Bryan Books

A good workhorse of a book which takes you through the steps of creating a strategic plan for your organization. A little sketchy in some areas but does provide great worksheets to action all the stages. I particularly liked the emphasis on trying to be realistic in your approach and in the resources needed.

When our organization decided to engage in the strategic planning process, I reviewed a myriad of resources, and I believe that this workbook is the best. Not only does it explain the planning process well, but it offers a variety of paths through which to pursue planning, making it useful for any organization at any stage of growth. Plus, the worksheets are a great addition. Overall, the workbook has helped our planning process tremendously.

yeah unicron rocks love this story you even get a cool origin of how unicron and primus became mortal enemies and how he sets out to destroy all of primus' children which happens to be the transformers.

rodimus prime rocks, good story, kind of sad to see infreno die but in the tf universe characters die all the time but are somehow revived for furure plots death's head was brilliant.

Simon Furman had been writing Movie spin-off storylines in the UK Transformers comic for a while before The Legacy of Unicron. It allowed him to tell new stories without clashing with the US stories, which featured pre-Movie characters.
That said, The Legacy of Unicron was the first true sequel to the Movie, as we find out what happened to Unicron's head after the Movie's climax, as well as how the uplifitng ending of the Movie actually panned out (let's just say that Furman went the cynical route=D).
The 2006-era Transformers are forced to face Unicron once more, this time with the help of popular bounty hunter Death's Head (who exits the Transformers continuity in this issue) and trash-talking Junkion Wreck-Gar. This plot also paves the way for the Time Wars (to be reprinted in July).
There's not much to the story, in all honesty, but it is exceptionally well-written, and the art is simply lovely.
There's also the tantalising prospect of the origin of the Transformers, which stands as canon because the US writers couldn't be bothered to do one before Furman did! =D
All in all, a great addition to Titan's Transformers library.

Triopia and the Burden of Excess is an entertaining story about a young American's six-month study in the Middle East. As a Mormon facing internal conflicts about his own spirituality, Daniel arrives in Jerusalem with a quest to gain a wider understanding of religion, civilization and humanitarianism.

Daniel contemplates the roots of the three main religions of the region - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - and how each has historically shaped culture and society, and affected individuality and group orthodoxy.

It is during this time that he realizes none of these religions, nor any government has managed to resolve a continuing cycle of conflict: the fight against racism, the fight for unity and the fight for diversity.

Seasoned with a youthful and often amusing narrative, Triopia is also an intelligent philosophical novel that offers perspective on several controversial subjects, especially the clash between individual thought and group orthodoxy.

Triopia and the Burden of Excess is based on the author's personal experience as a student in the Middle East. When Bryan Richards went to Israel in 1988, it was with a pro-Israel mentality, but after witnessing the age-old conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis firsthand, he came home with an understanding of both groups and the inspiration to write this thought-provoking novel.

Triopia And The Burden Of Excess by Bryan Richards is a coming-of-age novel (based largely on the author's own real life experiences) about spiritual conflict, personal doubt, and human transcendence. A dedicated missionary for the Mormon Church comes to a crossroads in his life while studying Judaism and Islam, and must weigh the values of group orthodoxy and individuality hand in hand. A compelling, serious, superbly crafted parable, Triopia is very highly recommended reading.

It was very amazing read this book, give you a good knowledge of the evolution of nuclear power and all kind of fast attack US has. For the people interesting in join the submarine fleet I do recomend this book.

This brief (48 pages) book takes a look at US nuclear submarines and their development. This marks another Jim Christley effort, following up on his earlier book on the US Fleet submarines. This book only covers "The Fast Attacks" (SSNs), so one hopes there will be a follow on focused on the ballistic missile nuclear submarines (SSBNs).

