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Coleman Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Coleman
The Greatest Game Ever Played: A True Story
Published in Paperback by Hyperion (2005-09-01)
Author: Mark Frost
List price: $15.95
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Collectible price: $16.95

Average review score:

Good 1st Effort -- Style Later Perfected in "The Match"
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-25
This I believe was Frost's 1st golf history book and previously all his other work had been fiction. Which explains the fictional feel of this book. Frost cites conversation and internal thoughts from the characters to an exent that he can't possibly know if that's what happened. In addition to compromising accuracy, it also makes for a book that's about 2x as long as it needs to be. I found myself often scanning large sections rather than reading every word.

Even with that flaw he still produced a must-read golf history book, that many non-golfers will also enjoy. He excels at putting things in historical and social context, and building fiction-like edge of your seat tension. He's also a master at researching the lives of the main characters, from their beginnings to their endings in the must-read "Afterward" section.

In this case the main characters are British legendary professional golfers Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, US amateur golfer Francis Quimet and his young caddie Eddie Lowery. Although Mr. Quimet's story is reasonably well known in golf circles, Eddie's isn't. And in some ways Eddie is actually the most interesting character, if not the most important. The story goes that young Eddie escaped the grade school truant officer every day so he could caddie for Quimet. And it was Eddie's inspiration, tenacity and timely advice that pushed the young unaccomplished amateur Quimet to an historic conquest over then golfing titans Vardon and Ray.

In Frost's 3rd golf book "The Match" released last year, Eddie would again enter the picture. Now a middle aged successful businessman, he sets up a historic match between the 2 best amateurs of the day (Ken Venturi and Harvey Ward) and the 2 best Pros (Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson). At stake is a presumed $10,000 personal bet (if not more) but even more importantly a seminal event in the future direction of American golf: would the essence of the game remain in the hands of high-minded amateurs who played for pride and honor, or pros who at the time carried the stigma that playing for money compromised their golfing integrity?

In this 2nd effort, Frost clearly refines his style by eliminating much of the characters' internal and external "filler" dialogue, and the result is a book with better momentum and few if any question marks on accuracy. Not coincidentally, "The Match" is about 1/2 the page count of "Greastest Game."

In any case, both of these books are clearly "can't miss" and go together like Godfather's I & II.

Not Just a Great Game!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-17
I loved the movie so I thought I'd try the book. I was not disappointed. In fact, I believe a second movie based on this book, focussing on the early career and post "Greatest Game" highlights of Harry Vardon, would produce an excellent movie, as well.

My older brother recently retired. My gifts to him were a Caribbean Cruise and a copy of this book to read as he suns on the deck of the cruise ship. When presented with both (gifts), he noted that he too had seen the movie and seemed just as excited to have received a copy of the book, as he was the cruise.

Great read even for a non-golfer!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-22
This is a terrific book and I'm not even a golfer. I didn't care much for the movie; a buddy of mine recommended reading the book and WOW, it's so much better. I'm not sure who wrote the movie but Frost does a great job of telling the story and holding on to your interest. I loved the biographical background and personality insights he offers. He's a terrific writer.

Wonderful account of the times.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-11
Great detail is setting the stage of how society viewed golf and its champions and how this tournament took that to the next level in popularity. Gives great detail intothe lives of Vardon, Ray, Francis and even Walter Hagen at the beginning of his career. Great for anyone who loves the history of golf and a good old fashion underdog story.

If you like the movie you need to read this
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-12
My boss and I golf together and he enjoyed watching this movie several times so I bought the book for him and he said it was better than the movie, looking forward to reading it when he is done

Coleman
Sugar Rush: Love's Liberation. A Lovella
Published in Paperback by BookSurge Publishing (2005-06-09)
Author: Yolonda Coleman
List price: $17.99
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Average review score:

Inspiration to Us All
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-07
Sugar Rush: Love's Liberation is a brilliantly written masterpiece! The author "put her foot" in the creation of Gerald. I fell in love with him the moment we were introduced. I throughly enjoyed how the author provided us with his and her perspectives on the various events, which led up to the amazing and inspiring relationship between Gerald and Dolly.

The poetry that precedes each chapter provides us with a glimpse of what "turn-paging" events are sure to follow. Sugar Rush: Love's Liberation reminds us all that love, happiness, and peace is always possible despite what painful or heart-broken experience we've encountered in our past. This book provides hope and encouragement to those whom have lost their path on the road to love.

I'm patiently waiting for the sequel because I know Miss Vanaya will cause some type of drama for the beautiful, God-loving couple. Keep up the wonderful work and continue to bless the world with your natural talent, which God has blessed you with...

I'm waiting for part 2.......
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-01
This book will have you turning page after page! Yolanda deals with issues that many young adults face, pain, hurt, anger, vulnerability and finally forgiveness and love. A must read! Keep doing your thing Ms. Coleman!

Home Run!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-22
Ms. Coleman hit it out of the park on this one. It's truly an easy read with several laugh out loud moments. Positive characters which are rare these days. The end leaves you craving for the sequel. Hellava Job!!! Can't wait for the Play and Movie. "I'm brushing up on my acting to audition for Black Sax :-)" Proud of Ya!!!

