Bishop Books

I can't really review this book as I gave it as a gift to my son-in-law. I think he's really enjoying it - he's planning on trying a little stand up soon.

I first read "Great Comedians" in 1972 when I was starting out as a comedian. I found it to be just what I needed as a young aspiring comedian. The interviews of Woody Allen, Shelley Berman, Jack Benny, and Phillis Diller resonated with me and helped me immensely in my standup comedy development. It also inspired me to write my own book probing the methods of my generations great comedians ("Comic Insights") in order to help today's young comedians get a better idea of what it takes to do quality standup. I recently read "Great Comedians" again, and my original verdict still stands. This book is still of immense value to all aspiring comedians.

It's no secret that comedians -- great and not-so-great -- are influenced by the WORK of other comedians. The advent of film in the 20th century made this a lot easier since when a comedian died the work was still available...and now with videos etc. it's easier than ever.

But what about HOW these comedians made laughs...how they were inspired...what specific techniques they used and did not use...and what advice they would give anyone interested in going into any area of comedy?

Those have been tough answers to get. To do it you'd have to buy a slew of good and sometimes rotten bios, many of them out of print. Until now. Stand-up comedian Larry Wilde's Great Comedians Talk About Comedy brings it all together.

Great Comedians is a superb, singular achievement that collects within one lively, 402-page, info-packed volume, detailed interviews done over several years with some of the 20th century's greatest comedians and comedy actors.

The selection is absolutely mind-boggling: Woody Allen, Milton Berle, Shelly Berman, Jack Benny, Joey Bishop, George Burns, Johnny Carson, Maurice Chevalier, Phyllis Diller, Jimmy Durante, Bob Hope, Dick Gregory, George Jessle, Jerry Lewis, Jerry Seinfeld, Danny Thomas and Ed Wynn.

Each interview is presented in straight Q&A format so you get to "hear" the question and "hear" the response, from what the comedian/comedy actor says to his/her own speech pattern. These folks worked in venues from vaudeville, to radio, to night clubs, to radio to early silent movies to talkies to TV. And their responses to questions contain revelations and constant inspiration.

A key theme: how "making it" in comedy requires timing, good material, dogged persistance, constant analysis of jokes/laughs and being LIKEABLE to an audience. Copying someone's stage personna or stealing their jokes just won't do it.

My favorite interviews were with Woody Allen (how he writes ten jokes on everything from matchbooks to napkins and only uses a few; how he won't try jokes out on friends since they're often too negative; how audience appeal MATTERS...and his pointing to Jackie Gleason as someone who often had a lousey show but people loved him), Jack Benny (the importance of learning comedy and advancing step by step...an explanation of his legendary timing), Joey Bishop ("...Luck cannot sustain you.Only talent can sustain you.."), George Burns (tips on timing, attitude and the importance emulating but not copying other performers), Phyllis Diller (five truly SUPERB short inspirational tips that can advance MANY careers...Her high laugh per minute standards), and Jerry Seinfeld (timing, getting into a focused mental framework and how his love of comedy as a kid blossomed).

This book an essential for ANYONE interested in comedy, or for students of comedy, public speakers, or anyone who simply wants to be funny in public. It's ALL HERE: the inspiration, the tips, the stories, the bios...the TOOLS.

It's now a cliche to say "comedy isn't easy" and the whole process is mysterious. Larry Wilde's Great Comedians Talk About Comedy makes it less mysterious and -- a a bit easier.

Almost all the reviews on Amazon are by stand- up comics who claim that this book has been a great resource in teaching them how to 'get em' and 'leave em' laughing.
I am not a stand- up comedian and perhaps not even a sit- down one.
But many of the people interviewed here have given me, people I have known and millions of others a lot of laughs, and a lot of happy moments. I think of how much Jack Benny meant in the old days to my parents. And how when we were growing up Tuesday night had to be with Uncle Miltie or it was not. I think of the great heart of Jimmy Durante " Good Night, Mrs.Calabash wherever you are." And also of Shelley Berman( "Some people say Aristotle died in Chalcis Euboea. I think Aristotle died 'of' Chalcis Eubeoa") Also others featured here, Carson who passed away this year who gave so many Americans their nighttime entertainment, and George Burns who with his, "Gracie.Say good night" always brought a smile. And even Joey Bishop who never seemed to me in the least funny , and Woody Allen( Unlike everyone else who reviewed this book I did not find his interview either interesting or funny, though I admit he has made a few clever remarks in his time. ie." I don't want to be an immortal. I just want to go on living forever".
Any gathering of such a great group of personalities has to be a source of entertainment.
This book as I understand it has served as a kind of 'Bible ' for stand- up comedians.
I suggest even some of the sit- down ones may get real pleasure from it.

