O Books

One of the common diseases of the 21st century is computer-induced stress. We've all suffered from it, but now there is medicine for this malady in the form of "The Best of The Joy of Tech," a book collection of comic strips from the intelligent and very funny online comic strip, "The Joy of Tech".

The comics in this book touch on all aspects of life with computers, and range from laugh out loud funny to thoughtful, and the situations flow from absurd to so spot-on real that you might think that the authors were secretly watching you.

Buy this book if you'd like to keep a dose of laughter at hand.

Snaggy and Nitrozac show their teeth in this wonderful display of Geek Comedy. Whether you're a geek, or not, you can't help but laugh at the comic misfortunes of Windows users, Linux users and Mac users alike as they try to live in a world full of people who have normal sleep patterns, and have no idea what it's like to have a 3:00 AM call from your boss screaming at you begging to know why the third line of the second paragraph on page 5 of the online catalog isn't bold, or why the server is returning an error. Prepare to stretch your laughing muscles when you buy this book. A must have for all geeks. Makes a great gift, and will never let you down when you need a pick me up. Buy two, because surely you'll want to give on to someone you love.

Nitrozac and Snaggy have been delighting me on the web for awhile now. So I couldn't wait to get the book. They know just how to poke fun at our operating system obsessions and loathings. The foibles of geekdom exposed.

Keep an eye on your copy though. Mine has almost walked away with friends several times. Since not all the friends were geeks, even technophobes should give it a this book a try.

The dead-tree debut of the popular online comic "The Joy of Tech," by Canadian artists Nitrozac and Snaggy, is a terrific introduction to the comic for the uninitiated and a must-have for Superfans and just plain ordinary fans. Featuring a foreword by Steve "The Woz" Wozniak and an introduction by David "Missing Manual" Pogue, this collection of cartoons features geeks, aliens, cats, Macintosh, Apple, Steve Jobs, Tux the Linux Penguin, Klingons, cartoon babes that'll leave geeks everywhere saying, "I'd hit it!", and much more! I also appreciated the reproduction of the original JoyPolls at the back of the book, together with the "liner notes" for the featured comics. An all-around winner!

I must be crazy; I was flamed so badly after my last review of a cartoon book (published on a much less friendly site) that I had to replace my asbestos review suit. 'The Best of Joy of Tech' may be worth the risk.

Of course it's easy to enjoy a cartoon book by a pair of cartoonists that share your prejudices. It is obvious from the cartoons that Nitrozac and Snaggy are Macintosh loving, Linux leaning, Microsoft loathing geeks. Hmmm, sounds like me.

Not that Nitrozac and Snaggy are totally one-eyed. They still have a dig at Apple and Macintosh owners along the way. Unlike quite a lot of cartoons about tech these two also see the more human side, just as likely to make a joke about your cat's relationship to you and the computer as poke fun at LARTing end-users or pointy-headed bosses. Their cartoons are more about living with technology than working with it.

The book reproduces a couple of hundred of 'The Joy of Tech' cartoons from their website, in improved color and resolution. The website features a new cartoon every couple of days. There are also a small number that are original for the book and some funny marginalia in a couple of spots. It also has the matching JoyPoll and a short comment about the cartoon in a 'JoyWorld' section at the back of the book.

I find a fairly large number of the cartoons repeatedly funny and most of the rest worth a chuckle. These two have a good eye for the whimsical, ironic and downright funny side to a wired in, geek life. They even manage to get in a sly reference to geek site Slashdot with a fake O'Reilly book, "Trolling In a Nutshell" with a troll wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with "FIRST POST" on the cover and an Introduction by 'Anonymous Coward'.

Oh, that reminds me. The book has a very Wozniak foreword by Steve himself and an introduction by David Pogue that is nowhere near as good as the book (I'm sorry David, but any self-respecting geek [male or female] would rather do almost anything than edit the Windows registry, starting with install a decent operating system and working all the way through to changing jobs, heck, I'd rather sleep with Jobs.)

