Vision Books

After reading this book, I must say that it has the WOW factor. I can't believe that I've missed such a good read. The book I'm referring to is Life Is Never As It Seems by J.J. Michael. This is one of the handful of times that I've been able to say that the title fits the book perfectly!

This book is about an young woman name Lindy who grew up in Washington, D.C. in the 1960s during the Black Power movement. She lives with her mother and grandfather, who is the pastor of their church. They are very strict with Lindy. In their eyes, the devil has his hands in anything outside of church. Just like every other teenager who lives in a strict household, Lindy eventually starts to rebel. One day, she meets a boy named Nick and he secretly becomes her boyfriend. Of course, she starts to lie to her family in order to spend quality time with him. Not long afterwards, Lindy discovers that she has a very "special" gift and that is the real reason why her family keeps such a tight rein on her. She then starts to seek answers about herself and her spiritual gift.

Life Is Never As It Seems has such the perfect mix of paranormal and scripture that it makes you believe in the story. J.J. Michael has written a great story that is truly a page turner. Once I started reading it, it was very hard to put it down. I can't wait to read the sequel!

Reviewed by LaShonda Bates
for Urban Reviews

The title LIFE IS NEVER AS IT SEEMS by J.J. Michael is indeed fitting for the story of a young girl who is about to embark on a revealing journey of learning about the spiritual gifts she possesses. With a mixture of paranormal and scripture revelations, we're treated to an exquisitely written novel.

Lindy, a graduate of Howard University, is an impressionable young lady who is kept under thumb by her mother and grandfather, who is pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church. They are strict and insist that anything outside of the church or their home that Lindy is exposed to is the devil's work. However, there is another underlying reason why they keep tabs on Lindy - she has a gift that many would consider strange or weird. She has the gift to see what others cannot, such as when someone is ill. Her mother, Margaret, is a neurological mess with a mixture of hearing voices to jealousy because she fears her daughter is taking her father's attention away from her. The grandfather is trying to hold the family together, but is unsuccessful because he has several issues to work with also.

Set in the era of the black power movement, Lindy is drawn into the environment and has a secret boyfriend named Nick. Living in a religious and dysfunctional household, she has to connive in order to leave the house to enjoy a social life with him. While attending a party with Nick at a professor's home, Lindy encounters a lady dressed in a hooded white robe. Unfortunately, she is the only one who sees and speaks with her, which sets the stage for Lindy seeking answers about her special abilities.

J.J. Michael has written a very compelling story of a young lady's quest to learn about her gifts and goals in life. She eloquently writes with detailed precision the explorations of her character's love life and the sins of the grandfather and mother collectively as she travels toward the truth about her family and the legacy of her grandmother. As you hold on to each word, the scenes are magnified from page to page, allowing you to experience each character's dilemma, and their decision-making. The theories and explanations of biblical scriptures and other religious overtones are wonderfully outlined, and it really gives you the opportunity to ponder and reflect on life, God, and our human purpose.

And finally what stands out is the ending because there is no ending; it's just the beginning that will open the door to a sequel to LIFE IS NEVER AS IT SEEMS by J.J. Michael.

Reviewed by Kalaani
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

I was spellbounded throughtout the reading of this book. I felt each character evolve. I could see their faces and read their minds. It was as if I was right there, a silent character.

As an African American who is Baptist, I know this story well. Ms. Michael's account corresponds with my personal experiences. Her wonderful way of writing has me anxiously anticipating the sequel to this book.

Ms. Michael engages the reader to remember their own life history identifying through her vivid portrayal of characters from the 1960's in Washington D.C.

I enjoyed reading this book very much. When I did put 'Life Is Never As It Seems' down, I found myself thinking about the characters and wondering what was going to happen next. This is the mark of a great writer. Bravo!!! Can't wait for the sequel!

