Howard Books

What a tragic tale. I was moved by this story for two reasons; first was the incredible journey the author took to tell this tale, and second was the amazing complexities that came together to make this event come to be. If you don't understand the politics of "politics" you may not appreciate how incredible a story this actually is; it is also a very viable explanation for why the Siegel murder was never officially solved. This looked like a very difficult story to write; my hat is off to the author.

I received the book at 2:00pm and finished it before I went to bed that evening. Kudo's!!!

What a great book! If it wasn't for life's interruptions, I wouldn't have put it down. It caught me from the beginning. I don't know much about Bugsy Siegel or the mystery of his murder, but the Author did a wonderful job weaving the tale. Given this information, I wonder if the investigation shouldn't be reopened. I hope this comes out as a movie. I think it would make a great one.

WOW

This was the best book I have read in a long time. I simply could not put it down. It had me from page 2 .I am waiting for another book from Warren Hull.

I liked several things about Family Secret. The Author does an excellent job of providing a fascinating and very believable story of how and why Benjamin Siegel's murder was never solved. I always felt Siegel's murder was never solved due to something amazing and this story llives up to that expectation. A very good read. I hope to see this one on the big screen one day. It's a great book, let's hope the film version does it justice!

When I heard Family Secret was a story that claimed to solve the Siegel murder mystery my first impression was one of skepticism. After reading this story however I am now convinced that the Author's have solved the Siegel killing with one of the few theories that makes sense. Wealth, power and political influence were just as strong in 1947 as they are today and this is an accounting of Siegel's demise fit for Hollywood. A very good story, well written and an unexpected treat.

Like the previous reviewer, Deb Mumby, I was also read this as a child growing up in England. The story has stuck with me for years. It was read to me when I was very young and again when I was older. It is a story that reflects the heart of all of us... we want to belong. We have dreams for our future....we know what we want to be when we grow up...

This story is now being read to another generation of little boys and girls... mine. They love the story as I read it slowly and gently with my best variety of English voices for each character.

I recommend it to all children, big like me and small like them.

Claire Guthrie
English Born and Bred:)
Mom of 5.

This book was read to my class in England, when I was 15 years old. I'm nearly 40 now, and this delightful story has stuck with me for 25 years, until I could read it to my own child. Gobbolino, is a misunderstood soul, a character that all children can asociate with! I now live in Canada, and have spent several years trying to track this book down. Not all stories can drive a mother to these length's, to pass them on to their children. Its a special book!

This is my daughter's favorite book. I bought it for her 2 years ago when she was 7 and every so often she'll pick it up and re-read it, or just choose one of her favorite chapters to read. She loves that fact that each chapter is a condensed little story on its own. I brought this book into her class to read a chapter during storytime and all of the children were equally enchanted by the story of the little witch's cat. Her teacher enjoyed it as well and appreciated some of the more interesting vocabulary. Excellent!

My dad read this book out loud to me at bedtime. Gobbolino wants to become a nice kitchen cat and his sister Sootica wants to be a mean and clever witch's cat. This book is exciting and I liked the ending. The story is always nice and nothing bad happens to Gobbolino, and if he gets hurt he always gets out of trouble. And he can blow sparks out of his whiskers (he does it to make the children laugh but it gets him in trouble with the grown ups).

This book was read to my class in England, when I was 15 years old. I'm nearly 40 now, and this delightful story has stuck with me for 25 years, until I could read it to my own child. Gobbolino, is a misunderstood soul, a character that all children can asociate with! I now live in Canada, and have spent several years trying to track this book down. Not all stories can drive a mother to these length's, to pass them on to their children. Its a special book!

Nigel Calder's books, although detailed, don't really rub me the right way. Calder tends to analyze boats with everything but a hot tub onboard, and treats HVAC and microwaves like they should be standard issue with a rudder and compass.

Howard, on the other hand, is much more basic and simple with his recommendations, but not nearly as spartan as the Pardey's (who are also excellent authors and sailors). Jim's book is generally the first one I'll read on any given subject, and if I can't get enough detail there, I'll look elsewhere.

