Brown Books

I am a first time mom and my son is 10 weeks old. This book was our life saver during the first month he was born because we had to evacuate for Hurricane Ike and didn't have any family around. This book is right on with what my ped. has told me. I love it and have bought it for eveyone I know that is expecting! BUY this BOOK!! You will be thankful when you have a question in the middle of night and don't want to bother your pedi or family members. Its also just a great informtive book about child care.

By far, my favorite pre-firstborn book, and I have read a lot of them! I would recommend this to anyone who would like solid, medical advice, in plain language, without feeling like they are being preached at. The author is obviously passionate about several subjects-- I would expect no less from any pediatrician-- but I do appreciate that "Dr. B's Opinions" are clearly called out as such.

Several reviews "warn" readers that Dr. Brown serves as a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. It seems like that would be a positive, but what do I know. In this reviewer's opinion, Baby 411 gives balanced advice backed by up-to-date, relevant, scientific research. I suppose, however, I should offer a disclaimer about this book:

I realize science has given us all sorts of crazy theories, like "evolution" and "global warming." If you doubt the veracity of those zany notions, you may not appreciate this book. Specifically, if you believe that an individual who received a bachelor's degree, then attended four years of medical school, then spent three years in a residency program focused entirely on children's medical care, then passed board exams and earned the right to put F.A.A.P. after the M.D. behind her name is somehow unqualified to offer medical advice about your child, then you will not enjoy this book.

If, however, you value the advice of a professional who can speak in plain language without belittling you, this is the baby book for you.

Do also check out Baby411.com; it's an excellent supplement to the book.

For the most part I LOVE THIS BOOK. But it is inaccurate in the description of the babywise book. "On Becoming Babywise" is the other book I am using and have read it from cover to cover and Baby 411 describes it inaccurately. Just beware with this book and the "reviews" it gives of the other books and methods.

This is a must have book. I purchase it for every new Mom I know. Dr Ari Brown has provided me with so much great information. I won't let anyone borrow this book because I use it so often! I just buy them their own.

I had the 2nd edition of this book. This was my bible for the few months before and after my daughter was born. It's funny, esay to read, and made me feel prepared (well as much as you can feel prepared for a newborn baby.)

Right from the gitgo Ben Hamper's Rivethead grabs you with gritty gusto of passages such as the above; Hamper is an extraordinary writer about life for the ordinary guy... at least the ordinary guy who winds up as an automotive assembly-line worker for General Motors in Flint, Michigan--once considered the Automobile Capital of the World. The author is a natural shop rat, growing up in Flint, with an alcoholic mostly absentee father and a long-suffering, working-three-jobs mother trying to raise the family as practicing Catholics.

...

For my complete review of this book and for other book and movie
reviews, please visit my site [...]

Brian Wright
Copyright 2008

The endless monotony and idiot bosses drive anybody with an IQ above their shoe size to do something to kill the thought that, if they're lucky, they only have 30 more years of mind numbing drudgery to go before they can retire. I'm not saying alcohol abuse is the proper outlet, but it does seem to be the most common and most convenient. Good book, excellent portrayal of what exactly "blue collar America" does for a living.

Ben Hamper shares his life as a worker on the GM assembly line in Flint, MI. Bold, frank, honest and often hilarious. This book was recommended to me years ago and for some reason I never read it until now. Hamper chronicles a part of American history (manufacturing jobs) that seem to be going stateside or as Ross Perot once described in a quip about NAFTA, what's that whoosing noise? manufacturing jobs headed to Mexico. This is prose for the ages. Loved the book.

I didn't really like reading this book because I too work in a (once) major three Auto plant. I didn't feel that it properly portrayed some of the workers. It made it sound like all workers are like the author where they just really don't give a damn about anything except having a joking time on the job. It also made the workers sound like they were underachieving, undereducated, bottom of the barrel workers and I didn't care to have that stigma for all of us. I hold two bachelor degrees, like my job and take it serious!

