Ray Books

This is the ultimate Simpsons fan's book. It has all of The Simpsons seasons 1-8 in air-order, so you won't have any problem finding them. There are a lot of pictures and colors as well. There are even a list of Homer's D'ohs, Couch Gags, and Chalkboard Gags for every episode. This is well worth the money you pay for it; definitely should be bought by any simpaholic.

I bought this book when it first came out, and have re-read it often (fully, and partially) since then. It is an excellent reference for any "Simpsons" fan for the first eight seasons of the show. The pages are full of episode summaries, quotes, and trivia facts from the show. It also offers profiles of characters, and a list of who does what voice. A great source if you cannot remember what guest celebrity voiced a character or any other information like that. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys the "Simpsons" and wants to know more about the episodes.

Almost everything you could ever think to ask about The Simpsons is in this book. What was Bart writing on the chalkboard in "that one episode"? It's in here. The plots, inside jokes, behind the scenes tales and more await in this excellent resource for fans. This book harkens from the Conan O'Brien-era prime of the series, up to about the late 90's, when the quality (sadly) slipped big time. This was the golden age of The Simpsons, back before the series "became a cartoon." (Anyone who was a fan back in the day knows just what I mean.)

The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family is probably the best book on the Simpsons that I've read. It includes, and I am taking this right from the cover, characters, episodes, and secret jokes you might have missed from seasons 1 thru 8. The book was created by Matt Groening and edited by Ray Richmond. It details each episode and even has extras: The Shorts; Homer Says, "D'oh..."; Homer Says, "Mmm..."; Couch Gags; Seen around Springfield; An Itchy & Scratchy Filmography; Who Does What Voice; and Merchandising, Thy Name Is Krusty.

The books dedication even reads:
TO THE LOVING MEMORY OF
SNOWBALL I:
WE HOPE THAT
THEY CHANGE YOUR CATBOX
IN KITTY HEAVEN MORE OFTEN
THAN WE DID DOWN HERE.

My favorite saying in the book is on p. 64, "When Flanders Failed":
"Hey, Barteleeboobely, care for a steak-a-rooney?" Homer, to Bart as he cooks on the grill that used to belong to Fladners.

I definetly reccomend purchasing this book.

I found this book so soothing. If you love the Simpsons, you will love this book. You can relive the most hilarious quotes of the series in the most convienient manner possible. No need to search through DVD's to hear Homer say, "It takes two to lie, Marge. One to lie, and one to listen." Instead, you can flip through this book and relive all your favorite moments. I read it over and over and over again. It is well worth its price.

The information David shares in 14 Qualities of Successful Musicians, Songwriters, and Music Business Professionals is very useful, especially for someone like me who has just started her own business working with musicians and music industry professionals. I plan to put into action many of the suggestions David as made and am excited to watch my business grow and succeed! LB

14 Qualities of Successful Musicians, Songwriters, and Music Business Professionals

I thought this was a good, solid presentation of 14 qualities that all musicians need. I am a pretty tough customer and I can't say that I disagree with any information the author provides. I would recommend this to the beginning musician as well as anyone interested in bettering themselves in the music industry.

David Hooper delivers his 14 qualities of successful musicians in a way that is clear, concise and most importantly- extremely practical and eye-opening. The industry secrets he lays out almost make you feel like you're cheating the business or gaining years of experience in one fell swoop. I had never heard of David Hooper before coming across this but I will definitely be checking out his other products to see what else he has in store. Highly recommended.

I bought it recently and found it worthy to keep in my library.It was a great buy along with a couple of manuals I purchased from Musicbrains.net entitled the Indie label Kit on Amazon, Music business 101, future of music and Guide to releasing an independent record by Tim Sweeney.

I just got my copy of this CD and I listened to it immediatly. David Hooper, gives lots of great ideas for being successful in music and any business, or life. Some of the things he talked about re-affirmed what I had been doing, but he gave enough 'new' ideas to really kick my music career to the next level!

