Brown Books

Readers interested in fiction about prostitution may also enjoy Naked in Haiti: A sexy morality tale about tourists, prostitutes & politicians. It is probably more entertaining than Yama, and perhaps a bit more generous to prostitution.

For some reason I had never even heard of Yama until recently. Just imagine my surprise upon picking this up and finding a spectacular classic. Kuprin does indeed tread that fine line between cheese and morality (both being boorish methods of storytelling) to create a truly human picture of Russian society. If you are interested in the glorification of vice and youthful indiscretions, please reread Burroughs, Miller or Selby. Likewise, if you are interested in moral high ground, stick to Tolstoy. Here, Kuprin deftly defies the clichés to create not only a wonderful illustration of Russian life but a great story as well. This is amazing considering the time period in which it was written.

Alexander Kuprin dedicated this book to the motherhood and the youth. And even though it deals with unspeakable horrors of people living and acting worse than any beasts imaginable, it's at its heart about friendship, love, and devotion. These virtues, most often absent in the world of the riches, are found in what seems to be the deepest pit (yama) of social injustice.
I read this book in high school, lured in by Kuprin's other famous stories, such as "The Duel" (his first success, just as impressive as the later ones), "Gambrinus" or "The Bracelet of Garnets." Back then the emotional punch of "The Pit" pushed me to become a strong believer in women's rights, and helped me to form a solid idea of what a true man is as opposed to the dispeakable "men" portrayed by Kuprin's stinging prose.
Now, as an adult, I firmly believe that this book is a must read for any growing man, so that he learns how to be human in the highest sense of the word, as opposed to "respectable" and heartless "consumers" like so many showcased in this story.
NB: why do the words "a novel of prostitution" appear in the title? It's not in the original and absolutely unnecessary. What should appear instead is "a novel of real life".

This book was widely praised by the Bolsheviks during and just after the Russian Revolution even though the author fought with the White Russians and was forced into exile in Paris at the conclusion of the Revolution. The book was made into a film in 1936 by the Japanese director Kenji Mizoguchi.

ALEXANDER KUPRIN (1870 ~ 1938) was a Russian who opposed the Bolshevic revolution and thus found himself an exile in Paris. he wrote strong novels of realism. Yama: The Pit shocked the world with its graphic presentation of life in Russian brothels and the inherent violence prevelent in the underside of Russian urban life. It is a brutal, but honest portrayal and, even through translation, one realizes that Kuprin was a great writer with a strong style.

I've been where Mr. Brown was and I can honestly say that he hit the mark with "Men Bleed Too." Although everyone's experience is different, everyone's experiences are also the same; the frustration, the worry, the loving support is all there in living color with no holding back.

It is a fascinating study of the caregiver's role and what WE go through. Most of the attention is given to the patient for good reason, but we caregivers go through a lot too. In fact, my wife told me that she would rather be her (the cancer patient) than me (the caregiver).

You will come away from this book with a much better understanding and more compassion for the caregivers - Mr. Brown did a great job capturing the essence of his experience.

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader's Views (11/06)

This is the story of Barbara Brown's fight with cancer as told by her husband, Thomas. In December of 1992 a cancerous tumor was discovered in Barbara's right breast. Written from a man's point of view, "Men Bleed Too" provides basic information to help the male caretaker through the process and journey of this lonely battle for the life of a loved one. The subtitle of the book sums up Thomas Brown's account, "A Compelling Story About One Man's Struggle to Help His Wife Fight Breast Cancer!"

Tom began journaling detailed events of Barbara's battle, medical care, and emotional stability in December of 1992. The journal became the focal point of his day. His entries include medical decisions, care management, medications, treatments prescribed, and the emotional roller coaster of feelings related to both the bad news and the encouraging signs of small miracles. This is a story of inner courage, strength in crisis, and of an unwavering faith.

After treatment for the original breast cancer it was discovered that Barbara had another battle to face, leukemia. The Brown's story includes discussion of treatment procedures, chemotherapy, surgery, recurrence, infections and pulmonary arrest. These detailed explanations of the disease, the treatment, medications and their side effects make this an important guide for any cancer caregiver.

I was especially touched as Thomas shared the closeness of his family relationships and of the strength he received from his sons and other family members even as he was in the process of helping them through the process of impending loss and grief.

I identified with Thomas as he shared how he handled the mundane daily routines that provide both structure and escape from facing the uncertainty of disease. As Tom tells of things like, walking the dogs, mowing the lawn, and reporting for work, he helps the reader realize they are not alone in facing the issues that accompany the role of a caregiver. After fighting the disease for nearly two years, Barbara died. Her long and determined struggle was characteristic of her strength and character as a person.

