O Books

What an amazingly well written book! I have never read a more true account of what it means to be the parent of a child with special needs. The Kehl family has been marked for generations by muscular dystrophy. Anyone who wants to understand how it really feels to deal with such a legacy should read this. The power of denial was so powerfully shown by how long the author was able to keep up the idea that her son was "just having trouble with the bus stairs", and when she finally did get a diagnosis, I found it the most amazing analogy to say that being able to handle a child with special needs is like deciding you are going camping, knowing nothing about it and having none of the equipment, and then finding your closet is filled with a tent, campfire dishes, flashlights, etc---you already have what you need to handle it, and you never knew. The effects of a child's sickness on a strong marriage are also so truthfully shown here---how you can blame and yell and say horrible things and still love each other and the child so much. It is hard to believe this author has not written many best selling books already, as this book is just astonishing. It came to me at a time when I really needed it, when I am dealing with the possibility of a serious diagnosis for my child, and I am so thankful it did.

This book is not your ordinary story, it is the blood, sweat and tears of a brave family suffering from generation to generation with Muscular Dystrophy. Christine O'Hagan should be proud of how elloquently she is able to share her losses from her brother Richie to the ultimate loss of her own precious son Jamie.
She shares so much in this book, you can't help but wonder how she was able to sit all those long hours and re-live so much sorrow. But don't be fooled. Christine knows just how to tell her story with her very fine sense of humor which has always been
her strong tool through her struggles.A book to read not only for the journey of her life, but also for what it gives the reader.... The true meaning of what live is about. God Bless you Chrissie.

Christine Kehl O'Hagan, born in Queens in 1950 carried a tragic secret. Duchenne's Muscular Dystophy (DMD), which is an X-linked trait runs rampant throughout her family. DMD claimed several male relatives throughout the generations in her family. Females are born carriers of this tragic condition and every male born in a family where this trait is present is at risk for developing it at some point in life.

As much as I enjoyed this book, there were two things that irked me: the constant references to sneakers and being Irish. Even the tablecloth was made of Irish lace! The O'Hagans' beagle was named Finney! Sharing the traditions of Irish heritage was all well and good, but the constant references to being Irish did seem a bit excessive at points. As for the sneakers, the symbol of mobility and childhood play and sports, the message could not have been made more plain.

Christine's younger brother Richie Jr., born in 1957 showed signs of MDM early. Poor coordination and balance and difficulty managing stairs were the tip-offs to his having MDM. By 1966 Richie was no longer able to walk and remained confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. He died in July of 1979 at the age of 22.

Some very touching anecdotes are shared; in 1961, Christine, then 11 would take her 4-year-old brother to the neighborhood church and pray for him. That was really heartwarming. I also liked it when the neighborhood boys took Richie under their wing and would hang off the back of his wheelchair, including him in their games. I loved it when Richie would sing the Beatles' songs from 1967's "Sgt. Pepper" in 1967-68. The Kehl children's Aunt Nelly's bizarrely quaint expressions involving hygiene and bathroom usage are sure to bring a smile; the unfamiliar term "kitty murphies" was made quite clear in the context and feline reference.

Christine and younger sister Pam (born 1953) both had sons with DMD. Christine's younger son, Jamie was diagnosed at age 7 on October 16, 1980. He was tested in the hospital for DMD in December of 1980. Her older son, born in August of 1971 did not inherit the condition. Sadly, Jamie died on May 20, 1998 at the age of 24, one year after his maternal grandmother died.

Pam's two sons, born in 1976 and 1977 also had DMD which ultimately confined them to wheelchairs as well. I especially liked the descriptions of Queens in the 1950s and 1960s and the parts about family interaction and the way Jamie's brother went to bat for him and that they owned a beagle, although I disagree with the author's finding that the hound was homely. Beagles are beautiful little hounds. Luckily, during the roughest points and bleakest moments the family stayed together. Christine's friends, Ruth and Tony sounded like genuine angels.

The book ends on an upbeat note with the 1999 birth of Christine's granddaughter, Alanna Nicole.

A book you can't put down - that's the way I would describe Mrs. O'Hagan's The Book of Kehls. You get the feeling that you grew up with her in the way she draws the reader into the most intimate part of her life in dealing with her parents, her siblings and her disabled son, Jamie. This book is about an Irish family and how they deal with a disease that affected everyone in their family. It is about a mother who is above all human, unashamedly sharing her emotions that run the gamut from being frustrated to being hilarious. Above all, this book shows Mrs. O'Hagan's strength and unending love in letting her son know that it is okay to stop fighting and to find peace. A must read.

