UK Books

Ron Ranson has succeeded in writing yet another excellent book about an artist that he knows personally and admires. An introductory chapter details the artist's attempts to find his unique style and his final decision to give up a life long career as a banker to become a professional artist. The book is lavishly illustrated with full-page paintings and is a worthy precedent to the highly successful book written by John himself a few years later. The book is a "must buy" for any admirer of impressionistic painting.

An amazing fictional account of Maugham's real life adventures as a spy for Great Britain during WW I. Written in Maughm's usual concise and elogant prose, these stories make the reader root for Ashenden who is nothing short of a literary James Bond. This account, written as a collection of short independent stories, shows that, when in the hands of an author with a command of the English language, suspense and intrigue can be create in a book in other ways besides stringing together one action scene after another. Simply Maugham at his best

I was just searching this title to share with a friend who asked me about my favorite cookbooks and realized that no one had reviewed it yet. This has been one of my favorites for years. I am famous for my asian soups because of this book. Luckily I have a great asian market around the corner to get the ingredients. You will look like a pro making these recipes. Highly recommended. Don't hesitate.

Asperger Syndrome, the Swan & the Burglar written by Brenda Boyd is logically well-organized and easy to read! Mainly because she indicated clearly Ryan who played the lead had various symptoms of AS which he didn't recognize until Jim Shepherd, the grandfather of Kev, Ryan's closest friend saw through Ryan's AS. Certainly Ryan had been unfairly treated, misunderstood, and discriminated by Danny,his mean brother and others. But at the same time he was surrounded by understanding people such as Maria, his elder sister, the Cantadora, Kev, his parents, and Jim. On top of that, his `Masterplan' seemed to reinforce his search for his true identity. The story would end more happily if only Danny wasn't so cross-grained, though.
Overall, Ryan's AS diagnosed by Jim,the specialist of AS enhanced the climax of the story, that was for sure! That's why I strongly recommend you to read Asperger Syndrome, the Swan & the Burglar! Therefore, you'll understand better what AS is like!

I love reading books about archaeology becuase, I myself being one, they are so full of history and methods of being a good archaeologist. So when I saw this book with all it's descriptions and wonder pictures, I knew I had to buy it. It talked about how archaeoloists excavate and where they do it. It is a wonderful book that is very interesting and fun to read.

This book offers a very clear, concise and scriptural treatment of the powerful exchange provided for through the Cross of Jesus Christ along with practical advice on implementing these truths into our lives. I have read most of Derek's books (many of them more than once) and this is perhaps second only to "Faith to Live By" in importance. This is a book to be read, studied, taught from and kept nearby as a reference. 5+ stars.

Christopher Brookmyre is a wickedly funny author who knows how to get the reader involved in a story. After only five minutes of listening to the audio on this one, I was completely hooked. Brookmyre's main character, Jack Parlabane, is sarcastic, world-wise, and more than a bit left of the main stream when it comes to his opinions on important subjects such as religion and education. This story focuses on the question of psychic powers and the afterlife and to say more would spoil a great plot.

The audio is performed by Billy Boyd of "Lord of the Rings" fame. His performance enhances what is already a very good book. He helps to bring the characters to life by giving them individual voices and accents. The author is from Scotland and so there might be a few expressions in the book with which some American readers would not be familiar but nothing that would keep the reader from enjoying the story. I enjoyed this one so much that I have since ordered another of Brookmyre's books. Great plot, interesting idea, and excellent audio. A very nice find all around.

...it had been read to her in class at story time and she wanted to hear and read it again, always the best way to engage Children with the power of literature I feel. Anyway I bought it for her and we read it together. I can see why it captured her imagination and had the class captivated, it really is a lovely little book and written in the classic style of good Children's literature. I remember the Author in her other guise as an Actress, a career in which she is extremely accomplished, her writng skills are every bit as good and honed, this dear little book has a lot to tell Children about being unfraid of individuality. The central characters, a Penguin and an Eagle, are unhappy living the life they are supposed to and try and find the life they want instead. I pray the rights are never sold to Disney, they would ruin it's subtle sentiment with syrup and silliness. I highly recommend this book for all children, excellent for informing the "misfit" stage most children experience at some time!

I was delighted with all the options and guidlines made available with this book. I am glad thet more answers are available to 'people in the dark'over this disorder.

Most aviation enthusiast readers will have encountered Michael Turner's work often, probably without even knowing it. This book captures a very generous collection of his work in a handsome format. Since Turner's work is not typically found in the signed, numbered limited edition print market, this book affords a very practical way to enjoy his work and get to know something of the artist. Two thirds of the paintings in this collection are executed as "gouache on board" while the balance are "acrylic on canvas". This should provide some encouragement to those with a strong affinity for these water based media. Obviously, not all aviation art is painted in oil. These pages display Turner's fresh and vigorous style to very good effect. There is lots of variety--the subjects range from WWI through the 1991 Gulf War. Biplanes to jets. The introductory biography is colorfully written and the pencil sketches add substantial insight to how the artist works. The book contains a mix of large and small images, but they are never split across the page. One Quibble! One of my favorite paintings is found only on the dust jacket, A Hawker Tempest (JF-E) screams head on in a vertical climb, flashing past a mortally wounded Focke Wulf TA-152. I would like to have read more about this painting, and would like to have seen it included inside the book's covers for posterity. J. Campbell Martin