The author's desire in writing this book was to help those with loved ones battling cancer. He has succeeded in doing this by sharing his deepest emotions and intimate details of his struggle.

I appreciated Brown's honesty and openness. He is articulate and a gifted communicator. Whether facing cancer or other debilitating disease, this is a book that will provide valuable information and inspiration to help the reader meet the challenge ahead. This is an excellent guidebook and a heartwarming story.

Finally there is a book that men can read to understand what they can do to support their loved ones who are in a battle with Breast Cancer.
Written by a real "man's man" who taught at the Army War College (taught stufff about how to conquor nations & blow stuff up) yet was able to communicate some of the most insightful, sensitive and beautiful emotions tied to his love of his wife & how he helped her in her battle with Breast Cancer. Left me breathless. How can we clone this guy???
Quite simply: Doctors should give a copy of the book to all husbands/significant others of Breast Cancer patients when they deliver the diagnosis to the patient.

"Men Bleed Too" is the most honest, graphically detailed account of a beautiful woman who lost her blessed life to the deadly disease of cancer. This book is a true story of the life and death of Barbara Brown, my sister-in-law, whose life on earth was cut way too short by the deadly disease of inflammatory breast cancer. Barbara's husband, Tom Brown, warmly portrays the life of the cancer battle through a detailed journal of her illness including his and Barb's feelings throughout the diagnosis and treatment. This book makes you feel to the core, the hardness of life when an illness strikes a family. Cancer has touched all of us in someway, but many of us don't understand the depth of what caregivers experience physically and emotionally. "Men Bleed Too" takes you through all the emotions through the eyes and heart of the patient and husband. The story is sad: but Barbara's life was far from it. She lives on with us, her family and friends in this wonderful story of total courage. This book will help others in understanding life, illness and death, but most importantly love.

Not ever having experienced a debilitating disease, this book places the reader in the midst of the chaos and heartbreak that is breast cancer. Several times throughout I had to set the book aside and continue reading it later--It was simply too much to handle.

I applaud Mr. Brown on being able to share so candidly what he experienced. It's one thing listening to a televised interview of of breast cancer patients/survivors -- but television doesn't allow the time OR cover the depth of what REALLY goes on.

Reading this journal truly opened my eyes and opened up discussions between me and my husband on what we would do if we were faced with this situation. I recommend this book to all people...ESPECIALLY those of us that have been spared such a terrible tragedy.

I read this book many years ago and had very fond memories of it...started looking for a copy and bought one via Internet several months ago.
This book would make a lovely "period" piece of a movie. The book has so much to say about being open to new experiences and respect for other cultures--wonderfully nuanced as to the different points of view of the characters--and it is such a sweet love story.
Just saw Frances McDormand's new movie yesterday Miss Pettigrew lives for a day--which has much the same light-weight world within a bubble atmosphere and was totally enjoyable because it was so well done...
McDormand produced it so you know it was book she fell in love with--no studio would have touched it otherwise and married to the Cohen god she has lots of arms to twist ...

wish someone with that same type of clout would discover Miss One Thousand Spring Blossoms...

As beautiful a book as its title. If you liked Memoirs of a Geisha, you will love this.

It is simpler and sweeter and possibly much more memorable than Geisha, more haunting.

I wish it were more widely known so I could reminisce about it with friends. I'm happy it is not because it remains a delicate memory.

This is a wonderful love story about a beautiful geisha and an 'everyman' (who considers himself an utter failure with women). After that it is a terrific story of the initial clash of two cultures, with people (from both) having misconceptions and prejudices about the other. In the end just about every character realizes how wrong those initial ideas were and that an open mind is a pretty valuable commodity. [Would love to see this turned into a really good movie...with Russell Crowe or Ioan Gruffudd perhaps as Richard Seaton? (It would have to be set in the '60s - before computers, world travel became so common and when isolationism was the norm in the US).] One of my favorite books, to be reread often.

John ball has done great job in narrating the experience of an American facing the Japanese culture with the fine tunes of romance woven in it. The characters of people are nicely built. The description of Japanese culture is excellent. The author has dealt the realationship with Richard and Miss One thousand spring blossoms with great sensitivity and very realistically. The supporting characters play a very strong but subtle role in bulding the story. A great reading.... Really a master piece from a great story writer. A Must read.

