Bradley Books

This book was written is 1976. Most of the techniques and defenses are outdated or useless. The most important aspect of this book is that of teaching a woman about awareness and a mindset for defending herself. I know Steiner personally, this is not his best work.

Bradley Steiner has drawn on his extensive knowledge of karate, jujitsu, kung fu and military hand-to-hand combat and put together this self-defense course with techniques that are effective yet easy to learn. This is serious survival training, not dojo ballet. Also, the author gives a good deal of attention to the psychological preparation and mental attitude needed for effective self-defense against a dangerous attacker. The mindset is something many women have difficulty with, and it's as important as the skills.

Not a great book for anyone learning true self-defense. If you are however, a fan of fighting/empowerment photos of strong women.....this is a classic!

If General Bradley could have been alive at the time this book was due for final review before being publication, I can't imagine that he would have supported its release.

While the book is loaded with interesting snip-its of history (and to a lesser degree, the details of battles in which Bradley fought), these incidents are counter-balanced by what comes off as simply impish, petty sniping at comrades long since dead, men who can no longer defend themselves. It gets tiring reading "I was FURIOUS at so-and-so!" and "This is what he said, but that's not true!", as if to imply that everyone but he is lying all the time...and this on every other page!

All too often, it reads more like a young teenage girl's vitriol diary, as opposed to an important review of history by a General of the U.S. Army.

What you end up coming away with after reading this book is the impression of Bradley as a pompous, arrogant, all-knowing, "back-stabbing the dead", perpetually victimized, "more petty than Rosy O'Donnell", Class-A Whiner! From everything I ever read about Bradley, he was not really like that. He comes off as perpetually bitter all too often...and it seems inconceivable that he built his entire military career around having that kind of attitude and hence, found all of the success that he did.

This book was written with a ghost writer (Clay Blair), and was not finished or approved by Bradley himself before he died. I don't believe that Bradley would have wanted to be remembered in this way. Did all or most of the incidents happen which were put forth in the book? I don't doubt that they did. But it seems to me quite possible that the confidential relationship between ghost writer and author was abused by Blair. Bradley simply did not have a chance to review the final copy and sign off on it as being 100% accurate or in proper context.

The book is published by "Bradley's estate", and while that can denote approval of content, who can say for sure? Any number of possible scenarios could have brought about the publishing of such a "whiner" (the estate was hard up for cash, etc.? Who knows...)

So all things considered, I can't honestly say that this is a great read that I'd recommend (in case you couldn't tell, lol). I'd wait until you see this one at the Local Library Yard Sale and buy it for a dollar...like I did ;-)

I was extremely surprized by this book. It is quite well-written and it tells a terrific story -- and though it is fully first-person, Omar Bradley comes across as a really fine guy. While he genuinely earned the rank, authority and privilege he ultimately exercised as a top US Army general, the story of his slow-but-steady rise through the hierarchy conveys the depth of personality he had achieved by the time he reached the upper ranks. A biography of George Marshall calls Bradley the "most effective troop leader ever produced by the US military system," and one can certainly see the validity in that appraisal by reading his autobiography. Bradley's honesty about other famous generals is interesting (though it is true he pretty much outlived all of them, and was able to have the final word) and appropriatedly honest/kind. Not far into the book, you wish you actually knew him, he seems the sort who would make a great friend.

Bradley's evaluations of several significant events make this book essential reading for students of 20th Century history. The perspective from which he witnessed everything was perfect for retrospective observation -- he wasn't so high up (like Churchill) that he had a global view, nor so low down that he could only see the trenches. And his micro-brief account of Anthony McAuliffe's "Nuts!" episode is just laugh-out-loud funny.

An outstanding autobiography of General Omar Bradley. Informative and homorous at times, but always entertaining. I found the work to have no slow areas, it held my attention throughout. Not only is it the story of Omar Bradley but it is also the story of the US Army for the first half of the twentieth century. Students of World War II history and the true military professional will enjoy this book. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

The Lacemaker and the Princess follows the story of Isabelle, a girl from a family of poor lacemakers who are trying to make ends meet. When she is spotted by the Queen at the palace and taken to be a playmate for the young princess, she is glad to be free for a while at least of her strict grandmother and poverty-stricken home. The princess (daughter of Marie Antoinette) is like the rest of the royalty, oblivious to all the needs and suffering of the French people. Whispers of rebellion and revolution swirl about spurring discontentment, even in Isabelle's own brother. Can the two girls remain friends even when their classes clash?