The book is broken up into various sections, each with a theme. It starts with "Boot-Up" and continues with "4nim4l cr4ck3rs" (most about cats), the whimsical "Geek Love", "Hacks and Cracks" (I loved the couple who want to get housing within 50 meters of a war-chalked wall), "Techie-daze", "How about them *nix" (featuring the luscious 'Linux Lass'), "The Joy of Mac", "Who do you want to poke fun at today?" (You'll enjoy the 'Stress Relief Dartboard'), "Sci-Fi The Comic Frontier" and "Do You think I'm Xexy" before finishing with "The World According to Geek" (with 'The Lord of The Root - One Geek To Rule Them All', the two good looking woman who don't shy away from maths and the Barbie 'DotCom Rescue' CD-ROM game)

If you go to Joy Of Tech you can grab a copy from the authors that has been signed (you even get a chance to ask for a custom inscription) and for an extra fee Nitrozac will even bless your book and attach a lucky sticker. You could go to the O'Reilly page, but since they don't have example cartoons and I don't imagine a cartoon book will ever have errata there isn't much point.

It's not easy to review a cartoon book. Suffice to say that I found the 'toons in this book to be a good variety from amusing through to funny with some that are just a little too true to make me do more than groan. If you've never come across this pair then check out the site and if you like the last few examples then the book will not disappoint(...)

I haven't read it all yet, but everything I have read I understand fully. You also find some pretty interesting stuff.

This is a valuabale study tool. It includes outlines of every book, a synopsis of every chapter along with notes to references that need clarification. There are also lots of illustrations, maps and other helps for anyone on any level who is reading God's word. It is easy to understand, but goes deep enough for the serious student.

this is a great book
what ta tool for studying the word of god
cross referance and facts
high points
themes
just so easy to use
love it

The Bible Reader's Companion is a very nice concise overview of the Bible with numerous black & white drawings. The comments are interesting and the conclusions are generally conservative and traditional. If you like this book you may also enjoy THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE BOOK OF PROVERBS by Cody Jones. Numerous biblical characters are pointed out who illustrate King Solomon's witty observations on human nature.

I have owned this book since 1991 when I first became a Christian and have returned to it over and over again when I need more information or an explanation for Scripture. The book is well laid out, with commentary and application. It is written in a down to earth way, making it easy for anyone to understand. This is one book I would NOT be without! I love it!

As a relative newcomer to the field of historical criticism, I appreciate Provan/Long/Longman's work. It is truly a sign of good scholarship to be able to take the complex and make it understandable. I don't mean easy, but understandable. Provan's command of his topic is clear and thorough, especially in regard to epistemology and testimony. Those who by faith and reason trust the Biblical texts as reliable testimonies of ancient Israel will find encouragement in this book.

The authors are to be congratulated for their beautifully laid out and tightly argued book. The first third of the book lays out their philosophical basis for the history and provokes many questions and encourages much thought. We are in their debt for this fine, fine book on Israel's history as its comes to us from the "testimony" of Scripture. The authors are to be appreciated for their answering the so called "minimalists"
approach to "biblical" history. I found the book well written, wonderfully argued, and extremely helpful. This book should belong on the shelf of everyone interested in ancient Israel's history.

The first 100 pages discusses the methodology of modern historiography and demonstrates how biblical critics continue to use out of date methodologies in their attempt to destroy the concept that ancient Israel actually existed. Especially telling is his discussion on testimony. They maintain that the biblical testimony about Israel's history is as valid a source as any other. Even modern archeaology is not neutral but needs to be interpreted; therefore it becomes another testimony in the mix.

The next two hundred pages discuss the history of Israel with this positive-testimony model. They do not paint as comprehensive a history as some might like (along the lines of Bright). Instead they focus on the problem areas rasied by the text.

This is a terrific book and it is taking a very important place in my library.

