Brian Books

...McSherry's words gather in the recesses of my mouth, awakening taste buds to the life of the grapes before exploding the terroir of the soil and the sweat of the farmer's hands in a long, satisfying swill down in it's journey that permeates through my body. Like air and water.

I last read these poems aloud with my dear friend Cedar atop a wind-stricken ridge in the Dolomiti. They had been there before.

As one who has an advanced degree in English with a focus on classic literature and poetry, I can honestly proclaim the wonderful sense of originality that these poems possess. Brian not only takes the reader on treks to unknown, magical settings, but also allows a glimpse into his artistic mind and inner reflections. Beautifully descriptive, The Overture Bird is far beyond the bad prose in lyric form that most modern poetry sadly attempts; it is clean, well-written, and offers the reader a refreshing touch of originality that is usually lost in the veneer world of modern prose.

This book of poetry is fantastic. The poems make you feel as though you are living McSherry's life (to a degree). Some might say complex, at first read, but that is exactly what made me want to read it again. You read it wanting to figure out what it is that McSherry has lived. You want to visit those Italian hideaways then fly off to Japan (where the author currently lives.

The ways McSherry string together his phrases and words are candy for poets to suck on. Mixed with his obvious talents for writing kanji, and McSherry is a poet that gives more than your oridinary poet these days. His lyrical style and play make his poems easy and fun to read, as well as recite. I recommend reciting them to yourself while reading them.

"The Overture Bird" is a classic book of poetry that will hopefully be read by many out there.

This is an excellent work which covers both conventional
and alternative medicinal protocols. The author describes
the various massage methodologies which involve the
artful manipulation of soft tissue to achieve healing.
The craniosacral rhythmic therapies are described as part of
a spinal realignment regimen. In 1997, the author describes
how the National Institutes of Health released findings of
a "Consensus Panel reflecting the opinions of many experts on
acupuncture for pain. The panel found 'clear and promising
evidence' that acupuncture helps to relieve low back pain."
The book describes how Boswelia relieves chronic colitis.
In addition, the atherosclerosis protocol shows how the
condition may be prevented with a low fat diet, increased
intake of fruits and vegetables and various bridge techniques
of both conventional and alternative medicinal protocols
utilized in unison.

Own Your Health: Choosing The Best From Alternative & Conventional Medicine is a solidly written, nicely organized, and truly "reader friendly" guide to understanding and making choices among alternative and conventional medical treatments. Anecdotes, judgmental weighing of facts and statistics, pros and cons, and so much more fill the pages of this compendium of information. Own Your Health is a quite excellent and very highly recommended resource -- especially for those wrestling with chronic ills with symptoms that resist standard medical treatments.

As a fellow medical writer, I'm very impressed with the information presented in this book, and with its easy-to-follow format. Besides telling the stories of various individuals who have found relief for their conditions with combinations of allopathic and complementary medicine, Weisman and Berman give readers detailed backgrounds of treatments/techniques such as meditation, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine in sections called "A Closer Look." "What's the Evidence?" sections concisely summarize the published research on various treatment modalities. The "Take Action" sections offer practical advice for patients coping with pain, aging, cancer, menopause and childhood illnesses. Weisman's candor about her own recovery, as well as about her son's challenges facing a chronic illness, engages and empowers readers in a way that most self-help medical books cannot and do not. Whether you are a patient yourself, or are simply reading this to become better informed, you will surely own your health by the end of the book. Bravo to both Weisman and Berman.

This book filled me up like a heaping plate of spaghetti and meatballs. I've always been curious about the mafia, and Pasta Fazool absolutely hit the spot. The "life lessons" are hidden under piles of wiseguy attitude just waiting to be eaten up. It certainly isn't your standard "for the Soul" book, and that's just the way I like it. Grazie!

Since CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL came out (followed immediately by dozens more books), I've been intrigued by the various topics and phases of life you could give chicken soup for. I've been likewise intrigued why it always has to be chicken soup. But the self-help and motivational industry has been sparked into establishing a whole new wing (chicken, anyone?) of publishing.

I've watched these books roll out with regularity and fading interest. It seems that chicken soup can cure any ailment and passage of life. Who knew? Not to knock those books because they're filled with wonderful stories.

