Richard Books

I traveled to Nicaragua with a friend and we each brought different guide books. I brought the Footprint guide and I was very, very happy that I did. The historical and cultural information was much more complete in this book. It had city maps and included places and information that other books did not.

Perhaps the most telling recommendation that I could give doesn't come from me. I took Spanish classes at a school (Casa Xalteva) in Granada, Nicaragua. The school had a number of guide books available for students to flip through, but the one they recommended was the Footprint guide!

I used this guide during my three weeks in Nicaragua and enjoyed Leonardi's informative writing style. This handbook is more exhaustive, and more up to date, than "Footprint's Central America & Mexico Handbook".

This handbook's recommendations for accommodations/restaurants are right on the money and valuable. This guide is up-to-date and I found his recommendations to always be valid. In fact, his is one of the few guides that will tell you, candidly, no punches pulled, what he thinks: very good seafood, bad paella", "attentive service, mediocre food".

Richard Leonardi's writing is succinct and unencumbered by the superfluous. He gives you a solid mental picture, within a paragraph or two, of what to expect and how you can enjoy it.

I really enjoyed his "Further Reading & Cinema" and the history, economic, culture and environment sections are sufficient, but I would encourage you to also take with you the excellent book, "In Focus Nicaragua" (see my review).

Frustrating, and found in all Footprint guides, is the cost guide they use for accommodations. Instead of just stating what the price per room is, in dollars, they complicate it and give you a code table that you will often have to flip back and consult to remember what the cost represents. For example, a hotel that is LL=$150+, A=$46-$65. There is a better way than codes.

Leonardi mentions safety in his introduction to Nicaragua, but I found no mention of the rising problems with crime and gangs in Managua (Capital of Nicaragua). For the past few years... the area around `La Catedral Vieja' has become dangerous, an area for violent crime. In fact, when I asked to go to this area in the daytime, the taxi drivers told me be careful, using the words: "peligroso, peligroso". While I at the Old Cathedral's I talked with the resident shoe-shine man, and he also told me that this area was now very dangerous at night. He said he leaves every day at 5pm because, "me gusto mi vida."

That said, this is a very impressive guide which I strongly recommend. For those going to various Central American countries I would recommend "Footprint's Central America & Mexico Handbook". Strongly Recommended 4.5 stars

This was an excellent book!!! Went on our first trip to Nicaragua and this book was invaluable!!! It is so well written that we read it cover to cover and is organized in such a manner as to make it very easy to find what you're looking for. Would highly recommend it!!!

This is easily the most entertaining guidebook I've ever read. I found myself reading entire paragraphs or descriptions out loud to my fiance. The problem with most guidebooks is that they're incredibly boring to read and often leave out the most useful information. This book is the exception! Leonardi tells you exactly what you most need or want to know--such as how quickly you'll want to get out of a particular town you can't avoid passing through, at which hotel you might want to keep your shoes on when walking across the floor at night (yikes), or which local hotel offers the best boat rentals. This book is incredibly useful and a real page-turner--I actually read it almost cover-to-cover.

A wonderful guide! With this book as your companion, you don't need to worry about the unknowns of travelling in Nicaragua. The author takes you off the beaten path when appropriate - and tells you when it would be a waste of time. A wonderful, truthful depiction of every place we visited.

Exquisitely illustrated, beautiful layout and easy to read, this book provides insight into the making of these groundbreaking computer games. Richard Kadrey has created this volume clearly showing his love and appreciation of the Myst game. This book should be included in the library of every design college, as it shows the development, mapping and design process of the creation of Myst.

The book has an introduction by Rand and Robyn Miller and is divided into four parts: Inception, Preparation, Construction and Completion. Included is even a lexicon of the D'ni grammar.

Well worth the wait and the price!

Despite having read all the five star articles, about how wonderful this books is. I was still utterly blown away by it when i received mine. The book cost me about 85$ with shipping, but I live in DK so in addition I had to pay extra tax totaling a cost of over 100$, despite that this book is still well worth it. note however if you live outside the US. you might want to check shipping options since this book is very large (about 35cm in height)and it will cost a great deal to ship, thus you might get it via regular mail (witch takes forever). For anyone interested in CG, computer game history, Myst, D'ni, or Multimedia, This book is an absolute must!