This book was an OK read. I was not able to connect to the characters very much. I felt that the princess would be an intriguing character if the author had let us see into her mind now and then the same way as Isabelle's. I had a hard time finding motivation to continue reading. However, fans of historical fiction or Marie Antoinette may find it interesting and fresh. It is a quick, easy read that young readers will probably enjoy for the glimpses it gives into the time period.

This book is delightful. Isabelle enjoys her friendship with a princess, awestruck by the magnificent clothing, food, and rooms inside Versailles. Eventually it dawns on Isabelle her life will never be that of a princess and she must choose between loyalty to royalty or to her mother.

A great intro into the French Revolution, it makes the reader want to learn more about Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI, and their children.
I loved it.

Isabelle and her family make lace in the town of Versailles. They're behind on their rent and work to keep up with the bills. If only they could get someone from the royal household wearing their lace, then they might stand a chance.

When Isabelle delivers some lace to the palace, she purposely takes a wrong turn to view more of the castle. She bumps into Marie Antoinette, who introduces the young girl to her daughter. The princess and Isabelle become friends and Isabelle changes from the lacemaker to a member of the royal household each day she visits, only to return to reality when she leaves for the day. Problems at home force Isabelle to take over the family business and to live the life she's come to despise.

Then she hears grumbling from the townsfolk and even her brother. There's talk of a revolution of change for the common people. Isabelle defends her friend without question, but soon she hears and sees things that make her mind whirl. Can friendship conquer family?

This story addresses the question of loyalty and what happens when you're torn between two sides. An alternative look at the court of Marie Antoinette is also entertaining. THE LACEMAKER AND THE PRINCESS is a historical novel that fans of the new movie Marie Antoinette will enjoy.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel

Shane Bradley's book is a neat, well written story, and I look foward to seeing what the future holds for this young author!

This was a good book but not what I expected. It's much more of a "taking stock of your life" story than a murder mystery. I really enjoyed the character development of Willie from highschool to adulthood. I look forward to the author's next book.

Mourning Light, a mystery by D. S. Bradley, begins almost sweetly and ends on such a harrowing note that it's hard to believe it's the same book. The character developement is interesting, especially that of main figure Willie Clemm. Mr. Bradley mostly avoids sentimentality and over-the-top-no-way-could-that-happen drama. The suspense pulls you in. I wish it had been longer, because the question remains...what becomes of Willie?

I was slightly disappointed when I received this score. While the contents of the book are exceptional - as is always the case with Dover - and the binding of the book is unusually strong - sewn, not glued - I found it disturbingly thin. Much to my dismay, I discovered that this book did not contain every piece I had expected. Perhaps I am unfamiliar with the exact contents of the "Nutcracker Suite," but all the pieces on my Nutcracker CD were NOT in this score.

99.9% of the time, Dover produces the best score available to the average consumer. This is the .1%. While it might be the best score on the market today, I found that it was not what I had wanted. Don't get me wrong - everything in the book is fantastic - I had just expected more.

I purchased this score years ago before Dover published the full ballet score, and though I wished I had the full ballet at the time, this sufficed as a convenient set of selections from the ballet that form the Suite. Please, do realize that this is the SUITE and not the full ballet. It does say it in the title, but I've read a few reviews from people upset by the fact that it wasn't the full ballet. The title says "Suite" so please realize this before purchasing this product.

I thought that this book was moving. It was not the conventinal moving but a more enlightening one. The depth and the detail that the auther goes in to are so rare to find that it is in deed a tribute to a classic. I have loved the Nutcracker sence I was a baby and this book brought it in to a whole new light. It was simply wonderful.

I can't decide if this book was more of a waste of time, or a waste of money - but either way, I wish I hadn't spent either. For the most part, it just rehashes the publicly available PCI specification. Although there are a few tidbits of wisdom tucked away in there (for example, raise security alerts both through e-mail as well as a pager system in case an attacker has also compromised e-mail), the other 99% of the book was just space filler. Some of the advice included such earth-shattering suggestions as "use Microsoft project to track a project" and "have team meetings". It looks to me as though what should have been somebody's one-page blog entry was turned into a 300+ page book.