There is very little to dislike in the content of the book. He interviews some of the great comics,comedians,funnymen of the 20th century about craft. The candidness of each interviewee is what struck me upon first reading. It often seems that comics can be quite elusive when it comes to discussing their craft. The general consensus among the subjects is that one has some innate funniness present that he can hone and sharpen in order to become a truly great comic. Wilde asks some very poignant questions about each one's process: writing, performing, and breaking into the business. He also requests of each that they divulge their major influences and what specific things they might have picked up from each. Very interesting stuff (I found out about several comics I had never heard of). There is also the requisite interview fodder of personal history and amusing anecdotes. This book seems to be the only one of its kind and is invaluable for its diverse perspectives from some of the greats. Berle, Hope, and Burns in particular provide interesting contextual history of their vaudeville days starting out (and the transition to post-vaudeville). The subjects chosen each share an unparalleled longevity in the business. I especially enjoyed the Berle and Woody Allen interviews. Each sheds light on specific aspects of "technique." The comics chosen represent a wide range of comedic styles: the reader is bound to be a fan of at least one. The book is an interesting historical document and quite unique: +5 stars.

I do have some criticisms of the book (-1 star). During later interviews in the book (chronologically), Wilde becomes a bit too referential. For example, he might begin a question with "Milton Berle once said to me..." Though it's interesting to see if a particular comic agrees with the others on certain points, this is not a terribly effective way to ask a question. Who in their right mind in the business would say that Milton Berle is full of it? The question can be asked without reference to the source (and therefore without the consequence of bias). Furthermore, the price is outrageous considering that the book could have been half the length if such a massive font was not used. Many responses to questions in the book have been edited and ostensibly continue beyond the transcription. You will notice the liberal use of elipses in nearly every interview. Perhaps if a standard font was used more of the abridged interviews could be included at no additional cost. This 2000 edition adds an interview with Jerry Seinfeld, but I'm not entirely certain how he was chosen as the only modern comic included. Could the book (originally published in 1968) have been put out cheaply in paperback? Only Larry Wilde's accountant may ever know.

I can scarcely imagine an author who has done a better job of creating a world that is as meticulously researched, historically accurate and heartbreakingly tragic. This series is an installment in a prolonged effort by Kurtz and this first book is splendid. Depicting the start of the reign of a young King, newly come to power and his struggles to become who he wishes and not what others would have him be.

The author writes with such expertise in depicting the world and conditions that the characters live in, that you are truly there. It's gritty and dark and entirely realistic. The characters are flawed, but that is the beauty of the craftsmanship because they are all the better for being something other than the infallible heroes that so often bedeck this genre.

The author's depiction of the role of Church, politics and intrigue are flawlessly intertwined. The very title of this book is controversial enough to pique the interest of any student of human history. I really enjoyed that she so closely emulates what really happened, but still blends in the fantastic and sets it some place other than our world.

Prepare to be entertained and educated, but make the effort and take the time because this is what we all hope to read and so seldom find.

"The Bishop's Heir" is one of my favorites in this series -- fantastic writing; wonderful, well-developed characters; adventure; intrigue; brotherhood; loyality; friendship; sacrifice; and some humor thrown in for good measure. Who could ask for more?

What an amazing work! So many different things for so many different characters were developed in this book, and I couldn't have been more pleased.

This is the first of her books that I ever read. I found her description of ritual to be very moving. Enough so, that I gained better insight into the attraction of religion.

She has created a world not dissimilar to Europe around the time of the dark ages. Reading one of her books makes you see the history of Europe with new eyes and interest. An added bonus for your kids who are just getting up to that section of history. She delves deeply and to great effect into the politics of a kings court.

I say 'undiscovered', because it is difficult to find her books in the library or at the book store, you can generally pick up one or two somewhere, but not the whole collection. However, those that know her writing, seem to always want more. Our local library has four of her books - all of which have been stolen from the library. While a pity, certainly she has a following.

I don't think she writes with a master plan, book 1-book 10 of a series. Instead she seems to write about something, and then explore what happened before that to this character, or after to that one, or 'between' events. Makes is difficult to get a linear progression of a story, but then history is like that.

Anytime I run into one of her books at the bookstore, I buy it.

I can easily describe Katherine Kurtz The Bishop's Heir in one sentence: Brilliant. This novel, which is book one of the three part Chronicles of King Kelson, is absolutely brilliant. Kurtz weaves a rich tapestry of intrigue and war all set in an alternate reality.