Wounds of hate and pain turn to scars healed with love
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-15
I absolutely enjoyed reading this lovella. It opened my eyes to world of love. It showed me that even though people may do you wrong in the world of love, there is still that one special person waiting to find you.Darlene "Dolly" Hunter was a perfect example of a woman who had been wronged in the world of love and closed her heart to others until Gerald "Blacksax" Washington came into her life.The book took me into the minds of the characters by making me feel as if I were actually in the book watching as the book unfolded before me. Nothing says love like having your love scars healed by that special person. As soon as I purchased the book, I immediately began to read it. As I started to read, I became hooked like a fish on a hook, with no intention of letting go. I wanted to see what laid on the surface of the world, and this book enabled me to do so. This book was filled with surprises.Every page became a window to a new world for me to explore. After the first few pages, I realized that I just couldn't put it down. I finished the book within two and a half days. The book left me wanting more. I would recommend this book to every person who has been wronged and hurt during their journey in the world of love, and know that the right person is out there waiting for you.

dreams
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-14
I am a 26 year old single mother, I have been in love twice and got hurt really bad, but after I meet yolonda and read Sugar Rush I started looking at life, and love at a different view. Sugar Rush is a great book It helps you understand the meaning of love, Friendship, and your career, It alos give you hope to love and trust again if you have ever lost it in someone you cared about.This book also focous on the meaning of family.


I name my topic dreams cause I always dream and I feel as though my dream are never coming through no matter how I try, but after taking the rush I realise I haave to take risk, I have to not just believe but step out and make sacrifices. This book made my eyes open to alot of things and I am going to make a lot of changes in my life because the sugar Rush gave me hope.
thank you yolanda. If you are have'nt read this book please pick up a copy it is worth it.

Coleman
The Spirit of Chatsworth Mansion
Published in Paperback by Tiara Books (2006-11-22)
Author: Alice Scovell Coleman
List price: $6.99
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Average review score:

Everyone Will Identify With This Coming of Age Gem
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-10
Any adolescent will identify with the characters and events in this beautifully written story crafted in a deceptively simple, naive fashion that lessons about life, justice, and best intentions surprise the reader throughout the book. Adults will experience memories turbidly tugging the characters into their own adolescent lives. Mixing memory with desire, Coleman successfully stirs dull adult roots with Spring rain while sprinkling confetti on adolescent angst.

This uplifting, thought provoking book is great, pleasurable reading for anyone and everyone.

Loved It!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-16
Intriguing, wonderful imagery, and real characters. The ending gave me chills! Ms. Coleman is a first rate writer! Puts the reader smack in the middle of Saratoga Springs, NY! My family and I, we all loved this book!

A fun and engaging page turner!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-02
Ms. Coleman does it again and even better with a story that has all that you want a mystery to provide PLUS delivers some great characters and fun references and educational tidbits (including the reference at book's end to the fascinating British Library's website.) Tim is a delightful, likeable, human teenage boy reminiscent of Harry Potter, and you find yourself cheering for him all through the book. Ms. Coleman's writing sweeps you along and it is clear, descriptive, inviting, and full of subtleties which make it fun for adults as well as adolescents. You really feel like you are living right along Tim and his various "friends." The lessons to teens to "be comfortable with yourself and your family and to give back to others" make it a feel good book all around.

Great!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-03
Great book. I loved the characters. It started out a bit slow but got much better. I really loved the ghost. Edmund is one of the greatest characters ever created. I'm dying to know if the author is going to make a sequel.

A spine-tingling mystery that gives you goosebumps!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-22
Fourteen-year-old Tim Ross has certainly grown accustomed to moving. After all, he knows the drill. Start to settle down, begin to meet a few new people, then be forced to pick up and leave, only to encounter a new moving adventure (or horror), whichever sounds better. But this time, the move is worse. Tim is about to enter the ninth grade. And while moving from place to place in elementary or middle school is upsetting, nothing can be worse than being the new kid in high school. Especially when the high school is in a place totally unfamiliar to Tim, known as Saratoga Springs, New York. This time, his parents didn't even have the decency to let him see the town before they picked up and moved there. Nope, his parents did the unthinkable, and simply rented a huge Victorian mansion, sight unseen, and forced him to accompany them to his new humble abode. The only problem is that the mansion is anything but humble. In fact, not only is it the former home of a Victorian author named Charles Chatsworth, but it's extremely imposing, and looks to be something straight out of a horror movie. Tim knows that there's something creepy about the house on-sight. And, unlucky for him, the entire town agrees with his speculations, titling the mansion as haunted. As if Tim weren't target enough for bullies, considering he's short, unfamiliar with the small-town's local customs, and a total brain, he's now being made fun of for the house he occupies. So now, as opposed to being just the freak, he's the freak living in the freaky house. Tim can't stand the ridicule he's forced to endure each and everyday at his new school, and instantly finds himself both bored and lonely with his surroundings. So he takes up a new hobby. One that could easily make your skin crawl. Tim decides to uncover the missing key to the mansion's attic. Sure, he doesn't know exactly what he'll find behind the closed door, but he has a feeling that it's something spectacular. Something that will make his life more exciting than its ever been before. And, oddly enough, he's right.

