L Books

I can not believe that nearly ten years has gone by since this book was first published. I thought that everyone had read this book, and more importantly was "using" this book. It took a room full of educators and parents indicating that no one knew of this book for me to write this review. It is less a review than a sales pitch, but it is a pitch that needs to be made.

From personal experience as both parent and teacher, this book changed my outlook on both. I have experienced considerable success at both, and it has to do with a fundamental switch in thinking. In fact, once you read this book, and get the point, you will see how simple it really is to help students become capable. But, everyone has to have their oars in the water and be working in the same direction.

Just yesterday, I heard from one my students that he and his partner won Bronze at the Canada Wide Science Fair. This is the third time we won Bronze, and incidentally we scored Silver a few years ago. This book helped me "coach" kids. I had little to do with the science, but I believe that I was influential in the primary aspect of this book - pointed out the paradigm of their only capabilities - their success.

I have an email from one of them, and it has squarely hit this point.

Earlier last week, at a wonderful seminar on Assessment by Damian Cooper, I was struck by the way that he also used questioning techniques of the participants, but as well the students in his videos. He uses the materials in this book to a tremendous advantage. I see strong similarities, and attribute his success for working along these paradigms.

Seven Strategies for Developing Capable Students is MOST DEFINITELY A MUST READ by any parent and/or teacher. It is a wealth of information, tips, and tricks, but more importantly allows any parent or teacher to focus on the student - making them capable, and feeling this as well.

Let me quote a passage which I see as prophetic as it is more of a problem today, than it was ten years ago.

"Parents often FEEL they must run to school to CONFRONT the teacher or principal with the responsibility of solving children's problems. This may be called for at times, but such occasions SHOULD BE RARE, and should only take place after we have done all we can to EMPOWER OUR CHILDREN TO DO ALL THEY CAN TO SOLVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS."

The capital letters are my own, and should point to the emphasis for which I see as integral to proper parenting. SADLY, there has been an apparent increase in this type of CONFRONTATION. It is wrongheaded, and is actually bad for the student. While it might make the parent feel good, and this is also problematic, makes the child see a FICTION for which they must bring to the REALITY of life. It arms them with the inappropriate tools of success. When the school unions need to add language to their collective agreements that protect them from this type of confrontation, it is clearly a sign that there is a problem - a problem to the process of parenting.

"We do a DISSERVICE to children when WE communicate a perception that everything is SOMEONE else's problem rather than theirs. 'You are doing poorly in school because the teacher doesn't like you'. 'You didn't make the team because the coach is prejudiced.'" p. 53

While it could be rumour or gossip, I have heard that this is said quite often, and am shocked. There are a considerable number of parents who blame a teacher for many different reasons. As a teacher, there is no defense to this type of claim. The logical fallacies riddle the event, but it is nonetheless pointless to argue - a parent's mind is made up at this point.

BUT, I have spent 25 years at teaching, and NOT ONCE HAVE I EVER HEARD ANY TEACHER say anything close to this. I can't imagine any teacher being so very shallow that they would willingly and knowingly do this to a child. In STARK CONTRAST, to help a student who might even be trouble in a classroom, to experience success would be something that would help the student not be a trouble maker. It is in the teacher's BEST INTERESTS not to be like this, and for this reason, I believe that blaming someone is a parental fiction.

I believe that the problem with many students now-a-days is that they come to teachers with the meta-understandings or the paradigms of "shields up", if I can use an old Star Trek phrase, where there is absolutely nothing wrong with them, and they simply need to sort out who to blame.

This book will help anyone see the problem with this thinking, and get them to think towards helping the student develop a capable nature.

"The perceptions of being capable, significant, and able to influence one's own life are powerful confidence builders that instill the courage to take healthy risks, improvise, and transcend failure. PARENTS WHO INVEST TIME HELPING CHILDREN INTERNALIZE THESE PERCEPTIONS ARE GOING A LONG WAY TOWARD ENSURING THAT THEIR CHILDREN WILL SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND ENJOY LEARNING".

This book is WELL WORTH the read, and I hope that every parent read this. Form discussion groups, and share your observations and creatively work toward making this happen. It was relevant 10 years ago, and is more relevant today.

Some times faces are not deceptive. The face, they say, is the index of heart; and so is the book in hand. No kidding about this fact.