The Book Of Kehls is a memoir that is honestly and bravely written. The author probes her deepest feelings about coming from a family smitten with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and shares her candid insights with depth as well as with humor.

The book also provides education about the disease to those that are unfamiliar with the ravaging toll it takes on its victims and their families. It helps the reader to understand the horror that living with this disease can bring, and provides insight into how families cope both effectively and ineffectively with chronic illness.

Ms. O'Hagan also gives us a glimpse of the past as she shares her childhood growing up in the 50's and 60's and in many instances with great nostalgia. This was quite enjoyable to read.

The layout of the book is very well created and the themes excellently threaded throughout. The beginning is extremely powerful as is the ending, leaving the reader to ponder life, its personal meaning and the necessity of gratitude for what many of us take for granted.

For me, the book was a quick read because it was so interesting that I couldn't stop......The cover was a beautiful, the title wonderful and the picture of the children so poignantly presented. I highly recommend The Book of Kehls for its message of love and spirit.

It's 1973 as this third novel in the Jimmy O' Brien series opens. Jimmie's latest assigned client is Robbie Farris accused of murder and currently residing in the L. A. County Jail. Jimmy knows his client is guilty and to make matters worse very uncooperative. After butchering his former college professor by stabbing him 27 times, Robbie has found Jesus and rants and raves about the Lord and how he must atone for his crime. The case includes Robbie's bloody finger prints at the scene, his confession and other evidence and Jimmy is thinking that the insanity defense might be the only way to save Robbie's life.

With his client being so uncooperative, Jimmy decides the best thing to do is to go talk to Robbie's Mom who lives out near Chatsworth. Hazel Farris is his Mom and she lives out there somewhere in a beat-up Airstream trailer. After a strange visit with her, she agrees and signs the necessary paperwork for O'Brien who thinks things are going to get better.

Things go from rough to disastrous as within hours of Jimmy O'Brien being in her home; Hazel is dead with evidence indicating that he was the last one to see her and may have killed her. With the police already investigating him, Robbie manages to escape his arraignment and in the aftermath, a deputy blames Jimmy O'Brien. O'Brien is certainly not a favorite of the local police and court system for multiple reasons detailed in "One, Two, & Even" and "Six to Five...Against" and things have not improved in the recent past. It is 100 plus everyday, the air is smoggy, the bad guys want O'Brien dead and the cops want him in jail or dead - they don't care which.

The latest in the series presents another cozy style atmospheric read that is heavy into relationships. Jimmy's friendship going back ten years with Sol is detailed as is his romance with Rita who wants to be his partner in the firm some day and is attempting to defend him against all charges. Mabel also reappears as his cranky secretary who knows all and has opinions on everything. Those secondary characters and a number of others familiar to readers return again in this enjoyable read.

At its heart "The Brimstone Murders" recently released by Echelon Press is a slow moving cozy style mystery featuring a case that meanders for most of the book before rapidly picking up steam. The action towards the end of the novel borders on the slapstick absurd and yet, if one doesn't think about it too much; believable enough that it doesn't totally jar the reader out of the story. The book is a pleasant diversion and while not spectacular, a solid performance that continues to build on an interesting and enjoyable series.



Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2008

If you love Raymond Chandler and the old black and white mystery movies you grew up with on TV, pay close attention to author Jeff Sherratt and his Jimmy O'Brien Series that starts with a rip-roaring tale set in California in the Seventies.
The Brimstone Murders is chock full of atmosphere and snappy dialogue that carries you through an exciting tale that begins with former cop turned lawyer, Jimmy O'Brien, trying to get his client who is accused of killing a college professor off by using the insanity plea. The client, Robbie Ferris, sounds like a raving religious fanatic, but when he escapes from the courthouse and a "blind" guy says it looks like the guy had help, Jimmy has a dilemma. It's further complicated when Robbie's mother is killed with the same caliber gun as Jimmy has misplaced.
The trail of his missing client leads Jimmy to a derelict dinner out in Barstow and a mysterious borax mine. The action never stops as Jimmy and his good-looking assistant, Rita, try to save his neck, her neck, and a dead girl.
Trust me, you'll love this book.

This was an exciting fast paced mystery. Hated it to end. The perfect book to read on a long flight or on vacation relaxing. Would highly recommend this book!

