Frank Books

A departure from the traditional superhero saves the world story. David Grey is a police Lt. who finds himself on a long walk to save his soul. The mood and setting created by the storytelling of Straczynski and the art of Frank weaves a world the reader can immerse themselves in. You could do a lot worse with the selection of other novels out there. If you are a narrative junky, you'll definitely enjoy this gem. If you are more into the traditional superhero story perhaps skip this one.

J. Michael Straczynski's Midnight Nation is a terrific and hard to put down graphic novel. If you are looking for supermodels in spandex or cat suits (Not that there's anything wrong with that!), then this is not your book. The story is original and compelling and has sufficient pacing to keep you turning the pages and staying up way past your bedtime. Occasionally, I found the story to be downright thought provoking-more than I generally ask for in a graphic novel. Although I was often left wondering how dense protagonist David Velinsky could be, I did become interested in the characters and wanted them to make out all right.

The characters penciled by Gary Frank, while being generally better looking than you and your friends, are less "cartoonish" than the usual comic action heroes. Many of the frames teemed with details, but most showed little beyond the main focus of the action. This was clearly a style choice, as the artistic team, including Gary Frank, inkers Jonathan Sibal and Jason Gorder, and colorist Matt Milla, shows what it is capable of in the beautiful collection of covers in the back of the book. With all the comics turned movies of late, watch out for Midnight Nation at a theater near you. It can't be long in coming.

A cynical, brooding cop, a beautiful and mysterious guide, busloads of green and black zombies-what more could you ask for?

Upon first reading the description of this book, I thought it was going to be another stupid irrelevant horror comic, but was I EVER WRONG!!! This book has opened my eyes to a new way of seeing things, and the author isn't in-your-face about it either though. His message is subtle weaved throughout the book until in the end you find yourself realizing what he's saying through the story.

Take for example what he says about how he watched a street corner from midday to early in the morning once. He said that during the day it was business people, parents, kids, ect and that at night just past midnight different kinds of people came out, hookers, users, bums, vagabonds, the forgotten, the thrown away, the used, the abused, one corner, two different places, same location, why the dicotomy of people/environment of one place? He goes into a lot of detail and he exaplains it A LOT more clearly but listen, if you don't buy this book, at least read it once, just once. It's a great book that will make you see things in a different light or lack thereof.

This is a fantastic trade paperback. Straczynski's writing and Frank's artwork come together with freshness and originality.

The story has a lot of great Heaven and Hell stuff, kind of like Garth Ennis' "Preacher" books with a bit of X-files thrown in. It's pretty intense, definitely not for kids. It's nice and long, so you can settle down for a good read.

And you won't see the ending coming, it's handled very well. This was a joy to read. Check it out!

Anyone who has read any of Frank Vandiver's books can be assured that a book by Vandiver is well worth having and reading. This book is no exception. The author presents a fleshed out, human, icon of the Confederacy.

Vandiver captures Jaskson; warts and all. His is a comprehensive book detailing all aspects of Jackson's life. Well worth the money and read.

After all that has been written about Jackson, Vandiver's treatment is still the best. Highly recommended.

This is an essential book for anyone's personal library. Smart, concise, well-illustrated, and comprehensive it tells the story of one of early America's greatest field commanders. Never engaging the question of North versus South and the issues that sculpted the Civil War, Vandiver focuses on the man, his legend, and the simple values he built his life around.

How refreshing to read this book. Bringing religion into our lives makes us so whole and alive. This author writes from the heart and knows his Bible and is spreading the word.

Frank delivers a profile of the future that few authors have.
Unlike other titles this book does not focus solely on religion it highlights timeless virtue and inner values as a factor toward a bright tomorrow. Respect for law, values and education will be a reason to hope after all. This is an excellent read!

A well-researched book that has has been overdue. A book about "religion" by an author who shares his insight into the dark side of churchianity. Sherosky uncovers the hidden truths about real Faith for the real Believer and proves that Truth will set you free! This is a book for those who are not sure of the future, nervous about the present, and uncertain of the past. Its also a book for those in the churches and synagogues who think they are already well-informed about such matters. The hidden agendas, spiritual abuse, and distortions of the secular and religious "teachers" are revealed in a postive manner. The future of mankind will be far different after the arrival of the Messiah than that which the Rabbis and Clerics have hyped for the past 2,000 years. The ultimate potential for the human race will be realized in the Messianic Millenium which is the "Good News" shared by Sherosky in detail. Must reading for those seeking the faith once delivered.

