Powell Books

i have always enjoyed lee falks hero the phantom. it is nice to see many writers views on this character. there are 17 short stories and i enjoyed every one of them. it is good to see even though lee falk is no longer with us,his hero is still kept alive. thank you.

The reason I bought this book is because I've long been a fan of the Phantom via its comic strip even since I could remember. I have to admit that I've been hooked to the Phantom as far as I know, and couldn't get enough of him! Oh, WOW!! I also hope to obtain more novels of the 'Ghost Who Walks'!!

An ok anthology this one. A limited resources type publisher, so it is a trade paperback sized book, but a cheapish one.

The story average here is 3.24, hampered by the fact that a couple of the entries are not up to professional writing standard. If they were, this would be close to your solid 3.5 book. As it is, I'll give it a bonus for the cover, and actually having a go at a superhero anthology, which is certainly worth something for fans of the Phantom.

The other thing is that some of the takes can see The Phantom as grim and humourless, and far more aggressively violent than the comic strip version - perhaps taking their cue from Moonstone comics work, which appears to be like that.

The best work here is at the end, barring Henderson, Murray and Oliveri.

Phantom Chronicles : 01 White Knight - Mike Bullock
Phantom Chronicles : 02 The Ghost Who Dies - Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith
Phantom Chronicles : 03 Debt Of Honor - C. J. Henderson
Phantom Chronicles : 04 The Fastest Animal - Ron Fortier
Phantom Chronicles : 05 Truth Or Consequences - Jim Alexander
Phantom Chronicles : 06 Stranger From Walker's Table - Will Murray
Phantom Chronicles : 07 The Servants Of Set - Michael Oliveri
Phantom Chronicles : 08 Here There Everywhere - Nancy Kilpatrick
Phantom Chronicles : 09 Bad Medicine - Mike Bullock and Ed Rhodes
Phantom Chronicles : 10 House Of Ghosts - David Bishop
Phantom Chronicles : 11 The Promise - Grant Suave
Phantom Chronicles : 12 Not That Kind Of Girl - Trina Robbins
Phantom Chronicles : 13 Lessons Learned - Richard Dean Starr
Phantom Chronicles : 14 Reflection Of the Ghost - Dan Wickline
Phantom Chronicles : 15 A Ghost Without Yesterday - Dan Michelinie
Phantom Chronicles : 16 The Hungry Swamp - Martin Powell
Phantom Chronicles : 17 The Ghosts Who Walk - Craig Shaw Gardner

Rescuing Diana and her driver, from Aid robbers.

3 out of 5


The only female Phantom's son is jealous and goes for the doppelganger act.

2.5 out of 5


In a big surprise, The Ghost Who Walks breaks a pirate leader out of jail.

3.5 out of 5


The Phantom comes across Diana and a young assistant who have been attacked by Aid robbers.

3 out of 5


The Phantom is involves in an anti-ratzi castle spy operation.

3 out of 5


The sixteenth Phantom has some land pirates to deal with in the Old West.

3.5 out of 5


Pirate and cultist, a hard task for The Ghost Who Walks, with many hostages to rescue.

3.5 out of 5


The only female Phantom comes out of retirement for Jack the Ripper.

3.5 out of 5


The Phantom has to stop an athletic poisoner.

2 out of 5


A girl will be pleased to see the big purple variety that walks.

3 out of 5


A slaver ship to deal with, for the Phantom.

3.5 out of 5


An actress looking for work ends up as a stand-in goddess in a nazi Xenium plot.

3.5 out of 5


Another impostor tries to kill the Phantom, this time a hitman with honour.

4 out of 5


A dodgy German is dealing in super ammo, but a tough woman helps out The Phantom.

3.5 out of 5


The Ghost Who Walks comes to New Orleans, to help an old friend who runs an animal shelter.

4 out of 5


A trap is laid at an old hotel for the Phantom, but he does have help.

3.5 out of 5





3.5 out of 5

As a dyed in the (purple) wool Phantom fan, any collection of NEW Phantom prose is welcome. The quality of the 17 stories easily matches the comic book series published by Moonstone.

With a forward by Valerie Falk, contributions from Phantom scholars Ed Rhoades (consultant/artist/author), Will Murray (Doc Savage/Shadow) and accomplished authors David Michelinie, Mike Bullock, , C J Henderson, Ron Fortier, and Craig Shaw Gardner, the variety is outstanding. Disney artist extraordinaire Ruben Procopio's art is a good addition to the tales.

It's hard to pick out a favorite, but many capture the spirit of the Phantom very succinctly.

Can't wait for the 2nd volume.

Tim Lasiuta
www.moonstonebooks.com

These stories are bringing The Phantom back to life and doing it very well. There is one story I found to be a long stretch, but I'm not reviewing stories, but a volume of stories. In this volume the Deep Woods call, The Ghost Who Walks remains undying, justice prevails over the darkness of the world, and even when The Phantom seems helpless, he is just about ready to make his next move. A must for any Phantom fan! Quoth the Raven...

