Burke Books

The previous review outlined the plot. All I will say is that this book is the most humourous and rivetting read I have experienced in over 30 years. Then once you have finished the book the thought provoking issues behind the story come though. This author is a genius and very very funny.

I read Father Frank on the advice of a friend earlier this year. We were camping and I needed a new book to read. I was expecting a simple, funny beach read and I got that, but it is also much more than that. Francis Dempsey, a lapsed Irish Catholic, gets into Oxford to study theology and eventually becomes a priest, despite his total lack of belief in a higher power. The book, pleasant and enjoyable to read, manages to tackle subjects like faith, sex and the role of religion in every day life without preaching and author Paul Burke does a surprisingly good job of it. The seemingly silly, unbelievable plotline works brilliantly thanks to Burke's impressive comedic talent. This is a purely fun read, and one that will, amazingly enough, leave you pondering faith. Outraegeously funny, sometimes heartbreaking, 'Father Frank' should be required reading for everyone who ever questioned God, and love.

I really loved this book. Frank starts out as a young man who really doesn't know what to do with himself when his school career finishes. On the advice of a guidance counsellor, he enrols in Oxford to study Theology, with his marks that is the only course he can get into anyway -theology not being such a popular subject and people to fill places in the course hard to find.

Surprisingly, Frank turns out to be rather good at it, depite the fact that he doesn't believe in God, or even a higher power. He then goes on to become a Priest. In order to meet people and raise some funds for his church, he drives a cab in his spare time, which is completely charitable, you can donate whatever you wish and he will take you wherever you wish in London.

One day a beautiful girl hops in, and in spite of himself he finds his feelings for her grow. She even starts calling his cab on vague pretexts.

The most lovable thing about Franks character is that he really is a good man, and never compromises himself. There is quite a lot of drama with the church, trying to get the hall renovated and people interested in going there again.

A really fun read with a happy ending, but beautifully written and funny too.

Highly recommended.

Wiley was only 36 when he & Will Rogers died in Alaska in 1935. But in those 36 yrs,he packed the adventures of 3 lifetimes. He was honored at the white House by 2 presidents, cheered by millions al over the world, but in the privacy of his own thoughts he always asked the question, "Is that all there is?"

Bob Burke as set an example for writers and researchers that will be hard to match in his wonderful work on Wiley Post. Aviation buffs, Oklahomans and anyone who appreciates a good book that is hard to put down will appreciate "From Oklahoma to Eternity: The Life of Wiley Post and The Winnie Mae". In addition to his excellent journalistic skills, Burke proves himself to be a superb researcher with a desire to mix truth, fact and adventure with a great story about a great man. I have added this book to my personal list of all time favorites and will look forward to more works by Bob Burke. It is so very refreshing to read history (I am a historian) written honestly without loads of mistakes and sloppy research. Keep that word processor fired up Mr. Burke!

What can be said about the most factual biography written about Wiley Post. Kudos to Bob for telling the story of Wiley Post with the utmost accuracy and authenticity. His work brings to the reader a factual and conceise history of one of the worlds greatest avaitors. Once you start you want to read it from cover to cover. For avaition buffs this is a must read. Not only does it give a great deal of insight to the mentality of a fearless flyer, but provides the reader a look at an uneducated man who by dogged detrmination and force of will, circumnavigated the globe and designed the prototype of the modern space suite.

i read this book when it was first published and i actully felt
like i was there with him.this is the book that i think a sceptic would not only enjoy but would have a better understanding of the other side.this book had such a great effect
that i lent it out and my copy was sadley lost so now i fnd myself trawling the internet just to see if there are any more copies so i suggest that if you have a copy never let it go...

Excellent, excellent material. Non-sensational, matter-of-fact cases dealing with 'ghosts.' As a psychic therapist, Eddie Burks gets down to business, and with no expectations of fame and fortune, and no desire to convince anyone of the afterlife, he lends credibility to his contacts with those beings trapped just on the other side of life. Background information added by Gillian Cribbs gives the reader additional reason to embrace the information offered by Burks, and, no doubt, raise a bit of hope in the heart of even the staunchest cynic. . .a must-have for those interested in the afterlife, but maybe even more of a revelation for those who do not believe.