I don't read many ghost stories, but sometimes one will capture my attention, and leave me interested in learning more about the mystery involved, as well as the characters. That is exactly the type of impact Alice Scovell Coleman's THE SPIRIT OF CHATSWORTH MANSION had on me. The descriptions of small-town living are right on, and instantly make the reader sympathize with Tim, seeing as how he is rejected on sight by just about everyone he encounters. However, it is the character driven narration, and personality that truly sucks you into the story. Tim is an amazing, brave character, whose ability to walk into any situation alone is remarkable, and awe-inspiring. While he is nervous, and fearful of the unexpected, he faces things head on, from walking into a new school for the first time, to finding a way into the mansion's attic. His attitude is interesting, and his thoughts and narrative truly make him feel more like a friend than a fiction character. The interesting thing that Coleman has managed to do, however, is make the mansion appear more human-like than an inanimate object. Her descriptions of the house, from the staircase, to the gloomy exterior, and even the attic, make it seem as if the house is a living, breathing character, which only adds to the suspense. A spine-tingling mystery that gives you goosebumps!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Coleman
Blue Monday: Fats Domino and the Lost Dawn of Rock 'n' Roll
Published in Library Binding by (2008-05-22)
Author: Rick Coleman
List price: $24.95
New price: $24.95

Average review score:

Blue Monday: Fats Domino and the Lost dawn of Rock'n Roll
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-25
Blue Monday is an interesting but not a compelling read. We never get inside Fat's head to understand the man, so we get an expanded discography. The dates, times and places seem to be well researched which begins to wear after a while. The matter of fact style just does not bring Fat's personal life into focus, although there are many descriptions of incedents about him. He remains a mystery in reference to his personal motivation, dual life style, and reclusive habits.
Russ H.

We waited...and finally saw...
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-14
I guess if Antoine "Fats" Domino could keep the President and First Lady waiting, then he could keep us waiting for his first biography - this is a Natural Born book about a musical genius, intriquing personality, and unassuming cultural revolutionary.
The author tells his story and includes many entertaining anecdotes about life at home and on the road with several sets of support players - the greatest names of course being Dave Bartholomew, Herb Hardesty, and Lee Allen. We get a strong picture of the smiling, "safe" rock and roller, as the often defiant man's-man. And a complex artist/showman: he could sing The Rooster Song while flashing rings to make Freddie Blassie envious.
A great bunch of previously unpublished black and white photographs from Look magazine, among other handsome prints of lesser known shots really bolster the text.
A serious ommission for the audiophiles: not even a selected discography and no sessionography. [Though there are "Notes" in the back of the book on the mysterious Broadmoor recordings, including personnale and dates!]. Of course the '50s period sessions can be found as a booklet in the Bear Family 8-CD set, and in a European book, "Jazz Records"; also in a fairly recent issue of Goldmine magazine. But Fats Domino ABC-Paramount, Mercury, Broadmoor and Reprise FD session data has never, to my knowledge, appeared in print, and what a fabulous component that would have made.
Speaking of the ABC-Paramount tracks, the author did not mention in the text a very important 4-CD set, "The Paramount Years", which included the *incredibly* rare fourth l.p. for that label, plus the 1980 "If I Get Rich" from another record company!
The idea that "The Fat Man" is the first R & R record also doesn't agree with me. Yes, the elements are there, the upbeat shuffle and bright lead vocal, but that powerful sound (and many others by Fats in that '49 to '54 period) were not *primarily* for the youth. The first discs to be produced for teenage tastes came much later. I wouldn't even include "Tutti Frutti" in that category, as it too, lyrically and instrumentally echoed an earlier, "swingin'" sound. [It was "Ready Teddy" folks which screamed out...Rock and Roll!!!].
Still, this book should be "required reading" for those dedicated followers of those Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.

IT'S ABOUT TIME FATS GOT HIS DUE
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-13
Rick Coleman's new book "Blue Monday" is the first full biography of Fats Domino. Many interesting things are therein.
- Fats was the first black rock & roll star. His records made the pop charts before r&r's dawn in 1955.
- Kids did not buy albums in the 50s, but Fats' albums sold, meaning he had an adult following like Louis Armstrong's.
- Fats concerts were often scenes of teenage riots. He may be known for `Blueberry Hill,' but his fierce rolling piano ignited his audience.
- "Blueberry Hill" was the product of a botched session. Engineer Bunny Robyn edited together the best parts of several incomplete takes and simply repeated the chorus.
- The string-laden "Walkin' To New Orleans" was a big breakthrough which traditionalists lamented. But it hit R&B (#2) even higher than pop (#6).
- Roy Brown once ditched a plan to have Fats open for him on tour. Fats never forgot it, and refused to have Brown open shows for him when the tables were turned.

Of the Big Five (EP, FD, CB, JLL, LR), Fats is the least lionized because he was not a "rebel." Historians normally embrace only people with bold lifestyles.

