Brian Books

I really enjoyed this book. The storyline and characters were great. If you like books by Brian Jacques you will love this. It was a fun read, I definitely recommend it. (So buy 500 copies, ok?) Congrats Lee and Brian!

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a very adventurous story with a good plot and story line.

this book was great. I liked how the stories split up and then came together in the end. The book is a fun read, i recommend buying it. congratz brian and lee

I really enjoyed reading this book. The story and its adventure pulls you in. I love fantasy stories and this was a great one. I liked the originality of the story and its characters, and how there is more than one story taking place, but they are all linked in some way to one another. This was a very enjoyable book and I recommend buying it.

I don't actually own this book, but I am in class with the two people who wrote this book, and Brian let me take a look at his copy. I just want to say that from what I read so far, it seems like a terrific book, and one that a lot of people will enjoy reading.

This is an excellent overview of the teaching of Pope John Paul II on the subject of the morality of teenage sexuality. This provides a solid foundation to establish the clear and concise teachings of the Catholic Church with regards to spirituality, virginity, abstinence, chastity, birth control, divorce, etc. The layout of the chapters is teen-friendly with a deep respect for human dignity. I have had tremendous results with the course thus far. My only regret is that as a teacher and as a parent that this course wasn't available sooner.

This is a great presentation of the Theology of the Body. The material is relevant, engaging, sound, and pastoral. This is not the boring and imposing 'don't do it' method of education. Rather, it is a proposing and enlightening method that gets at the heart of the meaning of life, love, and happiness. Every parent and religious education teacher can benefit from the material, insofar as it is written in such a way as to help one to see the beauty and truth in God's life-giving plan of love. After establishing this reality it helps a person to appreciate the nature of love, which is 'the gift of self,' verses the popular view of love, which is often seen as 'the taking of another.' Seeing love in this way establishes the precedence for a chastity based on charity, rather than the arbitrary precept with which it has been caricatured by many. A fantastic resource.

I teach high school morality and vocations, and this book has been a rich personal resource of both clear, relevant information and classroom activities that have been invaluable for lesson planning: prayer services for each chapter; suggested movie clips and songs to use in tandem with the text; many hands-on/kinetic learning activities; excellent journal and discussion questions; and my favorite of all teaching methods, the personal story. The authors have included a broad variety of genuine, heartfelt testimony from people of all backgrounds and experiences. No surprise that students love and integrate the principles of these stories; Jesus, after all, used that method also when He taught through parables.

This is an excellent interpretation of Pope John Paul II's incredible philosophy of our use of the body in our goal to love God. This workshop opens teens to a clear and new perspective on their sexuality, chastity, and vocations. Well done Brian, Jason and Crystalina!

I would love to see this book in a catholic high school religion curriculum. It is relevant and engaging, at least from a teacher's point of view. I think it is a good tool for opening up the discussion of sex and love with teenagers today, and more importantly, keeping that discussion going by using language that teens will not instantly tune out. It's grounded in Scripture and other specific, official Church teachings, which is essential for driving the point home with young people today. Overall, a great text.

Brian Andreas does a delightful job of conveying wisdom in a witty way. I first learned of him when my sister bought me one of his pictures when I was her maid of honor. Since then, I've bought 6 more pictures and several of his books.

In "Traveling Light," he provides wonderful pictures and stories reflecting his outlook on life.

To give you an idea of his writing style, here are a few of my favorite quotes in this book:

"How many people can you love before it's too much? she said. & I said I didn't think there was any real limit as long as you didn't care if they loved you back." ....and....

"I don't think of it as working for world peace, he said. I think of it as just trying to get along in a really big strange family." ...and...

"I know I promised I wouldn't complain, she said, but I'm not ready to start just yet."

The book will make you think...and make you smile.

This is such a great book. I introduce Brian Andreas to everyone I can by offering this delightful book to borrow or as a gift. You simply cannot help but smile at how he has found words for thoughts that didn't seem to have words before. I love StoryPeople.

