Brian Books

I used this book with teens for a Bible study breakfast a few years back and have not found anything this GOOD!! wish there was another like it!

This was my first teen devotional, and I was impressed by the uniqueness of this book! This book really helped me a lot in my everyday life. I sensed God talk to me in the pages of this book. I belive it will help out a lot of teens, as it helped me. It features real day-to-day experiences that teens like me can relate. Once I started reading a page a day, I never stopped having my quiet time with the Lord!

What a blessing this book has been to me and my family. We have been using it for about a year in our devotions before we begin the day of homeschooling. A relative of mine who attends college, was looking for a devotional book for her Bible study group so we sent her one as well. I hope "the word has gotten out" on what a great book it is.

This is a great devotional for older youth. My kids were a bit young for some of the stories in there (like premarital sex, etc). When I realized it was too old for my 7 & 9 year olds, I gave it to my 12-year-old nephew.

I teach 8th grade English in a Christian Academy. Every morning I start off by reading a devotional from this book. I have no discipline problems, and I believe it to be because I start off each day with a devotional. I spent a lot of time searching for a book that I could use, and this one was by far the best.

Explains the learning crisis we have in America today. It all really boils down to not having enough high quality, professional teachers to go around. This results, among other things, in some kids, from the best school districts, being exposed frequently to highly capable teachers , and others having very little exposure to excellent teachers--year after year. Now that I understand this, I can see that this is where the entire achievement gap comes from.

Why do we not have enough top quality teachers? Because we fritter away money on educational bandaid programs instead of devoting the bulk of the dollars to creating a career ladder for teachers. Outstanding teachers ought to be able to aspire to earn $100,000 once they reach a certain point in their careers; poor teachers ought to be ushered out the door before they do too much damage to young minds.

We need a professional teaching corps in this country, and this book shows us how to get there. Buy it and give it to your favorite teacher for teacher appreciation day.

Finally, a teacher not an outside consultant writes a book about the teaching profession. Brian Crosby accurately examines the long-standing problems with the antiquated public school system. His proposals, from paying teachers based on performance to a career ladder for teachers, could help revolutionize the teaching profession for the better, thus attracting higher talented people into it. Let's hope people read this to see how it really is like to teach in the public schools. Politicians could take a lesson from this book on how to improve our schools.

Mr. Crosby's well-written book is a must-read for anyone interested in the state of our educational system today. I do not agree with every single thing he has to say, but he does come up with some good ideas and well-thought out solutions to our current public school problems. He states his case clearly and concisely. This is a book that should be read by every teacher in the country. Bravo to Mr. Crosby for a job well done!

Brian Crosby understands what is happening in our public schools. Our public schools really are facing a crisis of unprecedented proportions, especially in Crosby's (and my) home state, California. He understands that a society that pays its prison guards more than its teachers has its values distorted. His solution is a noble one, one that will work, and he outlines in considerable detail the steps necessary for its implementation in this easy to read, well thought out presentation. However, I am sorry to say that I don't think the $100,000 teacher is going to happen any time soon.

Why? Mainly because there is a perception on a significant part of the public that teachers have it easy because they only work 180 days a year and therefore shouldn't be paid more. As a former teacher myself, one who retired young from the profession because of the inequities experienced, I can tell you that this perception is grossly mistaken for any number of reasons, but is true in at least one sense. To put it bluntly, it is true for the teacher who doesn't care, for the teacher who just wants to get a paycheck, for the teacher who has tenure and sees his or her responsibility as not extending beyond that of a glorified babysitter. And this goes for administrators who only want glorified babysitters. Crosby understands this and that is why his program is designed to weed out the teacher who doesn't care and reward the teacher who takes pride in teaching and wants to help his or her students succeed. That teacher IS a $100,000 teacher, if only we knew.

The salient point of this book then is a realization that the problem of adequate public financial support for education and for upgrading the teaching profession will not be solved until the present tenure system is abolished. As Crosby expresses it, "...no matter the lousy job one performs, once tenured (after a two or three years of teaching), one is in it for life." (p. 106)

The immediate effect of this system is to tie the hands of administrators. They cannot easily influence poor teachers, nor can they get rid of them. Conversely those teachers who really care and give their best to their students are not rewarded and so they leave the profession in frustration. As Crosby points out on the very first page of the book, "One-fifth of all new teachers quit within three years" and "Half of all new teachers quit within five years."

