Brian Books

This book has changed my faith in such a positive manner. It's not the "purpose driven" mentality but one of purposeful prayers during different times in one's life, both joyful celebration and the trials and tribulations that we all face. Very common sense and practical.

Although writen from a Christian perspective with many Biblical verses, this is a valuable book for anyone who has reached the point in their lives where they have found that it is time to wake up to or to deepen their spirituality, whatever their religious or philosophical beliefs or orientation.

Prayer can be the most profound means of finding meaning and purpose in your life and for integrating and transforming your future, and that of the people around you. This is a practical book, so it does not get into the accumulating data about the power of prayer, both for buttressing your own health and well-being, but also for helping those around you. Suffice to say that whatever sceptics may claim, there is plenty of empirical data to support the power of prayer, and to prove that it is far from being simple superstition or neurosis.

This is a book that can be savored as a multi-course banquet, or used as fast food in times of need. I can think of few books that are so full of practical advice and inspiration.

Highly recommended.

This is a lovely book which helped improve my "prayer life" and my faith. A good book to have during difficult times!

I've been consulting for over 5 years with Access in all it's iterations except 1.0 and I must say that this is the best book on intermediate topics that I have found. There is no "fluff" like in books from other publishers (especially Queue in my opinion). This book is concise with real world examples for real world issues. When I first opened this book and read a bit I realized this book was written by consultants/developers who have gotten there hands dirty and not "feel good" academics who have never written a line of code for a company. Keep this one handy if you're the Access guru at your firm.

I've created basic database structures and applications for about five years and pledged never to go past writing macros, because I didn't want to be forced to learn VBA. I run a realty and mortgage office and just couldn't spare the time. Now that Outlook and the Office suite is becoming more familiar with my crew and now that we've joined a WAN and some B2B data sharing, the basic stuff just didn't fill the bill. I've bought quite a few books on Access recently (not to mention dozens from the past few years) and have found this one to be one of the best in its presentation and content.

It gave me some real insight on how I should be considering networking and upsizing. I answered more questions I had after spending 12 hours with the book, than I had spent searching the net or reading the other books for several months. I even read though the code and understood it, and contrary to the warnings the presentation still flowed well. I still know little VBA and am now going back to get a Wrox book on Beginnng Access 2000 VBA.

Concise, very detailed, stuffed full of info and reference. I'm a Wrox fan now.

Professional Access 2000 Programming is a combination of a training book to heighten your programming skills, and a reference work that will give you a complete overview of Access 2000 and it's related programming environment. It's written in the traditional Wrox style that is so easy to read and usable for developers.

One thing I do miss, is the usual Wrox opening statement where it is described whom the book is written for and if any previous programming skills are assumed. It's not until chapter 3 that you find out VB or VBA programming experience is assumed to make use of the chapter. Don't start on this book without any knowledge of VBA, since it is used in most of the coding examples. If you don't know VBA check out the following books: ISBN 0782123244, ISBN 1861001762 and ISBN 0735605920. An understanding of ADO would also improve on the usability of the book.

To make use of the books fullest potential, have a design plan of your database next to it and make notes or check for errors in your design when you go through the chapters. This helped me to improve on the design of my database.

Not essential, but it would have been nice if the sample code used in the book had been made available to the reader. At one place in the book the author even writes that the sample code is available from Wrox' website, but as of today it is not.

This book has given me the skills and confidence to start working on client/server solutions and integrating SQL server. It breaks down the entire complexity surrounding Access 2000 and database development to sizeable blocks and tools that I can piece together according to programming and design goals. A must have for any Access programmer on his way to become a true professional.

Highly recommended book for Floridians, it's helpful and easy to understand even if you don't have a green thumb.

Much has been said and written about how television raised the veil on Jim Crow - for example, the fact that stark images of police brutality against African Americans were broadcast into homes around the nation. But before television, Americans connected with the world via radio, and Jim Crow lacked the power to segregate what came over the airwaves.

Ward explores the myriad ways network and local radio were used to advance the cause of Civil Rights and racial uplift, from obvious uses such as announcements of protests and rallies, to more subtle image enhancing programs such as "homemaker shows" (which might have served double duty by helping to create the collective female consciousness so crucial to the movement.)

Ward neither presents nor defends a monolithic image of black vs white radio owners, producers, on-air personalities or even consumers. Throughout the book, in various towns and sometimes even at the same station, we meet some professionals of both races dedicated to the cause, and others dedicated to the bottom line. We meet listeners who are tuning in for news of the struggle and others who just want to be entertained. Sometimes they got both at the same time.

It's rare to find a book which is both exhaustively researched AND enjoyable to read. I can obviously recommend it to anyone interested in African American Studies but I go a step further and recommend it to "old time radio" buffs as well. As one with an interest in both areas, I feel like I got 2 books for the price of one!

