Barry Books

This book teaches one how to manage and evaluate risks and opportunities.

Risk comes with innovation. Risk comes from change. Risk is all around us. There is risk from non-action as well as action. Most all opportunities come bundled with risks.

Although this book does not expose every element of managing risk it does tell you how to dig deeper and find the resources for effective risk management. This book teaches that a business has within itself the knowledge base to manage its own risk when properly focused and directed.

An excellent book.

I bought this book 1 year ago because it made references to the Challenger accident, which made quite an impression on me ever since I started following investigations analysis reports after reading about Challenger in Richard Feynman's book, "What Do you Care What Other People Think" many many years ago.
Besides programming books, I have many project management and business and finance books on my book shelves already, so I wasn't looking to purchase another business IT project management book.

In my opinion, this book will appeal immediately to technical people who likes engineers than business people or their business-minded boss.
For the content itself, Mike's review below provide a very good detailed insight into the material. The ideas does have practical applicability, but it does make me wonder if I am being persuaded into the glorification of Northpoint's services, bcos technically I do not think it's easy attempt the actuarial approach. Besides the quantitative approach, the values and judgement approach is really on the side of soft skills, I think anyone who can make the business/engineer/finance people buy into what he/she believes and is doing will likely do well in career and rise into leadership positions.

But this book is a bit unconventional in its treatment of the project management, it takes an interesting approach from the human values perspective and challenges conventional approaches to the perception of valuation in business IT.

Finally, I am not too sure whether there's any subtle hidden marketing intention behind the publication of this book for Northpoint company, of which the author is the founder and CEO of.

In any case, I still like this book and I am writing here because I am recommmending this book to my friend to read now.

I purchased this book on a whim expecting another mediocre book on IT business investment. Instead I got a deeply influential book about how to effectively assure project success and realize best value from IT investments.

This book maintains a brisk, but easy-to-follow pace - by page 18 you get nine unwarranted beliefs about the reasons who IT initiatives fail and well crafted counter arguments to dispel them. This leads into a well written chapter on pathologies of failure and patterns of disaster, which the rest of the book addresses in the form of a methodology that integrates risk, value and gap analysis to give a clear map to assuring success.

Part I contains seven chapters that discuss the underlying elements of the methods, including risk management, value management, process management, measurement and assessment. These are the knowledge areas and tools. Among the tools are business initiative value assessments, business knowledge value, progress and performance curves, and risk-to-value analysis.

Part II consists of seven more chapters that provide case studies to illustrate a failed project and how the authors' methods apply. Five of the chapters in this section deal in detail with closing leadership, knowledge, process, resources and judgement gaps. One of the core measurements used is knowledge, experience and performance used to identify and close gaps that threaten project and IT initiatives.

I especially liked the way the authors frame value propositions, which includes a list of 22 major values (each of which can have many sub values), and how these are divided into hard and soft values. What makes this useful is the fact that each value can be quantified. These are augmented by five key questions about the value proposition to validate it. In each of the gaps discussed in Part II are equally useful checklists and questions. This material transforms the authors' approach from theory to the practical and is one of the reasons I was deeply influenced by the book.

There are also parts of the book that I take issue with: the authors never miss an opportunity to 'plug' their consulting company. This is more of an irritant than a real problem. Also, as I was reading the book it seemed as though I would need their services in order to get a complete picture. As it turns out everything you need is in the book, but it was still a distraction. Quibbles aside I think that the approach the authors give in this book and the valuable checklists and questionnaires that are included make this one of the best books one can reference for assuring the success of IT initiatives.

"Stop Motion: Passion, Process and Performance" is a book that I read just before I started filming my second stop-motion film. It gave me many good tips and pointers regarding all aspects of the process of how to make a stop motion film. It is a very inspirational book.
One of the best stop-motion animation books out there. I highly recommend it.
I look forward to reading it again when I need inspiration for my next film to come to life.

When I first started animating, there were no books on stopmotion, only books on 2-D cartooning and filmmaking. Even so, they were dated.

Since then, a few books about the craft came out, but this is the only book I've ever read that was written from the point of view of a professional stopmotion animator that covers the "why" more than the "how" aspect of putting a soul into a puppet and making it move in a way that removes all doubt in the viewer that it is, in fact, alive.

I found the book to be inspiring and so full of useful information, that I've had it for more than a week already and still haven't finished reading it.