Was wondering why don't such creative visualization minds write a similar book for adults (i.,e other than children and parents).

Nevertheless, 7 Strategies is a value-added resource for the concerned group. I envy the readers of this book. This book directly works as a guide on the three R's: Responsible, Repectful and Resourceful.

For some strange reasons, I am always attracted by books with the magical number `7' (seven) in the titles or sub-titles. Remarkably, they often turn out to be great stuff. Some of these books have already been reviewed here & there are more to come. Partly, my obsession with the number has probably to do with my impressionable exposure since I was a kid.

When I was twelve in the early 60's, my first `blood-thirsty' movie was the Japanese cult classic, The Seven Samurais, which reportedly inspired the Hollywood epic, The Magnificent Seven. Both movies became my perennial favourites & I have seen them countless times. In both movies, a ragtag group of fearless fighters helped a poor village to deal with & outsmart a gang of marauding rogues.

In this book, the magical `7' (seven) takes on a more serious & sober stance. It refers to the critical attributes that are embodied in the seven resources & skills necessary for your kids/teens to become capable - responsible, respectful, & resourceful - in dealing with today's complex world.

Firstly, let me reveal the author's Significant Seven resources & skills of capable students:

- strong perceptions of personal capabilities;
- strong perceptions of personal significance;
- strong perceptions of personal influence;
- strong interpersonal skills;
- strong intrapersonal skills;
- strong systemic skills;
- strong judgment skills;

I have always hold the view that understanding perception is the key to peak performance.

Maxwell Maltz started the ball rolling by coining the term as `psycho-cybernetics', even though ancient masters in the East have known about it for a very long time. Edward de Bono, the guru of lateral thinking, calls it 'First Order Thinking'. Steven Covey relates some insightful anecdotes about perception in his `7 Habits for Highly Effective People.' Joel Arthur Barker, a process futurist/consultant, considers perceptual understanding as one of five strategic tools necessary for navigating your future. Other consultants, like Mark Brown, Philip Kirby, to name a few, have talked at length about the intricacies of perception & their impact on personal as well as business (or organizational) performance. In the field of stress management, the research people at Institute of HeartMath, creator of the cutting-edge Freeze-Framer Technology, have linked `stress' to `perception'. Even in the world of esoteric practices, Harry Palmer, creator of the expensive Avatar training program, thinks along the same lines, as far as reality creation is concerned.

Henceforth, it is exciting for me to note that these two authors have drawn an excellent & compelling parallel in the academic arena.

I fully concur with the authors that, in the case of our children, strong perceptions of one's personal capabilities, personal significance & personal influence are the precursors to building one's strong assets in dealing with a world that is hurtling at us with breakneck speed, & compounded by hurricane-force changes.

Surprisingly, the book, written by two educators by profession, is presented in very clear, easy-to-understand language.

I highly recommend this book to all parents & teachers. This book can help you develop the resources & skills for your children/students to become capable adults.

I would go further to recommend parents & teachers to take a look at the following books, as supplementary reading:

1. What Kids Need to Succeed: Proven, Practical Ways to Raise Good Kids, by Peter Benson;
2. What Young Children Need to Succeed: Working Together to Build Assets from Birth to Age 11, by Jolene Roehlkapartain;
3. What Teens Need to Succeed: Proven Ways to Shape Your Own Future, by Peter Benson;

Just when you thought you knew everything about teaching; along comes another book claiming to do it better.

Well, this little book packs a punch so powerful that you might well be forced to re-evaluate your thinking and un-learn some ineffective habits and replace them with some of the recommendations offered by H. Stephen Glenn and Michael L. Brock.

Even if you have been teaching for some time, these ideas are fresh and simple enough to begin applying during your next lesson.

Even though the advice is geared towards the parent, it can and should be thoroughly studied by teachers of all levels from Primary to University. An awareness of the comparative stages of mental ability and emotional development will enable the teacher to identify and adapt the appropriate approach needed.

The book is not long on theory, it cuts straight to the heart of the matters discussed with practical and concrete recommendations.

For example, a anxious and impatient parent at a Parent-Teacher Orientation meeting, wanting to know the single most effective thing they can do to promote their child's lifelong success in education, is promptly told:

"Sit down to dinner with the television off every evening for 30-45 minutes".