I bought it on Amazon and I started reading it last night. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE it! It held my interest from page one. The language, the body language, the understated humor, the characterization, the whole sense that I'm in the presence of Mickey Spillane, Broderick Crawford, Jack Webb ... this one needs a MOVIE ! Can't wait to pick it up again tonight ...

In Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Jimmy O'Brien understands the overwhelming evidence against his current client Robbie Farris, who confessed in the name of Jesus to stabbing Golden Valley College Professor Carmichael twenty-seven times. Still the consummate professional Jimmy plans to insure Robbie gets the best defense he can provide him even as the seemingly deranged lad mentions his friend the Lord told him to kill the Catholic professor.

However, at Robbie's arraignment, the accused pulls out a gun that he somehow obtained; he escapes. Soon after Jimmy visits Robbie's mother Hazel Farris, she is found murdered in her dumpy house trailer. The cops suspect Jimmy killed her as he admits he was at the crime scene just before she died. Jimmy uses his associate twenty-six year old Rita to defend him from a murder in the first degree charge of killing Hazel. Following clues mostly by tracking his runaway client, Jimmy lands in the middle of brimstone evangelists; one of whom wants to send Jimmy to hell before his time.

This entertaining legal thriller hooks the audience the moment Jimmy's client mentions the Lord told him to kill the professor and never slows down until the final confrontation. The story line in many ways is more of an investigative thriller filled with twists and red herrings as makes inquires into the evangelistic world, but also has strong legal subplots. Fans will appreciate THE BRIMSTONE MURDERS as the odds are SIX TO FIVE AGAINST the hero (see ONE, TWO, & EVEN for a previous O'Brien case).

Harriet Klausner

Tragedy and pain seem to bring out the best or the worst in us. It is obvious Arlene O'Neil turned to being one of the best of human beings.This book evokes smiles,and tears. You become this little girl almost from the beginning. O'Neil is one of those born to write. Born with that special gift. She seems to have that depth of spirit lacking in many today.She is a survivor. I am hungry for more books by this author..

I recently purchased 2 copies of this book as after reading some of the author's writing in a Army Family Forum. I knew that this was something I would like to share with others (just not my only copy).

Arlene writes in a manner that makes you feel like you are right there and part of the action so sometimes it makes you cry and other times laugh.

Her empathy is matched only by her incredible strength.

I can't wait to read her next book when it is published.

This author is an inspiration to anyone who may think they are having a bad time in their life. The Christmas scene in the hospital made me want to laugh and cry at the same time. Would love to see more from Ms. O'Neil

Joyce White

Reading Arlene's life story has truly touched my heart. Once I began to read Broken Spokes I could not put it down until the very last word echoed in my heart. She is a rare person indeed to share her life of pain and heartbreak, overcoming odds that many of us could not have imagined, never mind survived. Arlene not only survived but became the loving, generous, kind, supportive, determined woman she is today. She approaches life with determination, love and a sense of humor ~ never a negative word or complaint. She is a rare woman deserving of success! I look forward to her next book. Thank you Arlene for being my friend ~ God Bless you!

I was so inspired by this book. I started out to read a couple of chapters before I went to sleep. Five hours later I had finished the book. I could not put it down. The author is an emotionally strong person, who has survived more than any average person could ever cope with, and come out on top. I recommend this very highly.

Which book was Dr. Heller & wife promoting on Oprah's show? (so I'll know which one to order) I didn't see entire show , but what I did see was informative & INTERESTING.

I picked up this book while browsing in a bookstore and it changed my life. I started at 153 pounds and my goal weight was 118. I weighed 116 this morning. And I have more energy, am more mentally alert and upbeat than I ever have been. The book is very motivational. The rules and guidelines for the diet are spread throughout the book so you must read all before starting. Only criticisms are that it's wordy and most of the recipes are bland, but I believe it's the best of all the books the Heller's have written.

I picked up this book while browsing in a bookstore and it changed my life. I started at 153 pounds and my goal weight was 118. I weighed 116 this morning. And I have more energy, am more mentally alert and upbeat than I ever have been. The book is very motivational. The rules and guidelines for the diet are spread throughout the book so you must read all before starting. Only criticisms are that it's wordy and most of the recipes are bland, but I believe it's the best of all the books the Hellers have written.