"From Myst to Riven" is a positively amazing book that follows the arduous journey of the Cyantists from creating two of the greatest games ever made. All the way through Inception, Preparation, Construction and Completion, Kadrey takes such an in-depth look at the inner workings of Cyan that you feel as if you helped them along in making it. Breathtaking visuals and intriguing narrative make this a book that's a must-have for any hardcore fan.

Most computer games don't much for me. I'm not into shoot-'em-ups, and I learned back in the days of the original ADVENTURE and ZORK that I wasn't that great at puzzle-solving. Oh the other hand, I've been playing MYST and RIVEN regularly for years, even though I haven't solved that many of the puzzles. I'm what this author calls a "tourist," a player who just likes to wander about the Ages of these games and gawk at the exquisite artwork and music, and marvel at the fantastic realism the design team has managed to put into their worlds. This book brings all that out in some detail, describing how Rand and Robyn Miller came up with the basic ideas, how Richard Vander Wende turned all their plans on their heads and made the game the masterpiece that it is, how even the sounds you hear are apt to be clues (I never knew that!), and -- above all -- how none of the team let themselves be hurried in their quest for something as close to perfection as they could manage. Like Tolkien, they even invented a detailed language for the D'ni. Amazing stuff.

This gigantic book features stunning full page renders of key scenes from Riven, as well as various high resolution screencaptures. It also takes you through the entire process of making Riven, from the completion of Myst to the completion of Riven. It shows you how the story was developed (and additional bits to the story), how the stunning photo-realistic graphics were acheived, how the sound was done, how the design and visual look came about. In the background, it tracks Cyan's rise from a small company in a garage into one of the most profitable independent game designers in the world. Being a fan of the whole Myst universe and of computer technology in general, I absolutely love this book. I have it on my coffee table. While I have other things to attend to, my guests can flip through it until I have time to sit down. The process that went into making Riven was enormous and complex, and I salute Mr. Kadrey for getting down into words.

Someone knocks at your door. You open it and there stands a mother and her little boy. She offers you a pamphlet. You know immediately who they are. They're Jehovah's Witnesses and you have been warned against listening to their message, and warned against accepting any literature from them. As a consequence, you know very little about them.

As the mother and son depart, the boy chances a shy smile your way, and you wonder, what is life really like for him? And what is this religion all about?

Richard Kelly was this little boy. When he was four, his mother opened the door to a Witness and it would forever change his life.

Richard skillfully mixes heart-rendering stories and humorous accounts as he details what life was like in his home and in his church (Hall) as his family follows the rigorous dictates of the religion. He tells of a mother obsessed with the religion and determined that her son follow a path that would someday make him a Jehovah's Witness leader.

Ironically, a few days after I read Richard's extremely educational memoir, I received a knock on my door. There stood a lady with her 10-year old granddaughter. She gave me a pamphlet proclaiming The Truth. And thanks to Richard's memoir, for the first time in my life I understood who was knocking at my door.

Esther Royer Ayers, author of Rolling Down Black Stockings

Religion is not something passed on by genetics - it's not unheard of to be at odds with the religion of your ancestors. "Growing Up in Mama's Club: A Childhood Perspective of Jehovah's Witnesses" is Richard E. Kelly's look at growing up as a Jehovah's Witness, a practice that he quickly began to put himself at odds with as his own intellectual status grew - his own objections to their practices. A thought provoking look at family when religion splits them, "Growing Up in Mama's Club: A Childhood Perspective of Jehovah's Witnesses" is highly recommended to both religion and memoir collections.

Richard E.Kelly's novel was an eye opener. After teaching grade school for many years, I now realize how JW children's belief system works. His book has answered many questions that I wondered about over my teaching career. This is a pertinent novel for everyone to read but would really help school staffs. Not only is this true story an educational journey, but it presents real spirit needed to rise above dire circumstances. My book club has chosen Richard's novel to read next year. His study questions will be a great help in discussing this inspiring piece of literature.
Joyce Hodges- preschool and kindergarten teacher for 36 years.

This well-written story of one man's experience growing up as a Jehovah's Witness reads like a novel while informing like a scholarly paper. The work by this former Bethelite has unusually good descriptions of those involved, which bring the story to life and help the reader become involved in the plot.