Having only recently dived into the pool of historiography, this book has helped me tremendously to understand the complexities that go into a historiographer's reconstruction of history.

As to why this book is leaps and bounds better than most of your popular apologetic works, here are a few differentiating factors:

A. Philosophy of historigraphical reconstruction. This is perhaps the most unique feature of the book. Before even diving into the various evidences being considered for a reconstruction of the history of Israel, the authors spend roughly 100 pages in dealing with the philosophical underpinnings of historiography. I found this section IMMENSELY enlightening and the book is worth the price for this exposition alone. On what grounds do we accept or reject historical testimony? Does the presence of ideology in a text imply that historical details have been interpolated? What can archaeological evidence tell us about the past? What are the limitations of science in reconstructing history? These and more questions are dealt with in "History of Israel". Rather than merely beginning with a given set of assumptions, the authors dissect the assumptions of themselves and their counterparts in Israeli historical reconstruction.

B. Expertise in the field of historiography. Unlike the many Josh McDowells and Lee Strobels, the authors of this book are professionals in this field of study and it shows in their knowledge of the material at hand, as well as their treatment of the material.

C. Objectivity in a reconstruction of Israel's past. What I loved about this book, especially in comparison to other books on the trustworthiness of the Old Testament texts, was the cool-headed, objective handling of the evidence. The word "prove" is rarely, if ever used. The authors' make it clear that nothing in history is "proven"; only plausible and implausible. This is a breath of fresh air in comparison to the oftentimes dogmatic assertions that are made by many other Christian authors who propound their conclusions with a matter-of-fact, case-closed confidence that leaves many, like myself, wondering what side of the story I'm not hearing from dissenters. The author of "History of Israel" provide ample examples (although sometimes too brief, but there is only so much room when dealing with an topic of this magnitude) of those who do not believe in the historicity of the Biblical texts. Mud-slinging and demonization of dissenters is not present in any of the book. Dissenting views are given what I considered to be a fair (but perhaps too brie) treatment.

"History of Israel" does not set out to prove the Old Testament reliable. It attempts to demonstrate how the Biblical texts can, and likely do, fit in with the evidence at hand. Can this be proven? No. But they certainly make a compelling case for why we ought to trust the traditions handed down to us.

I have always felt that you should believe someone unless you have good reason not too. Many biblical minimalist seem to take the view that the bible is wrong as history with very little, if any proof to back their claims up.

This book is a ultra maximalist defense of the bible as a historical work. If you are interested in this subject, its a must read.

Nick Bruel discover this story after his father, Robert O. Bruel, passed away. Originally titled, "Two Worms," the younger Bruel made slight changes to make it fit as a picture book and added colorful and charming illustrations. He changed the title to "Bob and Otto" because it's not truly about two worms... can't spoil it.

This story could easily turn into a cheesy one by any other author. But the Bruels together create a sweet story about friendship, being apart, and showing how they help each other out. You can draw many lessons from this including science.

My five-year-old loved saying the repetitive phrases and chided us parents whenever we dared read them. The story uses many site words that will help the pre-K and kindergartener with word recognition (without them knowing it).

And of course, being the content maven I am, I like that both names are palindromes. :) This is the first Bruel book I've read and already, I've put in a request at my local library for the others.

I ordered several copies of this book for my grandchildren and other little ones and mailed them to each one for Christmas along with handmde "worm" scarves and puppet mittens. Everyone was thrilled with their gifts.
I recommed this book.

I just finished teaching and read this book on my last day. We talked about how Bob and Otto could be friends even though they're in different places. This poignant piece is appropriate for young children with its repetition and text alignment. It's interesting even for adults with its incredibly deep concept of friendship. I have a lot of books I love...but this is hands down my favorite.

I love this little book for so many reasons. The story is simple, and the illustrations are lovely. The writing helps cement reading concepts for my five year old, and he loves to "read" it to me. I have a background in science, and one of my favorite things is that, anthropomorphic characters aside, this book is accurate. Simple natural history lessons are imbedded in story. And I don't mind reading it over and over again. Now that's an achievment!