Of all the Brian Andreas books, this is my favorite. I love the bright and colorful illustrations and the wonderful quotes. This book makes a terrific gift!

..it's easier to maintain the illusion of control. But it is more fun if you just let the wind carry you."

Like sayings of Pooh, Brian's elemental life-isms are poignant and insightful, and come from the soul of an eternal child. They are easy to carry around in your head and heart, and make my crazy life a little bit more bearable.

The book itself is also a delight to peruse, with vibrant renditions of his offbeat artwork and funky fonts. Even the cover binding and paper seems chosen with love and care, "Traveling Light" is a treat to touch and hold.

Just add warm blanket, a cup of tea, and someone to share reading it aloud to.

(I have only one of his prints so far!)

Familiar with Brian Andreas' black and white drawings in his previous books, I was delighted to find this book in color. With three Andreas prints hanging in my home, I've found this artist and author succinctly illustrates stories from my inner life as if that life were as easily accessable as my outward appearance.

Andreas' knows how to tell a complete, touching and usually whimsically humorous tale in only a sentence or two. He captures the essence of situations in a few words, then illustrates the same situation with drawings equally economic and whimsical.

Brian Andreas has collected some conversations and ruminations and thoughts, illustrating them with primitive, childlike line drawings. Not only are his musings thought-provoking in their own right, they teach the reader to see these special small moments in his or her life. Andreas' humor, honesty, and goodwill make this quick book a keeper and a lovely gift book.

I really like Brian Andreas's work. His drawings are comical, but what I really enjoy are his witty observations on life as told through his characters.

There are a lot of good sayings in this book. One of my favorites is:
"I try to use unconditional love in small amounts, she said, so people really appreciate it. The rest of the time, I just try not to yell."

If you're looking for something to make you smile, this book will do it!

If you've ever searched for the perfect wedding, graduation, birthday, or Valentine's Day gift then look no further. I've been a huge StoryPeople fan for about 7 years and every time I read one of the stories I can relate to it in some shape or form. I highly recommend any of Brian Andreas books as well as his prints (see www.storypeople.com). It will change your life too!

...with a bit of a bite. These "stories" are little vignettes or even aphorisms that are just off-center enough to move your own thoughts sideways. Some are emotionally touching, some provocative, some just amusing. ("I think I'm having a heart attack, she said, but it's dragging on for hours. I told her not to worry. That's how most people who work a full day feel, I said.") A great little read that doesn't feel stale when you read it the second or third time.

To quote Dr. Phil. I certainly get this artform and love it. I ran across this book today in a little store on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. I had not heard of this artist before and while looking through some of his artworks, noticed the book which I had to have after page 1. I started looking at the the book and know I will eventually collect all of Brian Andreas' work.

The book is very informative and discriptive in showing how to tie the flies as well as breaking new ground in creating interest. The author's ability to combine these unique patterns with interesting stories is a refreshing change from the standard how to books. Truly the genius of the author and those composing the book have created and made this a collectors item. Truly a brilliant piece of work!

Fantastic book interesting, informative and educational written by a legend in the world of flyfishing, Mr. Don Howell.

A fantastic book in the old tridition presented in a modern fasion. Unlike any fly tying and fly fishing book on the market today this book details the flies, art of fly tying as well as the author. It is a supurb book very helpful and informative as well as some insight about the genuine article, Don Howell a true Appalachian flyfishing legend.

The book is very informative and discriptive in showing how to tie the flies as well as breaking new ground in creating interest. The author's ability to combine these unique patterns with interesting stories is a refreshing change from the standard how to books. Truly the genius of the author and those composing the book have created and made this a collectors item. Truly a brilliant piece of work!