The most valuable feature of the book is it effectively conveys what it is like to grow up and be an active Jehovah's Witness. Both the good and bad are related with candor--and much of each exists, as Kelly documents. One point made clear is that many good people exist in the Watchtower movement.

An especially revealing section describes how Kelly's father, once an active opposer, became a Witness, effectively showing why and how someone would become involved in an organization that many people consider a deviant cult. It also shows the problem of using untrained persons, such as Kelly's father, as mental health diagnosticians and therapists, a role forced on them as elders. A point that came through in almost every chapter was the Watchtower teaching that the end of this world and the promise of the new was upon us, and we should live like Armageddon will be here tomorrow or sooner. This is the history of every Witness who lived in the 1950s and 1960s.

This story is told with insightful understanding, even compassion, not bitterness as is common among people who were reared as Witnesses. As an ex-Witness, I could relate to Mama's Club as Kelly's experience parallels mine. I too endured the conflicts and tragic effects at school and home over the restrictive treatment of holidays, conflicts that are unnecessary and reminiscent of the prohibitions in the Torah, such as prohibiting cutting fingernails on the Sabbath unless the torn nail is bleeding.

A recent Pew survey of 35,000 Americans found Jehovah's Witnesses "had the lowest retention rate of any religious tradition" in America, lower then Catholics, Jews, and all other religions. Kelly's excellent book helps readers understand why this religion loses so many members, and, on the other hand, what attracts people to it and why they stay in spite of the problems in the organization.

Jerry Bergman, Ph.D., MSBS, L.P.C.C.

"Who can it be knocking at my door?
Go 'way, don't come 'round here no more.
Can't you see that it's late at night?
I'm very tired, and I'm not feeling right.
All I wish is to be alone;
Stay away, don't you invade my home."

(Lyrics by Men At Work)

Easily recognizable by their tracts and immaculate appearance, Jehovah's Witnesses have been going door to door for decades, spreading religious dogma, doing their bit to share their interpretation of the bible, and looking for converts.

For obvious reasons this isn't the easiest task in the world, and when you consider that this is all done on a voluntary basis, ( in the sense that you don't get paid) it becomes even more remarkable that people would be motivated to rise to the challenge.

To quote British comedian Tommy Cooper:

"The recruitment consultant asked me 'What do you think of voluntary work?' I said 'I wouldn't do it if you paid me.'"

This book offers insights into "The Club" through the eyes of a young man whose mother fully embraced JW doctrine, and found the spiritual guidance that she was desperately seeking at that time of her life. Naturally, his mother expected her family to join her on the path to eternal life in Heaven, and despite early resistance, she succeeded in converting her husband, and together they set the rules for their children.

Young Dickie was an unwilling participant, quickly concluding that something seemed wrong with some of the rules and beliefs, which would sometimes change drastically depending on the Club president at the time. Mainly to please his mother, he remained with the Club for sixteen years, abiding by the strange rules for the most part, participating in the long and frequent Club meetings at the Kingdom Hall and performing his door-to-door duties. At the same time he found himself leading a double life, as he never fully embraced the teachings of the Club and wished to lead a more normal life.

Despite having his parents' religious beliefs forced upon him, he managed to make the best of it, becoming an accomplished public speaker and perfecting his interpersonal skills. He also formed his own opinions on "the truth" as preached by Club members, and observed how some rules seemed not to apply to the upper levels of the hierarchy.

From this book, the reader will have a better understanding of this controversial religious group, the administrative structure and its influence over its members. Well written, easy to read, humorous in places and shocking in others, anyone considering joining JW or any similar group should read this before making a final decision.



Amanda Richards, May 5, 2008

I am using this book for a class. It is very good, has a lot of information to assit me. If you're looking to make a porfolio this is the book to get. Of course Amazon got me this book on time. I love using amazon for all my books.

It is amazing what this tiny little book is selling for, but it is chock full of great information to help the aspiring teacher develop an excellent portfolio and land that job. Lots of helpful tips and examples of many different examples of artifacts to make your portfolio stand out among the rest.

I needed this book for an on-line class. It was cheaper at Amazon than it was in the school's bookstore. I'm really glad I checked for it here. It came within a few days. I'll be checking for all of my textbooks through Amazon.com.

