Bridges Books

I normally read several books at the same time as I get bored quickly. I do finish all but not in one sitting. This book was an exception. It was a bit harder to start as English in not my native language and there were a lot of BIG words. But once I began, I just could not put it down. Very well done and very accurate as I am quite familiar with the area's history.

I highly recommend this book to all.

This is a great read. Vivid characters both real and imagined, and of course the old town of Sausalito itself. Definitely captures the feeling of walking those streets on a foggy day and then having the sun suddenly stab through. Some of them vaguely Pynchonesque cosmic coincidences here too but on a very human scale. When the fog rolls in in a Sunday, put a log on the fire and bust out the Earthquake Shack...

Interesting to compare this one with another solid Bay Area tale of love and loss, Eric Miles Williamson's East Bay Grease, which stands as a grubby work-shirted cousin to Earthquake Shack's Marin magical realism.

From page one of his captivating and courageous first novel, author Gary Diedrichs grabs his readers by the lapels of their pea coats and pulls them headfirst into a wild waterfront world of renegades, romance, mystery and stranger-than-fiction history. We meet, greet and fall in love with an unruly gang of brilliant, eccentric characters (many of whom were actual denizens) of Sausalito, California in the salty, lawless, pre-Beatles, pre-Vietnam days--and baudy nights--of the late 1950s.

But the wake of Diedrichs' magical voyage expands far beyond a single calendar page or compass point. Through his skillful narrative techniques, the author effortlessy guides us back and forth between the flaming wreckage of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake to the late night Zen ramblings at the No Name Bar; from seaside shanties and eco-terrorist plotting to the comparatively mundane, yet heartbreaking, backroads of rural Ohio.

Diedrichs weaves all his characters and events--small, medium, large and cataclysmic--into the context of a powerful and poignant love story, blurring the lines of fact and fiction to where we are never sure where the actual truth begins or ends. And we really don't care.

You don't need to know anything about Sausalito to love this book. But if you do, you'll love it even more. Highly recommended!

I love books that take me to a time and place I wish I could have experienced firsthand; I also love books that peel back time to reveal the veils between past and present.

"The Earthquake Shack" is one of those books -- set in the final days of the Fifties, in the waterfront town of Sausalito, just north of San Francisco, which was a special place filled with fascinating inhabitants, long before it gave in to tourist shops and chain art galleries. It was a time of free-spririted Water Rats versus wealthy Hillclimbers; of beatniks and bohemians; of great local characters, including one of my favorite actors, Sterling Hayden, and the writer Jack Kerouac.

With considerable sleight-of-hand, the author - a Sausalito native - weaves the unique tale of a by-gone era into two stories: that of the main character, a Midwesterner dazzled by Sausalito but unprepared to join the party; and that of two ghosts who inhabit the cottage -- the Earthquake Shack -- into which he settles.

Through the ghosts' eyes, we also see San Francisco's Barbary Coast after of the 1906 earthquake and Sausalito before, and leading up to, the Fifties. One ghost worked in a San Francisco bordello, the other is a Miwok Indian girl whose tribe discovered Sausalito long before any white man did.

I recommend this engaging, beautifully written book to anyone who loves sophisticated historical fiction where the deft characterization and attention to detail transport you to a magical party you wish you had been invited to.

You know that feeling of entering a party of strangers, and one familiar face leans over and explains cogently who the other guests are? That's this book's tone, and it's spot on.

A friend of mine recommended The Earthquake Shack to me last week. Like many of us, I've got a pile of unread books jockeying for next place, with at least three in progress. I gave this novel a cursory flip and started reading somewhere in the middle. Five pages later, I simply stopped, sat down in the kitchen, and started from the beginning.

What you'll find is typical of strong writing: well-developed characters, brisk dialog, insightful tone, good storylines, amid a creditable backdrop of loss and possible redemption which keeps you rooting for the protagonist to make some right choices. This is more than I usually expect from a novel. It appears to be Gary Diedrichs' first novel, and I'll be looking out for his next.

So, this writer recommends The Earthquake Shack. For all the best reasons.