Get source of information, clearly laid out with lots of photos.
Well worth having as a reference source for Florida gardening.

This book was bought for a Christmas gift but what I looked at and read looks very informative and the pictures are nice.

I bought this book as a present for a friend who is big-time into trains. I was pleased when I received it since it had many great photographs as well as much interesting and well-written information. The author is clearly an expert on the topic.

This book is an excellent book for covering the railroads and significant
museums, train excurtions plus other PA location. For the novice and practiced rail buff/ historian all of the important places are in this book. Additionally, specific directions to locations are in this book.I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the title topic. Yet another excellent example of Brian Solomon's work.

This book is so much fun! One funny, clever poem after another with short explanations about the poetry thoughout this book makes this a blast to read and really easy to teach/learn from. I am a longtime admirer of Shel Silverstein's and my students love Jack Prelutsky. The book Mr. Cleary has delivered is of the same high quality as these two authors from which kids will recite poems aloud, having learned them with no assignment! From a cat who spends too much time on the internet (My Cat Bytes) to an uncle who prints money in his basement (as a result, the government has asked him to print license plates)this book is one smile after another.

This book is PERFECT for the teacher who enjoys poetry, but has a hard time coming up with usable lesson plans for her third through sixth graders. My 10 year-old son doesn't even know he's learning. He just loves the funny silly, Silverstein-like poems and fun, wobbly illustrations. With footnotes to explain what type of poem (like macaronic verse, limerick, concrete poem, haiku, villanelle, lantern) or poetic term (like feminine rhyme, couplet, stanza), Rainbow Soup is this teacher's - and this Mom's - best friend!!

Does it get any better than this? In this creative collection of verses that even my thirteen year old son and his friends were laughing over, Cleary not only manages to offer a very readable, fun assortment of clever poetry that kids can enjoy reading themselves...or listening to...he's also added simple but informative footnotes aimed at younger readers that would make any English teacher add this book to their list of required reading. RAINBOW SOUP contains lots of laugh-out-loud humor that both my husband and I AND our 6 year old daughter can enjoy...but at the same time, it shows memorable examples clearly illustrating what a limerick is ~ or a pun, a haiku, palindromes, internal rhyme, parody, couplets, etc., etc. I only wish I'd had this book when I struggled through American Poetry in college! One of my children's favorites (which they've all committed to memory) is a piece Cleary says is "the shortest known poem in the world" called, "What I'd Do If A Burglar Broke Into My House." It goes like this: "I'd hide." There's even a poem meant to teach the villanelle form (something I was never taught) which includes the refrain: "We're going to the villa, Nell." I've purchased three copies (in addition to my own) for 2 friends and 1 relative, all school teachers. They all agree this book lives up to it's subtitle, "Adventures in Poetry." One of my favorites, which exemplifies Cleary's strengths as both teacher and humorist, is the ode to e.e. cummings (no capital letters of course) which ends: "thank you for undreary theory/ style, wit, and grace./your books are always on my shelf/tucked in my lower case." Kid tested, Mother approved - a solid five stars for Rainbow Soup.

This is the best book of it's kind that I have ever seen. My daughter and I love to make all of the things in the book. They are easy and alot of fun. The bath paints have saved me a fortune, because we would buy them and go through them so quickly. This way I can make alot for very cheap and with her help she is learning her colors at the same time. The book is wonderful, highly recommended !

I had originally checked this book out of the library and didn't want to return it! So I bought it! I kept paging through the book and thinking "I should write this one down, and this, and this . . ." I would have written down every single activity! I keep it on the shelf next to the cook books, but most of the stuff isn't for eating. We liked the recipe for making sandcastles more permanant, how to color sugar for cakes or cookies, coloring sand, making paste, making your own stickers, terrific bubble solution, safe cleaning solutions for around the house and something I've been looking for. . . a recipe for making pretzels!

This is a must-have book, especially if you have kids of your own or you teach children. A terrific reference for all the craft projects you need to know to be a fun parent &/or teacher.

Although you may think this book is for young kids, it can really appeal to the teenaged set since it gives the concoctions needed for science projects, art or sculpting, making fun or weird food, theatrical makeup for acting, clowning or holloween.

Don't grow-up without it!

Rainy Day Activity has plenty of ideas to keep kids and adults busy, no matter what the weather! The recipes for making clay, bubbles and other fun stuff has kept my daughter happily occupied. Her favorite recipe is for fake scars- you have to try it to believe it! There are many, many ideas here that cannot be found anywhere else. A fresh approach to "Mom, I'm bored!"

