Vans Books

I brought this book on account of the great reviews, but deep down I was cynical that it would work..well - I'm a believer!. This book is very very easy to read, and the author testifies from being broke to coming into abundance. Yes I know you've heard that many times before, but this 'storehouse principal' works.

After reading this book I went and opened up a 'Storehouse' account. I even named it that (much to the amusement of the bank teller)and deposited $1.40 into it (to much greater amusment from the teller!!). In the FIRST MONTH I had $7500 come in from unexpected sources.

This is based on scriptual foundations. They are sooo simple and clear.

Buy this book!! Incidently I gave mine to a couple who were struggling with finance..now he's got work coming from everywhere and a big smile on his face.

This is a very good and informative must read. If you have or are currently struggling with finances. Read this book then apply "The Storehouse Principle". In 3 short weeks I can already see a difference in how I relate to and react to finances.

Simply put - If you want to revolutionize your finances, read and APPLY.
Be a doer not just a reader of this book! What great material! I wish I had known about it years ago! Get your children in on it as well! Share the book with everyone you know.

Wow...so simple!! I am only about halfway through this book and find the principles easy to apply to your life. The authors suggest making adjustments in dealing with your finances God's way and watching how God will bless with good stewardship. Excellent examples are given...I'm so impressed with this little book that I plan to give it to a number of my friends and family members for Christmas.

If you're looking for a book that will encourage you, inspire you and challenge you--buy this one! "The Storehouse Principle" is intriguing in its concept, while remaining solid and Biblically sound. If you're skeptical about the genre of "Faith=Prosperity," I don't blame you. But this book has none of that sleazy, cheesy factor
(I've worked in book development for a Christian company, and I've read some mediocre stuff that never should've seen the light of day). It simply tells you how to go about your life as God wants you to, by developing a "storehouse," both financially and mentally. It's not about hoarding or a quick path to riches. It's about setting aside part of what God provides for you so that you can rest easier, not be consumed with worry--and watching God bless you for your obedience to scriptural teaching.The authors tell some moving stories about how God honored their obedience and multiplied their efforts. The stories glorify God, not the authors--so I believe they really happened. Even if you don't consider yourself "religious," you'll benefit greatly from this book's wisdom, unless you have an absolute aversion to anything that mentions God or the Bible. I read this book over a year ago, and its principles have become ingrained in my mind. Now when I think about buying something I really don't need, the thought comes to me: "Should I buy this....when the money could go into my storehouse?" Some may say "Well, that's just another word for 'savings' "--but you really need to read the book to see why "Storehouse Living" is at a different level completely. I can't say enough good things about this book. Read it for yourself; wacth your life and mindset about money change.

a wonderful memory of a once in a lifetime exhibit. 7 years of drawing before he ever picked up a brush....

The book is much more technical than the "Letter" book I recently read. I enjoy that because I have always wanted to know how he painted or drew his pictures as well as how is life and painting developed.

This is the catalogue for a 2005 exhibit at the Met. A valuable addition to the literature on Van Gogh, it encompasses his whole career as a draughtsman, and a brilliant one of course. The images are perfect (you sometimes get the impression that you are holding the actual drawing) and the text very helpful, giving sizes, provenances and many excerpts of Van Gogh's own letters.I remember visiting the exhibition in crammed rooms on a saturday afternoon, therefore I was glad to be able to savour it once again in a quieter atmosphere, thanks to the book.

Full of drawings and descriptions of them, it is a great help regarding the importance of drawing and the use of different materials. It is the best collection of drawings from Van Gogh that I have ever been able to lay my hands on. Full of information collected from different museums
A must for those who enjoy a good drawing or are taking drawing seriously.

Lord Kenneth Clark, at the end of his book and television series, Civilization, said he had come to believe that there was such a thing as "genius". After looking through this book, so will you.

With over 350 drawings, mostly reproduced in color, and dozens more color reproductions of paintings, this will no doubt be the definitive work of the artist's drawings. We see many of his early drawings, including those enhanced with chalk, watercolor, etc. We see the drawings and watercolors done in preparation for his paintings and then we see the paintings themselves.

