Brandon Books

This book has clear answers and good questions, but there are a helluva lot of typos and mistakes in the text (especially for a 2nd edition) which can make things confusing. In the data sufficiency section tests there are no answer choices, so that makes that entire test section almost worthless. Having said that it does give you a lot of information about how to solve the various problems, but again just disappointing that there are so many errors in the text.

I found this book to be excellent for sorting problems into groups and learning what common principles are behind related problems. The book has a cool list of ¡°tips¡± imbedded in the solutions section which helped me grasp the common principles behind problem groupings. Even as a liberal arts major and former investment banker, I found a good number of these math and verbal tips simple but not necessarily obvious and enjoyed having them spelled out for me. Examples: Tip #48: ¡°Two rectangular solids my have identical surface areas but different volumes (and vice versa)¡± and Tip #92: ¡°If A is thought to be causing B, the idea that B is causing A is called reverse causation and casts serious doubt on the notion that A is really causing B.¡± The book has a wonderful review of analytical writing and a nice short grammar review in the appendix. This book will teach you how to do problems, and I found it a great complement to the GMAT Official Guide, which has gobs of practice problems but doesn¡¯t deal with how problems work conceptually. In summary, although I was a bit skeptical at first, I thought this book was well deserving of its claim to be ¡°the #1 skill-building GMAT book.¡±

I think this book is invaluable for someone who's preparing the GMAT. It focus on topics that students need to master to get a reasonably high score in GMAT. This approach is quite differenty from other text where they simply list a series of problems for students to work on. I feel this approach is much more effective in helping students to answer the more difficult questions in GMAT.

Excellent skills-building tool that closed the gap in my preparation for the GMAT, which other prep books weren't doing. The author does a fabulous job of providing the lowdown on the question types that recur on the test and the approaches that actually work, and presenting them in a way that's easy for time-poor test takers to digest. Indispensable in helping this test taker hit the 95th percentile. Absolutely worth the investment.

I found 'Ace the GMAT' to be, by far, the most helpful book of all of the GMAT preparation books I used. While the Kaplan GMAT book and the official GMAT guide published by ETS are both invaluable, I nevertheless found the tips and strategies provided by the 'Ace the GMAT' book to be the most comprehensive, concrete and ultimately helpful. The strategies included to tackle the math section were particularly good, especially the chapter regarding questions on probability. Overall, I do not think that anyone's GMAT prep-book arsenal is complete without this book.

A work of art! You don't need a plane ticket to see what's inside some Italy's great churches and museums. Chock full of interesting details and artifacts, I was given a wonderful tour of Italy's "hidden treasures,'' many off the beaten path. As one who once lived in Italy, I would say this book is an essential guide for anyone who plans to visit one of the world's most beautiful countries.

Artful Italy is a wonderful book. I checked out Florence and Venice first because those are the cities that I really know. I was daring Artful Italy to come up with something I didn't know. And it did.. The Stibbert Museum which sounds like a delight I missed entirely. But the thing I really regret is not knowing about the Bomarzo Gardens, a bit of a trip from Florence; as a teen I was always after the odd, hidden statuary that you turned a corner and came suddenly upon.. Both sound like winners and make me eager to return to a place I thought I knew well.
Artful Italy's prose hits just the right tone, conversational without being condescending, funny without that guidebook jokiness that can be so off-putting. And it sometimes can take your breath away. When the 17th century architect , Borromini is compared to an origami master, suddenly we see again how Mannerist architects have turned stone into paper - to give just one example. And you have a nice discursive air that proves always to have a real point to it. The book is unique and a pleasure. It will make those who know Italy start looking for cheap air fares, and even those making a first trip to Italy will find the book valuable.

