Bryant Books

Gwen is an inmate in a state hospital. An orphan living with her unnamed aunt, whom she refers to as Aunt throughout the book, she is brought to the institution in late 1962 and serves several months. Her sentence ends in the winter of 1963. The girl's parents were killed in an automobile accident on January 12, 1957. Gwen witnessed their traumatic deaths. One wonders if this early trauma led and fed into her later fear, beginning in 1961 about atomic destruction.

Gwen has an unusual fear of atom bombs and the mass hysteria of nuclear bombing. Although the reason or reasons for her sentence to the institution are never made clear, one can surmise that it is this heightened fear, bordering on hysteria that prompted the decision to incarcerate her.

It is interesting that Alice, Gwen's closest friend and ally on the ward suffers from anorexia, a then-little known condition. Alice refuses to eat; pockets her food or sneaks it into a napkin for disposal during meals and is described as "a skinny scarecrow" who fears becoming fat. The other girls have a range of issues - one talks to imaginary people; another is delusional and the like.

In June of 1963, Gwen sees a cherry-breasted bird with a key in her beak. She sneaks off the ward and through the fallout shelter in the institution basement (that really heightened her fear about atomic destruction) and onto the grounds. She finds the key the bird drops and hides it on her person, knowing staff will take the key if they find it. A kindly grounds worker sees her and brings her back inside after smoothing things over with the redoubtable head nurse. From there, Gwen is reassigned to a kind, progressive-thinking psychiatrist, Dr. Stone. (This is strongly reminiscent of "The Secret Garden" when Mary Lennox followed a robin and discovered a closed up garden on her uncle's spacious grounds).

Setbacks occur on the ward; Alice dies and Gwen grabs the head nurse to "shake the truth out of her." Straitjacketed and left for hours in the seclusion room (seems like an excessive punishment in this case), Gwen's prison is transformed into a forest. Each time she rubs the key, the institution becomes a kitchen or a forest.

A hazy, muted story not unlike the literary equivalent of a Monet painting, readers are left wondering if the kitchen and the forest exist or if they were the products of a young girl's imagination. Sounds like a good survival tactic to me - in that environment, escapism, even if only in the mind is understandable. It is interesting to note that Gwen's "return" from the earth kitchen takes place on October 9, 1963, John Lennon's 23rd birthday. Her doctor, Dr. Stone was truly a delightful character and a kind, progressive-thinking man.

Still, it is an interesting look at the pre-Beatle 1960s (by 1963, the Beatles were a household name in the U.K., but not America) and the issues of the day.

The Earth Kitchen By:Sharon bryant is a great book. It is about a young girl named gwen, who survived an atom bomb attack. She was sent to a ward so she would not be afraid of going to school anymore. Gwen alwase wanted to go home to her aunt but she feared that the day would never come. Little did she know , she found something that would get her in a lot of trouble and a lot of new adventures. Gwen is a nice girl but can get a little testy sometimes. Her best freind was alice, until something happons. After the incident, Gwen's life is as bad as it gets until the thing she finds finally comes in handy. Gwen's other friends are Mary and Janet. Janet is sort of a crybaby but she makes a good target for Alice and Gwen to make fun of behind her back. Mary is kind of a tattle tale but all in all she is vert nice. Alice had an eating disorder before she came to the ward. That was the reason she went to the ward. She would scoop food on her napkin when the day nurses weren't looking. Alice had a very active inagination. She would talk about murdurs and killers on the streets. I liked the book because it has a good plot , it hat a good setting,it has a good theme, and the point of view helpes the reader understand the book. I also liked the book because it has good charectors in it' the book also described the charectors very well. The setting of the book is set in the cold war hysteria of the early 1960's. There is not much i dont like about the book except i think the book cuold of had gwen's aunt talk more. I also think they could of explian what happoned to gwen's parents earlier in the book . The ward is where gwen and her freinds have to stay until safety is promised in the country. The ward is a preaty nice place, if you like a day nurs following you around every where you go, bars on the windows and doors, and alarms on the door if you open them. Good things about the ward is that the day nurses are nice and it suplies bathrooms and food. My favroite part of the book is when Gwen was trying to sleep at night on the ward when she noticed a cherry breasted bird at her window , she looked at it for a little while and then noticed something it its mouth. the bird dropped it in the bush outside. She went to look for it and when she did she was very excited. Little did she know the item would trigger a chain of events that would change her life as she knew it at the ward. In conclution The Earth Kitchen is a great book and i would recommend it to all.