My 5yo loves this book! She has memorized it and "reads" it over and over out loud to us. It is a sweet story and has beautiful pictures. Just adorable! We had gotten this from the library but I'm buying a copy because it is definitely a keeper!

This is a great little series of books. Beth wants to find love like Jessica & Mickey before her. She turns to internet dating.

Spencer is a journalist who has to write a piece on internet dating. He does this with Beth's help. Is this what they both want? Spencer writing her add's & Beth going out on dates.

A lovely story which brings us finally to Cassandra's story.

I loved this book. I want to get the first 2 now (this is the third in a series of four). O'Reilly's writing is sassy, hilarious, tight and fast-paced--my favorite kind. I laughed many times while reading this book. I love that she created a hero, Spencer, who had a lot of flaws--who was recognizable as a real man, not just a picture-perfect, two-dimensional romance hero. And yet O'Reilly was able to make him sexy as all get-out and truly appealing. Bethany, the heroine, was great too. I loved watching her grow more confident and directed through the course of the book. I can't wait to read the others in the Bachelorette Pact series!

So much for the Bachelorette Pact. With Jessica and Mickey married, Beth decides it is her turn. Dreams of daisy nosegays quickly give way to practicality, however, as she places personal ads on the Internet. Too bad that a string of dates fails to ignite her libido the way a certain reports does. Unfortunately, he does not come on their date to find his perfect mate. Instead, Spencer James wants to write article about Internet dating, with Beth as his focus. He offers his help, rewriting Beth's ads to give them originality and zest, in exchange for a story about the results.

More than a dozen dates later, Spencer finds himself jealous of Beth's potential mates and unable to act on his attraction. One failed marriage to a society woman has him leery of Beth's background, and his inability to deal with emotion makes it impossible to approach her for more than sex. He certainly has no interest in accumulating any more alimony payments even if Beth does rock his world. And Beth will settle for no less than a ring on her finger.

Author Kathleen really hits her stride with BREAKFAST AT BETHANY'S, creating a quirky, off the cuff romance readers will find delightful. The series of ads that begin each chapter are fabulous, especially as they shift to reveal Beth's aggravation with Spencer. The power of their magnetism never fails, even as Spencer fights it every step of the way. Readers will find BREAKFAST AT BETHANY'S an excellent follow through for Jessica and Mickey's stories. Moreover, they will also be eagerly anticipating the final bachelorette's story, with Cassidy's turn in THE LONGEST NIGHT.

Bethany "Beth" Von Meeter had seen two of her girlfriends recently married. Beth wanted nothing more than to fall in love and marry also. But thus far all the men she had met were lacking. She began placing ads on the internet. That was how she met Spencer James.

Spencer was not really dating. The only reason he answered Beth's ad and met her in a restaurant was for work. He was a journalist. His current assignment was "to follow a subject (Beth) through the bits and bytes of finding a mate via computer." Beth agreed, in exchange for Spencer making her ad much better and getting her some great dates! Neither expected to fall in love, especially Spencer!

***** Author Kathleen O'Reilly and her talented pen have created four ladies that captured my heart.

This is the story of the third girlfriend, Beth. The author placed cameos of Jessica and Mickey. In addition, a very small part gives an idea of who Cassandra will be with in the final leg of this astounding little series. As a reader, I am having a BALL watching these four ladies do their stuff. Men don't have a chance. As I said, "ASTOUNDING!" *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Breakfast At Bethany's
-Kathleen O'Reilly

Can a fiercely independent, reluctant heiress find her "happily ever-after" with a cynical reporter who's down on love?