But really, this book should be top of the heap for you. The large section on voices in the night speaks for itself, and shows that Howard obviously has many thousands of miles under his keel.

Howard assumes some knowledge of sailing, but you don't have to be an experienced sailor to understand and appreciate this book. It is very well organized and is about as in depth as any *single* book on such a wide subject can be. He isn't afraid to name names when recommending equipment or other books and has a good bibliography and index. If you are at all interested in the *reality* of offshore cruising, buy this book.

Jim's book is very entertaining and easy to read. His advice comes from real-life experience and it is explained in terms that any novice would understand. I recommend this book to anyone considering the cruising lifestyle, especially y you are not loaded with a bottomless cruising kitty. This book is full of practical, common sense advice.

This book seems to be very thorough, well constructed and executed. I've been collecting alot of cruising books over the past few years in anticipation of a round-the-world cruise (someday), and this book not only answers many of the questions I have, but also is a very enjoyable (and effective) read when your dream needs a booster shot. For this reason alone, it has aearned a place of honor on my nightstand, where it has already, and will I am sure, many times more give "the dream" the neccesary "kick".

Great book, easy to read, you do not have to be an expert to read it. A must have for any sailor even if he/she is not a cruiser. Jim Howard deals with all the aspects of cruising under sail with a lot of common sence and safety. If you are a "wannabe" cruiser this book is of great help to organize your dream.

As it was written near 2000, a chapter or two suffer from obsolescence already, but the excellence of the rest of the content make it very forgivable.

Adamsky has produced a superb guide to the Hiring Process that is of great interest to Executives, Recruiters and Job seekers alike. The book is applicable to a wide range of industries well beyond the IT industry.

The book provides a great deal of actionable ideas that you can put into place now to improve your hiring practices, land the best candidates, and keep them as satisfied productive employees. Similarly, the book helps potential applicants better understand the hiring process and get inside the mind of hiring managers. It also contains a plethora of valuable and interesting ideas and commentary on the HR landscape. Truly an enjoyable and informative read !

As the MIS Director for a large educational institution, I have felt the impacts, first-hand, of recruiting and retaining top IT professionals in a tight job market. Yet there is clearly a methodical approach that can be followed to target the "right" employees and, once hired, ensure that they remain happy and content within your organization.

This book does an excellent job of outlining that process in a simple, easy-to-follow, step-by-step approach. The author not only covers all aspects of the hiring process but also reminds us of best practices that we too often (and too easily) forget to ensure success once we bring top players on board.

This book was pertinent and informative. I intend to pass it around to all of the managers on my staff.

I didn't actually buy this book but won it as a door prize at an industry trade show. I tossed it in my briefcase and didn't give it much thought to it until I was stuck in an airport on my return trip home. Although I don't hire a great number of "information technologists", the book was filled with excellent advice for any manager. His advice applies to the dynamics of locating, interviewing, hiring and retaining exceptional individuals. I like to underline when I read, and when I finished the book I realized I had underlined just about everything! Don't let the title throw you off because this is an excellent resource that truly cuts across all industries. He has his hand on the pulse of human nature, and an incredible insight into those people who understand how (technically) the world works.

I have already given a copy to a friend that owns a small company and has found it a challenge to find and retain good people. If my friend follows the program outlined in the book I am sure he will see the results. One thing I really liked about Adamsky's writing style is that it's light on philosophy and academic drivel and packed solid with the experiences of someone who has obviously been in the trenches.

I feel better prepared to operate in today's challenging job market after reading this book.

As an IT professional I have had occasion to be on both sides of the interview desk. This book clarified and reinforced many of the beliefs that I formed from these experiences. However, I derived an even greater benefit from those sections that challenged my preconceptions. Mr. Adamsky's use of logic, examples, and self-deprecating humor helped me to see things from a different viewpoint. I am confident that a company can only benefit from the encorporation of his strategies.