An unintended consequence of the present system is to make teachers and administrators adversaries. Administrators want teachers to do more, but teachers are not rewarded for doing more, so they (the ones that stay) resist. In addition, typically the school principal leads the negotiating committee for the school district against the teacher's union. So instead of working together for student achievement, teachers and administrators become adversaries. This dissipates their ability as educators.

In the long run the effect of the tenure system is synergistic in a negative sense in that it tends to attract and keep only mediocre teachers poorly supervised by mediocre administrators who are at odds with one another. Although this truth is well-known to everybody in the profession, suggestions for abolishing the system will not sit well with the various teacher's organizations since they are addicted to tenure and cannot kick the habit. An enlightened and energized public is necessary to help them. This in essence is what Crosby is calling for.

His solution must be taken seriously because there are standing in the wings other "solutions" to the problem including the privatization of education through something like a voucher system. Vouchers will lead to the end of public education in America, that is, to the dismantling of a system that was largely responsible for the fabulous economic growth of this country. Privatization will then lead to a further economic polarization of society. Those who have the wherewithal will be able to afford a good education for their children; those who do not, will not.

In any case, teachers and their professional organizations should be aware, that the time of the mediocre teacher and the adversarial system between mediocre teachers and mediocre administrators is coming to an end. I hope that the public sees the light in time and the reforms outlined by Crosby become a reality.

In his thoughtful, well-written book, Mr. Crosby cuts through the emotion, politics and misinformation that prevents improvement in our schools. He carefully and articulately lays out a logical, common sense solutuion---namely, if you want high quality sevices, provided by high quality people in a difficult profession, then you must pay commensurate salaries. Unions would automatically become less powerful and less important as market forces work demanding competitive high quality results. His case is intelligently presented using statistical data as well as personal experiences from his years "on the front line" as a L.A. County high school teacher. The book is highly informational as well as conversational---a must read for anyone interested in public education.

Bill D. Smith
American Institute of Architecture

Bill D. Smith, FAIA exclaims, "innovation and process have defined the
architectural profession for centuries. The ideas shared in the 2 Hour
House book and DVD brings these business applications to the forefront for our nation."


Tom Kleckner
Luminant /TXU

We are a client of 2 Hour House. We use the 2 hr house DVD in our operating System classes.


Oliver Konarkowski
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

Our Management Development team, here at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, is responsible for the training and development of all sales managers within our organization. This includes first line up to VP.

As part of our curriculum we offer a 1.5 day Project Management program which introduces participants to high level project management skills and practices. During this program we show the 2 hour house video to highlight what can be accomplished with effective planning and execution. We ask the participants to observe what PM skills were used and what the critical areas were that made this project successful. Since it is only a 1.5 day program, we show the 24 minute highlight portion vs. the entire 1 hour session.

In 2007 we ran the program once with the video and based on post program feedback, people felt that it really provided additional value. In addition some participants were requesting the name of the 2 hour house website so that they could order a copy for themselves.


Graham Vandergrift
Southwest Airlines

"At Southwest Airlines we expect our Leaders to "Build Great Teams". The 2 Hour House video demonstrates the impact of effective Teamwork through role and goal clarity."


Michael Arita
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation

I watched the video this evening, what an amazing project. Not sure if the actual building or the planning was the most amazing part of the project but I do know that neither would be possible without exceptional Teamwork!


Dave Thomas
Subaru of Plano
2 Hour House book/video applies practices and tools that translate into faster processes, greater performance by everyone on the team and a powerful collaborative synergy that drives excellence. It's easy for me to use these techniques at Subaru as another way to give us a competitive advantage in the market. It's smart business.


Dan Stauffer
McCoy's Corporation

It was exciting to be in the audience on construction day, but the 2 Hour House video added another dimension to the experience. Seeing and hearing team leaders talk about the impact the project had on them and the lasting relationships that were built during the planning and execution of the project was gratifying. There was a higher purpose than just building a house in record time.


