Bryan Books

The greatest murder mystery in a long while!! Fun to read with plenty of twists and a generous serving of good old fashioned humour! A fantastic read!

My book was originally published in the UK, with many excellent reviews. It is set in the US and unlike most other murder mysteries, it contains more than a touch of humor, enough to make every reviewer agree that it's a "fun read". There is no humor in murder, but there is humor in the relationship of the characters set on solving such murders. I've written the book for readers to enjoy. But don't take my word for it, read it for yourself.

Have fun!Sleeping WitnessSleeping Witness

This book is a wonderful adaption of the 1976 version of the Cinderella. The book gives details not revealed in the movie, and is full of beautiful color and black and white images from the movie, along with promotional shots not found anywhere else. It's a great investment of any fan of the film.

The story of "The Slipper and the Rose" is the one of Cinderella, but with a unique twist -- it's done from the Prince's point of view. The film starts out with Prince Edward (Played by Richard Chamberlian) returning from a neighboring kingdom frustrated because the woman he was sent to consider for marriage wasn't at all like he desired. He then informs his parents "When I marry, as indeed I must, it shall be for the convience of love and not for the convince of convince." The rest of the movie then follows him as he longs for the woman to whom he can give his heart, while at the same time letting you get to know Cinderella as well (Played by Gemma Craven). Her story is the usual story -- her father dies at the beginning of the film, leaving her to be a servant to her step mother and two not-so-ugly step sisters. She however is a simple girl who only longs for the days when she was happy, and doesn't exactly want to go to the ball. ("Me? Go to the ball?"..."Not wishing [to go] exactly. More wondering what it must be like.")

They are joined by a cast of wonderful characters, such as a fairy godmother who sometimes wishes they had never been invented, and a king who subtly hints he regrets marrying the Queen, and only says about his son's future wife "Well make sure she has teeth. He has an obsession with them having teeth." The story is the great classic with enough of a twist to make it refreshing. The music was written by the amazing Sherman Brothers (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mary Poppins), and won an academy award, as well as being selected for the royal film performance of 1976, which was attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

This is my favorite and in my opinion the best cinderella story and the only one worth reading or watching. Prince Edward actually has name and his life is an important part of the story. Cinderella loses her slipper of course, but when Edward finds her, they find out that love cannot always have its way. The fairy godmother is hilarious. One scene you see her house and she had souveneirs from Robin and Maid Marian, William Tell, the ugly duckling, and other legendary characters. I also love this movie because its adult humor is clean and funny. The music score was written by the Sherman brothers who did a fantastic job! If you are a Richard Chamberlain fan you like it even better - he's the prince. The book is full of pictures from the movie. It is a great shame thats its no longer in print.

The short version:
Mississippi African-American Catholic (and all the suffering that would entail) turns liberal revolutionary (and all the disillusionment that would entail) turns Orthodox seeker (That means satisfied fulfilled servant of the Lord). got this as a present 12-25-02, sat down and read it in it's entirety on 12-28-02. Recommend it highly for us 'children of the 60s' and spiritual seekers, touches the reader on so many different levels it is amazing. A short, quick, engaging read that packs a mighty wallop. For a WASP from the South coming to terms with many of the issues Raboteau went through, this was a marvelous book. Thanks! Raboteau's other works are superb as well.

Albert J. Raboteau is the foremost writer on the history of African American Christianity. In "A Sorrowful Joy" he writes his own history as an African American Christian. First delivered as two lectures in the Harold M. Wit Lectures at Harvard University Divinity School, Raboteau communicates his personal spiritual autobiography with power and poetry.

A phrase from the foreword by Kimberly Patton brilliantly summarizes Raboteau's life story: "None of us is only the sum of our wounds." Raboteau shares forthrightly about several wounding experiences in his life, both those he endured and those he inflicted. Providing hope, he also humbly recounts how God brought healing and forgiveness to these broken relationships.

Throughout the narrative of his journey of suffering, seeking, and spirituality, Raboteau beautifully weaves the twin narratives of African American slave religion and Orthodox Christianity. He details his surprised at the slowly evolving realization that they both emphasize the theology of the Cross. That is, African American Christianity and Orthodox Christianity both face the reality that suffering can't be avoided, while also believing the higher reality that suffering can be converted. In this one summation, Raboteau accurately captures the essence of two grand religious traditions. In one brief book, he poignantly captures the essence of an authentic spiritual journey.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," "Soul Physicians," and "Spiritual Friends."

I've had the pleasure of reading some of Geon's other writings, but this so far was the most useful and informative for someone new to vegetarianism such as myself. The tips on beans are worth the read.

