Brian Books

I particularly enjoyed this book because I am interested in California Indian history. Indian basket weaving is truly an art and I'm glad to see it handed down from the master basket weavers to the generations that follow. This book features some of the very talented weavers. I specifically got this book because my cousin is featured in it.

If you're an art historian + are going to give a lecture on the art of Native California, you definitely need this book. It's beautifully produced and very inclusive.

It covers all basketry traditions from the various geographical areas in California, looks at differences between and within tribal styles, includes utility as well as art or "tourist" baskets, discusses baskets by makers both unknown and extremely famous, and it doesn't ignore baskets made by *male* weavers. No tradition is marginalized in favor of another in this work, and that's unusual!

What makes this book really great, though, are the mini-interviews with contemporary Native California weavers and other artists (including the late Vivien Hailstone and Harry Fonseca) about the individual pieces reproduced in the book. These people give the reader insights into weaving that would otherwise be missed. It's nice to see a book on Native America where the Indian voice is so fundamentally present.

I thought this was wonderful. It's basically a tour de force of Deleuze, Guattari, Reagan and the first Emperor of China - and by the second chapter it all made sense to me. Ultimately it's a study of fascism, in China and in America... admittedly important places for it.

Who in their right mind would find a connection between 212 BC China and the Reagan years in America. Obvious, these two authors are not in their right minds, and that's what makes this book so great.

Asgard is a multi-level Dyson sphere in which the main character, Mike Rousseau, finds himself inexorably drawn towards the center of the artifact as well as the center of an eons long battle between software entities. Mike remains a wise-cracking, Voltaire-quoting reluctant hero throughout, saving the day only when no one else remains to do it. Unlike Larry Niven's Ringworld series, the Asgard trilogy does not discuss the technological aspects of the artifact much.

The first in the series, Asgard's Secret, is impossible to put down, after a somewhat slow start, with lots of action and well-defined characters. There are brief and interesting philosophical discussions on topics like the anthropic principle and convergent evolution. There is also an amusing discussion of the chicken and egg conundrum. None of these philosophical discussions takes much time away from the action. As I neared the end, I was glad I had bought all 3 in advance since I wanted to keep reading Mike's adventures.

The second novel, Asgard's Conquerors was not quite as good. Why is it that trilogy writers often seem to run out of steam? The novel didn't really bring the fascist regime of the conquerors to life. They seemed very one-dimensional, unlike the main characters, all of whom carry over from the first book. Book 2 still has enough action to keep you reading past your bedtime.

The third, Asgard's Heart, unfortunately became repetitive instead of creative, without adding significantly to any of the earlier philosophical discussions. Further, a major portion of the novel swapped back and forth between chapters of good hard science fiction action and chapters with very fantastic battles in virtual reality. Much too much like the fantasy genre for my taste.

I'm rating them 5, 4, and 3 stars, respectively.

Asgard is not a planet, but instead is a man made edifice consisting of a series of shells with spaces called levels between them. Each level contains habitats with their own ecosystem, but no one has found a way to traverse past level five. Levels one through five are for practical purposes dead and no portal to go beyond has been found though various species from across the galaxy have come here seeking the way in to the legendary treasure supposedly at level six and beyond.

Mike Rosseau has been on Asgard for more than twenty-five years seeking the access beyond the known levels. Mike's friend Saul has found the key to level six, but before he can mount an expedition he is killed and the newcomer Myrlin he was mentoring has vanished. Star Forces convince Mike to travel through the levels using Saul's book and glyphs as a guide. They seek the death of Myrlin, an android, who, if not stopped, could end human civilization.

Asgard is a fascinating place with worlds within worlds and by book's end the exciting story line has barely scratched the surface of the artifact sort of like a contained string theory. There is plenty action that in some ways will remind readers of Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth. Brian Stableford shows why he is regarded as a grandmaster of science fiction with this terrific novel and it is no secret that more treks to uncover ASGARD'S SECRET will follow soon.

Harriet Klausner

This was a great book! The author did a great job of making the story suspenseful and making you feel like you are right there in the middle of the action. I did not want to put the book down at all from start to finish. I would recommend it for anybody!!!

I could not put this book down from the time that I picked it up. The Flag is a fantastic story with plenty of twists,turns and suspense throughout.

This book certainly has all the details of military and civilian shipboard life done in a way that is sure to keep your interest. Historically set in World War II, the ship's log details how these vessels came to this remote island ,and the fate of the crews who had manned the ships. The dialog is quick paced and mirrors the attitudes of the Allied crews vs. their German adversaries. If you want to explore a sea mystery from a bygone era; I would recommend that you try this one, for its rendering of the seafarers' trials during the time when the Allied victory hinged on the performance of civilians, as well as military personnel. Their heroism has been overlooked for the most part in history books, but you will find it vividly described here in their performance under adversity.