The plot of the story is strong, which is typical of a Kurtz novel. She obviously is well read on medieval History (M.A. in Medieval English History) and religion, which adds a depth to this novel that most fantasy authors could only dream of achieving. Rather than take the worn out theme perfected by Tolkien (and then worn out by subsequent copy cats) she devises a plot based around the desire for power and combines it with racism and genocidal desires (themes from our own time).

No review of this novel would be complete without a discussion of Ms. Kurtz's use of religion to drive the plot. Something most fantasy novels simply brush over is the religion of the characters involved. If, and that's a big if, religion is mentioned, it's usually some bland form of paganism similar to just about every other fantasy novel out there. Not this one. The use of the Catholic Church, along with it's heirarchy of nuns and priests, bishops and monks, gives these books a depth I've not seen in a fantasy novel since, perhaps, the master himself. Like the Lord of the Rings, The Bishop's Heir reads like a great historical novel, rather than a half baked fantasy.

If you are yearning for a good fantasy with some magic, lot's of plot, and well written characters, you've come to the right place.

Set in 1943, Brittle Innings is the story of a 17 year old minor league shortstop from Tenkiller, Oklahoma named Danny Boles. If it weren't for baseball, Boles would have very little going for him. He's short (5'5"), has big ears, stutters (only to lose his voice altogether early in the novel due to an assault while on board a train), and he has no idea where his father is. While most of America's young men (including players like Joe Dimaggio) were busy fighting overseas, Boles is invited to play for Georgia's Highbridge Hellbenders.

Boles' transition from playing for his high school to a potential lauching pad to the big leagues is not easy one. For some his teammates, the Hellbenders is their last chance to make a living playing baseball, and for others, it's a means to avoid the draft. And some of these players care little about a mute 17 year-old boy playing a "grown man's" game. Come Hell or highwater, they'll do what they can to keep playing the game.

That's when Boles' roommate "Jumbo" Hank Clerval enters the picture. Clerval is in many ways Boles' antithesis. Clerval is over seven feet tall, is extremely articulate, and he's nearly 150 years old. He is also a vegetarian and a pacifist, the latter of which was not a popular stateside belief after Pearl Harbor. Despite their superficial differences, Boles and Clerval are both able to forge a friendship that is rooted in their internal similarities - one of them being how both men endured turbulent relationships with their fathers. Clerval protects Boles from the bullying from some of the teammates, and Clerval places his trust in Boles to write the missing chapter from his life. The first chapter of which was in real life written by a woman born Mary Godwin (who is known better by another name, but I'll let you figure that out).

This is one of those novels that should have for all intents and purposes been a colossal failure. It could have been played like a cheap B-movie with the unbelievable inclusion of two vastly different plot devices. Instead, it is in my opinion an unheralded triumph in late 20th century American literature. This book is like Newton's Law in reverse: everything that can work DOES work. Michael Bishop, who is mostly known for writing science fiction, channels William Faulkner, W.P. Kinsella, and the aforementioned Godwin in ways that compliment rather than clash. It truly speaks volumes for Bishop as a writer the way in which he changes perspectives from Boles' 1940s southern dialect as opposed to Clerval's sesquepedalian vernacular (YIKES, Now I'm beginning to write like Clerval talks - Help me) while staying well within the context the story. But what's best of all is how he humanizes Clerval, even if he is a construct of cannibalized body parts. Even though Clerval has had well over a century of practice at being a human being, he still sometimes fails - like the rest of us. As far as Michael Bishop goes, I'm sure he's had failures in his life. This book is most certainly not one of them.

This is a terrific, literate, well-researched book. It is evocative of To Kill a Mockingbird, and you might swear that it was written during that same era, yet it was published in the 90's. I don't care for baseball, and I loved the book. The characters will draw you in, and the plot unfolds--again--like the best literature from the 40's and 50's. The meaning behind the title is finally revealed late in the book, and it fits incredibly well with the story of young Danny Boles.

Adults of all ages will like this, but surprise someone who likes literature from the mid-20th century with a gift of this book. Find an English major whose specialty is literature from that era. People like this will be especially appreciative of the language, the tone, and the feel of the book.

More than anything else in this novel,which is presented as a semi-biography
is Bishop's ability to weave together the lives of some many disparate people who all have one thing in common...they are outside of the normal limits. They all are involved with a WWII (1943)Class C minor league team in the Alabama/Georgia region, the Highbridge Hellbenders.

The three main characters are a young okie (seventeen) who is signed out of high school to play on this team of misfits. Daniel Boles daddy teaches him to play baseball, but one day while fighting with his wife, hits Danny so hard that he doesn't speak for two years. By the time he leaves home he has developed a major stammer. After an encounter on the train to Georgia with an army DI who knew his dad, he lapses back into silence.

