O'Neal Books

This book approaches the nativity story from a different angle. Rather than telling the story chronologically, author Debbie Trafton O'Neal coordinates the players in alphabetical order. While children learn their ABCs, they'll also learn about Jesus' birth -- all through rhyming verse and vibrant illustrations.

Each page features a letter of the alphabet, displayed largely in upper and lowercase. A short sentence tells of one character or aspect of the first Christmas and highlights the word that begins with the featured letter. For example: "M is for Mary, who followed God's plan. N for the newborn, God's Son born of man."

Jan Bryan-Hunt does a fabulous job as illustrator. Her whimsical artwork fills the pages with brilliant colors, sure to please children and parents.

What I Like: Everything! My kids have heard the Christmas story so many times, it's nice to have a book with a different approach to the story. They're all about learning the alphabet, too, so this is a favorite for me and them! The author did a wonderful job finding good words for every letter of the alphabet. Z and X are always troublemakers, but she even served them well by offering "ZZZs from the baby asleep in the hay" and "X is for exalting, praise lifted on high." Not perfect, but I can't think of anything better! The illustrations are great. They're so fun and colorful; quite unique.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

SPECIAL NOTE: The age range is listed as 4-8, but I think younger kids will enjoy it too. My 2 year old loves it!

Tanya -- Christian Children's Book Review

A is for Angel by Debbie Trafton O'Neal is a delightful story and activity book that children will be enchanted with and read over and over. Through rhyme and the alphabet, the author tells the story of Christ's birth. It begins with A is for Angel and ends with ZZZs from the baby, asleep in the hay.

Bryan-Hunt's illustrations are bright, colorful and reflect the joyousness of the Christmas story. Children will be attracted as much to the pictures as they are the whimsical alphabet rhymes. At the back of the book are four simple, yet enjoyable activities for children and parents to work on together for their own use or for gifts for special people in their lives.

Armchair Interviews says: A is for Angel is a great way for parents and children to spend time together reading about the birth of Jesus and to make memories through the activities

This is a very cute story with a great message. We got this book for our daughter when she was 5 or 6 years old. She is now 8 years old and still loves it. This year, on her 8th birthday she is giving it to her 2nd grade class so that they will have it in their classroom. The interactive shoelaces weaved throughout the story are the hit of the book.

This book was absolutely cute! I loved the way how the shoe laces were incorporated throughout the entire book. I can't wait to read it to my son...he'll adore it.

The Draper Interviews provide insight into the life of Boone, free of the myth and larger than life stereotype that has always surrounded this remarkable frontiersman. Nathan Boone's recollections of his father also gives us a glimpse of how Daniel himself viewed the world in which he lived and allows us to more clearly understand the man from which the legend sprung. Though many books written from similiar interviews are dull and rather boring, the Draper Interviews are arranged so that they make for rather stimulating reading and keep the reader eagerly in longing for the next chapter. Truly a "must read" for anyone interested in Daniel Boone or early Kentucky history.

Nathan Boone and his wife, Olive van Bibber Boone, had the kind of memories most people wish for. They remembered virtually all of the early history of Commonwealth of Kentucky. When Lyman Draper came to visit them for two months in 1851 he found them full of the most interesting and detailed memories of Daniel Boone. Not only had the elder Boone lived with them and shared his own memories, they had also lived through many of the incidents themselves, and knew many of the old pioneers -- old van Bibber was one of the earliest settlers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Enjoyable, highly readable. I highly recommend this book.

Dear Mr. Bill Gutman,

I have read the book you have written on Shaquille O'Neal. I read this book because "Shaq" is one of my favorite basketball players. This book is an awesome book if people like playing basketball, watching basketball and enjoying Shaquille play. "Shaquille O'Neal" is a very well written book on the player. It tells you how Shaq grew up, what kind of an environment he was raised in and why he starting playing basketball.

Some of my favorite parts where when you describe how much hard work the player has to go through to make him self as good as he is. You describe his endurance, his training and also his abilities to do things he's not able to do. Since I am a high school basketball player I enjoyed reading this, because we train our selves to do things we aren't capable to do. I also liked the action filled chapters when Shaquille is playing for the Orlando Magic. You describe each movement and each point scored, that's fun to read because you describe it so well, and also when it is so action filled you don't want to put the book down.