Sharyn Leigh
Sedona, Arizona

From the moment I picked this book up, I was hooked. It felt as though I had been literally transplanted back to my college days at Howard University in 1967 when I was 20 years old. Every character felt so very real. Every incident was one I had known of or heard about throughout my own search for spiritual truth in the midst of a rigidly fundamentalist church environment. Lindy's commitment to her family as well as to the boyfriend despised by her family were both playing havoc with her rapidly growing inner thirst for spiritual fulfillment and realization. She had unusual gifts and an inner power craving to be set free. Plus, there just might be a genuine soul mate for her in God's plan. Until the very end, my heart was in my throat hoping Lindy would make the right decision. I can't wait for the sequel. Kudos to JJ Michael.

If you tire of Lord of the Rings or endless triologies then Mistress of Mistresses is for you. It is set in a fantasy world similar to 16th Century Europe. The book demands concentration, a knowledge of philosophy and poetry. But beware. It will send you off on a lifelong hunt into these fields. You may end up learning Ancient Greek or Latin. You will fall in love with the women and follow the heroes blindly. Read, enjoy and return to. Like a good wine it matures well.

king wolf offers a first review of this work with the kind of arrogance that may put off a potential reader. However, its an arrogance that Eddison himself would doubtless admire. The review, for all its naked boasts, simply tells the truth. Eddison is brilliant with a brilliance that shines from many angles, and with a light that at once terrifies and appalls

That Eddison is not studied at high levels of education, that he is barely read and marginalised, is a depressing condemnation of the literary world. I feel personally fortunate I was exposed to Eddison's work as a youth. Lucky old me.

I read E.R. Eddison's books many years ago, but they are still vivid in my memory. I loved the way the author could write Elizabethan dialogue as if he had lunch with Shakespeare every day. The characters were so colorful, the scenes richly painted, and the strange, time-and-space-roving Lessingham had another life here in this other Europe, that seems to me now like something Tolkien might have wanted for his Fifth Age of Middle Earth.
I yearned for years that someone would make a film or films of The Lord of the Rings. I grew old waiting, but then it happened. Maybe someday there will be a Worm Ouroboros or a Mistress of Mistresses. I know the language would have to be made more simple and most of the philosophy dumped, but to see Lord Gro, of Ouroboros, doomed always to be a traitor, come to his end, or that grand villain of Mistresses, the Vicar of Rerek take time out from his plotting to be 'a washing of his cursed dogs' in his casstle yard, would be a mad treat.
Winston Chruchill once said that schoolboys should be allowed to study Latin as a reward, and Greek as a treat. Readers with imagination and an appreciation for language should be made lighter nad dizzy with the richness of Eddison's prose.

It shouldn't even be necessary to point out that Eddison's books are the high point of twentieth century literature.

It should go without saying that he is the best prose artist in the history of the English-language novel; his writing, and his dialogue in particular, are at least fifteen percent better than whichever lesser genius comes in second (Lord Dunsany, perhaps?).

In a saner world, every college freshman would be expected to read his books, and to at least pretend to understand that the themes Eddison presents within them - the cycles of time, the duality of the godhead, human life lived as a work of conscious art - are the closest approach to Truth that are possible in fiction. (And they are only expressible in fantastic fiction, for we must come at these things indirectly and through the side door of Myth.) Eddison's novels are not mere works of fiction: above all else, they are works of esotericism. Mistress of Mistresses is the best esoteric novel ever written. The essential message of mysticism is contained in its very structure.

But not one man in a thousand can hear the real message this book contains. The reason that Eddison is obscure and his infinite virtues remain almost unsung is, of course, because ours is a civilization, and indeed a world, so unrepentantly degenerate that it isn't capable of understanding his works. A typical professor presented with The Worm or Mistress of Mistresses is in the position of an ape given a laptop computer: the best he can do is to bang his head against it. For what Eddison brings us is truth, at both the spiritual and mundane levels, and truth is more than little men can bear.

You, dear reader, are probably already a cut above, to even have taken time to find out that Eddison exists and to bother to read a review of his books.

If you haven't read any of these works, you now have a great opportunity to evolve further away from the "common muck", as Eddison might call them, and perhaps later on, even agree with the tone and substance of this review. Or, you can do what the common muck will do: instead of attempting to rise to Eddison's level, resent the fact that he is simply smarter, better and more enlightened than you, or any other novelist you've ever come across. And most of all, of course, resent that he doesn't care if you know it.

