Brian Books

I cannot say enough with how Howard Roffman can photograph young men. He does it in a way that you can understand personal things about the man. The young man is nude but it is done in a classic way with style. You are not looking at a porno book you are looking at an artist showing his works. Buy the book you will not be sorry you did.

Again I'am a very big fan of Howard Roffman .. so this is a MUST BOOK TO HAVE ,, HE IS ENDLESS WITH GREAT WORK

For anyone who enjoys this type of genere, you will enjoy this book. The pictures are beautiful, whether you are gay or straight.

What a totally beautiful book. This is a photographic essay of merit. Real good coffee-table stuff.

"A great look at a man exploring his sexuality. Howard Roffman goes into the world of an 18-year-old male, Brian, and documents the journey on film. Don't Miss this 2006 Collector's Edition! FULL COLOR!"--© zebraz

Christopher Shores et al. have produced a first-rate book on the contributions made by the Spitfire in the defense of Malta against a determined Axis assault.

From 1940 to 1942, Malta served as a linchpin in Britain's efforts to retain a presence in North Africa and the Mediterranean against the Axis Powers. From Malta, British air and sea vessels would harry German and Italian ships sending supplies to Rommel in the Western Desert during the height of the fighting there in 1941-42. Ship sinkings became almost prohibitive to the Axis, so both the Germans and Italians resolved to destroy Malta through air assault.

The first Spitfires arrived in Malta in February 1942 to supplement and replace the few remaining Hurricane fighters who had helped defend Malta since 1940.

This book reads almost like a daily diary of the war in, around, and over Malta throughout 1942. The reader gets a keen appreciation for the sacrifices made by the pilots, soldiers, and civilians in Malta who stood up to the Axis, and won. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Christopher Shores et al. have produced a first-rate book on the contributions made by the Spitfire in the defense of Malta against a determined Axis assault.

From 1940 to 1942, Malta served as a linchpin in Britain's efforts to retain a presence in North Africa and the Mediterranean against the Axis Powers. From Malta, British air and naval vessels would harry German and Italian ships sending supplies to Rommel in the Western Desert during the height of the fighting there in 1941-42. Ship sinkings became almost prohibitive to the Axis, so both the Germans and Italians resolved to destroy Malta through air assault.

The first Spitfires arrived in Malta in February 1942 to supplement and replace the few remaining Hurricane fighters who had helped defend Malta since 1940.

This book reads almost like a daily diary of the war in, around, and over Malta throughout 1942. The reader gets a keen appreciation for the sacrifices made by the pilots, soldiers, and civilians in Malta who stood up to the Axis, and won. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Christopher Shores et al. have produced a first-rate book on the contributions made by the Spitfire in the defense of Malta against a determined Axis assault.

From 1940 to 1942, Malta served as a linchpin in Britain's efforts to retain a presence in North Africa and the Mediterranean against the Axis Powers. From Malta, British air and naval vessels would harry German and Italian ships sending supplies to Rommel in the Western Desert during the height of the fighting there in 1941-42. Ship sinkings became almost prohibitive to the Axis, so both the Germans and Italians resolved to destroy Malta through air assault.

The first Spitfires arrived in Malta in February 1942 to supplement and replace the few remaining Hurricane fighters who had helped defend Malta since 1940.

This book reads almost like a daily diary of the war in, around, and over Malta throughout 1942. The reader gets a keen appreciation for the sacrifices made by the pilots, soldiers, and civilians in Malta who stood up to the Axis, and won. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Shores and Cull really can write about WW II aviation. Their books are marvellous, action-packed, accurate, full of data. I just don't know why all their books are so expensive. I bought "249 at War", but this one I had to borrow from a friend of mine.

First of all I would like to say,that if you haven't already read Christopher Shores "HURRICANE YEARS"I suggest you do so.Malta The Spitfire Year 1942 is the second volume of the air battle in malta. The Author Chrisopher Shores has done a superb job on this book.There are more than 200 rare photographs and more detail regarding the air battle of Malta. Thankyou Christopher Shore for a memorable book.