Kyle McLaughlin
Champions FC Futsal & Soccer Club

"The 2 Hour House book and video has been very inspirational to our non-profit soccer club in terms of what we believe our Executive Board and club volunteers can accomplish. Anyone who is interested in experiencing a paradigm shift in a positive direction in terms of planning, time management/efficiency, and focus should take the time to view this book and video."


Twyla Prindle,
CEO Kash Kids,
Prindle Publication

2 Hour House is a mind transforming book/video. When I saw the video and read the book, I said to myself, "Wow, take the limits off! There is absolutely nothing you can't do."


Tony Murray
Murray Construction

"I have searched for a practical, easy-to-understand way to inspire our employees to a new level of teamwork and commitment," said Tony Murray, President/CEO of Murray Construction. "The 2 Hour House DVD opened the eyes of our employees with a new, fresh, and simple outlook and has had a tremendous impact on our company," he continued.


Brian McCoy
McCoy's Building Supply
"The 2 Hour House is so very inspirational, and a terrific learning tool
for effective team building, planning and execution. This is a tremendous
account of accomplishing the seemingly impossible. At McCoy's, we were
thrilled to serve the team that made history, and startled the world of
construction!" --Brian McCoy, CEO, McCoy's Building Supply


Walter R. White
President
Woodbury Financial Services, Inc

Jose Feliciano thrives on achievement and the opportunity to impart his
principles of success -- in business and in life -- to others. The 2 Hour
House project illustrates many of the lessons that have driven Jose's
professional and personal accomplishments. Dream big and commit without
compromise. Build an outstanding team, but plan and practice every detail.
Master the fundamentals, and never let up or give up. The 2 Hour House is
nominally about an amazing construction project, but it is primarily a guide book for success in life.


Paul Kajanpaa
Xango

I love the 2hourhouse DVD. I have used it several times with my managers and employees and they have talked about it with enthusiasm for weeks and months afterwards.

After a management meeting on Change Managememt where I used the 3 minute 2 Hour House video and the 1 minute summary, I had 5 managers ask if I would conduct the same meeting for their employees.

I have used this DVD to create "out of the box thinking" when presenting ideas on Change Management and Business Process Reengineering.

I have presented this to over 100 employees and each of them is left in awe that a three bedroom house can actually be built that fast. They can't believe that the concrete can set that fast -- but seeing is believing.

This video can be an effective tool for so many topics in Manufacturing Operations such as: JIT, Time to Market, Business Process Reengineering, Strategic Planning, Change Management, Lean Manufacturing, etc.

After showing the video to my employees, we did a brainstorming session on how to apply it to our unique challenges. I filled two white boards with 59 great ideas. We are currently implementing 6 of those ideas.

This book is packed with principles that will help any leader become stronger and get more out of the people they lead. If you are looking to get into leadership you can't afford not to read this book. It is AWESOME!!!

The 2 HOUR HOUSE is a great read, I simply couldn't put it down.

At every page I was impressed with the practical leadership principles and practices you need to take your business where you want to go. I am truly inspired to build a team and systems that take my business and my personal life to a whole new level. I'd like to thank Brian Conaway for having the vision to take this project on and for sharing it with fellow entrepreneurs and business people.

I can't wait to see what you come out with next.

Kirk Lowe

"2 Hour House" will inspire you to excel at whatever you do. It is filled with principles that can be used to improve your results in bsiness and in life. It inspired me to go after a world record myself.

There are many great nuggets of information in this book for any leader and planner. I especially liked reading Brian's stories about reverse planning (which I used for every mission as an Army Aviator), Color coding (amazing how this one little idea fixed havoc and confusion), and how important a foundation is to your business (you will have a laugh at the "Stuck Boots").

One thing that really stood out in my mind was how Brian was able to keep himself and everyone else motivated after such huge setbacks and failures during their practice runs.
After reading the book, I really wanted more details and found them in the DVD that Brian offers at his website. Seeing this home put together in a few hours, and watching the level of detail that went into each aspect of the build was truely amazing.

