Fletcher Books

I have specialized in providing professional education and therapy to divorced, courting, and re/wedded couples since 1981. I am (a) 66, (b) a stepgrandson, stepson, and ex-stepfather and stepbrother, (c) an invited Board member of the Stepfamily Association of America, (d) a contributing editor to 'Your Stepfamily Online,' and (e) the author of six personal-growth and family-relations books.

I recommend this pioneering book to readers who want a readable, well-illustrated introduction to stepfamily life. I do not recommend it to anyone who wants to know the core reasons most US stepfamilies are significantly stressful, and why millions redivorce or endure daily agony. Lofas and Roosevelt omit these essential points, which will combine to block typical readers from following their well-meant advice:

1) why and how to assess and reduce co-parents' psychological wounds from childhood (vs. divorce. Most divorced and stepfamily adults appear to be significantly wounded - and don't know it;

2) the origin and impacts of blocked grief in adults and kids, and how to spot and reduce it. All stepfamilies follow (and cause) a series of profound losses (broken bonds);

3) co-parent unawareness of five key topics: (a) normal personality formation, composition, and function; (b) keys to high-nurturance families and relationships, (c) effective communication skills, (d) healthy 3-level grief, and (e) stepfamily realities, norms, implications, and hazards. And...

4) little effective re/marital and co-parenting help (i.e. courtship coaching, classes, informed counseling, co-parent support groups) available in most communities and the media.

In my clinical experience, these factors will often promote needy, love-dazed courting co-parents to commit to the wrong people (mate, stepkids, and "other parent/s"), for the wrong reasons, at the wrong time. Then the factors inhibit co-parents from identifying and resolving these core personal, role, and relationship problems:

http://sfhelp.org/10/problems.htm

For more perspective on this review, see:

http://sfhelp.org/11/choose_bks.htm

This book helped me to understand the feelings of my husband, his children and my own. In every situtation possible, this book makes you say "yeah thats how it really is and yes, I now understand". A real eye opener to anyone in any step situtation. Please read this before you leap into a step situtation. It will help you deal with alot of emotional garbage.

Prior to becoming a step parent I rushed to the bookstore and pulled the only three step parenting books they had off the shelf and bought them. Thank God one of them happened to be this one. Living In Step proved to be a far superior guild than the other two.

The book is well written and VERY practical. As a guy I was concerned I would have to wade through a lot of touchy feeling .... Not so. This book comes straight to the point. I liked how it is broken into sections for the step father and step mother. I was able to concentrate on the step father parts and skim over the step mother section just enough to understand how my new wife would be effected by this too.

I am nearly five years into this new relationship with my step child from when I first read this book and it has proved itself to be worth it's weight in gold. Early in the relationship when a situation would happen, I could just smile inside because I had been forewarned. Rejection from my step child was not the end but the beginning of a transition they, and I, had to go through to get where we are today. The book gave me the ability to embrace situations as they arose instead of running away in horror.

Do whatever you have to do to get this book. It can change your relationship for the better.

This is good addition to Osprey's Vanguard series, this volume presents one from the "armoured funnies" of WW II. There are, however, some deviations from what readers have come to expect from this publication. In text are short history of anty-mine Britisch tanks and history of idea flail tank. About using Sherman Crab is too little information, there are no line drawings of this machine. For modellers and hobbists too little, for teenangers - too much. In this series I read better books.

David Fletcher's SHERMAN CRAB FLAIL TANK follows the design and history of the Sherman tank, considering its development and deployment. Colorful artwork and vintage photos supplement a collection recommended for any in-depth military library focusing on equipment history.

Interesting historical facts regarding the backgtound before manufacturing the Crab. Nothing over post WW.2 use, if any.

"The Book of Beasts" is a modern English translation of a medieval bestiary. The Latin original was compiled during the 12th century, probably at a monastery in Lincolnshire, England. T.H. White's translation was first published in 1954. This is a later American edition of the same work.