So, at least for me, its "Back to the Drawing Board"; time to clean the mental attic again on the road to becoming a better teacher.

Thank you, H. Stephen Glenn and Michael L. Brock for sharing your ideas.

Does your child's notebook explode upon opening? Does your child do homework every night after supper and yet bring home dozens of missing assignment reports from school? Does your child come home with the book but no idea what the assignment is? Or perhaps with the assignment and not the book? Does your child frequently have no idea what the words of an assignment actually mean? Does your child weep over the tedium of homework assignments whose worth they cannot comprehend? Does your child go off to school in the morning moderately happy but come home looking beaten down by life? Are you looking for help for such a child? If so, don't look for the answers in this book. There is not a whisper of how to help the organizationally-impaired student. (P.S., If anybody knows of such a book, or can write such a book, please let the world know.)

"This is the first time I have enjoyed a golf instructional book so much! Just simple common sense". Mike Arsenault, Rosemere,QC

"My fear of sand bunkers was playing havoc with my game. After reading the ABC's of golf's bunker chapter, I realized what I was doing...I was stopping for a 'coffee break'as you stated. Now when I land in the bunker, I just tell myself "NO COFFEE BREAK" and follow through. It really works."

Kay Haggert, Dorval QC

"I appreciate the simple basic approach that your book takes to the game. Too often authors try to teach their readers to adapt to their particular style of play; whereas you recognize that not everyone has the same physical abilities and encourage the reader to take this into account. Your book should be able to help me knock 3 or 4 strokes off my score and perhaps enjoy the game even more than I do now".

Sam Chaif,Technical Service Rep.Alliance products Inc., Montreal,QC

Dan Kirby's book, "The ABC's of Golf," does what golf books should do, but don't. His book is simple, easy to understand, and is loaded with common sense. The hight light of Dans book is that he keeps the point sharply focused on the original goal of golf....and that is to have fun and enjoy yourself. Jim McLellan, golf professional...

The author, Dan Kirby, goes through the normal steps of teaching golf but he also goes much further. He delves into the mental and spiritual aspects of the game that are rarely addressed in other instructional books. He has taught me to relax and stop trying so hard. The game of golf, in my mind, is 25% mechanical and 75% mental. He focuses on the mechanical side of golf of course, but more importantly, he explains the importance of concentration, the enjoyment of playing golf and just being alive. This new outlook on golf that I learned from reading Dan's book has greatly enhanced my enjoyment of the game and has shaved a couple of strokes off my scorecard!!

I have definitely come to respect the Wrox writers. Whenever I am in need of additional assistance, I look to these books first. The Access 2007 VBA Programmers Guide has everything I need in it and is written in an easy to follow manner. My skill level is just above beginner, but there are sections of the book for more advanced programming that I have not looked at. I highly recommend all books by Wrox (I have used their SharePoint books extensively).

This book delivers exactly what it promises - namely, to provide the reader with the necessary tools to use VBA against the various Access 2007 object models to amplify the capabilities of a custom Access 2007 solution. You will be shown the differences between using the DAO and ADO data access technologies, as well as the costs and benefits of using the older mdb file types versus the new accdb and project-related adp file types. A cogent explanation of the additional security features embedded in Access 2007 is also nicely covered.

The authors present a broad coverage of the subject matter which is amplified by their substantial real world experience - a nice benefit considering the myriad of texts that simply offer a better organized rehash of the help files.

A final comment will address the number of helpful sidebars presented in the text dealing with such issues as: using the "SQL Server Profiler", how to programmatically add, delete, and modify registry entries to persist user related variables; and receiving insider's expert information on undocumented legacy functionality.

An excellent text for what it sets out to accomplish.

This books was a TREMENDOUS help in writing a Human Resources application for my company. I'm no programmer--but this book helped me a great deal with some of the VB that was needed for the database. I did also rely on the internet a lot but this was a handy tool that covered a majority of the basics--the internet was for more advanced scripting. I highly recommend the book for those who work with Access often...and even for those who want to take advantage of the cool things code will enable you to do.