Boring, blasé, bad dates. Beth has had her more than her fair share lately. When her second friend to jump ship from the Bachelorette Pact gets married - to an undercover cop infiltrating the mob no less(!), self-sufficient, reluctant heiress, Bethany Von Meter, decides that it just might be time for her to try and find a man of her own. Little did she know it would be so difficult. As the (secret) author of several "true life" stories, it shouldn't be too hard to write a personals ad that would attract a great guy, should it? Unfortunately, the string of losers she's met so far prove otherwise. Beth needs help in a serious way or she just might be the last person boarding the love boat.

Enter Spencer James, award-winning, hard-hitting, ace reporter. Or at least he was until a misguided bet knocked him down to doing fluff pieces for the lifestyle section of the local newspaper. Writing a scintillating piece on Internet dating was his chance to get picked up by the AP and get back into the good graces of the Powers That Be at the Chicago Tribune. When Spencer agreed to help Beth write a series of unforgettable personal ads guaranteed to find her some great dates, in return for allowing him to use her as the subject for his article, falling in love was the last thing on his mind. Turned off to love after surviving a badly failed marriage he had no clue that he would end up wishing to be the answer to her dreams.

Kathleen O'Reilly is three for three in this third installment of The Bachelorette Pact. Another delightful story for the now seasoned author, Breakfast at Bethany's is just one more winner from this talented writer. She never disappoints or misses the mark that she is aiming for. Ms. O'Reilly has a witty, fast-paced style that never bores and always tickles the funny bone. She knows how to write for today's contemporary romance reader. Funny, sexy and honest in the emotions that are evoked, her books have it all. Having read the first two books in the Bachelorette Pact series, I was thrilled to review this third book in this all too short series and can't wait until the fourth and final story is out in June. Be sure to look for The Longest Night, Cassandra's story, in stores June 1, 2004.

(....)
Austin Chapter
Romance Writers of America

Since I soak up all OSS books like a sponge, it was with great zeal that I sprung on this book the moment it was out. O'Donnell is a great writer, and never let's the reader get bored. It would make a great movie. Like all the interesting stories, it's fortunate that they are told by someone like O'Donnell who has the right touch.
I have read these books by the real men and women who served and have written their memoirs, like Erasmus Kloman, Assignment Algiers: With the OSS in the Mediterranean Theater, Richard Cutler Counterspy: Memoirs of a Counterintelligence Officer in World War II and the Cold War, Helias Doundoulakis I Was Trained To Be A Spy: A True Life Story, and Dorothy Ringlesbach OSS: Stories that can now be told, and you have to read between the lines. I salute them for their courage and patriotism. These authors might have O'Donnell write their memoirs.

This book has it all: special ops, mountain escapes, bands of partisans, an exotic Countess, close combat, etc.

You'll have an excellent ride in this book. And since the action is in Italy, it may have a fresh feeling to readers who are more familiar with the Western or Eastern fronts.

Strongly recommended.

This book is absolutely riveting! The characters immediately come to life and make you feel as though you are with them navigating incredible adversity and treachery through one of the most intense missions of WWII. This book is impossible to put down and has all the makings of a classic.

O'Donnell's research leading to the intrigue and romance involved in this untold WWII mission is yet another example of his meticulous and relentless search for telling first hand non-fiction. The suspense of behind the lines action and inter-mixed plots makes the reader want to picture the scenes unfolding in front of them. Would love to see Angelina Jolie as the countess when this is made into a movie.

This book reads like a novel and captures an entirely untold front of the war -- the insurgency in northern Italy. I can't even begin to recount all the incredible scenes in the book. For example, the main character shoots his way out of a house surrounded by hundreds of SS troops. He leads his small team down an icy creek and they cover themselves in mud to evade the Germans. Eventually, half the team is captured and a dual ensues between the OSS and Gestapo Major Shiffer. The story pivots on four incredible characters including a countess who was a double agent. I can see her being played by Angelina Jolie. All of it is backed up by thousands of documents, oral histories and the author's travels to Italy where he walked the drop zones and area of operations. This is the greatest adventure of story of WWII ever told - PERIOD.

