Hart Books

It is a fascintating book, one that takes us beyond physical mortality. A true gift, to be able to communicate with the other side! I am looking forward to the next edition!
Chuck, reader from Illinois

This book is phenomenal! Ann Hart is an extremely gifted psychic who through her personal experiences with Guides and Ghosts provides us with some of life's lessons to be learned. She shares dramatic photographs that her Guides instructed her to take and shares their significance. Ann Hart takes the life after death fear and dispells it with the loving kindness that her Guides and Ghosts share with her, leaving you with a sense of deep peace and many questions of your belief on life after death.

The book begins with a quick general overview on Greek ceramics - its history, techniques, trajectory in themes, artists, mythological characters, Greek culture/society that finds itself within the art, etc - that provides the reader with a pretty good base for the number of pages it takes up. There is then a short section on the 'conservation and care of ancient Greek ceramic objects' that explains some more technical things.

After that comes the large section on Greek potters and vase painters, listed in alphabetical order and accompanied by colorful and informative images of the relevant vases. The artist's period, name, style and whatnot are explained in detail. Definitions for unfamiliar terms used in this section can be found in the next part of the book, which explains vase shapes and technical terms in normal English (also with nice images). Thus through the cross-referencing, most of the book's content can be understood without much trouble. At the end is a chart of vase shapes, which is useful because you can compare them without having to flip a single page.

This book is excellent for purposes of quick reference. I would say that most people would not read it like they would a novel, but if you have any interest in Greek vase paintings, this is an excellent book to have.

Understanding Greek Vases, published by the Getty Museum, is a compact reference guide that provides the essential background (painters, styles, terminology) needed to study and appreciate ancient Greek vases.

The major part of the book consists of short (half-page), encyclopedia-style, entries for Athenian potters, vase-painters, ceramic styles, and other essential terminology. Coverage, although limited to Athenian pottery, is broad and expert, ranging from "bilingual vases" to "Six's technique." Entries are generously illustrated, mostly in color, by important examples (including many "name vases") from museum collections in the U.S. and abroad.

What really sets this book apart is that the individual entries are so extensively cross-referenced, that they look and feel more like a hypertext-linked web site than a conventional book. For example, if you look up the entry for the "Brygos Painter," you'll get cross-references in the text to three other Cup-painters, to Cup-painting itself, to the Pioneers, to Workshops, to Attribution, to Kylix, and to seven illustrations.

This is an amazingly effective reference, one that I will use often at home, and take with me whenever I go to look at Greek vases in a museum. Tip: don't plan to read it cover-to-cover like an ordinary book. Begin with some topic that interests you, and follow the cross-references as you would with a Web page.

After reading a string of so-so books, I picked up Megan Hart's UNEXPECTED without much expectation and was, therefore, totally unprepared for this truly amazing collection of short stories.

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AMIDST A CROWD OF STARS. Lujawed is a harsh desert planet, and homesteader Marrin Levy and her three children are struggling to survive after the death of her husband. After several years, Marrin finally decides to send away for a "field husband"--a marriage of convenience to a man to help her work the land and take care of things. She was expecting someone different--different from the strange, handsome, alien, ageless Seveeran who is looking for a new life. What she gets is Keane Delacore. What she gets is better than anything she could have imagined.

Although all of the stories in this collection are terrific, I wish this story had been placed at the end of the collection rather than the beginning because I thought it was the strongest. Ms. Hart essentially tells this story backwards, with the most recent events giving way to the earlier events--and it's a unique and effective way to have the story unfold. In addition, Ms. Hart creates a complete and believable world, interesting characters, and a sexy, tender romance within a handful of pages. This story really moved me. In fact, I have to say it did something pretty unusual--it made me cry.

EMERALD ISLE. This swashbuckling tale opens with Robin Steele being forced to walk the plank of the pirate queen's ship. Luckily, Robin doesn't really get eaten by sharks, but his wife Eleanor did have to give up the leprechaun's magic emerald to the greedy queen. The two set off to recover the gem and locate the rest of the leprechaun's treasure. Their adventure is perilous and they must match wits against both the pirate queen and the leprechaun while never losing sight of what is truly important.

EVERYTHING COUNTS. Elspeth Valerin is an instructor of Arithmancy at Somnus Keep, and her life is ruled by numbers and order. Unfortunately, her control of the thrall is incomplete due to her inability to open up and trust a man enough to take him as her lover. When she joins a group of instructors at a pub, she comes face to face with the handsome owner, Connell Byrne. Years earlier, Connell had been her first love, but could never have been her first lover because he didn't have magic and would have compromised her own potential as a magicreator. Connell knew this, but has carried the bitterness of her rejection and abandonment. Now that they are reunited, they both have a chance to heal their wounds and rediscover love--if only Elspeth can calculate the right course of action.