Jumbo Henry Clerval is a giant, over seven feet, and so ugly that people cross the street to get away from him. In reality he is a gentle giant, a vegetarian and autodidact, with a whopper of a secret (it comes out early in the book), who becomes Danny's roomate and mentor.

Lastly is Darius Satterfield, the illegitimate negro son of the owner of the team. Darius has great talent but can't play on a 'white' team in the Deep South, so he helps to coach and drives the team bus.

The lives of these three men are wrapped around different machinizations that include a sodomy rape, the death of Danny's father, adultory, a presidential visit, more adultory, miscengation, another death, a self-immolation suicide, a murder and a few other situations thrown in to make the book interesting.

The story is interesting for Bishop's ability to make everything that is happening seem plausible, but the book is no great shakes.

A fabulous combination of the horror genre and sports writing. To top it off, Bishop is strong writer. His characters are well-developed and likable (I hate reading a book where I don't like anyone) and he's excellent at turning a phrase. He's even able to provide a highly believable re-creation of 18th century writing. Some of the events are disturbing, some humorous, and it all comes together beautifully.

Or maybe they did. Or maybe nobody ever thought of it before. If you had a contest of either the most unlikely types of books or ideas that you just didn't think would work, this would probably top the list. Baseball and Gothic horror? Taking place in WWII-era South? In the summer? But oh man is it good, in large part to Bishop's attention to period detail and his creation of a unique and feisty narrator in the young (and old) Danny Boles. The premise is that a young reporter has tracked down Mr Boles in an attempt to write a book about his life (he's a well known baseball scout) and Danny agrees, only if the first book the reporter does is a story of his only season playing in a professional fashion, with the Hellbenders. Thus the story begins, winding along, following Danny and his attempts to fit in with his team. The team consists of some of the most interesting characters, nay, people to come by in a long time. There is no one there that you can either straight out love or hate, the worst person has an endearing trait, the best of them hides a secret of some sort. Towering over it all literally is Jumbo Hank Clerval, the man who winds up being Danny's roommate (partway through the book he loses the ability to speak, which makes it even more interesting because Danny is forced to watch without acting more often than not) and the focus of the book itself. If you don't know how Mr Clerval is, well I won't spoil it for you, but that's where the unlikely concept comes in. The rest of the book is pitch perfect summer baseball, I don't even like sports that much and I loved this book. You sweat with the team as they win and lose game after game, fighting for the pennnant, trying to get some dignity and recognition in a country where everyone else is focused on the war effort and using baseball just as reason to forget their worries. Against this backdrop the summer falls and you are immersed into the South, warts and all, racism and truimph, tragedy and heroism. It's all there, this book breaks genres and it's a book you can recommend to most anyone. And I suggest you do.

Ross Bishop has been there and back again. He's taken the hits, wound up in the ditches, and seen the high side, all for a price: to find his way along the path. In his case a path that led him to discover that he is a natural healer, a shaman.

To our good fortune he is also one of those compassionate beings that realizes that spreading the word of what he learned helps us all and the planet we so precariously live on.

Ross has a knack for explaining things, always a helpful attribute. Our Universe is complex, a gazillion learning experiences happening simultaneously, all guiding us along our path. We sometimes need help along this path and Journey To Enlightenment can fill this need.

A wealth of information is offered to us in this book. Some of it the kind one must go over several times to ingest. I noticed right from the start that this is going to become an importance reference book in a lot of people's lives. To his benefit, Ross has endowed this book with an easy to follow format: principles we can gather and begin to assimilate and an index to help us find our way back to particularly meaningful bits.

I am always delighted when authors pull quotes from knowledgeable sources and then expound on them or use them to guide us to an important junction. Ross calls on the likes of Ghandi, Rumi, Ramana Maharshi, Juan Ramon Jimenez, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, and Black Elk to name just a few. He uses stories where they do a particularly good job of illustrating his point. The best of these being Steve Job's infamous, "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish" commencement address at Stanford.

So, where can this book take it's readers? Pretty much anywhere you want to go, but most importantly to find what Bishop calls the God Space. The work involved is not easy, and it will take time. But as you work thru his suggestions and exercises dealing with your inner child, entities that may have attached themselves to you or past lives that need to be visited you will little by little, or in astonishing leaps find your way. Remember, as Principle No. One states LOVE EVERYTHING. Just imagine how far that could take you towards your own personal God Space.

Reviewed by Irene Watson for RebeccasReads (3/08)

Ross Bishop is a natural shaman that writes from the heart and his truth. He says "No matter how you slice it, it's about compassion. Certainly about compassion for others, but mostly it is about compassion for yourself." He couldn't be much closer to the truth. Bishop explains in "Journey to Enlightenment" being compassionate toward oneself, letting go of limiting beliefs, acceptance of challenges in life and steps on what to do about them. According to Bishop, understanding why we created the beliefs and challenges is the first step to enlightenment.

