Brooks Books

The Heritage of Shanra is one of the best series that I have read. Once I started reading I could not put it down, I even found my self walking down the street and reading them because I was so enthraled by the storys.

I read the first four books, and found myself wanting more. I went to the library and found the Heritage of Shannara and immediately read it. The series takes place three-hundred years after the last book, The Wishsong of Shannara. The Fourlands are in trouble when the vile Shadowen poisen the land, drawing the life-giving magic out of the earth. The scions of Shannara gather at the Hadeshorn and recieve charges from the long dead Druid, Allanon. They set out, one sent to retrieve the Elves, who later becomes the Queen of the Elves; one to bring back the Sword of Shannara, a youth that possesses the power of the wishsong; and the third to bring back Paranor, then become a Druid himself. The third believes that magic should not be used and the Druids not be trusted, but eventually learns to trust the magic. The scions go their own ways, and none are sure that they will even accept the charges. They are persuaded, and set out. Par, the youth sent for the Sword, sets out with his brother and a few others. He finds out many secrets, and eventually ends up with the Sword. Walker, the Dark Uncle, does not want to go to return Paranor, but is persuaded by Cogline, who was like a father to him. He finds that he needs the black Elfstone, and sets out to find it, but goes to the wrong place. He gets bit by an Asphinx, and loses his arm. He finds out later that the Elfstone is in an unknown region, and, accompanied by some friends and an unknown person, sets out to find it. They find many bad things, but eventually get out with the Elfstone, but at the loss of Quickening, the daughter of the King of the Silver River, and Pe Ell, the assassin. He also returns Paranor, and becomes the first of the new Druids. Wren, a young woman in search of answers, learns of an island called Morrowindl, and goes there. She finds the Elves trapped by Shadowen, and learns that she is a member of the royal family. Her, her grandmother the Queen, and a few others set out to return the Elves to the Fourlands. She gets them there, and becomes the Queen of the Elves. Back in the Fourlands, Wren and the Elves face a huge army. The new Druid Walker Boh faces the Four Horsemen, War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death. Par faces his own fears, which are on the verge of winning ove him. The climactic end will enthrall the reader, and leave you craving for more.

This set was totally awsome. The very first fantasy book I read was The Elf Queen Of Shannara and I was hooked from the very first page. Since then I have read every single book published by Terry Brooks, and I suggest that you do the same. Trust me, you'll enjoy it more than you'd ever know.

When I first got The Heritage of Shannara books I thought they'd be pretty good; boy was I wrong. They were the BEST EVER!!!!!!! If your looking for a good, fun,and fast pace fantasy novel then you've found it because they're the best you can buy. I also recomend The Sword of Shannara, The Elfstones of Shannara, and The Wishsong of Shannara. That's the trilogy that comes before The Heritage of Shannara set.

I am drawn to books that analyze the complex relationship between people and places. Brooks Blevins illuminates the Arkansas Ozarks both as a place and as an idea, and shows the tensions that emerge when a place becomes an idea. The book's subtitle suggests that it is a history, which it is, but I found it intriguing more as a history of the idea of place in general than as the history of a specific region.

Blevins shows the Ozarks where 19th century settlers and their descendents farmed cotton, harvested timber, made barrels, and did other work that drew from the region's resources. Yet, none of these economies was successful on a large scale. The real place was too disconnected, with its interruptive hills, streams and hollows, to allow for large-scale production. With the exception of the far northwest plains areas near Fayetteville, the region never experienced significant economic growth. Farming needed to grow in scale to succeed (hence today's agribusiness), but these hills did not offer enough open expanse to make such farming profitable or even technologically possible. Many left the region for opportunities picking apples in Washington state or cotton in the Delta.

Those remaining adapted by marketing the idea of the Ozarks as place--in this case, a traditional Americana of banjos, fiddles, and homespun crafts. Entrepreneurs with an eye on the tourism industry sold Eureka Springs, Mountain View, and other Ozark towns as centers of Americana folk tourism. Tension grows in Blevin's book toward the later chapters when we see the people having to emulate folk music and craft traditions that were steeped in a romantic idea held by a nation that had left such quaintness behind.

Blevins suggests that residents were displaced by immigrants from the Midwest and elsewhere who were more willing than the locals to play the parts required by this idea of folk Americana. Middle class white retirees from troubled cities in the South and Midwest and elsewhere have moved into the Ozarks, perhaps in search of this illusive idea of a more simple life. It is the same comforting world that has lured world weary music buyers to the soundtrack of "O Brother, Where Art Thou?