The 4th Edition of the Camera Assistant's Manual by focal press author David Elkins is a must have for the beginner as well as the seasoned pro. From how to set up a darkroom, to threading diagrams on all "in use" cameras, to lifelong useful tables and charts, this edition has it all.

Nothing comes close to David Elkins' book. It's that simple. This is the best, most complete book on the job of the camera assistant. PERIOD. If you are new to the job of the camera assistant, this book is an absolute must have. If you are a seasoned "vet" who has years of experience working on motion picture sets, again, this book is an absolute must have. Elkins' total description of every aspect of the AC's job is so consise, it's like a classroom in a book. Loaded with every conceivable diagram and chart, and covering every motion picture camera currently being used, this book goes well beyond your typical "job description" type tome.

The bonus materials alone make this book invaluable. Along with the companion website, the reader has vast amounts of precious material available for when the job calls for it...label templates, charts, manufacturer links and contacts, the list goes on and on and on. The best part is the writing style is clear and informative, almost like Elkins himself is teaching you as you go.

Look no further than this book. It's all here.

The Camera Assistant's Manual is a must have reference book for both beginners and experienced professionals in the camera department. If you are a beginner, this manual will teach you all of the basics as well as the advanced details of camera assisting. Although not a substitute for actual experience, author David Elkins also coaches you on how to act efficiently and professionally on a set. This can save you countless embarrassing blunders on your "first barbeque." But before learning all of the AC's duties, the reader is introduced to the basics of cinematography and a complete overview of the camera department. This is extremely helpful - allowing the beginner to understand the "big picture" first. If you are an experienced professional, Elkins gives you hundreds of tips and suggestions that will add to your knowledge base and help your job go smoothly. This 4th edition contains the most complete and up to date camera diagrams, tables, and formulas of any single reference source. Imagine your relief when you have to load and thread a new camera for the first time. The Camera Assistant's Manual is worth it's weight in gold.

I bought this book when I was hired to AC for a project on equipment I had never worked with before. For one of those, "Holly crap! I agreed to do a job I only know how to do part of!" moments, this book is great. Every question I could think of was answered thoroughly and I mean THOROUGHLY. If you want to learn exactly what the responsibilities of an Assistant Camera Person are and how best to execute them read this book! If you are a working AC and want an easy to read, text-book style reference this is it.

David Elkins's The Camera Assistant's Manual, Fourth Edition is the best technical book around, and one of the best books on movies, period.

Dave manages to cover every aspect of an assistant's job, no matter how obscure or infrequently encountered. But the completeness is only one aspect which recommends it to any aspiring or working cinematographer.

Written in a clear, conversational manner, Dave manages to demystify both the jargon and the sometimes strange job of an assistant. His accounts of procedure for both first and second assistants clarify what we in the business call "industry standard": the accepted, professional way of conducting yourself and doing a job. Outside of a job on a
Hollywood set, it is nearly impossible to learn these classic, time-saving routines. And unless you've been a pro in the business, you're not going to know about such things as the relative merits of Magliner and Rubbermaid carts for hauling equipment.

The book covers the general characteristics of film, cameras, and lenses in such a way as to give a general technical education. Dave also gives a valuable overview of the camera department and its place in film production overall.

What many readers will find most useful are the sections on troubleshooting, the diagrams and threading patterns of every currently used camera, and the wealth of forms and lists to organize the on-set work.

I've tried to give a good idea of what the book covers, but it contains much, much more. I've been using The Camera Assistant's Manual since the first edition. This is the biggest and the best version. I only wish that, when I started as a camera assistant, I had had access to such a clear, helpful book.

This is a history book as much as it is a leadership book. I found the approach refreshing. Rather than bludgeon you with leadership clichés interlaced with short stories, quips, and biographical examples of great leadership, Col. O'Leary introduces a concept then takes you into a history lesson of that chapter's hero (Lincoln, Alexander the Great, Joan of Arc, etc.) and finishes by applying the Leader's actions to leadership principle. I found the book extremely enjoyable to read.