This book is for all visitors to Italy-even the jaded few who feel they have seen it all. Ann Brandon has covered
so much art that most of us have neither seen nor heard of. I was totally captivated by just reading the book, Ms. Brandon has great writing style and wonderful detail covering all of the pieces. What I found most exciting was visiting sites that I hadnt been to before-expanding upon the content. This book isnt just about museums!!-

I am recently back from a visit to Venice, where I used this outstanding new guide. I found it the ideal guidebook: highly readable, gets you off the beaten path to a combination of less mobbed attractions and some quirky fun places, and (my favorite) includes lots of fascinating historical and personal backgrouind on the sites and artists. This book is sure to enrich greatly your visit to Italy's major art destinations. And it's fun to read even if you are just dreaming about visiting Italy.

Even if one never travels to Italy, there'd be no harm in reading this book. It is well-written, entertaining, and loaded with fun and interesting facts. I disagree with the notion that this is a tour or travel guide; what it is in fact is a semi-scholarly appreciation of Italy off the beaten path. (It is meticulously researched and documented, to boot.)

Ann Brandon must be a kick at a cocktail party. Historical examples trip off her tongue and add just the right humor, import, and context for each bit of art appreciation. Reading this book is not a necessity for travel planning; the volume is a standalone orchestration of Ms. Brandon's love affair with Italy.

I have a few qualms with the book, but they are merely intellectual disagreements with some of its premises. First, I would not focus so much on art, but on the whole invisible lifestyle of the Italians, the life that "turisti" probably never see. I would also go beyond visual arts, and talk about music, as well as the culinary and design arts. Even in the visual arts there is so much architecture that one could find off the main trails. But Brandon promises more books in this vein, and will no doubt address these topics.

Second, I do not feel that the Parco dei Mostri qualifies as a hidden treasure. I consider it an excellent yet run-of-the-mill tourist attraction. A lot of people go there.

Finally, I disagree with the glowing assessment that Vasari's "Lives of the Artists." I have always considered this book at best uneven. It apparently draws its inspiration from Diogenes Laertius' "Lives of the Philosophers," which suffers from a similar spottiness in insight and accuracy. If I had to recommend a book that does what Brandon purports Vasari's does, it would be Burkhardt's "Civilization of the Renaissance."

All these quibbles aside, anyone who wants to learn about Italy should buy and read this book. It does not disappoint. I learned so much from this book, and it was as if Ann Brandon was telling me what I learned in a personal conversation. So warm is her style of writing that it just makes for a quick and delightful read!

This is a terrific, terrific series, for those who like gay fantasy. It is pretty explicit, and/but the sex is part of the plot. I think the author passed away, so there won't be any more. I gave away one of my books in the series and immediately bought it again.

I am a straight women. anyway I happened on to Apprenticed to Pleasure. I have never seen gay erotica written in such a way before, I had to go out and pick up this book. All I could say is if he continues to write a series on these mages and such, i'm hooked. The characters where great, and it's based on love, not just the sex. It's well written, and always keeps you wanting more. I hated to see it end.

"Initiation into a secret of mages, randy youths, whose intimate knowledge of pleasure and enchantment could open portals to a higher reality, had strained Ander's body and dazzled his senses. But mastering the ecstasy required to perform magic was only half the challenge. Fighting a tyrant's scheme to seize the vast power concealed in the magical realm had nearly cost his life. . .
Conjuring the Flesh continues the adventure begun in the highly acclaimed Apprenticed to Pleasure, telling a tale of love, magic, danger and graphic sensuality. Embark on an adventure you'll never forget!" 192 pp. - Leyland Publications

I have not read the 3rd book in series, but have it on order. I enjoyed the first two books, so am looking forward to 3rd. The storyline and the erotic nature of the story are so intertwined, you could not enjoy one without the other. One thing I would like to ask is, could there be an exploration of the female side of the Lyceum? I think that might be interesting.

This installment, like the first, has a very quick pace. It's a fast read, I hated closing it each night and had to force myself to stretch it out over a week or I would have finished it in one sitting, it was that good. Fox continues to expose the depths of each character. You never have opportunity to get bored. I'm hoping for another installment SOON!