The most obvious characteristic of the postmodern time in which we live is that image is reality. The idea of France as portrayed in Disney theme parks, for example, is as real as France itself and less messy. This is an age of simulacra. Blevins' book does not directly make such cultural critiques, but leads the reader to them. Having just spent a relaxing week in the Ozarks, soaking up the music and culture, I then was left to question what I had experienced. The three musicians I played guitar with in front of the grocery store in Marshall-were they doing so because they wanted to or because a larger idea of place engulfed them and tacitly directed their behavior to conform with its folk tourism economy?

In the end perhaps it doesn't matter. My new friends seemed genuinely happy and invigorated by their region's musical identity. A region could be known for worse things than great music. And the Ozarks is the home of Wal-Mart, perhaps the most obvious example of mass marketing economic success.

For contrast, go to the Florida Keys and watch the bored pseudo parrot heads churn out plastic versions of old Jimmy Buffet tunes. Here the idea of place becomes stifling, preventing the natural evolution of a society. And the sheer number of tourists landing for an hour or two on cruise ships has driven locals to the role either of acting out Buffet-like parts or hiding. Blevins' book makes us aware that regions that become too closely identified with a particular mythology can become prisoners of that mythology. He implies that such has happened in the Ozarks, but I see enough vibrancy and cultural authenticity (whatever that may be) to feel comfortable with this idea of place. It is one I will return to, albeit with a slightly more critical ear and eye.

Hill Folks: A History Of Arkansas Ozarkers And Their Image by Brooks Blevins (Professor of History, Ozarka College, Melbourne, Arkansas) is an informed and informative cultural history of the Ozark region that ranges from northern Arkansas down to southern Missouri, and the people who have settled and lived there since the early nineteenth century. A detailed portrait of a land and its people, filled with subtle nuances of daily life through the centuries, Hill Folks is a fascinating study and very enjoyable reading, and a highly recommended addition to Ozark and Arkansas history supplemental reading lists and academic reference collections.

This book provides an authentic view of life on the Tennessee frontier in the period from 1848 to 1880. The author not only captured the day to day life of a farm family but the humor and warmth that went with the hardships and heavy labor they endured. In addition, the book is historically accurate in describing actions and life during the Civil War and the aftermath, with the coming of the railroads and civilization.
Based upon family stories, the author has woven a tale in a novel format but with great accuracy and has included the names of the various families in the area at the time.
I was sorry when I put I reached the end and put it down. I wished that she had continued with more stories.

Home in the Wilderness is a novelized family history covering the years 1848-1880 in West Tennessee. Effie wrote the book in the 1930s and 40s in Dresden, Tennessee, but it was not published. In 2000, the Meek and Maiden families began to check the facts in the manuscript and to prepare it for publication, complete with end notes to confirm facts, a few old photos, and family trees of all the descendants of James and Mary Meek. Now everyone interested in this period and region can read this fascinating account from an author who grew up hearing legends and lore around the family dinner table.

Civil War buffs may find the descriptions of movements with General Nathan Bedford Forrest of particular interest, and the book includes an authentic letter from William Meek describing the Battle of Brice's Crossroads.

Home in the Wilderness contains historical vignettes of Marshall County, Chapel Hill, Nashville, Memphis, Weakley County, the Duck River, and Martin--all in Tennessee. There are also references to Hickman, KY; Columbus,KY; and Hernando and West Point and the Battle of Brice's Crossroads, MS.

Surnames in the book include MEEK, HENLEY, WILSON, HOPKINS, HAWLEY, MAIDEN, RALSTON, SIMS, HENDRIX, WAGGONER, COOK, ATKISON, MARTIN, HARPER, TREVATHAN, TREVILLION, CULBERTSON, WOOD, COLE, FREEMAN, BALDRIDGE, HOGARD, HAWKINS, LEFFLER, and MAHON.

Most of the facts in the manuscript are accurate, for example, the early street names in Nashville (1848); the buildings, locations, and roads named in Memphis (1864); and the battle reports regarding Columbus, KY, Brice's Crossroads, MS, Forrest's raids on Memphis, and the fighting at Union City, TN.

Hope you enjoy the book!

This is an excellent book in that it not only has little-known and important facts, but also includes anecdotes about each battle, and a review of each general's strange personality traits. Despite a few editing errors, I really enjoyed this book because it brought things that happened hundreds of years ago alive. Also, it was fun to learn about such obscure facts as the pyschological diseases that ailed certain Civil War generals. Overall, this was a quick, fun read that I would recommend to anyone who likes American history, or to anyone who is bored by American history, and is looking for a way to connect it to everyday life.