A true-life, real-people story about a struggle to save a species. This book is very captivating, well-researched, well-written, and extraordinarily referenced. It really captures the passion that conservationists have, how closely entwined their work is with their personal beliefs and values, and how personally devastated they are by conservation losses. It captures the sometimes agonizing triage that conservationists in Hawaii have to deal with on a daily basis -- as well as the incredible Hawaiian landscapes that fuel their passion.

It isn't often that I pick up a non-fiction book but after hearing about this book from a friend, I got myself a copy. At first I figured I would read a few pages a day between reading my other 'summer' reads but I found that I couldn't put it down. Mr. Powell paints a vivid picture of not only the fate of this poor bird but how man can very easily alter the environment of an entire island. I learned more than I expected about extinction and how our government attempts to manage it.

I recommend this book to any bird lover or anyone who wants to get a better grasp of what it really means to save the environment. I even recommended it to my husband and he, too, read it cover to cover.

The well structured narrative of this book nicely interweaves dramatic action surrounding the po'ouli with exposition on the state of wildlife conservation at the turn of the 21st century. The author uses the plight of a vanishing bird to stand in for the current state of human interaction with nature. The prose is simple and direct, presenting scientific and bureaucratic details in ways easy to understand. This book stands out on the crowded science and nature shelf, and I eagerly anticipate Mr. Powell's next effort.

I found this book to be interesting, important and informative for three reasons. First, it documents some of the causes and events surrounding the last few years of the po'ouli's existence and extinction for posterity. Second, it is very engaging; Mr. Powell has written a fast-paced chronicle of events that (despite the somber subject) is entertaining to read. Third, the book provides insight into a government program that is intended to protect endangered and threatened species, but which can fall short of the mark due to political and budget issues - despite the best efforts and intentions of many dedicated field personnel trying to save these rare creatures and their diminishing habitat.

A compelling account of the discovery of a tiny bird in the Hawaiian rain forest and the desperate efforts to save it from extinction. Author Al Powell has allowed us to see in a concrete way man's impact on the environment and the effectiveness of the policies and technologies we use to protect species endangered because of it. His story allows us to work alongside biologists as they celebrate the discovery of the bird in the 1970s and experience their growing horror over its fast-dwindling numbers. By the 1990s only three birds remained in wild. He shows how biologists' attempts to save the bird culminates in captive breeding that fails in 2004 as they witness the last known member of a species die in a cage. Must reading for nature lovers, bird lovers, science buffs and anyone concerned about the world we live in.

You don't want to be a lawyer or a psychiatrist in a Phil Rickman novel. If you show up, you'll be treated like dirt because you are dirt. However, it's okay to wander around with an embalmed baby in tow, and treat your live kin as if you wish they were dead. `Eccentric' is usually stretched to `lovable' in the Merrily Watkins mysteries, but I can't quite bring myself to love the crazy lady of this novel.

"The Smile of a Ghost" is very much about relatives and the awful things they do to each other, including driving the more vulnerable ones to suicide. When a fourteen-year-old boy who is mad about medieval history, takes a dive off of Ludlow Castle, people wonder whether it was a suicide, an accident, or murder.

By book's end, we are pretty sure it wasn't an accident or suicide, but are not positive as to the identity of the boy's killer. I personally didn't care for Merrily's suspect. The retired police officer's suspect was an evil twerp, but I was pretty sure he wouldn't work outside of his own turf. The one suspect that did make sense to me was the weird goth-woman's choice of killer, but I refuse to agree with her on anything. You'll have to decide for yourself.

Evidently bomb-makers are not the only type of terrorists working for Great Britain's National Health Services. You'll meet another type in "The Smile of a Ghost" that Lol had the misfortune to fall under the care of while he was incarcerated in a mental institution. When he composes a song about his experience, bad things begin to happen to him and Merrily. However, Lol solves his problem brilliantly and he is one of the real heroes of this complex, multi-layered mystery.

But if Lol can show enough maturity to confront an evil psychiatrist from his past, why can't he and Merrily stop sneaking into each other's bedrooms and just get hitched? It should put a stop to the poison-pen letters once and for all. Does anyone recall a reason why they shouldn't get married? Bishop Bernie could officiate in his purple shirt, and Gomer Parry, the manic digger-for-hire could be the best man. Jane, pagan that she is, could be the maid-of-honor. Let's drop all of this artificial angst and get on with life. Lucy, one of the many ghosts in this novel would certainly smile on the union.

If I had known before I bought the first Merrily Watkins novel (The Wine of Angels) that Merrily is an exorcist, I probably would have saved my money. But I didn't know, and now I'm hooked.