I own the 1970, 24 volume, set. I haven't seen the revised editions, but I'm sure they can only make a good set better. Although this set is comprehensive in that it covers a wide range of subjects, it is not exhaustive and is not intended to be. Only key elements or highlights of each subject are presented and a bibliography is provided for those who want to research deeper. This set is probably the definitive introduction to the field of the supernatural and related subjects and it is profusely illustrated with artwork, photographs, diagrams and charts. Some of the pictures are graphic and some contain gore and nudity, so I recommend this set only for mature readers. - Brad Clark

I too will refer to the 1970 edition of the encyclopaedia set (I was lucky to be able to purchase the set recently are a relatively low price) as I have yet to see later editions. I was fortunate to have come across this set in my local library as a youth and recently purchased a set of my own after an exhaustive search. Unlike so many childhood memories who's colours fade with age and experience, the joy I have when I read from this set is as vibrant as it was in my youth, though now I can also appreciate Man, Myth and Magic from a more intellectual vantage.

Man, Myth and Magic explores the realms of religion, spirituality, psychology and the occult. Articles within the 24 volume set range from the obscure (Wandering Bishops and various manifestations of witchcraft hysterias) to the very well known (articles on major world religions). The authors tend to be experts in their respective fields of research and are, by and large, objective in the treatment of their subjects. There are, however, some writers who have a vested interest what they write about - the article on Druidism contains two articles, one written by an historian which focuses on the known history of druids through contemporary writers (such as Julius Caesar) and archaeology, the other written by a "modern" druid who speaks of the modern incarnation of druidism. In most cases this is appropriate and as the credulous is contrasted with the objective skeptic I'm okay with this treatment. Unfortunately in a few cases there is no counterbalance. For example, in the section entitled "The Frontiers of Belief" is an article written about H.P. Lovecraft. The author surmises that Lovecraft's short stories and poems must have been inspired by real, other worldly creatures, a claim that Lovecraft himself would scoff at. Still, despite rare instances of overly credulous authors, Man, Myth and Magic tends towards the objective examination of man kind's belief systems, be they mystical or based on science.

If you manage to find the complete set, no small feat I might add, you would do well to pick this set up.

It's great set of books, with about every strange thing you could want to read about. It's interesting, and it doesn't push it's words on you. It leaves room for you to decide how you feel about it. I really love the palmistry section. I would (and do) recommend it to anyone interested in man, myth, and magic.

Beautifully put together. Just a totallyy awesome encyclopedia for the unknown and more!

This set of encyclopedias is entertaining as well as informative, with photos and illustrations of great points in religious and supernatural history. No critique could ever do this set of books justice.

-michael anthony crawford, High School Student

If you want to make marquetry, buy marquetry or just appreciate marquetry this is an excellent resource. It has the kind of detailed information coupled with drawings and a bounty of color photos rarely seen in one book. Worth the money!! Go see the exhibit at the Getty!

This book is published by the Getty museum, which has an absolutely wonderful permanent exhibit on marquetry that includes many fine examples and a touchable how-to exhibit depicting start to finish manufacture of marquetry furniture. The book is a detailed how-to on various types of marquetry (including wood, metal and stone) with both color (over 150 color photos, more color pics than B&W) and black-and-white pictures of a large variety of examples from Renaissance through 17th and 18th century through modern (not too many or too-weird modern), plus many photos showing marquetry in progress in the how-to section. It is also a large, beautiful enough book for your coffeetable. If only every art/craft topic could have such a wonderful book.

I have two books of the same author: Masterpieces of marquetry (or something simmilar since it is written in French) and Marquetry. Each of the books cost over 100 USD in France and belong to a collection this author has published on the same subject. The Marquetry book (in English) I believe is the best book of its class. It has very detailed sketches of real antique designs. It not only explains the techniques but also stone inlaying, designing of tools and benches for cutting materials, etc.