A must-buy for anyone who is making their own stopmotion-animated film.

I've got pretty much all the stopmotion books in print, and this one is really something else entirely. It's not a text, not a beginner's lesson book and not just an appreciation for the art form (and, as Mr. Purves proves, it really IS an artform). Rather it's a very passionate reflection on the creative process of making stopmotion, and on the larger aspects of creativity in general. Barry is one of the best among animators.... and has frequently been writer and director of his own films, resulting in some of the most startling and original animation to date (such as his brilliant Achilles or my favorite Rigoletto). He expounds with great articulateness and intelligence on the strengths and weaknesses of the various forms of animation, revealing his obvious love for stopmotion above all the rest. And as he does, he reveals truths about animation that you had always felt but couldn't quite put into words.

He also shares a wealth of his own hard-earned tips and techniques, some about animating, but more on the art of storytelling and on how best to utilize the special properties that stopmotion alone has. It's not a book about "how to animate" but rather Why.... and he stresses the importance of playing to the particular strengths of our quirky art. If it can be done in live action or CGI or drawn animation, then why use stopmo? As many, he feels the sheer potential of stopmotion has only begun to be tapped, and he expounds at great length on how that might be done. And reading his words, it's difficult not to feel the same inspiration he obviously does.

Every animator should read this book.... even if you're just scooting Lego figures across the bedroom floor in front of your webcam (unless that's the extent of your ambition). He really illuminates the magic of stopmotion, what it does best and what it shouldn't be made to do. I just finished reading it for the first time, and I'm about to begin again.....

This book has been greatly helpful for me to understand the current state of affairs in the church. I have lived in many other countries in my adult life and "coming home" has not been easy. Despite the book's focus on the USA context, it is also an immensely appropriate resource for reflecting on our context in Canada. The book's thesis that the church has been caught up so seductively in all aspects of a "consumer" culture that we approach our faith and religious experience with the same value system is powerful and deeply sobering. While "easy-reading" the book is not an "easy read" since its premise demands that we refocus our lives on our call to be a community living out God's vision for hope and grace and justice in the world.

What is the gospel? A seemingly simple question, but deep down, one that requires us to examine the very foundation of our Christian faith. StormFront: The Good News of God sets out to answer this very question, what is the gospel? StormFront is the latest book in the Gospel and Our Culture Series, which seeks to help the church more faithfully engage North American culture with the gospel. Other volumes have included The Missional Church, and The Continuing Conversion of the Church.
The title is meant to evoke the image of two masses of hot and cold air running into each other and creating a violent storm. One of these air masses is the Kingdom of God, the other is the Kingdom of this World. The church finds itself at the intersection, caught in the clash between these two forces. It is in this "dynamic and tumultuous" intersection where God engages our world.
The authors claim that many North American Christians act as if the gospel were a small ocean breeze, rather than a raging storm. The North American gospel, they argue, primarily centers on how God can meet my needs and how God can fulfill my desires. It has little sense of God's greater purposes in this world. They contend a Biblical understanding of the gospel looks a lot different. The gospel concerns God's activity to redeem the whole creation. The gospel isn't about me getting what I want. The gospel invites us to enter, receive, and participate in God's Reign, initiated by Jesus' life, death and resurrection. This gospel should radically reorient our lives.
Through the book's five chapters it examines our dominant understanding of the gospel, God's intentions on earth as found in the Old and New Testaments, the role of spiritual powers, the place of discipleship, and the practices that help us embody the gospel. The section connecting the gospel in the New Testament to the Old Testament is particularly helpful.
Few books accomplish what they set out to do. Impressively, StormFront does effectively answer the question: What is the gospel? And beyond that, on the practical level, it issues a significant challenge both for individuals and the church to participate more fully in God's purposes on earth.
Although this book is targeted to lay-readers, it is a dense and difficult read. It contains a great deal of theological language that can be at times hard to sift through. But for those willing to take the time and effort, they will find their understanding of the gospel deepened, and their faith commitments inspired and challenged.

Finally, a resource to clarify "missional" ideas in a way that helps ordinary people grasp the significance of the storm we are in. The authors do an excellent job of charting a course that is faithful to God and inviting to all who want to participate in the grand mission of God.
As the pastor of a new church in a new community, I continue to wrestle with the implications of this book: "The church is a witness to the world, in the world, of God's coming reign in Christ over the powers of the world" (91). The book is a valuable resource for all who are tired of "paint-by-numbers" approaches to the church. "Stormfront" is a book for all who long to discover God's alternative to consumer-driven models of ministry. Buy it. Read it. Share it with your friends. Discuss it. Live it, believe it and so be a participant in the "Missio Dei."