When I first received this book from Syngress I was very excited. I knew nothing about PCI compliance -- other than it was big ticket item and everyone processing Visa transactions was affected in some way because of it. I can honestly say that I tore through this book and didn't put it down until I reached chapter 13. I was completely wrapped up in it as it was something I knew nothing about and wanted to know more!

Chapters 1 through 3 introduce you to the concepts behind PCI compliance including what it is and who needs to comply. These chapters really set the stage for what the rest of the book has to offer the reader.

Chapter 4 provides a technology overview of firewalls, intrusion systems, antivirus solutions, and common system default settings. Personally I felt that Chapter 4 was filler content just to add a chapter. It may, however, serve as a good reference for those in management roles who do not have "hands-on" interaction with the architecture of their environment.

Chapter 5 explains how to go about protecting your cardholder data as dictated by PCI requirements 3 & 4. This is a great chapter for anyone new to securing infrastructure to meet the requirements of a PCI audit. The authors also provide a fantastic section entitled "The Absolute Essentials" which offers suggestions on the minimum protection you can employ to protect your cardholder data.

Chapter 6 was by far my most favorite chapter and Syngress has offered it as a free download from their website. Many of you know what I do for a living and know how important understanding logging and requirements for logging is for my day-to-day duties. This chapter focuses around PCI Requirement 10 which details how you must handle the log data collected in your PCI environment. As soon as I started reading this chapter I knew that Dr. Anton Chuvakin had written this section of the book, or at least had a heavy insight into its direction. This chapter alone makes the book worth its weight in gold.

Chapter 7 details the importance of access control in your PCI environment. For obvious reasons, access to your cardholder data must be recorded and checked with a fine tooth comb. User privileges, authentication, authorization, and user education is also covered in this chapter. This chapter goes further to provide examples of ensuring your Windows, Unix/Linux, and Cisco infrastructure meet PCI requirements.

Chapter 8 explains how to leverage vulnerability management solutions to meet the requirements outlined in sections 5, 6, and 11 of the PCI requirement. The authors also provide two very good case studies to help the reader put things into perspective.

Chapter 9 focusses on the monitoring and testing of your environment. The authors are quick to point out that monitoring and testing must continue even after the audit in order to ensure you remain compliant.

Chapter 10 details how to drive your PCI project from the business side in order to ensure you accomplish your objectives. Suggestions are provided on budgeting time and resources, keeping staff in the loop, and justifying the business case to your executive team. The authors also offer a step-by-step "checklist" for ensuring your project runs smoothly and that all of your bases are covered.

Chapter 11 explains the various responsibilities within the organization for ensuring the PCI project succeeds. One of the key things to take away from this chapter is the role of the Incident Response team and its need to understand the requirements of PCI compliance.

Chapter 12 is a really good "eye-opener" that prepares you for the failure of your first audit. The key thing to take away from this is chapter is to not blame the auditor the same way you shouldn't blame a referee in sports. They're simply there to do their job to the best of their ability. If you have a problem with the way they are doing their job, bring it up with their superior. Perhaps their decision will get overturned?

Chapter 13 brings you into a "OK, now what?" phase. This chapter provides a detailed overview of the various requirements and breaks each requirement into "Policy Checks" and "Hands-on Assessments" sections. The policy checks discuss policies that should be reviewed to verify that they are up-to-date and the hands-on assessments sections give ideas on testing these policies. The beauty part is that the authors suggest open source solutions to help you protect your PCI compliant investment.

I give this book 5 stars as it is the best PCI reference I have found on the market. Everything I found in this book will allow me to understand the compliance requirements of my existing customers, their process, and their overall goals. Hats off to the entire team of authors.

It has long been rumored that manufacturers of items such as razors and batteries specifically produce their products an inferior level in order to ensure repeat business. A similar paradox is occurring in the information security space where many are complaining that the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is too complex and costly. What is most troubling is that such opinions are being written in periodicals and by people that should know better.