If you have to create a portfolio for your education program as a teacher, I recommend this. It has a lot of good information in it and is very helpful.

I used this book to help me compile my e-portfolio during my last class of grad school. It helped me decide what was important and what not. If you buy this book, it will help you as well.

Unlike many books written for people in the world of business, this book really ties it all together. It not only talks about leadership, core values, and applying them, but also shows us why we don't and most importantly how we can, and why we must.

I recommend this book, as a strong must read for anyone working with or managing people.

With all the corruption being exposed in the business world it is refreshing to read a book that offers solutions that are both practical and easily applied. Every CEO should read this book. It will change your perspective about how we operate both consciously and unconsciously in our work, our world, and how intuition can be our best ally...

This book is a must read for all business people interested in really transforming the soul of the workplace.

As a business consultant, I couldn't agree more with the authors' insights and ideas.

The Inner Edge presents a common sense framework for improved personal and organizational effectiveness. The book is especially relevant in an era of intense scrutiny of corporate behavior and heightened expectations of ethical personal and professional behavior.

The book has an easy to use format with helpful tools such as self assessment exercises, guidelines and charts.

I have been working with individuals and small business for over 30 years in the Financial Services Industry. I have read many books and attended many workshops in an effort to expand my spiritually in both my personal and business life. This book and the concepts and exercises it provides is unquestionably one of the very best I have experienced.
I have ordered the audio CD's to assist me in implementing these concepts in my life. This book and it's concepts will provide wonderful benefits for everyone who puts it to work in their lives.

The title, preface and initial chapters excited me towards this book which i happen to browse in a local book store. I was quite excited and sometimes amazed by the clarity of presentation by the authors in the initial chapters which talks about life and its purpose, understanding and having your own "identity" and also about the side-effects of deep-rooted negative childhood habbits (unfinished business) which some people tend to carry along in their life unknowingly. The techniques to identify your strengths and small steps to be carried out to overcome the negative qualities are somewhat old but polished with new terminologies and jargons.
But I noticed a strange discontinuity in the authors presentation, when they jump into a new concept, so called "Quantum Decision Making (QDM)". The authors does not give good insight into QDM nor establish the relationship between the initial chapters and QDM. Hence overall we are introduced in lots new terms but without clear purpose and reasoning. The case studies of their approach has been clearly separated from the actual text, which was helpful to maintain the continuity in the discussion.
I would been happy or atleast understood the QDM concept better if a limited version of a CD or small visual guide was accompanied with this book. Because of this most of the latter part of the book goes over the head, when the authors talk about "icons", "multicolored 3D visualization" .. etc. Interesting/Useful initial chapters but poor second part.

Richard Schwartz saliently and adeptly has a solution for many of the world's problems. In this book he incisively focuses on human rights, ecology, the environment, hunger, peace, energy, vegetarianism and animal rights. If his ideas were implemented there would be no starvation, fewer wars, fewer homicides, fewer slaughterhouses and our planet would be green and pristine. Mr. Schwartz is Jewish but he clearly asserts that all people are children of God and animals are creatures of God that merit compassion. This book is utopian but very compelling. Richard Schwartz is a cerebral humanitarian and a sane man trying to save an insane world with his constructive and benevolent world-view. One of the greatest and most inspiring Religious books that has ever been published.

The values of tikkun olam of improving the world physically and morally- of ba'al tashchit of not wantonly destroying and wasting any part of creation- of ahavatacha re-aycha- k'mo'cha of loving one's neighbor as oneself and therefore respecting them and their property are fundamentals of Jewish thought which if implemented properly would help make this a better world. It seems to me that Richard Schwartz has done us all a service in trying to move us toward a better world through implementing these fundamental Jewish values.
I say this without wholeheartedly agreeing with his analysis of the situation mankind is. But on the whole I think this work gives a very positive and useful message.

I have had the pleasure of reading prior books by the same author. This book goes far beyond the excellence of his earlier works. With all the curiousity of Muslims and the Koran, people should be equally curious about Jewish people and their Religious principles. Does anyone truly live up to their religion on this planet? Dr. Schwartz provides timely, important information about the true beliefs of Judaism, calling out to not only Jewish people, but people of all kinds who are interested in stopping the Armageddon scenario on the planet today. Exceptional book, a must read. ...

