he's had by now (his own cartoon TV show, more extensive circulation of his comics, screen rights to Don't Worry purchased by Robin Williams), it's clear he was on the cusp of success when he wrote his autobiography. It's a cool perspective to read about now, particularly in light of how Callahan details his struggles trying to eke out a living in the cartoon world. His professional accomplishments and development of a fan base are hard fought and well deserved.

John Callahan tells a funny and honest story about a man who put himself into a wheelchair (drunk driving) and then continued to drink for years after he became a quadriplegic. His story of personal redemption is a hilarious and thoughtful ride that is well worth reading.

Full disclosure: My brother is married to John's sister. I recommend this book to all of my friends who have never heard of John. How can anyone say anything against a book that is both pornographic and inspirational at the same time?

Callahan is where it's at. Wonderful story of strength, grit, perserversance, and recovery. Of course the belly laughs along the way were fun also. Some of those cartoons ! Geez, Calahan, thanks. P.S. Write another story about you. Sharon L.

John Callahan is my favorite crippled cartoonist! He's honest and hilarious! I've been a fan for years and have most of his cartoon books. I'm glad I added this to my collection!

An exciting, stimulating and thought provoking story; the characters and events are intelligently woven into a fast moving political thriller about the very topical theme of global warming. I was hooked..., suspending other activities, reading eagerly and captivated to the end!
I can't wait for the next novel by Jim O'Neal.

travel to different continents, meet the characters, experience the intrigue...cannot wait to discover the ending...hoping for the next book already...there will be another?!?!

Wow! This book reads fast...I couldn't put it down. Engaging plot line and non-stop excitement. Timing couldn't be better either, now that people are becoming more and more aware to global climate change. Can't wait to read more from the author. New book coming soon???

I was enticed, albeit somewhat cautiously, by the title of this book and was also somewhat skeptical about the reviews. Then I figured what the heck. I was surprised... It was a pretty darn good read, but more importantly, I found it interesting because it deals with a highly controversial issue--one that is increasingly on the lips of more and more global citizens and one that is becoming highly politicized, especially given the catastrophe of New Orleans in 2005 and much of the USA's Gulf Coast. It is a highly entertaining and remarkable story crafted around global warming and a cover up by a group of conspirators to keep the lid on scientific data that confirms global warming....it also has an extreme but highly imaginative take on the conspiratorial solution to the whole problem. I have never heard of this author, but if it is his first time out, he just may be warming up. He has sparked enough curiosity for me to read more of his work. I would recommend giving it a serious look!

Final Conspiracy is a great story that features a finely interwoven web of characters whose actions unfold in a powerful and intriguing story of deception, death, greed and lust for power. The story is however plot driven, but it is nonetheless refreshing to have the main character, Caroline, stand out in the way she does. She is a woman, who when faced with the unimagined threat of danger to her son, digs deep and finds the strength and courage to deal with the most unscrupulous and persistent of villains. All too often women in genre fiction--especially thrillers--are portrayed as weak, but Caroline is both feminine and strong. I also liked that the story is told in short concise chapters which lead you on to the next chapter at a fast pace. At the end of each chapter you find out more, which leaves you unable to put the book down until you have finished it. I enjoyed the story and the characters very, very much and look forward to more adventures for Caroline, assuming that she is returning!!!!

I REALLY ENJOYED THE BOOK AND IT HAD ALOT OF PICTURES OF THE ACTRESS. IT WENT IN DEPTH OF HER LIFE AND HAD INSIGHTS FROM RELATIVES AND FRIENDS. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK IF YOU WERE INTERESTED IN THIS ACTRESS. SHE DID SOME OUTRAGES THINGS BUT YOU CAN'T HELP FEELING SORRY FOR HER.

John O'Dowd is clearly the authority on Barbara Payton and the roller-coaster existence that was her life in Hollywood. John brings out all the humanity and frailties that help us empathize with a woman whose life held such promise, but who ulti amately succumbed to her demons -- deftly aided by the machinery of a town that can break down stars as quickly as build them. In the age before Spears and Lohans, Barbara received no second chances and couldn't recover from her abrupt dismissal from the near pinnacle of stardom -- therein lies a cautionary tale and a potentially compelling performance for a new generation of actresses. As a film producer I say, "Bravo John, we'll see Barbara's story on the silver screen yet!"