This is an excellent introduction to the wide variety of children's literature. Perfect for parents, teachers, or anyone interested in the underlying concepts and mechanics. Plenty of examples from different genres, and theory to practice for those who teach literature to children.

*Reader-friendly text that has relevance for both teachers and parents
*Extensive bibliographies of recommended books in each chapter
*Exclusive chapter on animal fantasy, the most popular genre for young children
*Helpful information on teaching reading through literature
*New chapter on the Art of Illustration in children's books, including visual elements of artistic design, styles, and media/techniques
*Current literary issues and ideas for integrating literature and technology in all chapters
*Unique chapter written by minority literature specialists, featuring works by minority authors and illustrators
*Information on Dewey decimal system of classification for library books
*Glossary of more than 200 literary terms

This book has great value for parents who want their children to be strong readers and excel in school.

This is not only full of interesting facts and details about the genres of children's literature, it is fun to read! Parents and teachers will enjoy using this book as a reference for hundreds of current book titles available for children. There are several activities to excite children about reading as well as fascinating facts about many different chidren's books authors. The review of deciphering the dewey decimal system to locate books is beneficial for quick reference in the library. Its simply the best resource for children's literature, its a must have for all teachers and parents!

Following are some features of this book that are not found in any other literature texts.
1. It is relevant to both teachers and parents.
2. It has an exclusive chapter on Animal Fantasy.
3. It features works -by- minority authors and illustrators (rather than just books about minorities).
4. The Dewey decimal system of classification is explained.
5. There is a chapter on teaching reading through literature.
6. Picture books as well as juvenile novels and chapter books are featured throughout.
7. There is an annotated bibliography of literature-related websites, and direct links are provided(...)

What did you want to be when you were five? Chances are, not much has changed. This book will help you use a lifetime of knowlege to figure out what you really want to do, and then shows you the path toward doing it.

Each chapter is filled with exercises that will teach you something new about yourself, and remind you of things you may have forgotten. The chapters lead you toward creating a portfolio designed to get you the job you really want. This book does everything the title promises, it will help you find power, passion and joy being at work!

Like everyone starting their career 30-40 years ago, we moved forward through trial and error. This coaching system will provide helpful guidelines for young people starting their careers, those well into their career who are not satified, and those thinking they want to make a major change in their life. Now, trail and error is not the only means of finding your way. I have given a copy of this book to my son to help him assure he is doing what he really wants to do with his work life.

I was fortunate enough to work with one of "Finding Power, Passion, and Joy's" authors, Mary Brandon, and benefited from both her coaching and a first-hand look at the constructs upon which the book is based.

PP&J's chapters construct a scaffolding by which the reader can gauge their real motivations for their current career path by reexamining the self from the ground up, and the work required is no small investment in terms of time--I estimate that I put in somewhere between eight to twelve hours in some cases working on each of the book's first eight chapters--but the investment of time, effort, and energy I put into PP&J completely changed the way in which I conceived of myself as a working human being. As such, I was able to reassess my previous decisions, the motivations behind them, and have now embarked upon a new career path, a path in which I finally feel both professionally and personally fulfilled.

Brandon, Cole, and Hunsberger distill their tremendous width, breadth, and depth of knowledge and expertise in assessing the interests and motivations upon which their clients in private practice into a program that's based upon sound, tested methods of psychology and assessment, building a comprehensive process by which one both reexamines their self-concept and can then produce not only a clear understanding of what they are called to do, but also a tangible product--a life-long portfolio--that turns the traditional resume on its head. A portfolio includes work samples, career highlights, and proof of one's progression and advancement in professional life.

The program and portfolio request exercises that one may find simplistic or vague at times, but the authors' motivations behind every question asked are sound, and result in a level of self-assessment that would require somewhere between ten to fifty times the financial investment in PP&J, and ten to fifty times the investment in terms of time and effort. The more seriously you take the process, the more effective it will be.

The "bang for your buck" factor that PP&J possesses is astoundingly good, and while it's best when paired with a job coach or career consultant, if you approach the book with an open mind, you can affect profound change upon your life and career.