Our current administration is fond of dismissing its critics by labeling THEM as extremists. The Whitewater investigators are part of a "right-wing conspiracy." Those who criticize the under-the-desk-activities at the Oval Office are simply venting their wrath against people from Arkansas, and those who oppose the failed War on Drugs are "fringe groups."

With each passing day, this tactic becomes harder to get away with, as "fringe" types such as George Schultz, Walter Cronkite and Perez de Cuellar weigh in against the Drug War. The latest of these "fringe" elements to come out against our idiotic drug policy is Dirk Chase Eldredge, a founding bank director, "successful entrepreneur," and former co-chairman of Ronald Reagan's campaign for governor of California.

This conservative Republican has examined our drug policies in considerable detail. He details the failures of the Justice Department, FBI, US Customs Service, and others in their futile quest for a "drug-free America."

He clearly points out the horrendous effects of these policies on our country: the overcrowded prisons, police corruption, violence, spread of AIDS, unjust sentencing, judicial overload, and the tyranny of asset forfeiture.

Some months ago, I was having a drink with Judge Jim Gray, an Orange County, California, Republican running for Congress, and I asked him how he broaches the subject of the Drug War to his conservative constituents. "Easy," he replied. "I just say, `let me tell you about an $18 billion federal program that doesn't work,' and they're all ears." That is just what Eldredge does in "Ending the War on Drugs." He gives us just the facts, Ma'am. Those facts are the key to effective policy, and Eldredge has plenty of them.

There is, however, a human note to his opus, too. Eldredge points out that his father's life was ruined by his addiction to alcohol, and that what he needed was help from medical people, not law enforcement. Eldredge is also quick to point out that the vast majority of drinkers, unlike his dad, do not have a problem with alcohol. Likewise, he says, "Ninety-six percent of people use drugs today, use them recreationally, without harming anyone."

Eldredge also gives lie to the "Try and Die" is another myth promoted by Prohibitionists. In the preface, Eldredge says, "America's War on Drugs is reminiscent of the Russian princess who sat weeping profusely at the death of the hero in a performance at the opera, while, at the curb, her waiting carriage driver froze to death in a Moscow ice storm." He understands the inherently dishonest nature of the Drug War and makes an excellent case for ending it.

If I have a quarrel with anything in this book, it is with his solution, or at least part of it. There are three possible administrators of the multi-billion-dollar drug market in the US - the free-market, the government, and the underworld. Currently, our policy-makers obviously favor giving control to the underworld. Ending the Drug War would leave us two choices; the free-market or the government. Eldredge favors the latter, in the form of state-run stores akin to the alcohol sales system in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other states. While this is an obvious improvement over turning the market over to the Mob, as we do today, I'm surprised that a self-proclaimed conservative Republican would opt for this Socialistic solution. A more effective system of state-regulated but privately owned "drug stores" would seem to be a better way to go. We are still a long way from either of these solutions, and have ample time to debate which one will prevail. Hopefully this book will hasten the time when that decision will have to be made.

Mr. Eldridge presents us with a very well writen critiqe of our nations stance against drugs. The book is full of insight into ways that the war on drugs can be put to better use. anyone interested in drug public policy should read this book.

The most knowledge packed 200 pages on Drug War circumstance I have ever read. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in politics and especially on the War on Drugs. The author is incitive and extraordinarly objective in his discussion. I read the book in one sitting and immediately searched to find more books by Eldredge. Though an ex Reagan man (campaign for CA governor) his views show a fairly liberal view on the topic, far away from any Reagan stereotypes. Too much good to discuss here, just read it!

Dirk Chase Eldredge's "Ending the War on Drugs" is a powerful and persuasive book that argues that America's war on drugs has been an abysmal failure and should be ended as soon as possible. The author's message has a certain edginess in that he is one of a small but albeit growing number of Republicans who are weighing in against the drug war. Of particular note, Eldredge was co-chairman for the California Gubernatorial campaign of Ronald Reagan, who was perhaps the nation's most vocal drug warrior. Yet there wasn't a single word in this book that I could disagree with.