The chance, and the choice, are yours.

An Irish novelist, poet and historian James Stephens wrote, referring to this book: "From whatever heaven Mr. Eddison comes, he has added a masterpiece to English literature." I cannot but symphatize with his amazement, at the same time wondering how this novel, along with the sequels, can be out of print.

Best of the Tom Brown Jr. books in my opinion. To bad they are not publishinng this one anymore. Thus the high price for this book. The information contained within should be considered sacred. Highly recommend it.

Dear Sirs, I hope you reconsider your decision not to publish this review. On October 7, 1998, the NY Times reported on the biggest Ozone Hole yet seen. To quote the article: "Government scientists said today that the gap in the planet's ozone over Antartica was greater than the size of North America and was the largest ever observed." In addition, on August 13, 2000, a frontpage article in the Sunday NY Times reported on how a formerly benign fungus which has been found in the US from time immemorial was suddenly killing millions of acres of oak trees in California. The article ends on a puzzling note with scientist unable to explain why this disease had become so virulent. However, it is well known that UV radiation affects plants earlier than Humans and one documented effect of UV radiation is a weakening of the immune system. It is not a far stretch of the imagination to theorize that UV radiation may be responsible for this latest plant die-off. I hope you give these issues consideration. -----------------------------------------------------------------

Like many people, I used to read the grim newspaper accounts of environmental destruction and wonder what it all meant. Then, in the late 1980s Tom Brown published The Vision and in the final chapter of that book provided the first glimpse into a future most of us want to deny. Now here in The Quest, he lets out all the stops and makes plain for the first time that mankind may very well be doomed.

Brown reveals that as far back as 1962, Grandfather, his Apache Native American Teacher, had warned that the appearance of holes in the sky would mark the beginning of the end of mankind on Earth. Sunlight would become deadly killing everything it touched. Plants would shrivel up and die, crops would fail and starvation would sweep around the world. People would be hunted like deer for food. Many events would foreshadow the appearance of the holes but finally there would be a time of peace. This would mark mankind's last chance to reverse his endless destruction of the Earth. If instead, he concentrated on material gain, all would be lost and the end would come as surely as the Sun rises.

From this beginning, Brown takes us through a series of personal visions wherein he is transported to the future and sees for himself the horrors that await us. In one account, he visits a city where human limbs hang in shop windows and walking skeletons covered with sores roam the streets. Everything reeks with death and Brown watches as a roving band of armed men hunts down an abandoned child, and without remorse, guts and skins him like an animal. Brown makes it clear that this an America city and not some distant third world nation.

Not all the stories deal with the future. Brown relates his own efforts to deny what he knew and avoid taking up his Vision of teaching the ancient tracking and survival skills. At one point, he witnesses a brutal father rob his young son of a promising future. Grandfather then asks Tom what obstacles will stop him from fulfilling his vision ? The question is clearly not meant for Brown alone and foreseeing an excuse many of us will use to deny our share of responsibility Grandfather points to a graveyard and asks `what will be the measure of your life Grandson? Will it be a lifetime of meaningless toil or one filled with purpose and meaning?'

This is by far Brown's darkest book but how does one sanitize such a horrifying account? There is no science here and those who believe ozone depletion is a figment of some environmentalist's imagination would be better off reading God's Last Offer, by Ed Ayres. Mr. Ayres presents related doomsday scenarios but with the science to back them. To those who are sensitive to the Earth, however Tom Brown's book needs no proof. Its truth is obvious.

The only question left open by Brown is when all this will take place? The question is important because many people will shrug off this account as part of some distant future. Although this book does not provide a timeframe a little reading in the scientific press will. It takes thirty years for CFCs to waft through the atmosphere and reach the ozone layer. If all CFC production ceased today, and it hasn't, we would still face 30 more years of degradation. According to NASA, there is already enough CFCs in the upper atmosphere to blow away 70% of the ozone layer. Take a equal amounts of ozone and CFCs, expose them to ultraviolet radiation and one can easily measure the rate of breakdown. The answer you will find is that we have a mere score and ten years left.