Brian Cooper's book, Red Faber, is more than just a biography of a great baseball pitcher. It is filled with insights into the baseball world of Faber's era -- the era of the spitball, Babe Ruth and the infamous "Black Sox" scandal of 1919, among other things. Cooper tells a story that begins in the little town of Cascade, Iowa, weaves its way through a baseball career that saw Faber win 254 games, and peaks when Faber was elected to the Hall of Fame. It is a thoroughly enjoyable book that makes the reader realize that Red Faber was one of those "what if" ballplayers. What if he had not been sidelined for the 1919 World Series? Would the White Sox have won, despite the fix? What if he had not played for such bad ballclubs in the 1920s -- would he have won 300 games? One thing is for certain. This book belongs on every baseball history buff's bookshelf.

This is an excellent book if a person is interested in baseball and how the game was played years ago. The author did a fantastic job of describing a real baseball talent, Red Faber and his life story.
It was a walk down memory lane for me as I grew up in the same neighborhood as his family on the Southwest side of Chicago. I loved going over to his house and seeing the signed baseballs, the trophies and the numerous signed letters he received over the years.
This is a fun read and the book contains some great snapshots!
Mary Jane Cole

I was born in Dubuue where my father was a sports reporter for the Times Journal. In later years he would relate stories, some of which are brought to life again by this story about RED. I also was in Chi town in August 1933 when the Sox and Yankes went 18. I sat through all 18 and often have wished that I could rememder more. I thought it was still light enough for more, but it was called anyway. I am sure that it was a get away day for the yankees and they had to rush to make the train. I also was a batboy for the Guttenberg Gaints in the late 30'3 when they played in Cascade. What great memories from this great story

Todo lo que traiga informacion de la mejor y mas grande banda de rock del mundo es bienvenida. Siempre sera sabroso conocer detalles de su historia y de su largo caminar en el mundo del rock. Gran libro.

Este es un libro que vale la pena leerse, escrito por un verdadero fan y conocedor de los Rolling y no por un articulista cubriendo un encargo. Conocí muchos nuevos aspectos del grupo que me eran desconocidos y me queda claro que su aportación a la música y a la cultura es algo que tendrá que estudiarse algun día en las universidades. Los Rolling fueron una gran banda, con un legado tan grande que cuando ya no estén, el vacío será difícil de llenar. El día de ayer los Rolling agotaron las entradas a sus conciertos en Irlanda en seis minutos, lo cual me hace recordar un pasaje de la introducción del libro que recuerda cómo en los años noventas aparecieron fantásticas bandas alternativas, nuevos actos en el pop que hacían uso de su legado, pero ninguno de ellos fue tan bueno como los Stones. Cuando todos los daban por muertos, volvieron más viejos y sabios. "Ahora somos unos fascinantes viejos de mierda", en palabras de Keith. ¡Este libro captura la esencia de los Rolling Stones!

¿Cuántos libros más sobre los Rolling Stones hacen falta? Considérese que hasta Tony Sánchez ha empezado a anunciar la segunda parte de su famoso "Up and down with The Rolling Stones", y pareciera que ya existen demasiados. Sin embargo, ya desde las primeras páginas, este libro nos hace opinar lo contrario . Muchos trabajos literarios sobre los Rolling Stones prometen contarnos su historia "como nunca antes la habías escuchado"; para los conocedores, esta promesa por lo general queda sin cumplir, pero "Bailando con el diablo" efectivamente se lee distinto, en ocasiones como crónica, en ocasiones como historia de suspenso y en otras con suficiente buen humor. Dividida en cuatro partes, el autor desarrolla una propuesta en la primera de ellas, dedicada a la historia, señalando cómo los Rolling Stones vivieron de la provocación en todos sus niveles y de hacer señalamientos que no siempre resultaron muy cómodos. La narración está intercalada con palabras muy reveladoras de los propios Stones, lo que demuestra un gran trabajo de investigación. Los pasajes son vívidos e intensos, por ejemplo, cuando el propio Bill Wyman relata como Keith Richards se retorcía en el piso del dolor por falta de droga, o el propio guitarrista, cuando narra como conocieron a Muddy Waters en su primera visita a los estudios Chess (la leyenda del blues les cargó sus maletas). La segunda parte es la más extensa y está dedicada a comentar disco por disco, yendo siempre más allá de la simple enumeración de las canciones. En cada disco hay suficientes párrafos para hacer buenos análisis sobre la trascendencia de las letras, los acontecimientos personales de la banda y los momentos históricos que produjeron sus mejores obras, etcétera. El autor conoce lo que está haciendo, abundando el libro con información que no había encontrado en otras obras. La tercera parte es una semblanza de cada uno de los miembros que han pertenecido al grupo, aunque se extraña la presencia de Darryl Jones y Ian Stewart. La cuarta parte completa la obra con un ABC de la banda, hablando de todos los aspectos que no alcanzan a cubrir las tres primeras, como su carrera cinematográfica y un analisis sobre los temas inéditos. Primera vez que me entero que los Rolling tambien grabaron "Roll over Beethoven". En general, un esfuerzo muy original que será indispensable en toda buena bibliografía sobre el grupo. Es de agradecer la exhaustividad con la que se presenta. Definivo que no habíamos tenido la oportunidad de ver una obra tan completa sobre los Rolling desde el recordado libro de Jordi Sierra I Fabra. Atte. David H.

