Curtis Books

Strong fundamentals are presented here without wasting your time. If you have only an hour to spend before preparing a speech, this book is for you.

Speak For Yourself: A Handbook On Practical Public Speaking is a "user friendly" how-to guide for speaking in any kind of public function or occasion. Speak For Your self is especially recommended to anyone who finds that they must preside over a meeting, give a platform speech, introduce a speaker, present an award, accept an award, give a committee report, or make extemporaneous remarks. Speak For Yourself is concise (112 pages) and to the point. If you are about to be called upon to speak in public and feel uncomfortable or unprepared, then read Speak For Yourself. It will reduce any performance anxiety and enable you to present yourself as articulate, persuasive, and capable no matter what the occasion.

If Tom Clancey or James A. Michener had put their names to Stars of the Southern Cross, this novel would have been an instant best seller. A. Robert Hill has created a literary masterpiece in his story about Collin Farley and the Fifth Army Air Force fighting in the South Pacific during World War II.
The Story has all the qualities that great novels possess.
1. PLOT. Hill has created a plot that produces a page-turner, a cliffhanger, and a book that is hard to put down until the last word is read. Each detail about the men who flew the airplanes against the Rising Sun is so real the reader can see and feel the searing action.
2. CHARACTERIZATION. Hill's men and women come to life with a dynamic 3D effect. From the pilots who defy death as they streak across a hostile sky to the ground crew who keep the flyers flying, each character comes to life as a skilled author breathes life into each one of them. And, the ballerina with a French name that the top ace falls in love with is straight out of a sparkling fairy tale done by a master. Hill is quick to let the reader know that the Stars of the Southern Cross are the characters from the United States who grew up in places where other Americans of that time came to maturity.
3. BELIEVEABLE CHARACTERS AND SETTINGS. A master writer who lived and fought where his characters lived, fought, and died carefully etches each detail in this book. The emotions expressed by men flying during deadly combat can have only been written by an author who faced these same tense moments while flying in combat under the same Southern Cross depicted in this thrilling novel that was written of a time when the freedom of the world stood in the balance. A MAGNIFICANT EPIC!

No matter how many novels you have read on World War II, this one will give new insights into the daily lives of the Army Air Force in the South Pacific. Robert Hill takes us into the cockpits during bombing raids, into ambulances on the airstrips, into a bar at Port Moresby and on on Guadalcanal and the Melbourne Opera House. We discover gold and pearls in a secret compartment in the hold of a coast watcher's sloop and crash among primitive islanders.
Technical flying descriptions of missions are as faultless as are the magnificent sights from nine thousand feet. In the fast-paced dialogue we follow the turning points of the war and of a poignant love affair. We are there with General MacArthur in the Office of Operations and with Antoinette as she perfoms "Swan Lake" unware of the fate of her favorite pilot, who is torn between love and duty. For an entirely believable fresh experience of the Allied encounter with Japanese Zeros in 1942, "Stars of the Southern Cross" belongs on the top of your list.

This book is very inspirational. It teaches children about hard work, patience, sharing, and God's unconditional love. The child in this story spends time with his father learning so much more than about planting sunflowers. It shows how very simple daily tasks can be used to encourage our children. This is a wonderful book.

I read this book every Summer to my children (and many times in between) to inspire them with our own Summer planting efforts. I never tire of reading it and they enjoy it too. I especially like the scripture references included on every page. I look forward to completing my collection of these books.

If you are looking for an illustrative step-by-step atlas for the most common spinal approaches, this is absolutely one of the right choices.

Very high quality text and illustrations on minimally and standard invasive procedures of the spine. Good glossy pictures accompanying the text.

This is one of our favorites. My 6 year old daughter loves this book. I read it to her first grade class and they loved it too. It is a very sweet book.

The Thirteen Hours of Halloween is a lively tale sure to delight beginning readers and writers. "In the first hour of Halloween, my best friend gave to me," a little girl recalls, "a vulture in a dead tree." Yes, children can sing along to the familiar Christmas tune until...The Thirteen Hour of Halloween when the little girl gives away her creepy gifts.