Access 2007 VBA is a great book for experienced and novice programmers alike. It is thoroughly detailed and yet covers the VBA basics at the beginning. What I like about this book is that it covers details that other books seem to always miss. This would include Microsoft Office integration. Or, in other words, the code that lets you work with other Office applications like manipulating Excel from Access or Word from Access. It also goes into working with Outlook and even SharePoint, which are two of the hardest to find information on when working with Access VBA. I am finding this book to be a great addition to my library and I believe you will too.


Bob Larson
Access World Forums Super Moderator
Utter Access VIP

I've been using Access off and on since Windows 95 and Access 2. This is absolutely one of the best texts on VBA I have read. Examples are clear, and appropriate; and explainations are complete without being longer than the need to be. The coverage of Access 2007's new features appears to be right on the money.

I bought a number of digital textile design books. This one is the most updated and simple in terms of the instructions. Also, the author is extremely accessible and available for support, questions and feedback. He was fantastic and very helpful!

As a Graphic Designer, I made a research and bough four products that were supose to solve textil design, and this was the best, It gives you meny alternatives: also the seller stood beside me when nedded.

I love this book! It saved me hours in learning specific aspects of textile design using photoshop - plus the author makes himself available for technical assists. Awesome.

This is an excellent book for textile designers. Easy to follow and Frederick has been a pleasure to work with. Thanks again!

This book took me to an advanced level of textile design! It was like taking a course in textile design in college except you can actually do things when you're finished! I'm ecstatic that I found this book. I have learned many new techniques. The explanations are very clear, precise and complete! I recommend this wonderful book and I fell grateful that Mr. Chipkin generously shared his years of experience. It's a book for professionals, freelancers and an essential book for the students.

The nearest thing I know of today to the satire of Li'l Abner is The Simpsons. Parodies of popular culture, politics etc.. from the perspective of flawed innocents somehow getting caught up in weird events. Al Capp's creation was probably just as well known in it's day as Groening's work is now.
There is great drawing to be seen here by the stable of cartoonists employed in Li'l Abner, there is persistently good writing which must surely have cut close to the wind in 50's America. This is pre-PC and the way Capp seemed to look at the world and the roles and weaknesses of men and women is funny to look back on. At the same time the comedy stands up in it's own right. I particularly enjoyed the Lower Slobbovia scenes. There is often a frenetic pace to all these comics, with Capp seemingly uninterested in continuity concerns.
These works do not seem to be taken from original art (perhaps it can't be located (easily anyway)). They are scanned from newspapers with mastheads still intact. This is interesting to a degree but the limitations of the sources mean the colour leaves a lot to be desired. One of Lonesome Polecat and Hairless Joe's dinosaurs is a different colour each week it appears. A character may have different coloured hair or clothes. Skin tone also vary greatly.
These quibbles are major but the quality of the cartooning and writing is such that it can be overlooked. The 4th volume has some isolated pages which are well coloured and that makes you wish that it was all at that higher standard. Perhaps it would be better in black and white as the dailies look great.
Time to get the dailies back out too. Get on it Fantagraphics!

I caught the tail end of the Li'l Abner series as a child in the 1960's and remember loving it. I recently started looking for some collections in libraries, but couldn't find any so I looked on Amazon and found this volume and bought it. I've had a great time reading it and even though the things it satirizes occurred before I was born, I'm familiar with much of them through my study of history. Much of what is satirized is applicable to any time and is still fresh.

I've recently been reading some of the classic satire of Voltaire (Candide) and Rabelais (Gargantua and Pantagruel) and this seems to fit right in with that style. I guess I have a warped sense of humor. I wish today's comics were this good.

I enjoyed the artwork and appreciated the explanations at the end of the book highlighting some of the items that someone born after that era may have missed. I highly recommend this book. I will probably order more volumes.

Grew up reading this series. Now I have a permanent copy of my own. Good price and great product for comics junkies.

I bought this volume (and volumes 2-4) for my Dad for Christmas because he was such a big L'il Abner fan when I was a kid in the 60's. When they arrived I just had to sit down and read them all before wrapping them up! L'il Abner is a lens focused on it's own era in time, totally tongue-in-cheek! For rollicking fun and biting satire these comics can't be beat!

Lil Abner always had a strong fan club that allowed the reprinting of the daily strips by Kitchen Sink press for about 25 volumes, which if there was no fan base, only one or two volumes would have been published.