But the high points of the book are the three drawings in pen and ink done after each of the paintings and intended as reproductions of those works. He wanted a means to share these paintings with three different correspondents: John Russell, Emile Bernard and his brother Theo. He obviously couldn't afford the oil and canvas to reproduce each painting three more times. These laborious drawings were executed and mailed to individuals with whom Van Gogh wanted to share his work (and perhaps impress), or, in the case of his brother, to also show his love and appreciation. Slight variations among the three drawings after the same painting show further, "post-oil" development of each subject and give us additional insight into his style and his thinking. The color reproductions of his drawings allow us to see how the ink on each has faded over time and a 100-year old reproduction of a drawing shows us how the original has faded over time. Because virtually all of the drawings done as a mature artist were on 9-1/2 by 11-1/2 sheets, the reproductions in the book are almost actual size.

Fortunately, both Bernard and Theo's widow and heirs believed very strongly in his work, including his drawings, and ignored the advice of critics to throw it all away. They continued to promote the artist's work after his death, eventually leading to his broader recognition over the following decades. If you appreciate great drawing, this is a "must have" book.

Imagine being in a great storm on a ship with your crewmates being apes. This is what ends up happening to a captain in The Wretched Stone, written by Chris Van Allsburg. The story starts out with a smart crew that is on a boat and who are setting sail. When the crew hits land, they find a mystical stone. While watching the stone, the crew is fasinated with the stone a little too much. After watching the stone for some time, the crew turns into apes, and not at the oppertune time, because a storm is headed their way, forcing the smart captain into a tough situation.

This is a very good fiction bood, especially with Chris Ban Allsbrug's excellent descriptions which almost match the pictures in the story. This is also a very imaginative book, especailly considering that it is a kid's book, which is always imaginative. I also thought this was just a good book. Of all of the Allsburg books I've read, this is the best. So, all imagitive kids should read this terrific book, written by Chris Van Allsburg.

Have you heard about the book The Wretched Stone? The author, Chris Van Allsburg, made a beautiful book. This book I will never forget. I am glad I read this book. I hope you will enjoy this book like I did.

I thought that the colors were pale in the pictures. But, the theme is good. The theme is to not watch too much TV. The art work is like real people. I can tell that the author's words are very stiff. The story takes place mostly at sea in the boat.

In The Wretched Stone it said, "Some play musical instruments and there are a few good strong storytellers among them." Also, a good quote they said is, "I am playing the violin and reading to the crew." I like the ending a lot. Also it is very funny that the crew turns into monkeys. The author's style is to make the kids see it in there minds.

The crew and the captain are going through bad times. These entire things have a solution. The captain is the person who solves them. I enjoyed this book.

I feel that the book is meant for higher grade levels. Mostly for forth and fifth graders. The pictures are not cartoons, they are real people. This book is very extraordinary. This book is a 4 star book. I hope this book review will make you read it too.

Even my eight-year-old grandchild got the message of this wonderful allegory. The Wretched Stone is an important story with a message-- a great reminder lesson for children and adults alike, about the dangers of watching too much television. It's so easy to slide into the passive oblivion in front of the tube. We need to tear ourselves and our children away from the "glowing orb."
The sailors on the ship became captive to a glowing stone that said nothing. Anything like that around your house?

This is one of my favorite Chris Van Allsburg books. Chris Van Allsburg, author to gems like The Polar Express, The Stranger, Just a Dream, and The Wreck of the Zephyr, tells another captivating story with a message. This one serves as a great reminder and launching point for discussion, for children and adults alike, about the dangers of too much television.

It's estimated that the average child watches about 4 hours of TV per day. That calculates out to 28 hours per week or 120 hours per month. Imagine what any one of us could accomplish in that amount of time! The sad truth is that for so many of us parents, the TV becomes a cheap and easy babysitter for our kids.

The Wretched Stone is a great story with wonderful illustrations and a very important message.

I love Chris Van Allsburg books, I want to own all of them! this book was especially good to teach my student how to infer, they had fun collecting the clues the authro gives and then inferring what the wretched stone was. It was a good reading lesson, they loved it and I do too.

The Truth: I'm a Girl, I'm Smart and I Know EverythingAs a positive psychologist I am always looking for ways and methods to help mothers and fathers understand their kids and vica versa.

