Brooks Books

Royal Air Force veteran Roger R. Brooks presents The Handley Page Victor Volume 1, an in-depth reference, resource, and historical archive of the longest serving V-Bomber aircraft in the RAF, used from 1965 to 1993. Volume One covers the HP 80 Protype and the Mark 1 Series of the Handley Page Victor, and trace all aspects of their creation from concept to flight. At times highly technical in its language, The Handley Page Victor Volume 1 includes numerous reports reprinted in their original typeface, vintage black-and-white photographs, diagrams, insights into unique problems besetting the Handley Page Victor, and much more. A first-class reference for serious aircraft and aviation history buffs.

Hard Time is a thoughtful and well written examination of issues necessary to understand and reform prison. Johnson discusses prison history, the pains of imprisonment, guards, and some directions for reform. He feels that prison, as punishment, must be painful; it must also (following Plato) make the offender 'less of a wretch.' The author has written extensively about prison and the death penalty. His book, Death Work: A Study of the Modern Execution Process won the book of the year from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, and parts of it have been reprinted in freshman composition textbooks.

Unlike books by Mauer or Parenti, this book is not about the incarceration binge, the prison industrial complex, etc. Johnson is aware of these issues, but Hard Time is a broader look at imprisonment. The first chapters discuss the history of prison, borrowing from a wide ranging assortment of writing by inmates (and Wardens) to bring to life Johnson's points about institutions in various time periods. He also examines the role of correctional officers, who are imprisoned themselves, and how reforming the prison needs to be done in conjunction with ensuring a guard's job is meaningful work rather than an alienating, high-burnout 'turnkey.' Johnson's reform ideas are influenced by Hans Toch, who has written extensively on violence and human breakdown. Johnson argues for ecological niches where inmates can use the pains of imprisonment to learn to deal with problems without deceit or violence.

I have used this book in an introductory corrections class, and I would recommend it both for that purpose and for an interested reader looking for something comprehensive, balanced, sophisticated and compact. Johnson is not on the side of inmate or guard, but desires to see our prison system be more than an expensive exercise in warehousing violence. His reform agenda is not based on unrealistically romantic views of people or prison, but grows out of extensive study grounded in academic work and countless hours in many prisons throughout the US.

This is great if you prefer Spanish language books, but look for another edition if you don't speak the language.

Dawn Adrienne's "The Hawaiian Christmas Tree is a charming story that will entertain and inform children everywhere. Although fictitious, it is also based on fact - the first arrival of Christmas trees in Honolulu in the early 1900s and what life was like on Oahu and Maui around then. Eye-catching, colorful illustrations enhance this book. - Glenda Chung Hinchey, writer

Tell Agatha Christie to move over. This book is a real page turner!!!!
It is extremely suspenseful.It compels the reader to continue until the mystery is solved! The book is well researched with great attention to detail. The author keeps you guessing until the very end.And, she does it with great flair. I think MK Brooks is a rising star in the world of mystery writing. Let's hope she'll have a sequel for us to read in the near future.

Health Matters is very creative and insightful! This is a book that is easy to read and understand about many health conditions - some of which I had never even heard of! It absolutely captivates with the wonderful poetry and stories...
you really learn quite a bit... a great book for both children and adults.

I've just re-read 'Heavenly Deception', and I'm very surprised to find that Maggie's book has been out of print for so long. The story, about an art student who infiltrates the Moonie cult to find her younger sister, has again chilled me to the marrow. Maggie's great skill is in making this insane worldview totally credible. Reading the book, you are drawn slowly into the brainwashing process, to the point where you feel relief when Carmen, the student, gives in to her tormentors. This book is a terrifying masterpiece that deserves a much wider public.

gave me a whole lot of more information on the human service program and if i want to go on in my career........

This book has some excellent information which will help me in my research on the Scots Irish/Ulster Scots. It gives plenty of backgrond information and also defines some areas in the US which I hope to visit in September this year - I now have specific details of where I can get the photos I need for my AV work.

This is a very good glossery for the archane words that are used in the work of the heralds. As a member of the college of Heralds of the SCA and doing everyday genealogy this book is qutie valuable.