The Fat Man From New Orleans
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-16
Boy ol Boy, Rick Coleman has written a great book on the TRUE story of Rock & Roll! I know as I was there and if you want to know what it was really like to be on the scene when true rock & roll was called race music on a juke box, Boogie Woogie and the down home blues was taking over the country then get this book and turn others on to it also. No one person was more responsible for the birth of R&R and R&B than the Fat Man! This was long before Elvis, Haley and the hand full of others came on the bandwagon. [...]

Stunning research and compelling writing about one of the first great rock stars
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-07
From his first record in 1949 until his harrowing escape from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Antoine "Fats" Domino has defined New Orleans and its culture. This book puts Fats, his city, and his music into perspective in amazing detail. In the process, Rick Coleman convincingly demonstrates that Fats and his collaborators--especially songwriter/arranger Dave Bartholomew and producer Cosimo Matassa--have as solid a claim as Elvis, Carl, and Jerry Lee with Sam Phillips in Memphis or Wolf, Muddy, and Chuck with the Chess brothers in Chicago as the prime architects of rock 'n' roll. The product of more than 20 years of exhaustive research, this is, surprisingly, the first biography of one of the greatest early rock stars. Coleman had his work cut out for him; Fats is notoriously reclusive. Nevertheless, you come away from this book admiring Fats's talent and drive, and Coleman's exhaustive research and evocative writing. All the other great Louisiana rockers are here--the bayou wild men, backwoods musical savants, and forgotten honkers, shouters, string-benders, and drum-thumpers who helped create the Crescent City sound. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to understand the real, complete history of rock 'n' roll instead of the revisionist pap that passes for such. -Mark Hoffman, co-author of "Moanin' at Midnight: The Life and Times of Howlin' Wolf"

Coleman
CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Study Guide (Exam PW0-100)
Published in Paperback by Sybex (2006-09-12)
Authors: David D. Coleman and David A. Westcott
List price: $59.99
New price: $14.94
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Average review score:

Great resource for the CWNA exam
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-30
I am currently studying for the CWNA exam and I have no other resources. This book helps you understand the concepts in plain language. I started using it with the SQ3R method and I find that I can really retain the concepts offered in this book. The SQ3R method takes a little time but if you really want to learn it for the test combine it with how the information is laid out in this book and you'll get it. Good luck!

Excellent book on Wireless Networking
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-25
This is a great book on Wireless. Tons of detail on RF properties, troubleshooting and things to look for. Aside from being a decent study guide for the exam this book will serve as a handy reference in day to day work as well as research activities.

Well organize but still need more detail
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-30
The book very well organize and easy to follow, however it needs more detail in order to pass the exam.

Worth Its Weight In Gold!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-24
I read this book after reading the official CWNA Guide from Planet3 Wireless. I was amazed at how easy it was to read considering the depth and breadth of the material presented in the book. Some topics which weren't very clear from the other CWNA book were made much clearer. Even though I haven't taken the exam yet, I have not found a book on WLANs that I could recommend more highly for getting you up to speed as quickly as possible. The fact that the authors supply their email addresses is a HUGE bonus too. The end of chapter questions are especially useful for testing your understanding. In short BUY IT!!

Great Book!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-21
After taking a class given by David Westcott I decided to buy his book. I am so glad I did. I went from working in the wireless field for three years and not being certified to reading his book and two months later becoming a CWNA. This book is just very easy to understand. They use alot of analogies to help you get the point of what they are trying to teach. If you have ever read a Cisco press book you will really appreciate the two David's writing style.

After I purchased this book a co-worker purchased "the other" CWNA book and the rest of my fellow co-workers compared the two and after all the scrutiny they all purchased this one.

If you have ever wanted to become a CWNA or just learn more about wireless technologies this book is definitely for you.

Coleman
The Mountain of the Women: Memoirs of an Irish Troubadour
Published in Hardcover by Doubleday (2002-02-19)
Author: Liam Clancy
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Average review score:

A Wild Rover's Toast: "Joy Be With You All"
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-03
In our household, we were "bread and buttered" listening to the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. The 33-1/3 rpm Columbia records were scratched and worn from overuse. We would play the records on family occasions and holidays. We would play favorite songs in the mornings during breakfast and as we made ready for school. In hindsight, I am surprised that the neighbors never complained or called the police.

Tommy Makem died last summer. The two eldest members of the quartet, Tom and Pat Clancy predeceased him. Liam Clancy is the sole surviving member of the recording group. This book is a sketchy and incomplete attempt at an autobiography, but it is as good as we are likely to get from this Clancy. Its strengths far outweigh its deficiencies. Readers should count themselves fortunate that Liam remembered anything at all after so many long nights and sexual misadventures. Perhaps, Tommy Makem, who abstained from drinking for most of his life, should have been taking notes for him (Makem wrote some wonderful essays, but I do not know if he ever published a full length book).