A bestiary was a medieval work of zoology and biology. Or something passing for zoology. The bestiary contained short descriptions of various animals together with moral lessons humans were supposed to learn from the animal world. Since real biological science was virtually non-existent during the Middle Ages, the descriptions of the various animals are often fanciful, fabulous and completely wrong! This makes "The Book of Beasts" quite entertaining.

Thus, the unknown author informs us (with a straight face) that lions are afraid of white roosters, that a sick lion eats monkeys as medication, that the only enemy of the panther is the dragon, and that antilopes can fell trees with their saw-like horns! We further "learn" that carbuncles are the hardened urine of lynxes, that elephants live for 300 years, and that bears give birth to formless bits of pulp, which the female bear moulds into bear pups by licking them.

Other curious claims: the ostrich only lays eggs when the star constellation of the Pleiades is visible, the partridge is homosexual, snakes commit adultery with murenas, and the wagtail can sense when a sick man is going to die. And so on and so forth. I think you get my point, LOL. Sometimes I wonder whether *any* empirical observations of animal behaviour were made during the 12th century? Well, certainly not by the monks in Lincolnshire!

Naturally, the bestiary also contains purely imaginery animals such as the Griffin, two species of unicorns, the man-beast Manticora, and sirens. My favorite is the yale: "There is a beast called a YALE, which is as big as a horse, has the tail of an elephant, its colour black and with the jowls of a boar. It carries outlandishly long horns which are adjusted to move at will. They are not fixed, but are moved as the needs of the battle dictates, and, when it fights, it points one of them foreward and folds the other back". Sounds like my kind of animal. Apparently, many deers at European coats-of-arms are really imaginery yales.

Sometimes, the mistakes of the bestiarist are understandable, as when he exclaims: "Who on earth ever heard of a black swan?" Well, the Australian Aborigines did, but Australia was terra incognita for Europeans during the Middle Ages. Very occasionally, the information in the bestiary is correct, as when it points out that swallows and other birds migrate during the winter. The author also knew that bats were different from "other birds", giving a relatively accurate description of them (did bats live at the monastery?).

The religious perspective of "The Book of Beasts" is obvious. A bestiary wasn't simply a collection of wonderful tales about animals. It was also a moral exhortation to Christian living. Thus, the text of "The Book of Beasts" is filled with condemnations of heresy, adultery, greed, abortion, neglect of children and elderly parents, etc. Sometimes, the author sounds more like a preacher than a biologist (well, he was a monk). To medieval man, nature was moral since it had been created by God for a purpose, more moral than human society in fact. Thus, the anonymous compiler claims that lions never attack humans who prostrate themselves, this being a lesson for human kings, who should show more clemency to their adversaries. Even evil beasts carry moral lessons: the immoral snake is punished by nature in various ingenious ways for its unnatural sex drive. Therefore humans better be chaste!

The bestiary also makes (often far-fetched) parallels between animal behaviour and the life of Christ. The virgin birth is "proven" by claiming that vultures give birth without sexual intercourse: "The bird can breed without a male, and nobody disproves it. Yet when the betrothed Virgin Mary herself so produces, people question her modesty! They actually suppose that the Mother of God cannot do what vultures do!". The female lion supposedly gives birth to dead cubs, but after three days, the male lion breaths life into them. In the same way, Christ was resurrected after three days. And isn't the lion a symbol of Christ himself? "The Book of Beasts" also contain the well-known legend of the Phoenix, connected to the resurrection of Jesus already by Clement of Rome during the 1st century.

Finally, some complaints about this particular edition. The lay-out is lousy, and the footnotes confusing. Indeed, the translators' footnotes are often even more weird than the bestiary itself! He also seems to have a perverse fascination with urine and copulation. If you're a very modest person, don't buy this book for your kids!

Otherwise, "The Book of Beasts" does provide the reader with some light afternoon entertainment.