Fantastic collection of Champions and true leaders from history. A must read for anyone desiring to become a stronger person. Excellent thoughts for today's centurions.

Jeff O'Leary has a winner with this book. What sets this one apart from other leadership books is the approach. Each chapter is devoted to a leader from history, complete with a to-the-point retelling of their story. Then O'Leary seamlessly incorporates the principles learned from the history lesson into modern day wisdom. It is a very effective motif. I have not found another book quite like this on the market. And that's what makes it so special. The Centurion Principles is extremely readable (the chapters have nice break points and are not overly long) and inspirational. Overall, it is a very fine book that any aspiring leader or history buff will find enjoyable and helpful.

Wow, I have read many Leadership books, From John Maxwell to Andy Stanley, but I have never read one so simply put and so interesting. Mr. O'Leary not only teaches good guidelines for leadership, but also shows how they have been used in the past for great success. The intercutting of the teaching portions and the story portions helped make it smooth going from cover to cover.

In a genre filled with leadership pabulum, this book stands out as truly unique and inspiring. All leaders - whether in business, in the military, or in the community - could benefit from reading this excellent book. It is extremely well-written with prose that paints vivid imagery, it is highly thought-provoking, and it is very enriching.

Drawing on the lessons forged by extraordinary (and sometimes, infamous) leaders, the author spins engrossing accounts of real-life leadership and then helps the reader draw out the lessons that will enable them to reach new heights of leadership acumen.

What's more, this is one of the few leadership books that recognizes and acknowledges that spirtual element of our human nature that truly enables us to lead others. Within each chapter, the author presents relevant and clear examples drawn from the Bible that directly relate to the principles discussed. His approach is far from preachy and, in fact, is quite refreshing.

I have read a great number of leadership books and have more than 20 years of leadership experience. Even so, I learned a lot from this wonderful book. I strongly recommend it and I commend Mr. O'Leary for his valuable insights, superb writing style, and his obvious passion for exceptional leadership.

This book makes me re-live college, especially since I went to school and use to drink with both Chuck and Ace!!

These guys must have lived college life to it's fullest. I read the book from cover to cover in one night, only putting it down to wipe the tears shed from laughing so hard! The book totally captures most of what all of us experienced at some point during that 4 year undergrad journey- wish I could have had a beer with Ace and Chuck a time or two; or did I? Hmmm!!!

Some people wonder if the stories in this book really happened. Well, they did. I know these clowns, and I can attest to the fact every thing happened. I know it may be unbelievable, but these boneheads are all unbelievable, even when you saw it happen LIVE. You can buy this book or not - it is your call. Neither Ace nor Chuck will enter the poor house if you decide to buy "The Red Tent" instead. But you WILL be missing out on perhaps the funniest book ever.

I checked into this book because it was recommended to me by a friend of mine. I bought it to read on a long car ride. Even with all the distractions of reading in a car, I finished the book in about 6 hours because I could not put it down! The opening is a riot, and the glossary is probably the best part of the book. I think the funniest chapter is the one called "Cabin Trip" or something like that. I don't want to ruin the story, but it's hard to believe it really happened. This book really will make you laugh, even if it isn't Pullitzer-worthy.

This book about 5 slugs living in a house is a great memoir. The characters and stories bear an uncanny resemblence to life in my college house, and I'm sure many college houses around the country.

I saw a guy reading a book at an airport and he was laughing out loud. Curious, I asked him what he was reading and he said it was funny stuff. A sucker for recommendations, I wrote down the title and ordered it when I got home from my conference. I couldn't put it down.

The authors hit on all the little things that made college life great: beer, TV, ripping on your friends, doing stupid drunk stuff, and getting by on little to no money. They also touch on what made college life suck: class, studying, and dumb people.

This is required reading for any college male, or any college female who stepped foot in a nasty college house and wondered how the guys could live there. The stories of toenails, turds, and spring break adventures are timeless. Highly recommended for readers and non-readers alike.

