Reed Books

This is the most wonderful book of poetry. Haiti is a troubled beauty, and these poems reveal the soul and spirit of the Haitian people who create art from ashes and dust. Erzulie.

When reading this book you can feel the author's attachment to Haiti and its people. Some of the imagery that is invoked by this poetry is very poignant and makes a political statement. After reading some of these poems I feel have a better understanding of Haiti -different from any understanding I have gotten from news media. Not all the poems are about Haiti. The author definitley has a point of view and expresses it very eloquently.

I hadn't read poetry in 20 years and am so glad I bought this collection. It is a delightful mix of playful, romantic and dramatic. Excellent writing. This is a collection that you will want to keep on your bedside table or coffee table to pick up when you have a time to relax and enjoy some excellent prose.

Don't miss this writer or this book.

from the publisher's web site - Under the Fig Tree encompasses a wide range of topics, from love to humor to world events.

"Under the Fig Tree," by Emily Reed, is an inspiring collection of poetry commemorating one woman's journey through life, and the words pour out of her heart with perfect rhyme and reason. This fine collection of poems ignites the senses and tells a story, thus making it a memorable reading experience.

In modern society, poetry is often treated like a second-class citizen to fiction, possibly even third class, if you add non-fiction to the mix. It is common for small lesbian presses to discourage poets since the market makes it difficult to cover their expenses. There are calls for submissions, for example, in erotica anthologies, which will consider poetry, but not encourage it. Unfortunately, the demand for poetry has dwindled, and one cannot fault publishers for giving readers what they want and for not embarking on a risky venture. However, Reed's collection in Under the Fig Tree has something for everyone. Reed writes about love, lust, hatred, and fear, in a way that's easy to assimilate and difficult to dismiss.

I admit guilt when it comes to seeking poetry for my personal library, but it's time to rekindle the desire for this oft forgotten art form, which isn't as easy to write as it looks. "Under the Fig Tree" is a great place to start because it gives even the most resistant poet in all of us a dose of magic in a way we can relate to, because the power and beauty touches our heart.
Reed's style is catchy; it reads like the lyrics to a favorite song. Her poetry gets right to the point. She doesn't beat around the bush, unless you want her to, as in the erotic poem, The Burning Bush.

The Burning Bush (poetry reproduced with expressed permission by the author)
I took my shoes from off my feet,
I took the rest off too
I stood before the burning bush
Prepared to worship you.
I knelt down on my knees in awe
I bent my head down low
I looked upon the burning bush
And felt the fire grow.
I put my hand inside the fire
I felt the scorching heat
I felt the flames engulfing me
With no thought of retreat.
I ventured then to taste the fire
I licked the tongues of flame
I worshipped at the burning bush
Not stopping 'til you came.
I saw the bush was not consumed
Although it burned with fire
It must indeed be holy ground
The font for my desire.

Some critics would say that any poem which is easy to understand in its entirety, and that doesn't make learned scholars spend countless decades pondering the true meaning as intended by the author has less literary merit. Clearly, they have not read poetry merely for the joy of melodious words, the raw emotions with which she speaks, such as Emily Reed writes in Under the Fig Tree. Nor have they come away with Reed's pleasingly metrical verse, which inspires the reader to look at poetry in a different light. Poems so powerful in their message, as in Regrets.

Regrets
Our mortality nips at our heels
But fools that we are, we ignore it
We see it strike out at our friends
And then we decry and abhor it.
We squander our time on this earth
We waste precious moments we're given
But thinking of her at death's door
I wonder. By what are we driven?
By plans to accumulate cash
By living for others' opinion
By hoping to live out our dreams
Before we approach Death's dominion.
But the future is not guaranteed
And Death lies around the next corner
I don't want to die with regrets
I cry for myself as I mourn her.

The careful way Reed assembled the poems speaks clearly of an underlying mission to tell a story, to depict the journey. From chapter one, Dates, as in the dried fruit, but really, the synonym, courtship rituals, are delicacies that build to sustenance. Dates to pomegranates to vines, figs, olives, and finally to wheat and barley surely provides substance.