I grew up with people like Ben Hamper in a place which was much like Flint. For the first couple years of my adult life, I did the kind of work he did. What he describes is the tail end of a lifestyle; the lifestyle of the shop rat. It's dirty, monotonous and smelly. Many of the people you work with are either below average in intelligence or in sanity. Drugs, booze and having no concept of "forethought" are fundamental parts of the culture. It's nihilism with a rivet gun. If you come from a place like that, chances are, your only way out is via a jail cell or a career in the military. Or, you could win a workmans comp suit. Which is presumably how Ben got out.

I miss rust-belt working class america. It's a hard life, and it doesn't have much in the way of rewards, but the people who make it up are genuine in ways that others are not: they have a lot of heart and spirit. Ben's book brought it all back in a great galloping rush of memories. If you've ever wondered what the factory working classes are, or at least were like (back when we had factories); read the book.

This book is awesome!
there's alot of pictures and stuff about the movie!
i love it

The book was full of pictures of the cast, etc., but also full of information about the film, how it was made, and everything. Much more than I expected. Very good!

This is WELL worth the money. This book is well made and has TONS of great pictures from the movie.

Incredibly well put together guide! Great behind the scenes info, GORGEOUS Movie stills and behind the scenes photos! A must have for every Twilight fan!

Great pictures and very informative. I enjoyed reading about how certain scenes were made, the different locations the movie was shot, and how the cast and crew had to endure the harsh weather conditions while filming.

Regan is desperate for her own life: a good family, a circle of friends, and perhaps even a boyfriend. She wants to feel like her life is normal, except she has to deal with something that she can't tell anybody about. Her brother, Liam, is transgender. He lives his life day to day in a boy's body, but longs to look like the girl he feels like on the inside. Regan keeps the secret, and allows Liam to transform nightly into Luna, but as she gets older, the secret becomes harder and harder to deal with.

This book is told in the point of view of Regan, but I felt her bond with Liam was strong enough to allow us to understand his emotion's as well. I loved the flashbacks that Regan had about her childhood throughout the book. They were strategically placed to allow us a bigger insight in to their lives and struggles.

Luna has a unique storyline when dealing with Liam, but most people can relate in some way to the siblings. Regan and Liam aren't that much different from each other, for they both wish to be loved and accepted. I enjoyed this book immensely and felt that Liam's struggles were dealt with in a nice, realistic way. I only wish that we could continue their story and find out what happens to Regan and Liam in the future. Luna is funny, thought-provoking, and emotional.



More? www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com

Luna is a well written description of growing up transgender. I speaks of the complexities and heartbreaks of living in an intolerant world. I would recommend it to anyone who relates to transgender issues.

this was a phenomenal story about struggle and rebirth. the story focuses on a transgendered guy through the eyes of his sister. and quite honestly i didn't go to sleep last night as i read it from start to finish.

the whole story is about how luna (liam's true self) is trapped within liam, and liam is a construction what the most acceptable way he can exist without revealing his true self turns out to be, which throughout the book we are told is like a shell of a person. regan, the sister, has known from a young age that her brother is really a sister and devotes her entire life to keeping up the facade of liam and dealing with luna's problems. as a result regan doesn't really have an identity. both she and luna are repressed 'liam' liam being society's rejection of transgendered individuals, and 'liam' stifles those who know the truth to the point where the death of the individual wouldn't matter because the spirit, their soul, is already dead, crushed by society's rigid rejection. as depressing as that sounds however, this book is a phoenix rising out of the ashes story. for most of the novel everyone rejects luna, even regan and liam as they are more embarrased and wanting to keep luna underground more than anything else. as the story progresses however, luna decides that she needs to make herself known, she needs to break free, so she hesitantly goes about doing this, at first just recognizing this fact, than taking ever growing steps toward freedom. people accept or reject her as this process takes shape, but the only viewpoints the readers focus in on are luna/ liam's and regans. we never hear the final conclusion the other characters come to, which is appropriate as we can fill in our own selves or those we know into those characters, because this is very much an unfinished story as sexism still exists in a huge way today.

for most of the book regan is just used as a lense through which the reader can learn about luna and has no personality or character of her own, but she along with luna, comes to the realization that she has no 'self' because of 'liam' and though she doesn't act on it the way luna does, she gets proddings from the outside world (in the shape of a new guy in school) to bring attention to her own life and not focus everything on luna.

i teared up a few times reading this. everyone has an inner self to let out, it's a struggle we all go through, some more so than others.