Grandfather made it clear that once the holes appear there would be no physical way to heal the Earth. Indeed, Time Magazine writing in the early 90s said that `the entire world's fleet of 747s operating around the clock, 365 days of the year' could not replace a fraction of the ozone that has already been lost. But Brown does leave us with a ray of hope: if enough people become aware of what is happening, combined we can achieve what technology cannot. Brown is a great believer in the combined efforts of many people working together. Seldom does he speak of grand heroic acts. Each of us, doing a little, can achieve a lot. Be forewarned that if you read this book you will never be able to look at your children in the same way again. Most of us adults living today will not bear the brunt of this horrible future but our children and grandchildren will. If you read this book and do nothing, the Time of Peace will pass and you too, like Brown, will have to answer the screams of your children as they clutch at you in the grave yelling "YOU KNEW, YOU KNEW! WHY DIDN'T YOU DO SOMETHING?"

This book presents principles of growth that we find common across time and cultures. Highly recommended both as interesting reading material, as well as an opportunity to reconsider values, meaning (and all that other existential stuff) and our own perspectives through a differant path. In recent popular venacular, "getting out of the box" of western culture.

I read a lot of spiritual books and I've read lot's of Tom Brown's books, but I have rarely been so blown away than I was by The Quest. For one, let me tell you that this book will scare the heck out of you. But at the same time, it is really shocking what Tom learned from the fear he had to face. While reading it, I was dying to be able to sit down and share with someone what I was learning. It will blow your mind and change the way you think about the Earth.

All of Tom Brown's books are written on many different levels. As a just-starting-out naturalist, I read most of Brown's books with interest, but the deeper I go into the naturalist's world, the more powerful messages I get between the lines.

The book offers many insights on modern man- most of all, the notion that if one simply lets the world drift by, with all sorts of damage, trouble, etc. being done (mind you, yourself doing none of the actual damage), the message is clear- Why didn't you do something?

Probably the most powerful message in the book is, "There are no small things." To quote Bruce Lee, if you throw a rock into a pond, you get ripples- soon the ripples cross the whole pond. Every action we do has implications, good and bad. Make your impressions positive and beneficial.

For those lucky enough to attend Tom Brown's school, reading any of his books after taking a class- no matter how many times you read them previously- it's like reading an entirely new book. There are countless messages and powerful teachings in The Quest, and I give it my highest recommendation.

This book is a description in very specific details of the rhacodactylus family. I find it very important to know where these animals come from, how to maintain them in the most naturalistic way possible, etc. This book is a must need for Rhacodactylus keepers!

5 big thumbs up!

The nature of human beings is to explore, to examine, and to try to understand everything around us. This book benefits our instinctual search for information about the natural ecosystems around us. It provides us with an insight into the world of some of the rarest and most beautiful creatures in the world and lays bare the world in which they live. Anyone who has an interest in herpetology or is simply hoping to delve into the amazing world of reptile study can gain so much from this book and from Phillipe De Vosjoli's other outstanding and contemplative works.

This is by far the best book in print on Rhac's. It covers Crested, Gargoyle, Chahoua, and the Giant Leachianus Geckos among others. It has sections on all aspects of careing for them including breeding. Many helpful photos to demonstrate the various color and structure morphs (especially of the Crested Geckos). The only thing that could be added here (maybe in a second edition) is what combinations of different morphs are likely to produce what morphs. Also some info on on temperature sex determination for incubation temps would be helpful in the future after more research is done in this area. The Authors all have plenty of first hand experience and some of the largest collections of these geckos in the world. All in all, the best book available on Rhac's at this time.

This book is excellant! The text is thorough, and the illustrations are phenomenal. There is virtually no stone left unturned. Every question concerning the husbandry and natural history of rhacodactylus is explored and explained. The authors attention to detail is unmatched. This book is a must have for any person whom wants to own, or already owns any species of rhacodactylus, novice and expert alike.