In his latest effort, Christley tackles an attempt to sketch a thumbnail history of the US nuclear sub program. He starts out with "the propulsion problem", which aptly describes the shortcomings of diesel-electric propulsion, and the need for speed and endurance, and a brief lesson in power requirements vs. speed. He describes the brief investigation of hydrogen peroxide propulsion, and then the decision to "go nuclear". He moves through the Nautilus, describing both her incredible capabilities (in dodging hunters and "destroying" carriers during war games) as well as her shortcomings with respect to noise and hydrodynamics. The smaller Skate class gets a section, with brief mention of their arctic exploits. Skipjacks are next, with a new hull design ("cylinder of revolution") giving these boast unparalleled underwater speed. The reasons for the move to the Thresher/Permit class are next detailed. There is an extended section on the noise problem, and the design features of this class to reduce noise radiated into the sea. Christley mentions he was stationed on both Skipjack and Permit class submarines, and despite their greater length, he found the layout and space utilization of the Skipjacks to be superior in his opinion. He also covers the loss of Thresher, some of the reasons for the loss, and SubSafe improvements introduced as a result.

The Sturgeon class gets a mention, surprisingly brief, given their mainstay role in the Cold War. Chrsitley mentions that they had good crew habitability, and were capable of long deployments. He also mentions that since they used the same SW5 powerplant as the Skipjacks and Permits, and as a result they lost another 3 knots of speed from the Permits, which were in turn slower than the Skipjacks. This trend toward speed loss was viewed as a serious issue, and a new class of submarines with a more powerful reactor (S6G) and additional quieting was designed. These were the Los Angeles class submarines. Christley describes the three main sub-designs within the class, as the vertical launch tubes (for Tomahawk cruise missiles) were installed, and under-ice capabilities added.

Chrsitley closes his review of the evolution with the Seawolf and new Virginia classes. The Seawolf class was in response to the Soviet Union's latest attack boats, but just as the Seawolf program was getting underway, the Soviet Union collapsed. Only three of the 29 planned boats were built, with the last (SSN-23) modified for special operations. A less expensive alternative was sought in the Virginia class. Christley makes a point of the dual role that advanced computer capabilities have made for the Virginias. First, the Virginias were built using advanced CAD/CAM procedures to design and fabricate the submarine hardware without extensive paper blueprints. Secondly, the Virginias incorporate extensive computer control in the submarine, reducing the crew size and integrating control functions.

Following the individual class descriptions, there is a very nice section on submarine sensor systems, and the increasing sophistication of the sonar systems on board each class. The advantages of the switch from analog to digital signal processing are described, along with a description of the different sonar array systems used. A bit of the terminology used to designate the individual systems is also highlighted, along with TMA (Target Motion Analysis) and Doppler shifts as ways to determine dispositions of other ships and submarines. There is also a section on fire control and weapon systems, describing how targets are identified and tracked, as well as a nice chart of submarine weapons systems. The book closes with some brief descriptions of Cold War submarine operations, and a section on disposal of old nuclear submarines.

Throughout the book are sets of charts that describe briefly the characteristics of each class of submarine, and give the names of the ships, hull numbers, launch dates, as well as the commission and decommission dates. Color artwork includes a very nice cutaway diagram of a Los Angeles class submarine, a Sturgeon trailing a Russian submarine, and color side views of all the major nuclear US SSN classes. One minor point is that all of the submarines are drawn with the lower hull red, upper hull black scheme, which is not always the case over the years, and never was for the later Virginia class, which are all black. There are also some nice color photos throughout, including a couple of intriguing ones of the Nautilus in drydock (looks like the recent 2004 drydocking at EB), with lime green antifouling paint.

Overall, this book is well worth the money, and serves as a nice introduction to US attack boats. Not as heavy duty as Polmar & Moore's "Cold War Submarines..." (which is referenced), but certainly a good place to start.

The Villikon Chronicles is a must read for any true SciFi fan. Kinnaird has woven a complex war hero saga that not only tells the story of Captain Kort Villikon, but that of an entirely new universe of characters. The saga itself is on par with the likes of Star Wars with a bit of Dune mixed in.