Teachers can inspire young writers to make up their own "Hours of Halloween" stories and songs as a class or in small groups. The writers illustrate their work, which can then be bound into class or group books. Second and third graders are easily motivated to share their books and songs with the younger children, and of course, their parents. Parents will enjoy sharing this book with the little ones as they count along and learn to sing and read. With a little imagination this book can be used as an educational tool at home or school.

Mrs. Camille Lemoine Book Reviewer of BOOVille, USACityLink Terrytown Elementary

Whether you're an author pursuing a deal with a major publisher or trying to decide if self-publishing is for you, This Business of Publishing is essential to understanding how the publishing world works. Curtis examines everything from the method used to sell books to the effects of mergers on editors, writers and agents as well as publishers and bookstores to the effects of technology on all aspects of the industry. This Business of Publishing will aid established authors, aspiring writers, and self-published authors in understanding the business of the book industry therefore helping them plan their career strategy.

Mr. Curtis has been around the publishing business for many years and his commentary shows it. He provides searingly honest information that illuminates "warts and all." At the same time, his love of the industry comes through. And the last chapter is laugh out loud funny - and very telling.

This story caught my 3 year old grandson's attention right away with the bright illistrations of the cat,the boat,the ocean and the island. He was ready to go find Tom!! Easy to read and understand for young children. The story makes you feel that you are back in the islands again!

I love this book! The illustrations are just adorable--Bobak really captured the finicky, feline ways of a cat on the prowl. It's one of my kids' favorites, too--I wish the publisher would put it back in print. Get a copy of it if you can.

The poet +Steven Curtis Lance really IS the american version of the famous Henrich Heine:A master in writing poetry.

This book is FILLED with lots and lots of wonderful poetry.
Both warm and romantic AS bitter and angry poems.
A wonderful experience for the reader!

A TRUE poetric talent.

AMOR VINCIT OMNIA

Silke Lance,Dr.Ph

Transcendental if you will
I would rather thrill than kill
Giving in or giving out
But not giving up to doubt

Drink no more and never smoke
Live on apples and brown rice
English tea and being nice
Saving all my strength up for
Writing books one two three four

Brokenhearted and flat broke

In the existential joke
Which this life would seem to be
Staving off insanity
In oral and written test
Anal and unwritten jest

Absurdity suits me best

Ride that insane carousel
Up and out the mouth of hell
Isis and Osiris know
Things get pretty grim below
Dark and deep mysterious

Must we be so serious?

Rather fast than rather slow
Laughing last before we go

What an absolutely wonderful book...and the way to convey your life's experiences! I don't think of myself as an avid reader (i.e. a book a week) but I truly enjoyed Upward Bound so much I could hardly put it down. My wife Nancy, wanted to know what it was that captivated my interest so thoroughly that I didn't come to bed until midnight. My answer was simply .. Curtis Meeks, his beginnings and life story.

Nancy has always said that she considers you the epitome of a Southern Gentleman..like you had stepped out of the pages of Gone With the Wind. Now that I know something of your humble beginnings and your devotion to God, Country and attitudes toward your fellow man, it's apparent why you treat everyone so wonderfully. It would not surprise me if someone was to say that fellow Texan, George Bush, had gotten his famous expression, a kinder, gentler times, after having spent an afternoon chatting with you.

Thank you so much for sharing your 85 years experience with Nancy and me. We feel privileged to know someone with true grit and look forward to sharing Upward Bound with both of our daughters and sons-in-law.

This autobiography was excellent. Meeks really understands how to move the reader into the old western culture with contemporary brilliance. This is a story of the trials of a young ambitious frontiersman and the steps to his success. This is one of the few books where the characters seem more realistic and believable than in real life. Truely, a very entertaining and heartwarming historical autobiography

This book is a must read for any young athlete and their parents. My 12 year old daughter has a love for the game of basketball, but has had a few stumbling blocks along the way. After meeting Alex and reading his book she had an "Assessment" and has a changed view on the importance of athletics, in general. Most importantly, you have to be happy with yourself and what you do. She also realized it takes a whole lot of "baby steps" during the journey. You can't do it in one giant step! Thank you Alex for teaching her this.

Meach was always a crowd favorite, and this book gives a great insite into the life of a NCAA basketball player. No "stop the presses" type scandals, just an inspiring story of a young man living out his dream. It's an easy read (I read it in a day), and have bought it as a gift for others! To sum it up in one word....enjoyable!