Brian Books

Brian Knight delivers a fun, twisty novel that is bound to give you the creeps. The book itself is impressive, with the cover art imprinted on the covers, and as beautiful as some small-press collector first editions. I had a lot of fun with this one, and you will too.

FERAL grabs hold of you with spine-chilling terror, rips out your frayed nerves and stamps them beneath its heavy heel. It's a rare thing when an author rises from obscurity to cammand such masterful control of the powerful emotion of pure horror, leading the reader into the ferocious worlds of the imagination thought left behind in the darkened closet with childhood's nightmares. Knight's Bogey Man captures that savage gleam of fright like a tight fist around your neck and wrings it relentlessly. If you're looking for a warm story where good triumphs handily over evil, where the light shuns the darkness, this certainly isn't it... But if you want a taut, gut-wrenching, emotional beating that leaves you hesitant to turn off the TV at bedtime for fear of what might just be leering out at you from the crack in the closet door once again, then buy this book!

Remember the name Brian Knight... you'll be hearing it a lot in the near future.

After being pestered by close friends that I really needed to read this Feral, by Brian Knight, I finally relented and I am so glad that I did. This is a true page turner. I am not an avid reader and it has been years since I was able to complete a full novel. This one, I started reading at work and actually would be disappointed to get customers coming in because I had to put my book down.
The first scene in the book will really grab ahold of you and keep you breathless and turning pages til it is the last page and you are crying for more. I can't sing high enough praises on the descriptive writings of Mr.Knight.
Mr. Knight truely makes the boogie man and the people who are fighting against him come to life. You will feel like you have known these people all your life, not just a cheap trick this book is definately the real deal. WOW

Feral is a great thriller bound to give anyone a serious case of the creeps. I couldn't put it down. I even skipped a meal while reading it, and anyone that knows me would tell you that's saying something.

Feral is the story of a Bogey Man that takes children, and murders parents. A child named Charity was taken by the Bogey Man, but had a chance to escape. She runs to a place called Feral Park, a playground that is home to more than meets the eye...

Highly recommended for any fan of horror, or anyone that simply wants a good book to read. It just got added to my shelf of favorites.

He comes to you when you are sleeping and if you are lucky you'll wake up in your own home. Sometimes he kills their parents and disappears with the children. Charity has had disturbing dreams and night tremors of the Bogey Man before one night he killed her mother and took her. He kept her alive because she was special to him.

Gordon Chambers has searched for six long years for Charity and he thinks by following the trail of dead parents and missing children he will finally find her at the end of the current dead trail in a small town in Washington. Sharon sees Charity in a spooky playground where supernatural events happen and brings her home because she was wearing her dead daughter's clothes given to Charity by the Bogey Man. Charity knows the only place she'll be safe from the Bogey man is in the Feral Park playground where the abandoned and abused children hide in a dimensional nexus. When Charity disappears into the park, Sharon and Gordon vow to get her back alive and keep her safe from the Bogey Man.

Anyone who wants a decent night sleep should not read FERAL. It is a frightening horror novel that needs broad daylight to somewhat keep the nightmares away. Brian Knight will appeal to fans of Bentley Little and those who like being scared out of their wits. This tale will accomplish that.

Harriet Klausner

My husband had received this book for his 50th birthday so he knew it was good. Our neighbor is enjoying it too.

Knowledgeably edited by Ronnie Sellers, Fifty Things To Do When You Turn Fifty is an informed and thought-provoking collection of fifty writers contributing ideas, advice, observations, and instructions upon turning fifty years old. As an ideal how-to and what-to-do book informing its readers of the many fears and beliefs that might concern most fifty-year-olds, and explores why they might feel as they do and what to do to avoid or confront such barriers. Fifty Things To Do When You Turn Fifty is very strongly recommended to all readers who have or are contemplating turning fifty-something as the ultimate guideline of staying young as an explorative and practical fifty-year-old.

This is a compilation from various authors writing on the subject of turning 50. The first contributor really lays it on the line by saying "Stop complaining" and get your act together so that you'll get through many years after 50. I appreciated that these 50 writers "provided essays on a pro-bono basis" and profits from the book will go toward non-profit organizations focused on cancer research. This is a great book to give as a gift to friends reaching this sometimes challenging milestone.