The neo-cinematic artwork of The Villikon Chronicles is in a class of it's own. Reading these books, one definitely gets a sense of watching a movie unfold on the story board like pages. While visually stunning, it does take a little getting used to. At first the layout made following the storyline a bit of a challenge. After just a few pages though, it became much easier to follow. By the middle of the first book it seemed as though I were watching a film rather than reading a graphic novel.

There are enough intricate twists and turns in the plot to ensnare anyone. I truly enjoyed this captivating three part saga and I highly recommend placing it on your must have list. It must be noted that these books, though not rated, may not be suitable for younger children.

The Villikon Chronicles: Ascension of the Expatriates is based on Kinnaird's motion picture screen play The Villikon Chronicles. RueViews eagerly awaits the next chapter and it's silver screen debut!

If you can't find this series in your local comic store, be sure to order your copy online and check out their out their website for tons of character information at www.villikonchronicles.com It's a read worth receiving, and an epic that will last through the ages.

So what exactly is The Villikon Chronicles, you might ask? It's the story of Captain Kort Villikon, a respected soldier and military commander who is framed for the horrendous crime of genocide. His punishment is to be banished to the prison world of Itasca. A world swarming with warmongering clans, pirates, and a vampirical race known as the Porphyrian Hive. Through it all, Villikon learns how to survive in this hostile world and seek a way to escape it so that he may extract vengeance upon those who framed him.

That description barely touches the surface of this story. This is the sort of tale that makes the Ten Commandments look like a child's read. Written and created by Bryan J. Kinnaird, The Villikon Chronicles took a roundabout way to becoming a comic series. Originally, it was written and planned as a movie.

IF YOUR INTERESTS TEND TOWARD HISTORICAL FIGURES AND AVIATION, THIS IS AN INTENSELY INTERESTING BOOK. THIS IS NOT ANOTHER REHASH OF THE POST/ROGERS CRASH IN BARROW, BUT RATHER A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ALL THE PERSONALITIES AND HISTORY BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE CRASH AS WELL AS HOW THEY ALL TIED INTO THE TRAGEDY. THE AUTHOR BUILDS A FASCINATING, FACTUAL RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ACCIDENT AND A CONVINCING CASE AS TO WHY IT HAPPENED---AND IT'S NOT WHAT THE AUTHORITIES OF THE TIME WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE.

The authors have spent years researching Will Rogers. In this book, they provide insight into the friendship of Will Rogers and Wiley Post. A friendship which ended in their untimely death when their plane crashed in Alaska. The book tells the biography of Rogers and Post. Will Rogers has been writtten about and spoken of often. However, it is hard to find articles about Wiley Post. This was what I was seeking when I read the book, as Wiley and I descended from the same Post family. The book contained articles which I'd never heard before. Very well written and interesting.

I highly recommend The Zion Mandate by Bryan Kessler! This compelling book gives insight into the significance of Israel in regards to Biblical end times prophecy. Even more so it highlights the role that Christians can and must play in order to hasten God's ultimate will in heaven for the world. The book is an easy read and well organized. I particularly liked how Kessler tied historical events to Biblical prophecy. Kessler also does a good job in presenting the "Big Picture" concerning events in the Middle East. After reading the Zion Mandate, I feel challenged to do my part to bless Israel and pray with better insight for the "peace of Jerusalem." It is a great book with a timely message!

What are we to make of all the turmoil in the Middle East? Are we seeing signs of the End Times? What is the role of Israel in unfolding events? What is the role of the Jewish people? Do they still have a role to play? Or, have they been "replaced" by the Christian Church? How shall Christians relate to Judaism and the Jewish people in the light of biblical prophecy, especially as we enter the final days of this world order? Questions to ponder, indeed, but author Bryan Kessler has powerful answers for these and many other questions. Based on his study of prophetic Scriptures, Kessler asserts that Israel has a major role to play in the End Times, that in fact, Israel can be a blessing to the world and that Christians must pray for her well-being..