I highly recommend the book and DVD for any leader, planner and especially any home builder or remodeler.

Don Peters
Lone Star State Construction
San Antonio, Tx

This book is quite groundbreaking, and is excellent in the way it portrays our differences as not-so-different to children. Very thoughtful, well-written - a must have in any child's collection! ABC A Family Alphabet Book, and many more like it, are the focus of our website, www.[...].com, which caters to gay parents and their children.

Cute alphabet for the alternative family. I will need to buy another copy for my second son. The other loved it too much.

I am pleased to see a children's book incorporating LGBT families as characters without presenting LGBT-specific issues as the central topic of the book. Kudos to the authors for choosing to depict a fair amount of racial diversity including interracial families. However, I was disappointed to see a lack of heterosexual couple representation. Heterosexual couples are overrepresented in children's literature generally, so I fear that the lack of representation in books like this contributes to a sense of other-ness: Non-traditional families do exist, but they are so different and separate from the mainstream that they all crowd together in the safety of their own book and are rarely if ever seen interacting with heterosexual families.

this book had one problem... to many animal shots. other than that this book really gave me a new out look on life. i've learned that some parts don't have to be hiden. my new found freedom has made me more popular than ever! im making new friends... i spend alot of time with my uncle i never knew! this is GREAT! i recomend this book to anyone who is struggling to find them selves... (my hockey coach recommended this book.. hi mr.Sroman)

It is about time that LGBT families have books that reflect their lives in children's books without being hammered over the head with issues. This is a wonderful book and finally our kids can look at a picture book and see illustrations they can actually relate to.

I read this book in a weekend, it was disappointing that I read it so fast because I enjoyed it so much. Klopp definitely hit the bullseye with this book. He effectively passes on his knowledge of leadership through stories of real people from his years as an entrepreneur. In each case, he provided the perfect level of detail how these people meet and overcame obstacles with strong leadership and a creative attitude.

If you are someone who is looking for a book that provides great insight on leadership, you have found it, I just wish it was longer.

Hal Klopp is amazing! If only every leader could be half the person he is! A wonderful book that every organization should really refer to.

This little book is packed with great ideas and information on the concept of leadership and management skills. Hap's observations of people and principals are clairvoyant!
Ultimately readable, with great human-interest stories, Hap evokes much of our own experiences and understanding as we journey with him through the conception of The North Face.
It's legendary history and individuals come to life, dancing with vitality as we read the saga of a unique and complex business adventure.
I give this a 5 star rating for anyone involved in business and life management!

Hap Klopp has passed along a "Jewel" which he created with first hand experiences in both business and life. Klopp connects with reader using personal stories that include hard-work, adventure, and lots of fun. Klopp addresses subjects that we all encounter irrespective of our backgrounds, age, gender, religion and preferences. Few examples are:
* Beyond Profit "Profit is one measurement". Organizations should be measuring employee energy level, satisfaction and creativity.
* "Friends tell you when you are going wrong". It is important to find people that can be honest with you and guide you through good and bad times.
* "People want to be led; they want a vision to follow".
* Quality control using statistical tools to weed out defects is not the solution. Raising the bar to the highest standard is the best way forward.

"The Adventure of Leadership" truly delights!!

Hap Klopp started The North Face. I've got one of those coats, and it is great. So is this book. You will not believe how cool this guy is, and how inspirational AND irreverent he is in the context of building a spectacularly successful business. He quotes Jack Kerouac, he rubs shoulders with the world's most daring adventurers, and he works harder and smarter than anyone around him. His advice is spectacular because it feels so real. The people he writes of are the people doing some of the coolest things in the world - in business, sports, adventuring and other areas. He loves his employees. He has fun. Get this, he smokes pot and has been drunk. He's also been the first one in the parking lot for decades. Work hard, play hard - Klopp thinks that leading people is about emotional connections and shared visions. This is great stuff. If you really want to lead people - or find your way - in modern America, you've gotta read this book. Really, I'm telling you - wow! It's that good.

