Brown Books

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.

My daughter used to read this before leaving for school, and upon return, as if comparing notes with Otto's experience; now she reads it to her little brother. Of course we love Parr's colorful pictures and silly/funny narratives... we have almost all his books.

This book is a great book for young children about to start school. As usual, Todd Parr does a wonderful job of talking about feelings and the artwork is colorful and makes children and grownups laugh.

My daughter (who usually hates dogs!) begged for this book after she fell in love with Otto Goes to Bed. Now her little sister loves Otto too!

My son loves all the "Otto" books! This was no exception. The pictures are super - bright and cheery. The story is silly and fun. It was a great way to prepare him for his first day of "real school". I think he was relieved to know it's normal to be a little nervous!

My son absolutely loves these books. They're well illustrated and the perfect reading length for a 2-ish toddler.

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.

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.

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.

Very good guide to all the photogenic spots in the entire PA as opposed to only specific parts of PA. There is very in depth suggestions for the serious photographers (of which I am not) that "point and shoot" photographers are really not going to use, but can at least use his recommendations for site location for the scene. I found the rating system very useful to help me decide which hikes were worth my time seeing on limited time.

I've owned this book for just a week and already have corners folded and details highlighted. Inclusion of Mr. Brown's photos from these vistas just whets the appetite to experience the scene in person. Anyone who has ever tried to convey the beauty of a valley or mountaintop on film knows that even the most perfect shots don't convey the true experience unless you have been there yourself. This book will travel the state with me, year round. How long will it take me to experience each of these fantastic mountainscapes in all four seasons?

This book is very well organized and thorough. Directions and descriptions of sites are complete and easy to understand. A great tool for anyone who wants to hike to overlooks in Pennsylvania.

Scott Brown's earlier book, Pennsylvania Waterfalls, was an exceptional guidebook to rare and beautiful locations in PA, and this book is the same. There are so many wonderful vistas in Pennsylvania that no book could possibly cover them all, but Brown cherry-picked the best ones for inclusion in this work. His outstanding pictures are a joy to behold, and his photographic instruction will be useful to novice and accomplished photgraphers alike.

I've spent lots of time researching Pennsylvania vistas and overlooks, and I've even created a web site to document them. This book certainly aided my research. I've visited a number of vistas included in this work, and Brown does a great job describing the hikes, the views, and how to capture them on film. Other information about each location, such as the field of view, elevation, and GPS coordinates are icing on the cake.

My job takes me around the state on occasion, and I'm definitely going to make it a point to seek out the vistas highlighted in this book. I highly reccomend this work to anyone who's into viewing or phtographing the beautiful mountains of the Keystone state.

Just like in his 2004 offering "Pennsylvania Waterfalls," here Scott E. Brown has created a great resource for both hikers and outdoor photographers. However, in that earlier book Brown mainly focused on natural attractions that are easily reached by car or via short leisurely rambles. In contrast, here he has created special hiking routes to natural overlooks that are often quite difficult to reach without serious hiking. That's because Pennsylvania's surprisingly rugged topography creates many great vistas but most of them require real foot power to reach. So in his quest for the most photogenic mountain vistas, Brown has created a guide that includes in-depth hiking information as well as technical specifications for the professional or aspiring photographer. This results in an exceptional guide that will inspire hikers to visit many previously unappreciated vistas with or without their cameras, while shutterbugs will appreciate the rewards of hiking and a love for nature while en route to incredible shots.

There are also a few surprises in Brown's recommendations to photographers, and by extension, hikers. For each vista, Brown includes the best times of day for the ultimate shot, which is often sunrise or sunset. Thus, there is some incredibly useful advice for hiking at night. There is also some good advice on winter hiking and the consequent care for photographic equipment, because winter nature photography has its own unique rewards. In general, Brown offers very specific technical advice for getting the best shots in each selected location, surely with the goal of training photographers to challenge his own works. And those shots by Brown are the best aspect of this book, with great examples throughout. Highlights include several snowy landscapes, glowing fog over a barn, a moonrise, and a stupendous panoramic composition of Pine Creek Gorge. This informative and visually attractive book will inspire anyone with an interest in hiking or photography, or both, to explore the best of Pennsylvania's surprising outdoor wonders. [~doomsdayer520~]

I certainly qualify as an addict. For the last five years, in addition to my other reading, I have always been in the middle of one of the twenty Aubrey/Maturin novels. I'm now in my fifth (sixth?) reading of the series. These novels are so rich in period detail and characterization I can't imagine getting tired of them.