In an age when soooo much children's literature is simply unremarkable, this auspicious first novel seeks to stem the tide of ho-humness with beautifully-wrought, intelligent language that captured this reader's ear from the get-go. I deeply felt the main character's (Gwen's) consternations and fears, and resonated powerfully to the fantasy world with which she indulged herself - thanks to the author's gift for poignant language. I have read much new juvenile fiction this past year, and would describe most of the works as stories. The Earth Kitchen, on the other hand, is more than a story. It's literature.

Read this book, and see why Harlan Ellison, the best short story writer ever, also got an award for best screenplay. The book is the screenplay in novel format, but I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! The basic storyline is this (I got to tell you something because only one other person has commented on this book, which is really sad.): In outer space there is a spaceship consisting of tons of biospheres. Each biosphere contains a culture, but these cultures have no contact amongst themselves. In fact, they've been in space so long that they don't even know they're in space! They think that the biosphere is the world! Anyway, in this one biosphere, an exiled man is driven away for his heretical preachings. A large man-hunt takes place . . . and that's when things REALLY get interesting and you finish this book in one sitting. The writing is excellently done. The chapters end with bangs, the characters act and do things that actually bring out all sorts of emotions in you. When you finish this book, all you can say is WOW! I've read it once, but I KNOW I'm going to read it again . . . and again, etc. This book deserves more than four stars, even more than five. All Harlan fans must read this.

This is obviously, to put it politely, "inspired by" a Heinlein novel called Orphans of the Sky... a good short novel, by the way. Ellison has essentially lifted the idea and expanded upon it, but really shouldn't get a lot of credit for the idea. Not original at all.

Phoenix Without Ashes is the novelization of Harlan Ellison's ill fated TV venture from the early 1970's. If you missed the short lived science fiction series from Canada you might want to pick up this book. The novel is not written from the television show script, but rather from Mr. Ellison's award winning teleplay. Be warned this book ends with you wanting more, and as a first book in a series this would be superb, but there are no others. Much better than catching an old rerun of the Starlost!

this book has its good points and bad but it was poorly poorly written and poorly organised. the classes that can be downloaded from the companion site are probably worth the price of the book as an intro to OOP but the explanations and execution in the book are poor.

The entire book supposedly leads to a culmination of the sample project coming together at the end so that the reader can learn how to tie all of the lessons together in a complex flash project...a point they seemed to completely forget when they got there

This book is fantastic. It brings to the Flash community a real discussion of the oft-misunderstood "usability" that so many Flash applications lack. Books like this, and the work that it inspires are critical to helping Flash mature as a serious application development platform, rather than creating simplistic little "applets" and simple web commercials.

The authors here deftly weave a compelling tale around the actual pieces of usability and functionality that make up application development in general, and tie it all back together with Flash as the development platform. Some great books exist out there that teach about usability and functionality design (Cooper's "About Face", et al), but this is the first that truly brings that sort of learning in an instantly applicable way to the Flash development community.

Highly recommended.

Flash Application Design Solutions was recommended to me by a co-worker of mine when I started learning OOP. I currently work at Avenue A | Razorfish in the Chicago office where we create sites such as Postopia [...]. In an ironic occurrence, it turns out that Craig Bryant, one of the authors of this book, was the person who set up the original framework for the Postopia site. I've met Craig only once when he and Ka Wai made a presentation (a really cool one, at that) at the Apple store on Michigan Avenue. They definitely know what they are talking about and this book is no exception.

I was eager to get started here after I had already realized the basic building blocks of OOP and wanted to get a bit more of an edge on setting up my projects. The book didn't disappoint as it gave me at least two very valuable classes that I still use to this day. The UIObject class is now the core building block of any navigation system I build and the (what I named) Broadcaster class (that is essentially the same as the EventBroadcaster in this book) is just about the best way to communicate between classes.