Susan told a remarkable story of her life as a child bride. It is truly amazing what these women and children have to go through and Susan takes you right into their world. Awesome book.

Excellent read. It really held my attentiona and I had a hard time putting it down. It was fascinating, compelling, educational and very interesting.

This book was very well written and kept my interest. It is terrible that such brainwashing in the name of religion is going on. It was a miracle that she and her chldren were able to escape. I enjoyed this book very much.

I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. I took it with me on vacation and found myself buried in the book on the beach instead of buried in the sand. Being a fan of the HBO show Big Love I wanted to do some reading and research on the subject of polygamy to shed some light on certain things in the show I could not understand. This helped tremndously. I even began reading it out loud to my husband.

A very interesting and sad side of false religion and how easily Scripture is twisted to fit man's rules, not God's commands. It is really sad that people actually think pologamy is what God wants anyone to participate in. It is sad as well as disgusting how cults work and have their way with women and men alike. Just because some man thinks he is hearing God when all he ever heard were demons giving him false facts.
To start a whole religion on lies is NOT GOD and certainly not the JESUS who is the TRUE SAVIOUR! And as if that isn't bad enough, then more men come along and start more lies and another cult branched off the first cult of the LDS movement which robs even more people of eternal life in Christ and in heaven reigning with Him!

I have not read the book yet, but think that I want to. I am 75 years old and remember how much I enjoyed my grade school teachers reading books to my class.

There was a feature article in the Sunday Nov. 10, 2008 issue of the Saint Petersburg Times Newspaper Written by Times Staff Writer Jeff Klinkenberg. The title is 'The Lion's Paw' by Robb White holds its grip on old Florida

Here is a link if you would like to read the article

[...]

I learned of this adventure story from a cousin and my brother some years ago.I bought it at ebay for a good investment.It is a great Florida adventure that was read by many teachers in the 60's.I thought what a great shame that the book was out of print for later generations to enjoy.I was delighted to learn it is in print again.That is why I bought a new edition of this book.It is well worth the time to read it to future generations of adventurers.

This is an absolutly incredible book!!!
I bought it for my son on his fifth birthday and read it aloud to my kids while on a boat trip. I loaned it to a friend of mine and my son said "please don't loan that book because it is one of my favorites". Needless to say I never got the book back, the person said they never borrowed it. I had told my son I would buy him a new copy if anything happened to his book. When I went to buy a new copy they were going for $400 with library stamps in them. The cheapest copy I found for $240, I bought and it was all molded so I sent it back.
I am so glad I waited and this was reprinted. This is a beautiful copy just like my original and I bought four this time. I still remember every detail from the first read of this great adventure story!

I first bought this book as a paperback from the Book Service in 5th grade, that was 43 years ago. Having lost the book many years ago I have searched all over to find an affordable copy to share with my children. Now Robb White's daughter has begun reissuing copies of her Dad's books to my great delight. This book still remains one of my all-time favorites, telling the story of 3 runaways on a sloop in southern Florida. If you want a book to share with your children I can think of none better than "The Lion's Paw". I also recommend another Robb White classic, "Up Periscope".

This legendary children's classic was first published in 1946 and then reprinted as paperbacks into the 1960's; a plain hardback edition subsequently came out in 1985. The paperbacks, even tattered, have sold - when you could find them - for fifty or eighty dollars or more and the 1985 hardback (originally $15) for around $150. The first edition commanded a price in the hundreds. Now an excellent facsimile of the original hardback is available at a reasonable price and is available for new generations of children (maybe some of the baby-boomers who first read it, too). What a tremendous accomplishment!

Now I'm convinced.

After reading this book, my main concern was "can I do this". After reading, I'm not only excited, but truly convinced that almost anyone with a brain can do what the book reveals.

Thank you Amazon and thank you Ray West.

JC

I just finished reading the book and I'm beyond stunned! It's undoubtedly the most actionable, simple, surefire program I have ever seen. You could not pay me 10 times to give it back!