MOONLIGHT MADNESS. Plain Rhea is on her way to a nightclub when she is diverted by the shop signs: One night only! Moonlight Madness! Prices Slashed! Inside the dark store, Rhea finds the most amazing coat, a coat that transforms her into a beautiful, desirable--in fact, irresistible--woman when she puts it on. After buying the coat for a pittance, Rhea wears it to the club where she becomes the center of attention--especially Ted's. Rhea had never had a man like Ted interested in her but the mysterious coat makes anything possible, at least for awhile.

MONSTER IN THE CLOSET. Tessa Hanson has a monster in her closet. Unfortunately for him, the monster forgot to put on his uniform so instead he looks just like a gorgeous naked man. In fact, a gorgeous naked man who is intent upon seducing Tessa in order to win his wings (so to speak) as an incubus. Tessa's definitely interested in the sex, but finds it more difficult to let go and give up control enough to allow herself to be seduced. Clever Magnus the monster is up to the challenge, tho, and they have a night together that changes both of their lives. Boo.

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Recently, I seem to have read a lot of short stories that have been dragged out to novel length. Ms. Hart, on the other hand, accomplishes the feat of creating whole worlds within a few satisfying pages. If done correctly, short stories are much more difficult to write than novels. Ms. Hart not only does it right, she makes it seem effortless. And each of these worlds and their characters are unique, not just cookie cutter versions of the previous stories with a few changes. These stories run the gamut from sci fi to fantasy to adventure to horror, as well as from torrid sex to tender, everlasting love. This book is not to be missed.

Elspeth Valerin likes numbers. Actually, her life is all about numbers! Elspeth teaches arithmancy, the study of numbers used to make predictions, at the local magic academy. Elspeth is not perfect at her craft, but she does a good job and enjoys her work. But she needs a break, so her friends decide to convince her to go to the local tavern with them. Elspeth is reluctant, but she agrees. Unexpectedly, her night out erupts into a deluge of painful memories from her past when she encounters Connell Byrne, a man from her childhood.

Connell Byrne owns the local tavern. He is surprised and shocked when he sees Elspeth sitting at the table with her friends. Elspeth is as beautiful as Connell remembers and he still feels a pull toward her. Memories from their past assault him, and while some are pleasant, most just hurt him. Elspeth broke his heart years ago and he still is not over it.

Elspeth knows that seeing Connell again is not simply chance because the numbers have been indicating a change in her future. Both Elspeth and Connell are going to have to face some painful truths from their pasts if they ever hope to move forward.

Everything Counts is a touching story about the choices we make to protect ourselves and the ones we love. Elspeth and Connell were separated when their love was new and blossoming. Elspeth is a kind person who lives a quiet life because she cannot move past the pain and tragedy of her past. She is limited by the choices she made and does not think that she can change. Connell thought he had put his past behind him, until he sees Elspeth again. Connell realizes that he must close that part of his past one way or another. Connell and Elspeth definitely have chemistry and share a romantic connection.

Everything Counts moved quickly and kept me engaged and rooting for both Elspeth and Connell. Megan Hart exhibits how one moment can completely alter lives and that sometimes confronting history can make one stronger. She does a wonderful job creating characters who worked their way into my heart and mind. Ms. Hart reminded me that Everything Counts, especially forgiveness and love!

Gracie
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

You cannot read this book without capturing God's heart for the city! Dr. Ray Bakke simply and clearly communicates the lessons God has taught him in his ministry in Chicago and in the world-class cities around the globe.

Bakke identifies the apparent irrelevance of Christianity in our cities as a failure on the part of the church. After pointing out the reasons for this failure and barriers to urban mission, Bakke lays out his challenge to embrace cities by developing a theology of the city and implementing God's agenda for the city.

He argues that "existing churches will not reach these huge and rapidly growing populations [in cities] without cross-cultural missions at home" (45). Also: "It is only by living in a city, with a theological vision for the city, that we can attempt to reach the city's people" (85).

While every chapter is significant, Chapter Six: "Into the Community" is excellent and should be studied and practiced by every pastor across the United States. Chapter Ten: "Do It Yourself" offers practical models and strategies to get started, including a checklist for each of the preceding chapters.

Bakke's vision of the church as an "Expeditionary Force" where every believer ministers to their worlds or relationships needs to be embodied not only in urban centers, but across the nation. As he notes: "most pastors would need immense mental transformations" to allow this model to work (133).

this book is very effective in letting the christian leader be equipped in ministry, to know his environment and reach the masses with the gospel. This book can help Christian Ministries transform people not only spiritually but economically and educationally.