Melissa Stringham writes the following:
On July 18, 2001 I experienced an anaphylactic reaction to latex, which caused my body to go into a cardiac arrest. Being only 29 years old with a 2 year old and a 6 week old, my life was really in question. My whole life had changed, taking medications every day, not being able to do the things I love; I was slowly but surely falling apart. I couldn't eat very much. I was extremely anxious and very angry. I was walking on eggshells and waiting for everything to crack. I was shutting everyone out of my life because I didn't want anyone to worry about me. I put on a very happy face and everyone thought I was handling everything with amazing grace. That was a total lie. I needed help BADLY; I couldn't have gone many more months the way I was going. I didn't receive professional help until 7 months after my trauma. That is when I was introduced to Barry Richards personally and his book Sudden Trauma. He saved my life. I was given reading assignments and then we would discuss the book and the feelings I was having. For the first time I felt like there was a light at the end of the tunnel. The book describes symptoms and feelings exactly like I was having. I learned so much from the stories of the other survivors in this book and the steps they have taken to get their lives back. Getting help at the right time is so important and can elevate so many unnecessary thoughts and feelings. I can't recommend this book enough to help people in dealing and overcoming life's obstacles. It truly is one of a kind...

The real-life accounts are extremely engaging and interesting. I read the whole book in one day! Most people will experience some kind of trauma during their lifetime. Everyone needs to read this book so they can know what do when trauma suddenly and unexpectedly hits their lives.

This book is amazing, it literally opens thw world of sudden trauma to the reader. To say I was moved by the book would be an understatement. Kudos to the author, Dr. Woolley.

Mr. Murphy has done years worth of well research and is a very intelligent editor to such an ecletic collection of works that will be included in any University's classical area for years to come. 2 Kudos to Mr. Murphy!

This book articulate the importance of humanists having stances on political issues and the importance of humanism in our understanding of politics. For far too long religion has had a say in politics and this collection provides a much needed balance to the religous right. I highly recommend this collection

OK, so as one of the editors of this important collection of essays, I can sometimes get a bit carried away. But if you are indeed wondering how we humans can make it through the mess we find ourselves in right now, you may want to read this:

From book's introduction:

"For the world of the 21st century, humanistic values must project the vision of a peaceful world in which no man, woman or child, or class of men, women, or children shall live as servants or slaves existing simply to fulfill the whims and wishes and desires of others, a world in which no man or woman or child shall be used as a tool to satisfy the lusts or greed or ambitions of others, a world in which every human life, the life of every man, woman, and child shall be a wanted, welcomed, and esteemed member of the one human family." - Gerald A. Larue

Are Humanists' Progressive?

Just as organized religion in most any form-particularly in its marriage with government-can be seen as the most dangerous threat to humanism from without, the battle over where humanism stands in regard to real-world politics, might be the most dangerous-at least the most divisive-argument from within ... Especially in the post-911 world.

The question at hand is "can humanism, as put forth via the Affirmations of Humanism and the Humanist Manifestos I, II, III, and 2000, continue to stay neutral on political issues not so obviously tied in with religion or superstition-issues which nevertheless shape our daily lives and our collective future?"

Many within the humanist movement, unlike most other competing philosophies, have claimed that political ideologies such as Left/Right, Liberal/Conservative, or Progressive/Regressive should not, dare we say CAN not, be addressed via humanist philosophy. The argument has gone that humanists of conscience can differ widely on any number of socio-political issues.

Although we recognize that different people do indeed come to humanism from different launching points, and expect different things from the movement (i.e. tough stands taken against religion, a non-religious community, a place where science is respected, etc), we feel that humanism can not reach its potential unless it becomes a universal philosophy. And that cannot happen unless humanists are willing to enter the real world of politics.

We as humanists need to embrace more cooperative structures that expand the humanist ethic from a libertarian, individualistic framework, to a more universalistic framework which while retaining the belief in personal freedom, seeks to bring about a global ethic that values interconnectedness as much as individualism. These goals and others are represented in the essays found in this book.