Marquetry is impressive if you are making a simple flower or a project as ornate as the examples that are given in this book. Covering the art form from the early adopters in France and Italy, he explains in detail the procedures, as well as the tools that are used. When you see some of the pictures of the projects, you will think that you need a lifetime of practice to get to those levels, and maybe you do. They are so elaborate and ornate that you will appreciate what can be done in the art form.
The book is large and is something worth featuring on a shelf. It is wonderfully illustrated, and they don't short you on the full color photographs.
The chapters are; Veneer Decoration, History, The Marqueters Workshop, The Materials, The Instruments, The Drawing, Preparation, Procedures, Frisage and Jeux De Fond, The Construction of Cutting Tools, and Conclusion.
The book is 14" x 10" and every page is packed with beautiful color photographs, and at the very least a drawing. Makes for an interesting read, as well as seeing what is being explained in full color. With so many full size color photos, you can see why the book is more expensive than a standard book.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned practitioner in the art form, this book will capture you. See the highest forms in the art, chosen by the top museums for display. All in all a first class reference. Highly recommended.

I found this book to be completely comprehensive on the subject of marquetry. Everyone who loves this art form will want to have this in their library.

E um livro muito interessante, porem, apenas para quem tem curiosidade ou gosta muito de marchetaria. Belissimas imagens. Quem faz marchetaria nas horas vagas tera uma boa referencia, inclusive com a historia dessa arte. Capa dura, muito ilustrado, acredito que tera um lugar de honra em sua biblioteca.

Mauricio - Brazil

I highly recommend the performance of Simon Vance. His reading is excellent. Jack Aubrey's vibrant personality comes alive, as does Maturin's more subtle character. Killick is a riot. I have all recordings up to "The Thirteen Gun Salute" by now, and Vance keeps the individual voices consistent across all books. He is a true pleasure to listen to and even does the women well, which can't be easy. His mediterranean accents are not so good, but this is a minor hitch. These CDs are very good value for money.

Listening to Simon Vance read Patrick O'Brian's words is like having silk poured in your ears. A fantastic book made even better!

I came late to this table, intrigued by the excellent Russell Crowe movie. (A note for new readers arriving by the same route: the movie is an amalgam of several of the books in the series, then modified even further by the supposed needs of Hollywood.)

When I bought this 13½ hour CD reading of the first book, I was delighted but also somewhat baffled: the language is extremely challenging, even to one with years of sailing experience. How could this series have sold millions? Another Amazon reviewer set me straight: the books are written so that they could be understood and enjoyed by the characters themselves, and describe the harsh sensibilities of the times without apology or explanation.

An extremely difficult feat to pull off, writing in the 1970s. Being a rather proud writer myself, at first my anachronism police came out in full force, looking for missteps. Oh they are there, if you want to get curmudgeonly, but instead, why not just enjoy the author's magnificent accomplishment? The book has become my nightcap: one chapter per night, with a rewind each morning to the point I fell asleep. It has also become my traveling companion: I ripped all 11 CDs down to one mp3 disk, and traffic jams immediately stopped annoying me. (For people wishing to do the same, it can be encoded at a generous 256bps and still fit on one CD). And there are still another 21 novels to go...

To the meat: You will have to put up with sometimes excruciating detail: is it really necessary to have an unbroken five-minute naming of parts? The top mizzens, each and every backstay, the exact length of each spar? But perhaps it is. The internal voice of Aubrey: a sympathetic man whose company I would nonetheless not enjoy, the utter callousness towards human suffering displayed. We wouldn't judge Jane Austen for having archaic sensibilities; Patrick O'Brien should be given the same leeway.

But with your investment in place, the rewards are enormous. The battles, the tactics, the seamanship displayed and the characters involved are described at close to the level of Conrad. It is impossible to read (or listen) without trying to imagine your reaction to being hauled off a side-street, impressed into the Navy, given your 14" of hammock-space and sixteen hours of daily work, with the lash readily available if you ever care to demur. And as a reminder, the monthly reading of the Articles of War, with almost every infraction being followed by: "...and shall suffer death." O'Brian probably accurately describes this monthly litany as comforting and reassuring to the men.