I bought this book for my niece and decided to pick up a copy for myself. This is a great story about kids growing up in the days of the great depression and their adventures, with lots of unexpected twists and turns. I found myself not wanting to put the book down until I had read the last page. My niece also liked this book, and it was fun to discuss different parts of the story with her. We're both fans of this fun and entertaining book!

My daughter, Dee, and I began reading this book every evening and both of us got hooked. We've devoured all the Charlie Bone, Harry Potter and Artimus Fowl series, but this one is something special. So many of the fantasy-based books are about boys, so it's nice this one is about a bright, caring 12 year old girl named Alice. The characters are engaging, the plot moves very fast and the addition of classic literary characters gives it a few twists and turns not expected. This book has a great story, a few good scares and a lot of heart. It's funny and very touching. I have to admit I got a tear in my eye at the end. It's well worth the price. Dee is already asking if there is going to be a movie--she wants to play Alice in the film!

Wow! What a creative story. I'm an adult with neices right in the 9-12 year old age range, and I look forward to sharing this book with them. This is a really creative story that may open up their horizons to literary classic characters and storylines, some of which they may or may not have heard of yet, and it does so by combining in other famous characters with whom I'm sure they can relate and are attracted to. I personally was quite impressed by the plot that unfolded in an unexpectedly pleasant and VERY imaginative manner, and of course I enjoyed the special theme of FRIENDSHIP the book created. I will share this book with my family.

This is a great book. I enjoyed reading it from cover to cover. I was sad to see it come to an end. Hopefully there will be more adventures for the Book Battling Kids. This is a must read book for any child or adult that loves adventure and fantasy books. The description of the characters and the settings made you feel like you were right there in the middle of the adventure. What are you waiting for? Stop reading the reviews and read this book.

This is one of the most imaginative and spell-binding books I've read in quite a while. I could actually SEE the characters as Mr. Harvell described them. I could also see the settings. There was so much action I had to stop and take a deep breath so I could keep reading. I was sorry when it was over. I'd love to see a sequel.

For agates, this is THE book. A definite must have for rockhounders who are interested in better understanding agates.

This book offers detailed information on agates. what they are, how they are formed and where they are found. What I found most intriguing were the terrific photographs of agates throughout the entire book. I use agates in my jewelry design but was not completely aware of the multitudes of colors and gems that fall under the umbrella name 'Agate'
Very well worth the dollars spent for this book.

Great buy!! I love this book. It is wonderful reference w/excellent photos.
Looking for a great price and found it.

Agate has been found on every continent, but there are few illustrative references on the market devoted to agates alone. AGATES: TREASURES OF THE EARTH will interest both high school and public library holdings seeking books on geology and gemstones, providing a reference to their formation, geology, and identification alike. Color photos throughout pack a history that is a top pick for any gemstone collector and for libraries catering to them.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

The combination of Roger Pabian with Brian Jackson, Peter Tandy & John Cromartie present a well written book on some of the most beautiful, popular with collectors and sometimes scarce agates of the world. The first forty pages alone give the novice collector, lapidary, rock-hound, or just someone who has picked up a pretty banded rock on vacation an idea of how agates were formed, the why of the different patterns, and the names and terms needed to intelligently discuss agates. The pictures are out standing and many. The descriptions informative and to the point. The references in the back of the book present a good jumping off place to pursue further knowledge of specific types of agates. In my opinion this book was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative read, even though some of the newer types of agates were not presented.

Great information source. Most guide books seem to leave out odd little bits of information that you have to scurry around and find at the last minute. This book is great on the details; it has all the contact numbers you need at your fingertips. Even if you cheat like I do and use a car, it is still a fabulous guide. Plus the writing stlye is great, easy to read and funny!

The trips described have just the right amount of detail. The author gets you interested, tells you how to get there but doesn't get too carried away with his own impressions. I have made good use of this book since I picked it up and I heartily recommend it.

This book is a great addition to my collection of outdoor books on BC. The reason is that I can now slow down my life a bit when I want to get outdoors and not be so stressed about getting to the trailhead or kayaking point or...public transit is cheap, easy to use and allows you to get in a more relaxed frame of mind before you start your next adventure. You even get to meet some interesting folks enroute. Try it!