I enjoyed the vivid portrayals of the four family members -- mother, father, sister and Luna, the male-to-female transgender teenager. Luna is impatient and exercises poor judgment, just as one would expect of a teenage transgender individual. Luna's younger sister is actually the central character, as she finds herself conflicted, caught in the middle and consumed by Luna's needs, all of which is tough on a shy teenager trying to make her own way through school and relationships. The reader pulls for her every step of the way. Although the book's crisis scene is somewhat predictable, it is still entertaining as it impacts the well-characterized family members. There is even a twist or two at the end to make for a very satisfying read and a sense of completeness, even though Luna's life in many ways is just beginning.

Regan's brother, Liam, is one person by day and another by night. Literally. During the day, he is Liam but during the night, his inner-self comes out in the form of Luna, a girl. She spends the night in her sister's bed room, trying on wigs and clothes.

Regan is the only one who knows about Liam's true identity and she isn't exactly sure how to deal with it. Besides dealing with Liam, she struggles with normal teen problems - boys, grades, and her job.

When I picked up this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. For my local book club, we had to read a book about accepting people and another one of the girls suggested this book to me. I have absolutely no problem with the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender issue but I wasn't sure if I could handle reading about it in detail, especially not knowing what to expect. However, since I respect Julie Anne Peters as an author (Far From Xanadu is brilliant), I decided to give it a try. I wasn't let down.

This book is great and you should definitely read it as long as transgender doesn't bother you. It doesn't go into too much detail, but explains the struggles of Regan dealing with her older brother whom is truly a girl inside. The characters are believable, the dialogue is great, and the plot is amazing. It's definitely a book you won't want to put down once you start. I read it in less than five hours with a few breaks. Even if you aren't sure you'll like it, give this book a chance!

This book was written by two outsourcing consultants. While it has some useful information, the sales pitch (hire a consultant, hire a consultant, hire a consultant) is too much. The authors should have hired an editor. I bought their book. I would not hire them as consultants.

The book successfully provides a 20,000 foot view of key aspects of outsourcing, including a deeper focus on Business process outsourcing. The content of the book is divided into three key parts
* How to plan, lead and manage outsourcing initiatives
I found this section really relevant to sourcing professionals, especially for those focused on `buy' side of sourcing
* The indispensable guide to finding an outsourcing career
This section is peppered with a few interesting ideas, especially for those in the west who are coming to grips with the Outsourcing elephant in the room
* The indispensable guide for outsourcing entrepreneurs
More of a Business 101 with a bit of sourcing focus

The topics covered are vast so doing justice to every aspect of sourcing is hard. I only wish the authors had brought in further depth in a topics like Risks (with a capital R) Governance, SLAs and other operational challenges .

Overall a good guide book for those looking for an overview on the topic.

Outsourcing buyers, clients, advisors, analysts, investors, managers, executives and media all quote this book as the "bible of outsourcing"! We're looking forward to the 2008 edition which is coming out next year.

God of a book of outsourcing..still half way..need to complete it,
my profession is into this so it makes a lot of relevance Douglas Brown and Scott narration is awesome..

will write more

Sachith
Recruise India Consulting
Managing Director

This book is excellent. It discusses why outsourcing is essential for doing business and the process requried to do so. It is straight forward, good for not only for Companies interested to outsource, but also anybody who is interested to learn about outsourcing.