The parts of the book I really didn't find so interesting to me is when you wrote about other basketball players that played in the NBA(National Basketball Association) a long time ago. I didn't think it had anything to do about the player Shaquille O'Neal. It was Shaq's biography and you described other people in the book. Its like you took Shaquille's spotlight away from him and gave it to the other players.

To conclude this letter Mr. Gutman I have really enjoyed reading this book. It is very action filled and thrilling if you are a crazy basketball player/fan.

This book was awesome! It was very well-written, and it makes you feel like you are in the thrill of the NBA life. It gives you the idea of how hard it was for SHAQ, not only as a kid who grew up on military bases, but also his college and NBA basketball ways of life. I would recommend this book to any basketball fan. I would rate this book a five star book. --DH

There are some books that start right off and grab you heart and squeeze it for all its worth, until tears roll down your cheeks. Hopefully, if you are a manly man you will not do this in public. Author Terry A. O'Neil truly sets up an emotional meltdown in her coming of age tale of a young black girl in her short novel "Sweet Lavender". O'Neal has a way of building up the level of hurting by establishing the relationship through the narrative and the eyes of the young daughter Rae, who at the beginning of this story is only five years old. We learn quickly how much she loves her father. That is the set-up and the fall is an emotional one for anyone who has suffered a break-up of a marriage or their family--it is always hurtful and painful for the children involved. The author captures that feeling without laboring the issue.

O'Neal takes us through the break-up over the infidelities of the father with another woman. That other woman has had his baby but dies and this is where it gets rather complicated and dysfunctional. Rae's father brings the child home to raise and to confess his affair. That is too much for Rae's mother and eventually her dad cannot handle the scorn emotionally anymore and packs up and leaves. It takes a while for her mother to realize that he is not coming back. Meanwhile, she is stuck with his baby.

That is the foundation and the pretext from which the author constructs an inspirational and emotional tale. There are lots of gripping narrative and just enough use of good dialog that the story is an easy journey for the reader but certainly one beset with emotional issues. It is hard not to feel something while reading O'Neal's book. She has a talent for turning the phrasing into emotional prose and captures the spirit of her main character. This is a family friendly book and I would think that mature juveniles though elderly adults would find this story enthralling and good entertainment. It can be easily read in one sitting and that is what may more than likely happen to most readers because you will get emotional sucked into the plot of this story and will not want to put it down until you read that last page.

First Published in the Elk Grove Citizen Newspaper

Rae Lynne Johnson's world has always revolved around her family. When she was 5 years old her father deserted the family and her perfect young world was shattered. Her father boldly leaves behind his love child from another woman for his wife to raise. Times for the Johnson family were hard , but the glue that held them together was love. Besides the heartbreak and pain of losing the head of the family, young Rae Lynne is forced to grow up quickly. Her mother falls victim to depression and Rae Lynne becomes responsible for caring for her younger brother and her mother. Because of these responsibilities she loses her childhood, and could possibly lose her future.

The only peace that Rae Lynne usually finds is in the lavender patch that is practically in her backyard. The sweet smells and the beauty of nature often take her away from the problems and stresses of life. Amazingly this place of comfort would one day cause great sadness and pain for her entire family.

Author Terry A. O'Neal has written a poignant story of how growing up without a father affected this young woman's life. And how the hurt and uncertainty of life was her motivation to excel.

Reviewed by Simone A. Hawks
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

The author has obviously spent much time researching this book and has a passion for the subject matter. Would recommend to anyone interested in medical history.

Very interesting! This book was easy for the layman to read and learn some interesting (and sometimes fun) facts about the early history of medicine, hospitals and doctors in the St. Louis, Missouri. These vignettes would be interesting to anyone who is interested in medical history no matter where they live. Pat

I had misgivings about reading this book, because I knew that it would go to some less-than-happy places.