This is a mesmerizing, deeply affecting, incredibly moving, and utterly heart-breaking read.

I found this book SO engrossing (and "unputdownable" as communicated by other reviewers here) that I actually finished it start-to-finish in three days (and this coming from a fella who never finishes about 97% of the biographies that I start, most are just plain boring, with uninteresting personalities and drab writing. The ONLY exceptions I've found thus far being "The Ghastly One: The Sex-Gore Netherworld of Filmmaker Andy Milligan" by Jimmy McDonough. Of course, I heartily recommend this bio as well if you want to read another tome of utter despair in the film industry; albeit in the absolute rock bottom depths of the film world - although Milligan doesn't get 1/100th the success, or NEAR-success, of Payton or Neal, or what they COULD easily have accomplished if not for their bizarre self-destructive tendencies.), and the Ed Wood bio (well, KINDA bio, more an interview with friends, family, and close associates; often conflicting) "Nightmare of Ecstasy: The Life and Art of Edward D. Wood, Jr." by Rudolph Grey. Heck, EVEN Ed Wood gets a mention in the book! This bio, though, surpasses BOTH books...in SPADES - so that should tell you something!

I bought this bio primarily because of tough guy actor Tom Neal. I became intrigued with Neal after watching the incredible (and amazingly downbeat) poverty row Film Noir classic "Detour" (directed by the genius of low-budget cinema Edgar Ulmer) while in college about ten years ago. I became interested in Neal even further after reading of his temper-fueled Hollywood rise and fall, his notorious brawl with Franchot Tone that basically ruined his acting career, and, of course, the scandalous murder of his young wife (at his hands) in his later, and supposedly more subdued (I guess it really is hard for a leopard to change its spots after all), years in Palm Springs. I was also quite curious for many years as to whom this "starlet" named Barbara Payton was that they so viciously (well, more vicious on Neal's part for sure - poor Tone didn't have a chance in hell overcoming the beyond-hothead, ex-college boxer Neal) fought over, but sadly little information was available back in `95 on this mysterious actress/starlet, Barbara Payton. As I said though, I initially bought the book out of interest for Neal, but while reading, something surprising happened, I became entirely absorbed with Barbara Payton (so much so, that I've been scouring eBay for an autographed photo of her! I've also ordered all the films I can find with her on Amazon, sadly, there are not many, and most are of varying quality), with Tom Neal easily losing first place as my primary interest (although I'm still fascinated with him, and think a Neal biography is long overdue).

Author O'Dowd is obviously fixated, and luckily for us, the reader, his obsessive enthusiasm has produced the most painstakingly researched, well-written, and incredibly heartbreaking biographical book I've read in YEARS! Barbara Payton's unbelievably wild life just screams out BIG HOLLYWOOD MOVIE. And being that Elisha Cuthbert is a dead ringer for Payton, whom better to play the role (although I don't know if she really has the emotional depth or complexity to play such a complex role, if so, it would be a star turn for sure). Too bad Kurt Russell isn't a few years younger, he reminds me, in the looks department that is, of the young Tom Neal 100%. I will eat my shoe if this doesn't become a film at some point, it's just too gripping of a story (or a life, rather).

I also can't help but think of the line of dialogue spoken by Neal (as Roberts) near the end of Detour:

"That's life. Whichever way you turn, Fate sticks out a foot to trip you." I couldn't have said it better myself.

BUY THIS BOOK, YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY! UTTERLY AMAZING! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, MR. O'DOWD!

