Rook Books

In 1991, I had the privilege of being a student at the School of Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth under the direction of then Col James McDonough. A man of deep reflection, he was also passionate about soldiers and ensured that everything we did as students in teh study of warfare and campaign design kept them in mind.

Now I am a university professor offering courses in US military history. Part of what I do is to expose my students to leadership and battle at the small unit level. There is no better book for that purpose concerning Vietnam than McDonough.

Every student takes something different away from this book because, unlike many assigned books, they read it. The book captures you right from the beginning. You really can't put it down. And, it contains more lessons about life and leadership than I can express here.

Knowing the author personally in 1991-1992 is special, for I saw in him then the character that had developed from his time in Vietnam. He tells it like it is, he means what he says, and he stands by his word. His book is more than just a memoir, it is therapy for a man who must live with the past, both for better and for worse.

Platoon Leader was an excellent read, and one I would recommend for all those enjoy military reading. I would especially suggest it to all junior military leaders. Entertaining and well written, the author discusses at length his role as a leader, and what he views as good and bad leaders. The aspect of the book I enjoyed the most was it allowed the reader to see leadership, on a small-unit level, working in real-world combat conditions. Unlike many books leaders read for professional development, it shows how leadership works when employed and doesn't just philosophize about leadership principles.

James McDonough provides an in-depth look at infantry platoon operations in Vietnam. This is a must read for anyone who intends to pursue a military career. The book is very graphic, but also very succint and to the point. McDonough doesn't waste time with superfluous details, every word is well chosen and critical to the telling of the story. Once you begin reading, you will not want to stop. It is a quick read, and well worth the time it takes.

"Platoon Leader: A Memoir of Command in Combat," by James R. McDonough, chronicles the author's experiences as an officer in the Vietnam War from 1970-71. His platoon is charged with manning an outpost next to the village of Truong Lam.

This is a fascinating, well-written account. McDonough fills his narrative with vivid details that really made his story come alive in my mind. He doesn't flinch at describing the goriest and most horrific images of war. There are also moments of irony and bitter humor. Also noteworthy is the informative material about tactics used in Vietnam. And the author humanizes the story by touching on such "down-and-dirty" issues as the latrine his platoon used.

McDonough's story is populated with a compelling cast of characters. Particularly intriguing is his exploration of relationships among the various groups he encountered in the war zone--U.S. enlisted men, his fellow Army officers, Vietnamese military allies, enemy forces, and the many civilians caught up in the conflict.

While rich in scenes of combat, "Platoon Leader" goes beyond being just an action-packed war yarn. The book explores the ethics and morals of war. McDonough deals directly with the danger a soldier faces in becoming dehumanized by the brutality of war. He vividly portrays the struggle of a leader to remain wise and humane, yet also tough and resolute, under the most trying of circumstances. This book is both a profound meditation on wartime leadership and a powerful work of American literature.

As a junior officer I have an entire list of professional reading that I am trudging my way through, but so far McDonough has been by far the most enjoyable and has made the biggest impact on my own leadership style. Both Platoon Leader and Defense of Hill 781 are great books, but Platoon Leader is so far the best military memoir I have read. It has been over a year since I read this book, but the three things that have stuck with me are:
1. Do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason.
2. Death in a combat zone is more about just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sooner or later your luck runs out, but you have the duty to your fellow soldiers to do everything in your power to protect them.
3. The stealing of a bottle of soda from a grandmother leads slowly but inevitable to the rape of her granddaughter. If you let your soldiers steal at all you are setting the stage for what atrocities they will commit later. You must always be vigilant in your discipline.

While I do not have combat experience, I am currently serving in Iraq and know second handedly that these concepts still hold true.

Other than the leadership aspect of the book, Mcdonough is just a great story teller and is able to make the book engaging and addicting.

I found this book to be such a help when my husband left. Linda put into words what I was feeling and when the emotions surround and there is no one to talk to, reading the book helps to know you are not alone. She identifies so many of the different feelings going on and empathizes with the reader, but then gives positive direction as to where to place one's hope and trust during the turbulent time to find peace. I've already given a copy to a friend going through a separation and will do so again for anyone I know who is going through a similar situation.

Linda - thank you so much for writing this book. I'm reading another Christian book on separation; and it does have good insight. But there is something so precious and valuable from hearing from a Christian woman who has GONE THROUGH what she is writing about. I identify with so much of what she says and, while I've only just started reading the book, and I'm only a few weeks into a separation from my husband, I have a feeling that what she says is real wisdom. Thank you so much. I would definitely recommend this book.