Eldredge is encouraging us to act like grown-ups and provide the caring and compassion that drug abusers need. Through the use of numerous statistics that are supplemented by some interesting anecdotes, the author overwhelmingly shows that interdiction has failed. The bottom line is that illegal drugs remain readilly available to those who seek them. But their illegal status has proven to be a boon to the drug lords, street gangs and other undesirable elements -- including Afghan terrorists, as we have recently learned -- who are attracted to the promise of quick and (usually) easy profits.

Edlredge contends that de-criminalization will swiftly take away the profit motive and bust up the drug gangs, both here at home and in places like Columbia and Mexico. Safer streets will enhance the quality of life for our citizens and no doubt help stablize the governments of countries where drug lords are nearly as powerful as the state. And for the user, government distribution will ensure a safer supply of drugs and, importantly, provide the drug user with a point of contact who could arrange treatment, should it ever be requested.

Eldredge's discussion of the nuances of how the anti-drug laws should be changed and the types of programs that need to be implemented show that he has spent a fair amount of time carefully considering the issue. But Eldredge takes care to critique the drug war in terms familiar to most Conservatives: as an example of wasteful government spending. If criminalizing drugs is not working as a deterrent to behavior patterns, and if it does not suppress the supply, then the government should logically search for alternative solutions where it may be able to get a better return on its investments.

One hopes that the mature message found in this book will be heeded by a growing number of policy makers. I encourage you to read it and to join the growing number of Americans who think that sanity and clarity of purpose should rightly replace the current state of insanity and corruption that unfortunately characterizes our country's current drug war strategy.

In Ending the War on Drugs, Dirk Eldredge provides an insightful and convincing look at the full gambit of issues surrounding our perceptions of drugs in this society. He succeeds masterfully in proving that we must reexamine our "War on Drugs." I believe anyone wishing to make an informed and educated opinion about our public policy toward illicit drugs should read this book. It is my hope that this book will help spark a fresh debate on what we might do to stem the tide of horrors our drug prohibition has brought not only to our society, but also to the global economic and political landscape. While many may disagree about his proposed solution, namely the federally controlled distribution of what would be newly legalized drugs, few could argue his conclusion that our attempted "War on Drugs", has been a absolute failure.

Doctor Ichiro Irabu is one weird neurologist. With or without his patients' permission, he finds cures for their modern-day neurological woes (i.e., a man who finds relief from a mid-life crisis by sneaking into locked swimming pools at midnight, a man with an embarrassingly permanent erection, a model with the paranoiac fear of being stalked, a teenage boy's obsession with cell phone text-messaging). This is fun and delightfully easy reading which made me wish for more.

Award-winning Japanese author Hideo Okuda presents In The Pool, a wildly popular Japanese novel that has been successfully adapted to a major Japanese motion picture. "Doctor of Neurology" Ichiro Irabu is a therapist for the image-conscious and all too often mentally pressured people of Japan, and his odd methodology of sharing his patients' stress-related problems and making them much worse before they get better distinguishes him sharply from his colleagues. His patients include a man who suffers a constant and painful erection, a pretty young woman convinced that every man she meets on the street is a stalker, a high school student addicted to text messaging the "friends" he desperately craves, and a journalist terrified his house will burn down should he leave it. A deliciously twisted commentary on human neuroses, with wit and insight that translates seamlessly between cultures. Highly recommended.

In the Pool was a huge success upon its original Japanese release in 2002. The stories here have gone on to appear in movies and on TV since its release. In the Pool is a collection of episodes about one eccentric psychiatrist, Dr. Ichiro Irabu, the sole doctor in the lonely Neurology Dept. located in the basement of the Irabu Hospital (say, that's the same name as the doctor...). This is clever and rather hilarious collection is by former magazine editor Hideo Okuda, who credits manga as a major influence.

Five tales are told here, each one about a patient with a condition that cannot be treated by conventional methods, and each one a line on a laundry list of "ailments" that plague not only Japan, but human beings in general. Among the poor souls that find themselves consulting Dr. Irabu are a magazine editor who becomes obsessed with swimming, sacrificing work and family time to get in a few more laps; a just-over-the-hill car-show model who starts to believe every man she sees is stalking her; and high-school student so obsessed with text messaging on his cell phone, even a few moments of separation create panic and cold sweats.

