Owens Books

As the director of a non-profit organization, I've been accused of being willing to do anything for publicity or to raise money, but I pale beside John Owens, who heads up the Anderson County Fair. This guy ran for Anderson County Council a few years ago and sent a man dressed as a giant pig to campaign for him. Heck, I voted for him just for the entertainment value.
After reading John's book "Opening Night: Creating Successful Events," I know why he used the pig. He calls it "guerilla marketing," and it's one of dozens of great ideas, tips and strategies for getting publicity, sponsors, advertisers and attendance for special events. Although much of the book is geared toward fairs, I found plenty that could be adapted to any special event, from a non-profit fund-raiser to a church-based festival.
"Opening Night" is available [...] through John's website, [...]. When he gave me a copy to peruse, John noted with pride that he had paid for the printing cost by selling ads to promotional companies who wanted to reach the readers of this book. He doesn't miss an angle. Read his book and you won't either.

-- Kathryn Smith, Book Columnist, Anderson (SC) Independent-Mail

Being an event planner I purchased this book looking for ways to increase our business' bottom line. I try to keep up with the latest trends so our business doesn't get lost in the fast pace of today's society. We have produced at many fairs and festivals with our acts and we were very excited when we learned that someone inside the fair industry was giving up some of the secrets that were going to make doing business easier.

We were stuck on how to market to the next generation - the "kids with all the cell phones." When I read the book, "Opening Night" just one small idea paid for the book many times over. We got the answer we had been looking for.

I have read "Opening Night" several times. I have it handy as a reference manual at the office. Each time I get new ideas for our business from the things explained in the book. A new use of sponsorship banners for example sparked a way for us to implement the idea - even though we personally do not have a facility or fairground ourselves.

I found this book to be very helpful for those wanting ideas and simple examples of how to put on an event that attracts sponsors and attendees.

This is a book I will continue to reference for making and saving money and gaining sponsorship dollars for events.

Kitty
[...]

John Owens has done a splendid job of creating a comprehensive guide to the intricacies of operating an outdoor amusement facility. It should be the difinitive text made available to anyone in the industry. I am pleased to see someone finally put in print a reference source for everyone connected to the industry to make use of. Thank you John

This was my first experience with Jean Cocteau many years ago. It is a perfect read. This book provides you with a mix of Cocteau's personal history, philosophies, artwork, and overall poetic view of life. This is the best launching point into this well known and complex artist that everyone has heard of but far fewer have experienced.

regardless of its presentation, this is among his most amazing works. I am not familiar with this edition, so... can someone tell me if the illustrations are included during the text or do they follow the text at the end. the former is preferred. thankyou.

Cocteau is a genius. In Opium, Diary of a Cure, he recounts the experience of his recovery from opium addiction in 1929. He gives an account that sometimes touches on his moment to moment experiences of drug withdrawal, sometimes remarks on his current thoughts about other people and things in his world. Since he lived in the world of avante-garde French culture, his comments include Picasso or Satie. His descriptions and criticisms include references to his own works or to the climate of the period and offer a stunning look at his own thoughts in this extraordinary moment.

Terence Faherty is a wordsmith. His attention to detail and the amazingly graphic development of his characters embrace the reader and make you feel part of the action.
This story takes Owen Keane back to his college days when a brutal murder rocked the campus of Boston College. Two and a half decades have passed and now the police have announced that they've solved the case. A DNA test has linked an old friend of Owen's to the crime. The man can't defend himself because he has been murdered leaving his wife and daughter to live with the disgrace.
Owen knows that his old friend was innocent and sets out to uncover the truth. Along the way he finds indications that someone has been tampering with the evidence in order to implicate the old college chum. But who? And why?
Returning to his old school stirs a lot of memories in Owen Keane, some good and some bad. The reader lives the experience right along side of Owen.
In spite of the frequent flashbacks, this story is put together very well. You never get lost in the past and you never get tired of visiting it.
Terence Faherty simplifies a complicated plot and takes the reader for a very entertaining tour.

Terence Faherty, one of America's top writers in the mystery genre, has produced another literary delight in "Orion Rising" in the continuing Owen Keane series. Keane, whose last appearance was in 1997's entertaining mystery, "The Ordained" (also published by St. Martin's Press), weaves this story between 1969 and 1995.

Keane must solve a seemingly iron-clad charge of a brutal rape and beating of a female college student against a now deceased Boston college student whose DNA has now been determined to match the vicious crime. Keane's determined persistence and unrelenting drive for the truth allows him to overcome many obstacles.