Ms. O'Neal does not seem to be disclosing anything for shock or retail value, nor does she seem to be soliciting sympathy.

Better yet, I never got the feeling that she was trying to "out" anyone else for his or her bad behavior. I would bet that - if she had chosen to do so - she would have had plenty of ammunition to write a tell-all tale. I believe she took the high road in keeping tabloid-type revelations to a minimum.

Here is my condensed version of her life story.

1) Her mother had substance abuse problems and was unfit to raise children. Hats off to Tatum for rekindling a relationship with her in later years.

2) Her father was abusive in many ways, yet he provided her with food, clothing, and dental care, which was more than she had gotten from her mother. Kudos to Tatum for not abandoning him altogether when he was eventually stricken with cancer.

3) For all of Ryan's temper and proclivity to act out, it was no surprise that she married John McEnroe, another hothead that seems to lack concern for how he affects others. After life with Ryan, she no doubt felt right at home with The Brat. Here's to you Tatum, for paying tribute to John for taking care of your kids when you couldn't.

In summary, whatever others have done to Ms. O'Neal, when the chips are down she opts for the high road. And perhaps that is my answer as to why this novel did not depress me in the end.

If you watch the news, it sounds like Tatum has continued to have some substance abuse problems since she published this book. After reading her story, I would empathize with her, but I would not judge her.

Deep down she has a survivor's spirit and an ability to keep rising above the weaknesses and mis-steps of those around her. On top of all of that, it sounds like she (and McEnroe) have raised some great kids.

Child abuse and neglect can instigate a vicious circle that can pass from one generation to the next. By all accounts Tatum has broken that cycle and there has been no suggestion that she has ever done anything to harm her children.

Way to go, Tatum. Your story is remarkable and inspirational. Best wishes for a happy future.

Although this was, in parts, a difficult read, I understood all too well how Ms. O'Neal must have felt growing up and trying to escape and then finding that she had "married her father" all over again. I always wondered what it must have been like to be married to her husband when I would read about his temper and exploits on the tennis courts. Now I unfortunately know. That poor girl, and her children!

I felt so sorry for the situation she was caught in, yet wishing and praying over and over again that she would finally escape and not accept an invitation to return to the abuse and dysfunction that was so clearly the only life her family knew.

I understand the kind of loneliness one has when there is no real "family" to rely on, as holidays come and go... just empty words and then actions that belie any kind of caring or truthfulness or understanding. And when you do weaken and "take the bait," you get kicked in the teeth once again. It's a lonely life that we lead when we cut ourselves off from abusive individuals and families that we are "tied to," but as classic codependents, blaming ourselves for the attacks of our abusers, and trying desperately to "please them" to gain their love, we risk ever-present, guaranteed failure each and every time.

There is no "cure" for narcissistic, borderline personality disorder (BPD) at this time, and anyone who thinks the other person will one day magically "change" and recreate the initial hypnotic magical "honeymoon stage" is doomed to failure. Codependent thinking says that that one day they will be able to get their abuser to love them "if only they could change themselves and act differently next time." I know this all too well.

They end up spending their entire life chasing a dragon that will only turn on them, breathing smoke and fire, and burn them to ashes and death. No matter how much we feel sorry for our abusers, and wish they were different, and wish to help them, and wish they would love us, and know that we would do ANYTHING in this world to get them to change and to finally love us and give us what we want, a home and family, what's wrong with that?, these damaged, abusive individuals can only damage others in return. They are not capable of more.

You have to recognize them for what they are, turn and run and never look back! Some people are nothing but rattlesnakes or poisonous spiders and toads, and can't do anything but spit venom, attack and bite at any unexpected moment in time. They must be avoided at all costs, no matter how much we wish they would love us, how we wish they were different, but they are not. They can't and they don't and they won't. Can a charging bull love someone? No. End of story there.

What do we do? We have to learn to love ourselves, and find love in the solace of the natural world. How to do that? I don't know, but looking to others who cannot love is not the way.

I kept wishing that Tatum would simply leave and take her children with her and make a new life for herself, but apparently too much damage was done.