In addition,we are very lucky that Frazetta's reputation and fan club would allow the printing of a comic strip that John Steinbeck once stated, its author, Al Capp, should be given the Putszler (excuse the spelling) prize.

Al Capp was a master satirist and storyteller, who would have one acclaim like Mark Twain or O'Henry if not for the snob attitude toward comic strips.

This is shown here. The 50-year-old color strips are re-printed in a fine manner with expert commentary about the period they were written in by Denis Kitchen.

Beware, they feature "politically incorrect" well-endowed women, and one main character, Daisy Mae, as mostly submissive, which would not be allowed in comic strips today as it would raise the ire of feminists and other "progressive" people.

On the other hand, it features the two main male characters, Abner and Pappy, as idiots or wimps, Abner and his brother Tiny as "hunks", and the one of the main women characters, Mammy as the leader of the Yokum clan, who occassionally beats Pappy, which are allowed in comic strips today as the "Progressives" seem to have no problem with this.

Remember, vintage comic strip reprints do not generate big bucks, some even lose money. They are produced out of great admiration for the strips, and we should be grateful for the publishers for doing so.


By the way, why does Amazon include a 'NO' in 'was this review helpful to you?'. People are only human and don't like opinions that differ from themselves. With some who are less mature, this the 'NO' makes it too easy express such displeasure.

Are they trying to discourage negative reviews, hence not purchase the CD. Such reviews only help a person in not being dissatisfied a product that received positive reviews

I first read about this book in the New York Times. I went to Amazon and ordered it. It's an amazing work of fiction. Even more than that it's a real inside look at addiction, and the addiction crazed world of gambling. If there's one novel you should read this summer this it.

Preston has done it again. This guy keeps pumping out good books like Florida gives us sunshine and babes on the beach. I read this book in less than 48 hours, the story was very entertaining and easy to read, yet very deep and raw. I like his style, I like how he brings you around and delivers the punches when you least expect it. I love Grisham and Preston had a style that reminds me of him.
Thanks Preston...keep them coming.

Roger Pereira

No Shame in His Game...

All or Nothing by Preston L. Allen is a gambler's confessional. I have read many books about gambling, but have never read anything that felt as personal as this book. Many times I gasped as I read to what lengths a gambler would go to chase his or her addiction. P is a married man with a family, a bus driver by profession and a gambler by addiction. There seems to be nothing in the world he loves more than gambling. Be it the lottery scratch-off tickets, slot machines or Vegas Casinos. P places nothing before the game.

Preston L. Allen goes below the surface with his tight prose and personal insight throughout the novel. There are times when it feels as if all he is going to write about is a game, then he will hit you with a choice P made in regards to his gambling and you are left stunned. In one passage, when P discusses what he did after the death of his son, it is absolutely amazing. Reading how he would win tens of thousands of dollars and almost immediately gamble it away will have you feeling his pain. The reader will also ache for his family who had so much faith in him and was often unaware of how much he was actually losing. All or Nothing is a true gambling expose'.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in a novel on a gambler's mindset or anyone who enjoys a well-written, thought-provoking novel.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub

What Fyodor Dostoevsky did for The Gambler over a hundred years ago, Preston Allen does for his bus driver "P" in All Or Nothing. A degenerate gambling addict on a losing streak, "P" will do anything for the big win, believing that one vast win will save him. He gets that win, and many more, and along the way you meet all different types of gamblers. Allen proves that this addiction crosses all barriers and does not discriminate on race, ethnicity, sex, age, or class line. Anyone can be taken prisoner and held hostage by this addiction, and intellect has nothing to do with it. "P" is a lovable, warm, and generous guy, and you are rooting for him all the way, but in the end, Allen proves that no matter what the stakes are, no matter how much you win....it is never enough. A fascinating, heartbreaking, beautifully written "must read" for anyone interested in the topic of gambling, or gambling addiction.

This book is in my top 3 for stories about compulsive gambling. The other two are "Nicotine Dreams" and "Stung". I really enjoy reading about people with gambling addictions and these are 3 books in which the addiction rings true. Thanks for the great story. Loved the writing style.

I first read this book 4 years ago and keep it on my bedside table, having marked important pages over and over again. I have read the greats: from Augustine and Aquinas to T.Merton, C.S. Lewis and Chesterton and never before have I seen so many truths written so simply and yet elegantly. It is Biblicly based and is apropos for giving Christians of any age comfort and help in living in today's world.