A good friend went through a separation. My marriage was strong, so I kept silent. After all, what did I have to say? But this book is written by someone who has walked in my friend's shoes. She understands how my friend feels because she has experienced the heartache, the anger, the loss, the confusion, and the hope that things might get better. It is a perfect resource to place in my friend's hands. It's written in devotion style, which makes perfect sense since my friend says that she's living one day at a time. Thanks, Linda W. Rooks, for writing this book for women who don't need pithy statements, but to know that someone else has walked in their shoes with hope and faith.

Often I refer to major relationship problems as a 'cancer' that requires rapid response to prevent further damage from the disease. A failing marriage often takes on the same traits as a major illness... the marriage is dying and without attention it will come to an end through divorce. Thankfully Linda's excellent book on the value of separation will be like chemotherapy for dying marriages and will likely save many of them from ending in a divorce because of the practical insights and systematic approach to come to a place of peaceful resolution on the road to restoration. It's invaluable from a counseling perspective and may be exactly what you need to save your marriage. This would be a great tool to give to friends or family members who don't want a divorce, but know that something's got to change. Structured separations may be the answer they are looking for and this book will show them how.

I bought this book before my husband moved out and it really did become a "friend". The author went through a long separation herself and it was encouraging to not only read some of her story but other women's too.

Steven James does it again with a novel that is nothing short than a mental boxing match with hard hits and spins that leave you down for the count. The funny thing is that you keep coming back to for more, even if that last section you read made your head spin like someone planted an uppercut to the chin.

This is turning out to be my favorite author and series in quite a long time and James is certainly my favorite suspense author since those early days of Koontz. He has this way of putting you right into the action with his intricate descriptions and well researched information that fully plant you into the book like some sort of virtual reality.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a really deep suspense novel that can't be put down and plays out like an epic movie masterpiece in your mind. The only suggestion I have is that you read his first novel "Pawn" first. They don't necessarily have to be read in order, but I will say that you'll get more out of the second one with some prior knowledge. You'll also want to read the first after this novel blows you away and will wish you'd read that one first with the parts that build on each other from the start.

As The Pawn ends, FBI agent Patrick Bowers is learning how to be a dad to his angst-filled step-daughter and recovering from a serial killer's too-close-for-comfort interest in his family. The Rook begins in ever-beautiful San Diego, California, where Bowers and Raven are enjoying some much needed time together. Both are working hard to navigate these new 'family' waters without treading on toes, Bowers being happy to not have cases going on.

But the cases find him. An arsonist case demands Bowers expertise in geo-spatial investigative work and before long Bowers in the midst of one of the most difficult and deeply personal cases of his life. His budding relationships with Raven and Agent Lien-hua teeter on the edge of breaking apart as Bowers deals with his own personal demons. Through these experiences Bowers must learn how to relate to those he cares about and those he would rather see dead.

The reader will find this book difficult to put down. Until they finish it work and school might seem a little dull and any number of daily experiences will begin to take on an air of importance as they wonder how someone like Bowers or Lien-hua would handle themselves. One gets interested in the characters, even the conversations, and finds themselves wondering why the characters would not say or do something that seems relationally smart in that instance. Steven James does a wonderful job of giving the reader the vantage point of one observing from the outside and yet right in the thick of things. Your library would not be complete without this continuation of a promising saga of books by Steven James!

As in The Pawn, The Rook finds FBI geographic profiler Patrick Bowers hot on a serial case, this one seemingly involving only arson. But before long the stakes ratchet up to include kidnapping, suicide, murder, taunting video tapes, a challenging deadline, and a serial killer of surprising identity. And fueling it all is a biotech weapon, one of the world's most deadly devices and one of the military's darkest secrets. I want to give you more specifics about the plot, but I am forcing myself to stop here as I don't want to ruin the page turning surprises you will encounter in this almost five hundred page thrill ride.

Bestselling author, Steven James has mastered the thriller, and with only two fiction books under his belt, has surpassed many of the big name thriller authors. Clearly James understands the concept of the BIG novel as in both The Pawn and The Rook, you couldn't ask for a more aggressive, big, and I mean really big plot. As a writer I admire his ability to think on such a high level, his unique plot lines, and his diligent research.

Equally important as the race to the end plot are the characters James has richly developed. My favorite parts of the book involve the interplay between Tessa and Patrick. James gave us a glimpse of this tumultuous relationship in The Pawn, but in The Rook, Tessa is more of a starring player. James has captured the wit, sarcasm, and emotions of a teenager, though I have to say, Tessa like everything else in this book is not what she seems on the surface.