This story also features two characters who have been in prominence in most of the Owen Keane stories, namely Attorney Harry Ohlman, his sometime employer, and the love of his life the late Mary Fitzgerald (Ohlman). This novel provides readers more onsight into Keane's earlier relationship with these two friends who would help to shape the life of the failed seminarian, Owen Keane.

The past and the present weave a spell-binding tale in "Orion Rising". Author Faherty is well known for his attention to detail, crafty observances and, of course, a well placed sense of humor in his stories. The Owen Keane novels have been Edgar-nominated and Faherty's Scott Elliott series have won the Shamus Award.

Terence Faherty has the style and talent that is well suited for other literary efforts as well as his delightful mystery series. "Orion Rising" will please all existing (and new) devotees to the Keane and Elliott series. It is always a pleasure to read the stories of Terence Faherty.

In 1969, the police believe that one of three Boston College freshmen (Owen Keene, James Murray, or Harry Ohlman) raped Francine Knaff. Over a quarter of a century later, an unknown assailant murders Murray, leaving an aging newspaper article from the rape case with the corpse. A DNA test proves that hair entangled on Francine's ring match that of Murray.

Owen feels guilty because he knew a lot about the rape crime, but kept his mouth shut. Wondering if it is the thrill or just part of his DNA, Owen always enjoys investigating a mystery even if it places his life in danger. An obsessive Owen decides to prove his friend was innocent of the `69 crime and uncovers the identity of his killer.

Any reader who prefers gore needs to pass on the Owen Keane novels. However, if a fan enjoys a cerebral, character driven tale, they will absolutely devour this series. The latest entry, ORION RISING, is a superb story that interestingly counterpoints the hero's past with his present, which adds much depth to Owen. As always in a Terence Faherty book, the motives and reasons for a crime propel the story line to an intriguing conclusion. This series and Mr. Faherty's Scott Elliott tales are entertainment without a free flowing aorta.

Harriet Klausner

I stumbled upon this title in a competitor's bookstore and was astonished that I hadn't read a review anywhere. With a 1998 imprint and Jan Morris as the author of the text, it doesn't seem like it should be an obscure tome, yet even here on Amazon.com, only one other person has reviewed it!

The photos are designed to provoke a sense of wonder and awe in the reader/viewer, and they succeed aesthetically, emotionally, and psychologically. From the rock of Gilbralter to a dense set of "potato row" houses in Copenhagen; from snowfields near the Arctic circle to Turkey--it's all here, images snapped from blimps, airplanes, helicopters, almost any method by which one might be "over" Europe.

One will not be able to glimpse most of these sites from comparable vantage points on a typical trek across the continent unless one plans to do so in a biplane. The images here are unusual in their breadth and majesty. ... The text is literate and fun. Buy it and marvel.

If you regard this book as just another coffee table book you aren't even half right. This is one of the best photo books I have ever seen. The pictures are outstanding. Nearly every photo takes you to the alter of the church, the edge of the cliff, or the gate to the castle. Not only is it a photo book, but a great travel book. These aren't just descriptions of what to see, but beautiful pictures showing you what you will want to see when you get there. You won't even need to take a camera or change for postcards-- the best pictures are right here. Get this book before you plan your vacation to Europe.

Most of my several thousand volume library consists of serious books, works of literature, literary criticism, philosophy, history, theology, political science, and so on. But I also have a shelf or two devoted to "fun" books, books that I pick up and just lose myself in having fun. This is one of my favorite fun books. Not a masterpiece. Probably won't be in print twenty years from now. But the photographs are spectacular! And in just under 300 pages, almost every major city and structure of Europe has been photographed from the air. It is not merely the famous sights and buildings that makes this such a fun book, but some striking photographs of relatively unknown features. For instance, one of the most stunning photographs for me is what would appear to be a gigantic green field in Denmark that has been punctuated by a series of large housing circles, each cut off from one another, and each surrounded by the same green field.

The text has been provided by noted travel writer Jan Morris. The book is largely structured by starting with Italy and proceeding clockwise through the entire European continent, ending with Greece, Romania, and Turkey.

I really can whole heartedly recommend this book to anyone except those who don't like to look at anything. But if you have any interest in the world, in traveling, in Europe, in history, in photography, or in just having fun looking at awesome photos, this book will prove to be an utter delight.

This is a story about four second-graders named Owen, Joseph, Anthony, and Ben. Through detail and humor, Stephanie Greene gives us a superb story about four second-graders who want to become spies. I loved this book because it was humorous. Excellent. Five stars out of five stars.