Humanism is also in need of a coherent definition. In an age where religious (and other) fundamentalisms have taken over the mind of so many humans, it is time for humanists to articulate their political vision of a better world and have their voice represented in the political arena. This does not mean, as some have suggested, that we should vote for any candidate regardless of party affiliation who publicly comes out as a secular humanist or an atheist. The issue should be not whether we vote ANY humanist into office but what TYPE of humanist we vote into political office. Indeed, we should support candidates whose platform articulates a vision of the United States, and the world, where people build cooperative structures instead of competitive ones; a world in which humanistic economics, universal human rights, and respecting human needs, take place over corporate capitalism and religious intolerance, and ultra-conservative ideologies.

In sum, it is our opinion that in order for humanism to have a real world impact on society-especially American society-we have to move beyond (but not forgo) our basic foundation of skepticism, atheism and agnosticism into the world of human endeavors. This means that we have to do more that write impressive manifestos and affirmations, we have to live by them!

Being a youth educator myself, i found this book to be deeply insightful in the field of Middle School education. Dr. Barry Raebeck has truly interesting ideas and philosophies that everyone should experience..recommended to everyone!

Dr. Barry Raebeck is an imensly talented educator, having been a student of his, and this book is an understatement of his wisdom. Known to me as "the good doctor" has had such a major impact on my education I am forever in debt. Praise Dr. Raebeck, Praise Dr. Raebeck

i recomend this book to everyone. i think dr. raebeck is a good teacher. TMS is a good book and he should give it free to all his students haha. but seriously, good book.

This little book is a gem - page after page of inspirational stories from people who have battled cancer and won - or at least on the path toward winning.

Yes, the Lance Armstrong story is one of the 48, and he has certainly "celebratized" the disease by defeating cancer against all odds. But the fact is cancer is an everday disease, striking everyday people. Those are the stories that beg to be heard.

"Triumphs..." captures these everyday people and shows their courage, their humor, and their determination. As a cancer patient currently in therapy, this book has given me equal determination to join the ranks of becoming a survivor.

November 9, 2003
To see the words of what you have gone through in print, you have to wonder why some are speared from this disease. I would ask God why me meaning why I was saved from breast and lung cancer 3 times and hear the soft sounds of you have more work to do. Since 2001 I have lost 10 friends to this disease but I no longer ask why me I realized that it was time for them to go home. Barry thank you for writing this book.

This book was inspiring to me as each chapter is a real-life tale of personal achievement over a deadly disease. For cancer patients, it should provide insights, and for loved ones, ways of coping and guiding the patient. For me with a family history of cancer, I see it as preparation! A nice little book to have.

As any fan of the USC Trojans knows, the football program has a very long and storied history. No college football fan would deny that USC has a place among college football royalty, alongside the likes of Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Alabama, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska and Texas. Of course, getting to that level involved winning games - lots of them - and important ones at that. But of USC's hundreds of victories, which were the most important in contributing to USC's status as a former and current powerhouse?

In this book, Barry LeBrock examines ten of the most momentous victories in USC football history. From the early days in the 1920's when Howard Jones' Thundering Herd took on Knute Rockne's Notre Dame teams and forged a tremendous rivalry that has produced some of the greatest players and plays in all of college football history, to the modern day, when Pete Carroll forged his reputation as the most gifted USC coach since John McKay - the top 10 greatest victories in USC history are included. Of course, there might be some controversy involving the ten games included, but I think almost all USC fans would agree that the ten that are listed in the book are indeed milestones in Trojan history. For instance, USC's 2001 victory over UCLA (a 27-0 shutout) is a curious inclusion, given that USC's 2001 season was a mediocre campaign, with only 6 wins against 6 losses, but it was this game that really set the bar in Los Angeles that USC was back, and UCLA was no longer the big dog in town.

Each of the ten chapters involves a description of the game itself, but with ample background information so the reader can understand what was going on in the world of college football at that point in time, and what the stakes involved in the game were. The descriptions of the players and coaches and atmosphere of the game are truly engrossing. This is a wonderful, enjoyable read for any Trojan fan (or for those who just want to know what USC football is all about) and I would highly recommend it.

I have been following USC football for about twenty years and I thought I knew most of the stories about the Trojans. But this book was full of stories that I had never heard before. He quotes everybody -- from guys who played in the 1920's to OJ to Garrett, from Marcus to McKay, and Leinart and Carroll.
Definietly worth reading if you are a Trojan backer. Excellent.