Chapter three is a great introduction into extending basic frameworks. Each and every chapter has a great introduction on what is an issue in the work you're about to tackle. Ka Wai and Craig then tell you how these issues can be improved and finally we go on to improve the issues to see exactly how much of a difference their process makes in developing your own solutions in the future.

Chapter six has a fair warning by the authors that it is a bit long winded and is relatively hard to get through unless you are going through and following the source, but it uncovers a really neat system of inventory views and selection devices. I'm normally not a huge fan of building one large application throughout a technical book, but its almost necessary to show how to extend the core and your own classes and build up the concepts from start to finish.

For anyone who has already read the Object Oriented Programming for Flash 8 title and is looking for a bit more on OOP, I'd definitely recommend this book as a companion. It'll help you get through that gray phase where you're now familiar with OOP concepts but you're not familiar enough to know how to practically apply them to your own projects.

In this book, Stevie goes to visit her equally horse-crazy and less mischievous friend Dinah in Vermont. They and a friend attempt to "tap" the most trees in a contest the trainer of Dinah's stable has set up. The winners get first pick of their horses for lessons next summer. Unfortunately, their fun is marred when Dinah and Stevie are unwittingly sent on a dangerous trail ride, and the girls must conceal the injuries Dinah sustains from a fall or risk Dinah losing her riding privileges. But when their secret threatens to put more riders at risk, they must decide whether to break it.

This was a good book, but I wouldn't really consider it to be great. When her friend gets hurt on a horse Stevie lies to protect her from her parents' wrath, but she could have caused a disaster. I learned a lot about maple sugar from this book, but I was upset that Stevie kept lying and cheating.

Stevie's friend Dinah has invited her to go sugaring in Vermont! She is ready for riding, riding and is determined to help Dinah win the competion of the sugar off. The winning team gets the first pick of horses for the summer. All is well until Dinah gets hurt, and she makes Stevie promise not to tell...

I bought this book because it was required for a course. I found it to be one of the best textbooks I've ever read. It's not boring and doesn't put me to sleep. Good examples and just somehow easy to read.

I'm a newbie to the field of Public Health. I wanted a textbook that'd provide a solid overview of the field. It provides that but because the book was published in 2001, it leaves out the significant impact 9/11 must have had on the field of public health, including bioterrorism, public health preparedness & public health informatics. For my purposes (psych background considering grad education in public health), I think it's okay. Couple of complaints... I wish the book had more graphics, illustrations. Also - the writing is as dry & boring as they come! Sure to cure chronic insomnia in a snap! Just because it's research doesn't mean it has to be boring. Apparently these guys don't konw that.

This book was a tremendous help for my online class. It was very informative and easy to read each chapter. I actually learned a lot from the course I took and using this book as a guide.

Hope Taylor-McGriff was my Social Studies/History teacher back in 2000 at MMS In Maplewood New Jersey. Being in her class changed my life. She made me express myself understand my potenical in the world. I love her poetry it speaks of her life's problems and issues and allows her to express herself who ever she maybe without prejusice and I love it. I do think she can dig deeper but I am sure she will.. Self and life discovery takes a lifetime so I am sure we will see more works from her.. Hey! Ms. McGriff, its Kim! :-D

Hope Taylor Mcgriff is my teacher. I started reading her book, which she keeps on a shelf in class . The book is the best one ive ever read. She is my favorite teacher (Social Studies) and is probably the best one i ever had. This is a book that eacgh story in it touches youre heart and gets inside your emotions. Another book by her is "Overflow". From laughter to tears, this book will be the book that your would want to frame in a golden frame. E-mail me at: Tennis2guitar@aol.com

I feel that she is a very intelligent and enlightened woman, who has the ability to write incredible poetry. I do not though, believe that she has yet "come in to her own". Great Stuff!