The characters are fabulous - Merrily, the sometimes hapless vicar; Jane, the pagan daughter; Gomer, the archetypal local; Lol, the fragile folk-rock mystery. Any and all of these will fix your attention and concern, to say nothing of a wide array of secondary characters and ghosts. OK, the ghosts sound hard to take, but Rickman carefully constructs Merrily's vocation, making the line between spiritual work and work with spirits very faint indeed. The vicar's faith is remarkably practical and so are most of the problems she faces.

The plots grow out of the settings on the Welsh border, exquisitely detailed in all the books. In Smile of a Ghost, the town of Ludlow becomes another character, in some ways the principal victim. Of all the books, this one has the most subtly integrated element of the supernatural: you can take it or leave it.

If the exorcist plot makes you nervous, start with this book and see if your concerned affection for Merrily, Lol, Jane and others doesn't over-come your hesitation.

Smile of a Ghost is undoubtedly the best of the Merrily Watkins series--and the best of all Rickman's books. Though there is a slight paranormal flavor, the book works best as a straight mystery, one involving many different people and their actions. Mr. Rickman takes these strands and weaves them together beautifully to the final outcome. The main character, the Rev. Merrily Watkins is still charming but slightly anxious in her role as Diocesan Exorcist, and the scenes involving church politics are spot on. Secondary characters are not relegated to "supporting role" status but are integral to the plot. I started reading on a Thursday afternoon and finished it the next day--it's that kind of book.

The seventh Merrily Watkins book, this one tops the list. Rickman has the skill to present characters who are so real you are sure you know them, a plot so intriguing that you become engrossed in the action, and a way of writing the draws you on through the story. The dilemma is whether to spend time with the characters or turn the page and get on with the story. Here the venue of the mystery is almost a character in itself: what is it about the castle and the town which shapes the story? As always with Rickman one finds oneself on the border between the rational and the non-rational, the quotidian and the mysterious. One finishes with a respect for that which is finally beyond explanation but open to understanding.

In this the seventh of his Merrily Watkins novels, Phil Rickman once again proves that you really can't get too much of a good thing. While The Smile of a Ghost does not find the Rev. Merrily Watkins in such dire or dark supernatural peril she has contended with previously, the demons she must face are just as chilling -- the possible elimination of her very role as Deliverance Minister by modernizing forces in the Church as well as by her own self-doubt. And this crisis couldn't have come at a worse time -- in the midst of a tragic trend of teen suicides, possibly influenced by a 12th century ghost and a very hauntingly real "ghost" of sorts from Merrily's Goth days of the more recent past.

In spite of this novel's thematic seriousness, Rickman manages to weave subtle strands of wit and humor throughout, and his astounding facility with character and dialogue only gets better with each book. Through his superb crafting of narrative perspective, the personalities of Rickman's characters seem to hijack their way from chapter to chapter with an amazing fluidity that makes the book very hard to put down.

If you're a regular reader of Rickman's novels, this newest one will not disappoint. If you're new to the novels of Phil Rickman, you're in for a treat. Either way, The Smile of a Ghost will leave a reader smiling.

Through Seasons of the Heart is a wonderful book for daily reflection. John Powell focuses on the down to earth everyday struggles we each face within our own hearts. Don't expect miracles, but read each day and let the thoughts build one upon the other until your heart begins to change.

I own this book and recently bought it as a gift. I highly recommend it.

This is an excellent daily reader . Among other things, it offers a lot of sound advice about dealing with others and understanding your self.

I keep this book in my desk at work. At lunch I read the day's message from the author. So many times spending a few minutes reading this will turn my day around with perspective and appreciation for the positive aspects of life. The truths here are simple, as are many of the stories John Powell shares, and yet written with creativity and style. Give your soul the spiritual gift of a few moments a day with this author.

The marriage preparation program in our parish is all about communication. Many of the issues about self esteem, love, and treatment of others are addressed beautifully in Through Seasons of the Heart. My husband and I give this book to each couple we sponsor. It is excellent.

Daily reflections from John Powell's writings gives encouragement in a sometimes hostile world. John Powell helps us see how we can become a better person, more loving and most of all more compassionate. As we reflect where we are and where we are going we realize that the journey has just begun but we can be more accepting of ourselves and others, therefore creating a better environment to grow in the person we are meant to be. Other meditative books that I have been reading are God Calling and Grace in Every Season: Through the Year With Catherine De Hueck Doherty

Anyone who has ever read--or especially studied-- the 4 cannonical gospels cannot come away from them without asking a very basic question: why do the gospel accounts of the life of Jesus of Nazareth vary so greatly? Indeed, much of what the casual reader thinks he knows about the events narrated in the gospels, is a conflation of the events as told by the 4 evangelists. But which version is true, when they all disagree so much in content? Powell argues, in this marvelously well-written and readable volume, that in order to accurately know what really happened 2000 years ago, one must get as close to the original source as possible, because it is there, not in successive re-tellings and conflations of the real story, that the historical truth can be gleaned.