For poems that speak of truth, offer hope, try to make sense of the injustices of the world, and make you feel, don't pass the poetry by where it sits upon a shelf. Do something totally worthwhile for yourself. Read "Under the Fig Tree" by Emily Reed, you'll be glad that you did, you'll be glad you listened to me. But don't take my word for it. Find out for yourself. Next time you're in a book-buying mood, take "Under the Fig Tree" order it.

If you're looking for a great thriller to add to your reading list, you have to get this book! Join two detectives and a reporter in hunting a serial killer with a passion for watching his victims sleep and leaving a glass rose as a calling card. Read this book with the lights on! You won't be able to put it down. It will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you with chills. I heard a rumor there is a sequel coming. I can't wait!

Imagine yourself living alone in a rather weird apartment building with equally weird characters as neighbors while a madman roams the city, killing people and removing parts of their bodies. His victims seem to be selected at random and the parts he takes seem to have no relationship with each other. August Summers joins forces with police detective Bobby Beckett, the officer in charge of the investigation of the strange killings, after they find they have more than one thing in common. August might become the killer's next victim and Bobby is working to prevent just that. More than just a mystery, this tale carries with it a mood that matches that of the original Psycho movie, unexpected and unpleasant surprises for the characters, but just that perfect touch of horror to keep the reader turning those pages. Set in New York City, the story is played out mostly in the darker hours while the city sleeps uneasily, not knowing and worrying where the killer will strike next. This is a book you won't want to put down. Enjoy.

A concise biography that details the trajectory of the Velvet Underground month-by-month, year-by-year, as the group evolves from Lou Reed's pop-rock roots to Andy Warhol patronage and art-rock noise, through a subdued, confessional third album and finally, "despite all the amputations," to rock'n'roll. Victor Bockris has written a witty, detailed story full of the band's personal turmoil, drug use, and ego-fueled confrontations, focusing on the art of the music and the band's struggle for commercial success in equal measure. It's filled with great black-and-white photographs that capture a band as interested in its own look as its music. This is much more than a fan's book, and ought to dispel any notion of the monolithic "peace and love" image of Sixties' music.

But this book. The author does a tremendous job of exposing Lou Reed's life, his triumphs and his failings. You will not find a better Lou Reed biography anywhere

"The Verdict" was such a pleasure to read. It was smoothly written, not overbearing with "law" talk, and kept my attention completely. Only a lawyer can write a book like this, and Barry Reed proves that. The characters' personal life do not overpower the story, so as not to take away from the law case, but just enough information is given about them to understand their law abiding/not law abiding ways, and the transformation of Galvin just makes you cheer for the underdog. I was apprehensive about reading a novel about law, but the courtroom chapters were absolutely invigorating, and the dialogue was natural and unpretentious. I thoroughly recommend.

The Verdict was one of the most believable books I have read. I knew immediately that the author had to be knowledgeable in both fields of law and medicine. The plot was believable, so much so that I had to remember that it was fiction. The story took hold of me from the start and I found the book hard to put down. The main character, Galvin began as someone I had no respect for but as the story progressed, I actually began to like him for his undying pursuit of the truth and justice. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a real courtroom drama. I'll look forward to reading other books by Barry Reed.

This book was produced by the Borden Institute which writes the Textbooks of Military Medicine for the Army Medical Department (AMEDD). It is a series of case studies from surgeons deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Each case presented begins with a narrative that describes how the wounded patient arrived and the care they received followed by teaching points from the surgeons who cared for the patients and then a section that describes best practices for surgeons who encounter similar situations including contemporary damage control techniques.

The foreward is written by Bob Woodruff who was critically injured in Iraq and who was evacuated to a military hospital in Iraq where he received life saving neurosurgery. In addition to describing his care he pointedly states, "it is our dream that the attention to the wounded remains as focused in the long journey to heal as it is in those white-hot moments in the surgical theater when nothing is spared to save a life."

The book is beautifully illustrated with over 450 color photographs. The pictures accompany the cases described and are dramatic but will be disturbing to some. Often, the pictures show the initial injuries and in some cases "after" pictures show the patients when they have recovered from their wounds. These photos were taken by the surgeons themselves at various stages of the patient's care.

Beyond its obvious usefulness in preparing surgeons for combat, the book also uniquley demonstrates what war surgery is, and the great work that medical personnel of the United States Armed Forces perform. It is in many ways the story of their war.