This title in the Osprey fortress series examines the fortified camps of the Roman legionaries, many of which gradually evolved into complete townships. It covers the Roman era from the foundation of the Empire to the Battle of Adrianople (378), but it suffers the typical tendency of overlooking the 3rd and 4th Centuries, focusing largely on the era between Augustus and Domitian.

Like all titles in this series, this book is very powerful visually. In addition to 7 fine color plates by Brian Delf, it also contains several maps and numerous photographs, some of which, unusually for Osprey, are actually in color.

The book is opened with a useful chronology of the Roman Legions from the Augustan era to the beginning of the 3rd Century. The next section is 'The deisgn and development of legionary fortresses', which examines what the forts under individual emperors 27 BC-AD 217 were like in layout. After this is 'The elements of a legionary fortress', which, discussing the various buildings within the fortress, may well be the most useful and interesting section of the book. The last major section, 'living in a legionary fortress' is similar. The book is closed with a brief, 5-page summary of the forts of the last two centuries of this era.

Overall it is a solid resource on the forts of Rome's elite soldiers, and a useful addition to one's Roman military library.

I read this wonderful book! A fine addition to the others they publish. Well written and accurate in art, a must for the serious reader and for young adults. The entire collection of Osprey Publishing is worth having for the entire family. Such colorful illustrations, with the original and restored pieces, are additions to our scope of the past.

Roman Legionary Fortresses 27 BC-AD 378, by Duncan B Campbell, Illustrated by Brian Delf is recently published by the folks at 'Osprey' as a part of their "Fortress" series. ISBN 1-84176-895-2. There are 27 B&W photos, 16 color photos, 14 line drawings and 6 color plates and 2 color maps, not including the covers.

This is a good starter for people wanting to know about the Roman fortresses of the legions. Not only are there many different locations, with some nice photos, but there is a wealth of information about different positions, time periods, and legion deployments contained in this work. I enjoy the idea that it is not Anglo-centric, and covers Roman Fortresses from Scotland to Egypt, with a good deal of mention being given to the forces and forts in the Danube region.

I didn't see anything outstandingly controversial, or even 'jump in your face' new, but the work brings together a lot of different material from various sources in a concise and well written primer on Roman Fortresses. Unlike many of the modern speculative works so popular in recent publications, we have facts and a brief bibliography, and actual references are given in the body of the work.

Even though this is published by 'Osprey' it weighs in as a must add to my collection, and is informative and enjoyable to the serious student of the topic, as well as the dilettante.

Brian's book "The Sales Operator" is one of the best sales books I have ever read. On a scale of 1-5 it is a 20. I suggest everyone who is in sales should read this book. I am using some of Brain's suggestions in order to close more sales. You must get this book if you want to succeed in sales.

Michael Monji, author of "Does It Pay To Die?" a living trust workbook.

The book provided me with so much information as it relates to being a great sales person. I just recently started a small home business, so this book is almost like my bible now. There are so many technuques that are given in this book that is makes it almost impossible to fail at the selling game. I am thoroughly pleased with this book.

According to author, Brian J. Bieler, successful Sales Professionals are not necessarily those with the gift of gab or good looks. Usually they are just ordinary people who are willing to learn new ideas. He concludes that selling has little to do with luck. It is a profession of specialized skills that require practice to master.

With his new book, The Sales Operator, Bieler has hit a home run. In this well written and superbly organized book he provides the essential foundation for a successful career in sales. My favorite chapter in the book is chapter 4 - storytelling. In this chapter Bieler takes on storytelling and the impact it's mastery has on success in sales. However, rather than using a broad brush he digs into the details and offers a detailed framework for incorporating storytelling in your sales tool box. With each successive chapter he does the same; providing specific, actionable steps for improving skills that will move you to the top of your profession.

The Sales Operator is a selling handbook that will serve you for years to come and deserves to be included in your professional library.

Note to sales managers: The Sales Operator is a tremendous training resource. I recommend buying a copy for each person on your sales team and then reviewing one chapter at every sales meeting. I guarantee that in just a short while you will see significant improvement in your results.

Jeb Blount, author of PowerPrinciples: Do You Have The Winning Edge?


Ps. Don't miss the story on pg. 129 it's a classic . . .