I read so many books on breaking into the adult film business...I even spent $1,297 on this course from www.adultfilmmaking.com, the "only" online adult film school, which was a total rip off. This book by Ray West and one other one that I downloaded off the internet for $80 have been the ONLY two books I've read that actually give legitimate, usable information on how make money in this business. I don't understand the negative reviews on this book. Yes, the book has grammical and spelling errors but if readers aren't able to overlook that for the information it offers then they probably should stick to their 9 to 5 job anyway. If you're interested in getting into the adult business profitably and successfully, you need all the resources you can get. This book is one valuable resource to get you started. If you're a bible-thumper looking for ways to condemn this industry then you're probably the ones who are degrading the content of this book. Why waste your time? Get this book if you want to make money in this business.

The book was great to read and very informative. the speed of Delivery was also a plus. It was at my door with in a week. can't complain about that. GOOD JOB!

This book was a blast to read. I heard about Ray West from a forum as being a guru to adult film making. After reading, I know why! Eventhough his book is 2001, I am going after his new stuff. I just can't imagine as a film maker how much fun this book has brought to my life. Ray West, you are a true genius.

Ms. Ray is the best. I've read several of her books....all but one in this series. I think this one was the best. I love her humor. This book had me screeming in sections-crying in others. This whole series should be made into a mini-series or soap opera. Great story Ms. Ray

Again, I must say that I am so enjoying this Falcon/Grayson series. Daniel Falcon was an interesting character. He was perfect - handsome, rich, diverse background and confident (or arrogant). I loved the way the author revealed his softer side, as he didn't realize he actually had one. It's amazing when a man finally realizes he's in Love. The relationship between the characters was intense and humurous at times. If you haven't read this series - get with it.

Francis Ray brings back Daniel Falcon from Only Hers but this time Daniel finds himself intrigued by someone he considers off limits. Daniel Falcon found out that fighting love was something that fate would not accept with his creep of the night yet honorable ways Daniel thought he would fall in love with two of his close friends' sister but Madelyn Taggert had some thing to say about it.

Madelyn Taggert had been in awe with Daniel since first seeing a picture of him but never had she met him in real life until one unforgettable day in not the best condition did she literally run into him but after finding out who Daniel really was he didn't know what to do with herself.

Daniel & Madelyn went through trial and tribulations to only finish their story of with a triumphant ending.

Francis Ray is amazing! That's all I can say. Any book i see with her name i just know it's going to be good. Of course she didn't disappoint me. In Heart of the Falcon, Madelyn Taggart who grew the little sister of some very influential brothers decides to venture out own her own. In comes Daniel Falcon who is a family friend whom she happens to like a lot. She finally gets next to him but he fears a relationship. Now she has to gety him to accept their relationship or risk losing the one man she will ever love.

I've been engrossed with the whole Taggart/Falcon/Grayson series...reading them all in order and I wasn't disappointed with "Heart of the Falcon" -- what a story! Daniel Falcon is a FINE but, stubborn man and Madelyn "Addie" Taggart knew that from day one. She had no fear and took the risk of falling for her brothers' -- Kane and Matt -- good friend. Daniel, a true lady's man, was against love and marriage and swore against both. Strong willed and determined, Madelyn knew she loved Daniel and she put everything on the line to prove that she was the one he needed. She succeeded. Ms. Ray has become a favorite of mine because of her strong character development and the way she makes you hang on to every word, every glance and every kiss. Much respect to you, Ms. Ray.

In my home, if you don't love Jane Austen you just don't fit in. I support my mother who has loved Jane Austen since childhood, having read every one of her novels many, many times. I, myself, have only read them a few times. Not only has my mother read Jane's novels, but also read just about every biography written about her and the letters Jane shared with her sister and other family members. I really thought there was nothing left in the realm of Jane Austen that my mother might enjoy until I saw this book in the library. With a title like "Jane Austen for Dummies" I was a little hesitant. However, as my mother read the book, cross referenced the material with data in the biographies and letters and the re-read the novels I learned that this book was well done and a must have.