Although each character begins as almost a caricature of him or herself, they develop into people we may recognize in our own lives, or even aspects of our own personality. The fun and humor of each story comes from not the ailment, but Dr. Irabu's unorthodox and unexpected avenues of treatment. Often the reader wonders if what Dr. Irabu is doing is even intended for the patients benefit, and simply his own. (The dubious injections given to each patient on each visit by Dr. Irabu's sexy female nurse give us a clue.) Though in the end of each tale some sort of resolution or recovery path is reached, whether this is by accident or by design becomes clearer as the reader finishes each story. Although each tale is written from the perspective of the patient, we get more and more hints as to what kind of person Dr. Irabu really is.

Translating humor from Japanese to English is one of the most difficult undertakings a translator can expect to take. Comedy is so different culture to culture, and having it make sense and seem natural in the translated language requires real talent, and that talent shows here is the seamless English creation by Giles Murray.

In the Pool is a fun and interesting splash, just slightly deeper than the surface suggests. Dr. Irabu's techniques and ideas collide with not only his profession, but his national culture, and although this isn't always comfortable for his patients, it makes for pure entertainment for his readers.

I had never heard of this author, and was given this book as a gift. What a delightful surprise! This collection of five short stories all share the same principal character - a wacky neurologist who works in the basement of a Tokyo hospital. Each story introduces a new patient, each with an unusual ailment, and follows their "treatment" with the doctor. The writing is crisp and funny, and I found myself busting into unexpected laughter throughout the book. My only disappointment was that there were just five stories. When I finished the book, I yearned for more! I hope that more books from this award winning author are translated into English, and marketed outside of Japan.

"In the Pool" is a deceptive book. From the bland cover and title, you are expecting something equally bland, maybe a bit of a quiet read to pass the time. Certainly not the perverse, hilarious and addicting book you are about to encounter. Just like the hapless patients at the Irabu General Hospital, you are suddenly pitched into a bizarre world where the inmates are running the asylum, nothing makes sense whatsoever, and then every so slowly, the bigger picture starts to become clear.

A series of five short stories, "In the Pool" follows the lives of five different patients, each suffering from some sort of psychological disorder. Kazuo Omori feels compelled to go swimming, and is willing to allow his job, marriage and morals disintegrate for the chance to sink into the blue security of the pool. Tetsuya Taguchi has an erection that just won't quit, making daily life impossible. Trade show model Hiromi Yasukawa is being haunted by an army of invisible stalkers, each one trying to catch a glimpse of her impossible beauty. Yuta Tsuda needs his cell phone the way an alcoholic needs booze. Taking it away from him causes massive spasms in mere seconds. Yoshio Iwamura knows that is obsessive compulsive fear of fire is my psychology, but can't stop himself from going home to check his apartment every few minutes. Each one of them finds there way into the helping hands of Ichiro Irabu, Doctor of Neurology, who seems more interested in joining their obsessions than helping.

Ichiro Irabu himself is a fantastically weird character. A fat, pasty middle-aged man, he has an erotic fixation on giving injections, and employs a sexy nurse who is a stand-offish exhibitionist. Stuffed down in the basement of the hospital, he is constantly complaining that they don't send him enough patients, and when they do it is always the lost causes. Together, Irabu and his nurse hold the stories together, being the only reoccurring characters, even though they are always just supporting actors at most.

Much of the philosophy of Irabu's style is based on the work of Dr. Morita Masatake, a contemporary of Sigmund Freud who taught that accepting your feelings was more important than trying to battle them. Or as Oscar Wilde put it, "the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it." This is were the deceptive part comes in. At first Irabu's solutions seem to cause more harm than help, as he pushes his patients deeper and deeper into their psychosis until they burn them out. There is a method to his madness.

The only small flaw in "In the Pool" is the translation. The translator calls Irabu a neurologist, although it is clear from the text that this should have been psychiatrist. The translation error is actually fixed later, and he is called a psychiatrist in the later stories.