This book is a MUST HAVE for anyone interested in this amazing group of geckos. Rhacodactylus are a small group of geckos that are found only on the island of New Caledonia, that lies roughly between Australia, New Guinea and New Zealand. For such a small group, these geckos occur in a diverse array of beautiful and often bizarre forms. One member of this genus, Rhacodactylus leachianus, holds the distinction of being the largest living species of gecko in the world, reaching a total length of up to 17 inches and weighing nearly a pound!

I have been keeping reptiles for 30+ years. I can remember back when the only readily available books on reptile or amphibian care had lots of pretty (or sometimes not so pretty and often mislabeled) pictures, but little useful information on the natural history or husbandry of these animals. Worse yet, what little information was there was frequently just plain wrong! Those of us who were really dedicated to the hobby had to go to university libraries and search out obscure zoo and animal care journals to gain insight on how to keep our animals healthy, happy and reproducing.

That all changed when Philippe de Vosjoli introduced his Advanced Vivarium Systems "Care and Maintenence" series of books that emphasized good, solid husbandry information, based on years of research by the top experts in the field. Many of these he authored or co-authored himself along with some of the other top reptile and amphibian keepers in the world. The goal of these books was to make good, solid information on proper care of reptiles and amphibians readily available, both to long time keepers and people just starting out in the hobby.

This latest work by he and his co-authors, Frank Fast and Allen Repashy, is one of his best and most ambitious works yet. In addition to the main authors, the information in this book has been compiled from many of the other top gecko keepers/breeders in the the U.S. and Europe. The book covers all six species and 2 subspecies of Rhacodactylus, giving descriptions of each, and excellent information on all aspects of their husbandry and breeding. Everything from nutrition, caging, breeding and much more are covered in great detail. In addition, the book contains some of the latest information on the habitat and ecology of these animals, along with numerous beautiful pictures of the different forms and color morphs of the geckos and their habitats.

This book is also an excellent companion volume for anyone lucky enough to own the now out of print Rhacodactylus - Biology, Natural History and Husbandry by Robert Seipp and Friedrich Wilhelm Henkel. The new book updates and greatly expands on much of the information presented in the earlier book.

I would highly recommend Rhacodactylus: The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care to not only those of us that work with, or want to work with these animals, but also to anyone who just wants to know more about these beautiful and amazing creatures.

Private Investigator, Nicholas Tartaglia, is back . . .


Two men burglarize the home of the city's most prominent CEO, searching for a mystical book. What they don't know is, someone is home when they break in. In the flux of chaos, one of the burglars is dead . . . and so is the CEO's only son.


When Tartaglia receives a call from an old friend, he learns that she has just been assigned to represent the man accused of the burglary and murder. With time being of the essence, the defense attorney needs Tartaglia's help investigating the circumstances in order to establish a defense.


In a desperate search for answers, Tartaglia finds himself submerged in a raging river of deception, evil spells and witchcraft. It quickly becomes apparent that getting a man out of jail might be the least of Tartaglia's concerns as he uncovers an underworld consumed by the use of black magic . . . and a plot that scares the hell out of him.

For the first 120 pages this was one of the best books I have ever read. It was faced paced and I became an instant fan of Nicholas Tartaglia. I thought the last 50 pages were a little too unrealistic, even if you are willing to believe in Witches and Black Magic. There were also many (i.e., more than 10) grammatical errors throughout the book. I still give it 4 stars.

Phillip Tomasso weaves a fantastic tale of supernatural proportions in THIRD RING. This book keeps you at the edge of your seat, makes you question what you really believe, and entertains, all at the same time. I enjoyed reading this novel because it had just the right amount of characterization to make me feel like I know Tartaglia (the protagonist) but not so much that it took away from the plot.

Mystery and supernatural fans alike will delight in this novel. If you're looking for something fresh, you've just found it.

P.I. Nick Tartaglia has a knack for attracting cases out of the realm of normalcy. In THIRD RING, what started out as a case of burglary and murder seven months earlier, ends up pulling Tartaglia into a nightmare involving The Talisman, three books titled "Heaven," "Earth," and "Hell." He who possesses all three, possesses unspeakable powers of black magic. Just as in THE TENTH HOUSE, Tomasso expertly blurs the line between real and surreal, and knows how to flush out the dark side in chilling detail. An excellent follow-up to a promising series.