The reader, Simon Vance, does an excellent job. He trips up occasionally by repeating himself, and his occasional Scottish accent is strictly from the James Doohan Hollywood school, but those are hardly gripes: his friendly voice is accurate and his personality is quite invisible, as it should be.

"Aubrey! May I trouble you for the salt?"

I have read this series of books and listened to them on tape and now I am getting them on cd so I can rip them to the computer and sync them to my mp3 player which is easier to carry around my neck as I work. When I listen to these stories it makes watering the trees a bit more interesting. If you haven't read this series I highly recomend you start if you want to be totally entertained by the wonderful cast of characters.

It's been a decade since I read the books, so this time around I am listening to them. The production is first rate and I am enjoying the book as though I'd never read it. Joy!

Disclaimer: I'm the author, so I had to give it a lot of stars. But 5 stars do belong to the second edition (2006), which is now available from Amazon. Completely revised and much improved.

After reading this book, I now know how to perform effective searches using MEDLINE. It has cut my research time considerably. My thanks go out to the author for helping make sense of a considerably complex system.

This book was enjoyable to read and has proven extremely useful already. Searching Medline can be a frustrating and unproductive endeavor. This book helped me find exactly what I was looking for without tearing my hair out. This book is a must for anyone who has to locate articles in the medical literature.

This book is an invaluable guide to Medline. The instructions are extremely clear and easy to understand and the historical information is fascinating. I highly recommend it.

After reading this book I thought that it deserved a special review, this is, not the type of review that usually begins with "a must read for every clinician" but something special as this book deserves. Most of us have had already the necessity of accessing Medline database in our research but most of the times we get hit by the results that a simple search presents. We then start browsing and browsing the results and we get tired of so much information that some times does not correspond to our desires or doesn't focus on the subject we were looking for. Now what? - we ask. The answer is simple as the author says; the focus is not just on simple searching but on effective searching. Medline is a complex and very wide database and knowing some of its basic concepts will help us understanding how simple and effective can our search be made. This is what the author presents in this book, a "rutter" for easy and effective navigation in this complex and wide sea of scientific information. There are no secrets in Medline but there are basic concepts like knowing some of the 19,000 Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) or just simple understanding how they are organized and how this understanding will help us to get the effective search results for our needs. This is given by the author with many examples of ways to start an effective search in Medline and thus not waste so much of our precious time browsing through the great amount of information that this resource can present. The book is very accessible in the way that the concepts are presented with many examples and a glossary for quick reference on MeSH. In a couple of hours the reader will with no doubt find this book from Brian S. Katcher an excellent guide and a valuable acquisition. I must say that after reading it, I finally understood how much precious time I've wasted in my "not guided" Medline searches. Now things are easier and clear thanks to the time, the knowledge and the effort that the author has put in this book.

Just wanted to thank everyone who has purchased, reviewed, and stood by this book. The next book featuring these characters is on the way, technical difficulties notwithstanding. Also in th works is a revised version of this novel... Once again, thanks to all who've helped me make a dream come true. Brian R. Kupfer, Author of Metamorphosis:Story of the 137th SOW, 8June03, Brandon, FL.

I love this book because I'm in it!! It is the best ever!

This book rocked!! I got it from a friend of mine and had to buy my own copy! The action sequences alone are worth the price! This book has everything, Action, espionage, jets, cars, women, and music. And it's funny, too!! Like the Tom Clancy books, but it doesn't go into the political stuff, so it's even BETTER!!! Starts off a little slow, but when it picks up....hold on!! And the author says there's ANOTHER ONE? And what's the ELITE EAGLES mentioned on the copyright page? BUY THIS BOOK!!!!

This book is well written and is very difficult to put down. It takes many twists before the reader gets a grip on the entire story. I've read it twice so far and will read it again.

I could not put it down. I felt like I lived every moment in the book. It seemed so real, I thought I was a character in the book.