Liam Clancy was the youngest of eleven children. One of his problems when the recording group was formed in the USA was that his two much older brothers scarcely knew their youngest sibling at all. They had to introduce themselves to him when he arrived in New York. The Irish ballads and rebel songs (the Irish rebellions always seemed more successful in song than in reality) that the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem performed proved to be immensely popular. In addition the Irish diaspora, the authentic songs gained wide acceptance among fans of the Greenwich Village Folk Music scene. Liam Clancy became a fast friend of Bob Dylan.

There is a lovely story of how Clancy dropped his given Christian name while working as an actor in an Irish theatre company. A fellow actor chided him for answering to Willie, telling him that it was an "English" sounding name. He adopted the Gaelicized form and has been "Liam" ever since.

Pour yourself a drink and enjoy this book. Be thankful that the next generation of Clancy and Makem family members have taken up the songs that their fathers helped popularize internationally. Imagine how quiet our homes would have been if Clancy had kept up his father's plans and became an insurance agent!

Literary Talent Too!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-07
Liam Clancy's has great literary talent. His bio is a tribute to his family and to his native land. Catholic schools greatly contributed to his native talent for the stage----I am not sure why he makes a critical remark of the Church.

Very Readable Irish Bio
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-16
The Clancy Brothers albums opened by ears to traditional celtic music in the 60s, so it was a treat for me to read Liam Clancy's account of how the group evolved. The family background and his personal development as an student, actor and musician were very enjoyable reading.
If you liked Angela's Ashes, this will certainly appeal.

"God is good and the devil is not that bad."
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-19

First of all,there are 17 other reviews;most of them excellent and all deserve to be read.I read a fair bit of modern Irish Writing.The McCourts,Roddy Doyle,Brendan Behan,Morgan Llywelyn,Brendan O'Carroll,just to name a few.What I really like about these writers is their magical use of language.Although I have been a fan of Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers for at least 30 years,I have never read anything about them.I had no idea of how much they were involved in acting;let alone that any of them had such gifted writing skills.What a surprise;Liam's skills are as good as his musical talents.
Though not a Clancy,I heard Tommy Makem perform here in Toronto at an intimate club a few months ago.He did "Oh, me name is Dick Darby,I'm a cobbler.";mentioned on page 102.That had to be the best recitation I ever witnessed.
I would like to quote something Liam wrote about his experience in North Carolina in 1956 and he was writing about it nearly 50 years after the fact.
From page 170....
"South Carolina in the spring was seductive with scents of growing things,of magnolias and hibiscus,the air heavy with noontime heat and the swampy buzz of katydids and flying critters.The nights there belonged to the frogs and bats and flying beetles and the countless mingled smells of a land at rest after a burgeoning day's work fermenting life." Imagine the thoughts of a 21 year old,written 50 years later.
I also had no idea of Clancy's involvment with the people like Oscar Brand,Bob Dylan,Woody Guthrie,Pete Seeger,Odetta,Barbara Streisand,Lenny Bruce,Jean Ritchie,Ramblin' Jack Elliot,Brendan Behan,Diane (Guggenheim),Josh White,Alan Lomax,Mary O'Hara and on and on.
Liam gives a great insight into the world of acting and folk music of the 50's and the 60's. Now that I have read the book,I am looking forward to listening to the tape.
I also have no idea if Liam has a second book planned to cover the last 40 years.I am sure it would be a great follow up.How about it Liam,you're only 70 ,and you must still have lots to tell us.
Thanks.














More bleakness than blarney
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-19
I never heard Liam Clancy sing until a couple of months ago, when I found a copy of an album called "The Lark in the Morning" that looked interesting, given its cover and its date of the mid-50s. Growing up, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem were heard of but not heard by me--I associated them with Aran knit sweaters, hearty shour-an'-begorra singalongs,novelty tunes, and the kind of kitsch that the previous generation had listened to complacently before the revival in the 70s of a tougher trad scene out of Ireland shook it all up again.

Well, I heard the tracks on "Lark" in the car without knowing who was who since I could not see the CD case listings. But when I finished it, I noticed that the songs that had stood out from the rest were all by Liam C. Impressed, I read the liner notes about one Diane Hamilton, who I had never heard of, and Tradition Records, the label for which "Lark" was the debut issue. But the whole story was not clear, given the brief notes, until I read "Women of the Mountain."

From the title, I expected a tale of lusty drunken couplings and riotuous escapades from the "Folksmen"/"Kingston Trio" era. Instead, an evocative tale of growing up eating mortar and chalk for nutrition during WWII, poverty, clerical abuse, and hardscrabble small-town life in Waterford's Carrick-on-Suir unfolded smoothly and eloquently. Sure, the blarney sometimes is laid on a bit too thick for less glib me, but the stage Irishman tendencies are kept mercifully in check by realism: the death of a sibling, the estrangement from mother and Church, the entanglement with Diane H. (who turns out to be a Guggenheim nearly as neurotic as her relative Peggy G. did for Beckett!), and the adventures on the road, in theatre, and on stage.