This book will save lives! Especially with wars in the Middle East and elsewhere, and with the increasing pace of environmental destruction everywhere, the new edition of this important book is more vital than ever. Judaism and Global Survival is a global imperative...if we want to save the planet and ourselves, while cherishing and promoting our highest values. It's up to us.

JUDAISM AND GLOBAL SURVIVAL by Richard H. Schwartz Ph.D.

Readers familiar with the classic volume "Judaism and Vegetarianism" by Professor Richard H Schwartz will be delighted to learn that its sequel, "Judaism and Global Survival," has recently been revised and updated.

The publication of this new edition could hardly be more timely, seeking as it does to explore the vital issue of protecting the earth from the many threats it faces. The solution, according to Professor Schwartz, is not necessarily to be found in current technology, but rather by applying Jewish mandates related to protecting our imperiled planet. He reminds us that as
Jews, not only are we obligated to carry out the mandate of Tikkun Olam (to repair the world), but also that we should pursue peace and justice, feed the hungry, conserve resources, and love our neighbors as ourselves. The book's message however is not only for Jews but for people of all faiths, discussing as it does the practical measures that can help reduce global warming, world hunger and rapid population growth.

The book is divided up into sections addressing many important themes, such as energy, social justice, and human rights. Each section is illustrated with appropriate Biblical quotations and examples of Jewish teachings. As Professor Schwartz points out, however, it is not enough simply to know about these Jewish values. In order to achieve a beneficial and necessary change,
we must apply them. To this end, he provides us with an appendix listing some effective and practical ways that we can help improve the environment: for example, by writing letters, displaying bumper stickers, and organizing events on the theme of global sustainability.

One of the most important sections is the one which argues that a shift toward vegetarianism is an essential factor in improving theenvironment. Indeed Professor Schwartz points out that both vegetarians and environmentalists have similar goals: "The aims of vegetarians and environmental activists are similar: simplify our lifestyles, have regard for the earth and all forms of life, and apply the knowledge that the earth is not ours to do with as we wish. In view of the many negative effects of animal-based agriculture on the earth's environment, resources, and climate, it is becoming increasingly clear that a shift toward vegetarian diets is a planetary imperative."

"Judaism and Global Survival" is an important book for anyone who cares about the environment and who would like to learn the appropriate Jewish values which could make all the difference to the future of our planet.

and keeps writing. Fantastic novel. Interesting and almost belivable characters. Weaves a few real life people in here to add to believability. Someone above said a crossbwtween Grisham and Ludlum. Not my thoughts...Grisham has lost his roots in last several years, and Ludlum was good, but too long and often overly complicated. The main character here is almost a Matthew Scudder without the dark side. Well done, and looking forward to another.

I absolutely loved this book. It was hard to go to work wondering about the path that led to each exciting twist and turn. I was surprised at how I felt (good or bad) about each character as we learned about their humanness and their lack of humanity, and how every character lives with themselves. Exiting and satisfying and different. I love Scott Turow's books, and this reminds me of Turow with an even drier wit. Mr. Greener's writing is wry and smart. Many writers will add twists that are completely implausible, not Greener. He gives you each shocking turn in a matter of fact way, you suck in your breath and hold it until the book explains how that actually happened. It was exciting and fresh and I can't wait to read the next one. I gave it to my mom who also loved it.

I loved The Knowland Retribution because it's a great read that also makes you question the foundation of our society. Richard Greener's writing is a cross between John Grisham and Robert Ludlum. He creates great characters to which we can connect in both sympathy and dispise. It also questions our justice system, our capitalist society, and our base ethics between right and wrong. Could you turn the other cheek if a big company knowingly released a product that killed all your family because it was a "statistically reasonable risk"??? You find yourself flipping and flopping on your moral fiber as to the whose right and whose wrong. Highly recommended and can't wait to read Greeners next book.

Do you love John Grisham? Then you will adore Richard Greener.

