Owen Books

Thomas Owens' Collecting Baseball Cards (1708-2) provides a primer on collecting, with color photos of cards and players supplementing the basics on how to start and value a collection.

It would be a shame to limit Thomas Owens' Collecting Baseball Cards to the young audience it was written for: many an adult collector will find this the perfect introduction to baseball cards, using easy language to explain how the cards are graded and what determines their value. Color photos throughout display vintage cards.

Get excited! This is not a fluff book! Bringing her experience as a columnist for a fashion doll mag, her passion for the dolls themselves, and a wealth of contacts in the world of manufacturers, doll artists, and collectors, Beth Owens gives us the most comprehensive reference on the world of fashion dolls at the turning of the century. With emphasis on those "stars" in the ascendancy at this moment, and with a nod (but not much more) to the 11 1/2 inch former ruler of the doll universe, Beth explores the genesis, history, and development of the modern fashion doll, which is primarily the interest of the adult collector (or the child inside of one!) Written in an elegant and eloquent style, and lavishly illustrated with photographs of beautiful little "ladies of fashion" , this book will, I expect, become the standard reference for this genre of dolls. Several of the many superb photographs illustrate new dolls just coming onto the market, for such is Beth's "connection" to the doll world that she can discourse comfortably on even the newest developments. In addition to reams of information, she offers guidance on beginning and refining a personal collection, and shares her own development as a connoisseur of the fashion doll today. Beth is truly mad about her subject, and has such a fresh and enthusiastic approach that I yearned to be able to invite her to my house to ...play dolls!

Fashion doll collecting is not only a hot new trend, it can also be big business as the selling and trading of these items often involves major bucks. The ultimate hobby guide for those who have a penchant for these pretties is "Contemporary Fashion Dolls" by Beth Owens who is an avid collector and former contributor to trade publications.

There is a broad range of images in these dolls, all the way from the cute pop-eyed trolls who were popular in the 1960s to America's sweetheart, Barbie, to Franklin Mint representations of Jackie Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe to the top of the line exquisitely formed and clad Madame Alexander creations.

Dolls, we learn, had been relegated to the realm of children's toys until the mid 1900s. It was then, following a surge of interest in eighteenth century European dolls, that the United Federation of Doll Clubs was formed. An imprimatur had been placed on grown-ups playing with dolls.

As the number of collectors grew so did the demand for Barbie as she was among the most accessible and affordable. Some savvy business folk gave her a glamorous wardrobe, imaginative accouterment, a best friend, Midge, and a handsome boyfriend, Ken.

Although many try to rival the vaunted Madame Alexander dolls none have succeeded. We read: "The most influential force in the proliferation of fashionable dolls was Madame Beatrice Alexander, who would irrevocably change the course of fashion doll history. Throughout her doll-making career, Madame had an intense passion for fashion and her creations were exquisitely and stylishly dressed in the finest fashions available."

And fashion doll history is still changing as dolls reflect us and our lives continue to evolve. As the author asks, will there be a "Casual Friday" doll?

I was fascinated by this book! The subject matter is intriguing on its own, and it's been beautifully enhanced by the presentation. Author knew exactly how to tell the story for best effect--when to give a history lesson, when to introduce characters, and just how much of each was appropriate. Also explained the complicated science behind xerography (the generic term for what a Xerox machine does) in a way a layman can understand. Extremely well done. I'm glad I happened across this book!

This book gives an excellent account of the processes and hurdles needed to bring a complex product to the marketplace. It will be especially enjoyable for anyone who was involved in the copying/duplicating business during the 60's and 70's.
The author mentions many of the early companies -- and many of the current companies -- that are significant "players" in this business. Also, many of the key inventors who are known only as "publication or patent names" are given life by the author. The reader can get behing the scenes and see the victories, struggles, and tensions facing the researchers and their companies.
This book is a good read -- difficult to put down -- especially for those in corporate research and development.

"Otogizoshi," a nihilistic anthology based on some Japanese famous folklore by famous novelist, Osamu Dazai. Crackling Mountain, Kachi-Kachi yama in Japanese is originally rather cruel and abuserd falklore, in which a naughty badger kills an old lady and a rabbit revenges for her in cruel way. Here a rabbit is described as a young and capricious woman and gives new lights to this rather absurd and cruel Kachi-Kachi Yama stories.

If you've read "Setting Sun" or "No Longer Human" by Dazai and think you've got him pigeon-holed, read this fine collection of his short stories and think again. This is Dazai in a very different key. While the darkness and nihilism characterizing his better known novels still hovers around in the background in these tales, overall they sparkle with a sharp and sprightly sense of irony, satire, and humor that is appealing--this light also gives the shadow contrast and depth, making it less overbearing but more disturbing in a way.

There is a good variety among the stories themselves, too. Some are semi-autobiographical pieces somewhat in the vein of the good old "I-novel", some are funny stories with a bite, one story more typical of Dazai deals with postwar Japan's sense of meaninglessness and loss, but most are retellings of classical or premodern tales East and West but with a twist--including reworkings of vignettes by Ihara Saikaku and Ueda Akinari as well as a take on the Gospel story through the distorted psychology of Judas. All of the stories are intriguing, and O'Brien's translation brings them to life, capturing Dazai's nonchalant and talkative tone in these stories rather well. And they are important too in giving the non-Japanese reader a much fuller sense of the range and artistry of one of twentieth-century Japan's best writers.