One emerges from the process with a stunningly crisp, clear, and composed sense of self, personally and professionally, with which one can present him or herself to new employers, or, embark upon new career paths, and/or start new businesses, using the ever-evolving portfolio one constructs to provide tangible evidence to back up his or her words.

If you're willing to put in the investment of time and earnest effort--and stick with the program, understanding that the authors know exactly what they're asking of you--the personal and professional rewards you reap for this small investment in yourself will be extraordinary.

You really can find power, passion, and yes, joy in your working life, and this book provides the means with which YOU can show YOURSELF the way there, and the "why" of where you really want to go as an effective and inspired working person.

By using Ms Brandon's book and through private coaching provided by her, I am now prepared to present myself calmly, rationally and professionally.

Included with the many valuable lessons in the book, Ms Brandon provides the plan for creating your life portfolio. My life portfolio made it very easy for me to arrive at the boardroom fully prepared for a professional job interview. I was able to present myself with the kind of confidence and style that I have never experienced before.

Ms Brandon's book and coaching have helped me find the strength to forgive myself for past errors, enabled me to realize my own greater potential and have helped me find the path of happiness and success in my life.

I have accomplished these things and more by using her lessons to identify my own self-imposed blocks to happiness and success and eliminating them.

I highly recommend the book for everyone from the young adult through the senior citizen. You will never be too old to find something of value in this book.

I also recommend starting the creation of the life portfolio at childhood and adding to it throughout your life. I am over 40 years old and I know that I would have benefited greatly from having started the life portfolio many years ago.

In paddle sports (canoeing, kayaking, etc.) you learn that there is no one else who is responsible for saving your life--YOU are responsible for saving your own life. It is no exaggeration that she and her book have given me the tools to save my own life.

This book is priceless. IT IS THE BEST MONEY YOU WILL EVER SPEND.

Buy it for a loved one, if they follow the plan (as detailed in the book), the benefit to them will be great and they will never be able to thank you enough.

Reviewed by Kelley Anderson for Reader Views (05/06)

"Finding Power, Passion and Joy Being at Work" is a self guided workbook that helps you to explore your interests, hobbies, values and other aspects of your life to determine what type of true values, work environment and preferred employer are the right fit for you. Through a question and answer process, you can set your own career goals, make a life purpose statement and create a career portfolio to present to potential employers.

Brandon, Cole and Hunsberger put together a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in finding a direction in life that will bring them purpose and satisfaction. This book is appropriate for everyone from the high school student trying to find a direction to take with their life to a retiree trying to find a part time job for recreation. The writing style is easy to understand, flowing and creative and I especially enjoyed the motivational quotes throughout the chapters. There were a few questions I felt were too general and would have liked a little more prompting, but overall I found the introductory statements and questions very well written.

I took the time to answer all of the questions in the book, even when I wasn't sure how they were related to my career choices and found myself pleasantly surprised in taking a deeper look into my dreams and interests than I had thought about in a long time. In addition, I was able to reaffirm that I am on the right career path at this point in my life. I was able to set some goals and make a rough plan of action. "Finding Power, Passion and Joy at Work" takes a long time to complete, requiring delving deep into all areas of your life and I believe only a person truly motivated to examine their life and career will be able to finish it.

The end chapters on creating your career portfolio were very insightful and there were many creative ideas for unique items to include in your portfolio.

I would highly recommend "Finding Power, Passion and Joy Being at Work" to anyone not satisfied in their current job. From making a life purpose statement to creating a career portfolio, this book will give you tools to make you more attractive to prospective employers and help you to find your work enjoyable again.