One surprise and a reason for four stars is the lopsided nature of the book: the singing takes decididly second fiddle to the stage in the dramatic sense. This was fascinating for me, but it misleads the reader perhaps who by the back photo of the group harmonizing might expect far more about Clancy's musical experience. He mentions, for example, as if offhandedly that he learned the tin whistle. Yes, but how? As a musician, did he find it easy after the guitar? How did it help his reportoire? Did he learn it so the group could expand its range? How does it sound to him? How does he play it? Here, music as enacted comes rather late in the book, in not a lot of detail, and seems rather superficially treated as opposed to other incidents and events.

I do commend Clancy on his delicacy with relating his own romantic and emotional engagements with women and men--he reminds us of the fragility we all possess and the need to recognize humanity in each other. And he makes his point after having earned the right to say so after his own checkered past. He comes off wise without sounding pious, intelligent without acting snobbish, and flawed without playing it up as maudlin. He handles people and places with stamina and wit, and his own coming-of-age here, while cut off while he's not even thirty yet, needs however fuller exposition than is given here. The New York Greenwich Village years deserve more depth than they're given here; the book's unbalanced in favoring much more from his pre-NYC years (nothing wrong with that) and again this may mislead misinformed readers as to its actual coverage of many more early situations predating the group's rise to fame. I also got little sense of how he got along with his fellow group members--granted that two are his brothers--but how the three Clancys got along with Makem who was from Keady in the north and from a different region, musical tradition, and political regime seemed like the sort of detail that could have enriched the book.

I guess a sequel is in the works. Like recent Irish memoirs by Frank McCourt and Hugo Hamilton, the autobiographical account stops suddently, at the height of a self-realization by the author in his formative years. I do not know if this book would have been published if McCourt had not led the way, but resilient Clancy's tale too deserves a wide readership for dispelling (as do McC and HH in their accounts--also see John McGahern's memoir) the myths of recent Irish life, while advocating a return to the more durable and more feminine myths that inspired Yeats, Behan, Synge, Joyce, and the Slieve-na-mBan/Sleivenamon that gives its rounded breasted mountain shape to the landscape that rose above Clancy's hometown.

Coleman
Serendipity Bible
Published in Paperback by Zondervan (1996-10-01)
Author:
List price: $27.99
New price: $17.37
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Average review score:

Great for small groups
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-23
The Serendipity Bible has been an excellent resource for our small group leaders for ChristCare at our church. As we train new leaders this has been a gift that we have given to each of them. Time and time again they say what a wonderful resource it is.

Great small group study Bible
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-27
If you are weary of looking for Bible study material for groups - this is your solution. This Bible has many study topics already indexed. Study questions are thought provoking though geared just a litte to youth. If I were to purchase again I would get the hard copy for such a large book.

Intuitive
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-08
It's a very user-friendly approach to group study of the Bible and how to apply it to daily life.

Great Resource
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-11
We use this bible in our Weekly Bible Study and to prepare for our weekly Sunday School. It provides good concepts and thoughtful questions that we use to facilitate our classes. I like how it presents a mini learning series by several different categories and topics.

Thought provoking
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-24
I am enjoying this Bible as it has questions that are thought provoking. I have read others that give you information and where to find more information but this is the only one that I have come across that asks you questions and makes you think of what is written.

Coleman
Taste of Honey, A
Published in Kindle Edition by HarperCollins e-books (2007-08-14)
Author: Darren, Coleman
List price: $11.95
New price: $9.56

Average review score:

Darren Coleman did his thing.......
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-09
A TASTE OF HONEY WAS A VERY GOOD BOOK IT DEALS WITH LIFE PROBLEMS AND WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN PEOPLE ARE ABUSED A CHILD AND HOW IT CAN AFFECT THEM IN THEIR ADULT LIFE. THIS WAS VERY GOOD IT A MUST GET.

Hooked by the end of the first page.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-18
When I purchased this book I didn't think that it would be something that would keep my attention. That all changed before I finished the first page. The twist and turns that Darren Coleman threw in each chapter kept me turn the page to see what would happen next. I never expected Honey turn out the way she did. But with the start in life she had, I'm glad that it didn't ruin her.

Great Book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-30
I enjoyed this book and I could not stop turning the pages. It has drama, suspense and true love. This author never disapppoints and I can't wait for the next novel.

HONEY IS OH SO SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-18
I Believe This Was A Very Interesting Read. Darren Kept Me Guessing the Whole Entire Time. I Would Highly Recommend This Book to Others

One to pick up
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-15
Hailey Height lived with her mother in the projects and would spend afternoons swooning over her fine neighbor, Manny, who lives across the hall. Although Manny is much older than Hailey's fifteen years, she becomes involved in a sexual relationship with him. Because of her skills in the bedroom, he affectionately nicknames her "Honey". After experiencing the worst type of betrayal by her best friend and tragic events that follow, Honey finds herself
having to grow up fast and survive on her own. She uses the only talent she has to make money; as a high-priced call girl.

Khalil Graves is a movie producer with several movie deals being considered for the big screen. The demons from his past follow him, but he's able to cope with the help of medication and therapy. When he meets Honey he is instantly
smitten and she is also attracted to Khalil, but her motives for initiating a relationship are purely selfish. The resulting consequences make for a very thrilling and stimulating adventure. This is the first time I've read a book by Darren Coleman and it won't be my last. Coleman presents great characterization and plot development. The book quickly grabbed my attention and held it to the end. A TASTE OF HONEY is an absorbing and entertaining read, a great addition to your home library.