This is an enthralling biography that you will read again and again. Right off the bat, this is NOT your usual cut-and-paste biography. The author, John O'Dowd, has spent years researching and interviewing everyone he could find who knew Barbara Payton. The book is filled with rare photographs of the doomed star with even one snapshot taken just days before her tragic death. The result is a nearly 400 page study of a vastly complicated woman who was years ahead of her time. If she were alive today, she would be celebrated by the media as just another Anna Nicole Smith but with much more talent. I had always thought Frances Farmer probably had the most grim and tragic life since she was committed to the horrors of a state mental hospital by her mother during Farmer's peak years. Yet, you follow Payton from her childhood to her phenomenal luck in Hollywood, at the beginning, and you're amazed at how she early on began showing signs of self-destructive behavior. Even when she was signed by James Cagney to co-star with him in "Kiss Tomorrow, Goodbye," Payton was already getting a notorious reputation for wild promiscuity on the set. She loved sex and saw nothing wrong in having it from crew members to cast members. Her nymphomania grew to nightmarish proportions as her success brought her a $10,000 a week contract. On screen, she had all the makings of a true star. Her blonde, Nordic beauty, the crystal blue hue of her eyes and knock-out figure brought her comparisons with Marilyn Monroe. But as several people told the author, Payton was already showing alarming signs of recklessness. She hung out with drug and criminal figures and the most shady personalities on the fringe of Hollywood. After her affair with Bob Hope ended, she blackmailed him for tens of thousands of dollars and to turn the knife, she gave an interview with a scandal magazine detailing her sexual affair with Hope and laughed at his sexual prowess. When Universal wanted to sign her for a major contract, she showed up for their luncheon meeting with several of the studios major executives and then ended the meeting by walking out--leaving the executives enraged. She laughed about it later to her friends, even when it was pointed out to her that she had burned her bridges forever with Universal and word got around to the other major studios. The author goes into the scandalous affair between her and bad boy, Tom Neal, and writes how Neal nearly murdered Hollywood icon, Franchot Tone, who wanted to marry Payton. She played the two men against each other and was reportedly thrilled to have them fighting over her. But even after she married the much battered Tone, she kept seeing O'neal and laughed about it to the media. You keep watching Payton making one major mistake after another--burning all of her bridges, refusing to control her notorious promiscuity and refusing to stop being seen with filmdom's most shady characters. Her descent into prostitution is painful to read and you keep thinking: she went from $10,000 a week movie starlet to a $5 a trick prostitute, living on Los Angele's most notorious skid row. She was being kept by a black pimp who beat her relentlessly, knocking out many of her front teeth and leaving her with hideous black and blue bruises. This is a fascinating study of failed stardom and a beautifully blonde woman who made it a habit of making the wrong choices. At the end, you wonder why she insisted on staying in Hollywood--when she was offered many chances by her few friends to begin a new life. This would make a dynamite movie but I can't think of any recognizable female actress today who could really do Payton justice. In her own way, she was bigger than life. She was definitely someone who could have benefitted from psychiatric therapy or institutional care. Payton remains an enigma--someone who seemed hell bent on ending her last days in a living hell.

But try to put it down! Does Barbra Payton deserve a 400 plus page biography? I dont know, but her story is compulsive reading. This 50's bad girl who was poised on the brink of stardom only to throw it all away in a frenzied self destructive path to oblivion has been told before in other books of other Hollywood losers, but seldom in such a poignant, heartbreaking way. O'Dowd had done a thorough job researching her story and providing a glimpse of the person behind the tabloid headlines. Interviews with close friends and her son provide a portrait of a caring, talented person, who for unexplained reasons, just couldnt deal with her demons. The last half of the book, which details her life in seedy Hollywood hotels doing cheap tricks for booze is one of the most harrowing tales I've ever read about Hollywood. The book is overlong and overwritten, (O'Dowd has a habit of making his points over and over again), but definitely worth reading. (but why so expensive for a paperback?) Why didnt anyone help this poor soul get help before it was too late? That is the haunting, unanswered question you will keep asking yourself. O'Dowd explores possible reasons for Paytons freefall (bi-polar disorder?; early sexual abuse?; alocholic parents?) But the answer remains a mystery. It's a story you wont ever forget!

First, I must say that I do not like to race through these novels. Instead, I like to read them slowly and savor every page. That was hard to do this time because this was a real page turner, an excellent follow-up to the previous installment.