However, there appeared to be nothing new under the sun. Until now.

Writer/editor Brian M. Thomsen throws the whole Chicken Soup franchise a hanging curve ball that catches the outside corner of the plate with an eagle-eyed umpire in attendance. PASTA FAZOOL FOR THE WISEGUY'S SOUL is an irreverent send up of the GODFATHER, home cooking, and the whole give-me-guidance fad. But Thomsen delivers his delightful concoction with tongue firmly planted in cheek and in a narrative that is just as believable as it is hilarious.

According to Thomsen, he met an elderly Italian gentleman in a small restaurant on a slow night and ended up sharing a table and a meal. During the quiet evening, the old man - call him Don Minestrone - served up a delectable cornucopia of tales, wisdom, colorful characters, street justice, and irony.

I loved the set-up and didn't know if the author could pull off what he'd promised. I suspected that the entries might be heavy on the cheese (another specialty of Italian cooking). Instead, the stories sound just like they'd come from the Old Neighborhood where everyone knew what the Mafia was but no one ever mentioned it.

I settled in, expecting to read a few stories to relax for a bit after dinner, then ended up blazing through the whole book. I had to laugh out loud when Thomsen lampooned the Mafia and current crime TV when he relayed "Minestrone's" thoughts on wives, mistresses, and girlfriends, and took shots (what else can you expect from a book about Mafia types?) at Mafia guys in the news. One of my favorite stories was about the movie script that got sold over and over again to New York Publishers. The punch line came out of left field and made perfect sense.

Other stories include how a long-time waiter at a favorite restaurant was given a retirement plan that worked out for everybody, how boosters (professional thieves) cut out middle man (fence), and started selling things on eBay, and how Mrs. Santini got a trip to the "old country." Thomsen is a natural storyteller, the old don not withstanding, and the tales tumble off the page and into the reader's mind with grace and guffaws.

I loved how Thomsen and Minestrone introduced characters, then pulled them back into other stories. They weren't just throwaways. I got the feeling that all of these stories happened (incredibly!) at one time or another.

PASTA FAZOOL FOR THE WISEGUY'S SOUL is a perfect book for the airport, the beach, or while waiting in doctor's offices. And with a title like that, you're sure to attract the attention of people around you. Be warned, though. You might not put this one down until you finish it. However, this is definitely a book you'll want to re-read and share.

I wanted to read only a few pages at my first setting, but I got instantly hooked and read half the book. I finished it at the next setting two days later. There are so many marvelous little tales in the book. Thoroughly enjoying.

Dr. Brian R. Clack has a welcome gift for anyone interested in the philosophy of religion. This book began my study of religion when I was only 15. Today, I keep THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION at hand whenever I need to rejuvinate my passion for this fascinating field of study.

Dr. Clack is particularly skilled at explaining several important key "proofs" for the existence of God. Although his discussion tends to favor the musings of Wittgenstein, his approach to other philosophies is rather comprehensive for a book of this size.

I've read a great deal of other texts since my first read of Clack's book, and I can say that there is no other superior introduction (or revision) to the philosophy of religion than this one. You'll keep it forever and will now have some profound things to say at your next cocktail party.

This is one of the best introductions to the philosophy to religion. The book forces the reader to think critically about the principle ideas concerning theology. An excellent buy!

i know that brian did not expect me to read the text when it was given to me, but a nine hour flight doesn't offer a great deal to do. This is a compelling introductory piece that offers insights to questions that many of us fear to consider ourselves. It does so by offering ideas on God and religion, how they are related and what each means to you. It should be a required text for those at the introductory level and will bring about thoughts on the subject that otherwise would have never surfaced. It is masterfully written and stuctured in a manner so even the most elementary theologian/philosopher can read through it with great intrigue.

This beautiful book illustrates one mans realization of personal evil and his victory over it. The line-drawing illustrations and beatiful prose combine to make this picture book unforgetable and moving.

This book contains a story that you simply cannot forget. A story perhaps about the downfall of an incredible society or perhaps the rise of an even more advanced but archaic group. Beautifully illustrated...unforgetable pictures

The brilliant, fun poetry is equalled only by the totally engaging illustrations. I re-read it regularly, getting more out of it each time.