This is a very inspiration work which helps bring the highly paradoxical and often incomprehensible philosophy of nondualism or Advaita Vedanta down to every day life. Nondual religions like Zen or Hindu Advaita or Dzogchen are perhaps the highest expressions of human religious intelligence, but the teaching that "everything is consciousness" or "any effort to get it takes your further away," or "there is nothing to achieve," can leave the average person (I count myself as one) a bit lost--- especially if you don't have the good fortune to be around a realized nondualist teacher. That's where the book comes in-- in a market flooded with New Age books which often boil down to how use the universe to satisfy your ego wants, this a book that points the way to true satisfaction. It gives good, "practical," if I may use that word, guidance to achieving a state of non-achieving. It's a nice "how to" book for the path in which there is no "how to." It points us to that paradoxical space wherein we must make a total committment to allow things to happen without making any effort. The personal anecdotes sometimes go on a bit too long to make their points, but the author's life and healing are impressive enough to make her approach credible,...actually incredible (in the positive sense of that word, meaning miraculous).

Many of spend our whole lives searching. Perhaps, we are trying to find that something that will make us good enough, perfect, or worthy of love. Still, it seems that the more effort we put into the search, the less we actually seem to find.

What if we already had everything we needed to be whole? What if the entire time we had been searching for just that right job, the perfect spouse, that right dogma, or the ultimate therapist we had already had all the tools we needed. What if we found out that all that energy we spent running away from our feelings, our natural inclinations, and our flaws was actually making our journey more difficult? What if we found out that we could make a change right here and now and for the rest of our lives?

Freedom Is explores these and many other life changing notions. Based upon the popular Journeywork, the author explores effortless being; nonattachment; present-moment awareness, honoring and reverence; emotions, gratitude, love, forgiveness, and enlightenment.

I thought the material in Freedom Is was well presented and approachable. I felt extremely safe in the hands of the author as I began to explore some very personal, deeply hidden, and potentially scary issues. Moreover, after completing the book, I felt strong enough to carry what I had learned into my real life. One thing I do suggest though is that you also purchase the CD that accompanies this book. It will make the meditations and exercises a whole lot easier to accomplish without having to try to create your own.

Brandon Bays' bestseller THE JOURNEY has received much attention, and her latest spiritual growth guide FREEDOM IS: LIBERATING YOUR BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL promises the same, providing an overview of freedom as it relates to daily living. Unlike most titles on the topic it's not about freedom - it's about experiencing the feeling. Chapters provide case histories of master/student interactions and examples and plenty of first-person reflections from the author's own seminars and experiences.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

ASIN:1577316002 Freedom Is: Liberating Your Boundless Potential
This book can truly set you free. Read a chapter at a time, doing the exercise at the end of the chaper, and you will see amazing results. If there was a ten star rating, thats how I would rate it. It is a must own book! Peggy Cashman, Canton, NY

This wonderful book will not provide a quick fix or easy answers. It is a book meant to be read slowly, tasted and savoured - and, if you want to get the most out of it, roll up your sleeves and be prepared to follow the guidance given to discover the things that are really holding you back. Keep it next to your bed. This book gives you the tools (for only whatever you pay for it) that otherwise you'll pay thousands for at Journey Seminars (that said, the Seminars are priceless). If you are not ready to face who you really are (and you're great!) then don't buy this book.

Being aware of the influence that Japanese print making had on European artists in the 19th century, but not having had much exposure to Japanese prints, I found this book to be a wonderful introduction. The essays that opened the book and the explicatory text that accompanied each print helped to establish a dialogue between the ideas that were exchanged between Oriental art and European art. I found this to be an excellent addition to my personal collection, and would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in this area.

In the second half of the nineteenth century, Europeans and Americans discovered the world of Japanese woodblock prints and thus began an enduring love affair. One result has been the publication over the last century of literally hundreds of books and thousands of articles about the prints known as "ukiyoe," with a particular emphasis on such giants of the genre as Hokusai and Hiroshige. How then, in this crowded field, does one manage to create a must-have publication for readers who may already have well-stocked libraries on Japanese art?