I am one of the plethora of readers who loved The Pawn, but before I read The Rook I had the chance to sit down with Steven James for an interview. As the book unfolded and the plot built, I kept remembering what he told me in the interview--all the technology he expertly used in The Rook exists today and all that is left is for someone to put it together and make the weapon. Wow, did this up the thrill of reading the book for me. And hopefully it will for you as you listen to my interview with Steven James at www.thesuspensezone.com/InterviewStevenJames.html

Patrick Bowers is a special agent investigating a series of fires in San Diego, and he's stumped. Lien-hua Jiang, also a special agent with several years experieance as a profiler hasn't seen anything like it either. Every clue they follow seems to lead to a dead end. A homeless man commits suicide, and Patrick, who is the only witness discovers there's an ongoing investigation the police department doesn't want to share with him. Events escalate as Patrick and Lien-hua search for the elusive man known as Shade. They're in a race against time to save the lovely woman who is trapped in a desperate, life-threatening situation.This book is wall to wall suspense. Once I started reading, I hated to put it down. Steven James writes a great story that keeps the reader hooked from page one. If you like suspense, intrigue, and spine-tingling tension, don't miss The Rook

In THE ROOK, Steven James follows up the sensational THE PAWN with another great thriller featuring FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers. Bowers is summoned to San Diego to help solve a string of 14 fires that had been set by an unknown arsonist. Bowers brings his step daughter along because he believes there is really no danger. While at the scene of a fire, Bowers and Tessa witness the dramatic suicide of a homeless person. Then the plot takes off from there. A mastermind named "Shade" recruits an evil ex-con named Creighton Melice to do his bidding. Victor Drake's technological firm is developing a top secret weapon for the government called "Project Rukh." Then there are fires and murders, backstabbing and betrayal, and plenty of twists and turns.

THE ROOK is a complex thriller filled with great characters and a twisting plot. This is one Christian novel that can stand up to the best in the thriller genre, Christian or not. Bowers is still struggling to raise the teenage Tessa, a step-daughter from a marriage that ended when his wife died. Tessa is a smart girl who longs for the family Bowers provides and needs the freedom and trust all teenagers desire. When not on the case, Bowers is having his own feelings about Lien-Hau, another agent on the case.

THE ROOK is full of violence and evil, but beneath it all is a layer of grace and peace. James takes the readers to the limit and then brings them back. This book might be too intense for fans of tamer Christian fictin. At times, the plot might be too comlex. Many times, Bowers takes in the evidence, comes the conclusion that something just isn't right, but doesn't do anything about it until later when it is convenient for the plot. Overall, this is a thrilling, fast paced novel. You'll get your money's worth on this one and I can't wait for the next one.

This book claims something no other chess book (that I have seen) does: total accuracy. Dr. Nunn prepared this book on Rook and Pawn endings with the help of Ken Thompson's endgame database, so that every position therein, and every solution given, is guaranteed to be 100% accurate. This book covers ONLY the subject of chess endgames with king, rook and a single pawn against king and rook, but this topic is much, much bigger than it may seem at first glance. While a computer can crank out solution after solution to endgame problems, only a strong human chess player like GM Nunn can take the resulting data and explain it in ways that make it useful to other humans who want to understand how to win (or avoid losing) these difficult endgames. Nunn has done an excellent job of explaining the whys and wherefores of each move (because frankly, the ONLY winning move in some of these positions is very counterintutive). I know that my endgame play will be stronger after working through the problems in this book and I recommend it to anyone who finds rook and pawn endings daunting.

This book is the absolute and final truth on rook and pawn vs. rook endgames. Another book will never need to be written. If you really want to know the truth on these endgames, then this is truly the book for you.

It's not as bad to read as a previous reviewer claimed. Of course, if you want to study rook endings more generally or less deeply, then this isn't the book for you. "Surviving Rook Endings" probably is--and it is a really good introduction. If you have any doubt, then you almost certainly want "Surviving" rather than this one.