Understanding is the first step toward better relationships and a greater capacity to accept differences among loved ones. From a parent's point of view it is hard to have this lovable child that is so precious suddenly become a monster. From the teen's perspective it is impossible to understand how someone who is trying to ruin my life can really love me or care. So what is to be done? Vanessa, actually still a teen herself when she wrote this book, seems to know much of what needs to happen.

For one thing, we need to understand each other's thinking and feeling capacities. Without that knowledge we expect the impossible. Parents need to know that kids think differently from us, and with less logical functioning. Kids need to know that they may not be interpreting accurately the facial expressions and remarks of their parents. And so Vanessa sets out to help both generations. She has provided great research on cognitive development. She also has provided tons of data on what kids really think. And she has given both generations ways of finding solutions around so many of the growing up issues that seem to send sparks flying in the household.

I think this is the best book I have seen for parents, teachers and teens. Everyone can read and benefit from the material and the suggestions. I can only imagine what Vanessa Van Petten will offer society over the next 50 years. People talk about concert virtuoso's who are 16, 18 or 24. Well, Vanessa is a social psychologist of the finest caliber whether she has the advanced degree yet or not. At 22 she is someone to admire, listen to and make sure to stay posted about. Can't wait for the next book.

At first, I was really skeptical about this. My mother made me read it and I felt for a bit that it was a punishment. After I got into it though I was very pleasantly surprised.

I thought it provided a lot of good insight, and I'm definitely glad my parents read it too, because now I think they understand where I'm coming from a lot better and we can work through our issues and get what we both want out of things.

Coming from a teenager that doesn't really like reading and was particularly reluctant about approaching this topic, I thought this book was a great, easy, entertaining, and yes, very helpful, read. I highly recommend it.

Jonathan

This book was a fantastic eye-opening experience into the lives of teenagers from the perspective of a teenager. Ms. Van Patten really is able to show us how the world has changed for our youth today and how we better can understand what they are facing. I enjoyed the book tremendously and have been able to employ some of the ideas to strenghten the mother/daughter relationship with my daughter. I have bought copies of the books for many of my mom friends as I know they too will get a lot out this book. Thank you!

Catherine Nofri, Los Angeles, CA

Family members are facing some distinct but not uncommon challenges with their teenage kids. I am gifting this book to them, in hopes that some resolution is on the horizon, due to Van Petten's practical approach and accessible "teen speak."

A Wiseman
Santa Fe NM

I bought this book for myself, but plan to give it to my daughter who is growing up too quickly. This book is great because it tells the story from both sides of the coin, in a way that can be easily understood by all parties involved.

The plot of the story takes place in Holland during World War II, it shows the challenges Dutch people faced while coexisting with the Germans. One thing I disliked happened during the winter period when the oldest members of the family made the little kids go from door to door begging for food while they sat at home waiting for them. One thing I liked was when the Verhagen family took the youngest kids into the house and supplied them with food, shoes, and warmth. I also liked that they had joined into the resistance of the Nazis and took in the Jewish army men.
The setting truly showed how hard it was to live during World War II, in occupied Holland. The author showed me this by having the Dutch have a curfew. If they were caught they would be chased down until they were captured. One of the Dutch was so desperate he rode on the wings of the windmill to stay safe. The windmill also played an important roll in the story because that is where they would live and even hide people in them.
The conflict of the story is that the Verhagen family doesn't have any good crop growing soil so they can not produce any food. This conflict is man vs. man and man vs. nature. The resolution is that the Verhagen family destroys the dike and water floods the whole farming community. This in turn waters the soil so it can produce crops. Since they did this the family is rewarded with many presents like food or other household items. One thing I enjoyed about this conflict was that it was realistic and showed that anything could happen. I disliked that it was something someone would have done.

I loved The winged Watchman when I was growing up and am pleased to see that it has been reissued for a whole new generation of readers. In my opinion, it should be required reading for all kids-- it depicts a family living under Nazi occupation and facing it with courage. The Vorhagen Family lives in the Netherlands, and as the occupation and the war proceeds, the family becomes more drawn into the resistance movement.

They shelter several refugees from the Nazis-- Trixie, a baby whose mother has been sent to a conentration camp, Charles, an airman who is hiding from the Nazi troops, Koba and Betsy, who take refuge with the Verhagens because they have nothing to eat in their own home, and Hildebrand, a student who wishes to study rather than fight. With frequent visits from Uncle Cor, who is active in the resistance, the family draws together, determined not to succumb to the brutality they see all around them.