One answer is to be found in "Hokusai and Hiroshige: Great Japanese Prints from the James A. Michener Collection, Honolulu Academy of Arts." Issued by the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco in conjunction with an exhibition, "Hokusai and Hiroshige" is typical of a new wave of "ukiyoe" books that combine excellent design (of layout and typography) with clear and interesting text. Every page displaying a print has a near equal amount of space devoted to text, and the book benefits as well from introductory essays by three established experts. The text in particular appeals to me, providing not only insights about the compositional nature of each print but also detail on the locales depicted by these two great landscape artists and appropriate historical information. There is room for improvement in "Hokusai and Hiroshige"--I would have preferred more standard romanizations for some Japanese words and the inclusion of an index covering well more than just print titles--but overall this is an excellent and valuable volume.

I have not "finished" this book, nor do I intend to for a long time. I take it out to admire, print by print, sometimes reading the informative text, sometimes not. This is not a comic book to rush through. Linger, enjoy.

This volume was the companion for the exhibits at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. It covers all the lerge number of works shown there, each with descriptions of what is depicted and some in the points of interest that highlight each artist's rendering of the scene. There are sections on the lives of each artist and the fairly primitive tools used to create these intricate multi-colored (and thus multi-pressed) prints. The full collection of sets, such as the Hokusai views of Mount Fuji, are very well done and would in themselves make this book worthwhile. The sum total of both these woodblock masters is awe inspiring and sumptuous.

I have not "finished" this book, nor do I intend to for a long time. I take it out to admire, print by print, sometimes reading the informative text, sometimes not. This is not a comic book to rush through. Linger, enjoy.

Dolores Brandon has written a jewel. Using poetry, oral history and prose she communicates with depth and tension the joys and travails of her life with her family, most notably her father. Before manic depression or bi-polar disease was part of our collective vocabulary, Dolores experience spanned her father's ups and downs from everyday victories to down right fear. However, in this book Dolores manages to give each character a clear and resonant voice. She allows us to read her father's poetry and listen to her mother lullabies. She has also been able to forgive her father and understand her mother, which is something that eludes many of us. I was particularly fond of the way she brought to life the whole experience of growing up in the 50's. I was close to tears when I finished this book. Not from sadness but from that sense of communion that we always share but seldom tap into. It took courage, insight and understanding to write this book. I hope there will be more from Dolores Brandon.

Because the illness Delores Brandon describes in her memoir appears in my family through the generations, I have read several books to help understand the experience, and to connect with others going through it, and as a social worker to broker this knowledge to others, both sufferers and helpers. Kay Jamison has written an autobiography dealing with manic-depression, and Jackie Lyden described life with her mother who suffered the same illness. Because so many of us in my family were afflicted I have approached each of these writings with the eagerness of an 'insider'. Ms. Brandon describes how it is possible to both be horrified by and love a parent at the same time, something that is difficult to communicate to people who have grown up in more 'normal' families. It is possible to enjoy and celebrate people who are also really demonic and complicate the lives of their children. This kind of love and optimism combined with a realistic view of the destructive rage of the afflicted person is a rare combination that seldom finds expression in any media, and is especially clear in Brandon's spare and poetic style. It is immensely encouraging to those of us who live with the illness and I would ask people in the helping professions to use it to further their understanding of such families and persons so as to avoid simplifications and reductionisms. There are blessings and curses in these mostly genetic inheritances that beg to be appreciated, and must be lived with in any event. Though we are farther along in the humane treatment of manic-depression than we were in the time when Ms. Brandon's father was careening about, there is still much lacking especially in the so-called 'objective' approaches of 'treatment' that this book is a corrective for, and that makes this literary approach not only an adjunct to medicine and rehabilitation, but perhaps even a higher form of communication about the illness. Thank you for this wonderful work, Dolores Brandon!