Connie Jones has gone to the underworld to see her son, poor little boy was killed by his Father, in a murder/sucide. Vampire Jack follows Connie, to the underworld to bring her back, Melaphia, the Voodoo Priestess, wants to help bring Jack back, but she wants Connie to stay behind. Connie is the Slayer, a Goddess, Connie was abandoned as a baby, and her name was left on a piece of paper, she was adopted and knows nothing of her true parents. While in the underworld, Jack see's Connie visit her son, and find that he has everything that he needs and is happy. She wants to fight her dead husband, but instead accepts her duty as the slayer and is given a sword, and is told to find the twin on earth. Meanwhile, vampire William, goes to the underworld to help Jack return, he see's his undead love Eleanor, whom he killed because she betrayed him. Eleanor is turning into a snake, William gets Jack back, but with him comes a ball of orange fire. William and Melaphia think that Connie is still behind in the underworld, but Jack brought her back. She remembers nothing of being the slayer at first. Connie finds out she is the child of a vampire Father and a human Mother.

Jack is told to kill Connie to protect all the vampires from her before she turns into the slayer, so he attempts to, but he hears another heartbeat, she is carrying his child, and stops before he finish's. He is going to send her away with Werewolf Seth.

Before I give away the entire book, you must read it for yourself. :)

Connie Jones with the help of voodoo priest Melaphia went to the Underworld to see her daughter to insure her offspring is happy and to enact revenge on her former husband who killed their child before committing suicide. Vampire Jack follows her, but because he is damned he cannot go to her; he is permitted by Heaven to see her accept her destiny as a Slayer and receive a sword. When she finds the twin blade on earth, her transformation will be complete.

Jack's sire William has returned from Europe with Melaphia's daughter who was kidnapped by his wife Diane and his lover Eleanor who wanted her for her magical blood. Melaphia is waiting for Jack to get out of the Underworld, but she wants Connie to remain behind; if Connie comes topside she will kill the vampires she calls friends as she transforms into a Slayer. Jack gets out and brings Connie with him. After brainstorming with the group of vampires in the New World re this conundrum, they agree that Jack will have to kill Connie, the woman he loves before she eradicates him and his family.

Raven Hart writes horror thrillers with plenty of heart so that her audience will feel the issue facing the New World vampires who are pacifists differing from their human blood thirsty sires who want to rule the planet as befitting in their mind the top rung of the food chain. The children who escaped them want to live happy lives and are willing to deal with their creators to achieve their goal. William does his best to be a benevolent dictator but something ugly is coming to force him into making difficult choices as the undead lifestyle is about to be jeopardized with this new fanatical Slayer who was once a friend.

Harriet Klausner

Last week I was told that I had a form of secondary glaucoma. This was not totally unexpected, but it was still a shock: enough of a shock that I couldn't think of any sensible questions to ask the ophthalmologist who told me. Still, as he wasn't the ophthalmologist who diagnosed it, he may not have been able to answer some of my questions anyway. So, I left his office in a state of shock but determined to find out more about this `sneak thief of sight'.

This book was one of the first I was able to acquire, and I found it contains a lot of valuable information. With its help, I was able to differentiate types of glaucoma, read up on the treatment I've been prescribed and start work on a list of questions for my treating specialists. It was sobering to read that the common thread among all glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve and that there are more than forty different types of glaucoma, not of all of which are associated with raised intraocular pressure. It was discomfiting to read that the damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed. It was frightening to realise that most (but not all) forms of glaucoma have no symptoms or cause no change in vision until late in the course of the disease.

It is not possible to absorb all of the information contained within this book on one reading, nor will it all be equally relevant to all glaucoma sufferers. While the resource information contained in the book is especially useful to readers in North America, most of the information will be relevant to readers elsewhere.

I recommend this book to those who want, or need, to know more about glaucoma. For sufferers, no book can substitute for specialist care. But the information in this book may well assist you in working with your specialist to manage your own care in an informed and optimal way.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

This book anwered many of the questions that I had .
Lots of terms thoroughly explained, Easy to pick up to recheck facts, medications , etc.

The B. C. cartoons were some of the funniest, most satirical cartoons ever published. Using the concepts of the cave (hu)man, Hart satirizes everything from the invention of the wheel to the art that appears in caves. The cartoons in this collection were just as funny to me now and when I first read them back in the sixties. One of the most interesting aspects of the cartoons is that they are not dated in any way. Since they don't involve current political figures or recent events, anyone can read them and appreciate them. In other collections of comic strip cartoons, if you are not familiar with certain people and events, then they will make no sense to you. If you are in need of some revitalizing humor, then this book will provide it.

"What's New BC?" is a pretty funny collection of "B.C." daily comics from 1962-1963 including gags about caveman inventions, cavegirls, early animals and the like. It's all good stuff and worth getting your hands on for fans of funnies.