Thanks to Dr. Ken Thompson's work, we have the standard 5-piece (also some of other simple) endgame database. Based on Dr. Thompson's database, Dr. John Nunn prepared a 3-volumn book-set that covers "almost all" 5-piece endings. Rook and Pawn versus Rook is the first of the set. Using the symmetric property, they are able to cut the workload to 25%. By writing from the white's point-of-view, who has material advantage, the work is cut by half; then by mirroring the Q-side and K-side, only work for the P on the Q-side is sufficient (another 50% reduction). The final positions are: a) white can promote the P (win), b) white wins black R (win), c) black can eliminate white P (draw) (and force trading R's.) The study starts with the P on the 7th rank to see if it's a win or draw. Then the P retreats one step to 6th rank, and continues all the way to 2nd rank.
A few years ago, I know only one R and P ending (Lucena position) and about four general rules:
1) Rook on the seventh is worth one (or even two) P-sacrifice.
2) Active Rook is important in the endgame.
3) The side with material advantage has "more" chance to win if he can cuts off the defending K.
4) The defender should get his K in front of the P; otherwise he has "less" chance to draw.
"More or less" are relative terms here. In this book, Dr. Nunn provides the "absolute truth" about this type of endings.
His work in this book is outstanding (5 stars). I wonders who could remember most of the analysis he gives in the book. He mentions that even Kasparov might have trouble to play this with such precision. So, how practical is the book? I don't see how the average players can see the practicality of this book (I can't), except for the practical tips Nunn gives at the end of every section. That's a good place to start. If we want simpler study, then Averbakh's Essential Chess Endings is another good start. My C- and B-players don't care much for simple endings; they like to play with pieces. This is where I have a little edge on them. The analysis from Nunn's ending set provides a good means for post-mortem discussion.

I reccommend this book to any serious chessplayer. Nunn gives the low down on all rook versus rook plus pawn endings. Firstly, the information in this book is 100% accurate since a computer created the database. Any serious chessplayer would normally be looking for none other than the truth and in rook endings this is hard to come by. Secondly, Nunn demonstrates a fantastic concept known as reciprocal zugzwang. It turns out, assuming white is up the pawn, that in most positions, white to play wins while black to play draws. In a reciprocal zugzwang position, white to play draws and black to play loses. Hence, unlike normal zugzwang position where one color has a waiting move, reciprocal zugzwang positions offer neither color a waiting move (the easiest example you'll ever see is white- ka8 rb8 pa7 black- kc7 rc8). Lastly, the setup of this book is good too. Nunn starts with positions with the pawn of a7 and works his was to a2 (for obvious reasons). He then tackles b, c and d positions in the same way. To conclude, I did want to say that while this book contains all the information you'll ever need to know about this particular ending, the information will not seep into your brain from under your pillow. You will need to put in an obscene amount of time to get from cover to cover.

This book is often touted as being the final word on K+R+P vs. K+R. I agree with this contention but I have to say that this book is more than a reference work. The basic methods of play are elucidated here as in no other text. Even the famous "Rook Endings" by Smyslov and Levenfish devotes only 47 pages to K+R+P vs. K+R. Other books just give Lucena, Philidor and some general methods of play. Anyone playing a rook ending has to constantly keep in mind the possibility of simplification to a simpler rook ending. Consequently, the material covered by Nunn serves as the building block for a rigorous study of rook endings in general. The book offers unparalleled insight and understanding. John Nunn, in the three books he has written on endings, constantly strives to translate computer results into ideas and insights palatable to the human mind. Every student of the game should have this book on his shelf.

Every profession should be so lucky to have someone write a book like this! Rooks has comprehensively and sytematically reviewed the scientific literature pertaining to the care of pregnant and birthing women and the issues of from whom, where, and under what conditions they receive care from health professionals. She writes in a readable, straightforward manner that makes her book useful and accessible to consumers and health care providers. The author is a Centers for Disease Control-educated epidemiologist and a certified nurse-midwife who has evaluated maternal and women's health programs abroad and conducted several major research projects in the United States.

Judith Pence Rooks has written the best book available in the subject of Midwifery. It is a complete history, and is extremely well-written. It includes a comprehensive bibliography. For those of us who have had multiple home-births it is an invaluable resource. This will doubtless be the standard reference for years to come. We hope it will encourage the home-birth movement, and the use of mid-wives, as a safer alternative to physicians, in the United States.

Most comprehensive review of the historic, political, legal, and economic forces which shaped the practice of midwifery in America.

Rooks is a great researcher and puts the facts down in readable language without blame on doctors nurses midwives or parents. Most objective book on this highly controversial subject matter.

This book is an essential part of any canine library.

Just have to say its an incredibly good book on dogs. Those of us who love dogs sometimes sit around at shows endlessly analyzing gait. This book is a professional way to do it, but written so well that amateurs can understand and be interested. Good for all breeds, but if you have a dog in performance events, like hunting, coursing, running, or agility, you need this book. Or, if you have a breed prone to hip dysplasia, like Rotties or Dobes, you need this book.