I found this book to be one of the most interesting books about spiritual cleansing that I have ever read, and recommend it thoroughly to anyone with an inkling of interest on this topic.
The indepth knowledge of the history behind each visit,which Gillian Cribbs includes, shows her genuine interest in the talent possessed by Eddie Burkes.
I have re-read this book three times and still find the cases absolutely amazing/stunning!
I would be very interested to know if either Eddie or Gillian have any future works in the pipeline?

The Ground Beneath the Cross opens up for the reader of English a world of lived faith in the theological writings of the murdered Jesuit Ignacio Ellacuria. Father Burke writes in a fluid, clear style, with exquisite scholarship and passion. Read this and see Liberation Theology is alive in the third millenium.

Kevin Burke introduces one of the least known, but most intellectually rigorous minds of liberation theology in Ignacio Ellacuria. From identifying his roots in the philosophy of Xavier Zubiri to explicating Ellacu's historical soteriology, Burke demonstrates not only a powerful theology of a true martyr, but also how this can be considered a real post-modern alternative in contemporary theological discussion.

The Ground Beneath the Cross opens up for the reader of English a world of lived faith in the theological writings of the murdered Jesuit Ignacio Ellacuria. Father Burke writes in a fluid, clear style, with exquisite scholarship and passion. Read this and see Liberation Theology is alive in the third millenium.

In the wake of the Tampa crisis and the appalling problems in refugee detention centres in Australia and the expensive 'Pacific solution' for the processing of asylum seekers, this book is a timely wake up call. It traces how the term 'security' has been used by governments as an organising principle, as a justification for policy, as an emotive term to encourage support for policy positions and military action.

It's an important book with global resonance in this time of the 'war on terrorism' structured by a strong philosophical framework which helps us think in new ways about global politics.

This book is an incredibly important addition to what's available on Australian foreign policy and defence relations. It's particularly timely because of the Tampa crisis of late 2001, the current Liberal Government policy of mandatory detention and the 'Pacific solution' for asylum seekers.

It traces Australian history to evaluate how 'security' as an idea has been an organising force and powerful signifier used by governments for their own purposes. What has happened during and since Tampa proves the thesis of this book in a startlingly contemporary way.

The book also has a solid philisophical underpinning that gives the book wide relevance in international relations studies and should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in global politices.

This book will become influential I think, in how we perceive the current war on terrorism, in general, and Australia's invasion anxiety, in particular.

This book is an incredibly important addition to what's available on Australian foreign policy and defence relations. It's particularly timely because of the Tampa crisis of late 2001, the current Liberal Government policy of mandatory detention and the 'Pacific solution' for asylum seekers.

It traces Australian history to evaluate how 'security' as an idea has been an organising force and powerful signifier used by governments for their own purposes. What has happened during and since Tampa proves the thesis of this book in a startlingly contemporary way.

The book also has a solid philisophical underpinning that gives the book wide relevance in international relations studies and should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in global politices.

This book will become influential I think, in how we perceive the current war on terrorism, in general, and Australia's invasion anxiety, in particular.

Paul Burke is some fantastic, talented writer. His adventure takes you through the soul of life and you find yourself reflecting on your own path, questioning the purpose of where you are going and even to the depths of how to make change in one self and for the world. It is an eye-opener to the trials of life. It is down to earth and so humanly raw! I loved this book and highly recommend it as a must read!!

I've been reading a book called "The Celestine Prophesy." It reminded me some of Journey Home in that it contains a philosophy wrapped in an adventure story. I also just read "The DaVinci Code." A great story, but not really all that well written. Burke's writing is much better!

I just finished this book. Wow! Any words I could say here would seem pale,but suffice to say it doesn't disappoint! I thoroughly enjoyed it. My first descriptive thought beginning the book was this is a vivid book of poetry; I felt like I could almost hear natures relaxing soothing sounds. It is a very interesting story, and the author posses a notably fearless use of stream of consciousness.