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK IS MORE THAN SOMEWHAT INFLUENCED BY MY,BEFORE HIS UNTIMLEY DEATH, FIFTY YEAR FRIENDSHIP WITH THE AUTHOR DON RAY HOWELL. WE ATTENDED GRADE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL,AND COLLEGE TOGETHER. WE PLAYED FOOTBALL FOR FOUR YEARS TOGETHER. ANYONE WHO READS THIS BOOK WILL OF COURSE SEE WHAT A GREAT FISHERMAN AND FLY EXPERT HE WAS. THEY WILL ALSO PICK UP GREAT TIPS ON TROUT FISHING IN ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PARTS OF GODS WORLD. MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT, HOWEVER, THE READER WILL GET A SENSE OF THE LOVE DON RAY HAD FOR GOD, HIS FAMILY, AND THE BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT THAT MAKES UP SOUTHERN TROUT STREAMS. SO ENJOY A GREAT BOOK ON FISHING AND LIFE FROM A GREAT MAN. REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND. ED. BIDDIX

Bob was my childhood hero, and so seeing that he had written an autobiography was like a dream that I never thought would come true for this private man in the public setting. However, he and his recently famous son Brian felt compelled to write a book that doesn't brag about their on-field exploits, but as a beautiful tribute to the person that appears to be their hero, Bob's first wife and Brian's mother Judi.

From this book's pages I learned a lot about a beautiful woman, someone who graced the earth with her presence, and about the devoted love that her family members had for her. A wonderful, and funny, and touching book about love within a family. First, the Griese's and friends love for Judi, and then, the love that Bob and Brian had for each other as they tried to support one another.

I can truly say that this book had a positive impact on my life. 5+++ stars.

Bob was my childhood hero, and so seeing that he had written an autobiography was like a dream that I never thought would come true for this private man in the public setting. However, he and his recently famous son Brian felt compelled to write a book that doesn't brag about their on-field exploits, but as a beautiful tribute to the person that appears to be their hero, Bob's first wife and Brian's mother Judi.

From this book's pages I learned a lot about a beautiful woman, someone who graced the earth with her presence, and about the devoted love that her family members had for her. A wonderful, and funny, and touching book about love within a family. First, the Griese's and friends love for Judi, and then, the love that Bob and Brian had for each other as they tried to support one another.

I can truly say that this book had a positive impact on my life.

THIS BOOK IS NOT JUST FOR FOOTBALL FANS! It is a compelling and inspirational story about the lives and the unusual parallels of two high-profile people--a father and his son--that involves much more than just the game of football. It encompasses sadness, joy, humor, and much more. It is presented in an interesting and unusual form by co-author Jim Denney. He captures some conversations between Brian and Bob Griese talking with each other about many events the two have shared in their lives, both on and off the football field. Often, these conversations get humorous, dad and son going at it tit for tat, openly displaying their strong, inherent competitiveness, even between their own two football careers. But the affection between them always shows through in their amusing dialogue. Their conversations, as well as inserts from other contributions of family and friends, are very moving as they discuss the life of Judi Griese, their wife and mother, who secumbed to a five-year fight with breast cancer in 1988. They tell of her strong influence on all of their lives. Bob and Brian have courageously revealed much about their family, personal, spiritual and emotional lives, much of which they have previously chosen to keep very private. I thoroughly enjoyed this book in every way. It's a great story, one that great movies are made from.

This book is a heartwarming story of how a family survived the tough times and came out on top. If you like football or not you will enjoy this book and be able to see the love of family between each line. If you think football can't be applied to life, you will find out differently by the end of this book. Truly inspiring!

Suprisingly, this book is not just for football fans. It has a little bit of something for everybody.

The book is written in a very unusual format. It was as if both Bob and Brian Griese were just sitting around talking, discussing many different things, and voila, we have a book. It is written so matter-of-factly, that it becomes a page-turner rather quickly.