He has a lot more to say, and I won't share it with you. You'll just have to read the book. Many will disagree with Kessler's views, but his enthusiasm for his subject is disarming and refreshing. There's more, too. What role does Islam play in the current world situation? What is the real source of the Arab-Israeli conflict and why does it appear so intractable? Author Kessler does not sidestep controversy, but presents his views with cheerful self-assurance. The book is packed with fascinating insights concerning all of these questions. Some of the material will not be found in the history books.

The Zion Mandate is written in a somewhat dry, homiletical style. Scripture is cited extensively, followed by bullet points for each chapter, then each bullet point is expounded systematically. At times I found it slow going but I'm glad I finished it. This book is not for everyone. If you're a believer in biblical prophecy as it relates to current events, this may be just what you've been looking for. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber.

This book is incredibly hilarious, if you "get" Stephen Colbert's type of humor. If you like his show, you'll love this book. His tongue-in-cheek, extreme rightwing pundit character is just as politically incorrect as ever, and just so so funny. Complete with his opinion everywhere, including in the margins, it encompasses everything we love about "The Colbert Report." Aside from a few distracting typos (which, according to one sentence in the end of the book, may or may not have been put there on purpose), I found this an easy read and unbelievably fun way to spend my time, and I kept wishing the book was longer, or -- better yet-- that there was a sequel. I hope he writes another. I liked it so much, I bought some as gifts for friends.

I love Stephen and his show, but his book is too boring. I couldn't finish it.

Read the first few chapters and it is very Stephen Colbert. Whitty, funny, in depth, blunt...good book so far

Good price and got what I ordered. The book is funny. Not very informative but an easy read and great way to pass time

Downloads in 15 seconds, and takes about as long to figure out that he was simply capitalizing on his celebrity. I THOUGHT I would enjoy a light, funny read but instead subjected myself to a long run-on disjointed and runaway thought train that seemed to have no real destination. I eventually stopped reading after giving him some room to be funny or interesting, or SOMETHING. But now I have a new resentment in my life... that he's taking up room on my Kindle, plus it's a frequent reminder that I was hoodwinked out of 9.99 when 1.99 might have left me feeling chagrinned, but at least not ripped off.

Stephen, stick to TV. You ARE funnier there and it costs us nothing.

This book will save you a lot of money. I tossed out a lot of the old products I had purchased that were rated not good to use...I think anyone will find the product reviews useful, regard of the age of the person.

This book was very helpful for deciding what new products to try. But I feel you should take her critiques with a grain of salt. If your already using a product and you find it works for you I don't see why you should discontinue the use just because she dislikes the product. Overall it was very informational and I feel I am that much more aware of what I put on my skin.

A no-muss no-fuss review of the cosmetic world -- be brave about the somewhat intimidating thickness as most of the pages or specific to product reviews. The actual information is a quick and useful read both front and back, then use the material in the middle to fill in answers to your questions. Highly recommend -- glad I purchased.

I've bought the last 3 editions of this book, and each one has saved me tons of money. Paula's reviews are fair and accurate - even though we disagree on a few key items. Any time I make a new beauty purchase I first check it out in her book. It's astonishing how much better quality product is offered in drug stores these days. I highly recommend this book.

Wow! This book really stands out with its scientific references. How often do you find complete references including even the page numbers of the scientific journal, in a popular book? I thoroughly enjoyed this book even though cosmetics are not really my thing (I'm too lazy or "busy" to bother). Now I actually find myself using face creams and sunscreens. I used to think all cosmetic products were a waste of money but now I'm convinced that some products actually do help the skin.

Some of the critical reviewers here have clearly not read the book very well. I don't know where they get the idea that Begoun is against natural ingredients or plant oils. Quite the contrary, her own products are full of these and nowhere in the book did she say that she is against them. What she is against is using natural ingredients (or any ingredients) that have not been proven effective by scientific studies. In other words, she only wants to use those natural ingredients that actually work.