This is one of my all time favorite books. The descriptions of the cultures coliding are wonderful. The characters all grow and learn from each other. Richard learns to like himself and to enjoy the differences between life in Japan and Boston. The description of Richard's first experience in the Japanese bath totally describes the feelings of being overseas, alone, and totally confused.

My experiences as a US Army family member in Japan were good and my memories are happy ones. This book reminds me of all the reasons I fell in love with the country and it's gentle people.

This is a wonderful love story.

The play opens and closes with a corpse on stage, but the laughs never die in between. This is dark humour at its exquisite depth. Its treatment of humanity, loneliness, and the socially eccentric is delicate, hilarious and poignant. It's a fast, funny and touching read, and its production should be brought to life over and over again.

[ASIN:1438250347 Morticians in Love]
[ASIN:B001BNORN6 Morticians in Love]

Stewart-Brown's play is a master lesson in economy. Each word points the action forward. There's not a breath wasted, not a moment of indulgent writing. And it's terribly darkly funny with a poignant undercurrent and great ending.

Surprising, hilarious, quirky and true to life as we all really know it. Whether you read it to yourself, share it with a group of friends or - gasp! - put on a show, you'll have them rolling in the aisles.

i think thomas merton said that....this play has dark elements, sure...but its IN the darkness that a love story of the heart emerges, and the relationships here are all too familiar. Anyone who has experienced any degree of unrequited love will fall in love with Limer. It would be a good double feature with the film "Breaking the Waves" in terms of what it says about the degree of sacrifice one goes to in the throes of love. The metaphor has never been stronger than in this extremely funny, extremely sad play. Joe Orton with a heart. Christi Stewart-Brown is a remarkable writer.

...Morticians in Love! So glad it is available here now. I first saw it on stage at Woolly Mammoth Theatre in Washington DC. It would make a great film. Brilliant dark comedy!

I grew up with Donald Brown in Opp, Ala. We are the same age. His service in the Merchant Marines in WWII somehow left him at a loss for closure, and he thought perhaps a lifetime commitment to the US Army would give him the career he wanted. The four years he spent in the Army, including battle time in Korea, were probably the most intense four years of his life. Donald is not a professional writer, but somehow he has brought not only the fortotten war into focus, he has brought the experience of what it took to survive in the curious world of the military in war time. Difficult as it was, Donald Brown survived, and survives today, by his many strengths, of which he had no idea he possessed. Well, I'm proud of the boy.

Wonderful book in which Mr. Brown shows us a very human side of war. He wrote with humor, compassion, and dignity. Once I started the book, I could not put it down.

A " Great Read" My Korea is a story about a young man trying to find his niche in an unsettled time. From recurit, to officer to Medal Of Honor. The author catches your attention ,then tells his story with humor and compassion. I rated this 5 Star.

This is the first book I have found that talked to the reader at ground level, not to high command levels. Very readerable, very enjoyable.

A touching...sometimes humorous...look at the US Army from a small-town boy of the '50's. Not your usual blood and guts action novel, this is the true story of a young man's journey through the Army and into a war...a war our Nation was most comfortable denying. His story is one of becoming a leader, and the people he met along the way. A heart-warming look at the human side of war.

One of the things I love about this series is the newspaper at the end. In "Nabbed!" there's a 1925 edition of "The INspector" newspaper that puts the events of the book into context. There are articles about Al Capone, the Scopes trial, Houdini, and even some 1920s lingo. Even as an adult, I found it really entertaining! And the book itself is fantastic - how could a story about a ghost plane and a scary mansion with hidden passages NOT be?!?

We purchased Nabbed! and Swindled! for our nephews based on some glowing recommendations from friends. The boys loved the taunt mystery and suspense doled out in equal portions and actually learned a little history in the process. The author appears to be an up-and-coming writer with young adult sensibilities and knows what his target audience is looking for. Tell your kids to put down Harry Potter and pick up Swindled and Nabbed!

It was very adventurous! I don't want to give away the ending, but it was a surprise to me! I loved it!

My 5th grade class and I read this very engaging selection as part of our genre study. I was uncertain of what to expect of my students in the way of interest and motivation to read mysteries. They absolutely LOVED this book! They are begging for more Bill Doyle books!

Wow! My daughter's whole class is enthralled with "Nabbed!" -- she picked it out to bring in and now the teacher reads them a chapter a day after lunch. The kids appreciate that the narrator is a kid, too and speaks their language -- it's not just another adult lecturing them. It's exciting for the kids and they like the adventure. The plots have enough twists to be interesting, but not TOO many as to be confusing. As a parent, I love it because she is enjoying reading and isn't watching TV or sighing that she's bored. I also love that she's learning some history, too. Highly recommended from a mom of three!