This book serves as an excellent example to children of a family's bravery and of the importance of doing the right thing. It's a terrific book and is one that will touch your children's hearts as it is teaching them a valuable lesson.

The Winged Watchman is a fictional story about a Dutch family, the Verhagens, who live in a mill in the middle of WWII. They include Mother, Father, Joris, and Dirk Jan. Throughout the process of the book there are many additions to the Verhagen family. They include Trixie (a little Jewish girl who's parents were taken away at the beginning of the war), Freya (an abused dog rescued by Joris), Charles (an English aviator), Uncle Cor (a member of the Underground Resistance Movement), Koba and Betsy (two young girls who came to stay with them because of lack of food at their own house), and Hildebrand (a young man who was interested in studying rather than working in the resistance). The Verhagen family eventually becomes very involved in the resistance movement. It is sad when Uncle Cor dies, but the book actually has a very happy theme to it. This book mixes adventure, history, and suspense, and it's okay for children. They do mention shooting and concentration camps, but they aren't graphically described. They don't happen at the same time. They are mentioned as something that happened somewhere else. This book is a perfect example of the spirit of teamwork.

This book was about how a boy, who lived in holland during WW2 survived. He took part in helping the resistance by housing a pilot and acting as a distraction. He also helped to keep Holland from flooding when the electric pumps went out. I would recommend this book to others because it was veary enteraining.

I first heard of Hilda Van Stockum when I bought a used book by her, "Pegeen" for a mere quarter a few years ago -- oh my! What a find!!! Couldn't put the book down, started researching all of Mrs. Van Stockum's books, and read them as fast as I could find them. Bought several from amazon and ebay, and they are WONDERFUL. They're written for children, but utterly held the interest of this 51 year old reader. What a shame these books aren't still widely circulated and read by today's kids. If you read the reviews posted here, you'll get an idea of The Winged Watchman's story -- a riveting account, clearly truth-based, and perfectly told. All of the Van Stockum books have made me cry with their impact, yet they are told in an utterly natural way, no grandstanding. These are the kind of characters that stay with you, in the best sense, like Francie from "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" or the Moffats, or Scarlett O'Hara. They are unforgettable. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND The Winged Watchman and all of Hilda Van Stockum's books. And you should Google her! A fascinating and accomplished person, her life will impress and inspire you. Sorry to ramble on! Thanks.

I picked this book up when it came out over a year ago. I still have it on the coffee table for questions that come up. Now I need more for friends. It makes a great gift for Birthdays and etc. Easy to figure out and very positive.

Chancing Life-Wisdom in a Dice Toss gives the reader inspiration and hope every time it is read. Guided by the excitement of rolling the dice to determine the chapter you will read makes this random reading even more intriguing. Each time I read the "designated" chapter, I find that it hits home and opens my eyes to new and positive possibilities. I recommend this book for the cynic and the optimist - the ideas therein can only improve our lives and the lives of others. Besides...you only need to read two pages in a sitting!

I had the distinct honor of being one of the first book critics to publish a review of 'Chancing Life'and still find it one of the very few books I return to again and again for its helpful insight and guidance. A very worthy read!

If you have used tarot cards or some other method for guidance in the past you'll love this book. You'll be surprised by how easy it is to use. The method is simple and the guidance is clear and concise. This book is a definite must buy.

Chancing Life: Wisdom In A Dice Toss by Las Vegas (a.k.a. "Mystic Mona" and hostess of the Psychic View radio show, columnist for The Las Vegas Weekly, and a licensed psychic) showcases a new method of divination using two regular six-sided dice. Basically, you think of a question and roll the dice, then turn to the page of the combination rolled in the pages of Chancing Life and look up the answer to your question. Chancing Life provides the exact attitude, tool or action to encourage the most beneficial outcome to the question posed with the dice roll. Chancing Life is recommended to the attention of students and practitioners of Occult and Metaphysical divinations.

I never knew quite where Engima was going to take me until I was finished with it. At times I was confused -- hell, most of the time I was confused. I worried that it would become too preachy or philosophical to be enjoyable; I worried it would fall into randomness and end without making sense; I worried it would fall victim to awkward stereotypes. It did none of these things.