PCI came to life when Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's Club, Discover, and JCB collaborated to create a new set of standards to deal with credit card fraud. PCI requires that all merchants and service providers that handle, transmit, store or process information concerning any of these cards, or related card data, be required to be compliant with the PCI DSS. If they are not compliant, they can face monetary penalties and/or have their card processing privileges terminated by the credit card issuers.

The primary purpose of PCI is to force organizations to embrace common security controls to protect credit card data and reduce fraud and theft. The following are the six primary control areas and 12 specific requirements of the PCI DSS:
Build and maintain a secure network
1. Install and maintain firewall configurations
2. Do not use vendor-supplied or default passwords

Protect cardholder data
3. Protect stored data
4. Encrypt transmissions of cardholder data across public networks

Maintain a vulnerability management program
5. Use and regularly update anti-virus software
6. Develop and maintain secure systems and applications


Implement Strong Access Control Measures
7. Restrict access to need-to-know
8. Assign unique IDs to each person with computer access
9. Restrict physical access to cardholder data

Regularly monitor and test networks
10. Monitor and track all access to network resources and cardholder data
11. Regularly test security systems and processes

Maintain an information security policy
12. Maintain a policy that addresses information security

A quick review of these 12 items shows that PCI is a textbook example of the fundamentals of information security. With that, PCI Compliance: Understand and Implement Effective PCI Data Security Standard Compliance is an excellent resource that provides the reader with all of the fundamental information needed to understand and implement PCI DSS.

The books 13 chapters provide the reader with a comprehensive overview of all of the details and requirements of PCI. The first three chapters provide an overview of the basics about PCI and the basic requirements of the standard. The following six chapters go into detail about each of the primary control areas.

In particular, chapter 6 provides a good overview of the PCI logging requirements. This requirement can be time-consuming to put into place. The author notes that a commonly overlooked but essential requirement, namely that of accurate and synchronized time on network devices. Enterprise information network and security infrastructure devices are highly dependent on synchronized time and PCI recognizes that correct time is critical for transactions across a network.

In a further discussion about synchronized time in chapter 9, the author unfortunately makes an error when he states that local hardware is considered a stratum 1 time source since it gets its time from its own CMOS. From an NTP perspective, only a device that is directly linked to a stratum-0 device is called a stratum-1. CMOS clocks are notoriously inaccurate and can't be relied upon.

The title of chapter 12 is both amusing and accurate `Planning to fail your first Audit'. The irony is that so many organizations lack a CISO or formal business security program in place designed to protect corporate information assets. They don't focus on information security as a process, rather as a set of products or regulatory items to be checked-off. Yet, these same organizations are surprised when they fail an audit.

The book concludes in chapter 13 with the well-known observation that security is a process, not an event. The book astutely notes that it is impossible to be PCI compliant without approaching security as a process. Trying to achieve compliance without integrating the various aspects in an integrated fashion is bound to fail.

Overall, PCI Compliance: Understand and Implement Effective PCI Data Security Standard Compliance is a great book for one of the most sensible security standards ever. Anyone who has PCI responsibilities or wants to gain a quick understanding of the PCI DSS requirements will find the book to be quite valuable.

Small-town journalist Mitch MacKinnon finally has a shot at the big time. The only catch? The cynical sports writer will have to write an article about a local dating service, A Perfect Match. Mitch might not believe in professional matchmaking, but soon finds he can't get the sexy matchmaker herself out of his mind.

Juliette Lowell is furious when Mitch's article demeans her business. She issues Mitch a challenge he can't refuse: register as a client to see how A Perfect Match works. But when Juliette's system lists Mitch as her perfect match, the two are in for a whole lot more than they bargained for. With sparks flying, can true love be far behind?

Once again, Shelley Bradley delivers. A Perfect Match is pure delight from beginning to end. The story is both hot and romantic, the characters sexy, yet real. Mitch and Juliette are people I could imagine knowing and liking. I was drawn in watching two seemingly opposite people discover how much they had in common and, in the process, learn much about themselves. It may be a contradiction in terms for me to say that Mitch and Juliette's romance was like a long, slow tumble into love in the space of a heartbeat, but that is exactly how I felt reading the story. A Perfect Match is a luxurious romance without any slow points that I Joyfully Recommend. If you like your books sizzling, fast-paced, with some truly sigh-worthy romantic moments, then Ms. Bradley's newest tale is your perfect match.

