Owens Books

I knew something about the history and customs of the Jewish people and the politics of the Middle East before I read this book, but very little about the Jewish religion. "A Concise Dictionary of Judaism" has been a perfect introduction, with mainly short, factual entries on institutions, beliefs, ideas, personages, ritual objects, festivals, services, sects, and schools of thought. About ten percent of the entries are rather longer, providing a concise statement about a key concept, institution or personality. I was particularly pleased with the way the information was often related to analogous beliefs and customs in Christianity and Islam. I recommend this little dictionary wholeheartedly. (The edition in print at present is entitled "A Dictionary of Judaism" and seems to be about twice the length, but I can't comment on the extra material as I haven't examined it personally.)

Mario Pei, I must admit, started my studies in linguistics that began in high school, followed me through college, and have shaped my career. The first book that I read of his was his solo work "The Story of Language", a work of art in the linguistic field. While this guidebook for beginners in the field does not enjoy some of the wonderfully fluid prose that Pei uses in many of his works, it retains the same attention to detail. Despite many linguistic advances that have rendered some of the references obselete, this book come highly recommended and a must-have for students and teachers.

Robert Goodhue Woodruff

"The Undiscovered Country", written in 1939 by psychic sensitive Redington Washburn, includes an amazing account of many of his & other's spirit encounters, as well as his viewpoints re: spirituality.

Some of the main viewpoints brought up by Washburn pretty frequently include: If one is to believe what is written in the bible, then one must also believe the passages where Jesus spoke of communicating with spirits. And, if one believes in the resurrection of Jesus, as well as the "rising of the dead" of several other's within the bible, than why would one question that such a thing is still occurring? If it happened 2,000 years ago, what would make one think that it's impossible for it to happen now? What wonderful questions/ideas to ponder!

Overall, I found this book to be extremely interesting & thought provoking - as such, I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in spirituality in general, and spirit communication in particular. It's definitely worth searching for!

The Mountain View Development Company began leveling Dismal Mountain, West Virginia in order to construct a mall. The firm bought out most residents but elderly Lizzie Neal refused to leave because this was the home of her ancestors and her parents were buried nearby. When the company sends trucks down from the mountaintop, an incident finally occurs. Lizzie's nephew Bobby Ray killed the driver who he swears fired at him first. Lizzie sets up the scene so it would seem she shot the driver.

Lizzie's nephew, transportation inspection consultant Owen Allison, comes home to visit his ailing mother and to help Lizzie. While Owen's mother recovers from cancer surgery, Sheriff Thad Reader explains to him that Lizzie's confession of being responsible appears phony. He asks Owen to try to learn the truth. As he makes some inquiries, Owen begins to uncover a dark conspiracy to fund the Dismal Mountain Project, which places his life in danger.

DISMAL MOUNTAIN is an exciting and relevant Owen Allison mystery that highlights the environmental versus economy issue. The story line is entertaining due to the strong secondary characters that help bring West Virginia alive while providing depth to Owen through his family members and his former college sweetheart. John Billheimer makes mystery reading fun (see HIGHWAY ROBBERY and THE CONTRARY BLUES for additional pleasure).

Harriet Klausner

I just got a 35 foot twin screw cruiser. This book gives great instruction for docking several types of drives. It has a on board practice lesson that gets you familiar with how the boat responds.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough for anyone who seriously wants to quit smoking. I was an addicted smoker for 35 years and have been smoke-free for 16. I know I will never smoke again.

Dr. Colby's book is a 14-day plan using self-hypnosis. I used this book, plus behavior modification techniques that I knew of (rewarding myself, etc.) and was very successful.

I wish this book would be printed and more available again, as it's literally a life saver. I had never used self-hypnosis before, but was it effective. Please get the book for yourself or anyone who wants to quit. I have bought it (after much searching) for friends, who also were able to quit. What a book!!

I am so very pleased that someone addresses the issue of mothering disorders that plague so many mothers today. My wife suffered from serious post-partum depression because she had a cesarean section instead of a normal vaginal birth. She told me she felt like they gave her someone else's baby, which made her feel so guilty and depressed.

Hooray for this author having the courage to speak out against the inhumane practices that doctors and nurses constantly subject innocent mothers to in todays modern hospitals.