Life does not have to be complicated. This book tells how to have a good life without a lot of complications. I use the ideas in this book every day for myself, with my kids, and in all my interactions with people. Some of it may seem pretty obvious to some of us, but this book points out the cause and effect quite simply, and puts it in a way that everyone can use.

I read this book when I was a teenager. Although I had always been very well-balanced in my life, I was going through a bad period of my teen-years. Until a few months before, I had been always successful in school, had a pretty good relationship with my parents, and had good friends. Then it changed. Why, I found out reading this book. With very simple words, this book explains the concepts of ethics and morality, subjects often named, but deeply understood only by a few. I was "hanging out" with people who were absolutely the opposite of what I was and wanted to be: they smoked pot; didn't care about their education and therefore often disregarded their studies and school; didn't care of the efforts of their parents to give them what they needed, and talked bad about their parents all the time; didn't care about love, only about sex, which seemed to be considered just like a hobby, with nothing behind it.

When I realized all this, I was amazed at how I had been influenced to think like them. Luckily for me, this book helped me understand that it was more important for me to understand and act, rather than feel guilty, so I did just that. I went out of that group, and decided what I wanted to do with my life. I was able to talk to my parents again and they helped me get things organized again in my life to reach my goals. Soon I was doing well in school again and I was happy with myself, and I didn't have any trouble finding new friends whom I could share my goals and objectives with.

Later on, I used the data in this book many times to help people handle similar situations, as well as solve conflicts in my group of friends and in my class. I grew up, found a job that I liked, a man that I loved, and now I have a family, and I continue to apply the data I learned in this book.

Everyone needs this data. I am very happy I read it and that I know this data to teach to my daughter. It's a vital tool for parents, teachers, but also for younger people.

This book presents the concepts of ethics and morality at a level that just about anyone can understand. The concepts are defined, and instead of feeling guilty for one's transgressions, there is a very simple, yet incredibly effective, way to address these things. The result is a feeling of relief.

People are basically good. When we make mistakes and hurt ourselves or others, we feel guilty. Until now, there has been no easy resolution to these feelings of guilt.

I recommend it for EVERYONE, but I want to state that it is very effective with preteens and teenagers, too. I know many families with teens that are doing great in life, and this technology has been indispensible to these families.

Since reading this information, my 9 year old son has become very honest. If he does something he shouldn't, rather than keep a secret about it, he'll come to me, which is a MUCH better solution than hiding one's transgressions.

What impact something as simple as trusting yourself has on your life. Thanks, Mr Hubbard, for making it so easy. Now I can trust others too!

I got so much out of reading this book. I know for myself what is right and wrong. Life is just easier when you have integrity!

I actually had the opportunity to watch this trainer work. In less than five minutes, she taught my retarded terrier mix the difference between a cup and a stick. The manual clearly outlines her technique and enables the lay person to reap the incredible rewards of actually communicating with his pet. I doubt that you will ever find this manual used, as no one will part with their copy.

Kayce Cover's manual is not a how to teach your dog to sit type book. It's about the full spectrum of life long interactions with an animal. From global life plans including changing abilities from infancy to aging animals, vet care, management, day to day events such as being quiet while waiting for food to perhaps rare events like being shipped on an airline, this book helps you create a plan for the things your animal is likely to encouter. What the animal will need to learn about during its lifetime with you and how you can teach this. It's about 2 way communication, the animal has a chance to say I'm not able to do this yet and there is a way to play a version of 20 questions so you can ask your animal do you want a drink of water, some food, a chance to play and more. The trainer can efficiently give feedback about how the animal's performance is improving and if it errs let it know immediately without upsetting the animal. Like the game of hot and cold, as the animal gets closer to the correct response, there is feedback to help it understand exactly what is wanted and if it starts to drift off, gets immediate feedback about where it goofed and when it is again doing it right.
This reduces confusion, which improves communication and trust.
Kayce has taken operant conditioning beyond its limits to operant communication. Animals are proving they can understand concepts such as color, states of emotion like calm, reliably identify various objects such as a cell phone or variety of flower, monkeys can be taught to use a video tape player and feed quadraplegics and more.
If you only get one book on training animals, make it this one.