Powell asserts that John's gospel, traditionally ranked as the fourth and latest gospel, is the "odd man out", so to speak, because it differs so vastly in content from the 3 synoptics: Mark, Matthew and Luke. He convincingly argues that because John's gospel is the most primitive and most devoid of the mythology and theology that plague the later synoptics, his must be the first, and therefore the oldest; the closest in time to the events it relates, and therefore the most likely gospel to be accurate from a historical point of view.

Most Biblical scholars will readily admit that what has survived to become today's scriptures has evolved from stories that originated as verbal re-tellings of word-of-mouth renderings of historical happenings. But time has a way of corrupting history, whether innocently or by design, especially when long periods of time elapse between the historical event itself, and its final appearance in written form. And even in written form, errors in transcription, problems in language and translation, and an evolving understanding of what was previously not well understood at the time, all contribute to a final written version being, at times, starkly different from the original event it would report. Powell takes great pains to examine and compare, often verse-by-verse, the various renderings of the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth, and demonstrates how theological and mythological colorings have often changed-- sometimes subtly, at other times vastly, the gospel accounts of the life that forever changed the world, and why it is necessary to do some digging to un-earth the story as it really happened.

One cannot help but walk away from this book with a profound rethinking and revamped understanding of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, as related in the gospel of John, perhaps seeing him for the first time as a very 'human' being with an important message for the world. I think that anyone who is willing to approach this book with an open and inquisitive mind will thoroughly enjoy it, and profit from reading it.

This theory fits so well with recent liberal scholarship, it's just a matter of time before other authors reconsider the gospel dating. The Christ-myth books (The Christ Conspiracy, The Jesus Puzzle, Deconstructing Jesus, The Jesus Mysteries) describe how the story began first as history-style myth and then later became reified as actual historical events of a single, toweringly influential Jesus figure.

In Paul's authentic epistles, Jesus is mythical, and in the synoptic gospels, Jesus is historical. Why place John after the synoptics, then? It makes more sense to see John as the bridge from the mythic early epistles to the later synoptic Literalist/historicizing gospels, to form a smooth progression.

The more I read other recent books, the more I keep being drawn to The Unfinished Gospel. Right now there is a tension building up; it's so inconsistent with the latest conception of the transformation of Christianity in the first few centuries to assume the John is later than the synoptics. This book may become a classic, because there is an established minority of scholars who agree that John reflects earlier traditions than the synoptic gospels.

I expect that once the other contemporary scholars consider how perfectly this book's redating fits in with their theories of myth-making and historicizing, this book could garner a lot of attention. Gnostic, esoteric, and Christ-myth scholars should consider this book.

Powell argues for John's gospel as being the earliest written, with Mark being written in answer to John. The idea that John 21 was the original ending to Mark rather neatly solves the problem of why Mark ends so abruptly. Mark's ending was transferred to John to help "smooth over" the differences between the two gospels. Powell's arguments for the primacy of John are good, but they fail to carry the day. Mark doesn't appear to be written in answer to anything. It appears to be written by a man who simply wants to tell the story of Jesus in a language which is not his native tongue. If either of the gospels appears to be an "answer" to anything, it is John. John takes great pains to elevate the "beloved disciple" over Peter, an indication that Peter occupied a highly respected place in the early church and that the author of John might have harbored some resentment of Peter. Regardless of whether you agree with Powell's conclusions, you can appreciate his scholarship and the cogent arguments he makes to support his views.

Near the end of a ten year study on the Bible and Christianity, involving dozens of books on the subject, I came upon "The Unfinished Gospel". Finally it all came together and made some kind of sense. Powell presents, in my opinion, an incredibly sound theory bridging the chasm between rational thinking and the origins of the Christian religion, enabling both to co-exist. Sounds hard to believe, I know, but he really does pull it off. Absolutely a must read for those of us "cursed" with a too-logical mind to accept on faith the Christian doctrine. A good book also for any Christian or biblical scholar willing to look objectively at the story from a rational viewpoint. Extremely well written and easy to read.

This excellent and very readable book provides an unusual view of the order and importance of John's gospel relative to the synoptic gospels (Mark, Luke, and Matthew). The author examines the internal evidence in John's gospel, compares it to the material in the synoptic gospels, and deduces that John's gospel must have been written before the others. This reversal of the usual dating sequence implies that John's gospel gives us an earlier, and possibly more accurate picture of the life of Jesus and the formation of the early Church. Evan Powell points out that John's gospel does not mention the institution of the Eurcharist at the Last Supper and that there is an absence of traditions such as virginal conception of Mary, no angels at Jesus birth, no temptation by Satan, no casting out of demons, no transfiguration on the mountain, and no ascension. He notes that John's technical vocabulary is very limited in that many words that became integral to Christian expression never appear in his gospel, but do appear in the synoptic gospels or in the Pauline letters. Further, there is an absence of any description of the Church as an institution. Words such as apostle, church, and gospel are absent. Therefore Powell concludes that John's gospel was composed earlier than the others, before the Jesus movement had formed institutional structures and a well developed mythology.

