Characters Books

Being a true southerner I seriously questioned the ability of a "Yankee" to write a quality and unbiased biography of someone that the south considers "one of our own".

I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised to find a tremendous amount of information which proved to be both interesting and intruiging. Most importantly, I learned something. Dr. Brasch did an incredible amount of research on Joel Chandler Harris, his works, his life and his legacy. The material in this work is presented in such a way that you walk away feeling that Mr. Harris was an author willing to take chances in a time that taking chances wasn't considered politically correct. It is also presented in such a way that the reader comes away with a sense of the true south in a time of racial uprising and disruption.

The Uncle Remus series has and always will be a part of the southern heritage - learning about its creator should be part of the mandatory cirriculum set forth in the higher educational forums of not only the south, but those across the country. Joel Chandler Harris has proven to be a character worth studying. I would not have believed this had I not picked up this book.

For those who enjoy biographies, this is a must read. An added bonus is the attractive artwork on each page as well as the high quality photographs depicting Joel Chandler Harris, his home and his surroundings.

This is a fascinating book. Anyone interested in the story behind the characters we knew as children--Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Uncle Remus--would find Walter Brasch's thorough research, his extensive collection of photographs and illustrations, and his thoughtful treatment of recent and current debate over the work of Joel Chandler Harris to be well worth an investment of $... and a few hours of pleasurable reading.

While the tales of Uncle Remus are some of the most notable American folk tales, the name of their author Joel Chandler Harris is less known, and many have no awareness of this preserver of Afro-American dialect and folklore. Brer Rabbit, Uncle Remus & The 'Cornfield Journalist' uses primary sources from letters and newspaper accounts to diaries and art to provide a cultural biography of Harris, a man who lived in the South and preserved a tradition which might otherwise have been lost. Involving and engrossing, yet scholarly in research and depth.

I have seldom read a book more enjoyable than this history of one of the greatest storytellers in America. This was a newspaper editor who created the stories of Brer Rabbit and Uncle Remus, yet was one of the most liberal voices in America after the Civil War. This is a nicely-illustrated book, one that explores all sorts of themes, including why the author is no longer remembered, and whether Brer Rabbit is racist, or whether people who haven't read the stories made him out to be racist.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in history, sociology, journalism, popular culture--or just learning about life.

Very informative book. I learned so much about my African heritage. I thought the name 'BRASCH' was a strange name for a brother. Who knew a white man could teach me so much about my roots!! It took me a long time to read the book because each chapter was full of information. I had to give my brain time to process it all. I was sorry when I had read the last chapter. I live near Atlanta and plan to visit the home of Joel Chandler Harris.

I bought several copies to send as gifts to relatives.

This has been a good book. The best part is a chapter on Broken vs Prideful. It goes through 35 areas in 7 different topics comparing a broken heart and a prideful heart. It took me 2 hours and 5 journal pages just to get through that one chapter.

This short book can be read in two hours but its potential benefit to your spiritual condition could last a lifetime. "Brokenness" is the first book of a trilogy (the others are Surrender, and Holiness), but it can stand by itself. In an approach that is non-condemnatory but convicting, Ms. DeMoss has written a wonderful resource that could aid us in challenging a stale faith and encouraging us toward a "brokenness (which) is the pathway to blessing." (p.105). Chapter Four contains a list of characteristics that unveils the traits of proud people in comparison to those of broken people. (I found myself saying "ouch" more than once.) But she rightly observes that the Bible continually points out God's resistance to the proud and His willingness to draw close to the humble. If you want to read a quickly flowing book that will encourage you towards the true joy that results in being honest with God and with others, then I highly recommend this resource as a positive aid toward that end. I found it encouraging, convicting, and personally desirous to be open to whatever God thinks is appropriate for my spiritual condition.

This book is Amazing! A friend recently gave me a copy. This book gives a very clear explaination of what brokenness is, and what it is not. The author also does a compare and contrast between pride and brokenness. This book is very convicting. If you let Him, God can give you a good look into your heart. This happened with me and the results were painful and definitely not pretty. But it was necessary. The author also uses real life examples. Both from her own life and others. Nancy is very honest about her own struggles with brokenness and pride. As you read, you get the feeling that she wrote this book as much for herself, as for others. This book showed me areas of pride that I never realized existed. If you want to remain complacent, don't read this book. This is one of the best books on grace and brokenness that I have ever read. Thank you Nancy!