Enigma is a fantastic story, dark and twisted. The art reflects this well; it may not be the prettiest thing to look at, but it's fitting enough that it shouldn't be a problem for almost anyone once they get into the story.

The characters begin simply, and through the events of the story grow three-dimensional so that you can't help but care for them. The villains are twisted and fantastic: Envelope Girl especially is a favorite of mine, though she overall isn't entirely important as a character.

Michael is a twenty-something nobody whose life continues every week in such a repetitive way that it could only be called obsessive compulsive; he wears his underwear according to the days of the week and only has sex on Tuesdays. His world is shaken when the first villain appears, and soon he realizes that they're from a three-issue comic he loved as a child. Titus is the creator of the comic, an older, gay man who was too stoned while writing it to make sense of it himself, though he's praised as a prophet by a group of youths called the Enigmatics. And there's the Enigma himself, alternately loved and hated by the populace of the city he more or less protects, and properly enigmatic himself. And the narrator -- an omnipresent voice with an all-encompassing knowledge of the story, full of scorn and contempt for those he tells the story and for the characters within, withholding knowledge and becoming, as he does so, a well-developed character himself.

And the ending -- the ending is perfect. You may be unsure of the story all the way until then, but the ending wraps it all together, fits every piece into place without a space between. Fantastic.

I attempted to read Peter Milligan and Duncan Fegredo's ENIGMA series back in 1993 and gave up about halfway through it, seeing it as an indulgent mess that would leave me with no explanations as to what was going on. When the trade was released in 1995, I read the whole thing and was annoyed that a story with so many angles would seemingly just boil down to an issue of the main character's sexuality. Forward to 2007: I pick up the trade during a rebirth of my interest in Vertigo books, read it in one day, and am amazed. I finally got it. Yes, ENIGMA does place a heavy emphasis on sexual preference, but it's so much more.

Michael Smith's routine life is shattered by the arrival of the Enigma, a superhero from his childhood. Battling such bizarre foes as the Head, the Truth, Envelope Girl, and the Interior League (my personal favorites, like something from Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol), it is apparent to Michael that the lines between fantasy and reality are blurring, and clues lead him to believe that he is somehow responsible. Michael tracks down the comic's creator, Titus Bird, and the two of them work to reveal the Enigma's identity and how he came to be. In turn, the Enigma helps Michael to discover quite a number of things about himself, but ultimately, this is a story postulating how four-color superheroes could exist in the "real world". Let's face it... if real people had superpowers, they likely wouldn't dress in garish costumes and speak in purple prose, so how could this happen? Your answer is here.

Milligan's story is excellent, now that I finally got my head around it (gee, it only took me 14 years). There's not one boring bit in the entire book, and the narration is excellent, providing just the right amount of "gotcha" at the conclusion. Fegredo's art is spectacular, as always, with every person and object carefully rendered. A perfect team for a perfect book!

I'm an avid reader of both comics and novels, and must say this is definitely one of, if not The best, graphic novels I've read thus far. Although the artwork is a bit scratchy, it quickly fits in with the mood of the story and even adds to the effect. The story itself deals with many interesting psychological and personal topics including homosexuality, responsibility, disillusionment, and the frailty of the human mind. The characters each have their own quirky, unusual backgrounds that will stimulate your brain cells and draw you into the tale, such as the average joe who was tranformed into a mind-devouring monster after a short chat with a dead lizard. And as you can probably tell by now, this book does have its quirks, so be prepared for a truly unique read.

My problem with this comic is that I really could never like this iper realistic drawing style which boast every single line fo people faces so that even those supposed to be very good looking (Enigma himself and the model Victoria Yes) look deformed.
It was a deliberate choice of course, I simply do not share it.

This booklet is self contained and tells us the story of an average straight boy leading a very average life meeting the -male- hero from the comics he used to read as a child.
The idea fo a comic about a comic is not bad and brings forth some fairly interesting issues: identity, sexual identity, children mistreatment, etc.
I was not overwhelmed by enthusiasm but other people might be.

A lot of gore and some topics (nudity and mild gay sex among them) make this booklet unsuitable for minors.

Brilliant comic with a great twist at the end. Very underated from Vertigo's early days. Offbeat characters like Envelope Girl and Titus Bird bring this book to life paying homage to 70's whacked out comics world. Enjoy! and then what?