However, as Bishop explains, this is not an easy task. He quotes Carl Jung "He who looks outside, dreams. He who looks inside, awakens." Dreaming is easy but wakening is often a task we consider as being difficult. Bishop talks about awakening and why we struggle against it. According to Bishop, our inner child is usually damaged due to parental dysfunctional behaviors as well as disharmony within the environment - home and outside influences. Changing our pictures and rewriting the scripts, combined with resolution is the first step to awakening. Bishop contends we "came to Earth to resolve" the issues.

Bishop further challenges us, when we are worried, upset, or have "problems" we "take a deep breath and recognize that this is not occurring as punishment, or because we are unworthy, or that we are messed-up. It is happening because we need to learn to open our heart." He feels this is an opportunity that presented itself to us to learn how to open up our heart. However, we can choose to take it as an opportunity or we can wallow in our issues and feel sorry for ourselves, usually getting nowhere but deeper in our "stuff" and further away from enlightenment.

Bishop explains that according to traditional concepts blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint issues, or cancer are systemic illnesses. According to non-traditional healers these are just "natural progressions from unhealed psychic or emotional disturbances." This is where Bishop comes is, as a healer in non-traditional means. "Journey to Enlightenment" not only explains why we have challenges but Bishop gives the process of awakening through a "journey" of an ancient shamanic healing process (in a Western concept.) But, he doesn't just leave you there; he explains how to deal with issues that manifested during the process and move past the obstacle stage to awakening and enlightenment.

I give Ross Bishop's book, "Journey to Enlightenment" a resounding YES! Being a student of the enlightenment process myself, I've read many books and attended many workshops. I've even facilitated workshops and retreats myself. From my personal experience, I must say this is one of the most concise, yet simple books I have come across. Bishop writes with extraordinary precision, giving the readers the opportunity to look at their own beliefs and interferences in a gentle way while bringing an end result of compassion to oneself and enlightenment.

According to Shaman Ross Bishop, "Enlightenment may not be as unreachable as you think." In his important book, Journey to Enlightenment, Bishop provides readers with a new way to view their life experiences as well as recommendations to reconnect with "God space." Readers are given concrete techniques for addressing "obstacles" on the path to enlightenment. Bishop encourages readers to live a life of compassion rather than fear and encourages readers to make their spiritual growth the most important thing in their lives. Bishop presents 13 core principles as a guide to finding one's way to the Divine. Among these principles are: Love everything or it will become a lesson. Bishop also provides specific exercise to work and heal the inner child as well as information about healing ritual with the Shamanic Journey Process. The book is a fantastic resource readers are sure to refer to as they advance on their pathway to enlightenment.

This book truly allows you to "see the light." I was fascinated with Ross's background with him being in the Advertising field and he is now a Shaman! This is my hope for others to take a look at their journey and figure out if it is the right one for them. He was led kicking and screaming onto his new path, what a way to go!! We should all be so lucky to have his wonderful insites on the how to of this journey of enlightenment. You will not be disappointed with his easy to understand and helpful suggestions to encourage you on your spiritual path. Happy Journeys!

This 248 page journey into self love was a great treat to review. The format was easy to follow and I fell totally in love with the author's compassionate down to earth style. It was so comfortable it was like sitting with my best friend and mentor discussing the road map to enlightenment over a cup of tea. I was energized and comforted all at the same time.

The book touched on many areas that I have found sticking points through out my life and then proceeded through personal stories and great insights to give me a way out of my pain and the blocks that have held me back for so long. There was a meditation that really helped me get more in touch with my spiritual self and I was amazed how simple it was to accomplish. I would recommend this awesome teacher to anyone serious about reaching to the light in a more focused and supported way. Thanks Ross, your blessed contributions have helped many.

I did like this book because it offers a "battle plan"-you feel empowered just reading it. Some of the ideas in the book are very very practical and I would have never thought about them. However...not all the ideas are all that original, and I was doing lots of the things described anyway. Another problem is that the author, instead of showing more about organizing paperwork, refers her readers to a different book... Overall, it's a pretty nice read, but for the organizing freaks out there-don't expect an epiphany!

I like the author's use of humor as well as the included lists for organization. It is possible to organize one area at a time. I have read Alexandria Stoddard in the past and like how this author incorporates her ideas especially for the Decompression Chamber. I live in a one room apartment so I can develop my own Cozy Corner.
This book is more an advanced course in organization than other books I have used in the past. This previous knowledge is often assumed. The book also has another problem common to books on organization. Many of us rent and for that reason cannot add built-ins to where we live.