Shayna
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Reporter Mitch MacKinnon wants to be noticed by a nationally syndicated newspaper. A sports writer, he thrives on what he does and strives to be the best in his field. When one of his fellow coworkers is unable to do their job, Mitch is given the task of writing an exposé on a local dating agency - a dating agency in which the success stories make Mitch's eyes roll and his disbelief come through. Making an appointment for a full scale dating profile, Mitch can't wait to write about the owner for the fraud she surely is. Imagine his surprise when his perfect computer match comes through and it is Juliette Lowell, the owner of A PERFECT MATCH.

Juliette Lowell knows that Mitch MacKinnon doesn't believe in her dating service. She can't wait to set him up on a date and have him fall for his "perfect match." After the results are in - and Juliette knows without a doubt that her computer program is flawless - she is amazed and almost appalled to find out that SHE is Mitch's match. Vowing to get through one evening, Juliette sets up a date with Mitch to see where it takes them. She really doesn't expect to fall for him.

Juliette and Mitch can't help the sparks and attraction they each feel for the other. Mitch still doesn't believe in Juliette's dating service, especially when a disgruntled customer makes his presence known. Will he ever believe? Juliette is not sure he ever will.

Whether she is writing historical or contemporary novels, I know when I read Shelley Bradley I am in for a truly wondrous treat of a read. Mitch's characterization is so realistic that I almost didn't like him for the arrogant jock he is and I secretly yearned for him to fall in love with Juliette just so he could have his heart broken. But at the same time I loved him for his boyish charm and willingness to protect Juliette. Juliette is strong and steady but vulnerable at the same time. She doesn't expect love to find her - and her perfect match could not have been more of a surprise than Mitch MacKinnon.

Shelley Bradley is one of my favorite authors for a reason. Her talent is limitless and releases like A PERFECT MATCH further my admiration of this brilliant author. ***Natasha Smith for Romance Junkies***

Juliette Lowell had worked hard the last three years to build her dating service A Perfect Match, so when Mitch MacKinnon came in to interview her with a negative attitude, she had no patience with him. He scoffed at her when she disclosed that she used her gut, astrology, and her psychology degree to make a match. Even after meeting her most recent successful match, and newlyweds, he was still skeptical about the type of service she provided. When she read his less than flattering column in the paper, she was furious, and went to his office to let him know.

Mitch thought that article would be the last of his contact with Juliette, but when his assignment was extended to him actually trying her service, he was looking forward to seeing her again. He was certainly attracted to her, and he could tell that she felt the same way. After going to her office, and filling out all the paperwork, he came running when he heard Juliette scream. She had come up as his perfect match, and that bothered her especially since she had already been proposed to. Mitch talked her into giving their date a try. Mitch also insisted on a kiss goodnight kiss that sent both their hormones into overdrive. As they spent more time together, they realized there was more between them than just lust. That left Juliette with a dilemma. Should she trust her head and be with her boyfriend that promised her stability she had never known, or trust her heart and be with Mitch?

The erotic scenes between Mitch and Juliette were pretty good, and well described, but the other elements of the story lacked any emotional depth. Since those elements were missing, it was difficult to really become invested in the outcome. Not a recommended read for those that appreciate a strong story along with the steamy sex.

This is a classic Bradley book. Travel to another world called ISIS/CINDERELLA. A world where the woman is the dominant sex and the men are just playthings and slaves - wonderful. It's quite enlightening and i think more men should read it and take a few tips. Anyway it all comes crashing down around them in the end. I wont give it all away and spoil it. READ IT! I loved the book so much i even named my daughter Isis Cinderella after it.

Scholar Cendri and her husband, Master Scholar Dal, come to the xenophobic planet of Isis/Cinderella. Because this planet has a very strict matriarchal society, Cendri poses as the master scholar while Dal is relegated to the role of her possession and assistant. They are nominally there to study what may be ruins from the race that seeded the galaxy, but while there they find that their own assumptions about gender and power are called heavily into question.