As other addicts know, part of the charm of the novels are the numerous obscure and offhand references to various "Persons, Animals, Ships and Cannon." Mr. Brown's handsome, very well written dictionary of ALL of those references is a delightful companion clarifying many nuances in in O'Brian's prose. Actually, it's a joy just browsing through the book without one of the novels at your side.

The book also includes two insightful summaries of each novel, one from Aubrey's point of view and one from Maturin's, as well as descriptions of O'Brian's rare inconsistencies and errors in plotting from novel to novel.

How on earth I ever managed to enjoy Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin novels before reading Anthony Gary Brown's wonderful dictionary is a mystery. Brown's book is a must have for all those who wish to get the most out of reading O'Brian's excellent naval stories.

This book is an astonishing piece of research, a listing and historical analysis of thousands of items--well, characters, animals, ships, and cannons--from Patrick O'Brian's series of novels. I cannot imagine how he did it, but what a delightful treat for the rest of us. This book is not just an indispensible companion to the Aubrey-Maturin novels; it's also a great pleasure just to leaf through and read. If you like the O'Brian's books you need to have this one too.

Anthony Gary Brown's "Persons, Animals, Ships and Cannon in the Aubrey-Maturin Sea Novels" is a wonderful resource for anyone who loves the nautical fiction of Patrick O'Brian. The depth and breadth of research evident in this companion volume to the Aubrey-Maturin series is truly awe-inspiring. Every "proper name" reference -- no matter how slight or obscure -- has been diligently tracked and, where ever possible the historical reality behind the fictional is revealed. Characters I had assumed to be merely creations of Patrick O'Brian's imagination are shown by Gary Brown to be based in actual persons. Whenever Stephen Maturin speaks of an obscure botanist or philosopher, Brown has explained who he or she was and what was the significance of their work. There are many, many hours of delightful browsing in this volume for any Patrick O'Brian fan.

I've been sampling this book for a couple of weeks and I can't tell you how much I've been enjoying it! For a fan of the Aubrey/Maturin books its almost as good as having a new POB come out! I think of someone I want to look up, then by the time I've read that entry I've been led to another, and then another and I keep stumbling on the most amazing facts and interesting historical stories.While just keeping track of all the names in the books is useful enough, the "enhanced" information - all the details about "real" people and ships and historical events - is the most exciting treasure for me.I can not begin to imagine the hours and hours invested in this masterpiece, though the careful attention to details and proofreading suggest it was a labor of love. All I can say is that I'm very grateful to the author for having written it. It will make reading and re-reading the Aubrey/Maturin books an even greater delight, and for me at least, it will lead deeper into the historical literature behind the series.Every bookstore in the country should stock this on the shelves next to the Aubrey/Maturin books so new converts will have it in hand right from the start.

"Photography" by John Freeman is a fantastic introductory guide for beginning photographers who want to get a head start in the art of photography.

This book is a wonderful introduction to the basics of photography and an intro into the different aspects of taking a good photo.

Pros:
- A jump start on the fundamentals of photography
- Tips and tricks on achieving good results
- An asset to a serious beginner
- Reviews the basics of shutter speed, aperture and composition

Cons:
- Does not go beyond the basics
- Does not discuss post-processing techniques

I liked this book alot. It had a lot of information- as well as pictures to go along. I would Definitely Consider this book among others for first timers.

This book does just what it promises on the cover and more, it doesn't just guide you, it shows how to take great photographs! As a portrait photographer I found the chapter on studio lighting very helpful, and I found the other tips and examples truly inspiring. John Freeman not only writes clearly, he manages to get his message accross with great images, his photography style is refreshing without being pretentious, his landscapes are crisp and masterfully executed, and above all his captions do what they are suposed to do, they explain in detail how the result was obtained. This is a great book for any photography enthusiast, at any proficiency level, a worthy addition to any photography library.