What if you had the power to control good and evil? What if this power came in three parts, and you only had one of those parts? Would you do anything you could to get the other two parts in order to control this power? And what would you do with this power, if you could obtain it?

Gordon Birdie, better known as Whine, and Anthony James broke into the home of Phillip Edwards Sr., one of Rochester's most prominent and powerful CEO's, searching for a mystical book. Both men were not normally thieves, nor had they ever done such a thing before, but getting the book was important and so they took the chance. The house was empty, or so they thought until Phillip Jr., the only son of the CEO, heard them. Upon hearing a noise in the basement, Phillip Jr. went to investigate. Carrying a gun he found Anthony and Whine robbing the safe. In the midst of the confrontation two men ended up dead, Anthony, and Phillip Jr. Whine ended up in jail, accused of burglary and murder.

Lynn Scannella, Attorney at Law, is assigned the case, when another attorney drops it. It is only a few weeks before trial and she has absolutely nothing to go on to defend her client. The only thing she can think of is to call her old friend, and private investigator, Nicholas Tartaglia to investigate and find out what happened, and why, in order to establish some kind of defense for her client.

Whine is giving Nick absolutely no help in finding anything that would help him beat the charges, even though he was not the one that killed either man. In fact Whine figures he is safer in prison than on the outside.

Nick follows up on some of the things that are already known, and soon finds out that there are three books, known as the Talisman involved. After searching for information about these books, what they represent and can do, as well as being warned to back off, which he refuses to do, Nick finds himself up to his neck in black magic, murder, and another world completely involved in the supernatural. A world that totally scares Nick to death.

THIRD RING is a very well written fast paced thriller with more than just a few twists and turns. It combines the occult with intrigue, mystery, murder, and even has a little romance thrown in.

Mr. Tomasso's characters are not only believable, and multi faceted, they are also intriguing. Some you will like, some you will hate, but all will grab your attention and pull you onto the next page.........and the page after that.

THIRD RING will have you questioning any prior thoughts you may have about the occult, or good versus evil. In fact if you had ever doubted there was a thing such as evil, THIRD RING may just dispel that doubt.

THIRD RING is a mix of mystery and the supernatural. A blend that Mr. Tomasso brings off in a smooth, fast paced manner. A manner that truly glides by the reader so smoothly and quickly that you won't even realize where the time has gone when you read the final words.

I definitely recommend everyone read this wonderfully crafted story. It will both entertain and intrigue you.

Mr. Tomasso is a talent we are all going to hear a lot more about, and what we will hear will be very good.

I do believe that after reading THIRD RING you will never look at the supernatural in the same way again. I know I won't. But I will definitely be looking for more out of Mr. Tomasso.

This book had some good tips for dog training and was easy and fun to read.

Great book, easy reading. Gives encouragement to anyone who may be handicapped in anyway, not just blind. Gives you insight to your own dog and how much they love you and want to please you. It also includes a beautiful well written love story between people. I throughly enjoyed reading this book, and I don't normally read much.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I was especially interested in not only the technology that is available to the blind, but also the different activities they are still able to do. Being "inside" the dog's mind was an interesting perspective. I could almost feel the anguish that both the man and the dog went through, as well as the triumph. I stayed up until 1:30 AM to finish it. I am going to read it again before I pass it on to the next reader.

I heard Betty White's interview on a local radio station and quickly bought the book on Amazon. I work at a dog boarding kennel and my husband likes to climb mountains. This book was perfect for me.

I was surprised to see (and feel) the braille on the books cover. When the readers perspective changed to the dogs point of view, it was simple yet meaningful at the same time. Not many people take the time to "see" through the dogs eyes. I would have liked more of Nelson's view toward the end of the book.

I finished the book in 3 days. I've already passed it onto a friend that is a veterinarian technician.