If you know anything about the Peanuts Gang, you cannot help but lve them. In this collection Schulz, has outdone himself again. Anyone seeking a good laugh or a smile brought to a cloudy day should take a look at this.

Here it is, a book which contains all of the Peanuts cartoons created in the year 1991. Some jokes come out flat, but most get smiles, chuckles, or even out-loud laughter for their creativity, orignality..and a good punchline always helps.

Sure, computer-generated strips are the new thing, but you can't really mess with the strip that changed comics...

I could not put this book down. A whole year of this comic is so funny. i know that i can relate to everyone of the penuts gang.

This is a most charming collection of the antics of the round-headed kid we all love. With comics from a year's worth of newspapers, including the Sundays, you'll have enough to read to keep you entertained, over and over again. Not only are the Peanuts Gang funny, but inspiring, touching, sad, and as the title indicates, sometimes even profound. With Linus' wise advice, Lucy's sassy attitude, and Snoopy's admirable imagination, Charles Shulz' creations give us insight to the most enigmatical yet simplest part of our lives: our childhoods. Read the comics once and laugh, but read them again, look into the words more, and see the other emotions buried underneath. Charles Shulz was truly a genius, and the world will miss him.

I enjoyed this so much that I read it in one sitting. I never realized how much more enyoyable the Peanuts strips would be when you read them one after another, rather than one-a-day!

My MIL got this for my 3-year-old when she was being difficult about bedtime, and I think it helped. She loved hearing about how Otto didn't want to go to bed, but he did anyway and then got to dream about his favorite things. Very cute (and not at all annoying for the parent who will have to read it over and over and over!).

I returned this book to the library weeks ago and my 18 month old daughter is still asking me for "Otto!!!" multiple times a day/every day. So, I will have to buy the book...she just got really excited by seeing the picture of the book on the computer. It is a very simple story and the illustrations are basic, but she loves it.

Our 20 month old daughter loves her Otto books. They are filled with cute illustrations and easy to follow stories, with good messages.

my daughter & i love all the todd parr books. the illustrations are always bright and engaging. and in the course of just a few words, he manages to convey important messages, without being preachy. it's all based on a very simple thought, "be nice". we could all learn a lot from his books.

My daughters are fans of Todd Parr's series, Todd World, so they begged me to buy this book. This plucky dog with an active imagination who doesn't feel like going to bed isn't Benny, the dog from the TV show, but he's very similar. Though even if you aren't familiar with the Todd World characters, how could you fall in love with Otto? It's a great story of bed time routines and how thinking about all the things one likes to do can lead to pleasant bedtimes and even better dreams. The illustrations are bold, colorful and happy. My preschoolers love everything about this book and so do I, quite frankly. I can't tell you how many times I've read it at bedtime and still, every time this book gets picked out (and it happens a lot) it is always a joy to read.

This is a good book even though I gave it 4 stars. It has some VERY interesting author stories and the tips are very well to listen to if you didn't grow up in a private school. They will help you to advance in life.

Thourlby delivers a masterful exposition of what can be called the Truth of Human Relationships, whereas other authors may treat the subject simply as schmoozing. What sets Thourlby apart is that his context is respect for the self and respect for others and that a Higher Power has placed you together for a reason. Studying and executing on his program for social success is then simply an acknowledgement of reality. Whereas the prose meanders at times, this book's message is of imperative importance...a must-read.

We have received Passport To Power -- Thank you. We have many self-improvement books in our collection and it is among the best, including those of Dale Carnegie, which we have a particularly high regard for. In fact, Passport to Power appears to us in many ways to be a contemporary and more comprehensive development of Dale Carnegie's approach to life.

Like most people, I was always too embarrassed to ask anyone about all the social etiquettes that are so important in today's workplace and social life.

This book focuses immediately on the situations you'll find yourself in today's business and social world; and explains in simple detail how you may instantly resolve them, before it damages your career. Trust me; you will find this book to be a growing experience, and you will refer back to it.

Serge Barrantes

I must give this book my highest rating. When I started on the corporate ladder several years ago; a colleague recommended this reference book. Well, I can't recount the amount of times I have referred to this book and used it in my professional career. Passport to Power covers the manner in which a young professional should comport him or herself in a myriad of business and personal situations. This is a great guide to achieving success in the modern corporate world. Since reading the book, I attended a seminar conducted by Mr. Thourlby and found him to be as fascinating as his book is informative.