Dolores Brandon has written a memoir of clear-eyed courage and enormous compassion. In a vivid, organic style that brings together poetry and monologue, memories sweet and bitter, Ms. Brandon tells an often harrowing tale of growing up with a father in the grip of mental illness and a mother incapable of protecting herself or her children from the devastating fallout. In a unique narrative rich with evocative images and finely tuned, lyrical passages, the author unfolds for the reader the shifting, volatile world in which she grew up and from which she emerged with the passionate need to create, to act, to write, to dream. It is an arduous but heartening birth out of chaos and pain, much like that experienced by Brandon's mentor, Anais Nin. In the Shadow of Madness is remarkable for its perception and candor; that candor invites her readers into the very inner corners of her life, and by example, frees them to explore disturbing areas of their own psyches.

IN THE SHADOW OF MADNESS, a memoir by Dolores Brandon, Published by Sky Blue Press, Sterling Heights, Michigan

IN THE SHADOW OF MADNESS is a powerful book, a poignant tale of a young girl coming of age in the shadow of her beloved father's insanity. Although I love poetry, this is the first time I have been able to read a 200 page story without being slowed down. Long poetry always seems to call me to notice the exact choice of words, the similes and metaphors.

Dolores' style is unique in that it reads as smoothly as any prose I have ever read. In fact the poetry seems to rush the story along and the images make the action come alive on the pages.

This book is as captivating and memorable as A TREE GOES IN BROOKLYN. All of the characters are many faceted. We have mixed emotions, changing feelings towards all of them.

Anecdotes capture our thoughts. Speaking of a man who used to fall asleep smoking in his bed, Dolores wrote," a front page news story reported Bob was one of two found dead on a fire at Queen Elizabeth Hospital He was a patient there. Seems he wandered off his Ward to visit a woman in Intensive Care. She was on oxygen. He lit a cigarette. She and he, the whole room, all blew to smithereens!'

Of her father's poetry she wrote," It's not that his poems weren't half good. They all sprang from the heart. But, they were written as the wave crested in a grandiose fury. And the call they put out for harmony stood in stark contrast to the aggressive force he asked us to indulge."

The photos are like the ones we all keep hidden away and seeing them we know for sure this book is about our family, our friends or the people down the road. This compelling story, beautifully told will stay with its readers forever.

From the title alone, one might assume that Dolores Brandon's memoir, In the Shadow of Madness, could be an arduous, emotionally wrenching journey. But however difficult it may have been to grow up under the control of a gifted but mentally ill father who was so often out of control himself, Brandon has not come to the reader with unresolved grievances. She asks neither for compensation nor pity for the anguish her family endured; she does not let blame or bitterness intrude. Instead, from the calm center of the storm that was her upbringing, with the distance that comes only with the passing of time, she weaves together the memories, voices and artifacts of her youth into a compelling, multidimensional narrative. It takes courage to tell such a deeply personal story so openly and honestly, and skill of the highest order to do it so well.

A life-changing little book with more Wisdom and Love than you can imagine. It is a challenge to live every moment in the presence of God, but who could ask for a better companion? Surrendering to Love in a perfect union of friendship, devotion, and humility is what this book is all about....well, it's really all about GRACE. While reading Dallas Willard's work,The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes LivesHearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship With GodRenovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ, I found that Willard had really been touched by Laubach's writings. I searched Amazon and ebay, but the original printing was difficult to find. I was so excited to find that Willard had worked to bring this journey to the heart of God into print so that we all might enjoy. Reading this along with The Practice of the Presence of God is amazingly enriching and you can see that the pursuit of God, and God's pursuit of His children, stretches across the centuries and is just as real for all of us. You'll want to read this over and over again, and give it as a gift - just as Laubach gave it as a gift to all of us.

In reading Soul Revolution, Burke mentioned Laubach and his practice of continually connecting with God. This book is a collection of his letters/journal about that experience. For those who are looking to be more closely connected with Jesus - the vine, this book shows that spiritual practice in action. Challenging, thought-provoking, full of hope. Highly recommend.

One of the most profoundly moving books I've ever read - a collection of letters from Dr. Laubach to his father about the surprise, wonder and delight that he discovers as he begins to turn the eyes of his heart, soul, and mind to the very real Presence of God with him every moment of every day.