Want to go veg and go abroad, but afraid what you'll be offered? Fear not, savvy traveller. Geon lays it on the line for you. He tells you about regions to avoid (most former Soviet republics that end in "-stan") and where a vegetarian's heaven on earth is (hint: rhymes with "Mindia".)
It'd be nice if there were a tape to accompany this, as phonetic transliteration doesn't always cut it. Other than that, a very handy resource.

Do you have friends who are avid golfers? Do your eyes glaze over when they start talking about their game? Have you ever tried watching Tiger Woods on t.v. and been bored? That's because you don't know the sport of golf! Pick up one of these easy to read, quick-study guides to golf and you will find yourself wanting to join your friends in a game. Or, at the minimum, you 'll understand what they are talking about and when those big golf tournaments are on t.v., you'll get the game and find yourself interested, and enjoying being a spectator. I am impressed with how clearly this guide lays out the strategy of the game, explains the swings, scoring (eagle, birdy, par, bogey), use of equipment (woods, wedges, putters)...all those terms you've heard but never really understood. Now you will!

These guides are great! The format is easy to use (great graphics) and the content is so accessible. Not only are the rules clear but I finally get the game of golf. I'm going to buy the entire set of guides so that I can understand and enjoy all the sports my husband and kids watch on tv.

This service that Mr. Jones provides is invaluable. So many times when we are introduced to new sports (soccer, lacrosse, etc) it's difficult to figure out and understand the rules and how the game is played. These products provide the critical elements that allow anyone to understand how the different athletic events are played. My only criticism is why I didn't think of this incredible idea and service before Mr. Jones.

During the one season that my son played high school Lacrosse, I never figured out what was going on in the game. Several parents tried to explain the lightning fast play but I was lost...always. What a difference it would have made if I had had in hand the SportSpectator Guide to Men's Lacrosse. The guide explains completely and concisely the object of the game, play strategies, position and purpose of players and the scoring of points. I particularly like the Lacrosse Field Diagram which graphically shows all the player positions and names the parts of the field according what type of play occurs in which parts of the field. The guide explains the rough physical contact of "stick checking" and "body checking" during defensive play and as a parent, it would have been helpful to have understood the importance of and guidelines around these maneuvers. The guide is very accessible, easy to carry in a purse or pocket, and laminated so it holds up throughout the season. What a find!

"These guides are a great resource. I wish that
I had them when my kids were
playing sports. It would have increased my
enjoyment of the sport
immensely!"

When my sons were playing high school sports, I often wished the sports dept. would conduct seminars to teach me the fine points-(even the gross points!)--of the games. Now, years later, along comes Bryan Jones and his SportSpectator pamphlets-"Cliff Notes" for the sports fan!

I found the SportSpecatator brochures to be clearly written, comprehensive, and "user-friendly" in format and style. I especially appreciated the simple diagram of the field and the glossary of soccer terms because they provide a quick, simple, and portable reference.

The SportSpecatator brochure is a great tool that enhances the enjoyment of the game for both the first-time spectator and for a veteran fan who wants to share the game with newcomer.

Great idea, well-executed!

I've never really understood water polo even though my sons played it in high school. I wish I had had this guide when they were playing so that I could follow all that whistle blowing! And, it would have been a bonus if I'd been able to make an educated observation, such as "Mark did a great job of setting the hole in the second quarter." My stock would have gone way up!

I attended all of my son's waterpolo matches when he was in high school. I never knew why the whistle was constantly blowing, why players were sent to the penalty sideline and most alarmingly, why the referee wasn't calling a foul when it looked as though one player was drowning another from underwater. I wish I had had the SportSpectator Guide to help me understand the concept of strategic fouling and how the whistle blowing signaled the types of fouls (all concisely described in the guide). Having this nifty, easy to carry, easy to read referernce guide to waterpolo would have greatly enhanced my enjoyment as a spectator of the sport. And, even better, it would have given me a quick course in the terms and rules of the game so that I could actually discuss the details of the game with my son.

The story was interesting and gave the children a sense of anticipation and imagination. The illustrations especially the colors were also excellant.

I am teaching art based on literature. I just added this book to my art library. The illustrations are wonderful, perfect for a class on African art or working with chalks. The text is as lively as the illustrations and the kids just love the three animal characters

Very good exciting book, with inventive characters and wording when are we going to see Part Two?

I SAW YOU ON TV A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND YOU SAID THAT YOU WERE WRITING A PART TWO TO THIS BOOK I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN THAT WILL BE. I SO ENJOYED THE FIRST ONE GREAT READ. PLEASE HURRY WITH PART TWO, MY SISTER WANTS IT TOO.