Once I had finished The Reverse of the Medal, I instantly began pouring over this one, and indeed it was uplifting. Any fan of these books will be very pleased with this episode.

However, what I like best about these novels is the friendship between the characters. It says alot about honor, devotion, and true friendship, which I believe is the finest element of this series. That quality is particularly apparent in this novel.

Simply put, these books mostly get better and better as they go, and this one is probably my favorite of the lot (up through #14 at this point). Adversity strikes, and the boys are tested to the limit. Wonderful stuff from a spectacular writer.

I don't have time for a long analysis, but these books are fantastic. I am on my second read-through of the series, and this time I am buying them as I read them. I have never been interested in the sea or ships or the military, (I used to wonder why anyone would have a painting of a ship in their house, waste of wall space), but now I have a whole new respect and admiration. Patrick O'Brien brings the English navy to life in a way that evokes feelings of pride, sympathy, horror, elation and pure heart-pounding anticipation. The contrast of the main characters, Aubrey and Maturin, is amusing sometimes, often heart-warming. The galaxy of supporting characters is rich with personalities and details. The only character I really don't like is Diana, but she does lend another facet to Stephen's persona. All in all, I highly recommend this series, they are the best historical novels I have ever read.

After being deprived of his rank as post captain in "The reverse of the medal" Aubrey starts a new career as a "letter of marque" (private man-of-war) is started in this book. It's the characteristic seal of the series, it's a story of efforts and success, it enforces you to have read "The reverse", and to continue with "The thirteen -gun salute". If it will be your first book in the series it won't be the last. Save you don`t like this kinda book, then better don`t step through its board, and keep away of such a seizing.

It is a bit unfair of me to say that Patrick O'Brian's "The Letter of Marque" is a "character-driven" novel. Indeed, one of the many joys of O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series is his ability to sustain and develop such compelling characters over a long series ("LoM" is the twelfth book).

But while there is a fair amount of action in this novel, what distinguishes "LoM" is O'Brian's further exploration of his two heroes, Captain "Lucky Jack" Aubrey and Dr. Stephen Maturin.

The novel opens with Aubrey bereft after being unfairly stripped from the lists in the Royal Navy. Unfairly charged and convicted of a financial scheme in which he played an entirely unwitting part, Aubrey has had his lifeline to the Navy cut as harshly as with a boarding axe. Now this merry captain, who used to delight in dreadful puns and baroque music, has been reduced to a cold, frightening visage. Remote, distant, joyless, Aubrey is at his lowest ebb.

Thankfully, Aubrey's boon companion, Dr. Maturin, has a lifeline. Thanks to a prodigious inheritance, Maturin buys Aubrey's beloved H.M.S. Surprise and outfits her as a privateer - with the titular letter of marque. This letter essentially authorizes the Surprise to be a pirate for the British Navy. While this offers Aubrey a chance to go to sea in his favorite ship, this joy is tempered by the shame that is attached to the word "privateer" by the serving sailors of the Royal Navy. Aubrey feels this acutely.

But privateer or no, the command of the Surprise offers Aubrey the chance at redemption through a heroic action . . . possibly even reinstatement to the lists! And so Aubrey leads the Surprise into various actions, including a complicated night-time raid on a French-held port to steal a ship from under French noses. O'Brian writes these scenes as only he can.

But this novel is not only about Aubrey. Dr. Maturin continues to ply his intelligence trade. He also continues to struggle with his two demons - an addiction to opium and an addition to Diane Villiers, his estranged wife. Maturin has heard that Diane has fled to Sweden with the attractive Swedish colonel Jagiello after she heard (incorrectly) that Maturin was having an affair in Malta. And so Maturin heads north to confront her, and possibly Jagiello, with the truth.

All of these plots allow O'Brian to explore both Aubrey's and Maturin's characters in new ways. Aubrey has had his troubles before with the law, but those were always civil matters involving nothing more than unsavory characters. Here, Aubrey is confronted with shame for the first time. Maturin also must confront his own nature, for as a man of intellect and science, he is not proud to be addicted to either a drug or a woman. And yet he is.