Whether a reader's interests lay in futurism, social issues, philosophy or New Age, this title reveals a future order that is the REAL gateway to human destiny. The very environment, systems of education, government, economics, technology, philosophy and religion will be affected. Using the wisdom gleaned from the ancient and esoteric writings, this author prepares humanity for these and the greatest of all changes - the overcoming of human nature!

This is the third installment in the mystery/police series of Frank Kearney and Jose Phelps - two Washington, DC homicide detectives. Without belaboring or giving away the plot, this story centers around the murder of a DC drug kingpin which then opens up a whole can of worms concerning a two year old "solved" murder case of a congressional aide. What catapults this book above most police procedurals is the author's ability to manage/balance a multitude of threads and characters in this story - the murder case itself, DC politics/politicians and geography/neighborhoods, the FBI and all the witnesses, family members, etc that Frank and Jose - who are at the center of all this - meet along the way. Interestingly, (or maybe even ironically), this author's books remind me of several UK authors, (Robinson and Rankin come to mind), in that the author is able to shift gears from scenes, characters, and plot lines seamlessly while never losing/diluting the essence of the mystery. A great read.

"If cats could talk, they wouldn't." OK, this is not the main theme of the book, but the initial description of Monty (the cat) is so compelling, I knew the book wouldn't disappoint. It didn't. Really, a great read by Washington's mystery-writer laureate.

Some authors lose energy over time, while others repeat themselves in thinly disguised "new" stories. In his 3 "A Murder of" books Robert Andrews does neither. His heroes, and ours, Jose Phelps and Frank Kearney, have become real friends whose credibility grows with each novel. In "A Murder of Justice" they have become, if anything, still more believable while growing in complexity. This latest book is a terrific read, with a plot that grabs and holds, and with details that bring the story to life. Andrews is at the top of his game.

Nobody mourns the shooting death of drug supplier James "Skeeter" Hodges or the wounding of his friend Tobias "Pencil" Crawford in a black DC neighborhood. The drug dealers were sitting in a car when eight or nine bullets went through the window almost taking the Skeeter's head off and injuring Pencil. Nobody grieves Skeeter's death because he turned a nice Washington D.C. neighborhood into a war zone.

Police officers Frank Kearney and Jose Phelps are assigned the case but their superior captain Randolph Emerson is more interested in closing cold cases connected to Skeeter than catching the killer. The investigation heats up when it is discovered that the murder that killed Skeeter also killed Congressman Frederick Rhinelander's chief of staff Kevin Gantry. The department is publicly embarrassed because Kevin's case was signed off as an administrative closure. Now Frank and Jose have to find the killer or lose the confidence of the public.

Robert Andrews has written a brilliant police procedural with a dire social commentary. Once the public loses confidence in its police force, the country is one step away from anarchy. It is the belief in the police and the legal system that keeps this country functioning and the author makes that very clear. The two protagonists on the case are the heroes because they believe in the law and justice and doing their best to bring honor to the badges they carry.

Harriet Klausner

Rebeccasreads recommends MUSICAL NOTES ON MATH as a timeless teaching tool, taking you & your student through years of lessons, & well worth the money.

Dr. Madeline Frank's other book THE SECRET OF TEACHING SCIENCE AND MATH THROUGH MUSIC, will also help you teach your child to excel in science & math, promote higher scholastic aptitude, discipline, cooperation, motivation, concentration & self-esteem through learning music, playing an instrument & teamwork.

Just like I decided long ago that I'd rather get in good physical condition by playing games (instead of boring exercise), Madeline Frank shows how music can be a great "game" for learning math.

What a great idea--teaching math by using "hands, rhythm, pencils, drums, and blackboard."

In her book, "The Secret of Teaching Math and Science through Music," Dr. Frank convincingly establishes that providing children with the opportunity to play a musical instrument gives them the advantage of additional stimulation necessary to do better scholastically. In her program workbook, "Musical Notes on Math," she provides curriculum for students in kindergarten through fifth grade that has been successfully tested by teachers in southeast Virginia. Dr. Frank's program makes teaching and learning math a much easier and fun process for both teachers and students. I only wish Dr. Frank's program had been available when my son was in school and struggling with math!