When I began driving a truck I gained 30 pounds in the 1st month. Fortunately I found this book and re-learned how to eat. Doing this diet right is not the easiest thing, breaking food addiction is seldom easy, but if you read this book it will be easier to make happen. I've lost those 30 pounds and more, landing at an ideal wieght that I've never imagined being at again. Good luck, use this book - it's a great resource. Follow where it leads.

This is an excellent, simply written, but well researched, book on the dangers of bad carbs. I found it extremely enlightening and wondered if it was more than coincidental that Dr. Barry Sears, writes in an amazingly similar vein, in his book "Enter The Zone". It seems that more and more scientists, and doctors, are discovering that we suffer from an overabundance of bad carbs in our eating, and it's also imbalanced versus protein and fat intake.I would heartily recommend this book, and for more scientific corroborative data read "Enter the Zone". Combine this with the sensible exercise program outlined in "Body for Life" by Bill Phillips of EAS Inc., and you will do yourself a very large favour.

This book contains useful information for selecting and paying for college. It follows the belief that small private liberal arts colleges generally provide a superior undergraduate education when compared to large universities. It is, of course, not the only book to follow that reasoning. In this book, however, there is a strong emphasis on the issue of minimizing costs and paying the bill. The book covers such topics as financial aid, merit money, scholarships, student and parent loans, education investment accounts, and other sources of funding.

The writer is somewhat critical of the well-known college rating guides. She exposes the weaknesses of such guides, reminding the reader that the ratings are based upon responses to questionaires, the colleges' entry standards, and the opinions of those associated with the colleges rather than on actual knowledge of the colleges. As noted in the book, it would be impossible when evaluating hundreds of colleges and univerities to become intimately acquainted with all of them.

The writer commends the well-known and popular book "Colleges That Change Lives", but notes that even that book has its flaws. For example, she accurately points out that Antioch College is among the 40 colleges covered in the book. Yet, Antioch College is now closed. She does not attempt to tackle the underlying reasons for the declining enrollment that eventually forced its closure, but she provides us with a reminder that there are more issues to consider when choosing a college than just its ability to change lives.

Overall, I definitely feel that this is a book that those who are beginning their college search should read.

My oldest child is a high school senior, and we felt so clueless about how to go about starting "the college thing". This book told me everything I wanted to know and much more. Now, I feel so much more informed and confident about the process, espicially the financial aspects.

This is a most helpful guide. As we make college videos, I was particularly interested in what you had to say in chapter 36, Visiting Campuses. You made two excellent points: one is usually wrong in newspaper articles and the other is almost never mentioned. First, I hate being told that summer is a great time to visit the colleges. Yes, the students may be off from school, but small colleges are deserted and even the large state universities have only limited students on campus. The campus itself, however, will look better than at any time during the academic year.
Very important too is the need to have the college build a file on the student. The best way is to visit the college itself. It shows real interest. Admissions counselors say that all things being equal, a "stealth" candidate (one where the college first learns about your interest when the application arrives) has a lower chance of acceptance than one who has shown previous contact with the college. You are a realist in saying that because of financial and time consideration, an actual visit may not be possible, and you urge your readers to show their early interest "through a request for literature, a call to the financial aid office, or a conversation during a college fair." That advice alone could justify the cost of the book.

As a mother of a HS junior who attends a local school in France, I have to take a more active role with the US college search since his school has no guidance counselor and there are no college road shows in the vicinity. I find myself reliant on word of mouth and written sources : guidebooks, blogs ,, newspaper articles, books /websites & advice and have invested the better part of son's junior year compiling information for the college search.
I ordered this book after reading a reference on a college admissions blog. I finished it during a train ride - and found it so riveting that I missed my stop.
Based on the title, I had expected to find just tips for affording college education but was pleasantly surprised by the author's insistence on quality -how to get your money's worth. So often the writers authoring these books report from the hallowed halls of academia. This author is a parent - and bases her experience as a mother of a college freshman while wearing her financial reporter thinking cap. How many college admission books are written from this point of view?
One innovation is that the book reverses the criteria for the college search by starting with match schools , not reach, where the student has more chance of obtaining scholarship money. The bottom up approach also instructs on how to find the best fit academically with several chapters on grading academic departments and discussions on professor ratings. Not stopping with the college admissions process, she addresses another under looked category - undergraduate research. And thanks to the author's chapter on freebies & best buys, I have added another school to the list.
The book closes with a list of informational websites, helpful cheat sheets and timelines in the appendix.
The author has packed an enormous amount of information here but has addressed the most salient points in a practical college admissions and quality education search. I could have saved a considerable amount of time and money had I read this book first and feel more empowered now for the final year of the search.

