Brandon Books

I picked up my copy and couldn't put it down. Brandon has a way of making you feel like you're part of the story, he introduces each character as if they're in front of you shaking your hand.
The twists and turns in this book keep you on edge and involved.
The photography is amazing (would've liked to see the photographers credited.)
This is an amazing first book for Mr. Notch, I look forward to the next!

I just received the book today, read it from cover to cover. Great job! Can't wait for the next one and could picture everything perfectly, great detail. Awesome work!! When I first found out that Brandon Notch was writing a book, I have to say I had my reservation about it. He has been my tattooist for years and I never thought of him as a writer. The minute I got the book in my hands I couldn't put it down, I read it cover to cover. I really enjoyed all the twists and turns, this book was an amazing ride. Brandon really gave the characters life and painted a vivid picture in my mind. This book screams movie, just think Blow, Fight Club, Training Day, and Quentin Tarantino all mixed up, combined into one and you have SACRED SAINT AMERICAN DREAMER, and the photos alone are worth every penny. So if you are a tattoo enthusiast, movie buff, or an artist, then you will enjoy this book.
Thank You,
Tattoo Anna

The best book for the money, and I have read them all! Clearly explains MP3 and other aspects of digital music. Great CD, too.

I have read several books on MP3, and this is definitely the best for beginners. It explains all aspects of finding, playing, and creating MP3 files. While it is easy, it contains enough technical information for advanced users, as well.

The included CD is worth the price of the book, and is the best suite of MP3 programs and utilities I have seen!

Before reading Scrap Paper by Brandon Hildreth, I found myself intrigued by the very title and was curious if it accurately portrayed what is inside the book. After reading every selection, I was convinced the title was a perfect fit. There are bits and pieces of life's experiences that make up the wholeness of our existence, and the author has effectively used words to bring them all together. The selections evoke all emotions as they tug at the strings of our hearts, taunt our minds, and probe our souls. I found the selections to be philosophical and challenging; however, not once did I feel I was "working" too hard as I read the skillfully written words. It is poetry at its best!

As far as style and subject matter, I found this author's work to be all-encompassing and yet refreshingly different. There is originality in the familiar. The words are fresh and chosen wisely in regard to sound, rhythm, imagery and form. Mr. Hildreth uses rhymed couplets effectively throughout the book; however, he occasionally uses other methods of presentation. I feel it is important to stress that all the poems have life, given to them by the breath of the poet's creativity. The subject can be death but the words give it life. Whether the poet is reminiscing about childhood experiences or contemplating human nature, anger, love, darkness, light, etc., readers will connect with him through his words.

My very favorite line in the entire book reads as follows: "But how can you be lost if you don't want to be found?" It is on page 69 and taken from the selection "My Wasteland."

The selection entitled "Enlighten" is to the point but philosophically profound:

"I need my light found
Enlightenment is needed
To keep moving on"

I believe psychologists should quote the following from "Love" to their patients:

"The worst kind of love
Unsung, bottled up, lonely
Let the world hear it"


Scrap Paper appropriately begins with life and ends with death. This book is not for a chosen few; it is for all readers who appreciate words and all that they can convey. Even if you don't usually read poetry, I suggest that you begin by purchasing this book. I recommend it without reservation.

Poetry collections are often crafted in particular themes. There are compilations of love poems, poems about politics, collected pieces that dissect the mores & folkways of greater society, etc. There are also, though, poetic collections that delve deep into the mind, heart, and soul of the author, offering a profound glance into the peculiar inner workings common to us all. Unlike their themed counterparts, such collections don't tend to be as strong or compelling; Scrap Paper, however, is the exception to that rule.

A collection of poems written by Brandon Hildreth, Scrap Paper touches on everything from nostalgia to heartbreak to death to the joys of childhood whimsy. Through the skillful use of such poetic devices as colorful metaphors and rhymed couplets - and even the occasional haiku - Hildreth conveys topics often difficult to follow in rather convincing fashion, and he manages to do so while stopping just short of adopting the typical poetic pretense that tends to make the poetic experience a stifling chore for the average reader.

The bookend poems "Life" and "Death" open and close the collection, offering similar yet diametrically-opposed musings on the nature and significance of each. Hildreth then proceeds to gives the reader a flash of his laconic brilliance in the haiku entitled "Childhood":

"Childhood fantasy
Opens doorways for our souls
Keep unlocked always"


In "Empty," Hildreth waxes philosophical, capturing in five short lines what most erudite scholars would take five years to convey:

"If it's blank
It must be filled
No matter what the cost
`Cause if it's blank forever
Our world is surely lost"


And, of course, for the broken hearted, there's the all-too-familiar longing of "Idea":

"Reading ancient love letters
Devoid of your feelings past,
Wondering if the energy used to place the ink could ever last,
And if so;
I could use a drop or three
On your heart the next time we passed"