The book parallels the two quarterbacks, in their careers, family life, and personal triumphs and tragedies. Dealing with football was only a part of the book. You really get a good feel for these two men when they talk about a myriad of subjects and events, and you can't help but let your heart go out to them when they reflect upon Judi Griese, respected wife and mother.

The book's compelling language is peppered with humor rather nicely, and the overall tone of the book is quite inspirational. I truly enjoyed this book, and it sincerely kept my interest throughout. Undefeated is a real winner.

I find this text to be a great resource for identifying scripture. Be aware that the scripture quoted in this book is from the Authorized (King James) Version. Now, the Authorized Version is about as ill-aligned to my faith as a translation of the Bible could be, but that certainly isn't going to be the case for everyone. The way I use this text is to search for my topic of interest, identify relevant passages, and find those passages in the translation of my choosing. It's also interesting and helpful to compare them to those in the KJV since I don't otherwise have that translation available. This is a great tool for Bible study, just be aware that it is based on the Authorized Version, whether that's a positive or negative in your view.

This is a great resource for bible study students as well as those in ministerial positions.

This is a great bible companion! Basically any issue/topic you are curious about is in this book, along with the relevant bible scripture(s). Great gift item. Perfect for teens, too.

This book is informative on a wide variety of topics. It's easy to read pages, cover the bible thoroughly and I most especially like the fact that if I want to know about only one subject I can go to that topic and see what the bible says about it. This book is a time saving resource that will be both useful and helpful for those wanting to know more about the bible. After I bought this book, I ordered another one for a gift.

I find this book hard to put down. It's written in dictionary style, you look something up and it gives you every passage in the Bible where that word, term or phrase appears and includes the passage. It's wonderful! I can't wait to pick it up in the evenings and wish I had it around when my kids were young, it would have been valualbe to use as "well the Bible says...". I could see this being a great tool for Sunday School teachers, Sermon planners, Vacation Bible School teachers, home schooling, etc. I just can't say enough good things about this book. I highly recommend it.

The Worldwide Guide to Homeschooling is fantastic! As a parent-to-be, I am excited to hear about how home educators all over the world are faring in their experiences. Reading about what home schoolers are accomplishing and how the graduates are doing in the world is a great encouragement. If you are interested in learning more about home schooling, this would be a great resource for you to purchase!

The Worldwide Guide to Homeschooling is so helpful! As a parent-to-be, I was excited to hear about how home educators all across the world are faring and how the graduates do in the world after their years at home. For anyone who is interested in home schooling or wants to learn about the successes of home schoolers, this is an excellent resource to purchase!

This compact, readable, and intriguing guide hits about every topic possible on homeschooling. Academics, ?socialization,? how homeschool grads will do in the ?real? world, freedom of thought, the ?hidden curriculum? of public (state-run) schools, research, reasons for homeschooling, growth around the world, the history of schooling, and a plethora of other topics. And the personal profiles of homeschool families, young adults, and leaders provides a very human interface.

It?s obvious that Dr. Ray has been studying and thinking about this fast-growing educational phenomenon for almost 20 years. He does not tell parents every detail on how to homeschool, but he does give them kernels of wisdom regarding directions and resources. Ray gives academics and educators more objective information in this little book than they could ever get from their professional conferences and media reports. In one, handy reference guide, media reporters will have all the basics on this educational alternative at the tips of their fingers. And any policymaker who gets a hold of this small tome will know more than almost any of his or her colleagues. This is a tight book.

Worldwide Guide should be in the hands of every parent who cherishes free thinking, every grandparent who cares about the education of his or her children, every education reporter, every classroom teacher and professor, and every public library.

The WORLDWIDE GUIDE TO HOMESCHOOLING is the most condensed and potent synopsis for any parent considering the homeschooling option. This is a must read for those who wish to have more control over their children's education. The statistics and references Dr. Ray presents document the phenomenal success achieved by literally thousands of homeschooling families. Although 87% of America's children are educated in the public schools, this age-segregated method is proving to be inefficient and increasingly ineffective when compared with parent-led education.