If you know XP Home and XP Pro, but you either need to know more about it for home use, or more for tech support, this book is a great item.
Covers all conceive-able aspects, and then some...; very good section on networking in a wireless environment, especially if you are combining a wired and wireless home network that you need to lock down.
Now all I have to do is find out where the resource sharing sections are ( As in shared devices ).... lots to do, now even more; gives excellent scope for expanding your ideas for a better home network.

Recently I was doing some consulting for a company and performing a Windows XP Professional Rollover and upgrade. I was also teaching a class for A+ and the new objectives which has XP questions. This book while not a certification specific book, handled both jobs very well.

What this book is is more than how to configure the desktop and change the background or setup XP to look like the "Classic" windows interface. While it does all that it also takes you through security and networking and what I found to very interesting is that it discusses the Home and the Professional versions as well as the 32 and 64 bit versions.

There are step by step procedures throughout the book to help you learn to perform different operations, such setting up the ASR process, dual booting Windows 9X and XP and how to do searches for people, computers and more.

There is a great deal of pictures and diagrams in the book; however I think that some of them need to be in color in order to completely understand the full meaning the photo.

There is also a cd included which has an additional chapter that the book does not cover. It also has over an hour of video to show you how to perform certain technical functions.

Overall the book is very comprehensive and for those wanting to add to the knowledge they have or possibly use this book for certification exams you have a very good source of information.

I have been a little overwhelmed with the various options, utilities, etc. and Windows XP Pro and was looking for a book that provides a comprehensive overview. I think this book is what I was looking for and am confident that if I have a question about XP Pro, I'll find the answer within its pages. The authors also strike a good balance between focussing on XP Pro out of the box and the various third-party utilities, etc. available to make your life easier.

tmr

Brian Mitchell's Pocket Guide To Irish Genealogy draws upon case studies, maps, charts, and his own expertise to present the aspiring genealogist with the basics of Irish genealogical research in a "reader friendly" sixty-page introduction. The nature and uses of all significant records sources in Ireland are listed and described, including civil and parish registers, gravestone inscriptions, wills, the Griffith's Valuation, Tithe Books, the 1901 and 1911 censuses, newspapers, hearth money rolls, the registry of deeds, estate records, ordinance survey memoirs and more. All major Irish record offices and heritages centers are listed along with their contact information, hours of operation, and major record holdings. Brian Mitchell's Pocket Guide To Irish Genealogy is an essential reference for any novice genealogist wishing to tap into Irish iresources.

Now in an updated second edition, genealogist Brian Mitchell's Pocket Guide To Irish Genealogy is a slim yet information-packed volume of information on reference sources to tracing ancestry in Ireland, including the 1901 and 1911 census to school registers, registry of deeds, estate records and much more. Of special note is the section dealing with Irish Genealogy and the Internet, and its guide to some of the most useful sites. A highly recommended, "user friendly" primer for beginning genealogists who wish to trace Irish ancestry, Brian Mitchell's Pocket Guide To Irish Genealogy also has much to commend it to experienced genealogists in need of a refresher for work with Irish genealogical research assignments.

In his Pocket Guide To Irish Genealogy, Brian Mitchell skillfully blends case studies, maps, charts, and his own mastery of the subject to convey the basics of Irish genealogical research -- all in less than sixty pages. Following introductory chapters on the background to research on the American side, Mitchell describes the nature and uses of all significant record sources in Ireland including, but not limited to: civil and parish registers, gravestone inscriptions, wills, the Griffith's Valuation, Tithe Books, the 1901 and 1911 censuses, newspapers, hearth money rolls, the registry of deeds, estate records, and ordnance survey memoirs. Mitchell also explains the differences between the various administrative divisions of Ireland. Pocket Guide To Irish Genealogy concludes with lists of all major Irish record offices and heritage centers, providing addresses and phone numbers, hours of operation, contact persons, and major record holdings. Pocket Guide To Irish Genealogy is an invaluable roadmap to genealogical research in Ireland and ideally suited for those new to this branch of genealogical research.