I am a college counselor at a large, racially diverse, urban high school. I am going to recommend "The College Solution" to my student's parents beginning at Freshman orientation. There is so much useful information contained within the book's pages,of which most lay people are not aware. It is also time to look away from US News and World Report rankings. There are many other ways to search for colleges, and Ms. Lynn Shaughnessy points out many!! There is also great advice, and strategies for maximizing financial aid.
Kudos to you , Ms. Shaughnessy for condensing everything a parent needs to know between two bookcovers.

Sharon Drell
College Counselor
Cleveland HS
Reseda. CA 91335

You have to keep in mind that this is written by a real estate agent, so he really has an agent's best interests in mind, not yours as a buyer or seller. That said, the book does contain a complete survey of buying/selling homes (mostly buying, actually), assisted by online websites. I found the text too verbose, and I wonder if the publisher or author gets paid for the sites they recommend, for a lot of other useful sites aren't mentioned at all.

Over a year ago I borrowed this book from a friend, and read through it during the entire process of my first purchase of a house. It helped very easily to follow all that was happening, all the terminology, etc. and in some cases, to be ahead, and expect the next steps.

It was so helpful, that I decided to buy it for myself this year, as we're considering the sale of our place, and getting us a larger house.

If you're going to buy or sell a house, you have got to read it: it'll be of extreme help.

This book made my life so much easier by explaining in easy to follow steps how to do everything i needed to sell homes and purchase a new one. It is very thorough, covers all topics from A to z and the recommendations on web sites were right on. The author knows his stuff. This is the first Idiot's Guide book I've bought and I'm so glad i did.

I had to take the time to review this book because my husband and I almost lost our dream home. This superb book helped us save our transaction at the last minute and avoid a horrible lawsuit. Thank God a friend referred us to this book or we wouldn't be living in the perfect home for us. We were buying a home For Sale By Owner and were working with the most difficult seller imaginable. With the help of this guide we not only salvaged the deal, but got better terms and more repairs made to the home. Thank you so much to the author and publisher for writing this book-it's phenomenal. The negotiating chapter is worth thousands of dollars. And to all those buying or selling homes By Owner or even with Realtors-don't do anything until you buy this book. You will be so glad you did.

I got this book for my dad for Father's Day because he and my mother are planning on selling their home and buying a smaller home. the For Sale By Owner comments in some of the other reviews caught my eye because my parents want to sell their home themselves. I started looking through the guide out of curiosity and found myself reading more than half the book. Besides being informative and detailed, it's actually interesting and somewhat funny. i ended up giving it to my father early and he read the entire guide in two days. he said it was the first time he's ever read a how-to book from cover to cover and he's bought over 50! i recommend this book to all people who are planning on buying and selling a home in the future (which is just about everybody) because it is exceptionally clear, informative and jam-packed with advice, facts and data. And it makes a great gift. My dad loved it and is using it to get their home ready to sell By Owner.

I have purchased this book for several of my pregnant friens and their friends over the years and find it the best one so far.

Many business books talk about how to get new customers
to come into our front door . . . there's nothing wrong with that,
of course . . yet Feargal Quinn in his excellent CROWNING THE
CUSTOMER says what's really important is his Boomerang
Principle: the name of the game is getting the customer back.

Quinn, founder of the Superquinn supermarket chain in Ireland,
developed this principle when as a youngster, he watched
his father operate a successful holiday camp . . . guests, at
the end of their week's stay, were encouraged to return the
next summer . . . when and if they did, it was easy to
determine that any particular week--or even summer--was
successful.

CROWNING THE CUSTOMER presents many similar ideas
that may sound equally simple, but amazingly, just aren't
put into practice as often as should be the case.

For example, in Chapter 7, Quinn talks about how to make
customer panels work . . . this one chapter alone is worth
whatever you might pay for the book . . . you'll learn why it
is imperative that you do the following:

1. In selecting your panel, touch all the bases but don't worry
too much about being fully representative.

2. Don't pay your panel members

3. Let your customers set the agenda.

4. Keep your side as small as possible.

5. Be aware of the flattery obstacle. (In other words, don't just
let your customers compliment you.)

6. Don't answer back.

7. Circulate a report on each customer panel widely within your
organization.

8. Take action on the comments, suggestions and criticisms.

What I really liked about CROWNING THE CUSTOMER were the
numerous examples on found on virtually any page . . . in
reading it, you'll come across useful tidbits that can be
applied to business and non-profit organizations . . . among
them, to name just a few:

* In our business, we have a rule which requires our top
management to do their own household shopping once a month.
This gives them first-hand experience of what shopping is like, seen
from the customer's perspective.