This is my favorite book. A special gift of words year round and especially at the holiday season. A very heart warming look into a family with a tragic loss at a very joyful time of year. The ups and downs will keep you reading until the very last word and leave you wanting to read it all over again. Bill O'Shea speaks to the heart of every reader and puts you in touch with at least one of the characters. A holiday favorite every family member will enjoy. Simply the BEST!!

"A Christmas Present" is a wonderful, heart warming story. It reminds us that although life sometimes has great sorrow, God loves us and will get us through if we keep our hearts open. The author gave such a terrific explantion of how St. Nicholas (with a little help from "the Boss"!) makes his Christmas Eve journey that children of all ages will believe in Santa again! "A Christmas Present" will be my Christmas present to my loved ones!

by DonnaJ

David Connors loved Christmas and couldn't wait to get home to his wife Julie and their son Alex. They had plans to have Christmas Eve dinner with his parents before going to midnight mass, but he had one more client he had to see before he could leave. He and the client would go over the prenuptial agreement, then he'd be off to the train station and home in a couple of hours. After seeing Mr. DeGuilio and getting last minutes instructions from him, David looked out his window and saw that it was snowing harder and wondered if they would have to change their plans, but then remembered it was Christmas snow and nothing bad could happened. As he was leaving his building, he noticed the Salvation Army Santa ringing his bell and decided to give him some money. Looking at him, he thought how he made the perfect Santa, with his snow-white beard, red velvet suit and his blue eyes. While giving him the money, he felt as if he knew him, but shrugged it off and proceeded to Grand Central Station and home.

Walking into the house, he thinks about how, after 5 years of marriage, it's easy to stop noticing what your spouse is wearing or doing to the house, but tonight he noticed all those things about Julie. Following her into the living room where his parents and son were waiting, he noticed that, even though Santa hadn't arrived yet, there were some packages already under the tree. One in particular he really wanted to know what it was, but Julie told him he couldn't open it until Christmas morning. It was a large, flat square package, but she handed him a large legal sized envelope. Inside was a lease for an office to open his own practice.

As they're leaving from the Christmas service, Julie remembers they forgot the diaper bag and runs back in to get it. Coming back out and reaching the street she doesn't notice the truck coming too fast down the street and starts to cross when her heel gets stuck and she can't get loose. She falls and the truck hits her. At the hospital, they try everything to keep her alive, but to no avail. He doesn't know how he'll live without her. Three years later, he gets a miraculous Christmas present that shows him how he can live again.

A Christmas Present is the story of how a man learns how to love and live again when he felt all he'd had to live for had been taken from him. This story will grab your heart and not let go. You'll think about it for days after and hold these characters close to you. Mr. O'Shea has a great novel here that is more than a keeper; it also makes you remember the joy of family and friends. It's well worth the price.

A Christmas Present
Bill O'Shea
ISBN:0-9709946-0-5
LCCN: 2001117042
160 Pages
October 2001

O'Shea creates a heartwarming piece of literature that mimics the imaginative style of Dickens and Lewis. Similar to Lewis, O'Shea weaves the redemptive story of Christ through his story, adding depth and meaning to the traditional story of Scrooge.

The character of David Conners is developed into a man that is changed drastically, not once, but twice. Mr. Conners begins the story as a somewhat shallow man, his life based upon his wife's very existence. By the end of the book, miraculous happenings change him. He finds meaning to his life in the things that transcend time, rather than the quickly fading joys of the present.

The book's descriptive passages are delightful and allow the reader to experience the challenges of the protagonist. O'Shea's writing style creates a renewed view of time honored true ideas.

Five bows out of five
--Amy Renea Harrison, Gotta Write Book Reviewer
June 8, 2002

"A Christmas Present" is a story that touches on the natural emotions of family, love and holiday cheer. It reaffirms our belief in faith to help us through life's tragedies. A truly well written story that can be enjoyed no matter what time of the year.