I love that this method teaches animals in a manner that is kind and respectful. I volunteer at a local animal shelter and live in a home where the animals not only outnumber the humans 2-1 but are very much part of the family. This training method has provided me the tools to help shelter animals overcome many challenges, and at home, keeps our multi-specied family living in harmony. You will need the manual to understand what I am talking about, however, in short, the method uses sounds, body movements, etc. to teach a "language" to the animals. This "language" can then be used to teach anything from obedience commands to overcoming fears - the possibilities are limitless. I find it to be faster and more effective then methods I have used in the past and I also believe this means of communicating has enriched my life with my non-human family members.

I own this book, have read it numerous times. I have used this technique to reform my two run-away-no-more dogs. The author is funny, has outstanding credentials, and has crammed a lot of information into this book of about 100 pages. It does have typos and no pictures, and it is a soft cover with spiral binding, which has actually worked well for training. I have to say that this book has changed my life, and the way I look at animals, forever. It tells how to teach an animal how to target in less than a minute. It has a great glossary and the words are really well explained. It explains how to plan training sessions, how to start exotic animals (Cover started as a marine mammal trainer and it shows). It is not out of print, I got mine from the author's website.

This is an excellent manual for the beginning trainer. It is probably one of the only manuals that actually tells you how to train... step by step. It doesn't send you to other resources; this IS the resource! I am a new trainer and this book abled me to get a good grasp on how to start a training plan, what to expect with animals, and how to work my way around many distractions I may encounter. This is the only training manual you will ever need (except of course the other volumes to come). Contact the author to receive a copy; it is not out of print.

Last month I enrolled in a beginner's class at the Manhattan Bridge Club, where I received a copy of this book. The author is the club's owner -- a man as witty and warm in person as he seems on the pages of his book. I began reading It's Bridge, Baby! on the way home from class and couldn't tear myself away. I actually laughed out loud on several occasions. Bayone's passion for bridge is infectious, and he explains the elements of this very complicated game in a clear, structured way.

Sure thing, if you're thinking Bridge go no further. Kick back, or swim up but don't pass this one by. I've learned bridge in side and out, and frankly, though the subject matter can be somewhat dry at times, the presentation is Numeral UNO!

I've read many introductory books to bridge, and this is in a league of its own! A very simple, straightforward, logical approach to playing. The book begins with the playing of the hands (in no-trump then trump), and moves to bidding as a logical extension of the ability to win tricks. This approach is unique, and takes allows the player to LEARN the proper bidding, rather than to memorize (too) many sets of numbers for bidding hands. Also, I felt that the other books I have read did not offer a strong foundation in the playing-out of the hands. I'll be purchasing copies for non-bridge-playing friends! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I am a returning bridge player and find this book very helpful in refreshing my mind about the game. I have a question for the author and don't know how to ask him except here. Mr Bayone, where did you find the scoring system which I love but have never seen before? I want to change my bridge table over to your system but need some validation. Thank you

What I like about this book is that he takes his time to build a point slowly and methodically, with lots of examples. You understand the logic behind the "rules", so you can figure them out for yourself. After reading it, I went back and picked up "Bridge for Dummies", and B4D paled by comparison.

What becomes abundantly clear as one reads through this bok is that H.E. Davey writes from experience. He has practised several of the "ways" to a very high level, and he is able to write about his experiences in a readable, almost conversational manner. He sees quite deeply into the heart of Japanese culture, taking the reader along a path of understanding and discovery as he presents the key concepts of that tradition. In addition to the text, the marginal reminders and definitions of the key concepts reinforce what one has already encountered in the text, and serve as a glossary of important terms. Davey provides exercizes to try at home, as well. All in all, this is a first-rate book -- helpful, accessible, accurate, and often profound.

H.E. Davey excels at communicating an approach for the Westerner to Japanese concepts of universality, aesthetics, and human spirituality. Written in a very accessible form, this book is an excellent introduction to those topics for the beginner; as well as being a great reference book for those already practicing any form of meditation, martial art, or fine art. Full of concrete descriptions of ideas and relationships that often go mute in Western culture. Read it over and over!