While Barry LeBrock's "The Trojan Ten," as the title suggests, focuses on what he considers to be the ten most significant victories in the long and celebrated history of USC football, the book is actually an historical compendium of a program that stands at the top of the gridiron pedestal alongside Notre Dame, USC's oldest and most competitive rival.

Currently the Trojans and Irish have each secured 11 national championships. They are also even in the Heisman Trophy department with each school boasting 7 winners.

LeBrock explains how graduate manager Gwynn Wilson of USC, realizing that legendary playing Notre Dame under famed coach Knute Rockne could be the springboard toward a Trojan surge into the top ranks of collegiate gridiron teams, was able, with the assistance of his wife doing a good sales job on Mrs. Rockne, to get the famous Notre Dame to okay the series.

LeBrock also reveals how, when USC fired football coach Gloomy Gus Henderson, Rockne lent the Trojans a helping hand in recommending that they consider hiring Iowa's coach Howard Jones. It was a 16-14 come from behind victory by USC over Notre Dame at South Bend in 1931 with Jones as coach that prompted the school from the West to catapult into the same elite circle with ND. This, understandably, was LeBrock's first choice as he chronologically presented his choices of the ten most significant victories in the school's history.

Two other victories over Notre Dame also fell into the elite ten category, the others being 1964 with a 20-17 upset over the number one ranked Irish and the benumbing 55-24 victory over the Irish after the men of Troy overcame a 24-0 deficit and appeared ready to sustain a humiliating defeat.

While the title scheme and a certain amount of emphasis on LeBrock's part extend to the ten victories selected, the book has much more. He leads into those classic games by giving shape and perspective to the Trojan program during the periods in question before and after the classic victories then reveals the aftermath of the impact on the school's overall program.

For instance, in analyzing the great 1931 triumph solid emphasis is given to the winning mentality developed by Howard Jones in establishing a juggernaut that provided national titles in 1928, 1931, 1932 and 1939.

We then see a passing of the dynastic baton almost one generation after Jones's death from a heart attack following his final season in 1940 to the advent of witty and jovial John McKay, the architect of the 1964 and 1974 storybook wins over the Fighting Irish and the molder of four USC national champions in 1962, 1967, 1972 and 1974.

Another game put in LeBrock's top ten was one of the most memorable of McKay's career, when USC battled crosstown rival UCLA for the 1967 national championship. The Bruins featured the quarterback who would win the Heisman Trophy that season in Gary Beban. The game's deciding touchdown in USC's exciting 21-20 win was scored on a 64-yard romp by O.J. Simpson, the Heisman winner to be in 1968.

Once that the McKay years are completed LeBrock segues to the era of Pete Carroll, the next and current USC dynasty coach. His first top ten selection concerning Carroll was a 27-0 shutout of UCLA in 2001 in what he sees as a milestone game in which the Trojans made significant inroads into the future and the recruiting war with the Bruins.

One of my favorite elements of this book is the way that the author explores the USC winning tradition based on the productive careers of three coaches, providing an important insight into winning psychology. Given that there are a lot more people to interview concerning the McKay and Carroll dynasties, this psychological element involving a dynastic football program can be explored at greater detail than in the case of Jones, the great coach who built an impressive Trojan foundation in the twenties and thirties.

Current USC athletic director plays a major role in the development of this book. In addition to writing the foreword, he was recruited by McKay and became USC's first Heisman winner in 1965. As athletic director he was responsible for hiring Carroll over the vociferous objections of many L.A. sports media figures and prominent school alumni, who were proven wrong by Carroll's enormous success.

Cidra's father had been in charge of ensuring the vaccine for the cursed Ximenes Plague left Avion with the destination of Dakru, where the d'Hont live. But the shipment never arrived on Dakru. In typical Dakruian tradition, the d'Hont killed the entire Faulkner family. They never realized one child escaped.

For ten years Cidra lived with Syrus, her father's old friend. In secret, Syrus taught her the ways of the Kin-sha warrior. The Kin-sha training was banned the same night the Avion government stood quietly by and let the d'Hont slaughter all the Faulkners. Other than Syrus, the only friend she has is the man called Barrios, a chef. When Syrus dies, Cidra and Barrios are the only ones at the funeral. In fact, they were still digging the grave when they are approached by Grey Stone. Grey is an intergalactic treasure hunter and had trained with Syrus before Cidra.