I remember this book being on my fathers bookshelf when i was a kid. I can still remember asking him what it was about. So, recently I was obliged to finally read the book. I can honestly say it is one of the top ten books i have have ever read. The story starts off at a fast pace and never stops. If you are a fan of World War Two naval action, do yourself a favor and read this book. The story goes: A survey vessel enters the harbor of an island in the middle of nowhere to find the rusting hulks of some merchant vessels and German submarines. After searching one the freighters they find a ship's log which tells the story of the fateful trip. The rest of the story is told in flasback to world war two through the log. The version I have has a quote from Alistair Maclean on the back cover, "This is the best war story I have ever read". I would have to agree.

It is a shame that the British sci-fi writer Brian Stableford is not better known in the U.S. "The Florians" is the first in an outstanding six-part series known as "The Daedelus Mission", which I would rank as the best science fiction series I have ever read.

The plot of the series is rather "Star Trek" like - a mission to visit remote planets and check up on previous colonization attempts. But the intricate plots and scientific detail go far beyond anything in "Star Trek." Each planet visited has a unique ecosystem and evolutionary history which Stableford (a biologist himself) describes in detail. The speculation about alternative results of evolution is fascinating, and the problems encountered make for exciting stories. If you can find this or any of the other five in the series, grab them.

By the way, the six titles in the Daedalus Mission series are: The Florians, Critical Threshold, Wildeblood's Empire, The City of the Sun, Balance of Power, The Paradox of the Sets.

By far one of the best written and easiest guides to excellent fishing on some of the best waters in Montana! The photography is spectacular.

I purchased this book about six months ago. I've traveled to Montana in the past to fish, and was planning another trip this summer. While we planned to fish some old, familiar rivers such as the Yellowstone, the Madison and the Gallatin, we also wanted to try some new waters that we hadn't fished before. My wife and I spent time reading the information on the various rivers discussed in the book, and decided to also spend time in the Missoula area. We used the book not only as a tool to decide where we wanted to fish, but we also used the maps to get us where we needed to go. The end result was a successful fishing trip to Rock Creek and the Bitterroot,which was certainly aided by this exceptional book. By the way, the authors are incredible photographers; their photos in the book are great. I recommend that anyone contemplating a fly fishing trip to Montana purchase this book prior to their trip.

Review title is self-explanatory. Brian Chan initially put this booklet together for the Pennask Lake (British Columbia) Fishing and Game Club. It was published as a limited edition in 1993. Since then it has gone through 5 additional printings - the latest in 2001. Its immense popularity is an excellent testiment to its continued usefulness as an easy to read and understand summary of the most important aspects of flyfishing lakes. A neophyte to stillwater flyfishing will save 5-10 years of trial and error by following the suggestions in this book. As a basic guide it will fill the needs of a large majority of users. However Chan's more recent book published in collaboration with Skip Morris - "Morris & Chan: Fly Fishing Trout Lakes" really gets into the "meat and bones" of stillwater flyfishing and is a MUST read for anyone wishing to take their knowledge to a significantly higher level than what is provided by the booklet.

Brian is the FDisheries Biologist for the Province of British Columbia and knows of what he speaks. This book will take you through the make-up of a lake, what to use, what fish eat, what to expect at different time of the year, what to look for. In all, this is the best book I have ever read on stillwaters. A definite must have in your collection. You will find yourself referring back to it year after year.

This book is author Stephen Frantzich's look at the founding father of C-Span. Never elected to office, nor appointed to a policy-making position, Lamb's impact on American politics undeniably supercedes that of many individuals whose titles and positions imply greater influence. For over a quarter century now, Lamb's brainchild has moved from an unknown niche network to the network of record for public affairs - yet few people know much about this man. Self-effacing and modest, Lamb shies away from the public eye (even to the point of disallowing a mention of his own name on the network he created).

Brian Lamb's earlier experiences as a student in the Midwest, public affairs officer in the Navy, White House staffer, Capitol Hill press secretary, and media columnist all influenced his view of the world - and his story has implications well beyond C-Span. Lamb's style introduces key entrepreneurial strategies and outlines a management style whose basic components could be used in a variety of settings.

The book is highly readable, and Brian Lamb is a truly interesting subject.