REVIEWER: Cassandra Lynne, author of LoveSpeak: The Married Woman's Guide to Love and Romance. www.romancewiz.com

Dr. Frank's Musical Notes on Math is a wonderful interdisciplinary study that seems almost guaranteed to make mathematical concepts simple. Children of all five learning styles can benefit from these exercises that will have children smiling while they "drum the lesson into their heads" -- in a fun manner.

This book is a great debut for Frank Byrns, and hopefully will be the first of many from him. I think what I enjoyed most about reading these short stories is the glimpses of the larger world out there, still waiting to be explored. The writer didn't just sit down and write these stories, he first created a place -- a city, a world -- for them to exist in, and for his characters to live in. This world exists and breaths outside of the confines of the stories, and the things that happen there affects the characters in each of the stories in different ways.

Each story lets us step briefly into the lives of some of the people who inhabit this world, and though many of them are super heroes, they are real people first, with real lives, and their "gift" (or curse) is just a part of who they are.

The title story, "My Father's Son," is probably the best story in the book, and the one I enjoyed the most. I've seen a review of the book elsewhere that thought this story was a little confusing because of the jumps between characters and points in time. But that to me is the best part of the story, as step by step you find out how these events and characters interact, and piece by piece you put the story together, until the satisfying conclusion. This was a mentally stimulating and rewarding story to read, and shows once again the thought and planning that the author has put into his stories, his characters, and his world.

I read on the author's website that he has a second collection almost ready to publish. I will definitely be eagerly awaiting it's release, and with it the chance to explore more of this fascinating world he has created, and also hopefully to find out more about Blue Streak!!

Superhero fiction is a pretty rare commodity these days, but with the kind of talent displayed by Frank Byrns I don't think this will be the case for long. In his stories, Frank manages to combine real people and real situations with the kind of characters you read about in comics. I purchased this book, and became interested in the subject matter, because as my reading tastes changed I found that comics no-longer "did it" for me. I'm very pleased to say that this is an excellent progression for me and my only complaint is that he hasn't written more.

If you want an intelligent read and some explosive action--this is for you!!!

The award-winning superhero prose magazine I work for has published many of Frank Byrns' stories. We are very selective -- very picky. Only the best superhero stories make the grade at our magazine, and, in our book (if you'll forgive the pun), the BEST superhero stories deal with real human drama first -- the super powers are merely a prop to help the story along. The human drama is essential to connect the reader to the story, to give it that personal feel that keeps the reader engrossed and an active part of the story. The capes and cowls and laser beam eyes are nothing more than window dressing to add to the fun, but cannot ever be what drives the story...or the drama.

Frank Byrns understands this. His stories always strike at the heart and the mind first, before they strike at the chin and solar plexus. It won't matter what genre you are reading -- superhero or otherwise. What will matter is that you are reading fantastic stories by a gifted storyteller.

Buy this book.

Tom Waltz
Staff Writer
Cyber Age Adventures Magazine

If your not into comics, superheros are just that, "SUPERHEROS". But if you love the stories behind who these characters are, than Frank Byrns is your man. The short stories he has written give just a small glimps to the everyday life of superhumans. I say superhumans because the stories made you see that although they had these powers, they still had everyday problems, just like you or I. Franks fleer for detail made me want to know more about the characters in his stories and what would life bring their way in the future. I hope to read more of his stories. He has made me a true believer.

Expertly translated from the original Dutch by Debra F. Onkenhout, My Friend Anne Frank is the personal reminiscences of Jacqueline ("Jopie") van Maarsen, the best friend of Anne Frank, who corresponded regularly until the Holocaust destroyed Anne among its many millions of victims. A powerful tribute to Anne as a person, remembering her for who she was and the good times spent together, rather than simply dwelling upon her suffering and pain, My Friend Anne Frank is a deeply emotional and moving testimony of a remarkable young life and a very special friendship.

This is an extraordinary little book. Anyone with an interest in Anne Frank would be foolish not to read this. Written by a real friend of Anne's (who is referred to in the diary as "Jopie"), we are offered something in this book that cannot be underestimated--a different point of view on some of the experiences Anne describes by someone who really experienced them with her. Quotes from the diary are expanded upon and explained and some minor mysteries are resolved by the woman who, as a girl, was with Anne when these things happened.

Some readers might be disappointed that this book is so brief. I, on the other hand, was sympathetic to Van Maarsen's shyness, desire for privacy and reticence to speak so as not to appear as someone taking advantage of Anne's fame. In fact, I think this makes her book even more compelling. Van Maarsen speaks strictly to things she knows and experiences. She does not try to pad the book with her own personal details and agenda. She seems to have written this book for us--the people interested in knowing more about Anne--and not for herself.