This book is a "must read" for anyone interested in American history. It contains some of the most original new ideas about military strategies and leadership out there. The alternative scenarios were especially thought-provoking - and the authors' "report card" of the military leaders generated several very interesting discussions/debates with colleagues.

An excellent read! I would highly recommend it.

A remarkable book about a remarkable young lady, her mother, and the group of people who have rallied around her and, in turn, drawn from her incredible spirit and zest for life. On one level, the book tells the story of how wheelchair-bound Heather Rose Brooks learned to drive a horse-drawn carriage with her feet. But the story continues on many levels.

As a lawyer, I've worked with clients who deal with physical challenges. Betty Beamguard has captured not just Heather's story, but, through her, the story of countless others with "disabilities" who take more risks and have more fun in life than many "able-bodied" people do.

This is a story of laughter and triumph, of the power of goals, and the infectious spread of a willing spirit. Middle grades and YA readers might especially enjoy seeing life through the eyes of someone whose life may not mirror theirs -- but, then, what little girl hasn't dreamed of her own horse?

This book is thoroughly engaging with a simplistic connectiveness to a young lady, Heather, that I now feel as though I know personally!
What I liked most about the book was the message of life---a life that authors servanthood in others and continues to generate hope for all those "prisoners of hope" who are successfully scaling the walls of impossibilities. As an administrator, I have placed the book in our school library for our students to read. As one teacher said, "It was awesome!" Thanks, Heather, for spreading hope to others for an abundant life.

I love giving children's books as gifts but I hate shopping for them. After hours of picking through all the fluff and inanities, I always settle on something mediocre because I just can't bear to continue looking. Finding the SNU books by Brook was such a relief (like the time I found Stellaluna by Janell Cannon). "How to Catch a SNU" captured me and all the kids I know (Gift-giving has been easy since discovering the SNUS). I hope Brook is busy writing more SNU adventures. The only thing wrong with the series is there aren't enough of them.

I had never heard of a SNU, but thanks to Brook's inventive imagination, it is now a household word in my family. The SNUS are a lovable band of wide-eyed creatures--unlike anything I've seen before.

"How to Catch a SNU" is a compassionate tale of two children who devise a clever plan to capture a SNU and keep it as a pet. The story is whimsical, while imparting a valuable message, as the SNUS, in time, teach the children an unexpected lesson in friendship.

I really enjoyed this book. The illustrations are lively and full of expression; the SNUS are absolutely adorable; and with its smooth-flowing verse, this quick-paced story is ideal for a broad age range.

It was super nice. This order was done and in the next four days I got my book. Good Work guys :>)

I had to use this book for a term paper for my BS Social Work degree. It is wonderful reading, very comprehensive and thorough. It is written with the passion of what's right and just in a common curtosy manner. After reading this book, one has that feeling that they have read something that is really important for the progress of human nature.
Thank you Vimala Pillari for your compassion for the less fortunate!

This book was the product of "necessity is the mother of invention. Mr. Howatt was looking for an easy-to-use resource for present and future counselors; unable to find what he was looking for, he turned to his students who helped him write this excellent resource for the Human Services professional.

This book guides future counselors in developing their own counseling style, by outlining various counseling processes and techniques, as well as offering two effective tools to use in choosing a counseling orientation from the 12 commonly used counseling theories and techniques described in this book. There are chapters on each of the 12 theories, and also an additional nine chapters devoted to "first aid counseling," covering crisis management and interventions for suicide, addictions, grief, eating disorders, stress, and verbal crises.

This is a good reference for old Psychology majors and those in the counseling field. References alot of contemporary research, a great way to get caught up with what's been happening. Easy to read, cuts to the chase and focuses on the main concepts of the theories presented. Especially enjoyed the section on Rollo May and other existentialists.

I bought this book for a counselling class a few years ago. I actually didn't even need it - I bought the wrong instructor's book. That said, it was a very lucky mistake. The book taught me alot about myself, it was easy to read, and the material could be used with clients of all ages. Highly reccommended.

I Never Knew I Had a Choice is not only the best textbook I ever used, it's the book that has had a larger impact on me than any other single book. I first discovered this book as part of an applied psychology class called Psychology of Adjustment and it brought me innumerable insights that helped me to become a better person. Don't just buy this book: read it and actually do the exercises.