I will also point out that when Tatum was growing up and being beaten by her father, physical "discipline" and child abuse was not considered a crime. I know this from my own experience. Thank God the laws have changed! Her father was recently arrested - again - for physically attacking his son, and for his on-going drug use. Some things never change, yet you defend this man that you apparently no nothing about.

Tatum is to be commended for telling her story from a heart-wrenching point of view. The emotional damage is the hardest to overcome, to which judgmental people, who have not lived through it, do not understand. They only add acid to the wounds. People who complain about "name-dropping" don't seem to understand that celebrities mix with other celebrities. Who else are they supposed to talk about? These are the people in their lives.

God bless Tatum O'Neill and I hope she is able to come to terms with her upbringing and realize that codependency doesn't help when you are dealing with vicious narcissistic borderline individuals (like some of the authors of the few negative reviews). All I know is to try and find solace in God and prayer and forgiveness. "Put it in God's Hands" and move on with our lives, ask God to show us the way, is the only solution that many of us can follow, since it is all that we can do. It's also enough for now. Thank you Tatum for writing your book and sharing your difficult story. It is a cautionary tale for anyone in an abusive relationship, which says "Save yourself. Get out now!"

Tatum's courage to overcome horrific abuse is very inspiring and this book chronicles that journey. Some may question the validity of the abuse she describes in the book but anyone who's had abusive parents knows she speaks the truth and is not exaggerating.

It's very telling that the first thing Ryan O'Neal and John McEnroe said when this book was released was "Tatum is crazy". That's the classic response abusers always give - it's a dead giveaway.

Thank you, Tatum (and Griffin, Redmond and Patrick), for this book and the hope it provides to all of us who've survived being attacked and violated by our own parents.

First of all, I would like to say that I am sure the book is very good but I would strongly suggest the AUDIO book it is excellent and most of all it is READ BY TATUM herself and is read with true emotion and feeling. You can tell by her voice that some parts were very hard for her to write and admit to but to tell the true story of her life she had to endure retelling some of these things that happened to her and her family.

this is a very important book. what an extremely sad life. she suffered so much at the hands of horrendous parents and a drug-addled narcissistic hollywood culture that to this day still destroys everything that it touches. then (surprise) she marries a complete prick in mcenroe who does everything to destroy her. what an important expose on the hollywood culture that continues to destroy so many people. they sacrifice any chance of love and normalcy to be famous and get the cash. her father should have been arrested and/or institutionalized a long time ago. this is a great book because it completely destroys the hollywood myth and exposes it for the horrific juggernaut that it is- all smiles and lies and phoniness hiding the reality of addiction, emptiness, abuse and wholesale prostituion of the soul. before these people get a chance to really live they dive head-first into a profession and a culture that rapes their souls and treats them like financial institutions. they are rendered soul-less and rutterless, trees without roots, standing on the pier as their lives sail away from them. once you miss the train it can be hard to get where you need to go. in other words there is absolutely no substitute for being loved, protected and guided by parents who know the meaning of love and aren't using their children to get rich and become famous.

Kathleen O'neal Gear and Michael Gear are among my favorite authors. They are well educated without ignorance and write exceptional fiction based on actual archeological discoveries. They are respectful to the indigenous race as well.
I was really surprised when I read how many people disliked their work. I think in today's society people have a hard time accepting people of the past were nothing like us. Their entire world was different. Yes, indigenous tribes believed in the spirits and had dreamers or shamans among them. Yes, many were violent and the brutally in this book recreates that atmosphere.
The Anasazi Mystery books are excellent fictional books based on historical evidence. If you are into the Anasazi era and opened minded, these are wonderful choices. If you are squeamish or one of the millions who are ignorant of indigenous beliefs and customs, by pass, it is something you will never understand; Like many others you will only leave derogatory comments about this fine work. It is really sad that this generation cannot relate to the magnificent people of the past.

This book was written to completely interhal you in its content. Making you a part of the story line brinking from one time line to another. I was totally on the edge of my seat all the time. Couldn't wait for the next book to arrive.