This book is not easy to find at any price. The price was great and delivery was prompt. Great service.

Good book with interesting interviews. Interviews are conducted by economists who actually know what they are talking about.

Reading this book will open your mind in understanding what does Economics talk about, especially in macro scope. Once you read the firt few chapters, you will know the main goal of Macroeconomics analyses and their implication our economy issues today by using their theory explanation. This is a great book!

This book is a nice overview of the main macro theories with a non-mathematical slant. But do not take it for a macro "overview for dummies". To fully appreciate the subtle nuances between competing views, one must have a firm grasp of macroeconomics.

Also, the interviews are really enjoyable and enlightening.

As a suggestion for next editions, i would like to read an interview with michael woodford, and a full chapter on the "new neoclassical synthesis".

The book surveys all of the major intellectual trends within macroeconomics since Keynes. The writing is clear, which is atypical for most economics books, and the discussion is rich with lore and plenty of references (the bibliography is over 80 pages!) It really filled many gaps in my understanding of macro. I recommend this book for graduate macro students and advanced undergraduates; others might find it hard to appreciate the models and the ideas if they don't have a good understanding of at least intermediate macro. Last but not least, the interviews are truly inspirational; I found myself hurrying through the chapters to get to the interviews as quickly as possible!

This was fascinating to read. Three characters deliver a monologue relating to Molly's experiences temporarily regaining her vision through surgery. In addition to the clear & interesting portraits of these people, scientific information is presented in an easy to understand manner.
However, unlike other good plays I have read I have no interest in seeing the play performed. What does seeing this play add to the experience of reading the play? But definitely read it!

This year i have had the privalege of not only reading Molly Sweeney, by Brian Friel, But also playing the part of Molly. Never have i read such a brillant work of literature. The heroine,strong willed and enchanting goes through a series of operations to try and restore her vision. Through the sucesses and pitfalls of this procedure Molly shows us what true vulnerability and dreams are made of. She posesses an inner strength that can be understood only by those who have been caught between two worlds, never to re-enter either of them. She has taught me to appreciate everything I see. For she relished the world and all the beauty in it.. while those of us with vision are blind to its miracles. indeed, We are the ones with blindsight. I have never played a character I have loved as much as Molly. She took over my body and soul on stage until i existed only as her vessel.... her unique personality shining through teaching us all to value what we have, to love what we are given, and to venture into the unknown.. even if it means loosing everything we've ever understood. Brian Friel is a modern day shakespeare. Truly my favorite playwright of the 20th century, he is also my mentor, and my inspiration. Molly Sweeney is truly a miracle in print.It will change your life.

I Just finished this play and loved it. In fact, I found it so moving and powerfull that I was anable to close my eyes because of the haunting ramifications described in this play. I had no choice but to write this review at 2:30 AM. This play tells the story of a women who undergoes a surgery in order to regain her sight, and the aftermath of that surgery. It is told in a seris of monologues by the three central characters in the show to brilliant perfection. Read this play, it will change the way you look at the world forever

Anyone interested in the neuropsychology of vision must see or read this play! *Molly Sweeney* is great drama by an award winning playwright. It tells more of the truth about failed attempts to restore vision in those blinded by cataracts in early childhood than "To See and Not See" in *An Anthropologist on Mars*. "Molly Sweeney" should be required reading for anyone interested in "Discourse between Anthropology and Medicine."

Brian Friel, Ireland's premier modern dramatist, produces a minimalist ensemble drama in this 1995 play, presenting a story of immense dramatic power with no dramatic action on stage at all. Molly Sweeney, a forty-year-old woman who lost her sight when she was a baby, is the central character, the two others being her husband Frank, and Mr. Rice, a man whose surgical skill can return partial sight to her. When the play opens, all three characters inhabit their own spaces on stage, and each tells his/her story directly to the audience, the characters having no interaction with each other at all.