"Together", is a beautifully written book that lets you into so many places you are not allowed to go. Into the heart and head of a wonderful dog, who understands he has a job and wants to do it, well. And, into the heart of a man who has never had to totally trust others and finds out how in trusting others he could totally trust himself. This book is a lovely gift of the sharing of souls.. A book for all. Men will also enjoy this book. And any young person who loves dogs and the mountains. It is my favorite gift, to give, this summer.. My guy friends have truly enjoyed ..a lot.

Violet's Vision is a message of inspiration that is both delightful and thought provoking to read. Living true to our essence is something within us, and while I conscientiously make an effort to remain true, this book really helped remind me and inspire me. I highly recommend this book to anyone who aspires to liberate their personal power and manifest their highest visions.

If you are looking for a book to bring a child or friend out of a place of low activity and feeling defeated or to inspire them by giving them a gentle nugde and offering them a real and simple strategy to move on, this is it. Violet's story engages the reader in her dilema and you are caught up immediately in how she will discover her way to solving it. Easy to read, a great bedtime story for any age (adults too). You'll want to read it more than once.

Violet's Vision is an excellent message for connecting to your own personal life purpose. People of any age including children and adults will be blessed by reading this book. Author Fran Fisher is an excellent author and life coach. The words of the Violet's Vision are inspiring and the illustrations by Fran's grandchildren are beautiful. A great way to carry on the legacy.

This is a wonderful story of an angel who rediscovers the meaning of her existence by helping others see their own. The beautiful drawings by the author's grandchildren enhance the message that the writing so simply delivers. This is a great book to have as a reminder to persist with your own vision --- and when you want to snuggle up with your wee loved one and share an inspiring tale for them to live by.

I like it - it brought forth good emotions.. and after reading the book.. I might grab Violet by the hand along with my calendar and say... Let's take a look ahead together.. and make some dates...

The future is indeed now, and it is here in, THE VISION QUEST:BOOK ONE! What a terrific blend of the familiar, the scientifically probable, and the glimpse of what could be. This is a wonderfully crafted story, with fully developed characters that we can root for. And, as in life, it has the sharp sting of unexpected loss.

Good literature is the time machine we all like to ride, and, THE VISION QUEST, sends us on a journey to an era that is well worth visiting.

I thought that my addictions were all behind me until I read, BOOK ONE. I am now hooked, and look with great anticipation to my next dose with, BOOK TWO-THE ODYSSEY.

This a wonderful, mythic adventure, à la Stars Wars. I was enthralled by Lazer and his friends, and their quest to bring a new era and consciousness to their bizarre, future world. I also thoroughly enjoyed Lazer's love affair with Kyla. I'm saving this book. It's something my baby daughter will love when she's old enough to read.

The Vision Quest is a hugely imaginative work, presenting a captivating and deep new world to get utterly lost in. I personally really liked the post-distopian approach of the world, giving a nice balance between the horror or tragedy and the hope of rebirth.

The main cast of characters are all accessible and multi faceted, with this book setting them up for a journey that will no doubt captivate a huge audience and lead the series to become a prominent force in science fiction.

I love this book! So full of science fact and future. From the opening moments, the thrill ride was on. By the time these wondrous characters got to Tosadae, I couldn't put it down. Where's book 2!

Thank you Deborah Pratt for creating something to fill the VOID (fellow readers of TVQ will know the pun is thoroughly intended) in the realm of spiritual scifi. Can't wait for book two. Highest recommendation!

You read this book and discover your true nature and how you fit in this world. Never have I felt that close to nature...

No more discussion about the abuses of chimpanzees in abstract terms. Peterson goes out to find out what specifically happens to specific chimpanzees and tracks their lives usually to their grim end. Dr. Goodall, the world's foremost expert on free chimapanzees contrasts Peterson with her insightful understanding which over thirty years of intimate knowledge of these great apes has given her. Sharing more than 98% of our genes with the chimpanzee and all of the cognitive and emotional similarities that go along with that, we need to rethink how we treat our closest living relative.

This brilliant, understated book exposes a terrible injustice in the United States, corporate medicine's aggressive attempts to undermine the Endangered Species Act and CITES for their personal gain. Like so many embattled exploiters, they have responded to criticism and revelations with mud-slinging campaigns and lies, such as NIMH's estimate that they needed 200-300 chimpanezees a year to continue research vital to human health. At the same time, NIMH had access to more than 100 chimps, and was only able to find uses for 25 of them.