Because of the many times Peter is mentioned with negative connotations, the author concludes that during the foundation of the early Church, John organized a community with a view of Jesus' life quite different from the community led by Peter. Another point he stresses is that "the beloved disciple" (John) is mentioned in a scene showing John reclining on Jesus' bosom and that this scene implies that John considered himself heir to Jesus' ministry. Only in the last chapter of John (i.e., John:21) are the conflicts between the leadership of Peter and John resolved, but this chapter is commonly believed to be an addendum no! t written by John. Powell believes that Chapter 21 was constructed from the missing portion of Mark's gospel which has a surprisingly abrupt ending often noted by biblical scholars. The problem can be overcome by re-attaching the twenty-first chapter of John and noting how well it fits Mark's writing style and themes. Powell maintains it was revised and added to John's gospel to gloss over the differences between the teachers and the teachings of the Johnine and Petrine communities.

Whether or not Powell's conclusions are validated by future research, they provide an intriguing picture of what might have occurred as a monolithic Church evolved from many small and independent communities.

This book follows Goran's journey in the martial arts from being a youngster taking up Judo through the mental and physical challenges posed by taking on Goju's brutal 30 man Kumite (fighting 30 fresh opponents, one minute each, full contact punches and kicks). It's very well written, I couldn't put it down once I'd started, the book is as much a book about facing your fears, overcoming life's challenges and finding the determination to continue in the face of adversity as it is about the martial arts.

OK, I confess, I'm the author's sister.

I sat down to read "Waking Dragons" one evening as a matter of duty. I knew Goran was an entertaining writer but I anticipated finding the subject matter difficult. I know nothing about martial arts and represent the couch-potato side of the family. I thought, I'll read for an hour and then watch "Big Love" on telly. There's nothing like a TV show about bigamy to refresh a girl after reading her brother's boring book about karate. Five hours later, I realised it was one o'clock in the morning. I thought, I'll just read one more chapter.

"Waking Dragons" is a book about a man who finds a pattern for his life through martial arts. It's not didactic but it is inspirational. Regardless of what your interests are, reading this book makes you feel that you can achieve your dreams as well. I might even rise from the couch and do some step-aerobics!

Goran's enduring relationship with martial arts shaped his approach to work and other activities. His fascination inspired him to start writing this book but the mental discipline he mastered due to martial arts gave him the focus to finish it.

"Waking Dragons" spans Goran's life from a chubby boy eating the filthy Judo mats of the West Midlands to a fit and driven man training for the ordeal of the Thirty Man Kumite. Goran is the everyman of the martial arts. He is honest about his failures in both combat and approach but, in deconstructing them, learns from his mistakes and shows his readers how they might do the same.

On the way, he learns to endure the hard knocks of Kyokushinkai, loosens up with Taekwondo, takes a sneaky interest in Boxing, then finds his Chi with the hard-soft school of Goju Ryu.

"Waking Dragons" is consistently entertaining, with surprisingly profound ponderings and some very witty moments. There are anecdotes from Goran's life peppered throughout the book, which either inform or are influenced by his interest in martial arts and its philosophy. These give "Waking Dragons" the easy momentum of a novel, rather than a self-help book, and build up to the subtly-referenced but pertinent revelation that he found true love in the Goyu Ryu dojo.

I bought this book a couple of days ago and didn't put it down till I finished it today. It is one of those rare books where the author really connects with his reader. In describing his own experiences, emotions, fears, and aspirations so clearly, the author articulates the elusive feelings that I am sure so many have had about there own lives and training.
He writes very modestly of his achievements and skill, which only serves to inspire even more. I recommend this to martial artists and non-martial artist alike, not only as a chance to take a glimpse into the mind of martial artists, but as a look at the power of the mind and spirit.

This brilliant book by Goran Powell (a British Karate 4th Dan), charts his history in martial arts from youngster doing Judo to 3rd Dan Karate expert taking the 30 man Kumite test. For those unfamiliar with the Japanese, Kumite essentially means sparring. Goran had to fight 30 opponents, each for one minute. Not only that, but these were full contact no holes barred fights against progressively tougher opponents.

Goran is a writer by trade so the book is well-written. Although mainly chronological, at certain points Goran jumps forward to record his views on others attempts to take the 30 man kumite test. This is riveting reading, bone-crunching punches and kicks are described in vivid detail, and you are left in no doubt about the difficulty of the test.