The pictures and bits of useful and interesting information peppered througout make it very browsable. The maps for each activity are really clear and easy to use. A great outdoor guide even if you take a car.

Now if the author would do a "BC Car Free: How to get to urban adventures in BC" book, I could get to urban activities in the same mode of transport and frame of mind...

I've never found so much useful information in one place before. I took the bus over to Vancouver Island recently to go whale watching. We saw two huge pods of orcas and a minke whale. I couldn't have done it with out BC Car-Free even though I've lived in Vancouver all my life. We saved a bundle on the ferry fare alone.

Grover does a great job of detailing the ins and outs of outdoor adventure in B.C., for those who don`t have vehicles or choose not to. Very timely.

I used the book last weekend to check out the caves on Vancouver Island. I had never even heard of them before. Too Qool! BC Car-Free was right on in its description and details. Next week I'm going to do my first kayaking trip using the book.

As a war veteran myself, I have never found a more absorbing, accurate and sincere attempt to capture the true emotions of combatants, their loved ones, and all others involved in the major conflichts of the ninteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries. A must read for anyone interested in getting an unbiased glimpse into the thoughts of those who were affected by war.

I purchased this book recently and could not put it down.Who better to tell a story than the ones who lived it?The letters are not only from the soldiers who fought on either side of a conflict,but from the very people who lived through them.The accounts are graphic in many cases and I now have a better understanding of the horrible reality of it all.The historical quips help with the insight as to what was going on at the time of the letter.Its a great read by an outstanding author who has done so much for our troops.

BEHIND THE LINES is a powerful collection of fragments of thoughts that were initiated over the past two hundred plus years of war scars. Andrew Carroll continues his commitment to bring the reality of war to the forefront of our attention and I know no better manner for anti-war statements than the words found in this illuminating and horrifying book.

Carroll approaches war as a panacea - an evil that has been with us around the globe for centuries and just continues unabated. Many poets and writers are struggling to make the public cognizant of the horrors of war, but Carroll scans American involvement in wars from the Revolutionary War to the present and in doing so he demonstrates the madness that we must learn to stop.

Letters, documents, memos, soldiers' notes as well as civilians' responses fill these pages, some eloquent, some simply pitiful, and some stoic as well as some encouraging. The messages are not skewed in a way that makes Carroll seem like he is ranting. Rather he lets the words of the living and the dead speak truths far larger than fiction.

This is a beautifully conceived volume that for the sake of the survival of civilization belongs on the reading desks of everyone. Tough reading, this, but enormously informative and important. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, August 05

Andy Carroll's last book - War Letters - showed what war is like by reprinting letters of American combatants who had ac-tually fought those wars. (I should confess that one of my letters about Vietnam was reprinted in that book.)

Andy's new book - Behind The Lines - shows what war is like with reprints of letters from both combatants and non-combatants - civilian women and children. This book also in-cludes letters written by non-Americans as well as Americans.

Andy limited the letters to those from the wars in which America was involved. Thsee wars range from the Revolutionary War (there's a great letter from a Hessian soldier [Hessians were German soldiers "leased" to Great Britain to fight as mer-cenaries] giving his impressions of America and the poor fighting ability of the rebels), the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam (there's a good letter from a soldier asking his parents to forgive him for having killed a man in combat), Kosovo and Gulf Wars I and II.

While many letters deal with combat, other letters show the many faces of war. At times, war can be terrifying, funny, ab-surd, touching and hilarious. (You know you've been fighting too long when the same incident strikes you as both terrifying and hilarious.)

One letter was a love letter written by a California woman to a Swiss national. In fact, the letter was complete fabrication. The Swiss national actually was a German spy traveling in Great Britain during WWII. The letter was created to make his cover seem more believable.

One letter was from a brother who had enlisted in the Union army in the U.S. Civil War. He wrote to berate his brother for having enlisted in the Confederate army.

One letter was from a German wife to her husband's company commander. She requested that her husband be given a leave "because of our sexual relationship." She wanted her husband to come home so they can have sex. The commander's sym-pathetic reply is included in the book.