The Author did a great job writing this book in terms most people can understand. Illustrations were O.K.,Breed Predispositions were good. Covered everything that might be an Orthpedic problem. Great book to have on the book shelf for anyone with dogs period. Will recommend this one.

I began teaching EFL 15 years ago in Japan, continued doing so in the US , and I am back in Japan again. Having taught hundreds of classes from privates to groups of 30, I rely on this discussion book because its topics are universally appealing and can be easily modified for all levels of learners. The most favorite unit, amongst my students, has been the one about designing the perfect child. The most controversial unit was deciding which person should get a heart transplant. In both cases, the students are encouraged to define values from gender to professional recognition and then imagine the consequences of their choices.

For EFL/ESL teachers, this book helps to take the teacher out of the center and lets the students do the essential activities of organizing and leading discussions. The teacher is free to monitor and participate as a critical thinker rather than as an authority figure. Beginning teachers will find this workbook the integral component of their teaching portfolios.

I am a student teacher in Hong Kong and I have used this books several times. It is easy to modify the content to suit students from different culture! The activities can really arouse the interest of students too! It is a good book for speaking activities~!

I am teaching English in China. Recently, I borrowed this book from a friend and it has been a lifesaver! Having to come up with topics was a chore but now...

This book has each leson split up into four parts. First, students READ through the situation and then CONSIDER outcomes. Next they DISCUSS the questions. And if that hasn't filled up enough time, there is an EXTEND section that gives you questions to guide and continue the discussion.

Situations covered include: what would you take if you had to live on an uninhabited island, who gets the heart transplant, what advice do you give to people and so on.

If you are going to be teaching free talk anytime so, get this book. It's, well, fabulous.

This is one of my favorite books. It has the constant thrill that every book should have. Even if it is a little short for your liking (When i looked at it I thought it was short) beleve me it is packed with.... well......Cool things!

Have you ever gone on a trip and thought that everything was wrong and nothing was right? Well , than you can probably relate to Vampires Plagues Paris , 1850 by Sebastian Rook. Jack( the main charicter) thought that it was only a dream and his two friends Ben and Emily keep telling him that it WAS only a dream.They assume that they have really BANISHED the vampire god Camazotz. Did they really? Jack keeps hearing the voice of the vampire god Camazotz echoing in his head promising to return from the depths of HELL. Is it true or is Jack just imagining things from the last little battle that they had.Did Camazotz just hide away in a cave instead of going to the depths of HELL? While Victorian London may be safe,a strange sickness is raging in Paris. Is it just a sickness or is Camazotz really back? Will somebody get hurt or will somebody close die? Read this book and find out. If you like mystery and suspenspens than you've found yourbook.

I have to admit, this book wasn't as thrilling as the first, yet it was still action-packed. In my opinion, the first and third are the best. Still, I LOVE this new series, so I give it a high rate. Sebastian Rook, your books are quite adventurous!

This is a superb book. It's short easy to digest and contains just the right amount of detail. IT looks after key positions like Lucena and Philidor but also goes into the plans for
several key rook endings. Emms Survival guide to rook endings is more comprehensive but i much prefer this book

This book will not waste time on hundreds upon hundreds of tedious Rook and Pawn positions and variations. It will, however, give you the ideas on how to play these types of endings. Ideas are easier to memorize than variations - with the right idea, the correct variation will not be so hard to find. It even teaches how to play the "inferior" side of a rook ending. This book helped me improve not only my endgame play but also enhanced my game overall. Best buy for the buck. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

This book helped me to understand rook & pawn endgames like no other before it. I had previously read Pandolfini's Endgame Course, Capablanca's Chess Fundamentals, Tarrasch's Game of Chess, and Reassess Your Chess (which has a few pages on the subject). These are all good books. But I never fully comprehended rook endings until I read this book. I finally understand the Lucena & Philidor positions and Why They Are So Important. And much more... This book is cheap, short (only 70 pages), and chock full of extremely useful information. I am a strong B player and just beat my first expert due to this book!

The "Classic British Rook and Rabbit rifle" is one of the best books written on that subject. Most of the major manufacturers are listed - the articles are well detailed, and easy to read - and the book is nicely illustrated with first class pictures. Well worth the price - actualy a steal for the money!!

This is an excellent reference at a bargain price!
Well written and the photos are worth the price of the book