The other great moments in the book were when Goran discovered something totally new or different to do with his training, Karate or style. There are 3 or 4 of these revelations throughout the book and the experienced martial artist will probably have experienced the same sort of thing themselves.

For anybody who has studied martial arts this is essential reading.

Don't let the cartoonish cover fool you, this tome is as serious and substantive as any martial arts book that I have ever read, and I've read hundreds. It retells the author's pinnacle karate achievement, completing a 30-man kumite during which he successfully fought against 30 progressively skillful opponents in consecutive full contact bouts. Despite the fact that this feat is rarely undertaken, let alone pulled off, by even master martial artists, I found that the accomplishment is far less important for the reader than the way in which he got there.

His martial training began as a child with judo where he learned the fundamentals of fitness, balance, timing, and attitude. As a young man he switched to Kyokushinkai karate, taking on a full contact style that demonstrated the benefits of disciplined training and a strong spirit. Later on, tae kwon do taught him to relax, conserve energy, and flow with his techniques. Switching back to Goju Ryu karate he refined his posture and balance, learned the value of kata, and developed a refined sense of awareness. The sum of these experiences helped him develop the quintessential martial virtue, an indomitable spirit necessary to take on and overcome nearly any challenge, even the brutal 30-man kumite. He compares this spirit to a pilot light. No matter how battered and beaten you may become, with the right mental attitude your pilot light can still burn brightly. No opponent can ever reach in and blow it out.

The author's journey is one in which we can find great wisdom, information that all martial artists should know regardless of the length of their experience, the style they practice, or whether or not they ever intend to compete in full contact events. He makes full use of his formidable writing skills and martial knowledge, aptly demonstrating how he learned and grew through various trials and tribulations in a way that is entertaining, easy to read, and, thankfully, never self-aggrandizing or preachy. He demonstrates how he discovered the secrets of quickness and power, patience and perseverance, body mechanics and technique, in a way that anyone can truly appreciate, relate to, and learn from.

Very highly recommended!

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults and Martial Arts Instruction; co-author of The Way of Kata and The Way to Black Belt.

I looked this book up just to see if it was still available anywhere. I believe I bought it when it was published in 1981, and have probably read it at least once a year since then. Scary without being terrifying, hopeful without being simple - it's an excellent book! One of my all time favorites. I can't wait to read it to my children when they get a little older.

I can't imagine why more people (especially young people) aren't reading Alan Garner these days. His books, while still in print, aren't often found in the bookstores' active inventories anymore, which is a sad loss. Well, no matter -- you can get them through Amazon or (probably) at your local library. And you should, because they are wonderful!

I first read The Weirdstone of Brisingamen while in grade school, around the time I was discovering J.R.R. Tolkien and Lloyd Alexander. It's an exciting fantasy tale, the more so because it is woven into the hidden nooks and crannies of our own modern-day world -- unlike Tolkien and Alexander. You never know when you might look behind a standing stone, only to find a stromkarl chanting a spell, while other passersby would see nothing but a little man humming to himself ...

Colin and Susan are very likable young protagonists, and there are plenty of other characters -- both good and evil -- to keep the story engrossing. When I was young, I was terrified of the Mara and the Svart-alfar! And the Earldelving is enough to make anybody claustrophobic! The novel is full of surprises, excitement, and just good old fashioned adventure.

After many, many readings, I've come to appreciate what Garner's done from a more adult and "serious" standpoint -- integrating folkloric and mythological elements (particularly the Old Norse) into the fabric of a "modern" children's fantasy. Garner has much in common with Tolkien, Lewis, and the other Inklings, as well as Ursula K. Le Guin, Susan Cooper, and Lloyd Alexander.

But at the heart of it all, it's just great fantasy! Read it and see if you don't agree.

This is a delightful little book, and one that is guaranteed to keep young and old readers alike absorbed through a rainy afternoon. The author has a gift for story-telling and a lovely, slightly quaint style reminiscent of Tolkien or Lewis, and his sensitive use of language really helps to bring his vision and imagination to life. He also paints his scenery and setting beautifully, so that the reader is transported without much difficulty in to a world of dark mines and loathsome goblins, deep, mysterious woods and enchanted knights. Bring on the sequel!