* After using names, the most important step towards seeing
your customers as people is to actually look at them.

* The next time you are tempted to say, "Which will we go for,
this market or that one?" try asking yourself: "Can we not
go for both?"

This guy invented everything there is to know about REAl Customer satisfaction , and way ahead of Harvard or other gurus.
The principle he illustrate in this book are valid for tomorrow.
I bought multiple copies of the book , and I am giving it as a gift to everybody who claim to understand customer care.

First of all, i would like to thank Mr. Quinn for his book and attention. the book is excellent i tought many thing from it. The language is very clear and has alot of advices that applicable to any businees again, tahnk you for the book with respect Sayed Omar The American Uinversity in Cairo

This excellent book is not out of print! It is available through Amazon.co.uk in both hardback and paperback. It is an excellent read and a must for anybody in the service sector.

Best resource to find your spiritual destiny. Very thought provoking book. Provides excercises to access information recorded in your soul.

... But without consistency.
It's nice to read but I don't think is to take seriously.

Thank you Kim for writing Discover Your Spiritual Destiny. You assisted me in completely altering my career. I was in a job where I was paid well but absolutely hated. You gave me the strength, courage and ability to systematically plan a career change. Now, I am enjoying my new career and I have you to thank!

Thank you!
Theresa Castro

I really enjoyed reading this book. It captured my attention right from the first couple pages. When I am looking for a good book to read I always walk into a book store and ask my spirit guides to help me find the right book. This is the book that I was lead to. I am starting a new chapter in my life after my relationship of 8 years ended just one year ago. To read this book made me realize a lot. I have a better understanding on spiritual contracts and the people that are in our lives and the roles that they play. I thank Kim for sharing so much insight on so many differnt topics as well as "homework" or shall I say "soulwork" that she provides for us. Read this book and I promise that you will have a lot of questions you have about your life answered.

Thanks Kim~

It may be because of where I'm at in my life as to why this book made a difference. It's given me the courage to face certain things in my life that I wasn't quite sure how to deal with. I firmly believe we are all equipped with an "inner voice" and that answers are always present; it's having the courage to follow through and confidence in ourselves (even when we fail). As far as my present career - I believe I've been stymied!! The true test will come in the near future; I too am making a career change and at 40, that's not an easy decision. For the first time in my life, I don't mind being a crash dummy - especially if it means finding happiness!! When I succeed, you can bet I'll be there to share!! Thanks Kim.

"Divination" has become an important book for me - one that I usually have close at hand in case I might benefit (again) by rereading parts of it, or run into someone else who might. What was most enjoyable and central for me is not even the concept of divination (as interesting and intriguing as it is), but the knowledge and perspective that author Paul O'Brien so effectively imparts in the early sections of his book. This extended introduction is meant to set the stage for his in-depth discussions of divination in later chapters. But it has done more than that for me and several of my friends.

In a conversational style consistent with his multi-dimensional background and evident interests in theology, philosophy, high tech business, and the human condition (e.g. politics, sustainability), O'Brien delivers a significant, well-written survey of various religions, which, he makes it easy to see, dovetail perfectly with his core topic. Some of his discourse has the familiar ring of "things I learned somewhere along the line," but it feels quite fresh and modern nonetheless. As a high-tech person myself, involved in the arts and music, and interested in philosophy, I could relate well to O'Brien's perspective, but had never before read anything quite like it. I have usually found such material tedious or uninspired, but here it never gets boring. Maybe what I enjoyed the most is how much you really get to know this very special person and his well-considered views by reading this.

There are many good things I could say about this book. It concisely imparts a lot of interesting and useful knowledge. It is fun to read - plenty of good humor and great stories. It is grounded in, and clearly related to, the real world. Perhaps most surprising, it made me interested in divination, as obviously is its stated intent. I don't yet know where I will take this new interest, but I'm sure I will take it somewhere in the future. It's probably already had an effect on me and I just don't know what it is yet!