All I can say is that God moves in a very special way in this book, unlike any other human-authored book I have ever read in my nearly thirty years as a Christian (I'm 37 now). I could write pages of what God did in my life through this book, but the work God does through this is His miracle, and perhaps I should just say that you would be enriched, changed and renewed by taking the time to read it (or as some may say, have it read you~ it's that sort of book). As it was for me, it may just be the "key" you're looking for in your quest to follow Christ, and help you work past issues of the heart you've struggled with for many years. Just know, you will never be the same...

Every Christian should read this book. Every Pastor should read this book. This is where we need to be. We have to die to ourselves and our wills if Christ is going to live His life through us. Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

This book discusses the shift in American education from "values-neutral" and "strictly content" education toward a different and necessary ideal: educating youngsters to live a "good life." (This is the goal that movie watchers saw in the final scene of "Saving Pvt. Ryan," where the older Ryan asks his wife and children, "Did I lead a good life?") Both authors are from the Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character at Boston University. They write primarily for educators and have teachers in mind. They promote the idea that education is in "its fullest sense is inescapably a moral enterprise" (p. 190).

I found the book to be well writeen and filled with many good examples. I particularly liked the Appendices (76 pages), filled with good advice. Ryan and Bohlin also discuss how character education is different from "values clarification" and "teaching a viewpoint." In character education, students discover the importance of (or lack of) virtues; that there are multiple answers to moral questions; that characters in literature and history "grow into" their moral positions, and that character education wishes to inculcate the importance of "knowing good, seeing good, and doing good."

This is the coming age in U.S. education. This book along with some others (William Damon, The Moral Child; Bringing in a New Era in Character Education; Thomas Lickona, Educating for Character) will provide a good theoretical background. Ryan and Bohlin warn us away from pre-packaged character education activities, and, as a result, I am not quite sure where to go from here (which is why I took off one star).

I hope you enjoy the book.

Few are the resources that leave parents and teachers both inspired and eager to continue in their task as educators. Engaging, practical and easy to read, 'Building Character in Schools' provides an uplifting view on how our children and young can become the great persons that they can be. A must read for anyone who cares about the young and our future society.

This is a wonderful, easy-to-read book about character education. It provides coherent, *non-religious* arguments in favor of character education, and then provides some practical guidelines and resources for implementation. In the wake of Columbine, how can anybody question the need for character education, particularly in the public schools?

This excellent book shows teachers and school officials how to create a character-building educational program and make it work.

Timely and on target, Building Character in Schools reads quickly and provides practical insights for today's educators and parents as they struggle to help children develop integral personalities. It is a must read for teachers who see their students as the future of our society, who need to develop habits and a vision that empower them to become honest, upright and noble citizens.

If you want a book that will both entertain, and teach your children, "Buzzle Billy, A Book About Sharing" is the book for you! Buzzle Billy is a playful creature that lives in a land full of fun. All of the buildings and streets are made of puzzles, because there is nothing Buzzles enjoy more than playing! Billy and all of the other children love to play together with their toys, until one day Billy learns a very important lesson about sharing.
The book begins with all of the Buzzle children playing together. Billy is playing with his favorite teddy bear, however; he sees someone else's toy he wants to play with, so he decides to take it. Then he takes another kids toy, and another, and he doesn't want to share any of them! Billy ends up with a lot of toys, but no friends to play with.
With every toy he takes, something about Billy changes, and it will take an important lesson in sharing to turn Billy back to normal.
This book has terrific illustrations that will be colorful and exciting to your child. The rhyming of the story makes it easy to understand and easy to remember. Not only will your children fall in love with the memorable characters and original storyline, but they will also learn an important lesson that they will remember forever. This book is perfect to read to your child, or for young readers to discover themselves.

This is one of our absolute favorite books. Keeps the interest of a child with its eye-catching illustrations and fun rhyming lines. Great message, too. So glad to find it at Amazon.com because I couldn't get it anywhere else - permanently out of print. Our daughter is 16 now and she wants her 5 year old nephew to enjoy it as much as she did!