Household Winners For Working Women: Your Personal Organizational Tool Kit To Declutter & Design A Comfortable Home is a highly practical and "user friendly" guide for keeping one's home free of useless encumbrances and enhancing a cozy, liveable space in which to better enjoy life. Written specifically for working women with limited time for housework, individual chapters address everything from an easy-to-access closet, to choosing groceries that offer maximum nutrition and delicious preparation with minimum fuss, to car cleaning and car jacking prevention tips, Household Winners For Working Women is packed cover to cover with solid, useful, and highly recommended ideas, suggestions, and advice.

I purchased this book as a gift for my wife. She is a fairly well organized person but she said that she needed to be better about certain tasks. So anyway, I gave it to her and she said it was perfect. The fact that she was able to read and zoom in on the relevant chapters to her pleased her to no end. I highly recommend this book. It is a great gift idea.

Written in a conversational style, Dr. Bishop guides us through a delightful process of decluttering and organizing our home environments--to Assess, Zone, Unload, Rearrange & Enjoy. Chapters address creating organized rooms and work and storage spaces throughout the home. This comprehensive manual is especially valuable for the numerous checklists for project planning and for documenting important family and household information. Also includes extensive, useful Resources, Apprendix, and Bibliography sections.

If reading from beginning-to-end is not your style, start by learning Dr. Bishop's philosophy of AZURE-ing (p.340-41) and move to Chapter 4 to create your own Personal Decompression Chamber. Then, in your personal care retreat, read the remaining chapters that will guide you in the process of organizing your other home environments, and simplifying your life to enjoy it more!

I'm a teenager and i really enjoyed this book.It is a real page turner & I recommend people of all ages read it. Even if you dont like westerns, read it you will truly enjoy reading this book.It was written with taste that even a teenager could enjoy.

Luke Ludd is a book of revenge and what friendship's are supposed to mean; and makes the reader agree that revenge is the way. While Luke has been away, working as a Pinkerton Agent, Laughlin attempts to take over water and range rights from everyone in the valley resulting in multiple murders, including Luke Ludd's father. Luke's only desire is to see the men responsible dead. This results in his killing three of the McKues brothers in the streets of Rising Star. Luke is badly wounded himself during the gun battle and struggling to survive. After being rescued by Cork Langtry, an old family friend with a beautiful daughter who has loved Luke her entire life, the book is off and running with non-stop action. The character's come alive and the reader feels as though he is there with them to the end. Luke Ludd is a must read for any fan of western novels and a book you will not want to put down because you can't wait to see what happens next. D. J. Bishop is a writer with in depth knowledge of his genre, and readers will look forward to future books.

LUKE'S REVENGE FOR MURDER OF HIS FATHER
LORAINE'S LIFETIME LOVE FOR LUKE
CHARACTERIZATION WAS SUPER

After seven long years away, Luke Ludd returns to the town where he grew up after receiving word that his father had been killed. He arrives back in Rising Star to find not only had his father been shot down in cold blood, but a man by the name of Maxwell Laughlin had ordered it done so he could take over the ranch and water that in time would surely give him control of the town and all the people in it. To make things even worse Laughlin had hired the five mean-spirited McKuen brothers with their fast guns to carry out his orders and to do away with anyone else who stood in his way. The pursuing gun battle leaves three of the McKuen's dead and Luke under the boardwalk of the barbershop near death with three bullet wounds in his body and what remained of the McKuens closing in. This is an Avalon Western, and like all Avalon books, it is suitable for the whole family to read.

FROM COVER TO COVER A REAL PAGE TURNER
WELL DEVELOPED
VERY CREATIVE
PACKED FULL OF ACTION
I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN
The book has a straight-line plot. The author's style is simple and straight forward. The book is a real 'page turner.' The focus of story is on action, situations, and events. Characterization focuses on several characters of different sexes whose lives are intertwined. There are memorable and important secondary characters. The ending wraps everything up.
The geographic setting(s) of the book: Texas.
The time period(s) of the book: Mid 1800's

Luke Ludd by D.J. Bishop is must read western. It is a story of a famly and its strugle to stay together, and how in those days revenge was a must. Luke and Lorraine, Cork and his brother Elam, are examples of how families are suppose to be, and how they were the backbone of our country when a mans word was everything. The characters were strong and they stick with you. It is a real page turner I'm not a avid reader and I couldn't put this one down. This is my first western but if there are more like this one of D.J. Bishop's it won't be my last.

Luke Ludd by D.J. Bishop, what can I say. You must read this western. It weaves a story of a family that stays together no matter what the consequences. I absolutely loved this story. I even loved Sadie the ole black sow. The feelings that grew between Luke and Lorraine. Cork and his brother, Elam, a wonderful pair. These men were the backbone of our country. The characters were strong and they stay with you! I bought the book it was so good. A ten stars and two thumbs up to this great story of the western life of a family made strong with the lives they weaved.