Few non-elective citizens have made as much of an impact on the American political scene in the past three decades as Brian Lamb, the man principally responsible for bringing the on-floor deliberations and the public hearings Congress onto the television screens of the American people through C-SPAN (the House) and C-SPAN 2 (the Senate). Of special note is the weekend dedication of C-SPAN 2 to authors, books, and publishing with respect to public issues and political events. Now the story of how all this was accomplished is superbly presented in "Founding Father: How C-SPAN's Brian Lamb Changed Politics In America" by Stephen E. Frantzich (Professor of Political Science, U.S. Naval Academy). Informed, informative, and superbly written, readers are provided with background insight into how Brian Lamb managed to create (and get funded) a non-commercial television operation that is even-handed and highly praised by Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Academics, and political science enthusiasts from all walks of life. Enhanced with an extensive Notes section and a comprehensive Index, "Founding Father" is an essential acquisition for both academic and community library Political Science and American Biography collections -- as well as being a 'must read' title for the legions of C-SPAN viewers who appreciate Brian Lamb's enduring contribution to political discourse and decision making for both the Congress and the American public.

The book is just simply hilarious and I actually learned a lot about golf and I suppose also about life, politics, immigration, marriage, sex, divorce, friendship and myself (my golf game, and also that my sense of humor which lacks political correctness occasionally is shared with others). I learned a lot of new twists on the golf wagers that hopefully I can put into practice soon.

I would have liked a hole map in each chapter (I guess I am just not imaginative enough to visualize from the great descriptions)and I would love an index at the back or an italicization throughout to help find the jokes and great golf stories that were sprinkled generously throughout.

While I may not have honed my literary critic skills, I am a golfer (I shout fore and shoot 6's) and I have enjoyed great comic golf reads before ("Who's your caddy?","Somewhere in Ireland..", etc...) and this is one of the best. Feherty and Reilly better watch out - Harriss can take 'em with the word and, I don't know, but maybe with the club also.

Great fun read for everybody, especially the golfer. Do another, Mr. Harriss.

Alfred Hitchcock held that there are no great stories, only great characters. Brain Harriss has proven him only half right in Foursome Follies by gathering four great characters into what is undeniably a great story. The novel follows a group of four golfers on the first round of the season, each offering unique insights about how they think about the game and about life along the way. It is by turns bright, yet poignant; sharp, witty, sometimes wildly funny, sometimes mildly sacrilegious. It is at all times a well-paced and entertaining read that would be at home either at the beach or in a leather-bound library of classics.

Mr. Harriss carefully blends popular humor and a generally optimistic tone to package his philosophies, which are admittedly didactic at various points throughout the novel. It is this seriousness of purpose, though, that separates this book from the mass of other, far inferior works on the subject of golf. One gets the sense that Mr. Harriss really wants you to improve not only your golf game, but your life as well. He characters bear this out-while they are each unique voices, they are a chorus when it comes to the central theme: In golf, as in life, a positive attitude and an ability to genuinely enjoy ones' self are more far important than being really good. Skill is frivolity without "joi de vivre".

What I particularly enjoyed about Mr. Harriss work was the subtle yet elegant use of mathematical constructions throughout the novel: Four characters, eighteen holes, symmetrical pacing and construction throughout. This conceit in ingenious in that it subconsciously creates a comfortable and solid foundation for the reader, which makes the deeper meaning of the work more approachable. Much like old Bugs Bunny cartoons are meaningful and hilarious on several levels, Foursome Follies is imbued with a certain mystical quality that will make the reader shake his head in astounded disbelief even as he is doubled over from a good belly laugh. Like a well composed piece of music, Mr. Harriss sets his strings vibrating on multiple harmonics here, hinting at a structural complexity that a Dan Brown would envy. Unlike Dan Brown, however, who eventually must spell out every last detail for his readers, Mr. Harriss believes in the intelligence of his public. He allows them to connect the dots in his multi-dimensional work, which is infinitely more satisfying.

Who will like this book? Right away one groups this book in the same category as truly great golf books like "Golf my Way" by Nicklaus, and "How I play Golf" by Woods. At the same time, the clarity of tone, character development, story arc, and timeless narrative make it a comfortable bookshelf companion to other modern classics: the sentiment of Faulkner without the pathos; the efficiency of Hemmingway without the inevitable suicides; the wit of Oscar Wilde without the gay, gay, gay. Even the homespun drollness of a Dave Barry or a Carl Haissen is folded in here to make "Foursome Follies" a veritable literary paella of succulent characters and saffron metaphors.

Is Brian Harriss the next Mark Twain? A Connecticut Yankee on a New England Golf Course? It may be too early in Mr. Harriss' writing career to suggest that "Foursome Follies" be required reading for High School seniors or distributed in hotel room drawers (or maybe it's not.....). However, this book definitely deserves a read. As Mark Twain himself once said: "The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."