This is indeed an excellent book for those interested in history and biology. ~The Book of Beasts~ is a translation from Latin of a Twelfth century bestiary. It was written as a serious scientific study of zoology, despite giving equal precedence to dogs, horses, lions, dragons, and unicorns. This was the world of wildlife as the people of the 1100's saw it. It includes such beliefs as "when a lioness gives birth to her cubs, she brings them forth dead and lays them up lifeless for three days - until thier father, coming on the third day, breathes in thier faces, and makes them alive." (direct quote) The book also has an extensive appendix, detailing the history of the original manuscript of this bestiary, and information on ancient bestiaries as a whole. Further, the author tells us "No Latin prose bestiary has ever before been printed, even in Latin. This is the first and only English translation in print. . ." This is an invaluable reference to any students of historical sciences, especially biological/zoological sciences, or to any simply interested in the subjects. Very highly recommended.

Oh what images the Crimean War evokes and has evoked for 150 years. For myself, with scant knowledge of specific events, I well remember visiting the Officers Mess of the Royal Regiment of Wales some years ago where I stood for over an hour ignoring my hosts just gazing at the detail of the most outstanding piece of regimental silverware I have ever seen. Made of solid silver, the piece must have measured at least 3 feet by 2 feet and easily over 1 foot high. It depicted in full relief the Battle of Inkerman and showed those attacking and those defending that strategic hill. It was simply called "The Inkerman Piece."

Elsewhere, those with a far greater knowledge of the Crimean War have acclaimed this book as a great work. Of course, only those who have studied the subject in great detail can vouch for the accuracy of the content. Personally, I have taken note of the fact that the Bibliography alone runs to 7 pages and have also taken a close look at the authors and the qualifications and background they bring to the work. In this case it is very impressive.

Ian Fletcher was born in London in 1957 and comes to this work as the author of 17 books and editor of several more. His list of credits is impressive by any standards; Member of the British Commission for Military History, Fellow of the International Napoleonic Society, he also runs battlefield tours specialising in pre-20th century military history and is often found escorting clients to the Iberian Peninsular, Waterloo and the Crimea.

Natalia Ishchenko's credits are equally impressive; Born in the Crimea, she graduated from Taurida National V. I. Vernadsky University and obtained he PhD in Philology in 1989. Today she is an assistant professor at her old university and author of over 40 works encompassing literary, historical and cultural studies.

In short, these two people know their subject and have formed the perfect partnership for producing such a book. On top of all that - and in spite of the passing of 150 years since the Crimean War, the book is described by the no less a person than the Prime Minister of the present day Crimean republic as "The first accomplished mutual investigation of the events of the Crimean War of 1853-1856."

I do believe, therefore, this book will come to be seen as a great literary work - in addition to being a damned good read. It should, therefore, be seen as required reading for all those with an interest in the Crimean War in addition to anyone else who enjoys a fine read on a factual subject.

NM

I picked up my copy of this weighty book with a great deal of expectation. I have always held an interest in the mid-19th century including the great conflicts of the Crimean War and the American Civil War. I hoped this work would provide a definitive history.

Undoubtedly well researched, the book makes good use of Russian sources to illustrate the experiences of the defenders of Sevastapol. Political entanglements that led to the war and ultimately dictated its peace are thoroughly detailed and discussed.

Nevertheless, for all its careful research, I found this book frustrating to read. The book manifests a number of problems that a good editor should have dealt with long before publication. Words are repeated in the same sentence, quotes and illustrative statments stand isolated in blocks of text without further explanation and anecdotal material is often awkwardly placed. The syntax is especially poor. An example from Chapter 4 -

"It was a scene superbly captured in the 1968 feature film, "The Charge of Light Brigade", which captured the spirit of the march - and its agonies - superbly."

Mistakes such as these would be frowned upon in an undergraduate paper. Far too many of them litter the book and detract from the narrative, making the work a difficult read.

The academic standard of the work is high and the use of Russian sources most welcome. With careful editing and closer proof reading this book could yet become the definitive work it aspires to be, and this makes it all the more frustrating to read in its present form.