Another great book from Roberta Gellis in the Magdaline La Batarde series. She manages to keep you on the edge of your seat. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries.

Certain that I will enjoy this book as much as the other Madalene La Batarde series once I check it out of the library. Advise anyone who wants to read it to check it out at their local library. $87.88 is outrageous and stupid. My recommendation, Amazon should reign in booksellers who are trying to artificially inflate prices. Sure they deserve a mark-up, but get real. I laughed when I saw these prices. May the booksellers have a well stocked and dusty shelf of nonsellers.

This is a mystery novel set in the Middle Ages, part of Roberta Gellis' series with Madeleine la Batarde and a worthy addition to the series. As a mystery it is enjoyable both in terms of the puzzle presented and in terms of solution without the scientific evidence we are accustomed to accepting. (No fingerprints, much less DNA) However, it is also well worth reading for the glimpse into life as it was lived in the Middle Ages, which can be surprisingly modern in some ways and just as surprisingly incomprehensible in others. Ms. Gellis has a truly fine grasp of what the dry history must have meant to the people who were living it and a talent for conveying the feel of it so that the reader feels he or she has had a chance to visit the era rather than be lecturec about it. For instance, she can convey both the insanitary conditions and the people's total acceptance of those conditions as "ordinary" life. That is a talent in the writing that is extremely enjoyable.

This is Roberta Gellis at her best. It has an intriguing plot with many surprises. The Magdalene La Batarde series are generally very good, but this is possibly the best yet. The historical setting is as enthralling as ever, and the fix the Bishop of Winchester finds himself in can only be solved by the genius of Magdalene and her women and her faithful Bell. If you like a very entertaining mystery this is great.

Gellis' books in this historical series, of which this is the most recent, are all enjoyable reads. While one gets a bit tired of the female protagonist continually reminding everyone in sight that she is a prostitute/whore, nevertheless, the implications of Chains of Folly advance the story through the increasingly intricate machinations and intrigue going on around her to the questions posed in the first volume, and played with intermittently in the subquent ones: Can Madelaine continue to develop her menage of interesting people to provide a semi-respectable and secure place of resort? Or, will the secret in her past be discovered? What will then happen to her? Will her noble protector help or abandon her? What will her jealous, difficult lover do? Because of these questions, in one sense, this particular book in the series is a filler; in its own right, it is a fascinating account of the political and military situation in medieval England and how the leading characters in the story schemed and battled for position and security. Buy it, but look forward to the next volume also.

A wonderful book. After reading it, I felt humbled and determined that I could be better, the "struggle" the other reviewers refer to. The author manages to make this topic uplifting, rather than condemning, and when I was finished I felt reflective and rejuvenated.
I recommend (and have recommended it - today, in fact!) it heartily.

"Defeating Sin" is a bold proposition that many will consider either presumptuous or absurd. But those who venture past the guardian angel on the cover will find that it's all about the life-long process of metanoia (repentance). Fr. Huneycutt is an Orthodox priest who is also gifted at blogging and podcasts. This, his second book, is not intended to be a treatise on the subject, but a decent introduction to repentance (the means toward defeating sin). He starts with simple definitions and a mnemonic for the passions and virtues, and then relates them to both common and Biblical situations using illustrations, excerpts from various ancient and modern writers, and meditations. All of this then culminates in practical advice on how to begin the life-long process of transforming our passions into virtues (i.e., defeating sin).

To often I read spiritual books and fail to act on them. Fr. Joseph Huneycutt in "Defeating Sin" directly leads me toward the action that is so crucial- by God's grace and Divine energies to confess and forsake my vices and apply myself to the virtues.
Part I is deep- explaining our predicament in terms of Adam and Eve and the two trees and how that impacts us. The "Preparation section for confessing our passions, our sins" is also challenging, uncomfortably so.
Part II, the Meditations, are a great help in getting a handle on it all. The first one on St. Ephraim's prayer will speak not only to Orthodox Christians, but to all, in terms of the movements we must make to repent. And the other meditations approach the same goal from various angles so that surely one will bring home what needs to be done- especially the last one, concerning the two trees, which lead to death or life.
The book is an invaluable aid toward the action of conforming one's attitudes and actions to the likeness of Christ.

It is in my humble opinion that this book, that Fr. Joseph wrote, by the Grace of God, is life-changing to those who read it.

Fr. Joseph in the way he explains the origin of sin, the vices and virtues, is visual to the mind. Very easy to understand and remember.