I'd like to stress that this isn't a bad book, and MZB completists will certainly not regret reading it, but the ideas that are sketched out here are developed more fully and with much more grace in both the Darkover and Avalon books. The gender politics come over a little bit too heavy-handed and occasionally make it difficult to focus on the plot.

I have to say I started reading MZB via her mainstream novels the Avalon series. But moving onto her other works, 'The Ruins of Isis' ain't that bad. It's about an anthropologist travelling and exploring the Matriachate Isis/Cinderella under the disguise of an archaeologist. There's conflict between her and her husband, the planet's politics, people and an unveiling of those mysteries that hold the city together. Shows insights into anthropology and our society. Defintely recommended.

A wonderful collection, and a wonderful tribute to Marion Zimmer Bradley. Too bad there's only one more to come. Her skill for finding new talent will be missed.

This series of fantasy stories with women as the heros is as good as ever. This years mix of tales has a lighter more upbeat feel. All of the stories are good. Some years it seemed as if the editor was trying to do stories with a certain type of message, which always annoyed me, but not this year. Or, at least not that I could tell. In the intro it is stated that MZ Bradley has passed away. I hope her ideas for more collections hasn't.

I found this book as a whole to be quite disappointing. The stories are mostly very short -- there are 25 stories in a book a bit more than 100,000 words long. Now there are plenty of outstanding stories at lengths less than 4,000 words, but in this case too many of the stories are sketches. Often, key details are baldly told, not shown. Often, the backstory is quickly sketched in, not developed. Often, the heroine's abilities are arbitrarily revealed, not in any sense organic or believable. Most of the pieces are competently assembled sentence by sentence, but too many are poorly structured scene by scene, or are unconvincing as to plot logic.

I'll mention a few of the better pieces. Dorothy J. Heydt's "Lord of the Earth" has Cynthia travelling to Corinth, and there encountering Poseidon in a bad mood. Two stories use very similar twists involving magical familiars, though they are otherwise quite different: both were light and enjoyable: "Familiars" by Michael H. Payne, set at a magic school with a squirrel as the familiar; and "All too Familiar" by P. Andrew Miller, in which a hedge witch inherits a variety of familiars whose wizards and witches have been killed by an evil sorcerer. Laura J. Underwood's "The Curse of Ardal Glen" is a bit darker than most of these stories, about a town which has had to sacrifice a young woman to a mysterious smith every seven years for decades. Dorothy J. Heydt's daughter Meg Heydt contributes "Openings", which I liked for its engaging main character and her slightly unexpected talent. Esther Friesner is usually reliable, and her story, "Grain", is solid entertainment, about a girl apprenticed to a brewer woman, who encounters a goddess with a god problem. But these storeis, the best in the book, are no better than decent -- there is not a single excellent story in the book, no story that thrilled me.

So if the book isn't entirely a loss, it is very disappointing. I think Bradley had rigid ideas about story structure, and about story content, and her editing projects suffer from including too many stories that read too similarly, and from being too forgiving of competently written stories which fit her template but which have no fire -- no originality -- no special reason to make one want to read them. If you've been reading these books with enjoyment all along, this one may satisfy, though I don't think it's as good as some of the earlier volumes. Otherwise, I can't really recommend the book.

I bought this book as soon as it came out over three years ago, and I still refer to it this day for some sound, quality advice. It's a great resource for ambitious young people eager to learn some simple yet often thoughtful advice. I would recommend this book to parents, children, and young adults everywhere.

Thank you, Mr. Gallagher, for this comprehensive and diverse compilation.

If you are a young person looking for any female role models, look elsewhere. I was disappointed not only with this gender oversight, but also that the author focuses on men in office (plus a few entertainers, athletes, and coaches). Where are the artists, physicians, and Nobel Laureates? America certainly has its share, but these successful people are not represented here.

This collection of advise from world leaders in government, business and entertainment shows how common sense values are the key to success. There is a consistent theme of hard work, high moral character, and overcoming failure throughout the book.

Anyone of any age should read this book and they will find common sense advise that will trump all the self-help de jour literature on the market. So forget about Six Sigma, Steven Covey, and all the other "corporate consultant" lingo, and discover the very basic common themes of successful leaders in society.