In any event, O'Brien is clearly a wise person, with a lot to share about the subject of wisdom itself. He sometimes addresses the topic head-on with surprisingly direct sections like "Developing Wisdom" and "Belief Systems Need to Evolve." Encountering such a lead-in, you might think entrepreneurial success has gone to his head...but when you read on, no such thoughts will cross your mind. O'Brien has a deep respect - an abiding reverence - for what wisdom is, where it comes from, and how one finds it. At the heart of "Divination" is as eloquent a treatment as I have read of one of the most important and universally applicable philosophical concepts: how to determine what you can and cannot control, what you can and cannot know. In addition to his central theme of how divination plays into this, O'Brien does a wonderful job of explaining how one can embrace the unknowable without having to unnaturally give yourself up to it ("Blind Faith is a Learning Disability").

Like the best teachers, Paul O'Brien has a student's passion and enthusiasm, an appropriate level of humility, and a disarming way of explaining what turns out to be a timeless set of knowledge that everyone can use to great personal advantage.

Stephen A. Rogers
Chief Technology Officer
LeanPath, Inc.

Paul O'Brien's Divination: Sacred Tools for Reading the Mind of God is nothing less than a masterful Divinity tool kit!

In 231 riveting pages, O'Brien masterfully makes the ancient tools of divination (Tarot, Numerology, Astrology, Runes, I Ching) user-friendly, sharpening intuition and answering the profound personal questions we all share: "Why am I here? What is my purpose? What is my calling? What's the best approach to manifest my heart's special desire?"

Generous with his personal biography, supple with his quotes of famous teachers and seekers, and compassionate and insightful in his sharing of the transformative stories of others, O'Brien combines a world-class, philosophical intellect with historical acumen and spiritual insight.

This book succeeds in opening doors, lots of doors to the inner life where communion with the mind of God flowers. Eye-opening, mind-bending, joyfully surprising--all of these describe the experience of journeying with O'Brien through these inspiring pages. All spiritual seekers should treat themselves to this healing companionship. Get a copy for yourself, and more for those you work with and love!

--Robert McDowell, The Poetry Mentor [...], is the author of the bestselling POETRY AS SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Reading, Writing, and Using Poetry in Your Daily Rituals, Aspirations, and Intentions (July 15th, 2008) from Free Press.

I really enjoyed the story and Paul's weaving of epistemology, biography, history, psychology, a little politics & some good sense advice. Quite a bit of balancing. I especially appreciated the description of Jung and synchronicity.

Demystifying without lessening the Mystery.

As a curious person who enjoys history of all types, "Divination ~ Sacred Tools for Reading the Mind of God," by Paul D. O'Brien, pleased me greatly with its interesting and thorough historical background information on five major divination systems...Astrology, I Ching, Tarot, Numerology, and Runes. The author, amazing creator of the first authentic computer-generated divination programs and the originator of the website, Tarot.com, clearly understands, loves, and uses divination himself. He is so enthusiastic and yet respectfully serious about divination that he rightly makes sure that his readers know what he feels divination IS ~ fantastic tools to help people make better decisions and to stimulate their own intuition...and what divination ISN'T ~ a fortune-telling sham.

Some of my favorite sections in the book are the appendices, including Appendix C, "Divination in the Bible," which highlights the passages from the Bible that are in favor of divination and those passages that are decidedly not in favor of divination - very helpful for me to know as a Tarot reader, especially when one encounters a Bible thumper who proclaims Tarot as nothing less than a "capital offense" and quotes ONLY the passages against divination.

Chapter 7, "Divination Practice Today," was particularly helpful in that it focused on the when-why-how to successfully choose and use a divination system that will be meaningful to each person individually. I liked the section on what to look for in a live reader (and when to back out the door!), if one chooses to go that route. The information on what types of questions work best when using divination is downright excellent.

Additionally, I found Chapter 5, "Enemies of Divination," fascinating...including the mention of how misconceptions regarding divination get spread through television programs and even via incorrect and misleading definitions in dictionaries.

On an internet note, much appreciated was the listing of what Mr. O'Brien felt were the "Three Criteria for Authenticity of Interactive Divination"; particularly helpful so that one can decide which websites give an authentic divination experience and which do not.

I tend to adore and soak up enlightening quotes, by famous folks and otherwise. This book is chock full of such quotes almost to a fault, as there are sidebars of pertinent extra facts or tidbits of knowledge and/or italicized quotes on nearly every page. For the first few chapters the abundant sidebars disrupted my concentration as I read, but I must admit such quotes/sidebars were often such good reading that after awhile I didn't mind the hiccup to my train of thought.