For those who are not quite so in to Jane Austen as my mother, let me share with you some of what this book contains. You learn about the do's and don'ts of society in the 1800s. You learn about child rearing and parties and how young ladies behaved in company. After you read this book and then watch one of the Hollywood movies based on a Jane Austen novel you'll shout out loud "She would NEVER do that!". You might even attempt to read some of Austen's novels with a new understanding of her wit and charm. Even if you don't care for Jane Austen novels, if you enjoy the occasional "historical" novel, read through this book. You'll enjoy it immensely and get a chuckle as you see modern authors subtle mistakes.

"Jane Austen For Dummies", by Joan Klingel Ray, manages to be a gentle introduction to Jane Austen for those unfamiliar with her work, and a goldmine of interesting information for those already addicted to her novels.

In carefully chosen, sometimes tongue-in-cheek prose, Ray introduces the reader to Miss Jane Austen, the author. We find out why her carefully crafted novels have been such a continuing success all these many years. We learn the social manners and customs that underlay her romantic comedies. We discover the harsh realities of the politics of courtship that provide the drama in the lives of Jane Austen's distinctive heroines. At the end of the book, Joan Klingel Ray offers her opinions on the sequel novels and various film adaptations of Jane Austen's work. Although dated 2006, Ray was able to forecast the productions aired on PBS Masterpiece Theater in 2008.

Ray uses the "...For Dummies" format to good effect. The student in a hurry can scan through the principal points, while the Jane Austen fan may wish to linger over some of the trivia and the literary criticism. Although the popular novels "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma" get their due, so do the more complex "Mansfield Park" and the rather abbreviated "Persuasion", written when Austen was already suffering from the disease that killed her. This reviewer thoroughly enjoyed the tour, although he wishes Ray had been a little less harsh on the visually lush but compressed storyline of the 2005 film version of "Pride and Prejudice."

"Jane Austen For Dummies" is very highly recommended as a study guide for high school and college English Lit students, and for Jane Austen fans looking for the next good read.

This is an awesome book. Everything you ever wanted to know about Jane Austen, her novels and the customs, environment, habits, etc. for the settings of her novels as well as for the setting of her own background is in this book. I practically read it from cover to cover when I first sat down with it. I had gotten it from my local library, read it, told a friend about it, loaned the library copy to her, bought my own copy. She read it from cover to cover also - couldn't put it down. Fascinating!!

Answers such questions as:
Why were some ladies/'Ladys' referred to by their last name and why were some referred to by their first name - i.e. Lady Jane or Lady Smitherman (if the lady was a LADY and her name was Jane Smitherman)?

What was the MAIN indicator re: whether a man was wealthy or not?

Lots of information defining each main character of each of her 6 main novels throughout the book.

If you are a Jane Austen aficionado or just want to know more about her and/or her writings - GET THIS BOOK!

A fantastic, light, accessible, engaging, and easy-to-read guide to Jane Austen, her life, her world, her novels, and her impact on our world. I have read all of Jane's books and some of her biographies, but this book still provided new information for me, explaining things I only had a vague idea about (concerning her characters and the world/manners). Whether traveling through Gregorian England or contemporary England, this book is a real help. My only complaint is that the author does do some interpretation of Jane that I might disagree with (i.e. characters, etc.) without making it clear that it was interpretation. Otherwise, a great read, for both the seasoned reader and the reader just beginning to dabble in Jane. I definitely will be recommending this one to friends. Grade: A-

Interesting background. More indept than I thought as it included societal and economic restraints

I just happened to finish reading Ray Fraser's "Featherless Wings" and wanted to see how his book was doing on amazon.com. As is habit, I checked all his books for rankings. You can imagine my surprise when I saw the review from the reader in Vermont.

It would appear that the writer was a woman, but one can never tell. The reviewer has a note that says "check all my reviews." Before you accept their opinion of this book, check their other reviews. They don't like anything. In fact, the only thing they like is the book light which they reviewed.