I thoroughly enjoyed 'Down to Earth', the war memoirs of Squadron Leader Kenneth Butterworth McGlashan, AFC, co-written with Owen Zupp. Mr. McGlashan has the distinction of having been in the 'right' place---'right' being a relative term, I guess, as he had to do a lot of fighting-- to take part in many of the major battles of World War Two, from Dunkirk through The Battle of Britain, Dieppe, and D-Day. He then has more adventures flying transport aircraft. His story is told in the way most World War Two veterans tell of their exploits, as if these herioc deeds were just another job and no big deal. McGlashan's humility makes his story all the more readable and enjoyable. Even his wooing of his future wife takes time and effort as the quiet charm of the young pilot grows on the lovely girl he courts.

McGlashan is now retired and living in Australia, and a fitting end to this book sees him paying a pilgrimage to his old Hawker Hurricane, crashed on the beach during the evacuation of Dunkirk.

I think the thing I enjoyed most about this book is McGlashan's conversational style, his disarming modesty, and his humor. I felt after reading it that this is the kind of chap I'd like to sit down with and have a few beers, and just listen to him talk for three or four hours. These men truly were 'The Greatest Generation', and I applaud co-author Owen Zupp for helping bring this important story to light.

Rob Morris, Author, Untold Valor: Forgotten Stories of American Bomber Crewmen over Europe in World War Two, Potomac, 2006.

I usually rave and rave about wartime aviation memoirs because, to me, they are such a privilege to read. However, Down To Earth is more than that. Sure, it's great that the author has shared this story with us but, at the end, you come away feeling like you know Mac and wishing you could shake his hand.

Kenneth McGlashan flew over Dunkirk and, through self-admitted inexperience, walked its beaches after his Hurricane was shot down. He is young, 19, but mature. Further trips over Dunkirk follow and he evolves into an effective single-engined fighter pilot. The Battle of Britain follows during which Mac's squadron is posted for an intriguing interlude in Ireland chasing German Condor long-range maritime patrol bombers. Here, his desire to pass on his knowledge surfaces and his commitment and drive to better himself as a leader and pilot is evident. He returns to England and flies cats' eye night fighter ops where he has to rely on his skill, eyesight and a lot of luck. Over time, Mac finds himself working with searchlight-equipped Boston/Havocs, the next great idea in night fighting to prove unsuccessful but nevertheless exciting when flying close formation with a bomber at night. Finally, though, he finds himself posted to a Mosquito night fighter unit and, at last, an effective way to hunt at night. What follows is a love affair with the Mossie, a harsh lesson on single-engined flying that sees him in hospital and determined to learn and teach what he can about "assymetric" flight, continuing anecdotes of the great men he flew with, an amazing sojourn with BOAC in the Middle East, flying during the invasion of Europe, training, raising a family, the end of the war, successful command of a Mossie squadron, award of the Air Force Cross, transfers, time in Cyprus and living around the world. What a life!

The writing is relaxed and so easy to follow. It is casual but evocative, regularly amusing but equally poignant. Mac certainly made the most of his scrapes over Dunkirk, his lucky escape over Dieppe and his serious crash in the Mossie. He learns from his mistakes and adventures as indicated by the fact he flew operationally for more than four years, more or less. His revisting the scene of his Dunkirk incident brought a lump to my throat as he relived the events of that day surprised he could remember such minute details. Mac's stories are supported by excellent memories from his wife, Doreen, adding a very personal aspect to the reading.

The author comments that the restoration of Mac's Hurri, R-for-Robert, is a fitting tribute to the man. I think it is fair to say, so is this book.

Spectacular book; I read this book back when I was bout ** and it just open my eyes to Dread fe real. Anybody who want to read in depth 'bout rasta shold check this out, anyway you can. True classic.

This revised edition of Dr. Owen-Crocker's 1986 book does not disappoint. It incorporates vast amounts of new research, archaeological material, and reenactor feedback and includes many more illustrations as well as reconstruction sketches and intelligent discussion of the available evidence for Anglo-Saxon costume between the fifth and eleventh centuries. A must-have reference for any Anglo-Saxon scholar, as well as for anyone with a serious interest in northern European costume during the so-called "Dark Ages."