Recently I bought Ed Emberley's Drawing Book of Animals for my five year old daughter who loves art, but wanted more formal training. This book is *perfect*! Everything about it is tailored for children who can draw some shapes and it progresses from simple animals to the lovely, elaborate dragon at the end. My daughter is learning how to draw better shapes (and animals) without getting frustrated. The step-by-step simple instructions capture a child's attention and makes them more focused on the process than the end result. Overall, a really wonderful book!

I had this book as a kid and loved it - no written instructions, just step by step pictures that are easy to follow. My 11-yr old and 7-yr old both like it. The final pictures are full of character and are really fun. This may not be a book for a kid who's really serious about drawing, but it's great fun for the average artist, adults included.

I bought this book for my 4 yr old son. He has learnt to draw many animals from this book. He is able to follow directions and draw all by himself. He has been doing a pretty good job too. This is a good book if you or your child need step by step instructions to draw animals.

I bought this book for my 4 1/2 year old but really for myself since I'm a horrible artist! This book allowed us to draw the animals together and he was able to follow the steps easily. If you can write the letter "D", "C" and stright and squiggly lines you can duplicate any animal is this book. Pretty cool since my son used to not like art of any sort but now he is in this drawing phase. I'm going to buy some other of these books in the series.

I love this book. I had this book as a child (in the 80's) and I was so excited to see that I could purchase one for my daughter. My child is in pre-school and has been practicing drawing basic shapes. Ed Emberley's book teaches children (and adults) how to draw animals by piecing together basic shapes such as squares, circles, triangles, etc. The directions are easy to follow, and show you step-by-step how to combine different shapes into a final product. I would recommend this book for any age group, from a child who is just learning to draw to an adult who loves to doodle.

Covers many aspects of success. Lots of good thoughts in this book that you will find from other great authors on the topic of success.

You will find the role of emotional intelligence in making decisions and why there needs to be both rational and emotional intelligence in order to be successful. Some tend to lean in either direction but it's hard to be balanced in both.

There are several topics explored that could have used greater narration but the overall book is good.

It leaves you to explore things like the scientific value of positive energy and it's role in succcess through quantum physics.

One year ago, in Feb 2006, I took a big step on my journey. Sometime before that, I had already begun to understand that in order for my life to change, it would have to begin with my taking responsibility... for EVERYTHING in my life.

A few months earlier, I had lost what I loved most in this world - my parents. I was richer than royalty for having had them in my life. They taught me the true meaning of what it means to be loving and selfless. But, without them, I felt there was nothing left for me here in NYC. I was ready to move away... but it didn't feel right yet.

I responded to an employment ad in the NY Times; the word "Mentor" attracted me as few, if any employers, ever use that word. Within a few days, I was sitting across the table from two men who were interviewing me for a position - one of them was Vincent Roazzi.

I'd go on for pages here if I told you everything I'd like to share with you about Vinny. From the moment I started reading his book that same day, I knew I wanted to spend as much time as possible with this person and learn from him. Sometimes, I'd linger at the office just to sit at a desk beside him, hoping that I'd get to chat with him on some evenings. Vinny answers you with questions; admittedly, a bit frustrating at times, but it leads you to the right answers for YOU.

You'll never find any huge fanfare and blinking neon lights pointing Vinny out from a crowd. He doesn't do much (anything?) at all to promote his book. Yet he knows very well some of the greats such as Bob Proctor and Joe Vitale. And I'm sure they are not surprised to see the word "Integrity" in the title of his book.

Read his book...you'll be glad you did. And while you're reading it, remember this: He didn't become rich telling people how to do what he has never done, which seems to be an easy way to fame and fortune for a lot of people. Vinny scraped bottom at a time when he had a wife and five children to support at home. He learned a formula for success, and has been teaching others that same formula for over 15 years. But you will also learn from his book that although people want change... ironically, they don't want to change.