Burke is not afraid to go for a ride through the tangential thoughts of the characters. As a big James Joyce fan, I love that! There are a nice array of characters involved in an interesting story. I would definitely be interested in reading a sequel... (or a prequel!) I thought, "I just want to find out what happens!"

It is a wonderful book - a very enjoyable read. The writing is very evocative and inspiring.

Here are the latest reviews from readers posted on the Journey Home Web Page:

"When I first started reading Journey Home I couldn't put it down! Each person and situation became vivid in my mind. I could feel the book. It became one with me and the sounds of the bullfrogs and crickets here on Big River as I read it in the late of the night. Very rarely with a book can I feel each character and their situations as the story moves along. The unexpected twists and turns, continued to peak my interest, and the first night I read till I could see no more. Then, as I awoke I read till I was done. A book of this quality is an Amazing Gift for all to read....and Understand! All the Best!!!" -- Dusty

"I just a little while ago finished reading Journey Home and I can't tell you how bowled over I am. It is so insightful and powerful and it emanates such wonderment of reality and critically important truths. You wistfully command the conscious reader up a couple of notches with your impact of imagery, strength of characters, methods and messages, and provoke in us even more virtue and fervor in our continued examination of this world and universe around us. Phenomenal on so many levels!" -- Aimee'

A beautiful book with over 100 pages of full-color maps of the "Kingdoms of Kalamar" campaign setting. All of the pages make up a portion of the map of Tellene, the world setting where Kalamar is based. This is fully compatible with Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) 3E and 3.5, and any future editions, because it is rules-light. It is just a very well designed atlas with a lot of information that will be playable and useable for years. One of the best features is that almost everything is reality-based. If you see it on the map in Kalamar, there is likely a real-world equivalent, or something comparable.

I recently reviewed the Kingdoms of Kalamar campaign setting book, one of the most detailed and comprehensive settings I've come across in 25 years of role-playing. Kenzer & Co., not content to rest on its laurels, have also provided a thorough and thoroughly enjoyable Atlas for the Kingdoms of Kalamar. The Campaign book came with two, large fold-out maps. The Atlas takes those maps, breaking them down into dozens of full page sections, and within each section, further divides them into grids which detail all of the cities, towns, and village within each tiny map section. Were shown a greater detail of the terrain and topography as well. About the first two-thirds of the book are dedicated to these full page maps.

From there we get into the appendices. These further define and shape the Kingdoms of Kalamar and the continent of Tellene. In Appendix A we get new maps which provide information on common trade routes, ocean currents, trade winds and air pressure systems, mineral deposits, industry, grain production, military deployments, and more.

Appendix B provides notes on pronunciation throughout the realms, Appendix C details the various land categories such as mountains, swamps, hills, lakes & rivers, etc... Other appendices delve into the various languages spoken on Tellene and where they are spoken. The last appendix charts every known city, town, village, or hamlet along with their population.

Combined with the Campaign setting book, this makes a wonderfully detailed world for players to adventure in. The designers have managed to give the GM a diversified and vigorous world, uniquely faceted, and yet ready for the GM to provide his own special touch. The maps are extremely well made and beautifully colored. The topography is accurate as well as the various notes on things like weather and currents. Few designers would think to include these items into their worlds. This is a handsomely illustrated 240 page hardcover book. A must have if you own the Kingdoms of Kalamar Campaign setting. Well done!

Kalamar is the best game setting out there, but I was never satisfied with the maps in the Core book. This Atlas takes care of that. Basically the main map is sub devided into 100 or so beautifully rendered tiles with a scale of 1" = 25 miles. There are also a bunch of maps with trade routes, wind patterns, food production etc.
Why only 4 stars? I would have liked to see a globe with the unknown continents. I was a little upset that there were no temperature, flora or rainfall data, but then again I'm a map geek. Keep in mind that this book is all about the maps, if you are looking for a game aid or adventure ideas, look elsewhere.