This book is terrific to teach the importance of sharing to your preschoolers and early schoolers alike. Shows them the lonliness that can accompany those who don't like to share and how fun it can be when they do share. Recommend Highly, it is a book that they pay attention to and identify with at this early and tender age.

My daughter and I have read this book since she was three and a half, she is now six. It is one of our favorite books. It keeps any age completely entertained. The other books in this series that we have read are just as wonderful. Don't miss out on this one!

My daughter enjoyed the book, good rhyming story and cute graphics. The lesson is simple and easily understood. It's one we both like.

This is the first book I've read by Bissell and I'll definitely be getting more!

I stayed up until 3AM to finish this book. Then I had to turn all the lights on, I was so spooked. A must read!!

...and for those who haven't discovered her yet, this book is a good place to start. Other readers have summarized the story and mentioned the intense suspense it creates in the reader. I'd like to add that Sallie Bissell's descriptions of the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina are uniquely fascinating and a wonderful addition to the works of other authors about the region. The strong protagonist of her novels, the very bright and modern Mary Crow, is among the most interesting in the mystery/suspense genre and is surely attracting a faithful following. Both Mary Crow and Sallie Bissell get better with each book in the series.

Excellent, dramatic, nervewracking stuff. I highly recommend it. It's just what you need. The craftsmanship of the writing is at the highest level of the profession, and you cannot put it down.

Assistant district attorney Mary Crow is an excellent prosecutor and genuinely nice person but she has one small problem. She keeps seeing a dead man and it unnerves her so much that she is seeing a psychiatrist who believes she's suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The police and the FBI believe that Stump Logan, known conspirator against the U.S. government and the suspect in the murders of Mary's parents died in the explosion at Russell Cove.

Nobody knows that Logan is still alive and Mary did see him three times when he was looking for an opportunity to kill her. He has now come up with a scheme to force Mary to come to him by kidnapping her goddaughter Lily. At first the police don't take the abduction seriously, thinking it is a domestic dispute. As Mary begins receiving e-mails of Lily, she realizes Stump lives and decides to use herself as bait, a risky move that might get her killed.

Sallie Bissell has written as extremely exciting crime thriller about an obsession taken to extremes and the tragic results that happen because of that compulsion. The protagonist comes across as a very sympathetic person, leading to readers rooting for her to triumph over the adversary she knows about and the one who has stayed in the shadows waiting for the right time to strike. CALL THE DEVIL BY HIS OLDEST NAME is a pulse pounding, adrenaline-pumping novel that the audience will remember long after finishing the last page.

Harriet Klausner

Kate Mulligan's new book is a must for the glove compartment of all serious canal fans! She gives detailed descriptions of canal sites in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, focusing not only on the places, but on the people, "the characters," who worked to make their parks a reality. Kate highlights sites along most of the 19th century canals in the three Mid-Atlantic states, describing their history and current events sponsored by each of the canal parks. The book includes related, noncanal places of interest, such as the Brunswick Railroad Museum, the Johnstown Flood Museum and the Eckley Miners' Village. A great gift for anyone who loves travel and the transportation history of the Mid-Atlantic.

Kate Mulligan's new book is a must for the glove compartment of all serious canal fans! She gives detailed descriptions of canal sites in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, focusing not only on the places, but on the people, "the characters," who worked to make their parks a reality. Kate highlights sites along most of the 19th century canals in the three Mid-Atlantic states, describing their history and current events sponsored by each of the canal parks. The book includes related, noncanal places of interest, such as the Brunswick Railroad Museum, the Johnstown Flood Museum and the Eckley Miners' Village. A great gift for anyone who loves travel and the transportation history of the Mid-Atlantic.

Kate Mulligan's new book is a must for the glove compartment of all serious canal fans! She gives detailed descriptions of canal sites in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, focusing not only on the places, but on the people, "the characters," who worked to make their parks a reality. Kate highlights sites along most of the 19th century canals in the three Mid-Atlantic states, describing their history and current events sponsored by each of the canal parks. The book includes related, noncanal places of interest, such as the Brunswick Railroad Museum, the Johnstown Flood Museum and the Eckley Miners' Village. A great gift for anyone who loves travel and the transportation history of the Mid-Atlantic.