Scrap Paper is an enjoyable, enlightening treat for poetry lovers of all types. A compelling combination of eros & pathos, Hildreth's moving collection is both a subtle celebration of the human spirit and a call for self-discovery and introspection. Highly recommended.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As another reviewer noted, the author dedicates roughly 40 pages per founding father. The seven founding fathers that are covered in this work are Franklin, Washington, Jefferson, John Adams, John Jay, Madison and Hamilton. The author basically discusses three aspects of each founding father's life: his upbringing, his entry into politics and public service, and his role in the revolution. It should be noted that for the most part, the author does not discuss the roles of each founding father past the revolution (though there are exceptions). Morris also includes a chapter at the end of the book that ties everything together and discusses the founding fathers as a whole. Furthermore, Morris writes with a style that is often humorous and never dull. I am very thankful that I found and read this book. I would highly recommend it.

I fell in love with the writing of Richard Morris many years ago when I read a short piece he wrote that was published in an old AMERICAN HERITAGE magazine on James Otis. Since that time, I have never read anything from this magnificent author/historian in which I was even slightly dissappointed. This book is no exception.

Professor Morris spent over half a century writing extraordinary works on American History. This book, one of Morris' later works, chronicles the early careers of seven of our greatest leaders; Ben Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Jay, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. Morris devotes roughly 40 pages to each, so this is by no means an indepth look at each man, but rather a solid and insightful introduction. I was particularly impressed with his chapter on John Jay, which is not surprising given Morris' excellent biography on Jay, JOHN JAY, THE NATION, AND THE COURT, which was published just a few years prior to this book.

If you haven't read Morris before, buy this book. If you have read Morris, then you already know what I'm talking about.

Monty Rainey
www.juntosociety.com

Sex Worship is a very rare type of book. I had read some books on sex worship before I came to this one and was very impressed in the way the subjects are presented with a non bias approach. Even though this book is just over 200 pages it covers quite a lot of subjects, the chapters in this book are:-

Introduction
1 - The Basis of Religion
2 - The Creator
3 - The Phallus
4 - Phallic Emblems
5 - Sexual Sacrifices
6 - The Female Principle
7 - Feminine Emblems
8 - The Serpent and the Cross
9 - The Divine Act
10 - Regeneration
Appendix

With that said while this book is not an in depth look at all the subjects presented it easily covers a lot of ground while still leaving space for you to do your own research. Another thing which I found useful is the way in which the subjects are discussed, technical terms are kept to a minimum so even if your a beginner and have read no other book on phallic/sex worship you will not feel out of your depth.
The only problem I could mention, and it is minor compared to the positives, is that there is no sourcing of information. While the appendix at the back does list the books used by the author to get his information I personally would of liked to see endnotes/footnote. I have however read a lot of the books mentioned by the author and the information is one hundred percent accurate.
All in all this is a great book and is full in information, both for the novice and the scholar. So if your interested in the subjects of theology, astrotheology, archaeoastronomy and of course sex worship then this book is defiantly for you.

Sex Worship: An Exposition of the Origin of Religion by Clifford Howard (1898, 1909)

This is an exceptional piece of literature. I've read many books on the history of fertility cults, and this one stands out as simply exceptional. It should be a literary classic. Written in an age when misogyny, racism, classism and academic snearing was the norm, this book is near void of this type of self concurrence. Just the facts!

While this book was admittedly not written as an in depth academic essay, it certainly is that. Howard, however, does not provide references in either endnote or footnote form. The reason for this, he says, is that he didn't feel it necessary to only source so people wouldn't think he made his material up. Indeed he didn't. I've read most (or at least many) of the books listed in his bibliography and Mr. Howard certainly knows his stuff and didn't make the material up, and no footnotes aside, this book very scholarly.

Sex Worship is one of the few books to cover in any significant detail the fertility worshipping history of early Christianity. Not only does he cover Christianity, but he also understands archaeoastronomy, astrotheology, and, to some extent, the role of intoxicants in religion. As well, the HUGE 14 point font is very soft on the eyes. This book would normally be about 100 pages, but the font has been (seemingly) sized for the blind, which makes it very nice and easy reading, to which I read it cover to cover in just a few hours.

If you have an interest in theology, you MUST read this book! 5 STARS!

Not only was PFC Alfred "Fritz" Nigl my Grandfather, he was a hero in my eyes. The book chronicles the harrowing feats and horrible events surrounding the 319th during WWII. I am proud to have known him and hear all of his stories about the war and after reading this book I could not have been prouder of the fact that my Grandfather fought for his country and all of the men who made the ultimate sacrifice for my freedoms. He will always be the Ultimate American HERO. Airborne, All American All the Way.

The use of gliders in combat was unique to World War 2. Entering battle in a plywood box with wings, a soldier put his life in the hands of the glider pilot to land the glider safely and smoothly behind enemy lines. It was a harrowing experience which many did not survive.