One letter writer came up with a list of "The Army's Ten Commandments," which should bring a smile to anyone who served in the Army. Commandment number four is, "Thou shall not laugh at second lieutenants."

One writer came up with a letter filled with multiple choice op-tions. By checking various options, he could either proclaim his undying love or write about an upcom-ing/imminent/current/recent military offensive.

Several letter writers tried to warn their families that they should prepare for a slight adjustment period when the men come home. One Vietnam writer warned, "If it should start raining, pay no attention to his joyous scream as he strips naked, grabs a bar of soap, and runs outdoors for a shower." (As a Vietnam veteran, I found that letter puzzling. Doesn't everybody shower that way?)

The book is divided into several themes that illustrate the dif-ferent faces of war: friendship; combat; laughing though the tears; civilians caught in the crossfire; and the aftermath of war.

As a Vietnam Infantry pointman and squad leader, I view a book about war differently from most people. Andy's book showed me a side of war I had never considered - its impact on non-combatants - who could neither run away (what any sane person does when people are trying to kill him) nor fight (if you're going to die anyway, why not die fighting?).

The book also showed me what I already knew from my own experience: that war changes forever those touched by it.

One Vietnam veteran was haunted by the fact that several of his comrades had died rescuing him after he was seriously wounded. So decades after the end of the Vietnam war, he left a letter at the Vietnam Memorial thanking those men for their sacrifice. That letter is included in the book.

Don't buy this book if you are looking for stories about triumphant soldiers marching in victory parades in front of cheering, grateful crowds. That's not the side of war that Andy wanted to show. Instead, the book shows the side of war that doesn't make the 5:00 TV news.

You will need to read this book in small doses because the emotional impact of the letters can be overwhelming. In Los Angeles I attended a reading of selected letters from the book. One of the speakers read a letter he had written as a Jewish teenager while riding in a sealed railway car on his way to a German concentration camp. The letter told his sister how much he loved her. He pushed the finished letter through a hole in the side of the railway car and hoped that a kind peasant would find and mail it to his sister. One did.

This is a great book!! I really enjoyed reading it, and found myself unable to put it down. The book gives readers a better understanding of what soldiers and their families go through. After reading this book, I believe I have a better appreciation for our Veterans and our troops serving our country. Definately a recommended book in my opinion.

This book is a great story about the life, history, a about the Blue Angels in general. Brian Shul really takes you inside for a wild ride with the best in the Navy.

The tag line says it all; there simply is no better book on the Blue Angels. I've seen well over 200 performances and this book captures well the best flight demonstration team in the world. If you are a fan of the Blues, you must own this book.

Just browsing through this book can give anyone a sense of what the Blue Angels are and how dedicated they are to their task at hand. But the author does more than depict the team. He has an acute sense of pride that beams from every page. This man has definitely lived the Blue Angels in this book and has successfully conveyed this to any reader willing to look beyond the beautiful pictures. This book will most cerainly bring back memories to those that have seen the Blue Angels perform, but it will also want to you go and see the Blues for yourself to experience all that is GOLD!

Brian Shul hits a homerun with his picture and fact-filled book about the Blue Angels. I'm doing research for a potential Blue Angels movie and Shul's first hand account of a Blue Angel show season is the most comprehensive book I have found yet. Shul spends an entire show season with the Blues and describes what its like to fly backseat in the heart pounding solo jet as well as the graceful but critical #4 slot position. In between pages and pages of important and interesting facts about the Blues, Shul also describes life off the flightline; right down to where and how the Blues workout and what they eat between debriefings and practice flights. Short of spending an entire year with the Blues yourself, Shul's "Portrait of Gold" is the closest you'll get! Great job Brian Shul.

This book shows the reader scenes that we can only imagine, until Mr. Shul shared these beautiful images of the Blues with us. This book shows you the hard work and teamwork and constant concentration required to be one of the team. Takes us through an entire season with the team and shows how the team comes together through hard work and alot of trust in each other. These men are incredible pilots..... and they are also real true "Blue" Men in the finest sense of the word. Not to mention.......they have great senses of humor. Kept me laughing from start to end.