If YOU are at the lowest point of your life, or ready to make things HAPPEN rather than feeling like you're a victim of HAPPENSTANCE, Vinny's story will inspire you and, hopefully, move you to take action. Or if you're using a formula for success that just doesn't seem to be working, stop for a moment and learn Vinny's way... it's a little different from what you've probably learned in the last 5, 10, 20+ years.

Thank you, Vinny, for your generosity in so many ways. May the Universe keep and bless you and your family for many years to come.

~Denise Michelle 02/04/07
[...]

For many years I have been studying and practising 'manifestation' and wondering why my results were so limited. I found the answer in this book, along with many other answers. This book differs from other books in the same genre in that it is absolutely clear and solid, marrying spiritual wisdom with practical insight. I can't recommend this book too highly, and will be applying its principles to my own life.

To say that Spirituality of Success is chicken soup for the soul would be too cliche`, yet that's exactly what it is. If you're willing to be brutally honest with yourself, I'd recommend Roazzi's book because it can make an improvement in your life as it did in mine. All my friends to whom I've recommended it have thanked me. One of the encouraging things I learned from reading this book is that if you're one of those people who have always felt like the "odd man/woman out", take heart. We're the ones who are right! The rest of the world is screwed up.

I'm very selective about what I read and not easily impressed. When I heard Vinny on NPR I knew I had to buy this book. I have recommended it numerous times already as one of the most important and helpful books I have ever read. This book shows how to be a successful person - not just businessman. It's principles are simple and timeless - and what is particularly great - really gleaned from what the author learned in recovery (a 12-step program). A reviewer said it was a good book, but without much practical help. That couldn't be further from the truth. This book was worth a $1000. seminar. It guided me and motivated me, and truly saved me when everything in my life was changing - including work. Thank you Vinny! You're da man!

This is an excellent book for anyone in the PI industry, and also contains a great deal of useful information for anyone just curious about how the industry works. Many current references, a nice background on the industry and a thorough overview of particular niches. I am very impressed with this item!

A great book for beginning PI's or those that are thinking of going into the business. Great reference book!

It is a very good and exciting introduction to the study of private investigating. He covers a broad range of subjects in the field, and helps you with further studies. Thanks Steve My friends think it is good also because I have not recieved it back yet.

This is a very good book for someone who knows nothing or very little about investigations. Some advice is common sense but other are very good techniques almost anyone can use. The writer is an ex FBI agent who knows what he is talking about. The book also has very good advice on getting free (or at a very low price) information. It's a very good reading even if you are not going to work as a P.I.

I have finished reading this book, and here are my findings:

The book is very easy to read. In some portions, it is almost a page turner, and you could forget you're reading an instruction text. The information is presented clear and accurate, with enough personal stories to put the use of the techniques into context without becoming too "wordy" or redundant. The book does not extensively cover legal terminology or evidence collection and photography procedures (for that, I'd recommend "The Process of Investigation" by Sennewald and Tsukayama), but it does a great job of covering the basic techniques of Surveillance, Interviewing, Interrogation, Internet Database and Public Records Searchies and other Electronic Surveillance measuresOverall I would say that this book is a must read for anyone who is considering entering the field of Private Investigation.

I read this in Elementary School in Dallas TX in 3rd grade (at least twice) and 4th and 5th a few times as well, so 1972, 1973, 1974. Have like others looked for it off / on ever since. Peggy Bacon is also an artist in the Smithsonian. This book is a classic and historical in so many ways, insane it is not available. The TwoLakesPress.com site of Sean D.'s still says he plans to re-publish it, hopefully that will still happen, if not maybe he out to give the rights to the Smithsonian Institution and let them publish it and sell it through their museum Gift Shops and online. One way or another this book should be made available to those looking for it early in the 21st Century to the kids and grandkids etc of those who enjoyed it during the latter half of the 20th Century, by one of the most well recognized early female artists of the entire 20th century. Peggy Bacon's The Ghost of Opalina (or Nine Lives) deserves a tenth life at the least!