This book is unique in that it gives Westerners a comprehensive insight into Japanese arts and ways. Not many are able to capture something so inangible as Japanese aesthics as well as Davey. A great read.

Davey provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the principles and aesthetic qualities that characterize the Japanese arts. Ideal for Westerners interested in Japanese arts, particularly those who have practiced an art for some time and are looking to go beyond merely practicing the form and delve into the spiritual dimensions embodied in these arts. Highly recommended.

H.E. Davey excels at communicating an approach for the Westerner to Japanese concepts of universality, aesthetics, and human spirituality. Written in a very accessible form, this book is an excellent introduction to those topics for the beginner; as well as being a great reference book for those already practicing any form of meditation, martial art, or fine art. Full of concrete descriptions of ideas and relationships that often go mute in Western culture. Read it over and over!

This book is even better than her previous "Undercover Lover". This one is so filled with mystery and suspense, I believe any mystery or romance lover will enjoy it. The main characters are well defined and the plot twists keep you turning page after page after page. Ms Steward is so gifted, I hope she continues these types of stories for years to come.

Sally Steward does an excellent job with this book. The plot was so intriquing, it had me sitting on the edge of my seat, wondering with each turn of the page what would happen next! I have never before seen such an interesting plot in a romantic suspense novel. This was my first Sally Steward book, and it won't be my last

If you like your romance novels dark and dangerous then Lovers and Liars is for you! This book delivers on many levels. Taunt action, sizzling sex, heart throbbing romance. Read it

I was completely enthralled by this book. Sally Steward really keeps you going. Just when you think you have it figured out, you don't. By the time you do, you're too caught up in the ending to care. Even though this book is published as a romance, it's more of a suspense thriller. Men will love to read this book!

Sally Steward has a surefire winner in "LOVERS AND LIARS". The characters in this fast paced story of love and suspense are believeable and the story itself sizzles with tension. Leanne and Eliot are pure magic. A delight for the reader. "LOVERS AND LIARS" is well written and deliciously entertaining.

This book truly should be required reading for professing Christians in churches (as all Christians should be). This is "Back to the Basics" for church members, right up there with "Purpose Driven Church". This is one of those books you hate to see end and get up wondering "Where is this minister and what is he doing now and where can I hear him at least once?"

This is a must read for anyone active in church renewal. The work is most likely prophetic as it outlines the ministry of Rev. Terry Fullam at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Darien, Connecticut (around 1970). The prose is beautiful and captivating. Readers should keep in mind that the work was completed in the middle of Reverend Fullam's career. Interestingly, he left St. Paul's and the church fell back to several hundred members (from 1,000+). At one point I am told that tour buses pulled up at the Darien High School where St. Paul's held services to handle the overflow. Clearly we are hungry for Jesus Christ and His Truth. Also, for all involved in church decisions, note that St. Paul's apparently could not agree on whether or not to expand their facility. This and presumed difficulty with fostering community and discipleship most likely led to something of a cult of personality, laity-shallowness and to the church's retraction. Also, read carefully and you will detect the intrusion of evil into the picture by way of tempting narcissism and worldliness. None-the-less, Rev Fullam possessed the powerful combination of anointing, education, Bible-centeredness, charismatic sensitivity, strong leadership and genuine Spirit lead vision. He surrendered, really listened to God and allowed Christ to speak to His people and move His Spirit, big time. The church thrived. Many came to salvation and the whole region is still feeling God's blessing through Reverend Fullam some thirty years later. In fact, St. Paul's in once again on the verge of being in the vangard. Read this work for both the inspiration and the lessons learned. Until the end of the church age, it will be forever timely.

Bob Slosser's "Miracle in Darien", a story about a small church in Connecticut coming alive in the Holy Spirit is a must read for anyone interested in church development and empowerment in the Spirit. The tale of Fr. Terry Fullam's own spiritual journey and how he empowers the people of a typical Episcopal parish to come to the Spirit is not just enthralling storytelling, but could be used as a guide for small parish development. Slosser makes the process of surrendering control of the church to Jesus seem to be the only way to engage in the church. He also outlines the pitfalls and failures that will happen. The way in which we all try to control our lives and churches for our own ends, rather than letting God control both is brought vividly to life in this book. Every vestry or lay council in every Christian church, regardless of denomination should be embrace this book as essential to their mission and discovery.