Knowledgeably edited by Ronnie Sellers, Fifty Things To Do When You Turn Fifty is an informed and thought-provoking collection of fifty writers contributing ideas, advice, observations, and instructions upon turning fifty years old. As an ideal how-to and what-to-do book informing its readers of the many fears and beliefs that might concern most fifty-year-olds, and explores why they might feel as they do and what to do to avoid or confront such barriers. Fifty Things To Do When You Turn Fifty is very strongly recommended to all readers who have or are contemplating turning fifty-something as the ultimate guideline of staying young as an explorative and practical fifty-year-old.

Knowledgeably edited by Ronnie Sellers, Fifty Things To Do When You Turn Fifty is an informed and thought-provoking collection of fifty writers contributing ideas, advice, observations, and instructions upon turning fifty years old. As an ideal how-to and what-to-do book informing its readers of the many fears and beliefs that might concern most fifty-year-olds, and explores why they might feel as they do and what to do to avoid or confront such barriers. Fifty Things To Do When You Turn Fifty is very strongly recommended to all readers who have or are contemplating turning fifty-something as the ultimate guideline of staying young as an explorative and practical fifty-year-old.

A recent article in "Publishers' Auxiliary" by a retired newspaper publisher who was about to start a trek across the country on the American Discovery Trail opined that, while he had read many of the journals written by those who had proceeded him in this effort "Most of them [the journals] are boring." Brian Stark's book "Getting to the Point (in a dozen pairs of shoes)" is assuredly not boring and is well worth the reading and savoring. Brian's writing is bright, flows easily and logically with frequent insertions of wry, self-deprecating good humor. Brian's insight into his own thoughts and reactions to physical and mental stresses of the run and to his reactions to the people he encounters along the way and their responses to him are probably the overriding themes of the book. I could not have imagined undertaking a trek like this, but Brian Stark's book lets a couch potato (and even avid exercisers) get a miniscule flavor of what it must have been like.

This is an amazing book about an incredible adventure across America. The superb description of the the people, the places, the kindness of strangers, and the drive and motivation of the author to complete such a monumental task as running across a continent, makes this book an extraordinary reading expierence.

Ok, so as the author of the book I'm a little biased. This is the story of my 5,000 mile trail run across America on the American Discovery Trail. In 1998, I ran from Delaware to California alone and mostly without vehicle support while wearing a 10-pound hip pack. Along the way I got lost, got chased, and found America through a life-changing trip across the country at six miles per hour.

This is an inspiring, surprising story that would be exciting regardless of who wrote it. But what makes the book work as well as it does is Stark's conversational voice. Reading this book is like being told the most amazing story you've ever heard by the most entertaining eccentric you've ever met. While sitting by a warm campfire. And sipping non-alcoholic sparkling cider.

Seriously, this book is about more than just one man testing himself physically, emotionally, and spiritually; it's about the people who live in this country, and the surprises that you find in the most unexpected places. It's about the unique and moving generosity of everyday people. Also, there's a twist at the end that is AWESOME!!! (I don't want to spoil it -- READ THE BOOK!!!)

I found this book to be one of the most entertaining pieces of nonfiction that I have ever read. As a runner of over 27 years it is hard to comprehend how Mr. Stark accomplished his incredible feat.

However, this just wasn't about running. This was a true tale of Americana that you just cannot put down. My husband, also an avid runner picked up on a Sunday and finished it the same day, stopping only to eat dinner.

I am also a frequent flier and have shared this story with fellow passengers. I won't let anyone borrow it though. They have to buy it for themselves!

GIVE ME BACH MY SCHUBERT is a humorous, pun-filled story of a boy's attempt to run from his piano lesson. The adventure starts at Madame Phalanges' (note pun) Piano Studio, where the narrator's friend Bert absconds with his shoe: My buddy Bert likes HAYDY things -- he's sometimes hard to HANDEL. I said, "Give me BACH my SCHUBERT," `cause I knew he took my sandal. While Cleary's text chronicles the narrator's subsequent attempt to flag down his antagonist-friend, Rick Dupre's illustrations tell a separate "story-within-a-story" -- i.e., Madame Phalanges' attempt to return the boy to his music lesson. Cleary highlights each of his musical puns in the story with color and contrasting typefaces -- lest any children get the idea that "violence" is actually the same as "violins," for example. This clever technique also has the dual effect of making the book more user-friendly to parents, many of whom might not be too astute with musical lingo. This book is as educational as it is unique and entertaining, and -- at $18.95 -- is well worth its asking price. ##