This book although essentially for children is a wonderfully fast moving and magical chase across a landscape dotted with mystical creatures and races from past times, forgotten now in the minds of more sophisticated men. The story is based on the legend of Alderley that an ancient king and his knights sleep under the hill there awaiting the call that will come if ever the powers of darkness should threaten to overtake the land. The Wierstone of Brisingamen is an ancient, magic stone of such power that it keeps king, knights and their milk white steeds in a state of suspended animation, protected forever against the powers of evil who would destroy them and prevent their riding forth one day to do battle.... The stone has been lost and through a series of events it transpires that it belongs to a young girl called Susan who is now back at Alderly with the Wierdstone fastened to her slender wrist. This fact is not lost on the local witch, Selina Place, the Morrigan, a shape shifter out for power and who recognises the stone when she sees it one day. This draws the children into a series of terrifying circumstances as good and bad struggle to be the guardians of the powerful talisman. This tale is well paced and well written. It is full of good and bad characters whose struggle spills over into the world of mortal men and sweeps up the 2 children at the center of the story carrying them along on a tide of events which take them in and out of danger helped by their friend Gowther Mossock.....a somewhat grizzled old farmer who is still innocent enough of the worlds more cynical ways to be able to believe in the old ways, the magic ways..... Cadellin Silverbrow, the magician who had charge of the Wierdstone of Brisingamen and to his shame lost it, strides majestically through the story to a thrilling conclusion and a battle between the forces of good and evil It is a book which I read to my children many times and still enjoy myself today, it almost makes you believe that if you looked hard enough and in the right places that you would see the traces of those inhabitants of a world once familiar to Mankind, now sadly lost to all except those with the childlike ability to suspend disbelief. I thouroughly recommend this book

Wizards, dwarves, goblins and elves - Tolkien, right? Wrong. Alan "Weirdstone of Brisingamen," a spellbinding story in the true tradition of imaginative and inventive fantasy. Using various bits of Celtic and Norse mythology, Garner wound together an astounding story.

Colin and Susan, a pair of English schoolkids, are sent to Alderly for a six-month vacation with their mother's old nurse and her husband. Things start off normally enough, with the kids exploring the area and the myths, legends and superstitions surrounding it. But things begin to take an eerie turn when they encounter a spell-chanting old woman named Selina Place - and then a horde of svart-alfar, hideous and hostile goblins.

They are unexpectedly rescued by the wizard Cadellin, who is the keeper of a company of knights sleeping deep under Alderly. They will awaken at some time in the future, to combat the evil spirit Nastrond and his minions in the final, magical battle. There's just one problem: long ago, Cadellin lost the Weirdstone of Brisingamen, the magical jewel that bound the knights there in the first place. Susan realizes too late that the little misty teardrop gem in her bracelet is the Weirdstone - and it's been stolen. The kids team up with Cadellin, the dwarves Fenodyree and Durathror, the lios-alfar (elves), and their friend Gowther to find the Weirdstone - and save the world.

Written in the 1960s, this book effectively combines the English-schoolkids-swept-into-magical adventure subgenre with mythology and the overlap of our world with another. Garner's wizards, dwarves, elves and goblins are as legit as Tolkien's, as Garner draws heavily from mythos and legends. There are similarities to Tolkien's creations, but they are sufficiently different that not once do you feel the need to compare. Garner lifts from Norse and Celtic mythologies for this book (mentions of the Morrigan and Ragnarok are featured within pages of one another) and manages to cobble it together into a coherent and believable whole.

Alderly is effectively shown - from the moment the kids venture out of the farm, there is the sense that enchantment is thrumming through the land, and that a magical creature could be lurking nearby. The sense of atmosphere is somewhat stunted by the fact that we rarely hear the characters' thoughts, though, but such creatures as the svart-alfar and the lios-alfar are effective in the simple, evocative descriptions.

This is a book more for Tolkien fans than Diana Wynne-Jones fans. Though there are a few funny parts, it is overall a relentlessly serious book, with many of the characters using archaic-sounding language. Another good thing: the kids speak like twentieth-century preteens ("That WOULD have made a mess of things!") while such characters as Durathror speaking like warriors from centuries ago ("... for there I think it will be, and so to Fundindelve, where I shall join you if I may.") In addition, there is no cutesy magic or gimmickry, or casual magical elements popping up every page or two. The magic featured in here is deadly serious and very intense.

Colin and Susan are the archetypical kids-on-holiday-in-magical-place: brave, respectful, inquisitive, curious, and in completely over their heads. Cadellin is an excellent wizard, dignified and powerful but sufficiently human to be sympathetic, such as his reaction when he hears that the Weirdstone has been stolen from Susan. This guy deserves a seat right below Gandalf, and alongside Merlin, Ged and Ebenezum. The dwarves are serious and unusually cool-headed for the fantasy portrayal of dwarves; the lios-alfar are featured less prominently, but the "elves of light" passage is one of the most moving paragraphs in the book, both sad and beautiful.

The only problem with this book is its shortness, and its presence as only one of two. The tales of Alderly are so rich that you feel that Garner could have churned out fifty books and never grown stale. For fans of serious fantasy, this is a must-have.

This book was given to me by a friend, and I've found it to be very helpful as I juggle work and family demands! Its format lets you focus on one or more tips per day, with great suggestions on how to reduce stress in this ever-changing environment. This would be a great gift idea for anyone living with today's challenges!