The same goes for essential oils. She is not againts using them if they have proven to be effective. Some essential oils have been and you can find those in her own products. What she does not like is for essential oils to be added to products solely because of the scent. And I agree: why would you want to put ANYTHING on your skin that does not have any purpose? If you want to enjoy the scent of essential oils you can use them in candles or spray them onto your clothes. You don't have to expose your skin to something that nobody really knows very much about.

Making Super Heroes into anti-heroes and injecting "realism" through tragedy is not great storytelling imho. At least not in an Avengers book(?). Try doing what Waid and Garney did to Cap. Inspire people make them say wow, regardless of age. This kind of deconstruction is meant to appeal to a group of older fans that wanted to see a Marvel version of The Authority. Disappointing.

I was excited to get this book. Most people rave about it so I figured I would give it a try. After flipping through it at the store I figured it was worth the price simply for the artwork. Well, that is the only thing I liked about the book. I understand that there is an attempt to make Marvel super heroes more real, but does that mean making every character dysfunctional, deranged or damaged in some other extreme way. Every one of my favorite Marvel characters was turned into a scum-wad in this book. There is no way the Captain America I hold dear would kick a beaten man in the face in sadistic glee. And Thor as a bleeding heart anarchist? I don't think so. Basically I think that this book is extremely left-leaning and the author loved taking a big dump on the Marvel Universe's favorite sons (and daughters).

Yuck...but at least the art was nice.

I was never a comic fan until I read this and Watchmen. For a noob in the comic world, the Ultimates changed how I saw comics and now I'm a huge Mark Millar fan. I highly recommend this trade! Just beware that vol 2 book 2 fell short for me in the series. There was so much build up in vol 1...but then again this is a review for vol 1 which is AWESOME!

The reason Im not giving this book a perfect score is because I still
feel it is not at the same level as Watchmen,DKR,V for Vendetta etc.
with that said this is an incredibley well written and drawn graphic novel
which is really saying something coming from me since Im not really into
the "mainstream" comic scene and with the exception of the incredible Hulk and Ironman, I've always found these characters to be cheesey. Fortunately The re-imaged characters here are not cheesey at all in fact
I was impressed by how Mark Millar managed to make all six main characters
three dimensional and engaging , wich is quite a feat since most comics tend to focus on one main character,the supporting cast was also exellent. The main conflict in the story has been done a million times before but was well executed and the art work while not a master piece
was solid and consistant. I guess my main complaints about this book have
already been stated by the previous people who have been more critical about this book ; the radical personality changes, pop culture references,
Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury (which didn't really bother me in fact it made it easier for me to imagine what this Fury was like character wise).
Purist will and do hate this take on the avengers mainly due to the fact that this is not the black and white tale of good versus evil from the golden ages. Instead this tale humanizes these extraordinary classic characters which makes you appreciate their original source. All in all
I suppose I will recommend this book to people who don't know much about the avengers or those who were not very fond of them but are now curiuos
enough to pick up one of their titles.
Enjoy.

Growing up pretty much all I read in comics was Marvel, although I was not a fan of the Avengers. The X-men were my preferred super team. However, I became aware of this new incarnation through the animated Ultimate Avengers movies. The movies were ok, and had some decent action but these novels are really where its at. It gives you so much more story and character development than any 2 hour movie ever could.

I didn't expect to like it as much as I did, but Mark Millar's writing is pretty consistant, giving us a decent amount of action when necessary but never letting it overshadow the story. Captain America is a good lead with Tony and Fury as excellent supporting characters. I didn't really like Giant Man and Wasp in the movies and that's no exception here.

The update includes a lot of pop culture references and even cameos from some of today's stars. This both helps it to feel more modern but also will eventually hurt it as in a few years time will date it as well. But a good way to help it feel fresh either way. The art work here by Bryan Hitch is fantastic. Seems very Jim Lee inspired to me. As of this review I am already most of the way through Vol.2 and I can tell you it gets better so read this first and then you'll get to the good stuff later. At this point the movie pretty much sticks to what's in here but by Vol. 2 it really branches off.