If you care for ancient rituals, combined with modern day beliefs, you will throughly enjoy this book. This is the beginning of a series of 3 different titles. The time period is ancient Indian lore/legend, some of the burial beliefs, and it then connects you with modern day technology. I was surprised to find such detail and information. The three titles carry you through the stories of a couple from their early teens to adulthood, and their children. As well as another story relating to the ancient day families. Certainly worth the read. Thank you for a new series (although old) to delve into.

I just finished reading The Visitant. It takes place in Chaco Canyon, a place that's just a few hours from where I live.

I read the other reviews and I can identify with some of the complaints. Yes, the book needed some editing. I didn't need to read about hair being whipped or tucked over and over again. Nor did I need to know everything everybody was wearing at every minute. The relationship between Dusty and Maureen was contrived - didn't buy it. And what's with the weird capitalizations? Being from the area, I do know a few people from the Pueblos, I've never met anybody with a name like Maggie Walking Hawk Taylor or Hail Walking Hawk. Most of the local Native Americans I know are named Lujan, Vigil, Abeita, Russell, Begay, Yazzie. Okay, I have run across a Yellowhair but that's it. Don't get me started on what the characters in the modern part ate and drank in a desert environment. They should have been suffering from heat exhaustion with IVs in their arms. And 107 degrees in Albuquerque? Puullleeese! It rarely gets any hotter than 102 or 103. So there are my complaints. Now about what's good about the book:

It was still fascinating reading no matter how many things there were wrong. I cleared the first 100 pages in a couple of hours. Doesn't happen often. The authors are clearly knowledgable in their field and they kept a fast pace. I thought most of the characters, in both story lines, were pretty well developed. The elderly characters were the most interesting ones in this story and the best in any book I've read. In spite of my complaints with the modern story line I think it was helpful in holding my attention. I usually don't read historicals. The modern characters helped me to visualize the past better. It was also fascinating watching the modern characters uncover the bodies of characters that I thought I'd been reading about in the other story line. It was just a fun, fast, read with a lot of learning about anasazi mysticism and a long dead civilization. It was sad to see the decline of these people. Overall I enjoyed it and am now reading The Summoning God. I think I'm going to have some complaints about the authors grasp of the breakfast burrito when I'm done with that one.

THIS THE FIRST OF A WONDERFUL TRILOGY FULL OF WELL-RESEARCHED HISTORY, ANCIENT AND MODERN SOUTHWESTERN INDIAN MYSTICISM (A POINT LIKELY MISSED BY THOSE WHO WROTE THE CRITICISMS IN THEIR REVIEWS), MULTI-SUBPLOT MYSTERY, ROMANCE, AND A THOUGHT-PROVOKING WARNING FOR OUR "MODERN" SOCIETY, BOTH IN OUR MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND OUR TREATMENT OF OUR CHILDREN.

MY WIFE AND I BOTH READ THE TRILOGY FIRST (AND ENJOYED IT THOROUGHLY!!!), ONLY TO FIND THAT "PEOPLE OF THE SILENCE" AND "PEOPLE OF THE MOON" DEAL WITH THE ANASAZI PEOPLE AND HAPPENINGS BEFORE THE TRILOGY. WE ARE NOW READING BOTH "PREQUELS".

WE ENJOYED THE TRILOGY SO MUCH THAT WE BOUGHT COPIES FOR SEVERAL FRIENDS, WITH THE ADVICE TO READ THE "PEOPLE" BOOKS FIRST. IT GIVES GREAT HISTORICAL CONTINUITY, AND MAKES IT A WONDERFUL 5-VOLUME ADVENTURE.

WE ARE SO PLEASED TO HAVE ENLIGHTENED SCIENTISTS LIKE THE GEARS TO GIVE LIFE TO HSTORY.

18 Jun 2005

As the book progressed, it got more and more egoistic, to the point where it becomes a turn-off towards the end of the book. I am surprised that there was so little mentioned of Hakeem. Shaq's attitude seems to be that since he can score, he does not respect centers who can't score. Whereas he respect Bill Russell. But he does give Kobe his fair share of spotlight. The other book I read was an unabashed hype of Shaq, so this is a big improvement.