"The Letter of Marque" may be the shortest of the Aubrey-Maturin novels so far, but there is a lot of meat on this small bone. Do not read this novel unless you have read those that come before - the characters won't make nearly as much sense. But you will be thankful once you get to this novel - it is well worth the wait.

The auther gave an excellent review of how postcards could be created. Techniques were well covered in a general sence, but not specifically to any one card. I had expected some pateern help, but found none included in the book. To get individual patterns it is necessary to go to a web site and purchase them. I tried one, and found material enclosed with a page reference to the book for sight direction. Recommend the book for overview and for creative individuals only. Not a good reference for persons who need patterns and step by step directions.

I've bought several post card books before and I find that this is my favorite one of all. She also has kits you can purchase and they are very easy to make. Just a lovely book.

As soon as the book arrived I thumbed thru just to get a feel of the book and was delighted to see so many pictures! I just love to see all the wonderful works of art that have been done.

I was immediately inspired and started reading the book from cover to cover and making lists of ideas and supplies that I would need! I have a class with Bonnie coming up in a few weeks and I'm so looking forward to creating some of my own original designs. I just may have to get started early.

I am truly impressed with the book, it inspires rather than dictate steps. I can't wait to start my first quilted postcard!

A great book for the beginner wanting to learn how to make postcards. Every step is well photographed and explained so there are no surprises. A great and relatively simple way to make some terrific postcards.

More so than oversized pictures or quilts, postcard-sized quilted keepsakes lend to display and use and POSITIVELY POSTCARDS: QUILTED KEEPSAKES TO SAVE OR SEND offers a range of 4x6 'mini-greetings' which can be done in an evening. From picking a novelty fabric and developing themes with photos to embellishing them with stitching, ribbons, yarns and beads, POSITIVELY POSTCARDS offers a whole new range of quilting projects and will prove a unique, popular pick for quilters and quilting libraries.

This is an informative and creative handbook aimed at the occasional to frequent presenter who may be nervous, unpolished, or just looking to improve. Kevin and Cyndi write colorfully, keeping your attention by using stories and short chapters devoted only to a narrow topic, intentionally making it easy to flip to what you need to know right now. The simple fact that they make the best of what could be dry material is enough to convince me that their suggestions have merit.

If your job includes speaking to audiences for the purpose of departing meaningful information, then you must add this book to your list. Every once in a while it is a great idea to polish your skills with the latest and greatest information. "Present like a Pro" is a well structured book that departs from clichés and goes into detail around the art of public speaking - from conquering the butterflies, to really impacting messages that stick!

I had the pleasure to meet Kevin a corporate training day a few week sbefore purchasing the book. I found him to be one of the most relevant, grounded and effective speakers I had ever attended. Once I found he had co-authored this book, I bought it within days.

This book is one of the finer books on public speaking I've ever reviewed. The beauty of it is in it's ability to be used in many ways. For instance, if you just want to hit key chapters relevent to your particular engagement it even offers which ones to read. It also offers a end-to-end approach which I think flows well for those who need a complete point of view in their speaking.

I would take issue with a previous review noting the lack of A\V embesshiments to speaking such as powerpoint... This is a book on building successfull tactics to speaking. It offers key strategies to prepare, connect and flow with your audience.

I have always dreaded speaking myself, not out of phobia, but out of a lack of confidance to think on my feet. This book really identifies why a good presenter has made themselves good and how we can use those same techniques.

I have attended a few "be a better speaker" workshops which focus on a few of the ideas presented here. The difference in this book is in it's completeness and relevence. I will bring it with me to every speach I make from now on.

Maxey and O'Conner's experience with public speaking provides the reader with useful tips and concrete examples without being "gimmicky". Their book is easy to read and allows you to pick and choose what applies to your particular 'speaking' circumstance. The authors give you lots to think about as you prepare your own speeches, presentations, or lectures. As a university professor, I really got a lot out of the book.

What a great book!!!!!! This book covers every tip anyone needs to know to be successful in speaking infront of a group. The way the book is designed, you can take whatever chapters you need and use it as a resource or reference everytime you speak. Great to read when you don't have much time but need a lot of infomation. It doesn't get any better than this!!!