The author, a former Ranger himself, clearly understands the subject. It is well photographed and written, and covers a broad range of subjects beyond the Regiment's weapons. However, though it was only published in 2005, one of the six chapters is entirely outdated. I refer to the Chapter on Ranger support elements. The regiment now has an organic Special Troops Battalion for its needs. When the book was published this unit did not exist. Though no fault of the author's, it does impair the books usefulness. Secondly, a few details of systems, and unit names are outdated, or slipped through with typos. For instance the author writes of Task Force 160, which has been redesignated 160th SOAR, since 1990. Overall, however it is informative and concise.

This is a great book with great pictures. The book provides a look into the past of what weapons past Rangers used. It also provides a view into the tools the present Rangers use. This book gives a very thorough history of the Rangers and how they began. I would defintely recommend this book to all past, present, and future Ranger fans.

Great addition to a book collection of a fan of special forces. The book begins with a breif, detailed and very interesting history of the U.S. Army Rangers from the American Indian war to Afghanistan. The rest of the book is packed with weapons, tactics and gear. The book contains approximately 163 full color action photos that depict the most modern up to date tools of the Army Rangers. The writing is technical but comprehensive and at times very repetitive but that is to be expected with the limited information the U.S.Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office can give an author. I highly recommend this book.

Written by a former batboy, this book is a first hand account of the old Pacific Coast League team that preceded the major league Giants in San Francisco. Lots of player names you will not recognize, the book is best when it recounts the author's teen years in 1950's San Francisco. Lots of charm for those who grew-up on minor league baseball before all the "entertain the fans" gimmicks of today.

When you read this book, you're transported back in time to another era. One where gas was dirt cheap, television was the hot new technology instead of Web 2.0, major league baseball was played 1000 miles to the east and in San Francisco, the Seals were king! As I read the author's recollections, I could almost see in my mind's eye Seals Stadium and the hundreds of ballplayers, coaches and managers that were involved in games there in the early 1950s.

The Seals were not a good team during most of the 1950s, and came close to going out of existence before the Boston Red Sox "saved" them in 1956 by making them their top farm team. The Seals went out in style the next year winning their last PCL title before making way for the New York Giants to move to San Francisco.

Soto-Castellanos' stories portray most of the players, coaches, managers and trainers he worked with as generally good guys who after occasional razzing respected the hard work he put in game after game. He clearly remembers his time working with the Seals with great fondness. I'm sure he felt quite a bit of sadness when the Giants announced their move west.

I'm sure any fan, especially San Francisco baseball fans will enjoy this book.

Came upon this book at a church fair today.Bless This Food was a surprise read!.I loved it all...especially the section for children.
I loved the special way this book was presented...very diffirent for sure.
I clicked on to see if I could just tell Anita how very much I enjoyed her book...thanks Alice M. Daniels

Many years ago I read in some magazine about some very good cook who had borrowed this book from a public library and to this day wishes she had pretended that she had lost the book and simply paid for it rather than return it. This little comment really intrigued me so I naturally tried to find this book to see what was so good about it. Needless to say, I finally found it, and purchased it. I have not been disappointed and would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in good, simple everyday cooking.

In 1973 I, as a re-entry woman, went to the community college portrayed in this book. I took a class with Dorothy Bryant, and thus, I read this book. It was almost me in those days, so of course I could relate to so much of it. I sat in the same rooms, watched the same students, walked the same campus. It is now decades later, and I am still thankful for that experience, this book, and especially for the talents, wisdom and kindness of its' author, Dorothy Bryant. I am so glad to see it still in print. READ IT!

Thirty-four year old Ella Price is a wife, mother, and college student. Ella returns to college in search of herself or something that will give meaning to her life. She takes an English class from Dan Harkan, a professor who requires his students to keep a journal. The reader learns about Ella, her hopes, dreams, frustrations, and disappointments by reading her journal, a series of writings that is both humorous and revealing. Near the end of the semester, Ella writes in her journal, "I'm still the same neuroitc I always was. And my life is still a bad soap opera."

First published in 1972, Ella Price's Journal touches on some timeless subjects including marriage, divorce, parenting, and religion. Ella Price's Journal is a quick, enjoyable read.