From all of his interviews and press conferences, I know that he wrote this book and there were very few, if any, editors to "re-write" his book like most athlete autobiographies. This one might not have every sentence punctuated correctly, but he does a great job as a whole. Where else can you get something like this--a diary, essentially--from the store.

I do agree that some sections he repeats himself, and caught myself wondering if I had read that section already. I do like his conversational approach though as it seems like he's just talking right to you. Nowhere does it mention in the 'laws of book etiquette' that you have to be a prolific writer to release a book.

I've read the whole book and thoroughly enjoyed it and how it gave the readers an insight on how Shaq views the NBA, how the underachieving pre-Jackson Lakers REALLY were, and most rewarding, his upbringing and how his parents raised him.

Don't expect the same Shaq in this book than what he portrays now. As he's contradicted himself a bit in light of recent events regarding his trade to Miami. Nevertheless, I do recommend this book as a casual and humorous read.
- Laker fan for life, thanks Shaq for your dominance

this book is complete garbage....it has no moral or purpose just a bunch of bragging(ALTHOUGH IM A BIG LAKER FAN!)

THIS IS A BOOK BY SHAQUILLE O'NEAL CENTER FOR THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS. HE TELLS US SOME OF HIS LIFE AND CAREER IN THE NBA. MOST OF THE BOOK CONCERNS WINNING HIS FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE NBA. HE TOUCHES ON HIS TEAMATES, COACHES AND LIFE IN GENERAL IN THE NBA. I LIKED THIS BOOK AND I LIKE SHAQ, EVEN THOUGH HE IS A BIT FULL OF HIMSELF. HE ENJOYS LIFE AND IS VERY HUMAN. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO LAKER AND BASKETBALL FANS.

I can't ever wait until the next one comes out. This one didn't dissapoint, espeically since it was talking about my neck of the woods! The Gears are very talented at weaving the fiction and non-fiction together to make a great story.

I've loved everything I've read by the Gears and I've read just about everything they have published. Wonderful interposing of fiction onto the facts! They use their expertise as anthropologists and as story tellers to combine what really has been found about North American Indians and interpose a very believable story onto it. They really make the past come alive! The inclusion of what has really been found by anthropologists adds tremendously to the books!

The Gears' continue to both entertain and enlighten with this latest in their series. The characters are as vivid and detailed as I have come to expect from this series and the environmental descriptions bring the reader to stand side by side with the characters. I continue to recommend this series to everyone I know who enjoys not only the past from an historical pov but also a darned good story!

Once again this is another great book by the Gears. Although a work of fiction it provides insight on the culture and society of early Native Americans. Which I found well researched. Throw in a bit of the supernatural forces and you have another great book by this couple. I have enjoyed every book by them.

A huge surprise for me. I've always perceived the Native North Americans as a defeated people, on the brink of destruction (mostly because that was the way the today Americans presented the past). This book presents the unknown story of the florishing civillisations of the first Americans - as I've never seen it before. The tale is set in an farther past then that of the conquest - actually, in the period of the Viking discovery of the North American seashore (the Vinland, as they put it).
Two related nations, the Turtle and the Bear, covet the same power child - a dwarf boy named Rumbler, who is known as child of a forest spirit. But if the Turtle clan of "Paint Rock" loves and protects the boy, the Bear "Walksalong" clan - especially the war leader (not a little crazed by his own spirit-power) want the child to help them in war and hunting and will stop at nothing to have the boy.
They utterly destroy the boy's clan and kidnap him - but when warriors begin to die of unknown causes, the matrons of the Walksalong decide they don't want the child anymore and he has to be killed by starvation and cold.
Only a small girl stands by him and ultimately saves him, guiding him back to his relatives.
The fate of the Walksalongs, decided by a prophecy, comes true, despite their best efforts to reject it.
All the characters are profoundly human (or inhuman, in the case of the bad guys). That was superb writing (and the naive - sounding isn't so strong here as in "People of the Lightining"). I couldn't believe the power of this novel - and i'm hoping to get more of the novels of this series.

Highly recommended.