Reviewed by Paula Henderson
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Coleman
52 Week Baseball Training
Published in Paperback by Human Kinetics Publishers (2000-09)
Authors: A. Eugene Coleman and Gene Coleman
List price: $19.95
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Average review score:

Take the guesswork out of baseball training
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-23
A Very complete guide that will help any athlete and an excellent resource for baseball players searching for how to train for their sport.

52-Week Baseball Training: A Comprehensive Review
Helpful Votes: 20 out of 20 total.
Review Date: 2001-08-16
This text represents a comprehensive look at the application of current principles of conditioning and training for the baseball player. It is an extremely well written text. Dr. Coleman does an excellent job of blending both the theoretical aspects of training with the practical aspects he knows to be viable because of his years of experience working with, not only major league players, but also younger players. The application of the concept of periodization to baseball conditioning is extremely important for the development of strength, power, speed, and agility. With improvement in these areas, the ability to enhance performance is optimized. The use of humor throughout the text also serves as a good buffer between the various theoretical sections. The Forward to the book by Nolan Ryan and the Introduction to the ýPhysical Demands of the Gameý set the stage for an extremely thorough look at the various aspects of conditioning that are involved in developing the baseball player. The examples of different players who developed at different rates indicate that players of all levels can benefit by applying the theories and programs presented in this text to their individual programs. Dr. Colemanýs presentation of a year-round periodization model blends the theoretical aspects of this type of training with the reality of the baseball season. By defining the plans as he has, Dr. Coleman provides the individual with an idea of what is expected throughout each training regime.

Specifically important in the first section is the workout order. Many players train very inefficiently. By Dr. Coleman delineating the optimal order for performance enhancement, players gets an idea of how to best plan their entire training program.

In Chapter One on Postseason training, his presentation of the dietary needs of the athlete for training is very concise and straightforward. He presents a good plan for maintaining fitness during this period of time. By organizing his Off-season training program (Chapter Two) by positions, he deals with one of the primary aspects of physical development--specificity of training. He shows that although there are general exercises that all can do, there are certain exercises that are position specific. In this section he presents a simple yet thorough presentation of dietary needs, which is quite important to the individual.

By including baseball specific drills in Chapter Three, Preseason One training, he again focuses on the need for specificity of training. The section on avoiding arm problems is very important because oftentimes players are overzealous about trying to get ready for the season. This can cause setbacks rather than getting them ready for the upcoming season. His concluding comments on fueling the body with supplements are extremely well stated. He writes, ýEating a diet high in carbohydrates and training hard are the best ergogenic aids available. They are safe, cheap, and effective.ý So many players today are looking for a quick and easy way to develop their physical abilities. In reality, the best way to do it as Dr. Coleman suggests is to eat right and work hard.

Also in this chapter, his baseball ratings test is a good guideline for players to use to see how much they have improved. Although his criteria may not be appropriate for the specific player, individual players can use this to measure gains over time. Monitoring themselves on these various parameters can provide two checks: 1) if their conditioning program is effective and 2) if they are over training and/or stale.

The Preseason Two chapter further emphasizes specificity of training when he discusses simulated innings training and fueling the body. His ten best food tips are a realistic look at the current state of society. Although it is ideal for people to prepare meals, in many cases this is not possible. His suggestions are well taken.

His In Season program (Chapter Five) focuses on the importance of maintaining what has been gained. At this time many players, because they are working on game specific drills, neglect things such as speed and agility. It is critical that Dr. Colemanýs comments be heeded in this section.

Under the section on running, he states, ýThe key to strength is intensity not volumeý. This relates to another important training concept ý overload. He focuses on how critical it is to be efficient in your training. Teaching players to train (and perform) better, not harder, is a critical element of successful coaching. An example with pitching is if you want to learn to pitch fast you should practice pitching fast.

The section on eating in popular restaurants discusses how important it is to eat a good diet. His examples of foods to order and foods to skip are quite good.

Part 2 of the text presents the meat of the material. Although I feel that this could have been placed at the beginning to give the reader an idea of what was to follow, I am sure Dr. Colemanýs decision to place them in this order is based on his background and skill in the field. He presents 16 principles at the beginning of Part 2. These are so critical in developing a sound philosophy of how to train. It is important that these be read and reread before a training program is developed.

Chapter Six discusses the importance of warm-up and cool down in the development of flexibility and in the optimization of training. It contains a series of game specific activities that can help prepare the performer. The use of diagrams and the description of these exercises are quite thorough and build a good base for his training program.

Chapter Seven on core strength training is quite well done. He describes circuit weight training; multiple set training, pyramid training, and four-day split training, along with six day split training. Although a little more detail could have been included in some of these descriptions, enough is presented for the reader to at least ask a conditioning coach for suggestions for developing an individualized program. He presents a concise model for designing the components of your strength program discussing the specifics of sets and reps.