This book wasn't "hard" reading per se, but in several areas it wasn't easy, plow-through-quickly, reading either. I found myself rereading passages again and again, especially in the first few chapters, to make sure I understood what was being said. In the end, it was worthwhile taking one's time to absorb all the helpful information. What I came away with was much more than a mere overview of five divination systems...I came away with an account of a rich and often controversial past that has grown and evolved into the divination systems that are revered and used by many the world over today. The author points out that such divination systems are not just for the rich or a chosen few...people from all walks of life and various backgrounds are enriched by these "sacred tools," which help them make better choices in their day-to-day living.

Is divination nothing more than a crass attempt to foretell the future, or does it encompass a much broader range of metaphysical endeavor and archaic thought than most of us are aware? According to Paul O'Brien and his book `Divination: Sacred Tools for Reading the Mind of God' divination entails a myriad of systems, most of which are thousands of years old, designed for stimulating insights and unlocking the doors to synchronicity so we may access the mind of God (however you perceive the Divine) and fully manifest our intended destiny.

The author has a tall order to fill and he does an admirable job at doing so in this informative and nicely illustrated 232 page volume. O'Brien's book is a beautifully conceived, expertly organized and meticulously detailed presentation of the topic that will continue to serve as a valuable resource long after your initial reading is complete. The book is worth the purchase price for the Appendices alone.

I believe the most important contribution O'Brien makes to the ongoing study of divination is the material dealing with the rapidly evolving technology which is in the process of making these ages old esoteric systems new and relevant to a computer oriented generation.

As the author points out, "The responsibility for your spiritual progress is all yours" so if you really want to manifest your destiny you must be willing to hold nothing back on your journey of self discovery and say along with Paul O'Brien, "Wherever God Drags Me, I Will Follow".

My spiritual director told me it is essential to buy two books, to start spiritual direction: this book and Heliotropium: Conformity of the Human Will to the Divine. Both have been excellent resources, but this book is one I consider to be a completely under-appreciated gem of Catholic spirituality. It goes by the pre-V2 liturgical calender, with meditative reflections for each day. The book IS expensive, but I think it is worth every penny - particularly for the leather bound, as you'll want to read this every day for the rest of your life.

We have several similar books but I have never succeeded at sticking with them. I really like that this is broken down into short meditation readings (about 1 1/2 to 2 pages) and then a colloquy (a "conversation" with God) about the meditation. They follow the cycle of the Church, although not 100% up to date with Vatican II from what I can tell.

My wife and I have made it part of our daily prayer life.

Devotion or "prayer" in the spiritual life differs greatly from the formal, organised study of Philosophy and Theology - it is the personal search for God - the daily practise, if you like, of "dialoguing" with one's Creator, a practise essential for every Christian.
I can think of no better aid beyond the Word of God itself (and frequent attendance at the Sacraments) than "Divine Intimacy" to bring the serious - and sincere Christian - to a better awareness of God in his daily life.

This book finally eliminates the possibility of the Christian practising something other than what he preaches.It will bring him in line with the highest aspects of the Christian Faith. Invaluable.

I have both this book and In Conversation With God. This book tends to be more contemplative, while Fr. Fernandez's books (ICwG) tends to be more pastoral. Also, this book follows the readings of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, while the ICwG books follow the post-concilliar cycle of readings.

I can honestly say that this book is very good for giving your prayer life a jump start. I get more out of it when I couple it with a Rosary or quiet time. If you want to read a section, set it down and go back to your daily activities, you won't get much out of this. It is meant to be a springboard to further prayer.

Finally, and Baronius Press has now acquired the sole rights to print this book in English, so I don't think you will be able to get this edition by Tan Books.

I'd highly recommend getting a Sunday Missal or Daily Missal according to the 1962 rite, too. It makes following the readings a lot easier.

"Divine Intimacy" is a set of daily readings and meditations that trace the Church's Liturgical year. The readings and meditations are both deep and profound. Each reading takes us through a meaningful set of issues, relative to the Liturgy. And the meditations are the reflections of the Saints on these particular issues.

This past year, I have begun every day with a reading and a meditation from "Divine Intimacy". And it has been a wonderful start for each day of this wonderful year. I strongly recommend this practice to all. God bless.

By the way, TAN Books of Rockford, Illinois has made this beautiful new edition available in an attractive, leather-bound format. It is a treasure. And we strongly recommend it.