This book is wonderfully designed and covers everything a beginner as well as more advanced photographer could ask for. It is perfect for an advanced amateur/ semi-professional, such as myself, who's been shooting for several years and has a good grasp on aperture, shutter speed, and exposure. It's packed with a ton of information, and covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of different types of cameras, lenses, filters, and film, to the more advanced topics of panning, portraiture, macro, nudes (indoors as well as outdoors), shooting underwater, aerial photography, still life, interiors/ exteriors, urban and rural landscapes, mixed lighting, and even photographing food! And there's more! I especially liked the fact that this book even included discussions on cross-processing, digital toning, and polaroid emulsion lifts! In the Travel photograhy section, It even offers advice on the different lighting conditions one would face depending on all four of the seasons.

His style of writing is very straightforward and to the point, and easy to absorb. Every page is filled with gorgeous photographs and great examples of good and bad solutions for each of the situations discussed. I've learned so much from it and feel that it was definetely $19.99 well spent (I bought it from a bookstore a year ago). It is like an encyclopedia on photography, and I just ordered his other books from the series - The Photographer's Guide to ... I bought the ones on Compostion, Black and White, Light, and Portraits. I feel that at about $13 -$15 each, they are an excellent way to add to my library. ;-) There are other topics covered in this series, but before getting too excited and buying them all, I am waiting to see if his books in the series that I just ordered are as informative as the one I just reviewed.

To sum it up, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in owning an informative, well-written and beautifully photographed book on a wide range of topics in photography! Definitely worth the money!

If you think yourself as a serious beginner and wanna teach yourself photography, get this book.
I borrowed this book from local public library, and I love it instantly.

First, this book covers a lot of topics, which make me feel it's universal ^_^ form "One-use camera" to "Digital toning", all of them were well organized into 2pages and fit under 4 categories: Basic techniques, Photographing People, Travel Photography, Advanced Techniques.

Second, In every topic, the author give you detailed technics to shoot right, plus the wrong/right picture samples, it's very easy to read and follow.

To me, this book can be used as an Text book for Practicing Photography 101, - what you need to add are some quizes and home work after every chapter.

How to use this book? Read this book, grab a camera and shoot!
After practicing the technics or tricks the book covered, I'm sure you will shoot much better the most of other people.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as a new convert to the Catholic faith. I recommend all of Michael Brown's books, especially this one as it recounts his dramatic journey back to the faith. Also a great discussion on the current spiritual crisis the world is in.

Michael Brown, a successful journalist, in this book shares his own experiences and provides witness to the spiritual battle of good versus evil. And how evil seems to be the actual definition of the time we live in. He shows us that one of Satan's greatest powers is convince people he does not exist. While all along he is deceiving the world.

He shows us how the demonic forces have intruded into almost every aspect of modern life. And has been welcomed in our modern culture. Mr. Brown also shows us what he has learned on his spiritual journey. That as the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been saying for years, Prayer and love will drive these fallen angels away. And from that arsenal, the Rosary and Mass our best weapons.

i read this book at least 4 years ago,lent it out and never got it back. I am thrilled that i have found it again and can not wait to read it again. If ever in doubt please read this book. God bless! Mr. Brown if you can email me at moonshadowhollow@hotmail.com that would be great!

This wonderful book will appeal to those Christians who understand that the mystical is real and who do not subscribe to a cynical interpretation of Scripture. Michael Brown's journey from a secular life as a journalist to a devotional life centered on the Blessed Virgin Mother will console those who struggle to sustain their faith in the post-Christian paganism of the contemporary world. The central theme of the book is spiritual warfare against the demonic realities which surround us and which have penetrated almost every aspect of popular culture. The book maintains a sober balance between the recognition that evil is an ontological, personal reality and the Catholic hopefulness that it cannot overcome us. In simple, lucid prose Mr. Brown describes the life of the spiritual warrior whose main weapons are the rosary, Mass and prayer. He discusses the significance of the many Marian apparitions in the last 150 years and recounts his own experiences at Medjugorge. Michael Brown reminds us that penance, humility and quiet devotion are essential to our own salvation and for the amelioration of the coming chastisements.

This is a story of the author's personal spiritual journey home to Christianity. It begins with him being of the world and all about his career and worldly goals. Then after some Angelic intervention, Mr. Brown begins his long journey. That changes his whole outlook on life and the world around him. It is a riveting and emotional tale. Mr. Brown is an accomplished investigative journalist. His strong research style adds an air of credibility to a very personal story that leads deeply into spiritual warfare. He effectively sprinkles guidance and prayers along with the narrative of his journey. This is a powerful book. I could not put it down. I have bought copies for a number of family members and friends and all have found it gripping. Some even saw it as a personal awakening!