`This volume is a welcome addition to the study of architecture from archaeological perspective ... this body of data from the rural city of Armidale will provide useful comparative material for similar studies undertaken in other former British colonies, for example, in the United States and South Africa. '

Historical Archaeology, 35:2 (2001)

`Heather Burke has produced a very important, perhaps landmark study using archaeological evidence to interpret and understand the evolving boundaries of class and status in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. I recommend this book to all historical archaeologists interested in issues of class structure, ideology, material culture or reading building fabric.'

Australasian Historical Archaeology, 18 (2000)

`The study of capitalism challenges archaeologists and thus it is impressive when a scholar succesfully rises to this challenge. Meaning and Ideology in Historical Archaeology meets this challenge and should be read by any scholar interested in understanding capitalism.'

American Antiquity, 66:1 (2001)

This book is excellent to get a real feel of what being a World War II Nurse was like. The book shares the best and worse times experienced by Nurses from around the world during very difficult days of War. I have attended signing parties and the experience and warmth is outstanding. A must read book for all World War II history readers who want to understand the real heros just doing their jobs of saving lives.

This is a wonderful look at the dedication, work and hardships of the nurses of World War II. Some of their stories have never been told and it was hard for me to put the book down. Their work was demanding, difficult and exausting but the book also tells about the fun and even some romance. Many were killed and captured. Women in combat is not a 21st century idea!

The voice of women veterans is one too seldom heard. Now, with WWII veterans dying at a rate of over 1,000 per day, those voices will all too soon become silent. WWII was the first time women joined the military, and they encountered prejudice and hardships every step of the way. The nurses who served in the military witnessed horrors that many of the men encountered, but with much less preparation and little resource for healing after the war. All but forgotten for the roles they performed, this book brings to light their stories as they can only be told- by the women veterans themselves. Much of the information is rarely found in available books, and "No Time for Fear" is an excellent resource for that information- particularly on the women who served aboard hospital ships and those who were taken as prisoners of war. The personal accounts tell stories of war as well as stories of the lighter side of day-to-day living that was the human side of life as a nurse in the military.
An excellent overall account of WWII military nursing, and one that will likely encourage the reader to delve deeper into our nation's history of female veterans.

I think this is a wonderful guide to poetry by Walt Whitman. I was able to learn something about his poetry myself. The illustrations are very good and the poetry is presented in manageable pieces. That is important for teachers who are teaching the poetry.

Editor Jonathan Levin and illustrator Jim Burke have put together a wonderful introduction to the poetry of Walt Whitman. Although marketed as a children's book, this volume will also appeal to older admirers of the "Good Gray Poet."

Levin has judiciously selected some of Whitman's most memorable poems, and thoughtfully gives definitions of potentially unfamiliar words ("Pleiades," "hieroglyphic," etc.) at the bottom of each page. A five page biography of Whitman at the start of the book is another useful touch. Many of Burke's full-color visuals are stunning, and stand on their own as admirable pieces of art. Particularly memorable are the illustrations which accompany Whitman's address to a locomotive and his compassionate description of a slave's body at auction. "Walt Whitman: Poetry for Young People" is a fine book to share with its target audience.

I cannot think of a better way to introduce the poetry of Walt Whitman than this small volume. The selection is excellent and of interest you the young reader. The commentary is quite relevant as are the pictures which accompany it. I find that often now, our young people go all the way through the early grades in school and many of them have never heard of Walt Whitman, much less read their poetry. This was the sort of stuff my generation and the generation before it grew up on and cut our teeth on. I do not feel I am any worse for the wear. I am fearful that we are bringing up an entire generation (rightfully or wrong, although I feel it is the later) of young folks who will have no appreciation to this great art form and will miss a lot. This book helps. This entire series helps, as a matter of fact and I certainly recommend you add this one and the others to your library. Actually, it is rather fun reading these with the young folk and then talking about them. Not only do you get to enjoy the work your self and perhaps bring back some great memories, but you have the opportunity to interact with your child or student. It is actually rather surprising what some of the kids come up with. I read these to my grandchildren and to the kids in my classes at school. For the most part, when I really get to discussing the work with them, they enjoy it. Recommend this one highly.