A few days prior to Syrus's death, he contacted Grey and made him promise to take Cidra on as part of his crew. Barrios goes along as the new ship's cook. Though Grey is close to locating his next treasure, he must put it aside in order to grant Syrus's last request. Grey and Cidra are to discover the real fate of the Dakru shipment, clear her father's name, and save the Kin-sha. One major problem: Dakru has learned that Cidra lives and the entire d'Hont race wants her dead!

***** It is no wonder to me that this story was a 2002 PRISM Award finalist or that it won the RIO Award! In fact, this has got to be one of the very best Science Fiction Romances I have ever read. The story hooked me in the very first sentence, when young Cidra wakes up in the middle of her family's slaughter. The ending is just as climatic. Oh, and don't expect to breath easy anywhere in between those two areas. This tale is non-stop action and romance. If you enjoyed watching Han Solo and Princess Leia click and clash in the original Star Wars trilogy, then you are going to LOVE this one! Highly recommending! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I started out reading C.J. Barry's Un-series with Unearthed. A delightful Sci-Fi fantasy, that has the kick a** feel of a female Indiana Jones in space, yet managed to keep all the sensuality, the romance that should be typical, and so often is lost when a writer brings in a strong adventure. You noticed small things, like her chicken dance, that gave the book a more polished feel, yet sprinkling the story with enchanting humor. From that book on, I have been a Barry fan, and eagerly await her next Un-book!

However, Unearthed was not the first UN-book, Unchained was. It was out in e-book form, showing once again, e-books are fostering some marvelous talent. They are now putting Unchained out in paperback, but I was not willing to wait and downloaded it on Microsoft Reader. To my surprise, not only can I read the book in print, the Microsoft Reader does just that - it reads to me. With my busy schedule, I was delighted, and will be seeking more Microsoft Reader downloads. I had been downloading in Adobe Reader, but no more. This will be my choice for my e-books. So you might want to give this experience a try and download this version. You can have your book read to you and save a few bucks, plus the added fact you get it then and there, saving postage and time waiting.

Barry's first book, might show a few first time writers flaws, but frankly I tend to ignore that. What I am seeking is story. When a good story grabs me, then I could care less if there is a POV (point of view) shift or maybe it was not pristinely edited. WHO CARES! It's the story that matters and if that is not there, not matter how perfect the presentation, you won't be entertained. And Barry's tale has story in spades. The book opens with Cidra Faulkner's family home being attacked. She has been trained to use the escape tunnels, to save herself. She does. Huddled, she awaits her father, mother and brothers. Only they don't come. Cidra is rescued by Syrus, a gentle man, but also a warrior and teacher. He carries Cidra away, hides her by telling all Cidra is his niece and trains her in the way of the Kin-Sha, near mythical warriors.

Now ten years later, Cidra's life is going to take another drastic turn due to Syrus' intervention, this time, nearly from beyond the grave. Just before Syrus' death, he contact his former student, Grey Stone, and traps Grey into carrying Cidra away from the planet, he fears a danger nearing. Grey arrives to find Cidra burying their mentor, and knows despite who she was - the daughter of the man he holds responsible for the death of nearly everyone on his planet - that he has to honor his vow to Syrus. Grey is an intergalactic treasure hunter. He knows he must try to hide Cidra's true identity or those who killed her family would soon be after her. After she learns information Syrus left to her, she vows to track down the people that saw her father condemned for a crime he didn't commit, and see justice done his memory. Grey is bound to help her as he discovers the man who killed her family is the same one responsible for the death of Grey's people.

Barry's first work may not be quite as polished as Unearthed, Unraveled, and Unleashed, but it has something that's more precious - it's that first book, a first love when a writer is not worrying about word count, POV or if it will please the masses, but is writing straight from the heart. That is what makes Unchained one of Barry's greatest efforts.

Simply great storytelling, with passion, heart and soul.

2004 Reviewers International Organization's Award of Excellence Winner

As a young girl, Cidra Faulkner was the only member of her family to escape when her family was massacred. Now, many years later she has been trained in the forbidden arts of a Kin-Sha warrior and her mentor has summoned Grey Stone to help her find the truth behind her families' murder.

Grey Stone is an intergalactic treasure hunter. When his old teacher and mentor sends him a cryptic message, he drops everything, only to arrive after the old mans death. While he is the best at finding lost and forgotten relics, nothing has prepared him for taking on Cidra, a woman with a death warrant attached to her name.