As the years pass, there is the growing risk that Anne will become so sainted as to go beyond reality. Additionally, the readers of the diary often forget that we are hearing a story entirely from the perspective of a young girl. This does not diminish Anne's achievement but I think it is important to keep in mind that Anne was a real person with faults as well as great talent. Plaster saints do not inspire as well as true human beings in whom we can find a reflection of ourselves. Van Maarsen reminds us of Anne's humanity by giving us a different point of view of Anne's experiences. It is an invaluable resource.

May 26,2001:

If you love the Diary of Anne Frank, you will want to have this book. It raises intriguing questions such as if you had been Anne's friend, would you now want to stay out of the limelight? How would you like it if people only wanted to know you because you were her friend? That it took the author ("Jopie" in the Diary) so long to write this (published in Dutch, 1990), is an indication of the painful struggles she has had with these and related issues. The spirit of candor in the Diary is present in this book also. So much so that ironically, some readers will be disappointed in the ending. We want Anne's friend to carry the torch of her legacy. That our image of how she does this may differ from the author's--hopefully will not lessen our ability to appreciate the author for sharing her unique experiences.

Update of August 28, 2001:

After seeing this review, the author wrote to me that she continues public speaking. Examples of such speeches are described in fascinating detail in the book. As her note to me eloquently stated:

"Anne's diary conveys a very strong message, a message against discrimination and prejudice. By telling about my friendship with Anne and the circumstances during the war, I can give authenticity to her story. So, after having hesitated for years, I now 'carry the torch of Anne's legacy.' I speak for my friend, who cannot speak any more, and I feel quite satisfied to do so."

Some might wonder how or why the author could "give authenticity to Anne's story" which speaks so directly to their heart. It is apparent that this comment is meant for people who have denied Anne wrote the Diary. The book explains that the author provided samples of Anne's handwriting to the Dutch Institute For War Documentation after the war. This was used to confirm the Diary was written by Anne. Too, there are incidents described in the Diary that only Anne and the author witnessed. In Anne's 1942 poem to the author, which contained a personal twist to a common verse, she wrote:

"Dear Jackie,

Always show your sunny side

And be a nice girl at school

Remain my dearest little friend

And everyone will love you.

In remembrance of your friend,


Anne Frank

The last two lines of this verse have proven prophetic. It is clear that Anne would love her dear Jackie even more for having written this book and speaking where Anne's voice trails into silence. The world is indeed fortunate that Anne continues to have such a lovely friend.

this book is a beautiful report about a teener's friendship that became exceptional by the events that took place at the time, and about the influence these events had on "jopie's" life in the years that followed.

I ordered a copy of this novel after reading the review written by another Amazon reviewer. It is a good first novel written by a younger novelist. While the writing style may not be great literature, the plot is very original, and the writing is very good (the author is a journalist by trade). The hardbound copy is in a somewhat smaller format, with an easy to read type font. The story moves along, and with 209 pages of actual text is easy to read in an evening. It is small enough to easily fit into a carryon bag to take along on an airline flight or to the beach.

The story brings together an interesting group of people, but I do know people like this. Would a band of bikers help out in real life? Well, yes. They might get rowdy at times, but I have found they are trustworthy and will stand behind their friends. The outlaw image is misleading.

Reporters and photographers risking their lives for a story? Sure, they do that somewhere every day, and sometimes they get shot. Some survive and some don't. The government giving tacit support to weapons sales? Well, look at recent history.
Overall a good story. The novel has been largely overlooked by most readers.

Sennet's first novel has all the indications of sequels to come and readers should be glad of that.

Nash Rambler, the protagonist in this page turner of a book, may be a "cub" reporter, but he makes up for inexperience with determination and the courage to trust his intuition. Nash is not intimidated by authority but he also demonstrates an endearing humility and oppeness. He is the kind of guy you will instantly like and root for.

The author, an accomplished journalist, molds his writing style to perfectly reflect the protagonist's character. He walks the knife's edge between hard boiled mystery and light humor and never once gets cut.

This is a refreshing entry into a genre that too often presents similar characters following well worn plot lines. Bravo! And let's have the next Nash Rambler story soon.