This book has moved me in ways I never thought possible. The woman's trek for purpose and being have pulled many thoughts to mind. So many pages have been dog-eared to read again. I normally do not reread books, but I have read this one three times. Each time I gather new thoughts and warmth from the words. I encourage you to read if you've ever considered (even just a little bit) that life may have something waiting for you .

This is a wonderful book! It deals with a young woman's quest to find herself, and meaning, in the world. As many of us who grew up and were educated in the 1980's, this young woman pursued a career that paid, in terms of money, but not necessarily in terms of satisfaction and happiness. The young woman realizes that something is missing, and she takes the opportunity (many would say risk) to pursue what is important in life, which ends up being many things (which I will leave future readers to learn). I think many readers will be able to relate to the world that the main character faces, as many of us have tried to balance work and expectations with personal satisfaction.

In the process, the main character meets many wonderful individuals who teach her something about herself and the world. The reader also gets a sense of life away from the rat-race, since much of the book takes place in the American Rockies. And, the novel is well-written; it is full of humor and descriptive passages.

For anyone who has thought seriously about their career, and whether or not their chosen career was the right "match" for them, this novel may make them think about evaluating life. For those who have taken the risk of exploring other careers, or completely "dropping out" of their chosen job or career, this novel will hopefully re-affirm the rightness of doing so.

Will terrorists go nuclear? That is the essential questioned posed by counterterrorism expert Brian Jenkins in a book of the same title.

Jenkins has written a sobering and critical analysis of this question that spans over his decades of research on the topic. In fact, the book shares the title of a research paper Jenkins wrote over 30 years ago and it is that essay he uses as the entrance point for his observations. The issue of nuclear terrorism is one that has haunted policy makers, enriched movie producers, and fevered American apprehension for 30 years and the strength of Jenkins book is his categorical and tempered analysis of how each of these complex areas play into the nuclear terrorism debate.

Playing the role of mythbuster, Jenkins dives deep to determine the seeding point for a large number of nuclear terrorism memes that have propagated over the past decade. Upon examination, Jenkins finds that some of the memes are just that, organic ideas that developed a life of their own or had strategic sponsorship by individuals who were in a position to benefit from the propagation of the meme. Readers should draw some comfort from the thoughtful analysis and debunking of some of our most terrifying concerns.

In his analysis of terrorist motives, operational concepts and evolution Jenkins dissects the core issues in a way that few terrorism analysts can. This book will speak not only to his peers, but is very accessible to the general audience and it is this audience that Jenkins seems obligated to inform with this book.

That assumption brings us to the final and most essential element of the book, which is Jenkins' differentiation between "nuclear terrorism" and "nuclear terror". Nuclear terrorism is the threat that must be addressed by Western democracies through sound counterterrorism and non-proliferation policies. Nuclear terror is the state of perpetual societal fear that is exploited to erode civil liberties and generate apprehension within democracies. Of course, the fundamental question is how much apprehension can we cope with before the fundamental components of our society become unrecognizable.

Jenkins book is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in this essential subject and should be required reading for consumers of popular culture (the TV show 24, for example) that propagate the nuclear terrorism meme, or anyone who finds the concept of nuclear terrorism "terrifying".

For several presidential elections the candidates have all said the greatest danger facing America is nuclear terrorism. Even now. But somehow, it isn't part of the discussion, perhaps because they don't know how to talk about it. This book by Brian Jenkins is not only comprehendive, compelling, and a great read, it provides a realistic analysis of the history of nuclear terror and nuclear terrosim, pointing out that the latter -- the threat of a nuclear attack -- has all terrorists have ever been able to accomplish. That threat, however, has a higher probability of doing danger to our values, our commitment to civil liberty, and all the important things America stands for in the world than the risk of an attack.

Jenkins, who is an acknowledged expert in the field, provides a chapter that is as compelling as an episode of "24," running the scenario of what you would do if you were president and "A Brilliant Yellow Light" was seen over New York City.

The book is a must for anyone seriously concerned about the danger of a nuclear attack, or the danger to our civil liberties of living in ignorance and fear. It should be part of the presidential debate, but won't be unless someone asks the candidates directly what they think.

As CEO Coach, Poet and author of a leadership book that helps leaders unleash their genius, the genius of their teams and corporaions, I find Winning Teams -- Winning Cultures to be an excellent book for those who lead large organizatons. Larry Senn has been my mentor over the years and he has created an approach to change that includes deep human understanding. He and Jim Hart approach culture change with a special feeling for life. The book is a must read for leaders of large organizations. Unleashing Genius: Leading Yourself, Teams and Corporations

Well written book. I have attended a Senn-Delaney leadership program and this book reinforces the information I received in the program. It covers the foundation of leadership principles. The book explains how impactful leaders can be within an organization. Shadow the Leader, Mood Elevator, Be the One, these are all concepts that can be used both in corporate and personal life. I enjoyed the book.