The Authors and Editors of this book have really put together an outstanding piece of work that should not only be extremely useful to military and civilian trauma surgeons but will also stand alone as a document to the incredible work being done in the current conflicts. (Disclaimer: - although I am not a listed contributor, I did help take care of some of the patients listed in the book)

This is a great resource for surgeons (especially if it has been a while since they were immersed in trauma) to look over on the 14+ hour flight to Kuwait. While it cannot cover every single injury that may be faced downrange, it will certainly cover the majority of situations and definitely get the trauma mindset in gear. Other great reads on that flight include Top Knife: Art and Craft in Trauma Surgeryand Operative Trauma Management.

There was some minor controversy regarding the publishing of this book (mostly due to the photographs and some descriptions of the mechanism of the injuries) but I am glad the Army Surgeon General supported this book and that it is available. Time will only tell what long term medical and surgical advances will come from this war, but this book is an excellent start.

Seriously, I love this book. If you snowboard, you absolutely must own it; and if you don't, at least you can score some extra sex appeal points by displaying this baby proudly in your collection. Before I read this, I had never before realized how interesting history can be. While that sounds corny, I say it because I was calling my friends, saying, "Oh my god, listen to this" and sharing passages, quotes from riders, and other facts that this book unveils expertly. Yay, snowboarding has a history now.
Snowboarding is my favorite sport, and I say honestly that this is the best snowboard book I have ever read... Okay, it's the only one I've ever read, because it was the first one to actually capture my attention enough for me to finish it (I mean, think about it, you know that snowboarders don't read during ski season).
I liked it so much that I am getting a few as Christmas/Hanukkah gifts for my friends on the UCLA snowboard team as well. Don't tell them though, or you'll ruin the surprise.

I really enjoyed going from back to snowboardings roots then ending up where we are today.... I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the ride or just looking for a good read.

"An intense word-born excursion to the past. To the very beginning of it all. In long profound and passionate whole chapters of verse Reed probes, withdraws, extends and flings forword metaphoric observations of the creation and "Where you have been?" ... (An) inspired telling of the journey (we all took) from Darkness to Light..."

The Book Reader (Spring/Summer 1999)

I find "We The Angels" to be one of those rare books that I will read and re-read over and over. It is so beautifully written and it touches some deep inner part of me that responds with vivid images, remembrances and exraordinarily lucid dreams. Thank you Howard!

Although this book has chapters devoted to people with no credit or bad credit, this new book tells how people can get a home loan - at competitive rates - that might not have any money for down payment or closing costs, regardless of credit history.

I'm in the real estate business and thought I had heard it all but this book points out strategies that I didn't know existed. Perhaps the best sections are those which address people with damaged credit and how to not just shop around for the best loan but maybe more importantly how to protect themselves from "bad" loan officers who are only in the business to take advantage of someone and charge super high rates and fees.

I bought several copies of this book to give to clients who think they can't buy a home. Then wait for their phone call!

I meet lots of first time home buyers who have bad or no credit. Often times they are frustrated and start to assume that most lender and brokers don't want to deal with them. What this book does is open up those options.

I let one of my clients borrow this book. He came back to me and felt more confident with his decision to pursue to signing the papers.

I have read almost every anthology that Alyson Books has released, and I have to say that this is the best one so far. I especially enjoyed "Not Destined to Be A Classic" and am really looking forward to Michelle Sawyer's novel after reading this. Her story was a real hoot and is kind of like Sex In The City. Very slick. There's another story about a gym teacher that has this great sexual tension. All in all, this book is a real winner. I highly recommend it.

I was completely blown away by the quality of this collection of stories. Carol Guess leads the pack in the first tale, with both wit and skill. Another story, "To The Core", has a funny, erotic ending that will leave you breathless; Michelle Sawyer completely pulls you in with her compelling style in "Not Ever Destined to Be A Classic" (an exerpt from her debut novel, or so the bio in the back of the book says); and Elizabeth Sims (she's the creator of the Lillian Byrd mysteries) breaks your heart in "For Faye".
If you're looking for well-crafted tales of les love, ladies, this book is sure to satisfy! I couldn't put it down!