Just as suddenly as the two are thrown together, they are sent on a mission that will either kill them or absolve Cidra's family of a crime they didn't commit as well as save a planet from a plague that is more than anyone originally thought.

Hold onto your space helmet, you will need the oxygen it provides to read UNCHAINED. Cidra's story is very fast paced and the mystery had me holding my breath quite a bit as I anxiously tried to read faster to find out what would happen next.

Cidras' father was in charge of delivering a shipment of a much needed vaccination that was never delivered. While many years have passed, our hero and heroine currently have a space chart, a video-copy of the shipment blowing up as well as a vial from the lost shipment. Now it is up to our couple to find out what happened to the shipment and along the way convince the "bad guys" that they have been told lies all these years.

CJ Barry has done a wonderful job writing UNCHAINED. The story is fast paced, and flows from one event into the next seamlessly. While this didn't bother me in the least I thought I'd mention that the romance between our couple is secondary to the action adventure-mystery that they are trying to unravel in the story. I think it's a testament to CJ Barry's writing ability that she has also allowed Grey and Cidra the time to form any kind of attachment.

Cidra and Grey are forced to rely on each other and I would say that their relationship forms out of admiration for each others abilities. Cidra had been protected by their mentor and while strong in mind and body she is unaware of the real world. Grey has acquired the cynicism of one disillusioned with life as he is betrayed by associates in his profession. So Cidra gave Grey a fresh view of life. Both are strong and determined and I liked them both.

CJ Barry has become one of my favorite authors, and while UNCHAINED is not part of her "UN" series, it is not a book to be missed!

I had the privilege of taking several courses on psychoanalysis with Barry Silverstein way back in the 1980's and it was a career shaping experience for me. As a previous reviewer has stated, he helps one understand not only what Freud really said, but within the historical context. I could not more highly recommend a book. If you want to understand Freud, read this book!

While many introductory texts on Freud are available, none has accomplished what Silverstein has done in this new offering. Most introductory texts concentrate their efforts on the biographical detail of Freud's life because so much (e.g., letters, drafts, papers) is available or are fairly consistent to a greater or lesser extent merely adequately representing the basic theoretical concepts of psychoanalysis. However, delightfully Silverstein deviates from this formulaic approach in favor of one that minimizes the temporal and emphasizes the thematic. While other introductions to Freud have been characterized as or laid claim to the subtitle of "intellectual biography," it is only here that in an introductory work such a contribution to the history of ideas is evident. The author has constructed a powerful tour de force that presents Freud's episodic dilemmas and solutions that range from his initial desire to understand the nature and etiology of the neuroses in order to bring relief to his patients to his discovery and mapping of the uncharted territory of the unconscious and its power to rule our lives. A proven Freud researcher and career university professor, Silverstein has done a remarkable job of integrating and synthesizing the intellectual and the biographical. For example, Freud's interest in neurology that began with histological examinations and culminated with his writing of the Project for a Scientific Psychology has only received passing mention in other texts as a biographical expediency, here linkages are made between this material and Freud's later metapsychological constructs and understanding of the mind/brain relationship. Hence, while this book will indeed provide the novice with a superior education as to the intellectual struggles and accomplishments of Freud, there is much here that the advanced reader or researcher already familiar with the literature of Freud would find new and novel. It is clear to this reviewer that this introductory text is by design only the first book-length effort on Freud by this insightful and talented author. The brevity and conciseness of the text even makes the lack of an index of little or no concern.

Finally, a readable, accurate, and fair presentation of Freud. Unlike most recent books about Freud, the author does not have an ax to grind, for or against Freud. He does seem aware, however, that the way Freud is typically taught, or written about, today, presents the ideas completely out of the historical and scientific contexts in which Freud was working. This book presents the challenges Freud was facing, and thereby makes the development of his theory, and the changes that he made along the way, intelligible (and even convinving). Another notable feature of this excellent book is that it can serve as the perfect book for an introductury, undergraduate class on Freud, as well as a book for graduate or post-graduate level training in psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, etc. Also, this book is crammed with interesting facts about Freud that clarify situations often described inaccurately in other works. In short, if you have been waiting for a readable, scholarly book on Freud, or even if you have read many other Freud books, buy this one and recommend it to your colleagues. You will definitely learn something new, no matter what your level of expertise.