If you are looking for academic study of the Crimean War, this book provides it. However, if you also enjoy a good read, you may lose paitience with this book before the end.

Good use of Wesleyan Quadrilateral integrated with Process Theology. She applies all of this to the African American Woman position (Womanist).

This book is an exploration of the divine gifts of courage and grace in the face of evil. Moreover, it is a doctrine of God as the source of that courage. The author presents an understanding of the work of the Trinity with regard to the problem of crucifixion, a metaphor she uses for unnecessary violence. She develops a process-relational, womanist theology that considers the empathetic omnipresence of God in the midst of unnecessary suffering and the healing power of God in movement of the Holy Spirit. She engages the contributions of a diversity of theologians like Paul Tillich, Karl Barth, Gordon Kaufman, John Cobb, Jr., Majorie Suchocki, Charles Hartshorne, Andrew Sung Park, and Katie Cannon in her discussion of the dance of the Trinity in creation, and the problem of sin, hatred, evil, and suffering. Through creative works like that of Alice Walker's The Color Purple and journalist Joyce King's account of the James Byrd, Jr. murder in Jasper County, Texas, the author reveals the healing, encouraging power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of survivors of unnecessary violence.

very good for PLM professionals and people interested in configuration management.

Extremely boring for anybody else.

Thanks and best regards,
Lorenzo

This book explains the configuration manangement process fully. It is somewhat dry (what do you expect!?) but is not a difficult read. Most of the examples are from a military/government background...it would have been nice to see some examples from private-sector companies. The last chapter or two shows a complete configuration management "template" which you can transfer to use for your company. It could have been more "practical" for us novices

I expected a story about a particularly elusive deer nicknamed Elvis. What I got was an ethics lesson and a bit of a history lesson and not enough story. Since I fling arrows and bow hunt with a recurve, I guess some will take it that I am being disrespectful to the brethren. It's just that when someone calls their book a novel, I have the habit of expecting a story. When I don't get my story, I'm disappointed. Mr. Hamm is a great historian, ethicist and he seems to write well, but this book doesn't know what it wants to be. I would ask Mr. Hamm to write his own explanation here on Amazon. You have no excuse being disappointed if you know what you are getting. I didn't...I was.

If you don't hunt or only hunt with a rifle or compound bow.. you may not understand the ending of this book.
Jim Hamm brings the essence of the hunt and what it means to be a hunter to light in this fantastic book. He describes the land he hunts and loves in bitter detail. He makes you understand what it means to be a hunter and to be the hunted. And in the end he makes us see what it is all about.
I have never hunted the Texas countryside he hunts.. but I now can say I have been there and understand it... I am fortunate to be amongst the tribe of hunters he belongs too... I can not thank him enough for this tale of the Texas countryside and his partnership with the great Elvis.....

FROM THE FIRST PAGE TO THE LAST THIS BOOK WAS A GOOD READ. COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN.

What would you do if your sister married a man after only knowing him for a short period of time? Join Deborah Fletcher Mello as she takes us on a voyage into the psyche of thirty-one year old Camille Martin. Camille, the well-behaved daughter since childhood has to come to terms with her sister's sudden marriage to a man she has only known for two days. Accepting the fact that she is destined to be alone, Camille focuses on the expansion of her gallery as well as her sister's art profession. When Camille is introduced to her brother-in-law she discovers that he is the son of the world-renowned sculptor Vincent DeCosta. Camille suddenly remembers that dreadfully embarrassing day while in college when she encountered the stunningly handsome Vincent.

A chance meeting years ago left Vincent pining over a woman that he would probably never see again. Several years later at the age of fifty-four, Vincent finds himself once again face to face with Camille, the woman of his dreams. As the blooming relationship between Vincent and Camille develops, a tragic incident from their past is about to unfold. Will Vincent and Camille let the ghosts from the past and the difference in age hinder their chance at true happiness?