Northwestern University journalist major Nashua Hansen obtains an internship at the San Bernardino Ledger. At the beginning of his drive west at the Evanston on ramp, he provides a ride to biker Homer, whose bike went up in flames. In San Bernardino, Nash meets waitress Wendy at a Denny's. They go to a drive in movie where Nash happens upon his first story, a bear trap near the concession stand ripping into the foot of a teenage patron.

Nash sells a follow-up on the posh new drive-in theatres, but angers his editor Lydia Sorenson when he does. Nash visits the Star Time Theater when the manager Mr. Snipes assaults him breaking his wrist. Later, he interviews business mogul Evan Carr, who owns these drive-ins. As he digs deeper, Nash finds himself in trouble with his boss, the police, and a survivalist cult that reaches into the highest levels of the state government all who want him silent and residing in Illinois.

NASH, RAMBLER is an exciting investigative tale that reads somewhat like an amateur sleuth story because the hero is a rookie still learning his trade outside the classroom. The story line emphasizes the craziness of Southern California through the myopic eyes of a beleaguered Midwesterner. Elmore Leonard fans need to make room for another wacky book similar in many ways to Get Shorty.

Harriet Klausner

Nash Hansen, fresh out of journalism school in Chicago, has an internship on the San Bernardino Ledger, a chance to show his stuff. He packs his bags, gets on the road, immediately sees a burning Harley, stops and picks up the biker. They're not on the road ten seconds when the bike blows and now Nash has a new best friend, future roommate and comrade at arms, the chain smoking Homer.

In Berdo they stop at a Denny's where Nash meets waitress Wendy, who becomes his latest flame. Wendy turns the boys onto an apartment in her building. Nash shows up at work, meets Lydia, his Broom Hilda of a boss who wants him to do fluff pieces. Nash stumbles onto the story of a lifetime and talks veteran reporter Curt Escobar into helping him with it . It seems Nazi-like right-wingers have bought a drive-in movie and are doing something sinister and secret underground. However the front man for the sinister, secret show is wealthy and influential and he gets Nash fired.

Homer joins the Hells Angels and gets a lot of new friends. The Nazis kidnap Escobar and are coming after Nash and Wendy. However Homer and the Angels may have something to say about that.

And there is more in the same vein in this gripping story by first-timer Frank Sennett. This is just the kind of book to wile away a weekend with or to read when you're supposed to be doing something else, because I can guarantee you this story is way more fun that just about anything else you could be doing. I loved it.

Review Submitted by Captain Osborne

you need this one. loaded with info, small, current and high yield. the price makes the value exceptional. it does fall short on the explanation side, so it is not a reference text in any way but it is a great review manual.

Excellent review source for neuro-ophthalmology. Hits highlights of important topics, much more concise than the ophthalmology basic science series neuro-ophthalmology book or other texts such as Glaser, walsh & hoyt etc. A must to use for studying for the ophthalmology boards. There are even some surgical diagrams such as the basic steps in performing optic nerve sheath decompression.

And in response to the previous review, Dr. Kline is an ophthalmologist, and the book is geared more toward ophthalmologists than neurologists, although it is certainly beneficial for both.

This book is a brilliant summary of neuro-ophthalmology which is a perfect guide to writing clear essays in exams and useful for sorting out diagnostic issues in the clinic.

Fantastic, skinny little neuro-ophtho review book. Good for neurology residents and the eye guys seem to like it, too. Great chapters on visual fields, and also on ocular motility.

Next: A Poetic Odyssey, by Lee Frank is an imaginative picaresque romp through a deliciously tongue-in-cheek dreamscape.The Next Bible, an ancient manuscript that is the prized possession(and secret weapon) of the royal Next family, has been misappropriated by the conniving Getavius Medalion and his loyalists. The book, which details many secrets of our universe and its parallels, becomes the target of a wild tug-of-war between the two clans. Those who possess it-and can decode its arcane language-can harness the power of different vibrational frequencies for the evolution of technology and consciousness. Or perhaps for darker purposes...... At once witty and thought-provoking, Next will have you trying to decode those vibrational frequencies yourself. God may be in the details-or in the molecular structure.....

reading lee frank's odessey transports you into another realm...allowing you to escape the trivialties of every day life. he's a great new author that should be recognized for his talents to combine humor, fantasy, and logic into an intriguing novel.

Next has transcended the boundaries of literary monotony & mediocrity. Lee Frank's colorful treatise on the human comedy/tragedy is destined to become a modern classic.

Lee Frank has transcended the boundaries of literary monotony and mediocrity. His treatise on the human comedy / tragedy is destined to become a modern classic.