Finally a reference book to help book authors figure out who in Hollywood is buying and selling books. It's all the sales information I need to know to get my book into the marketplace. What a great idea! I'm looking forward to the updates.

This book takes over where every other similar book leaves off. Instead of dealing in vague concepts and sales theory, "Hollywood Literary Sales Directory" gives you the facts. It tells you exactly how and where to find the contacts you need to make the sale. It's a must-have for any writer ready to take the next step forward in his or her career.

As a book author, I have found the Hollywood Literary Sales Directory to be a very useful tool in marketing my books to Hollywood. Whether you are published or not, this is a must-have resource book. Eric Dobris

I have a friend (another M.D.) who spent years putting a script together and who tells me this is the book to get! Packed with info. So, I got one and it is packed!

So you want to sell a spec screenplay, but you don't know who's buying what... Without a solid grasp of the marketplace, chances are your script will just languish in a drawer. If you'd rather see it on the big screen, you'll need to do your homework. The beauty of the Hollywood Literary Sales Directory is that Howard Meibach has done the homework for us... He's compiled market data which includes all major script sales through 7/98, and includes logline, genre, writer, purchase price, producer, agent/agency, buyer, & more. The information is cross-referenced 4 different ways for convenient access. For serious screenwriters, this book is as important a marketing tool as the Hollywood Creative Directory!

The book arrived early and in great shape - US edition, hardcover, and no surprises.

An Introduction to acconting, Assets, The time value of money, Liabilities and equities, financial Investment, Analysis, Role of accounting and Debits and credits

I'm CEO of a medium size business and wanted a resource to teach me accounting. This is a great book, with plenty of assignments which fully reinforce the lessons. The only disappointment is that there are no solutions and the publisher only gives them to you if you are a registered teacher.

NYU's Stern School Of Business uses this book and its a well-crafted introduction to financial accounting. While taking accounting at the other New York business school, I deep sixed my assigned accounting book and instead borrowed my wife's. It coverage of topics and pedagogical flow are quite approachable and manageable. Struggling friends begain to purchase it for themselves. An excellent book. An interesting book as well. Case examples and references keep things interesting. Not just dry rules.

An Introduction to acconting, Assets, The time value of money, Liabilities and equities, financial Investment, Analysis, Role of accounting and Debits and credits

What a great book! I love what this book represents and how it is written. Well worth the read!

I highly recommend the book, JERRY FALWELL-HIS LIFE AND LEGACY, written by his wife, Macel Falwell. Having briefly met Jerry Falwell on the campus of a Christian college in the early 70's, my memory was marked with the impression that he was an extraordinary man. While reading Macel Falwell's book about her beloved husband, Jerry, my initial impression of him was validated and my respect for this man of God increased immensely. As Mrs. Falwell describes in her book, Dr. Falwell's life was not easy, yet it was abundantly blessed because he gave his all to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Macel Falwell intimately shares how Jerry's life and legacy impacted our world. He loved God, his family and his ministry of love to people around the world. Throughout his life, Jerry Falwell was truly a good and faithful servant for God.

I am from Lynchburg,Virginia therefore I am very familiar with Jerry Falwell and TRBC. I think the book portrayed Jerry just as he is and I am very proud to be from Lynchburg because of Jerry! I was glad that Mrs. Falwell set the record straight on alot of things and I hope people will remember the good things he did during his life time. I had to reach for the tissue box when he was offering the waitress a scholarship but that was Jerry through and through. I purchased another copy of the book for my dad for Father's Day and I have passed my copy on to my sister and neice. I hope everyone enjoys it!