I was amazed when my twin sister gave me this book which belonged to my mom over 45 years ago. In the book was her own higlighted parts that she found worth marking. Well I sort of gave up on religion and organized religion due to various personal reasons. I began reading the book about 2 months ago. It is only 127 pages long. It has literally changed my life and brought me back to a realtionship with our heavenly Father. It is simple to read and I promise you will not be dissapointed if you purchase this book. I have now bought 4 used versions for friends of mine and they absolutely have agreed with me on its simplicity to read and apply the teachings within the book. Please read it and may you get blessed as I have from the words within the book.

Sincerely,

Dr. Richard D. Golden

Believe it or not, I bought this book back in the early 1970's and have just now gotten around to reading it. It contains an amazing insight on how to pray to God. It has already changed the way I pray and I feel it will produce fruit in my spiritual life. The book is only 128 pages long, divided into 24 chapters. It is a very smooth read and is easy to put down & pick right back up again. A person could easily read it like a daily devotional if they chose to. Charles Allen truly had an insight and Christian faith that we can all benefit from. (next I plan on reading his autobiography) I highly recommend this book...though written years ago, it is very relevant for any one today.

I first bought this book about 6 years ago when I was really emotional down because.... I am still working on the pratice of praying but it has truly enlightened my outlook of my life and everyday situations that we just make problematic that may not be. I have given away over ten copies or more and will be buying more for gifts to my friends

This is really a must read for those who want to know more about prayers. It is up to the point and clear. I have learned a lot from it. It is also very uplifting.

Almost 20 years ago, as my journey and quest into the wonders of natural medicine began, the universe sent me two very special people - Greg and Mary Wulff-Tilford.

We fast became friends and, fortunately for our animals, they happily offered their talents, love and services to BrightHaven (a sanctuary for elderly and disabled animals) to help us heal our animals. We used their fast developing line of products, and also benefited from their amazing expertise in the preparation and use of herbs.

I soon realized the potential of their combination herbal remedies; knew they would be essential to our work, and was consequently thrilled to receive a copy of their amazing book "Herbs for Pets", when it first came into print.

Herbs for Pets has become a BrightHaven bible over the years, and I recommend it over and over again to pet lovers, who wish to enhance and maintain the health of their animals, naturally.

Gail Pope
President and Founder BrightHaven
www.brighthaven.org

Wonderful photos, super information, and a great reference. This is my standard herbal reference for pets that I use in my practice and in the articles and books I write!


Shawn Messonnier DVM
Author, 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog, The Allergy Solution for Dogs, and the award-winning The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats.

(...)

An excellent source of easy to read information for a beginning herbalist.

This is one of the most comprehensive books on this subject that I think I've ever seen. I had been looking for specific information for about a year, and this book had the answer for me. Great read, well organized, and extremely interesting. Worth every penny I paid for it!! I'll use it for my pets generations for years.

Very thorough description of the different herbs and their uses, but the book is organized by herb. It would be much more helpful if it were organized by malady, and then listed which herbs would help.

If you're a fan of the televsion series Quantum Leap, this original Quantum Leap novel is the best of the bunch.

A sequel of sorts to the episode, "Another Mother," it provides an enjoyable follow-up to the classic episode.

A great book that included some old favorites from the TV series. Storm did an excellent job with all the stories that were going on at once. A Must-Read book for all QL fans.

You would think being able to write a pre-existing character and doing it right, knowing what they would or would not say would be easy. But I've read books based on series' where you wonder if the author ever watched the show or read up on the characters or anything before taking the job (My main beef being with the Star Trek Voyager book Homecoming. Could barely get through the first few chapters. Truly aweful) But there are those, like the DS9 relaunch series of books and this book that truly capture the essence of the characters and you can picture them very vividly as they say their lines; as if you were watching it as a brand new episode, after all these years.
**(Spoilers)**
I gotta say, the ending was bitter-sweat. I would have preffered Terressa ending up working for the project, especially with them making a big deal about being this genius, akin to Sam. Sure, it would have had shades of Sami-Jo Fuller working for the project, but that just plays into the other coincidences and similarities with other leaps.
For some reason, I would have liked to have seen more happen with George; him being drugged and found passed out seemed, somehow, anti-climactic.
All and all, though, it was really well written. And I loved the running gag of Sam never getting to eat. You never really think about it and in a television show, seeing them eat or perform any other necessary vital functions (like sleeping; we never saw Sam have any down time in the show) and the author worked it in well and made it very real.