"Give me Bach my Schubert" is a humorous, pun-filled story of a boy's attempt to run from his piano lesson. The adventure starts at Madame Phalanges' (note pun) Piano Studio, where the narrator's friend Bert absconds with his shoe: "My buddy Bert likes Haydn things -- he's sometimes hard to Handel. I said, 'Give me Bach my Schubert,' `cause I knew he took my sandal." While Cleary's text chronicles the narrator's subsequent attempt to flag down his antagonist-friend, Rick Dupre's illustrations tell a separate "story-within-a-story" -- i.e., Madame Phalanges' attempt to return the boy to his music lesson. Cleary highlights each of his musical puns in the story with color and contrasting typefaces -- lest any children get the idea that "violence" is actually the same as "violins," for example. This clever technique also has the dual effect of making the book more user-friendly to parents, many of whom might not be too astute with musical lingo. This book is as educational as it is unique and entertaining, and -- at $18.95 -- is well worth its asking price

"Give me Bach my Schubert" is a humorous, pun-filled story of a boy's attempt to run from his piano lesson. The adventure starts at Madame Phalanges' (note pun) Piano Studio, where the narrator's friend Bert absconds with his shoe: "My buddy Bert likes Haydn things -- he's sometimes hard to Handel. I said, 'Give me Bach my Schubert,' `cause I knew he took my sandal." While Cleary's text chronicles the narrator's subsequent attempt to flag down his antagonist-friend, Rick Dupre's illustrations tell a separate "story-within-a-story" -- i.e., Madame Phalanges' attempt to return the boy to his music lesson. Cleary highlights each of his musical puns in the story with color and contrasting typefaces -- lest any children get the idea that "violence" is actually the same as "violins," for example. This clever technique also has the dual effect of making the book more user-friendly to parents, many of whom might not be too astute with musical lingo. This book is as educational as it is unique and entertaining, and -- at $18.95 -- is well worth its asking price

This book won a Children's Choice Award for books published this year. Along with Shel Silverstein and Roald Dahl, Brian Cleary was honored as more than 10,000 school-aged children cast their votes for their 99 favorite books of the year. Children's Choices are overseen by a joint committee of the International Reading Association and the Children's Book Council. The year of publication was 1996.

"Give me Bach my Schubert" is a humorous, pun-filled story of a boy's attempt to run from his piano lesson. The adventure starts at Madame Phalanges' (note pun) Piano Studio, where the narrator's friend Bert absconds with his shoe: "My buddy Bert likes HAYDN things -- he's sometimes hard to HANDEL. I said, 'Give me BACH my SCHUBERT,' `cause I knew he took my sandal." While Cleary's text chronicles the narrator's subsequent attempt to flag down his antagonist-friend, Rick Dupre's illustrations tell a separate "story-within-a-story" -- i.e., Madame Phalanges' attempt to return the boy to his music lesson. Cleary highlights each of his musical puns in the story with color and contrasting typefaces -- lest any children get the idea that "violence" is actually the same as "violins," for example. This clever technique also has the dual effect of making the book more user-friendly to parents, many of whom might not be too astute with musical lingo. This book is as educational as it is unique and entertaining, and -- at $18.95 -- is well worth its asking price

I picked up this book not really knowing what it was about and discovered a gem. It interviews great activists and thinkers in an informal, intelligent style that brings out the best in them. Katha Politt's interview was one of my favorites. I recommend this book to any serious students of the world. It deals with the idea of a global morality that passes over religious, ethnic, or racial lines - something crucial in these times of globalization.

GLOBAL VALUES 101 isn't just the title of a book; it's a course which proved one of the most popular ever offered at Harvard University, in which original thinkers sat down with students and explored how knowledge and ideas contribute to better world citizens. From ideas of success and achievement to issues of war, religion and social change, GLOBAL VALUES 101 surveys all kinds of issues and connects social change to global values systems. Perfect for classroom discussion - even at the high school level.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

This book summarizes the conversations held between Harvard students and some of our most innovative thinkers. The students were asked to read and analyze works by these guest speakers and pose thoughtful questions to them. This relatively small book contains astute insights into politics, the economy, environmental issues, and human rights. It is written in precise, accessible language without over simplifying the concepts which are explained.