I was lucky enough to attend and graduate from Liberty University. In the years since I've graduated I've gotten used to the need to be prepared for all reactions when I tell people I was one of "Jerry's Kids". The opinions are rarely middle of the road..either love him or hate him. I can say I loved him..He was a great role model to students, he seemed to be a great father and husband and he was exactly as Mrs. Falwell presented him in her book. It was great to hear her side of the story after all these years. The book was excellently written and once I started it, I couldn't put it down. I appreciated hearing all of their stories from their life, and the excerpts from folks who knew him well only added to the book. Whether or not he agreed with a person, he always showed a love for them...perfect example is Larry Flynt. I count it a privilege to have been able to see how God can use someone when they are completely willing to serve Him. Jerry and Liberty truly instilled in me the knowledge that anything is possible with God. I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks that the Jerry Falwell presented in the media is the only side of him there was. There was much more to him than that, just as there is with all of us.

I bought the book because I herd so much haltered from the media I wanted to know why.

I now know why. Jerry Falwell devoted his life to one thing, to telling everyone he could about the love and salvation of Jesus

He did it well, and he did it with no hidden motive. This is impossible to understand if you don't know Jesus. They tried everything to make him mad, to find him out, to uncover his weakness and he just kept smiling and telling them about the love of Jesus. There was nothing to uncover, he said he cheated no one, and he didn't, he said he hated sin but loved the sinner, and he did love them. He said he cared about people and when they checked carefully it turned out that he cared about people. That made them mad.

Praise God

Frank

I had read other reviews that praise the prose of Howard. I concur.

I suppose what I liked best about the book was that it was very personal, very heart felt. In a relatively small number of pages, the author takes us with him as he moved from fundamentalism, to Anglicanism, and finally --- the next and final step --- which he believed was the logical one --- Roman Catholicism.


I was raised a Roman Catholic, and was even in a religious order for several years, but I left "The Church," because of problems I had with its teachings.

I read this book to see if it would make me feel as though -- I should return.

It did not. For all of Howard's skill and sincerety --- he seemed to use a lot of mortar to keep the bricks in place.

There are many conversion stories that have been put into print, what makes this one different is the eloquence with which the author writes. A former English professor and Fundamentalist turned Anglican turned Catholic, Thomas Howard presents his journey to the Catholic Church using good humor and presenting his tale in such a way that it should not upset the non-Catholic reader. The book is short - I read it in about 1 1/2 hours, and it does not answer any great theological questions that non-Catholics will have, but it is inspirational and well worth the effort.

If I were able to write with anything like the eloquence of Thomas Howard I might very well have written a book very much like this one. Like Howard I was raised in a fundamentalist church. Like Howard I felt that I was missing something very important in that setting and I moved to a liturgical church where I too spent almost twenty-five years. Like Howard I still felt that something was missing and the more I studied, the more I prayed and the more I reflected, the more I felt the call to come home to Christ's Church. And finally, like Howard I finally answered that call and am now more at peace and closer to God than I have ever been.

There is very little in the way of doctrinal discussion to be found in this book but where such issues are discussed they are handled in a very forthright and clear manner. The author makes it very clear that part of what led him to the Catholic Church is that this is the Church founded by the Apostles of Christ and that they or those who were taught by them set up the structure of both the Church itself and the Mass based on the first person teachings of Jesus. Basically he says that the Catholic Church is the only Church with a true Apostolic succession and an actual commission from Christ himself to act as a guardian of orthodoxy. I couldn't possibly agree more.

The basic argument about the authority of the Church is not the major theme of this book however for this book is the very personal story of the author's spiritual journey that led him home to the Catholic Church. This is the story of a man's search for spiritual fulfillment that includes a detailed but not at all dull explanation of the factors that led him to his ultimate destination. This is also a testimony to the difficulty faced by a life-long active Protestant in taking that final step across the threshold to Catholicism. Howard clearly explains the difficulties that include both trying to learn about doctrines that are completely new to the former Protestant and the reaction one will face from friends and family. The author makes no attempt to sugar coat the fact that this journey is sometimes a scary one but also a joyful one.