This book was wonderful. I really liked the episode and the fact that there was this wonderfully written sequal...
There is too much to say and so little room. It's very inspirational.

Although this book may seem a little slow and boring at first, keep reading! If you remember the Quantum Leap episode "Another Mother" and it touched you, this book will do the same, as it is a continuation of Al's promise to a little girl that someday, he'll come back to her. It has everything in it, from suspense to comedy, while still maintaining the important elements of a good Quantum Leap Novel. This book would make an excellent movie. Don't miss out!

Pete Hunt captured the sights and sounds of carrier aviation and combat operations on every page. This is a must read for those who want a glimpse of the 24/7 world of life on the USS Ranger during Operation Desert Storm.

Pete Hunt captured the sights and sounds of carrier aviation and combat operations on every page. This is a must read for those who want a glimpse of the 24/7 world of life on the USS Ranger during Operation Desert Storm.

Title of this review says it all. The only reason I wanted to post another review of this book is to just add another 5 stars-it's that good.

This book should become a classic-alas, I fear it will be overlooked by most, and that will definately be their loss.

I kid you not-I've read most of the first person accounts of aerial combat, from all periods, and this one is right at the top of the list.

There aren't a lot of books by former naval avaitors about flying and fighting during Desert Storm. This book is also rarer since the platform he flew, the A-6 Intruder, has been retired despite several advantages over its replacement, the F/A-18. The book describes the working up period prior to deploying to the Arabian Gulf, shipboard life, as well as the buildup and actual fighting done during Desert Storm from his carrier. The wrting isn't as gripping as a professional writer would do, but nonetheless is an authentic account from a unique source. Overall, I was gald to have had the opportunity to learn more about what makes combat and naval aviation so much more different than what land-based forces go through. As a book to throw in your bag for a weekend reading source, this will be fine.

Angles of Attack: An A-6 Intruder Pilot�s War; Peter Hunt; Ballantine Books, New York, N.Y., 2002; softcover, 368 pages, illustrated. ....
This newest Gulf War memoir is excellent; it really does put the reader in the cockpit. Like the A-7 Corsair, its stablemate in the Navy�s attack community, the A-6 Intruder flew its final combat sorties in the six-week action that ousted the invading Iraqis from Kuwait. Intruder squadrons flew from all six carriers deployed during Desert Storm (as well as two Marine Corps shore-based squadrons), and one A-6 aviator tells a story that covers the buildup of Desert Shield and the nightly launches that devastated Iraqi naval and land assets.
Peter Hunt�s enthusiastic account is one of the best of the type this reviewer has read in recent years. The focal point of the book is, of course, his experience flying 45 combat missions with VA-145 and the close bond with his bombardier-navigator (BN). The descriptions of the prewar activities as the squadron, air wing and carrier prepare to deploy give a fine insider�s view of carrier aviation. The work ups are described in detail that might at times slow the story, but Hunt carries the story well with the result that these portions are well worth the reader�s time. Hunt tells what it was like flying combat from one of the Navy�s oldest carriers, USS Ranger (CV-61).
Peripheral areas like a port call in the Philippines, the loneliness of Christmas Eve at sea � he decides to sort out his personal survival items � and thoughts of family so far away are some of the most appealing aspects of Hunt�s work..
The author and his BN participated in the Battle of Bubiyan, which saw the destruction of several Iraqi navy PT boats that eliminated that threat. They also flew during the last major attack on Iraqi units along the so-called �highway of death� as the invaders torched the Kuwaiti capital and tried to flee.
Though a rather large paperback, the writing flows well and the author has a nice, personal style. Unfortunately, the book concludes on a sour note because of his dissatisfaction with the post-war Navy, the impact of the Tailhook scandal and the resulting �rot from within.� Family separation also plays a hand in his decision to leave, as does the demise of the A-6 community, with no replacement after the A-12 debacle. Nonetheless, Angles of Attack is a fine effort that tells the story of one of the Navy�s stalwart aviation communities during its last combat deployment.
Peter Mersky