I found this book to be very helpful in the daily struggles of Positive vs. negative. Nice to be able to find positive input after dealing with the negative people all day. Thanks for the relief.

What a motivator!! Great book that is full of common sense motivators that we all need from time to time. When I feel myself falling back into old habits I pick the book up and read a few pages and can feel the motivation return and I am ready to face any and all tasks be it at the office or at home. I recommend this book to everyone that needs to be motivated toward any task or to manage their time efficiently. It even gets me back on track with my exercise program! And best of all the book is small enough to fit in my briefcase or purse so I can have it with me all of the time (I travel quite a bit).

Very well written, I am so happy I found it!

I find myself going back and reading parts of this book whenever I feel that I am getting stressed out. It's has been a challenge for me that after I have read some of the Habits to remind myself that I am not too old to learn a new job or to walk away when there is a heated discussion or take a walk when I am stressed at work. This book has alot of good thoughts and ideas and it has helped me alot.And I hope more people would read it. I remind myself to stop and smell the roses more and I go to work with a smile on my face knowing that today is going to be a better day than yesterday. If not, then I stop and read a few pages from this book and smile. I thank you very much for this book and the others before it.

This book is a classic in its field. If you have ever known anyone with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) or have worried if you will , at some future or near date, get it yourself or are mildly interested in what it is all about - this is a must book. Geared to the lay population (and professionals can learn a lot from it too) it is a fast, easy read chock full of information offered up on an appetizing way for a subject that we all want to distance ourselves from - but cannot and should not. Offering direct, hands-on hints to family members, it is a concrete guide that no other book I know of has provided. As two professionals who have specialized in the field of aging, few in psychology do, teach it and write about it, we suggest it to all our students and family members who come to us in despair and leave with hope. Dr. Lenore Powell has given us all a gift. We owe her much thanks. Marcella Bakur Weiner, Ph.D. and William Weiner, Ph.D.

This book is a classic in its field. If you have ever known anyone with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) or have worried if you will , at some future or near date, get it yourself or are mildly interested in what it is all about - this is a must book. Geared to the lay population (and professionals can learn a lot from it too) it is a fast, easy read chock full of information offered up on an appetizing way for a subject that we all want to distance ourselves from - but cannot and should not. Offering direct, hands-on hints to family members, it is a concrete guide that no other book I know of has provided. As two professionals who have specialized in the field of aging, few in psychology do, teach it and write about it, we suggest it to all our students and family members who come to us in despair and leave with hope. Dr. Lenore Powell has given us all a gift. We owe her much thanks. Marcella Bakur Weiner, Ph.D. and William Weiner, Ph.D.

This book is a classic in its field. If you have ever known anyone with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) or have worried if you will , at some future or near date, get it yourself or are mildly interested in what it is all about - this is a must book. Geared to the lay population (and professionals can learn a lot from it too) it is a fast, easy read chock full of information offered up on an appetizing way for a subject that we all want to distance ourselves from - but cannot and should not. Offering direct, hands-on hints to family members, it is a concrete guide that no other book I know of has provided. As two professionals who have specialized in the field of aging, few in psychology do, teach it and write about it, we suggest it to all our students and family members who come to us in despair and leave with hope. Dr. Lenore Powell has given us all a gift. We owe her much thanks. Marcella Bakur Weiner, Ph.D. and William Weiner, Ph.D.

I liked this book because it addresses the emotional devastation of Alzheimers as well as the physical, legal, and domestic arrangements. There is an entire chapter devoted to anger, another to depression, and another to fear. I found this to be right on target.

Baby Boot Camp had such encouraging words for me physically, mentally, and spiritually. With Rebecca's personal testimonies I felt like I was laughing and crying right along with her. She also reminded me every day of the first six weeks with my newborn baby who I should depend on to help me get through each day, Jesus Christ. I feel so blessed to have had Baby Boot Camp for the beginning of my journey into motherhood. I have also enjoyed reading back through it as my newborn turns into a toddler. Very Inspiring!

Baby Boot Camp is a great daily devotional for moms of newborns. It is full of humor, godly wisdom and encouragement for new and experienced moms. This book is a must for every lady as she begins the journey of motherhood. Rebecca Powell is a gifted writer!

I encourage every new mother to read this book. The daily devotions are filled with encouragement, humor and wisdom. Having a baby is a wonderful yet exhausting experience. The first six weeks of motherhood is literally Boot Camp! What a wonderful concept. I was amazed to see how each day related to exactly what I was going through. Some days I laughed, some days I cried, but every day I was thankful to know that someone had completed Boot Camp before me and that yes, it can be done.

If you are a new or soon to be new mom, this is for YOU. If I had only had "Baby Boot Camp" when we brought home our little bundle of joy, things would have been simpler. Reading this inspired book will not only give you information you need, but it will also lift your spirit.