In a brilliant example of dramatic irony, the play comes fully to life through their stories and achieves a poignant reality though the audience never actually sees any action. In this way, the play's structure parallels the life of Molly, a woman who sees nothing but fully experiences the joy of life. Molly is fully independent, works as a massage therapist in a local health club, and, in fact, supports her husband, who is unemployed, considering her life completely "normal." When she has the opportunity to regain partial sight, she accepts the surgery at the behest of her husband and the surgeon, a man so dependent on alcohol that he sees the surgery as his last chance to restart his career.

Through the story of the surgery and how it changes the lives of the three characters, Friel forces the audience to consider important aspects of reality and how we interpret it. As he points out during the play, a functioning person without sight has created "engrams" of reality based on the other senses and must be taught how to connect new visual knowledge with the tactile engrams of his/her life if s/he is to be successful in understanding a sighted world. The gaining of sight involves the loss of the blind person's known world and the creation of a world in which everything is constantly moving and changing, "all the consolations of...the familiar" gone forever. Friel brilliantly recreates the drama of all three main characters as they try to cope emotionally with the changes wrought by Molly's surgery.

Ultimately, the play raises complex questions about fantasy vs. fact, and imagination vs. reality and suggests that these concepts may not be the opposites that many of us think them. The unusual format of the play itself is perfectly suited to this subject matter, asking us to imagine each character's invisible, but nevertheless completely real, inner life. Mary Whipple

I bought this book for my husband and his siblings. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer this summer. My husband and I have both read the book and it helps to know that we aren't the only family that has traveled this road. Regardless of what part of this journey your family is at, I would highly recommend reading this book. The illustrations make it an easy read and it'll be well worth your time.

"What to do when pain rips through our brains like a tornado. We need the truth." - Barbara, the author's mother's, wrote that thought after reading this book.

This is an excellent graphic novel about one family's experience with Stage 4 Large-Cell Carcinoma (a.k.a. - Cancer).

A story is often only as good as the heart of the person telling it. If that sentiment is true, it explains in large part why this story is so good. If you can make a story about dealing with your mother's terminal cancer funny and life-affirming, you are creating a pretty intelligent and well-crafted piece of writing.

His artwork is consistently excellent, never distracting, and peaceful in the midst of life-threatening circumstances. The visuals are coordinated with the words fluidly, immediately conveying the ideas and emotions with very few ambiguities. This graphic novel won an Eisner Award in it's online format.

Brian Fies tells us in the preface, "Although I distrust stories with lessons, here is one: No one will care more about your life than you do, and no one is better qualified to chart its course than you are. You are the expert."

As you might expect, like all real stories, this one does not end with everyone living happily ever after. But fortunately, the characters do re-prioritize and choose to change the remaining time in their lives to live as happily as they can until there is no after.

As the preface accurately creates the expectation "Mom's Cancer is an honest, earnest effort to turn something bad into something good." I admire and encourage that human artistic drive, and Brian Fies is successful in achieving that goal and many other beautiful artistic goals.

I'm a consumer health educator and lost my father to a very rare kind of cancer when he was 58, so this book hit me on more than one level of my life. Fies has done a wonderful job. What I find most impressive is that Fies doesn't shy away from discussing the "blame" aspect of a cancer diagnosis. The question of personal accountability for disease is very much part of the family conversation during a health crisis--whether there is scientific evidence for causality or not!--and it needs to be talked about. I'm hoping this graphic novel does make that conversation easier for all of us.

My family shared many of the experiences of the author's family during my mother's cancer. It's compelling, touching and hopeful.

It's less about Mom than her three adult children (pseudonymously portrayed here as the narrator, Nurse Sis, and Kid Sis) and how they cope with the news and subsequent treatment for Mom. Vivid visual metaphors (the Operation Game, superheroes, the "tightrope" of treatment) combine with heartfelt writing (smokers won't be pleased with how they're portrayed) for an unforgettable portrait of a family in crisis. It has a simple, clean graphic style that will appeal to readers who are not regular readers of graphic novels.

If your mother smokes, this, and and "the patch" would make an excellent present.