The grit displayed in this book about two of NY City's finest, is awesome. POLICE is a photographic essay of two patrolmen as they work in the varied communities that comprise the Manhattan Midtown South Precinct. This area IS "the Big Apple"---where all levels of society walk the streets---an urban center composed of Times Square, the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, the Public Library, Grand Central Station, hospitals, churches, firehouses, and the Broadway theater district, all juxtiposed to sleezy welfare hotels, flop houses, sex shops, massage parlors, and porn theaters. From an alchemist's point of view, this was the prima material of high crimes and misdemeanors (in all its varied forms) which two NY City "cops" had to deal with on a daily basis. In their own insightful words, the policemen describe how they maintain their dignity and honor in the face of urban chaos. The photography is a priceless, visual document of the policeman's lot in 1980's America.

The grit displayed in this book about two of NY City's finest, is awesome. POLICE is a photographic essay of two patrolmen as they work in the varied communities that comprise the Manhattan Midtown South Precinct. This area IS "the Big Apple"---where all levels of society walk the streets---an urban center composed of Times Square, the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, the Public Library, Grand Central Station, hospitals, churches, firehouses, and the Broadway theater district, all juxtiposed to sleezy welfare hotels, flop houses, sex shops, massage parlors, and porn theaters. From an alchemist's point of view, this was the prima material of high crimes and misdemeanors (in all its varied forms) which two NY City "cops" had to deal with on a daily basis. In their own insightful words, the policemen describe how they maintain their dignity and honor in the face of urban chaos. The photography is a priceless, visual document of the policeman's lot in 1980's America.

The grit displayed in this book about two of NY City's finest, is awesome. POLICE is a photographic essay of two patrolmen as they work in the varied communities that comprise the Manhattan Midtown South Precinct. This area IS "the Big Apple"---where all levels of society walk the streets---an urban center composed of Times Square, the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, the Public Library, Grand Central Station, hospitals, churches, firehouses, and the Broadway theater district, all juxtiposed to sleezy welfare hotels, flop houses, sex shops, massage parlors, and porn theaters. From an alchemist's point of view, this was the prima material of high crimes and misdemeanors (in all its varied forms) which two NY City "cops" had to deal with on a daily basis. In their own insightful words, the policemen describe how they maintain their dignity and honor in the face of urban chaos. The photography is a priceless, visual document of the policeman's lot in 1980's America.

This is a very good book for teaching financial reps how to do our business well for the benefit of the client.

Machen Macdonald is a masterful business coach and author. In this book he brilliantly lays out the nuts and bolts of personal effectiveness - Managing the Time of Your Life. Drawing on the wisdom of renowned experts, this book is packed with specific tools and ideas for mastering proven principles of personal leadership. Machen has pulled together an acclaimed group of experts and created a powerful self-development, leadership guide that I expect to read over and over.

This book is packed with excellent tips and strategies for leveraging your time effectively to get done what you must get done to achieve mega success. Various co-authors including Stephen Covey, Brian Tracy, Denis Waitley share their wonderful wisdom so you can add hours to your day, get done the most important things and have time left over to enjoy your life. This book is a must read for any leader looking to get more out of their team and themselves. Each chapter is succinct and loaded with wisdom and specific "how to" information.

Collage is an art - or craft - form that is becoming very popular today, permitting as it does a great diversity of materials, treatments and subject matter. This is an ideas book for those who are interested in the craft. The authors treat collage in a wide sense, using paper, fabrics, stone, string, metal, wood and in fact anything handy as backgrounds and media. The ideas can be applied to clothing and to the decoration of the home, and the lively work illustrated - from a variety of artists - is sure to spark off new ideas in the reader. Brian French is an artist; his wife, Ann Butler, an embroiderer, and both are teachers too.

This book explores the different uses that collage can have not only in art but in everyday life- the pictures alone make it a fascinating non-academic work, with ideas to explore in greater depth if wished. Most highly recommended.

Brian French has here expanded on his previous book, 'Principles Of Collage', by coauthoring this book which takes collage ideas into the real world and examines how collage, pattern, shape and space is part of our everyday life. There are great illustrations from art works but also from everyday homes, showing how a little artistic innovation can transform any object or place