For parents currently homeschooling, the book will help instill and invigorate you with vision and hope as well as provide new educational resources and teaching techniques you may not have been aware of.

As a 19-year-old college student who was home educated, I am thankful for this new book that brings to light facts, statistics, and real life stories of the homeschool population. It is a very informative and well-done book that answers any and all questions people might have on the subject of home education. I am encouraged to hear how homeschoolers are doing and I am able to use this book to answer the questions of my friends and acquaintances. Thank you Dr. Ray for a job well done!

This is the best trade of 100 bullets I have read, easily. Definitely recommended. More on The Trust, Graves, the younger generation, and some possibles. It is the history between The Trust, and Graves, and who they are, and who the various younger characters that we have been introduced to are, that is the interesting part. Here you learn a lot more about that, and how they relate to each other.

Brian Azzarello, 100 Bullets: A Foregone Tomorrow (Vertigo, 2002)

100 Bullets, Azzarello's take on noir, offers its fourth incarnation up before us. The bulk of the book continues on with the Trust storyline, which is decent. What's really going to blow you away-- and set you up for volume five-- is one story. It's short, but it's worth the price of admission on its own. Graves goes to the hospital to deliver his hundred bullets to someone. As he's on his way out, he meets a man to whom he gave the same offer decades before, and the two of them reminisce about the consequences of their actions. It's an amazing piece, with an even more amazing twist. Even if the Trust storyline isn't doing anything for you, this one you want. *** ?

I'm not a big fan of Azz and Risso's 100 Bullets series. I think it's a wonderful concept, but their execution, concetrating on this boring Minute Man/Trust conspiricy, is a snoozefest. Until this volume.

With the thinly veiled Joe Dimaggio/Marliyn Monroe story in this volume, Azz and Risso finally tap the potentional of the concept. Forget the rest of this volume, it, like the rest of the series, is slightly above average conspiricy stuff the occasional character study tossed in. The Dimaggio/Monroe story is a masterpiece and worth the price of admission alone.

I always figured comic books were either for kids or for adults and took themselves way too seriously. Then one day, I was reading a respectable magazine and found an article about comic books. It was then when I realized that I hadn't ever actually read a comic book. So I went down to my local comic book store and bought a few comic books, or "graphic novels" as it seems comic book junkies prefer to call them. The first couple were boring and stupid, but one of them caught my eye. It was 100 Bullets: First Shot, Last Call, and it was quite good, so I returned to the comic book store and purchased a few more. To my surprise, what started out as a simple story about revenge quickly evolved into a hardboiled tale of crime and corruption with beautiful artwork and great writing. I was hooked! This book is absolutely phenomonal. Buy today, you won't regret it.

One hundred and fifty years after his death, Abraham Lincoln continues to fascinate. It's fair to say that more books have been written on our 16th President than any other American historic figure; new titles appearing year after year. Dyed-in-the-wool Lincoln fans and newcomers alike will enjoy this new volume covering various aspects of Lincoln's life and times.

Author Brian Thornton's goal is to separate the man from the myth. He takes us through Lincoln's life in 101 mini-chapters, examining Lincoln matters big and small - how Lincoln got Mary Todd to marry him, his changing views of abolition, Lincoln's relationship with his father, his brief military career, the impact of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, why he grew a beard, his personal relationships, how John Wilkes Booth's brother saved one of Lincoln's sons from death, his legacy and so on.

There is a great deal of fascinating information packed in the book's 231 pages. One section I found especially interesting contained comparisons of Lincoln with Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Buchanan, Henry Clay, Stephen Douglas and Jefferson Davis.

I have read a number of books on Lincoln but still found pleasures anew in this book from Adams Media. Nicely priced at $9.95, it's a great introduction to "father Abraham."

This book is small - 6"x6"x1" - but it packs a wallop. It covers the entirety of Abe Lincoln's life, providing fascinating glimpses into the forces that shaped his character and made him one of America's most effective and beloved presidents.