Kate Mulligan's new book is a must for the glove compartment of all serious canal fans! She gives detailed descriptions of canal sites in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, focusing not only on the places, but on the people, "the characters," who worked to make their parks a reality. Kate highlights sites along most of the 19th century canals in the three Mid-Atlantic states, describing their history and current events sponsored by each of the canal parks. The book includes related, noncanal places of interest, such as the Brunswick Railroad Museum, the Johnstown Flood Museum and the Eckley Miners' Village. A great gift for anyone who loves travel and the transportation history of the Mid-Atlantic.

Kate Mulligan's new book is a must for the glove compartment of all serious canal fans! She gives detailed descriptions of canal sites in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, focusing not only on the places, but on the people, "the characters," who worked to make their parks a reality. Kate highlights sites along most of the 19th century canals in the three Mid-Atlantic states, describing their history and current events sponsored by each of the canal parks. The book includes related, noncanal places of interest, such as the Brunswick Railroad Museum, the Johnstown Flood Museum and the Eckley Miners' Village. A great gift for anyone who loves travel and the transportation history of the Mid-Atlantic.

When Beth Smallwood is found bludgeoned to death in her church, where she had gone late one evening to put out fresh candles, DCI Neil Paget and his team of investigators have to dig into her ordinary middle-class life in their hunt for suspects. While keeping in mind that her murder may have been opportunistic: was she simply in the wrong place at the wrong time?

They learn that Smallwood wasn't a wealthy or prominent person. Nor was she in a perilous line of work: she held a modest office job in a local bank. She had reared her only son, now a young adult, as a single working mother. She wasn't a domestic tyrant, neighborhood busybody or small-time blackmailer.

The dour Paget finds plenty of suspects in Beth's modest life. She had embezzled money on a modest scale to bail her sociopath son out of legal jams while living in deep denial about his nature. On the night she died she had finally seen the light, ordered him out of her house, and made an appointment for the next day with the police to confess to lying for him in the past.

But her son wasn't the only one with motive to kill. Beth had been raped at work by a predatory supervisor, after he promoted her. And the male co-worker who had hoped for the promotion, but instead was laid off, burned with resentment.

Smith's protagonist, Paget, is not very interesting or likable - he's emotionally stuck in grief over the death of his wife some years previously and in this novel exhibits all the emotional affect of a frozen flounder. However, I think that Paget is a nice counterpoint to all those interesting and likable fictional British cops, such as Inspector Wexford.

Of course, the author can't rely on Paget's nonexistent charm or his barren private life to keep the story moving and hold the reader's interest. Instead, Smith does that very well with a good plot and solid supporting characters. I was kept guessing whodunit until the last few pages.

Albeit the book is fast paced and well written it has some stories that doesn't belong to the book unless you read the prequel -mind that this is my first book of the series. The gist of writing several books of the same plot is that no-matter if you skip the first book, in the second one you must know briefly what happened in the first i.e. here you don't know what happened with Paget and Andrea. It has other flaws as the one that the dog saw the sprawled body in the meadows and nobody else as well as the guy who stole the bike.

Everyone involved in the investigation seems a bit stunned by the murder weapon and the location of the crime scene. Someone used a candlestick to pound widow Beth Snakewood to death inside the St. Justin Chapel. Detective Chief Inspector Neil Paget and his junior partner Sergeant John Tregalles investigate the brutal slaying.

The problem confronting the two police officers is that the victim seems to have several individuals who have strong motives to kill her. Her former peer on the job is obviously jealous of Beth's recent promotion, which he feels she gained through her figure rather than her figuring. Her boss raped but promoted Beth. The woman's violent son loses his control very quickly. Then there is the unknown person who tipped the police off on many of their early inquiries. The only thing the two cops know is that they have their work cut out for them if they want to identify the killer.

