Owen Books

A small sailboat was a very easy read for my child. It was entertaining with a suprise ending. I look forward to more books from this author.

Carol

When Deputy Commandant McPhee fails to show up for work everyone becomes concerned because that is so out of character. Commandant Garvin assigns Owen Gareth, the Mamur Zapt, to make inquiries over the latter's objection that this is not a political matter, as those are the only ones he, as the local head of the British secret police, should investigate.

Seeking McPhee's camel as the easiest means of finding the missing cop, Owen locates the unconscious man amidst a pit filled with snakes. The daughter of Abu the snake catcher helps rescue McPhee. When he comes around, McPhee explains that out of curiosity he tried to attend a Zzarr ritual performed by a local witch-priestess, but someone apparently drugged him. The British presence at a local religious ritual causes outbursts and turmoil, but makes the Mamur Zapt wonder if someone is trying to discredit the Cairo police. Could that person be recently released from jail rogue cop Philipides or one of the current law enforcement leadership? The Mamur Zapt seeks the truth, but first must get McPhee and Garvin out of town to prevent a nasty Egyptian backlash.

The eighth Mamur Zapt police procedural is an insightful tale that provides an intriguing look at Cairo under the British protectorate. The story line contains a delightful investigative tale, but is more a historical novel than a law enforcement book. The characters are well drawn even if McPhee seems too bubblebrained to be more than just a political appointee. The period tidbits are quite enlightening and Owen's inquest is fun to observe so that the audience gains a pleasing intelligent tale.

Harriet Klausner

Morag Owen's book provides a forceful reminder that philosophical issues are never far below the surface of social work practice. In the sphere of child protection in particular, there is the delicate matter of balancing the rights and interests of parents and children. This is imaginatively explored in this study of how satisfactorily children can be protected and their well-being promoted without resort to compulsory orders. If so, is there (or could there be) a different philosophical basis for such social work? Dr Owen skilfully pursues these intriguing and important questions as she weaves together philosophical discussion and empirical investigation. In doing so she offers us an unusual combination: food for thought about the moral basis of practice together with practical suggestions about what might or might not be achieved by moving in certain directions. (Professor Emeritus R.A. Parker, University of Bristol)

I really enjoy this CD production! 'Some Corner of a Foreing Field: Poetry and Music of the Great War' is a beautiful sample, with a nostalgic flavour, of one of most terrible years in world history. It is ironic that the horrors of the Great War (later First World War) produced such an emotional and fine poetry.
The CD includes not only word spoken poetry but music. The music and songs included transport you to the time of the events (1914-1918). How sad is to think that some of the greatest poets of the time died during the military service of WWI!
The only thing I would like to improve in this production is the CD cover that should included a detailed booklet with more information about the Great War poets.
If you like history you will definetly love and enjoy this CD.

Big feet was Groucho's nickname for Arthur- his son, who wrote a beautiful book before I was even born- yet I was touched and swallowed this book in 2 days. You read the story of the young Arthur struggling all his life to be more than son of Groucho, and along the way, you don't only discover a whole new side in Groucho, you also meet a bright man who made it on his own- Arthur. A must to all Groucho fans and to all those who think that celebraty's kids have it made.

My parents got a copy of this book when it was first released. My mother is one of Tinker's (Charles Wayne Owens, actually) sister. I was finally able to get a copy a few years ago from Ebay for about $89. This book is a treasured possession. Many family photos and stories that I remember well and a real story of the life of a college football player. I love the pics of his wife and child, Brandi. They are still married with two other children, all grown and are grandparents now. Tinker is still just as crazy as he was in the book! Great stuff!

Any collection strong in African history and ethnicity will want to make SOUTH AFRICA'S DIVERSE PEOPLES: A REFERENCE SOURCEBOOK a primary acquisition. It will appeal to both high school and college-level holdings with its history, which moves from pre-segregation to post-segregation and which considers the evolving, changing roles of many different peoples and cultures under the South African umbrella. From the hardening of ethnic divisions within the country to apartheid's policies and rules, SOUTH AFRICA'S DIVERSE PEOPLES is a 'must' for any with more than a passing interest in the country.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

As a USN vet I'm always on the prowl for a good nautical yarn and this book certainly fit the bill when I first found it 17 years ago. South to Java was the first in a six book series known as the Destroyer series and took advantage of the authors first hand experience serving in an old WWI Four piper (funnel) destroyer similar to the ship his heroes serve in. This fabulous story is set in the opening days of World War II with the US Navy's Asiatic fleet stationed at Cavite in the Philippine Islands. The story begins right before the start of the war and continues through the escape of the last ships to Australia after the doomed attempt by the out classed ABDA command at the Battle of the Java Sea. Perhaps the most enjoyable part was the humor and "old school" sea stories the characters, both officer and enlisted, enacted during the course of the book. Its not often that we are treated to the enlisted men's view of a story and this book provided a good balance between the wardroom and crew decks. In summary a good war story, a good naval story and a good story about the people who fought with what they had. Its always about the people and like Admiral Daniel Gallery before him, Admiral Mack does a good job telling their story.

SPC in the Office was never published by Batsford.
It is, however, available from:
Greenfield Publishing,
PO Box 12
Kenilworth
Warwickshire
CV8 1ZS

The cost is £40 including p&p.

It is a comprehensive guide to improving and measuring office procedures and contains many very interesting case studies.

Robert R. Owens gives a wonderful overview of the Pentecostal movement. He traces the events that led to or helped produce the 1906 Azusa outpouring and then presents a detailed history of the 1906-1909 Azusa Street Revival.

If you would like to know more about the roots of the Pentecostal/charismatic movement, this is the book for you.