Already having played a significant role in the Phillipines at the time these letters were written (I believe they were written in his mid forties) Dr. Laubach moved forward engaged as fully as he could be with the living Christ in everything he did. As his Practice of the Presence began to transform his heart his work took on a new depth and power. He would eventually develop a literacy teaching methodology ("Each One Teach One") that would sweep across the third world and is still in use around the globe today. It's estimated that at the time of his death in 1970 over 60 million people had learned to read and write using his methodology.

He accomplished a great many things in his life, but he would go on to state that the one thing that he felt must surely stand the test of time would be the experiences and challenges that he shares with us in these letters.

If you are experiencing a "profound dissatisfaction" in the state of your relationship with God please read this book. In following Dr. Laubach's example your life will change in a thousand ways for the better.

I know mine has.

Grace and Peace.

Frank Laubach was a Christian Missionary to the Philippines in the 1930s. This book is a compilation of the letters he wrote while in the Philippines, describing his attempt to keep God in his mind each and every moment of the day, thinking of and talking to God, and allowing God to work through him. The book describes his early difficulties and later successes. He ultimately had direct experiences of God, which he describes in mesmerizing detail. The letters are beautifully written and deeply inspiring. Laubach's experiences are testimony to the fact that God longs for our love and will respond when we give Him that love and attention, and align our lives with His will. Laubach also describes how he prayed inwardly for each person he encountered, and the profound change this made in his life and the lives of those around him. I guess the greatest thing that can be said about this book is that it has encouraged me to change my life as well. I now keep God in mind as much as possible each and every day and pray inwardly for each person I meet. Frank Laubach was a great man of God. It is a shame that this little book is out of print. I encourage you to find a copy. It has the power to change your life too.

This little book is a true gem for anyone who would take up the challenge of living in a moment-by-moment relationship with God. Through his letters to his father, Frank C.Laubach chronicles his spiritual journey of submitting his thoughts, emotions, and actions to God by asking these simple questions, "What, Father, would you desire said? What, Father would you desire done this minute?" If every Christian would put these questions at the forefront of their minds and hearts, the whole world would be turned upside down. I've read the book twice found Laubach's letters to be a profound encouragement to my personal spiritual growth.

Observations in prose are woven into revealing poetry, yet it reads like a diary; I couldn't put it down. At times very personal, at times universal, it made me contemplate my own life and the paths I took, or might still take.

A book to truly savor and read over and over again. It touches one in so many ways. It is beautiful and sad and hopeful. I hope my review, in some way will encourage others to read Moments and More by Brandon Jones. I look forward to reading more from this up and coming author.

What a truly inspiring book of poetry. I enjoyed the stories detailing what inspired each poem. lt seemed at times I was there with the author; on the beach, in the hospital room and in Italy. The poems and stories about forgiveness, love lost, the value of art and the author's philosophy on life makes you evauate you own life and the paths you've chosen. I was captivated by the author's use of poetry to help explain his philosophies formed by life experiences and paths chosen. I don't normally enjoy poetry, but I was able to understand where the author was coming from and would recommend this to many.

I have read quite a few selections from this book and I truly felt I was right "there". The descriptive writing makes you feels so in the moment, I know that is a trite saying, but it is so true. This writer has the ability to make you feel what he feels and see what he is seeing. I took a very inexpensive tour of Italy and California just reading. I love the idea of the story and then the poem. I finally read a book where I got what the author was trying to convey in a poem. Wonderful read!!!

I read this delightful book cover to cover in one sitting. Every vignette/poem duo is completely captivating! I was so impressed by this fresh take on poetry that I took it into my classroom (I teach 9th-12th grade English) and used it to jump start a poetry/creative writing unit. As an English teacher I found the book to be particularly helpful when teaching my students imagery and theme as the book is filled with beautiful and poignant descriptions of the world we live in and life experiences that all can relate to on one level or another. I highly recommend bringing this beautiful piece of literature into your home or classroom.