CANDLES FOR THE DEAD, the third Paget mystery (see FATAL FLAW and STONE DEAD) is an invigorating village cosy who-done-it that will grip readers from start to finish. The investigation takes center stage in the engaging story line. However, a subplot involving Paget's personal life adds much depth to the tale. Frank Smith provides fans of the regional (outside London) British police procedural sub-genre with a fast-paced, old fashion, but enjoyable detective story.

Harriet Klausner

Candles for the Dead is a wonderfully written British police procedural that had me guessing until the very end. Smith is a very talented author, (Fatal Flaw and Stone Dead are good reads as well), and I can't wait for the next Inspector Paget mystery to arrive.

A rather bleak, but very good book. CANDLES centers around the murder of a woman victimized by three separate assaults on the last day of her life. And she had endured a lot of misery before that, too. DCI Luke Paget, coping with the imminent third anniversary of his wife's death, investigates, assisted by a whole lot of other coppers. There's an incident room coordinator, various sergeants, criminologists, and many other police personnel. I enjoyed the depiction of these characters' work roles and relationships, and found the book excellent, well-plotted, and very well-written. Smith's FATAL FLAW is also terrific.

If you're learning character design, or just brushing up- this is the best book I've seen on it.
Thank you Sherm!

The moment I found out about this book I bought it immediately!
Sherm makes everything quite clear and fun to look at. It's presented well and is crammed with goodies.
I especially liked the sections.... "Get Graphic" and "Find Your Own Style".

Great job Sherm!

In "Character Design," Sherm Cohen offers up a century of cartoon design wisdom in such a clear and simple fashion that you'll think you already knew all about it.

Jam-packed with Sherm's incredibly clear drawing and elegant line, "Character Design" uses hundreds of illustrations to explain key cartooning concepts, from "line of action" to "when's the right time to draw a cauliflower ear." No kidding! You need to know the rules before you can break them correctly...and THESE are the rules.

This is essential reading for experts and beginners. Buy two copies; one for your bookshelf, and one to keep under your pillow.

Jay Lender
Former Writer/Storyboard Director
SpongeBob SquarePants
Nicktoons

This book is essential for beginners and professionals for cartooning/animators. As a professional animation artist and a college professor, I found this book to be one of the best book on character design out there. I highly recommend it to my students and colleague alike. For it is extremely informative and deceivingly simple. On the same level with the Preston Blair animation books (also published by Walter Foster), this book does a great job in introducing the artist the wonderful fun that is character designing. Great job artist Sherm Cohen. Hope to see more in the series.

When I am training young artists starting into the animation industry there are a few books that I tell them to get and study. "Character Design" the new Walter Foster Cartooning book by Sherm Cohen is now on my list. To anyone contemplating a career in comics or animation- or anyone who just likes to draw, this book communicates simply and concisely everything you need to know to get started. Mr. Cohen's clear explanations make complicated concepts easy to grasp, and the joy of drawing evident in his charming art is truly contagious.

Anyone who plans on picking up a pencil to do more than just your checkbook should get this book.

Sincerely,

Dan Povenmire
Director/Storyboard Supervisor
Family Guy
Fox TV Animation

these audio books are great, the music and voices make the stories. Parents who have kids that love dogs must get these. Way more entertaining than TV.

Hank the cow dog is an amazingly funny book at first I thought that it was a really bad book but after a few minutes it turned into the best book i've ever read!
It's a really witty book and a very exciting one at that.A great Texan adventure about a dog and his amazingly funny ,exciting adventures. Definetly a book which is hard to put down! A rolercoaster which never ends. (...)

For readers of any age the Hank The Cow Dog series is one of the best. It will hold the attention of older struggling readers with lower abilities. Parents reading to their children will enjoy the books as much as the kids do. With wit and humor the adventures of Hank keep us turing the pages. I have not read every book in the series but I will.

Amazon should make a complete set of these available.

In this book Hank goes to his sister's house in town. A dog named Rambo in town is bullying his sister. Hank helps fight Rambo off once but Rambo comes again and Hank runs away. Hank has an idea to get his friend dog-pound Ralph to help him stop Rambo. Hank and Ralph run to town with the dog-catcher after them. If you want to find out what Hank's idea is and if it works read the story.