Goodall has taken the productive path: honesty without invective or confrontation. This has allowed her to accomplish small but significant changes, but they are far too small and far too trivial. It would be nice if Dr. Robert Gallo would agree to be locked into a 5x5x7 cage, with a grate at the bottom so he would not find himself smeared with all his feces, but nothing to protect him from the blowflies his stench would draw. Welcome to medical research.

Human beings have a history of declaring those it would exploit to be "lesser creations": Jews, Negros, Indians, Gypsies, the harmless primates we have nearly exterminated. When the "lesser creations" are human, they can speak out to protest, and they are heard. Someone else must speak for the chimpanzees mutilated in research labs, the orangutans brutalized to entertain Las Vegas drunks, the gorillas slaughtered so their children can be confined in zoos.

The next time you see *The Tempest,* imagine Caliban turning on Prospero, with his complacent human superiority, and speaking the extraordinary and powerful words of Shylock: "Hath not a beast eyes? Pricked do we not bleed?" Animals are bleeding to make your mascara safe. Read this book, look long at the orphaned chimp huddled in one of the photos, and then look in the mirror.

No more discussion about the abuses of chimpanzees in abstract terms. Peterson goes out to find what specifically happens to specific chimpanzees and tracks their lives usually to their grim end. Dr. Goodall, the world's foremost expert on free chimapanzees contrasts Peterson with her insightful understanding which over thirty years of intimate knowledge of these great apes has given her. Sharing more than 98% of our genes with the chimpanzee and all of the cognitive and emotional similarities that go along with that, we need to rethink how we treat our closest living relative.

Certainly the most influencial book I've ever read - it led to my pursuing a degree, becoming a vegan, and an animal rights activist. And a better person. The tales of misery endured by these brethren of our are a very difficult read for those who have the capacity to care selflessly about all life, but gives the reader a very genuine sencse of what they suffer at the hands of humans who would do anything to make money and enhance their careers. Visions of Caliban is a very sobering experience, and it's very difficult at points to read beyond a couple of pages, because the reality of what these horribly unfortunate beings is truly sadenning. If everyone read this book, chimpanzee research would come to a very sudden conclusion. Read this Book!

When I first saw Visions of Armageddon on sale at the bookstore, I often found myself looking at it more and more. So, finally, I bought it.

This has to be a great book on the 1998 blockbuster film. It contains information on all subjects from the film's genesis to final production. Hundreds of lavish photographs and drawing make it even better. It includes interviews with the cast and crew.

However, for people looking for a good book to read, ignore this. The information skips back and forth. One moment they are telling you about how the film began. Then they are telling you about how the special effects were made. Then they are telling about the genesis and so forth. But the lack of definite timeline does not at all hurt the story of the most overcritized film of all time. As Michael Bay said "There is nothing wrong with entertaining people."

If you love the movie, you might want to have it as one of your book collections. It shows the making of the movie & its illustrations. There are also some nice pictures of the cast for those fans who love Bruce, Ben & Liv. Don't miss it!!!

i love this book. it is printed on wonderful paper. it
will last & the fotos are GORGEOUSE! it explains a lot
the stuff behind the scenes & how it was done. more than
just a quickie movie-tie-in. it is worth having on it's
own!

One word on the movie: bad. Still even though the movie sucked, I found myself just peeking at the book while at bookstores. Needless to say I bought the book, and I enjoyed it ten times more then I did the movie. So if you have a choice between the book and the movie, buy the book. You won't regret it.

If you saw the movie, and loved it, go get Visions of Armageddon because it was so good and shows Dreamquest and Vfx how they did those spectacular Special FX. Great pictures from the movie. Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay makes a great team for a fun, high-paced, action-packed movie for the summer! One of my favorite movies of the summer, IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ARMAGEDDON GO SEE IT AND YOU'LL BE FEELIN' LIKED YOU GOT OUT OF AN KICK ASS ROLLER COASTER RIDE!!!!