The stories included are: "Memories", "Undine", "Monkey Island", "Heed My Plea", "Melos, Run!" "On the Question of Apparel", "A Poor Man's Got His Pride", "The Monkey's Mound", "The Sound of Hammering", "Taking the Wen Away", and (of course) "Crackling Mountain".

this is indeed a great book. if you have done anything in your life time that you believe is unforgivable,then read this book you'll have a whole different view on what your chances are to be redeemed.I LOVE THIS BOOK

i love this book it has a great tempo flow to it. would recommend to all my
friends. movie come to mind when i read it, i would to see it.

What an incredible little book. I take it with me when I fly and as the plane takes off I read the prayer for protection and go to sleep. I was pleasantly surprised recently when I saw a celebrity reading Daily Sustenance on a plane

I used to start my day with a cup of coffee now I pick up my copy of Daily Sustenance and read. What a blessing? During the day if I am feeling stressed out I take a read. I carry it in my purse. I thank my friend a hundred times for giving me this little book

I PICKED UP THE STUDY GUIDE BY CHANCE AND THOUGHT IT LOOKED INTERESTING. THAT'S AN UNDERSTATEMENT! SINCE I'VE HAD THIS I HAVE BEEN IN A MAD SEARCH FOR THE BOOK. THE FIRST EXERPT IS ABOUT MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS, IT LITERALLY GRABBED MY HEART I NEVER THOUGHT OF MARY WITH SUCH HUMAN EMOTIONS. YES, SHE IS THE MOTHER OF JESUS BUT MY YOUNG MIND COULDN'T GRASP THAT SHE HADE THE SAME THOUGHTS AS ME! SINCE THEN I HAVN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN. I'M ALMOST FINISHED WITH STUDY GUIDE BUT I WILL PROBABLY READ IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. PRAISE BE TO GOD FOR THIS AUTHOR'S UNIGUE SENCE OF RELAYING GOD'S MESSEGE THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE. MANY WOMEN HAVE BEEN WERE WE ARE TODAY. WHAT HOPE WE HAVE IN THE PROMISES OF GOD. I PRAY THAT EVERYONE WHO READS THIS BOOK IS TOUCHED THE WAY I HAVE BEEN.

THANK YOU , LORI GARBARINO

Used to books about Biblical characters, and especially those about Biblical women, being exercises in undisciplined and often anachronistic reading in of filler to what are usually Biblical accounts of sparse detail, I found myself again and again amazed at this book. The author has obviously lived with these women's stories in the Bible for a long time, listening to the flow of the Bible's overall narrative as well as patiently attending to every little detail its writers have given about these fascinating women and the men in their lives.

The author is also an uncommonly gifted story teller in her own right, and while those familiar with the Biblical accounts may think she's not understood this or that woman quite rightly, I suspect most will find her generally persuasive, and challenging even where not convincing on every point.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone, but especially to Christians longing to understand what a life lived in faith in God can be like. Would that someone could produce a book about the Bible's men to match it.

This is the sequel to Deviations: Submission. "Submission" left the reader as the two characters, Tobias and Noah, began to move beyond simple dominant and submissive--falling in love. That book explored the BDSM world with Noah, the submissive, as the focus. "Domination" switches the focus to Tobias. These two are developing a relationship, and they have issues to overcome just as any other couple does.

This series is excellent; well-written, fast paced, with fully realized characters (both supporting and main). Another book featuring some of the supporting cast as main characters would be more than welcome. I understand the third book in the series will be coming out April 07 and the fourth in Fall 07. Yeah!

I never expected a BDSM-themed book to have such a powerful love story, but there it is. Read these two books--now.

This is an amazing continuation of deviations:submission. I do not know how much truth there is in the BDSM world potrayed here. And it is not easy to understand anyone getting high from whipping, pain and subjugation. But I do appreciate the needs of both Subs and Doms in the story. The plot here is fascinating and charged with emotions and the characters beautifully drawn out. I wish there is more from Tobias, Noah, Bradford and Phantom and I hope both Chris and Jodi will deliver. And yes, I also like to recommend another emotionally charged M/M BDSM "Golden Boy" and "Golden Man" by Claire Thompson , e-books available from Ellora's Cave.

Owens extensive research is always apparent in this work. A wonderful read. Provides great insight to Bierce's life as a solider. Is a great source of new lines of thinking regarding Bierce's work. Highly recommend to anyone interested in the Civil War or Ambrose Bierce.

The Devil's Topographer: Ambrose Bierce And The American War Story tells one who was billed 'the first writer of fiction ever to treat war realistically'. This realism came from Bierce's experiences as a Union soldier in the Civil War, where he moved from soldier to cartographer and saw major battles of the war. Any interested in Bierce's background must have The Devil's Topographer: it outlines an important part of his life and sets over twenty of his war stories chronologically according to the story's action.

No actual series of words can convey the excellence of the scholarship Father Owens' work magisterially sets forth. It is a detached, objective, and eminently instructive account of one of the most difficult and profund works written in the West. It is worth every moment of persual that the book requires of the reader in order that he begin to come to grips with one of the greatest thinkers of our era. I cannot recommend highly enough Father Owens' monumental acheivement, "The Doctrine of Being in the Aristotleian Metaphysics".

This is a classic of Aristotelian secondaries. Owens' (not to be confused with G.E.L. Owen) account of pros hen equivocity and the "as structure" of the science of Being (metaphysics) is a major contribution to Aristotle scholarship and is more than likely the source for G.E.L. Owen's notion of "focal meaning". This is a thematic account of Aristotle's Metaphysics focusing on the role of equivocals. However, Owens does provide pretty close readings of most of the books. He has extensive notes on the other major secondaries (obviously, written prior to 1978) and a bibliography of 608 entries. This is one of the most comprehensive, influential, and refreshingly readable accounts of one of Aristotle's most difficult texts.