Every "Hank" book is the same, and every one a pleasure. I read them aloud to my 5th graders, to my kids and to myself. We all enjoy ourselves, sometimes laughing out loud. Hank is arrogant enough to laugh at, and his entourage provides a perfect backdrop for his inevitable comeupance. One thumb, way up!

a client calls for a will and a howling dog . the next day he runs away with his neighbors wife leaving behind the CORPSE of her husband and perry mason in a very embarrising position.or did he? must read . on of the best gardners book.

Well plotted, and a VERY unexpected end. a must read

The Case of the Howling Dog, by Erle Stanley Gardner

Arthur Cartwright visits Perry Mason to see about a dog and a will. Perry explains what makes a will valid in their state. Cartwright hates to hear a howling dog because it means death in the neighborhood. Perry explains how he will avoid a malicious prosecution suit: they will see a deputy district attorney to issue a warning (Chapter I). Clinton Foley, the neighbor, visits the deputy DA and charges that Cartwright is mentally deranged; Foley's dog doesn't howl. Deputy Sheriff Pemberton will personally investigate this conflict (Chapter III). The housekeeper and cook say the police dog Prince didn't make noise. But Foley finds a note - his wife has run away with Cartwright (Chapter IV)! Cartwright left home last night and never returned (Chapter V). Perry orders Paul Drake to investigate Foley and Cartwright; he suspects there is something going on (Chapter VI). Paul Drake reports on the identity of Foley and his wife - shocking news (Chapter VII)! Perry calls Foley to discuss the situation at a 9 pm meeting.

When Perry arrives at Foley's home he finds the dog dead, and Foley's body. He calls the police (Chapter VIII). Sergeant Holcomb questions Perry about his appointment. Perry points out that his lack of an alibi shows he had no foreknowledge. A perfect alibi should be suspicious (Chapter IX). Paul Drake's men locate the taxi driver who brought a visitor to Foley's home earlier (Chapter XI). When they locate Bessie Forbes, Perry visits her and gives her advice (Chapter XII). Perry retrieves a handkerchief, and call Sergeant Holcomb to turn it in as the owner visited Foley's home around the time of his death (Chapter XIII). Perry's clever misdirection points to the Breedmont Hotel.

Perry confers with Bessie Forbes and hears her story. Perry tells he she can't afford to lie about her call on Foley, and can't afford to tell the truth. Bessie must not answer any questions unless her lawyer is present. The police show up next to arrest Bessie, and warn her that anything she says can be used against her (the "Miranda warning" in 1934). Della and Perry discuss the case (Chapter XV). Perry explains that a defense lawyer presents the facts in favor of the defendant against the powers of the state. Perry must strike at just the right time to free his client. First he must build up sympathy in the newspapers. Perry's case will depend on that howling dog! The police traced the gun to Bessie Forbes, bought over a year ago.

Perry gets Paul Drake to investigate the alibi of Thelma Benton, Foley's housekeeper. Her hand is still bandaged from a dog bite. Perry uses a ruse to question her (Chapter XVI). The trial starts in Chapter XVII. Perry cross-examines the taxi driver who brought Bessie Forbes to the Foley home; he was coached by the district attorney. Perry plays another fast trick, skating on thin ice because he has to do it (Chapter XVIII). Perry explains the fickleness of the mass mind and how he will use it (Chapter XX). The cross-examination of Thelma Barton is interrupted with startling news! Perry argues for his client, and the jury returns with 'not guilty' in Chapter XXI. In the next chapter Perry explains it all, a happy ending; we learn why that dog didn't howl. Perry would not accept a dismissal; justice was served, not the letter of the law. The language reflects the manners of that time.

This is the fourth Perry Mason books written in 1934 and I think it is one of the best. The story was very well plotted; at the beginning a strange and tense relationship between two couples attracted me; and the ending was surprising! And Mason's characteristics, "a cross between a saint and a devil" was written remarkably in this early book.

Hi! guys. If you are gonna buy this book, it is the best thing you are going to do. This book is the greatest of all the criminal and courtroom books i have ever read. This book is the perfect example of the ingenuity and imagination of its author, Erle Stanley Gardner. It is due to books like this, that he is listed in the Guiness Book Of World Records as the highest selling author of all times. I personally give this book, the highest rating possible.