Anthony Gary Brown's "The Patrick O'Brian Muster Book" is truly the ultimate literary companion volume for O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin nautical historical novels. Every serious fan of the series should get a copy. Every named person, animal, ship, or even cannon gets its own entry, very often exploring obscure references (and nicely cross-referencing multiple appearances throughout the series). This new edition of Brown's work covers the entire series, including the twenty-first volume left unfinished at O'Brian's death. It serves to enhance reading (and re-reading) the novels and will provide many hours of pleasant browsing for the serious fan.

Of "our world, our wooden world," as O'Brian wrote in the Nutmeg of Consolation. As an O'Brian devotee who is compiling a quotation book for naval officers and mariners (The Literary Mariner; look for it next year), I have found this Muster Book to be more useful, in its own way, than even Dean King's excellent Sea of Words. King's work is mostly a wonderful timesaver--you needn't hunt up terms in other reference books--but Gary Brown's POB Muster Book is unique and indispensable: no where else will you find the attention paid to and the cross-referenced information on the characters, ships, and animals of the entire Aubrey-Maturin series (what one reviewer called the Aubreyiad, a term I like very much).

Once the book was in hand, for example, I was able very quickly to answer three questions that had been bothering me: was Awkward Davis and Awkward Davies the same man (yes); were the Dumanoirs mentioned separate characters (yes); and what were the names of the various cannon in Surprise.

There is a very useful and succinct summary outlining the entire series, and the lengthy essays on each of the major characters also walks through all the books from that character's perspective (warning: if you haven't read the Aubreyiad through, these will be spoilers). Gary Brown also makes good use of helpful references to biographies (Dean King's and Nikolai Tolstoy's--see my Amazon reviews) and to historical works. This is simply a stunning achievement.

As an academic, I was first introduced to O'Brian by a colleague who thought I might find it interesting to compare O'Brian's works to Jane Austen's. As I did so I became convinced that there was more than a chance connection between the authors' works, but with O'Brian's expansive Aubreyiad, trying to corroborate the simplest connection became so time consuming it was discouraging. I happened across the first edition of this book on Amazon, ordered it, and three published academic articles later, it may well be the most indispensable work in my library. So much so, that when a newer edition came out that included the last few novels O'Brian wrote, I had to have it. I haven't been disappointed. Whether you're a "fan" or an academic, Gary Brown's meticulous research is sure to add to your understanding and appreciation of the genius of Patrick O'Brian.

I must say that my recent purchase of "PO's Muster Book" is worth the investment. I wish I had bought it sooner.

I am not quite finished with all 20 and 1/2 volumes of the O'Brian 19th century odyssey, having only finished the first 18, but I became an Aubrey/Maturin junkie after reading the first two novels and watching the movie. Comprehending the wealth of people, places and events, real and imagined, combined with a liberal use of foriegn languages was difficult and intimidating. I was often confused, because I didn't readily remember names and places from one chapter to the next.

Fortunately, before I started no. 5, I discovered, through Amazon, the companion books advertized there. I purchased "Sea Of Words", "Harbors And High Seas" and "Patrick O'Brian's Navy". Problem solved. I constantly cross referenced my new literary tools several times a chapter to interpret the rich mix of story and detail woven together in O'Brian's romantic chronology. The downside is that I needed to carry a tote when I went to read at the coffee shop as well as use an extra chair to hold my not so portable library.

Recently, I have added "The Patrick O'Brian Muster Book" and I immediately liked using it. Actually, it could be a "stand alone" companion book, except that it is absent of maps, diagrams, pictures or a commentary on the life and times. I know that this type information is beyond the scope of "Muster" by nature, so, my other books are still important to me, just not needed by the night stand.

That said, I am pleased with the appearance, organization and thoroughness of "Muster". Formatted like Webster's, it is highly informational and allows quick alphabetical access to the who and the where along with the what and the when not as easily accomplished by the other companion books. I can quickly remind myself of the names and places and not lose track of the story in doing so. Additionally, it lists all O'Brian's books with a Cliff Notes style summary and along with each item is the cross reference of all mentions in the series by book and chapter. It has helpful optional references to deliniate the fact from fiction.

While I finish the series and re-read it, as I'm sure I will, "Muster" will be my favorite companion. Now, when I'm reading on the plane, I won't have as much baggage.

There are other companion books to Patrick O'Brian's world and works, but none better than this one. Being a foreigner and rather a recent fan, I really need the help of such books to attain at least the merest understanding of what's going on, so I own several others which I enjoyed enormously. However none is so complete and helpful as this one. Most recommendable.