I have read the two Owen Foote books that she has written so far and they are both ABSOLUTELY STELLAR!!!!!!! Even though I am 13 I have read both many times. The lessons in life they taught me are spectacular and I learned so much about how to be a nice homo sapien. I wish Stephanie would write many more books in this spectacular series!!!!!!!!!

I am the authors son, Oliver who is meant to be the inspiration for her writing the Owen Foote series. I think that my mom is pretty good at understanding children like me and trying to write realistically. She does not know that I am writing this, but I hope one day she will see it. I remember the happy day when she sold the book, and I am proud for her. I think that all young soccer players will enjoy this book.

I work as a Triage Nurse in a very busy Family Practice Clinic. We all use this book every day to answer patient questions--it is concise and can easily be explained to all levels of medical sophistication. In fact today I am ordering a second one.

From Abdominal Tap to the Zung Depression Scale, this book covers over 1,000 of the most commonly prescribed medical tests, explaining each in understandable narrative, with further information on patient preparation, type of specimen needed, procedure (what is done to the specimen), reference range and abnormal values (with explanations), estimated cost (which varies widely), and other useful details including precautions and risks. The informative Introduction is a brief essay on medical testing in general and this book in particular, and an extensive Glossary, symbols and abbreviations section, and good index are provided as well.
The authors are to be congratulated on this fine handbook, which will be of use not only to patients and families, but also to clinics, nursing stations, medical records offices, and emergency rooms as well.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

This book has provided me with important information as a consumer of medical services, and has provided my mother peace of mind as someone who has been undergoing a number of medical tests. The book clearly defines various procedures, patient preparation, and often includes comments about tests that patients are seldom told but ought to know. This book has been so helpful. I am a layperson with no medical knowledge. But to be able to describe a test to my mother in advance of the procedure, to let her know when it is non-invasive versus invasive, to know what kinds of physical symptoms or complications may follow a test...this has been invaluable information. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who has to undergo, or has someone close to them who will undergo, medical tests. The price is [reasonable] given how much useful and potentially lifesaving information it contains.

Charmingly written by Ethel Pochocki, A Penny For A Hundred is an engaging story for young readers about a nine-year-old girl growing up in America in 1944. When German prisoners-of-war are brought in to help harvest a potato crop, she befriends one of them in this gentle tale of compassion and hope for the future. Very highly recommended reading, A Penny For A Hundred is illustrated in soft colors by Mary Beth Owens that are evocative and reminiscent of an earlier time.

This book is a wonderful book which shows that not all POW's were bad during WWII. The book shows the warm heart of a child who befriends a POW...This is an excellent book!

Maine's Aroostook County is a special place. Some would say it's America "uncut diamond" for culture, history, sense of place, family and heritage. This distinctive culture was even more pronounced before the advent of television during World War II. A Penny for a Hundred is a charming story based upon a historical account of how World War II German prisoners of war were temporarily settled in this rural area of Maine. Author Ethel Pochocki teaches readers about the nature of forgiveness. This is a marvelous lesson for today's young people who hear about so much violence throughout the world today. Pictures are by Mary Beth Owens. There's also a neat surprise at the end, a recipe for German Stollen. Terrific Holiday gift for children and adults as well.

This is the kind of story we don't get enough of in America today. On the surface, it's about a poor California boy who grows up battling adversity and, through determination and showmanship, makes a name for himself as a Dodger Stadium peanut vendor. But it's also about the healing power of family and friendship, and the importance of faith and a positive attitude. This kind of life story is getting harder to find, as society gets more hectic and we get more and more insulated from one another. How refreshing it is to read about a man who dedicated his life to connecting with people -- by tossing them a bag of peanuts -- in the classic setting of the old ballpark. It may sound corny, but we'll miss it when it's gone. Books like this can inspire us to maintain values and traditions that are sadly slipping away.

The Perfect Pitch is a biographical portrait of Roger
Owens, the famous Peanut Man at Los Angeles' Dodger
stadium. Owens has been expertly trick-tossing bags of
salted peanuts to enthusiastic baseball fans for over
40 years. He began working as a peanut vendor at the
age of 15. In 1962 he moved right along with the LA
Dodgers into Dodger Stadium. His arsenal of throwing
tricks (behind the back, overhand, underhand,
between-the-legs) and general friendliness had made
Owens into something of a celebrity, which was
cemented in 1976 by an invitation to appear as a guest
on The Tonight Show hosted by Johnny Carson.