Author Brian Thornton is not out to create hagiography. He lets us in on fascinating secrets of Lincoln's life, such as his distance from his father, his poison-pen pranking that landed him in a duel with an opponent, his tragic first love and his emotional aloofness from his high-strung wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. Along the way, Thornton addresses myths of Lincoln's supposed homosexuality (people, he just rented one side of a bed!) and his purported ownership of slaves. Lincoln's rise from abject poverty to fame as a litigator is laid out pretty well, as are the national crises (The Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Dred Scott decision) that shaped his views and his destiny.

"101 Things" is always fresh, always level-headed, and always informative. It's a book that is very hard to put down, and (inch for inch) is a great way to learn about the breadth of Lincoln's life and influence.

When I was given a copy of Brian Thornton's 101 Things You Didn't Know About Lincoln, I was pretty smug. I thought, I'll know just about everything in here. All modesty aside, I know lots about Abe. I know what the inscription is on the inside of Mary Todd Lincoln's ring. I know about his poetry. I know the quote about his ambition. I think the Gettysburg Address is nearly perfect.
Once again, I was kicked in the shin, hard, by hubris. Did I know Lincoln? You bet. Did I know as much as Mr. Thornton? Not even close. His knowledge of Lincoln runs the gamut from A to Zed and back again. I would use the word `encyclopedic' except that, for me, encyclopedic denotes a rather dry recitation of fact, and this book is anything but dry.
The format itself is interesting, and has set me a-ponderin'...by addressing faqs does one get a true, soul and elbows picture of Lincoln? After all, Mr. Thornton himself states that this is his intention, to make us see the man. Does he succeed? You bet, and how. But I still wonder if the format would work so completely without Mr. Thornton's obvious passion for the subject and his engaging, informative writing style. So I've asked a question I can't answer, because I'm smitten with the writing itself.
But I suspect it does work. One can't answer discourse on subjects like Lincoln's shifting views of abolition ( #53), the South Carolina Secession Crisis (#73) or Congressional Spot Resolutions (#43) without going into detail. And in giving the reader all sorts of fascinating tidbits such as; was Mary Todd Lincoln crazy? Who was the other Mary in Abe's life? What was Abe's middle name? Abe Lincoln's patent, what was that? How did Abe's assassin's brother save Abe's son's life? , Brian Thornton fleshes out the rather iconic image we have branded in the forecourts of our brains.
I never knew that Lincoln refused the governorship of the Oregon Territory. He refused because he thought that Oregon was not an ideal springboard for a leap onto the national political scene and he refused because he feared his son's weak chest might not survive such a move. He cited a third reason for his refusal. I found in this tidbit the quintessential Lincoln, the ambitious man who loved his family but who remained always, even inexplicably, private.
Historians and writers of history often seem to feel that they are not doing their job unless they produce a thick, dense prose (no matter how slim the volume) that reminds this reader of slogging up a steep incline of mud, wearing ice skates. Mr. Thornton's words live on the page; they are lively, informative, and entertaining. I just lent this book to an eighteen year old college freshman who loved it, I just bought it for my eleven year old nephew. My husband is slated for it next. The point is, it is accessible to almost everyone, and yet scholarly enough to be taken seriously.
I recommend it highly. If you like Lincoln, love Lincoln, or feel you should know something of the man who is arguably our greatest President, dive right in. You won't be sorry.

This book was a great read. I found that in nearly one of the 101 chapters (Thornton wrote a mini-chapter for each "thing you didn't know") I learned something new. It addresses nearly aspect of Lincoln's life, including his political savvy, his presidency, his life (including whether or not he was really born in a log cabin), as well as the much debated question of whether Lincoln was gay. It's a fun read, with a very readable style. Thornton has a good sense of humor, making this much better than some of the typical history tomes. I recommend it highly!