The incredible story of a young man's life journey through the war-torn jungles of Viet Nam and Cambodia, learning from individuals who carry on their healing traditions amid chaos and change. The main character speaks to us as a child, in the "now", accepting every experience for what it is. His adventures, miracles and sorrows,are full of brilliant visions, taking you on a trip lit all the way by his magic "Shrew Stone". You will never forget it.

I came across this book by pure chance. I didn't buy it for the Buddhism or medicine interest. I bought it because it piqued my interest. This book is fascinating and I could hardly put it down. I was reading the biography of a true sorcerer. I loved it.
My only downside to this book I did notice a few small contridictions in the text.

Old Asia hands, students of the Buddha, vets with old but vivid memories, practicioners who seek to heal both the body and the spirit...all will find familiar places, feelings, experiences in the pages of "Fourth Uncle in the Mountain." Vietnam is the most seductive and visceral place on earth. There, rarley is anything the way that is seems...the bizarre and uncanny are everywhere...irony is commonplace...and the spiritual world, though unseen, is omnipresent. Bac Si Quang knows...although he is in Vermont, his hands will guide me when I tend to the sick in Danang. With a bit of language practice and some Vietamese fonts, she will doubtless become the Umberto Eco of Southeast Asia.

So I'm a student in acupuncture as well a Vietnamese-American and this book hit home.

Alchemy, magic, spells, spirits, and monsters (to name a few), are all found in this book.

It's definitely a story that gave me goosebumps because of the fact that many or the supernatural stories are that in which my parents told me growing up. Also, if you're into acupunture/om you'll love this book for he gives a lot of insight to different ailments and Tx for them.

I think Dr. Quang Van Nguyen is a special person and Marjorie Pivar is generous to help him explain his story.

One of my top 5 books ever read.

Fourth Uncle in the Mountain -- A Memoir of a Barefoot Doctor in Vietnam reveals a world that has all but disappeared in most of Asia, a world where Buddhas, earth spirits and shamans are as real as the food you eat and the bed you sleep in. The book itself opens in a trance, where Quang addresses the "flesh-eating sun" and makes the clouds "bang into each another." When I lived in Taiwan 25 years ago I had watched the shamans invite the earth god into their bodies, swallow ash, moan, jerk, swoon and beat themselves with red maces, write holy charms, and spray the afflicted with cascades of tea and saliva as fine as an evening mist. I was an outsider looking in. Quang's book, however, helps me see and understand what the shamans see. He writes from the perspective of an insider looking out, where it is the outer and not the inner world that is out of balance.

The imagery in this book is rich and yet the writing is clear and light. Arranged into short chapters, each story unfolds, offering at times distant and at others close, a perspective on the many people key in Quang's life. Their stories weave in and out of one another, each carrying his or her own yin and yang of energy. As one of the other reviewers commented, it is a pity that the Vietnamese names were transposed into American name order as this makes it harder to recognize and remember the identities of the personalities. Also, some of the Vietnamese terms were mispelled. However, these are issues that can easily be corrected in future editions of the work. What Nguyen Van Quang and his co-author Marjorie Pivar should be remembered for is their tireless devotion to revealing with loving detail the flowers, fruits, flavors, and fauna that make Vietnamese life so distinctive. These are the things that their "translation" of events make so alive and captivating.

Like the sweet smell of sandalwood incense, the story of Nguyen Van Quang's life transports the reader to that point in time and space where the spiritual and the material converge. In scene after scene he introduces the people who have changed his life. One after another he takes the reader to caves, temples, and street fairs to meet those that dwell within -- his adopted father, a Buddhist monk, who finds him as an infant abandoned in a basket on market day; Tiger, the truck driver who can outwit his competitors but not his own heart; Tattoo, the martial arts master who secretly teaches Quang the occult arts; and, many others, some that you will get to know but never quite "see."