Some people live lives of quiet desperation. It appears this reviewer has more problems than even Sean Thomas could handle. Everyone I know who has read Ray's books, loves them.

Do yourself a favor and pass on the Vermont reviewer's opinion.

I rated this book some time ago and by chance saw that my one star review is no longer here. I wonder why? This book is totally unbelieveable. I trust some of Mr. Fraser's followers have been writing in all of these glowing 5 star reviews. Notice how many are short and don't have substance in the review? As a mystery and suspense reader I was sucked into buying this book by these apparent glowing reviews. What a mistake, don't waste your money. There's a reason hack writers self publish.

Tantalisingly wonderful until the end...I read it in one sitting..could not put it down...excellent writing.

The book started out like a short story from high school. The author was blunt and forward. But it soon grabbed my attention, the characters became real, the plot riveting. The story had twists and turns some I saw coming others I didn't. I recommend this book to those who like mysteries and suspense. I can't wait to read the next book.

Ray is not only a gifted spirit medium, he's also a great writer. A Change Called Death will keep your heart pounding as you race to turn to the next page. This book has it all, and the ending will take you completely by surprise.

Hat's off to Mr. Elliott for putting together such a true to life story about young boys coming of age after WWII . He takes you back in time to when life was simple but harder . A story about an area and time not so much different from my own childhood in the midwest .Sedwick had me asking myself , why I hadn't talked to my own father more about his own WWII experiences when I had the chance The book is filled with elements of both joy and sadness .Along with some thoughts to live by.I found a lot of pleasure in reading this book, and I hope to find out how John Walters does in life as an adult .

I lived in Mr. Elliot's geographical and emotional era, and shared with many others his source of inspiration. The elders of our era greatly affected our lives, as they had fought the great wars, and lived through the great depression.

Ray does an excellent job of describing the feelings of those who lived through those times. His local descriptions are true to his early formative years, both in the people and the farms and small villages that surrounded him. Reading this book reveals an insight into the source of the values of people who live in mid-America.

As I read the book, I kept thinking about Thomas Wolfe's "You Can't Go Home Again", as the style of melding autobiography and fiction is similar. Not only is the style similar, the quality of descriptive passages and the expression of personal philosophy urges the reader to become personally involved in the book.

Ray shows us through this work that our lives today are not that much different from the 1950's, it was just that our lives now move at such a much faster pace and those threats that seemed so far away back then are now much closer and personal.

Just as the general store that is presented in this book is now torn down, and the bridges described are replaced by modern structures, this way of life is also gone. Read this book to learn what formed all of us into what we have become, and discover more about our common roots. The people that are described are the people that helped make America great, the people who helped secure our liberty in the past.

Ray Elliott's novel brought to life many characters and events from my roots and childhood experiences in a similar Midwest rural environment. Vivid characterizations made the storyline especially poignant for me. I heard the author speak in the fall of 2005 @ The Memphis Peabody Hotel on a panel with Larry Heinemann and Ron Kovic (who was connected via a conference phone line) during a James Jones Literary Society symposium. The author's empathetic and perceptive analysis of people, places and events from WWII through the Vietnam era were astounding. I highly recommend this novel and I look very forward to Mr. Elliott's next novel which I understand gives a treatment to the characters and drama of Iwo Jima.

With „Wild Hands Toward the Sky" Elliott closes the circle from Mailers „The Naked and the Dead" and James Jones` „The Thin Red Line". He shows us the fears, hopes, feelings and problems of those who stayed home and those who came back from WWII. For me, as a student of American Studies in Frankfurt, Germany, „Wild Hands Toward the Sky" also gave me an excellent insight to language of the Midwest.

Ray Elliot's novel is an interesting first work in very much the same way as James Jones's THEY SHALL INHERIT LAUGHTER. Although the style is more accomplished and even than his predecessor's first unpublished work, WILD HANDS TOWARD THE SKY perhaps contains too much descriptive detail rather than a distinctive voice the author should work towards. But, despite containing problems affecting every novelist's first work, WILD HANDS TOWARDS THE SKY remains memorable as a insightful chronicle of southern Illinois in the postwar period and a record of a lifestyle which will change as succeeding decades pass.