As a college student interested in the state of the world, this book caught my eye. It is full of interviews with the superstars of current debates about globalization, war and peace, work and family and religion. People like Paul Farmer, Naomi Klein, Noam Chomsky, Juliet Schor, Robert Reich, and Howard Zinn. I had read many of these guys before, but what struck me is that they are even more interesting in interview format than in their own books. More spontaneous and funny, and you get to see them struggling with some difficult questions. And they were interviewed by young people (in a super-popular course at Harvard), which means that you get some really wild questions; I found myself thinking at times, 'Who would have been so stupid and rude as to ask THAT?!' This makes for lively reading. My main complaint is that the book only includes 16 of these interviews (plus an introduction), when many more were done in the course and would have been welcome in the book. But it makes for good reading on a long plane flight, when you want to think about the troubles and joys of the planet you are flying over, rather than about the screaming infant in the seat behind you.

"Democracy is what the people do; it's not what the government does" - H. Zinn.

I was amazed that three pages into this book Zinn touched right on the point my Anthropology teacher was making in class the night before.

Any chance to read thoughts by Zinn, Goodman, Chomsky is definately worth every penny.

This is much ado about nutting, and it is fun, relevant readers to golfers. We can relate maybe not so much to all of the eccentricies, but boy can we relate to the golf fever illustrated.

From the search for the secret, to aids, to collecting, to playing in all conditions at all times, et al, this is certainly an entertaining collection, and one to add to one's book addiction, I mean collection.

The Head Nut certainly is deserving, and the array of famous and not-so is highlighted for me by several nut incidents which make my "nut all of fame" -- E.M. Vanderweghe who literally had his magic grip frozen to the club in the auto drive from the range to the course (talk about losing it from the range to the first tee) and the guy who mistakenly locks his rental car keys in his bag in the trunk with only ten minutes before tourney teeoff, then prying open a path to his clubs, removing them one-by-one in a bloody mess. You'd wouldn't believe in any of this if you haven't already gotten the bug.

Nuts to all of you! This is good stuff!

"Golf Nuts" is a book about people who share a common passion. Head Nut #0001 - Ronald Garland goes into grave detail about how he established the "Golf Nuts Society" and some of the unique characters that belong to this growing organization. This is a great book if you know someone who is obssessed with the game of golf. Its very easy to read. The sample test in the back of the book to see if you should be committed is hysterical, the glossary and world records will leave the reader in stitches because only those searching for the "secret" will understand. I loved the book so much that I joined the "Golf Nuts Society" -- #3177.

Great book. Very funny. These guys love the game and are good at it. Very entertaining read. Can't wait to give it as a stocking stuffer this year.

This is an excellent book. Very enjoyable. I am so glad this book came out in time to give as Christmas presents. Ron Garland and Brian Hewitt are terrific!! I recommend this book to anyone who loves golf!

the glossary is worth the price of the book. absolutely pure golf slang.

We love this book because it is a true story about real people!

I liked this book because the teacher in the book really listened to his students and helped them feel confident that they could win the contest. It makes me want to be one of his students! Joseph T.

This book is an award winner. A classic. Children love it because it teaches self-worth & music, and it is skillfully writen from the heart by a very well versed author.

Get this book! You will be glad that you did.

This is a great book! My children love it. It is written by a man who obviously knows his stuff about education and children and dealing w/ people.

Get this book and you'll love it!

This book is very well written. Obviously, this author is very knowlegable about children and cares for people in general. This is a fantastic motivational story for readers of all ages.

Terrific. Black, sordid, entertaining and most weird. Lots of fun!

I read it an thought it brillianly funny, and highly original. Fidel Castro seemed less than enthusiastic in his review, realising that this book has the potential to undermine all that he has strived for over the past decades of social and political revolution. "I read this book and realise that it is a legitimate, well thought out critique of the workers' paradise I have strived to establish in Cuba. It's back to the drawing board for me. I wish Hughes had never left his. I am a shattered icon."