I read this book in my school library when I was 9, and the pain of not being able to share it with my kids became so great that I finally did what you all have asked: I have arranged to reprint this book! Once the book is ready, I will have it available through Amazon.com. You can stay updated on its progress if you look up Two Lakes Press. We hope to recapture a bunch of books that are languishing in oblivion, and we are looking forward to showing them off on Amazon.com.

This was a splendid book which even as an adult I wouldn't mind reading over again. In short, the story is based on the nine lives of one clever feline, Opalina. Opalina is now a ghost who still resides in her manor house and shares her various stories with two children who are the newest residents. I read this book when I was about 10 or 11 years old. The thing I particularly remember enjoying about the book is that the narrative takes you back to bygone times. I can't remember if there were any direct historical references, yet it felt as if I was getting a history lesson. There was a great feeling of adventure when you traveled back with Opalina and she shared her stories which were happy and sad, humorous and playful. Overall, it was an excellent blend of fantasy and realism and it wasn't too over the top that a child wouldn't understand the various stories and how they all interconnect. An excellent read for children of all ages, I just wish it was easier to find.

Like others, I checked this out from the school library over and over. I so wanted to share it with my kids. I looked for it every where I went. I even contacted the publisher! When I finally got it I read it out loud to the entire family, husband included! He wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It was like having an old friend back.

This is the best book that I have ever read. It involves a cat ghost who helps children in all of the different ages up until modern times. If I were you, I would read this book. People might think this is a chilling tale about a ghost, but it is a very funny tale about friendship. My mom read it when she was little and she read it to me. Someone stole it from our library, so now we can't read it anymore. There are no other books like it. This is the best book in the whole world.from Camille

The author raises several intersting perspectives in this book. In today's hectic stressed-out world, it is sometimes helpful to stop and reflect upon what one is trying to accomplish, and how one is going about it. This book helps in that regard. A good read.

I found it very inspirational, and it will make me take a closer look at my `ways of life' as they are today. I couldn't read the book fast enough ... was sorry when it ended! Family and friends are key - I wouldn't be where I am without them! What seemed so important before, will probably be questionable in the future.

Go make a circle ... I can now relate!

Brown's work is entertaining, instructive, and coldly honest all at once. He makes the very salient recommendation to find those things most important in life, i.e. work, family, friends, and play, and integrate them as soon as you possibly can in the name of Venn Efficiency, and personal satisfaction. The book caused some introspection as to the integration of the spheres in my own life, and the choices that I have made, and continue to make. And as Tony points out, I own my choices, so to ignore the above, is at my expense, while also MY fault.

I cant wait to get to the next fork in my road.

Instead of waiting for the movie, I did have the opportunity to read Mr. Brown's book on the train ride into work. As I took in the thought provoking verses and awesome photo's (would love a copy of the GG Bridge one)I looked around at my fellow commuters and thought...how many of these people spend the time to think about Venn Diagrams and intersections in life. Great book that I plan to pass around to other family and friends as required reading. Looking forward to the movie - I see Owen Wilson in the lead.

I finished Happy Guide last night...and I loved it! I grew up in rural NC and can identify with just about everything in this quick read. I just watched a close friend die after a two year battle with cancer. And Brown's prediction was bang on - my friend didn't change; in fact, his characteristics were more obvious than ever. This and so many other similar experiences have told me that we aren't promised tomorrow, so I have learned to live each and every day as if it might be my last. I have tried hard to tell everyone who means anything to me exactly how I feel about them...all the time. No words should go unsaid. My mom died when I was 13, she actually committed suicide. There are many words I wish I had said to her, but didn't. Just one of my life lessons. Anyway, in the spirit of Al Gore, I would say Brown's 'Happy Guide to a Short Life' is full of 'inconvenient truisms', which made me laugh and think. My wife was trying to watch TV and I kept busting out laughing and reading sections to her. She finally said, "That book sounds great - stop reading to me - I want to read it myself." Mr. Brown's book, IMHO, is much better than Ms. Quindlen's!