This book is not just a well told collection of the remarkable characters in Quang's life. I have just returned from my third trip to Vietnam and Quang's quiet characterizations of the political legacies that constrain and drive Vietnam's modern life ring true. Chapter by chapter Quang takes you through the evolution of Vietnam's culture and drawing nearer and nearer, he reveals the sounds of that other world, the world of the dominating Chinese, the departing French, the opportunist Viet Minh, the conniving Viet Cong, the now-you-see-them-and-now-you-don't obliviousness of the American troops, and, the self serving fatuousness of the politicians of the South. Towards the end, as Khmer Rouge guerrillas terrorize the countryside and party politicians in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) neglect the very regions they had fought to liberate, Quang still hangs on. Despite the decades of war and centuries of foreign agression, he tells of another reality, where in his village near the Cambodian border Cambodians, Chinese, and Vietnamese trade, mingle, and marry one another, and how nearly all help each other, saving lives and suffering death together.

Quang's book is one that compels the reader to wonder what is more important in life and what is really real. Wile Quang seeks true realization in a cave apart from others, the outer world is lost in a cave of its own. He also reveals the rich world of Vietnamese spiritual and religious life, a world that values individual cultivation but for the benefit of society as a whole. As he grows older, Quang realizes that he can no longer live just in his small world of tigers, tunnels and charms, but go forth into the world of human relationships -- to meet the strong women and men of today who will become the Buddhas and memories that the shamans of the future world will call upon to guide, strengthen and heal.

If you want to understand Asian spiritual values, discover Asian history, or enjoy the tale of a life well lived, by all means read this book. This truly is one of those rare opportunities to view life not as an observer, but as a participant. Quang and Marjorie will truly take you down a path for which there is no map but for which there surely is a light.

This is a wonderful story that ties in all of the author's interests. I teach hs/jh social studies and I was looking to add another book to my classroom library that young boys might like to read. This book really surprised me. I've already recommended it to my cross country runners and will be recommending to our school librarian too.

My brother advised me to read this book as he knows the author via sports. As I love to read, I was happy to oblige him just to see what he was talking about. I was pleasantly surprised to find a book that captured my interest from the first page! The author's style is easy to read and well done, and his sense of humor and detail appreciated by me. The story of the past and present Joshua Chamberlains blended together well and I was entranced.
Maybe I loved this book because I'm from a small town in Upper Michigan, and my dad was a Civil War buff and took us to battlefields and made history come alive with his stories.
Maybe I liked it because my brother was a basketball star and our small town team went to the state finals in the late 60's against those Detroit teams and won!
Maybe I liked it because I have run 10ks and walked a marathon and know what that's like.
Maybe I liked it because I read a lot and can recognize a good author and tale when I read it.
Maybe I have told a lot of others about it because I feel it's a "sleeper" and a good read!
Thank you Tim V for a great tale and enjoyable read!

I was searching for the Eagles "Long Run" CD and came across this. I bought it and I'm glad I did. Good book.

I loved this book. It would be a great story for anyone who is interested in the Civil War or running. I'm not interested in either but I still really enjoyed the story. It was very well written.

This book caught my attention being a marathon runner and a Civil War buff. Having both together seemed too good to be true. Not entirely what I expected but certainly not a disappointment either. I found myself focusing more on the non-running aspects of the book, but was still acutely aware of Mr. Wagoner's description of the marathon that were unique and descriptive. A smart, smooth use of multiple times enabled me to correlate the main characters life with his progression through the marathon which I found very clever. Surprisingly so, this book made me feel like a teenager again. I'm not a love story type of guy, but I would highly recommend this book. Made me feel good about people again.

My mom was a victim of incest and it affected every aspect of her life. She didn't reveal the incest until shortly before she died. I never had an opportunity to talk to her about it. This book helped me to see what my mom lived with and is helping me come to terms with what the years of secrecy did to her life, as well as to my own.

Marilyn doesn't just tell you about a problem, she inspires you to do something about it & gives you the tools to be effective. As an elementary school nurse & ped-SANE (pediatric sexual abuse nurse examiner), I read the book hoping to gain insight into the problems of children who have been sexually abused. As a former victim of abuse, I read it hoping to gain insight into the emotional quagmire that was my life. Marilyn's balance of emotions and matter-of-fact-ness in telling her story, catapulted me into the world of purpose & action. Now I have the means to help other children as I could not help myself. I am more successful in my profession & have started a class with the help of the school principal & the district's asst superintendent to teach mandated reporters to be more effective in protecting our children. Thank you, Marilyn, you have multiplied the joy in my life a thousand-fold.