"Hughes is good. He's got the same hold over readers that Tom Sharpe, Kingsley Amis and the late Bob Shaw created so effortlessly. Okay, so he's damn good -- one of those authors who hooks you with intelligent humour and run-amok storylines. His fiction is irresistable. So why fight it?"

(Lisa DuMond: Locus Magazine/SFSite)

"The writing is literary in quality and the characters are finely detailed -- highly recommended."

(Lida E. Quillen: Scribes World)

"Curious, innovative and highly entertaining...dripping with black humour, highly irreverent, sarcastic and, quite simply, very funny!"

(Nicola Jolly: The Preston Citizen)

This is Greyminster, a smoky, post-industrial milltown tucked away in the northwest corner of England. A pleasant enough place except for one fact. Greyminster is the Spaghetti Junction of the Fortean World. Time travel, ravenous space beasts, manic old biddies and robots with a penchant for Hob Nobs. This enormous volume contains all four Greyminster novels, five Greyminster novellas, characters by the barrow load and enough good humour to blow your socks off!

First off, I think I should probably preface this review with a few important facts.

1. Brian Hughes is a close personal friend of mine.
2. I haven't (yet) actually read the book.
3. When I was a young boy, I had an extra nipple.

The Greyminster Chronicles is undoubtably the most important written work ever published since the twin tablets Moses brought down from the mountain, which as you probably are already aware, contained probably the worst practical joke ever.

The Greyminster Chronicles has the unusual property of being able to hold things down. Should you say need to force an peice of important paper to stop walking about, or to provide anistesia to a cat, or to stop your television from flying about the room, or even to prevent your fireplace from going out on dates without you. This is the book for you.

The Greyminster Chronicles is also the perfect accompanyment for J.D. Sallinger's The Catcher in the Rye. In fact, I've heard that it has been listed as mandatory reading for the Insane Wackjobs With Crackpot Assination Plots Everywhere Union. You can find more information on the IWWCAPEU from the CIA...

Everything considered, you should feel in danger of experiencing the phemomina termed spontaneous combustion, if you do not buy this book immediately. Oh... and could you please stop by my wishlist and buy one for me as well, as a cartoonist, I'm slightly poorer than dirt.

Very innovative and entertaining...loaded with black humour, irreverent, sarcastic and very, very funny. I couldn't put it down!

I hope today's fans of comics and sequential art familiarize themselves with Foster's work. He is quite simply the greatest illustrator of the second half of the 20th century. Some fans of Frank Frazetta may disagree, and I love Frazetta's work too. But Foster's innate storytelling sense and incredible draftsmanship leaves the reader in awe. And what a body of work.......it's truly amazing he could maintain such a high level of craft on Prince Valiant decade after decade. Do not miss this book!

Brian Kane has a lot going for him to begin with; the cooperation of Hal Fosters grandchildren and extraordinary access to the Foster family and private papers; but without a sensible recognition of the importance of the sequence of events which lead to the assignment of Hal Foster onto the TARZAN strip, and the eventual culmination of Fosters aspiration to produce his own strip, the storytelling and illustration masterwork PRINCE VALIANT, this pedigree could have been lost or mislaid.
However the pedigree is not lost; this books remains a standard for anyone attempting to pay due homage to a historic artist, a master of his media, and a disciplined Professional who won awards within and outside of his field as a matter of course.
And one doesn't necessarily need to be a firm fan of Popular Culture to see, on the page, the initial artworks provided through family archives, but watch the commercial illustrator become the accomplished storyteller cartoonist/illustrator to the craftsman who transcends his adopted field.
A power read, yet eyefuls of narrative,illustrative, and evocative draughtsmanship which will allow anyone owning it to want to revisit this book as anyone reading the Sunday Funnies has revisited the two classics which Foster brought to pinnacles of powerful evocation : TARZAN and PRINCE VALIANT.
An affectionate and heartful reccommendation by a long time and familiar fan of Hal Foster; impossible to imagine anyone could have completed the task with more vigor and commitment and completedness.

The Golden Age of American Illustration ran from the 1880's to the years immediately following the First World War. It was a highly creative period that produced such notable artists as N.C. Wyeth, Howard Pyle and Frank Schnoover. This was the skilled artistic millieu in which Hal Foster began his career as a commercial illustrator.