Deborah Fletcher Mello's A LOVE FOR ALL TIME is a very poignant story about honesty, forgiveness and true love. I instantly fell in love with the characters and enjoyed the storyline from beginning to end. Readers will not be disappointed.

Reviewed by Pamela Bolden
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I have the 1980 hardback edition. It is without a doubt one of the best books on the subject of the bounty. The illustrations are great.

. . .for more than 20 years. I'm as familiar with the story as any, and more familiar than most. Recently, I had the opportunity to read Sir John Barrow's account of the mutiny and its aftermath and found the book an extremely interesting historical read. Sir John wrote his book at a time when many of the participants were still living. He addresses every major controversy surrounding the mutiny and subsequent adventures and his perspective, while a bit preachy and moralistic at times, is invaluable. While utterly condemning the actions of Fletcher Christian (and blaming the mutiny entirely on him) Barrow is also hard on Captain Bligh, showing him to be an excellent seaman but a poor leader of men (under everyday circumstances). In a crisis, Bligh was able to rise to the occasion (the open sea voyage in the Bounty's launch) but as an everyday commander of men, Bligh was found wanting. Barrow also casts doubt on Bligh's integrity during the trial, suggesting that he deliberately withheld information which could have led to the acquittal of a midshipman against whom he bore an unjustified grudge. Barrow also condemns the behavior of the captain of the Pandora as inhumane (as it was without doubt) and unreasonable, especially to those who were not mutineers, but voluntarily surrendered. Barrow's description of the trial is extremely detailed. He goes to great lengths to demonstrate that in spite of appearances, the guilty were punished and those who were truly innocent were acquitted (or eventually exonerated). He also had an interest in the eternal souls of the mutineers, recording with satisfaction that the three men eventually hanged for the crime showed evidence of repentance and contrition. All in all, this book was a fascinating read, and provided a different perspective than the 20th century movies and popular novels. I hope it comes back into print.

Calvin's Review

The main plot of the book is about a mutiny on the HMS Bounty. The sailors took over the boat and left Captain Bligh and everyone who supported the captain drifting on a small boat called a dingy. I do not like how the sailors used force to get what they want. One major event after the actual mutiny was Bligh stopping at an island to get food. They then found a tribe and started out nice from both ends but in the end the rest of the crew {not mutineers} but one jumped back in the dingy and escaped. I think it is almost funny how they start out being friends, and no one harms the tribe but they still attack

The setting took place at sea. I liked how in their social environment most of them did not know each other. It was like working on a ship with people you don't know that well for probably about a year. Something that I didn't like as well was the thing about the setting is that Captain Bligh is only trying to get bread fruit trees from Tahiti. It almost seems like a waste of time and effort. He starved and almost died for survival on a trip for breadfruit trees. It was difficult to see why he had to be so harsh on a trip that was as simple as getting bread fruit trees.

I liked the conflict because you could never tell who was wrong; otherwise known as the "bad guys." Captain Bligh was really harsh to the sailors but it seemed like it was necessary to get the work on the boat done. The Captain and his crew on the dingy then had to survive many harsh experiences to make it to safety. I also liked how the conflict was a classic struggle of workers and authority. I did not like how the conflict was destined from the beginning. It was obvious that the mutiny would happen just the way it did. It even said it in the book." The Mutiny on Board H.M.S. Bounty." One thing I would like to know is what happens to the mutineers. It does not say at the end of the book. It just says that Blithe told the governor to look for men that took the boat after he gave descriptions. I think the mutineers deserved to be caught.

This suspensful story of courage, bravery, and traitorousness is a must-read for everyone. Whether Bligh was a harsh cruel captain or whether Fletcher Christian, the leader of the mutiny was the one who was out of line has yet to be proven, but one can easily form their own opinions on the truth within the first few chapters. I beseech anyone who is contemplating whether or not to read this to give it a chance, and I guarantee you'll love it!