This is an excellent book, and the story is not over! St. Paul's Darien is today one of the Connecticut Six Episcopal parishes that is taking a firm stand against the direction of the national church and Connecticut diocese concerning the place of Scripture in the life of the church. (...)

As for Rev Fullam in the book, he is today retired in Florida and rarely makes public appearances. Just Google his name and you will find plenty of tapes and videos of his ministry through the years.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Darien, Conneticut prayed for a miracle and Praise the Lord they got more than one! This is an account of the churches revival and how in praying their way back to Jesus they reached far beyond their expectations in reaching the world literally. The churches membership grew, the congregation began to be discipled from within as well as learn the meaning of fellowship, then the doors burst open into the surrounding community touching lives. The community was set on fire for Jesus and their message about what they had learned spread around the world from tapes to books to seminars. Phillippians 4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. The reason I liked the book so much is that it inspired me and I felt joy as I read each page. The author Bob Slosser wrote in an easy to read and enjoyable style with 268 pages. I just couldn't put the book down and finished is just a couple days.

Mitzi and Ruthie were best friends. Ruthie doesn't know what to do when Mitzi and her family were forced to leave the town. But Ruthie just wanted to find her friend and know why so many others were made to leave their homes too. Ruthie doesn't know where Mitzi and her family are. Mitzi and Ruthie continues write each other, but their promise that they will meet again in their favorite place. The Moon Bridge.

I think this is a good book, with just a little vit of sadness, because Mitzi and Ruthie had to separate their good relation ship. But they will never forgot each other, and they hope will meet again in The Moon Bridge.

This book is unbelieveable! It really captures how the World War 2 was like to everybody back then! It teaches youngesters about the War. It definetly shows that anybody of any culture can become friends. Just because some cultures seem bad or most of them are bad, it doesn't mean all of them are. It really is a true inspiring friendship story that stirs new emotions and thoughts (including opinions) inside you!

The Moon Bridge
Marcia Savin

The book was about how a girl comes to Ruthie's school and they become best friends. The book takes a sudden turn when the attack on Pearl Harbor happens. They are getting closer and hang out all the time. Ruthie's old friend, Shirl makes fun of Mitzi. Ruthie stands up for Mitzi. That's how they become friends. Just as soon as the are about to go into the sixth grade, Mitzi has to leave.
I liked this book because it's how a friendship lasted three years even though Ruthie didn't know where Mitzi was. The book that is related to this is, Under the Blood Red Sun, because it's also about Pearl Harbor. It is also about a Japanese boy and his American friend

I know, I know. If you hear "Read it, it's an educational experience" one more time, you're gonna hurl, right? Well, hurl away. Read it, it's an educational experience. Not only is it an educational experience though. I found this book to be a wonderfully real story portraying the treatment of the Japanese in America. Two young girls, one American, one Japanese, become extremely close friends. The two girls did almost everything together.....until all the Japanese were "escorted out of the city". The Japanese most certaianly were not escorted out of the city. They were forced to leave the city, taking very few belongings, and go to secluded areas. No one knew exactly where they had gone, and most people didn't care, considering the "Japs" traitors. Yes this story is educational, and you are guaranteed to learn. You are also guaranteed to enjoy the story and feel the emotions of the characters. Read away, and realize that "learning can be fun"

Ruthie and Mitzi become best friends despite the fact that Mitzi is considered an enemy, particularly since the Pearl Harbor bombing. Ruthie wants to be part of the crowd but is determined to be a friend to an outsider. Mitzi, an American of Japanese descent, is close to her family but lonely for other friendships. Mitzi and her family are forced to leave town and are placed in an interment camp. Ruthie writes to Mitzi, promising to meet again at the 'Moon Bridge' in the Tea Garden. Both girls are scared and concerned for each other. This book portrays values and is also educational. Girls in this age group would probably enjoy this book more than boys would but it could lead to conversation about the war, building an interest for them.