Foster would have probably remained a talented but obscure illustrator if the Great Depression had not begun. In need of work, Foster began as illustrator for the Tarzan adventure strip. The comic strip became very successful but Foster did not receive the monetary compensation that he believed he deserved. In 1937, Hal Foster launched his own adventure strip, "Prince Valiant in the Days of King Arthur". Within a few years of the birth of Prince Valiant, Superman, Batman, and Flash Gordon were all created and the Golden Age of Comics books moved into full swing.

Although Prince Valiant never became as iconic as Batman or Superman, there can be little doubt that Hal Foster was the greatest technical artist of that period. For the nearly forty years that he produced Prince Valiant, Hal Foster was the master of composition, perspective and figurative detail.

Brian Kane's biography is filled with many unpublished sketches and color paintings. Having received the full cooperation of the Foster family, Kane also received access to unpublished letters which give many insights into Foster's character and creative process. I hesitate in giving this work five stars because this book is more of fan appreciation than it is a serious biography. Nevertheless, if you are a fan of Prince Valiant or the Golden Age of Comics, this book is a must purchase.

This is an excellent book. Best known for Prince Valiant, Hal Foster brought his creativity to many other areas. He not only developed his illustrative skills but understood story flow and had a great command of writing. The work he produced only confirms the mastery and artistry he wielded . His paintings, cover work, personal sketches, and Tarzan work will bring you pleasure even if you aren't a Prince Valiant reader. The writing is informative and clean, providing a very enjoyable read. Remembrances by other artists are a nice bonus. I highly recommend this retrospective of one of the classics.

Hal Foster is the Master of Cartoon Art, without peer, without equal, he is simply extraordinary. Little is known of his life--until now. Thanks so much for bringing us this book! Many terrific anecdotes, in depth stories of his life and influences and work habits. I have never seen many of the illustrations included here. A truly terrific book! Very handsome in every respect. I was delighted by this purchase.

Anyone who loves nostalgia and basketball should get this book. When I read "He knew Naismith" about John McClendon and "America's Coach" about Dean Smith, I just got chills. To think, the author was able to meet and photograph numerous basketball greats, and it all took place in Kansas!!

There are stories about regular small-town people, too, who, for their moment of time, became a hero for their school and town. Those are the ones many of us can relate to, and in our own minds, relive our own hero-moments.

It is hard to stop reading because the stories are so good, but with the 2-page-per-story format, you can read and savor a little, put it down and come back to it again later.

Concerning the photography, it seems in many of the pictures that the author was able to capture the emotion of the subject and put it right there on paper for you to feel.

If you are looking for a coffee table book, a gift, or just something different to read, this is worth a try.

As a Kansan, I read with great interest and joy Brian D. Stucky's look at vintage Kansas basketball courts and the exciting stories that went along with them. Hollowed Hardwood is a must ready for any Kansas sports and/or history enthusiast...make that any Kansan period.

I you're a history or basketball nut you're gonna love this. I was intrigued by the photos of historic gyms in Kansas, but I was pleasantly surprised by how I was totally captivated by the great stories about the local and national heros that played in them. What a thrill!

This is such an interesting book of 51 different stories....you'll just love it. The author visits with people all over the state of Kansas and writes a great story along with each picture. See Jackie Stiles on the front cover, shooting the ball. The photography is excellent! This makes a wonderful Christmas or birthday gift!

If you've ever cried at a high school basketball game... if you have ever felt like crying at a basketball game of any type... you will enjoy this book! Brian Stucky sensitively describes--in compelling narratives and equally compelling black and white photographs--quite a number of historic gymnasiums in the author's home state of Kansas--a state where the practice of lofting a round rubber ball into an iron hoop has.. over the years... been elevated to (or at least near) the status of a religion.Memories of unforgetable games, unforgetable players, unforgetable (and, occasionally, surprisingly primative) facilities pour onto these pages from the host of eye witnesses the author has managed to enlist in this loving litany.... an homage to a sport he obviously understands from the inside out. The book stands as a testament to the emotional... and, yes, somewhat spiritual... investment many players, coaches, refs, and just plain fans feel for the sport. Brian Stucky has... in these few pages... not only done homage to a truly American past time, but has--in the process--told us something about ourselves, as well.Highly recommended!