Also, how he explains choice and exercising the free will that God has given us and how we are to choose virtue and how vice can not only deceive us yet even numb us and enslave us to addiction.

The truth that he speaks of, that God is love, Christ is the way, and for us, trust and obedience starting always with a good confession and repentance gives the reader a clear path to pursue and point of start.

Finally, the point he makes which is of course true, that struggle is good, what a relief, a welcome relief so that one does not fall into despair working out his salvation. This truth gives the reader courage and confidence to continue on, moving forward as he also states, always with the loving aid and Grace of God, especially when he falls.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is seriously considering or already trying to please and serve God. I truly feel they would benefit greatly and be blessed by reading it. Life-changing!

Having recently completed my second reading of this work by the Good Father Huneycutt, I must say (from a personal perspective) that this is a very worthwhile and interesting read. One could almost say that this should be the explanatory companion of St. John Climacus' "Ladder of Divine Ascent" for modern-day, English-speaking laity.

Though written for Orthodox Christians, this volume could also be helpful to the explorative members of the heterodox community as well. Despite the rejection of the "Seven Deadly Sins" by many of the protestant and baptist-rooted communities, this book explains them in detail as to who and what they are, and how they are truly the root passions inherent in the sinful nature of Man (plus, as a bonus, it was written originally in English, so it's not a terse translation into large words and pseudo-King James English, so it's a lot easier to understand right off the bat)

Well We are all aware how subjective poetry is, that is, how subjective our thoughts about poetry are.

However if your reading this little ditty I'm sure, your unsure, about your possible purchase.

Let me allay your fears dear reader and recommend you buy this little book. If you new to poetry you'll enjoy it's modern take. As I did. If your old to poetry you will delight in it's subject matter and prose. As I did.

Am I new or old to poetry? Well I'll tell you when you show me that dividing line.

Yours in Future reviews.

O

I was sickened by the honesty of this book. It's life under the microscope, naked. Brutal in it's judgement, unrelenting in it's depiction of the human condition.

Truthful, gritty & chilling. It's a book I couldn't put down especially since I pictured Bukowski reading from this book.

I have recently read this book and found it to be fascinating. The imagery portrayed are the feelings that most of us share, yet feel the need to conceal. I found the words to be a real life look into the minds of the drones we have all become in our society. I find this book to be interesting, yet somewhat perverse. I had a friend visiting and she picked up the book from my coffee table. She read a few passages and informed me that the book was frightening and obviously written from the point of view of a truly disturbed author. She went on to say it was overwhelming in a "I can't put it down, must continue to look at the car accident" kind of way. I highly recommend reading this book.

A Messterpiece of alcohol, poetry and violence? Indeed. Bring me Old Crow, bring me Schlitz, bring me Pabst, bring me Wyborowa. A must read for anybody loyal to such products and hell on earth.

I loved this book as a child. I read it over and over. The pictures were great. Sort of scary but that was half the fun.

This is an amazing piece of literature, Ms Bishop breaks the mold with an innovative invention for the enjoyment of all! The book has some very interesting underlying messages that seem to place children on a pedestal of supreme wisdom and simple inginuity. I as an adult feel quite similar to the poor man who lost his head almost every day. If you also find yourself wondering where your head has gotten off to read this classic story with perfect illustrations by McCloskey!

I am 8 years old and I love this book. My mother received this book for Christmas from my uncle. She used to have it when she was a little girl. I think the story is very funny and imaginative. I especially like the drawings of the pumpkinhead and parsniphead. I recommend this book to anyone with a sense of humor.

I read this book when I was 9 years old. It was my favorite book when I was a kid, and I read it again and again. When I was 20, I wrote a song inspired by this book. A few years ago I managed to find a copy for sale (the one I had as a kid is long gone) and, of course, I bought it. The copy I bought was from a 1969 edition, the same edition I had as a kid. Almost hard to believe this book was originally published in 1942.

This book tells the story of a terrible dream that a man had- -that he woke up one day and couldnýt find his head. In the story, the man wakes up without his head and remembers that he had visited the fair the day before to sell a pig. Perhaps he left his head at the fair. So he returns to the fair in search of his head. In order to avoid stares, he tries out a few prosthetic devices, including a carved jack-o-lantern and a carved parsnip before he settles on a wooden head. He has a great time during his return visit to the fair, but doesnýt find his head until a ragged little boy claims he might be able to help and gives him a heck of wallop in his wooden face that finally wakes him up.

Older children (especially boys, since all the characters are male) may enjoy the tale quite a bit, with its black-and-white cartoon-like illustrations that are full of detail. However, parts of the story may be much too scary for younger kids, from the premise of the story itself through playing with the hungry lion, and the final punch. The book, at about 1500 words, is rather long for reading aloud.