Having taken this same journey I highly recommend this book to anyone who is feeling the same call that Thomas Howard and I have felt. There is no doubt in my mind that my own journey would have been aided a great deal if I had found this book earlier. For those who are already Catholic, either cradle or convert, this book can not only clear up some common misconceptions but can also clearly remind us of the glorious heritage and faithful teachings that we share with the Apostles, Saints, and great teachers of the Church. It is indeed comforting to realize that St. Andrew or St. Paul would clearly recognize the Mass that we celebrate today as being the same Mass that they celebrated almost two-thousand years ago and until I read this book I just never thought of that.

RATING: 4.5 STARS

Thomas Howard's literary roots as professor of English show in this little (105 pages) 'conversion' book. A side-effect of reading from the 'conversion' genre is that my vocabulary has widened. I do not remember the last time I had to use the dictionary so much as I did when reading "Lead, Kindly Light."

Jut like the backcover states, "with grace, charm, and wit" Dr. Howard uses this book (compared to his earlier and better known "Evangelical is not enough :worship of God in Liturgy and Sacrament") to tell his life story of his journey from Evangelical to Anglican, and then to Roman-Catholicism. This is also a book of "apologetics without polemics."

Here is a dichotomy of the testimony of Howard's faith and convictions. In "a step toward Rome" the author presents his reasons for converting to Anglicanism (Roman Anglican, or Church of England, in the US present as Episcopal church) and things that formed a bridge towards Rome. These reasons are:
1) the ancient church worship was a "Eucharistic liturgy,"
2) church year present ("free churches have no liturgy or church year"),
3) and the sacamentalist aspect of Anglicanism
("the preaching of the Word occurs most characteristically in union with the sacramental Word - the Word made flesh, "made present" - this is what 'anamnesis' the word the Lord used for 'rememberance' means - in the Eucharist").

On this third point he fails to mention the Lutheran Church as also a sacramental church (besides the mentioned Orthodox, Anglican, and Roman-Catholic ones).

"The Church's Roots" is where I connected the most with the author. Here the author is compelled to investigate the history of the early church, especially since every Sunday many Christians pronounce the Nicene Creed and declare the church to be "one holy catholic apostolic" church. In this chapter Howard makes some strong statements.
* "'Sola Scriptura' is a notion unimaginable to the ancient Church."
* "Early Christians ... fought and thought and worked and wrote, and died, so that 'the faith once delivered to the saints' might indeed be handed on."
* "As a church, we [Anglicans] were at odds when it came to deciding just what was to be believed on many points."
* "Our 'orthodox' understanding of the Bible had been articulated for us [Christians, opposite of Mormons, Jehovah's Witneses, and Modernists] by the Church."
* "... we non-Catholics had no desk where the buck stopped. Scripture clerly did not constitute such a desk, since for one thing, both parties to all disputes always appealed energetically to Scripture; and second, saint Paul had called the 'Church' not the Bible, 'the pillar and ground of the truth' (1 Tim. 3:15).

The chapter titled "Ecclesiastical Confrontation" is where I think most Christians will have some good ground for debate. Howard says that he "had to come to grips with the Church in all of her antiquity, her authority, her unity, her liturgy, and her sacraments." Then he takes these subjects individualy and discusses them. Here are some interesting and thought provoking excerpts:
* "As a Fundamentalist I had discovered ... we were right, and the Fathers were wrong (about bishops and about the Eucharist)."
* "The Church is here, in all her authority, judging me."
* "The Church of antiquity was united. ... the Church was one."
* "What did the Church from the beginning understand by worship - that is, by her corporate, regular act of worship?"
* "It is [Anglicanism/Episcopal church] a church unsure of something as fundamental as sacrament, and unwilling to speak clearly."
* "Anglicanism glories consciously and explicitly in its 'lack' of definition."

The rest of the book presents his 'conversion' to Catholicism. From the many 'conversion' books in this new cottage industry, I found his presentation most cogent, emotionally balanced, and spiritual. Howard talks about "the Catholicism of the books" vs. "the local Catholicism" and how an Evangelical sees the two.