Again, following with the practical nature of the book, the section on the ýdos and donýts of crunchesý is quite well stated. The pictures and descriptions of the daily core are very thorough and very informative. His use of various mediums including medballs and plyometrics points out how complex the field of training is today.

Chapter Eight dealing with the development of the shoulder, elbow, forearm, and hand is quite necessary for the development of throwing for both fielders and pitchers. His cautions about the exercises that can hurt your shoulder are very important. His rotator cuff program is very specific to the baseball player.

Speed (Chapter Nine) is an area that is often overlooked. His five key components to the development of speed concisely present all that is necessary for the individual. His description of the components of running helps the individual player in a very simplistic way ý what needs to be done to run fast. This goes back to specificity of training ý in order to run fast you must run fast.

Finally, Chapter Ten on power and the plyometric element of training to baseball is important. The use of medballs and bounding are quite critical to the complete development of the baseball player.

In conclusion, I feel that this is an excellent text that deals with a number of elements that the player must consider in conditioning. Baseball is not something that is just played during the season. You do not get better by just fielding more grounders or taking more swings. The physical abilities necessary to play the game must be developed. Fitness and conditioning for baseball must be a year-round project.

Applying Science to Baseball
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2001-03-19
Applying exercise science to a ritually traditional sport is what Dr. Coleman has done with 52 Week Baseball Training. Excellent sections on scouting and seasonal training methods. I enjoyed the division of training into 5 phases with gradual intensity and specificity of training during those phases. Any strength trainer, exercise physiologist or coach that works with baseball/softball players will feather the pages of this book because it will be used and referred to so much. If only it came in hardcover!

A definitive, practical, effective program
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2001-03-16
Gene Coleman's 52-Week Baseball Training is a definitive, practical, effective program for the aspiring athlete to achieve and maintain top physical conditioning for baseball, whether competing for a spot in the major or minor leagues, or just enjoying softball league or sandlot games. Coleman provides day-by-day, week-by-week, season-by-season workouts (including resistance training, total conditioning exercises, and position-specific activities) in a training plan that can be applied in high school, college, and summer-league schedules. Highly recommended for all novice as well as seasoned players, Coleman's 52-Week Baseball Training is laid out in four sequential phases: Postseason (active rest and recovery); Off-Season (fitness training); Preseason (training to play); and In-Season (training to win).

Excellent Resource!
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2001-04-25
Having trained both amateur and professional baseball players, I can say that Dr. Coleman continues to be at the forefront of strength and conditioning, particularly with respect to baseball. This book will be a useful resource for any player or coach wanting to reach peak baseball performance through improving strength, speed, and agility. I highly recommend this book!

Coleman
Polar the Titanic Bear
Published in Hardcover by Little, Brown Young Readers (1994-09-01)
Author: Daisy Corning Stone Spedden
List price: $17.95
New price: $18.50
Used price: $0.46
Collectible price: $26.95

Average review score:

Book still not here after a month!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-14
Amazon asked me to review this book, which is funny, considering I still haven't received the copy I ordered more than a month ago! If you really want this book, you might try getting it elsewhere.

Great Book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-20
I found this book to be a wonderful book that takes you into the world of a passenger on the Titanic and his journey through the disaster. It was a wonderful book with great illustrations that really helped my students look into the events of the Titanic.

Polar the Titanic Bear
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2002-11-07
I liked the story because when Polar was lost he was reunited with his owner at the end of the story. The person that read me the story said that this story was true because the granddaughter of Polar's owner found this story in her attic and wrote a book about it.

polar the titanic bear
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-09
the name of this book is polar the titanic bear.It was a very,very good book. IT IS A TRUE STORY.I is about a stuffed bear that is "alive" and has a very good connection with his master.His master's family was a very rich family,so they traveled alot.The two were on the titanic,& this book has real pictures of the titanic & his family.(masters family)

A book with so much to offer!
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-02-26
This book has much to offer, for young readers and for adults. It is a wonderful glimpse into history, told from the perspective of a Steiff polar bear, who is very much a part of the life of young Douglas Spedden. His family's travels and his young life unfold in a beautiful text that is illustrated with sensitive illustrations and historical photographs. The Speddens traveled on the ill-fated Titanic. The incredible drama of that event unfolds in the most personal narrative. The magnficent beauty of the ship is conveyed as the family enjoys its commodious luxury. The drama of its sinking is compelling as well as touching in the describtion of the heartbreaking separation of Polar from young Douglas. This is how a young child would remember such an event. Fortunately, Polar is found and reunited with his friend.

The story behind the story is as wondeful as the book itself. Leighton H. Coleman III found this wonderful manuscript in his grandfather's barn. It was written by his cousin, Daisy Spedden. How brilliant of a mother to convert a traumatizing event into a story for her little boy! Her tender insight, the wonder of discovery and the perfect blending of history and narrative--ocean liners, wonderful bears--all of these components make this a perfect children's book that is both educational and entertaining (for parents, too!). I have given scores of copies to my friends with children and to my many adult friends who are fascinated by ocean liners and the Titanic. The book is well-crafted with much to offer.


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