EllIot adopts a realistic style to narrate his own version of a touching "Bildungsroman" romance of a young boy who has has lost a father he never knew during World War Two and surrounded by a walking wounded community of survivors and bereaved relatives. Although one might see traces of Bobbie Ann Mason's IN COUNTRY, Elliot wisely avoids the "don't mean nothing" syndrome which can lead to ahistorical, postmodernist appropriation. The war has meant everything to its survivors who sympathize with the bereaved John Walter. Although they do not engage in "Phony War" stories, they act as moral guardians of a growing boy doing their utmost to deglamorize war using everyday, low key statements in the hope that he will learn indirectly from their experiences.

Southern Illinois is, of course, the home territory of James Jones whose influence casts a deep shadow over this novel both by reference to the man himself and the deep changes every character faces in the novel whether they have participated directly in the conflict or not. Ray Elliot charts his own direction but acknowledges indirectly the important role of his predecessor. WILD HANDS TOWARD THE SKY is an important novel of local history. Hopefully, it will represent the first in a series of works where the writer will explore themes more intuitively with the development of his own particular style which will come by constant practice over the years. This novel definitely represents a "first" and deserves acclaim as an important achievement in its own right. But a "first" often leads to much better things and this novel reveals a promise which the author will probably fulfil in his later works in the fullness of time.

This is the book I read in bed at night while planning my next bike ride. Most of the rides you can make your way with no map. I like to try to follow the hand drawn maps. I like weird challenges though.

However, for longer rides don't rely on the maps from any guide book. Get topo maps and a compass (or gps). Ray recommends when to bring a compass and map. Buy this book and follow Ray's advice. Enjoy.

Well organized by city, this book provides great usable maps for trail-finding and sets expectations appropriately for each trail experience. Latest edition adds some new trails and accurately reflects the changing trail landscape in Phoenix due to continued land development.

I'm a Flagstaff native and now living in Tucson. I STILL use this guide and carry it like a bible... it is, hands down, the best trail guide I've found. The information is presented in a clear and consise manner, with humor and great illustrations. When Cosmic Ray says that you will most likely ask "This is a trail???" (ie Airport Loop in Sedona) he is correct. Yes the maps may *seem* playful and rough, but they ARE spot-on... don't let them fool you.

As with ANY riding in Arizona... come prepared. Plenty of water, tools, extra tubes (did I mention extra tubes?) and Cosmic Rays.

This is my 6th copy of Cosmic Ray's Trail guide. I tend to give copies to friends headed to Arizona for Bike vacations.

For me, Ray's trail guides have been a wonderful blend of humor and useful information. The trail descriptions have been very accurate and always includes additional information or some nice tips.

In numerous trips to Arizona, I've riden most of the trails mentioned in Flagstaff, Sedona, Phoenix and Tucson. My trail experiances have always accurately matched Ray's description.

If you are looking for a boring technical manual or something for GPS navigation, this book is not for you. This book is really about fun and enjoying some great new trails. Ray's descriptions will give you more than enough information to experience the trail for yourself.

Every time I return to Arizona, I pickup the latest version. This is the Arizona trail bible.

For what it's worth, you also need Topo's, good equipment and supplies. On the trail, things can happen and you need to be prepared.

I am sorry Mr. Rawlins got lost, but keep in mind that my cartoony maps are traced from topos. They are to scale, oriented north and include many details and tips not found on topo maps. He says he got lost on every ride. Interesting. That's not what I hear from other riders. In fact, many, if not most of the rides in my book are SIGNED. Mr. Rawlins must not be paying attention. About "Rating The Rides". It is not possible to rate rides to satasfy every rider. Riders vary greatly in ability. On page 3 of my book there is an entire page devoted to "Rating The Rides" explaining exactly how I arrive at the ratings. Mr. Rawlins should try reading the book he is reviewing.