Silent Wings Savage Death chronicles the story of one of those glider units during World War 2, the 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalions (GFAB) of the 82nd Airborne Division. The book begins with an in depth look at the development of gliders for combat and their application during Germany's Blitzkrieg and continues with a look at other GFAB units in the U.S. Army. Although gliders have long since been relegated to back shelf of history, this book is a great resource and testament to a unit that is still in the thick of combat today in Iraq. Reading this book, one feels a sense of tradition and esprit de corps thread its way through the history and personal accounts of some of the men who entered combat this way.

This book records for posterity the brave men of these specialized units so that they will not be forgotten or overlooked in the annals of history. I highly recommend this book for those interested in understanding the danger and self-sacrifice that the men of these specialized units faced during the war.

Dominic T Biello
Webmaster
US Airborne during WW2
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Once again, Star Wars Tales franchise delivers. Being a star wars fan since the original movie opened (I was 7) has caused me to want to search out all kinds of books, comics, and magazines. Dark Horse has done a great job finding good writers and even greater illustrators to make these unique stories come alive. These stories will stretch the imagination and give new twists and views on characters in the Star Wars universe. I have enjoyed these stories emensely.

This is a good sendoff to a great series, this is probably the best Graphic Novel out of all six volumes, nothing really campy except for fett club and marooned. Great stories that revolve around video games, like the first two stories that revolve around Knights of the Old Republic I & II, the clone trooper story which revolves around Republic Commando, and the Kyle Katarn story, from Dark Forces, it is also good to see the Yuzzem Vong in a story

" This work not only fills a vacuum for traditional music afficionados but is a spell-binding read" - SUNDAY TRIBUNE (Dublin)

"THE STORY OF IRISH DANCE is a serious study which succeeds in being both entertaining and stimulating." - IRISH NEWS (Belfast)

"THE STORY OF IRISH DANCE is of interest to the general reader and as a source for scholars of Irish dance, dance anthropology, folklore and cultural studies" - IRISH TIMES (Dublin)

" .. a remarkable collection of anecdotes and well-researched background... a fascinating account." - IRISH INDEPENDENT (Dublin)

"THE STORY OF IRISH DANCE is a catalogue of extrordinary anecdotes, meticulous research and the rehearsal of acrimonious controversies whose effects linger on today." - THE EXAMMINER (Cork)

"Helen Brennan has written a fascinating account." - R.T.É. GUIDE (Dublin)

"THE STORY OF IRISH DANCE really is a story to be read by anyone with an interest in any form of dance .." - DANCE EXPRESSION (U.K.)

"THE STORY OF IRISH DANCE is a must, not only for Irish dance fans, but also for anyone interested in Ireland's wonderful past. Helen brings history to life." - IRISH DANCING MAGAZINE

"This book not only weaves a social tapestry around the dance but is also a reminder not to lose sight of the basics. It is a 'must' for anyone involved or interested in Irish dancing." - SET DANCING NEWS (Ireland)

My mother bought me this book last spring when my parents visited Ireland. The author was kind enough to autograph it for me. That alone was enough to make me want to read this book, but once I started, I couldn't put the book down. Ms. Brennan tells the story of Irish Dance with an obvious love of the subject and a gift for storytelling. She introduces us to famous dancers of the recent past and tells the story of dance in different areas of the country. I found myself enjoying this book more than I ever expected, and learned a great deal in the process.

As an art collector, I purchased this book to more thoroughly familiarize myself with the already important body of work produced by young american artist Sue De Beer. This book provides a richly illustrative and cohesive overview of her work in all of its forms.

I had the pleasure of attending this books launch and having my copy signed by the very young and very sweet Sue De Beer. Sue is one of the most promising young artists working today. Her work loosly explores the psychology of youth while encompassing the dark orb of popular culture. References to 80s slasher movies, school shootings, and death metal abound in her brightly colored and surreal world. Her video works are usually displayed in an interactive environment, massive walk-in doll houses, beanbag lounges with giant stuffed animals, etcetera. The essays in the book are informative as to the whereabouts of which her practice stems, it's a very straight-forward read and nothing too complicated. But the joy of this edition is in the photos, almost all of which are color and glossy and just gorgeous. Sue is not only a master of the macabre, but the worlds in which her downtrodden teenagers inhabit are a wonderland of rainbow colored gothhood. Imagine if A Nightmare on Elm Street had been directed by Busby Berkely and written by Alain Robbe Grillet with a budget of $600. It's a shifty, confusing, and darkly ravishing world she creates and this book is a lovely artifact of her realm.

This book opened my eyes to the craft. I see now what I had degraded for years in my christain family, I see that I was wrong. Mr. Maylone truel knows the craft. Though I will not ecome a witch I have a new respect for them after reading this book.

I loved it! I was a wondering occult practicioner when "Today's Witch" taught me what I needed to know, and how to learn more! I think the author deserves a thanks from all us new witches, thank you!