The eldest of nine children, Owens struggled in his
youth with issues that many readers will be able to
relate to. His mother's battle with a mental illness
sent him and his siblings into foster care for some
time. In his twenties, Owens was involved in a Jeep
accident that nearly cost him his life. But even in
the face of poverty and distress, Roger Owens never
let it crush his optimistic and warm spirit.

This is a delightful story of an underdog coming out
on top, and you don't have to be a baseball fan to
enjoy it. (Although baseball fans will love the
detailed descriptions of the games). It is a story
about real people persevering throughout the struggles
of life. You can put yourself in Roger Owens' shoes
and feel his excitement radiating from the pages. A
moving tale with plenty of photographs, it is a fast
paced and engaging story for all readers.

Review by Gretchen Olson of BookReview.com.

You might be thinking to yourself...why would you want to read a book about a peanut vendor...but this isn't any ordinary peanut vendor, this is the famous Roger Owens who has thrown peanuts at Dodger games for the last 46 years and is still going strong.Roger's story is heartbreaking and uplifting. It is inspirational and engaging. He came from a very large family and spent a very tough childhood trying to find himself and help support his family who were very poor.His mother suffered from mental problems and Roger and his siblings were placed in different foster homes.Baseball and the LA Dodgers turned out to be Roger's saving grace. He began his long career at the Coliseum and moved with the Dodgers to Dodger Stadium in 1962 and he has been there ever since.Roger developed quite a following in the sports and entertainment world with his humor and special ability to throw peanuts behind his back and between his legs and hit his mark every time.Roger also experienced a life threatening jeep accident early in his career. Roger's nephew Daniel wrote this book about his uncle and it is indeed a labor of love.If you read one book about a peanut vendor make it this one.

While some further elaboration on his theoretical background and how it is applied to his analysis would be welcome, I can't say I've found a better reading of this period in Occultism. The highlight is certainly the chapter on Aleister Crowley in the Desert which gives the reader the most succinct treatment of The Beast's career that one could ask for in 35 pages. Structurally, the book is divided well between chapters, enabling the scholar looking for a particular tidbit to access without having to read the other parts for context, although anyone interested in one of the chapters would be well rewarded to read all (if not simply for pleasure in Owen's excellent narrative and careful consideration of his subject).

Dave

This is a fair to good overview of the people & the period, although I think Owens makes over much of her "women's rights" notions. It is well researched & footnoted. Owens could have done much more on the influence of the GD at the turn of the century.

An exceptionally fine piece of work. Owen's use of sources is excellent - published and unpublished accounts of magickal workings and the documents of occult orders. Her understanding of magickal subjectivity and the reflexivity of modernism is very insightful. Her argument that occultism was central to the formation of modernity is brilliant - in opposition to the usual idea that modernism was opposed to spirituality.I'd reccommend reading Joy Dixon's fine "Divine Feminine", Judith Walkowitz' "City of Dreadful Delights" and Leon Surette's "Birth of Modernism" as well.

Since Wesley wrote in a different era, his style requires some adjustment but once one gets past that there is a lot of edifying content in this book. The key point of this book is the issue of "perfection." He sees it as living what Jesus said was the greatest commandment and its accompanying commandment, i.e., to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Wesley's life demonstrates that he reached the goal. He traveled extensively, read widely, wrote inspiringly, and influenced many people to believe in Jesus as their Savior. Thank God for his legacy in words and deeds. He truly practiced and preached.

Wesley's brief treatise on the important yet overlooked Christian doctrine of perfection is a "must read" for all Christians interested in growing in Christ. The fact that this book is not mandatory reading in every seminary and Bible school is a travesty, making a mockery contemporary Christian education. This book is excellent for anyone serious about their spiritual journey.

John Wesley (1703-1791) firmly believed that God continued to work in the life of the believer subsequent to justification. In A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, Wesley provides an account of the development of his understanding of the doctrine of Christian Perfection. This short work contains a lucid explanation of the doctrine with special attention not only to the Biblical promises and commands that are the basis of the doctrine but also the practical way that "perfect love" works in the life of the believer. While this work was certainly intended to instruct those who were seeking "perfect love," it also attempts to answer those who would deny the doctrine.

The essence of Christian Perfection, for Wesley, was clearly defined by Christ when an expert in the law asked him, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "`You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 23.36-40 NRSV)

Here one sees that, for Wesley, the main point of Christian Perfection is "perfect love." "Perfect love" thus defines our relationship to God and others.

This book is essential for those in the Wesleyan tradition and a worthwhile read for those from other Christian perspectives that wish to understand what Wesley thinks Christian Perfection is and is not.