A prime example of Howard's wit is the following:
"The Fundamentalist appears to the Catholic to be hailing from the lunatic frince; and the Catholic appears to the Fundamentalist to be innocent of anything resembling 'a personal relationship with Jesus Christ' (which phraseology is a sort of litmust test of faith, from the Fundamentalist point of view)."

Conclusion:

"Becoming Catholic" (name of a chapter) for Howard was after reading "Church history and Catholic theology and spirituality." And this is where the dilemma starts for me as a conservative Protestant. With all respect to Dr. Howard, I am not sure he has a good grasp of Church history. Nowhere in his 'conversion' account does Dr. Howard consider the claims of the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church.

I would like to challenge the historical validity implied by the phraselogy used by Dr. Howard on pages 48-49 "...the Church early on began to look to the See of Rome, understood to be the See of Peter, as both the sign and the guarantor of the Church's unity ..."

How I wish that all Christians (Orthodox, Roman-Catholic, and Protestants) can adopt the same attitude as Dr. Howard and "speak as deeply committed Christian brothers." Indeed, this read is not for anyone in a state of pusillanimity!

Thomas Howard really did a great job of describing us "cradle Catholics" and our knowledge of the church and the bible. He is a great example of how excited we should be about all we have and what the church has to offer us in terms of who's in charge and where does the buck stop ~ with the Pope. A very well written books and an easy read. I'm now enjoying his next book ~ Why Catholic?".

Mary-Kate wants to throw a surprise party for Michelle but Ashley is having one for Jennifer the same day. Mary-Kate invites all of her friends and the same wiht AShley but then something bad happens for the both of them and they need help fast.

Mary-Kate and Ashley are in big trouble. Mary-Kate planned a surprise party for her friend which is great, but unfortunately Ashley planned a surprise party for her best friend the same night at their house. They came for the biggest surprise. A great book!

Ashley is throwing a party for her friend, Jennifer Dilber but Mary Kate wanted to throw a party for her best friend, Amanda Bennet. Her friend, Amanda got mad at her for not calling her back when Mary Kate's supposed to. In the ending, they both got a surprise party for their friends and everyone felt happy!

Another pretty cool Two of a Kind novelette.Mary-Kate and Ashley are planning a party each,for the same night.Now the competition is on as to who will recieve the most guests!

Mary-Kate plans a suprise party for her best friend Amanda on the same night Ashley plans a suprise party for her best friend Jennifer. Even though Mary-Kate and Ashley are twin sisters, they have totally different personalities so major arguments arise, not only with each other but with their best friends. I'd have to say this is the best book in the whole series that I've read so far because these kinds of problems are what everyday kids would probably have.

Sandy Howard's book, "Life After Chemo," gives such invaluable insight to those of us who truly do not have any idea what a cancer patient/survivor is experiencing (physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally). This book is also very inspirational for all as she shares with us her personal quest for healing using both traditional and unusual means. Her writing is candid and thought provoking. I cannot thank Sandy enough for this gift she has given us.

Sheri B.

I was moved to tears (and laughter) by Howard sharing her, as well as, her family's, journey: Vulnerability, struggles and doubts, buoyed by faith, hope, love and prayer. As I read of her journey, I truly got the sense that I was sitting down having a cup of tea with her as she recounted her life experiences, good and bad. She was nothing, if not, straightforward and honest in this written conversation.
Medically, I appreciated the additional therapies that she wrote of. Thank you for writing a story that I am already sharing with those I know struggling with cancer, and their families in need of support.

'Life after Chemo' helps you really prioritize what is important in your life, and what is not. Sandy Howard's honest account of what her life was before, during and after chemo is a must read for those that have cancer, their families and their friends.

this book sent me on an emotional roller coaster. i have several immediate family members who have gone thru chemo, some have survived,and some have not. this book gave me an insight to their trials. i can appreciate how this experienc refines you "by fire".

I found Sandy's book to be a great help in getting me through my breast cancer treatments. It was great to read about her experiences and emotions, as I too felt a lot of the same things. It was like she wrote about me without ever meeting me. Cancer survivors have to stick together and help each other!