This book saved my life. I have been sexually abused as a child, from 2y onwards. When the terrible truth came out, when I was 35, it was overwhelming. I couldn't cope with it and had thoughts of suicide (as I did for years as a teenager). Then I remembered I heard about an experience of Miss America few years before...
Marilyn's story helped me to relate to my own- there was so many similarities, I had all the symptoms she had. Crying over her story helped me get in touch with my emotions, and most of all seeing that someone had made it through this darkness and craziness and had built a real life for herself, has been guiding me for all this time.
I have been abused by a relative and my father. The sad thing is that I see symptoms of childhood sexual abuse in so many people, while there is still so much stigma and taboos that prevent people from healing.
I am full of awe and admiration for Marilyn who had to courage to go forward with her story so many years ago. Thank you, I am eternaly grateful...

"Miss America by Day" shows that the more we share about our own experiences, the more others with similar experiences can relate. My copy of this book is filled with "Her too!" comments . . . The fear that friends and family would turn their backs on me if I disclosed, my inability to buy a book about incest because the clerk would "know," the physical ailments of unknown cause that slowly dissipated after I began to recall . . . and the importance of partners, children, friends, and therapists in the healing process.

I especially appreciated the way van Derbur interweaves her personal experiences with research by experts such as Drs. Chu, Hermann, Briere, etc. She did her homework.

(...)

Review of Miss America By Day: Lessons Learned from Ultimate Betrayals and Unconditional Love by Marilyn Van Derbur, Oak Hill Ridge Press, Denver, CO: 2003. ISBN: 0-9728-298-4-9, Autobiography/Abuse

I chose this book because April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month as well as National Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month, and those topics are my work. The topics are thoroughly covered in Van Derbur's voluminous non-fiction story.

Marilyn Van Derbur, a native of Colorado, is one of four daughters of a prominent Denver businessman (he is deceased). Her father was on numerous boards and committees, was honored with buildings named for him, and was president of "all the college fraternities in America." Both parents were active volunteers, donating time and money to culture and civic organizations. Marilyn's mother would often state that she had the "perfect marriage" and Marilyn was told that she was "blessed by being born into a perfect family." Marilyn's life appeared to be perfect, as depicted by the smiles in the pictures she shares throughout the book. Marilyn was crowned Miss America while she was attending the University of Colorado in 1958. When she graduated (with honors) Marilyn was a guest host on Candid Camera and a panelist on To Tell the Truth, as well as in commercials. She also waved to the public while in the Cotton Bowl and Thanksgiving Parades. She chose motivational speaking as her career, and was named the "Outstanding Woman Speaker in America" and was inducted to the "Colorado Woman's Hall of Fame." Indeed, anyone reading her story might experience a twinge of envy for all the fame and fortune that seemed to come to her so easily and effortlessly.

Except...Marilyn suffered from physical symptoms including insomnia, tics, ulcers, and panic attacks. When her body and mind rebelled against the constant travel, she experienced full body paralysis, yet doctors found no organic cause. What else might Marilyn be rebelling against? She had to search her mind and spirit to find the answers.

One of Marilyn's earliest memories is of her mother reading the Bible before bed. Another of Marilyn's earliest memories is of her father entering his daughter's bed after dark. What came next was repressed for decades until Marilyn realized that her father had committed incest from the time she was five until eighteen, an estimated six hundred times. All the while, her mother knew. Marilyn shares her split between the "night child" victim in contrast to the "day child" over-achiever. The physical symptoms she had endured were a manifestation of the connection between child sexual abuse and adult ailments.

Marilyn writes, "I had never prayed. I didn't want a more powerful father and I knew, deep inside, that the Father my mother was praying to when I was a child wasn't protecting me." However, when her story went public via the Denver media and People magazine, she asked of a Higher Power: "I want to help...If you show me the way ...I will do whatever you ask me to do." Thus began the next chapter of Marilyn's life. She writes that it is "my mission to educate judges, doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, therapists, and especially parents" about child sexual abuse. Not only does she educate with this book and her speeches, she also helps victims become survivors by sharing her healing journey. Throughout the book, Marilyn also shares with the reader her relationships with her husband and daughter, and the reader relishes in the emotional relief their unconditional love offers Marilyn. Ultimately, Marilyn manages to find peace.

I would recommend this book as an astonishing story and educational tool regarding child abuse and sexual assault.

Review written by Lynn C. Tolson, author of Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story.