In The Knowland Retribution Greener captures the complexity and heartlessness that is possible in today's corporate America. His unique story telling ability keeps you guessing till the end and you can see, feel and understand the characters he so adeptly describes. His main character, 'The Locator', is a not so lonely recluse whose complicated past you just begin to understand. Greener plays us perfectly by leaving us wanting more and that is ok by me because "The Lacey Confessions", his next novel in the "Locator" Series, is due out soon from Midnight Ink.

Kristen Bostedo
In the Know Marketing

This is an excellent adventure tale. I am an avid reader and I absolutely loved reading the Knowland Retribution. Also, I am anxiously awaiting more books written by Richard Greener. I am purchasing three more copies today, which will make six copies I have purchased thus far. I keep giving my copies away because I think everyone should read this book!

I read this book for a sample interview lesson for a Pre- K teaching position--I couldn't have picked a better book! It was very easy for early readers to follow. The fact that you could actually move the ladybug kept the children's interest as they waited to find out whether the ladybug would find a new home. The Pre-K'ers clapped at the end and a few asked me to read the book again.

This is the best book I have seen in awhile. My almost three year old loves it. We keep it under her pillow at night because she doesn't want it out of her sight.
What a neat idea having the slots in each page so the ladybug can travel through the book by my daughters, mine or Grandmas hand.

Thank you for this wonderful book.

Bonnie and Baby Emily

my baby (18 months) really love this book, she finds a little dificult to put the ladybug in the holes, but, I made them a little bigger, and add some tape to prevent it from get more bigger... and she love it, is a cool book.

My 2 year old is obsessed with this book. She loved it the first time we read it togther. It provides edless enjoyment to her to move the ladybug back and forth through the pages of the book. We use it as a bed time book, sending ladybug to bed under her leaf at the end of the book. Surprisingly the ladybug has held up well with all the use - the book even provides a template for a new bug should the original bug disappear. I highly recommend this book.

We got this book as a special treat for our (almost) 3-year old daughter while on vacation. She loves it! She giggles every time the ladybug slides under the door on one page and ends up right in front of the cat on the next page. We have't quite gotten to actually reading the story that goes along with all the ladybug's activities as our daughter is too involved with having the ladybug jump from one page to the next.

I didn't give this book a 5 for the following reasons:
-the slits that the ladybug slides through are not reinforced, so I anticipate a ripped page or two in our near future.
-the ladybug is also just thick paper, so probably not the best for longevity.
-the slits are also not very well marked and are almost exactly the size of the ladybug, so our daughter does have some difficulty with getting the ladybug through . Just a little difficult for toddler hands, so it is not the best book for her to manuever alone. Maybe in a few months or so it will be easier for her.

All in all, a great purchase, just a little more delicate than I would have expected. Would definitely purchase it again, and would recommend it!

I have taken classes from Mr. Dry in English in Cali, and so I knew he was a highly skilled writer from reading a short story of his. What surprised me though, was how compelling and interesting the story was. It had a bit of hip-hop and gangsta' flair.

It moves along quickly and keeps up the action.

--Glad I read it.

I was very impressed by this novel for many reasons. For one there is a stark realism to the stories interwoven into one story about the struggles of a dysfunctional family starting with the plight of it's matriarch Ruby Washington feeling the violent racism of Norma, South Carolina with her half brother Easton "Love" Childers to Oakland, California. And this is just the beginning. Each character seems to go through a kind of odyessey to arrive at either a dead end (such as in Easton and Lida's case) or with a new beginning. I think this book is mostly about change and how a family struggles with the harsh world given their severe disadvantages. There is a surprise ending that reminded me that people can change no matter what direction they are going into. The "two brothers" on the bus trip was absolutely esstential to the novel as it drew to a close. I don't want to give away too much. This was an excellent novel! I warn you in advance. You'll probably cry a little at the ending!

Some fifty years from now, Richard Dry's brilliant debut novel "Leaving" will be given the same homage Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" now receives. "Leaving" is a somber, chilling and compelling contemplation on the nature of African-American life since World War II. The novel blends gut-wrenching dislocation, ironic perception and terrifying alienation in its provocative commentary on racism's lingering impact. Dry, through brilliant characterization and taut narrative drive, extends his vision to the entire scope of the African-American post-war experience, from disintegration and despair to reclamation and redemption. The result is a spellbinding saga of three generations of Blacks, each of which is scarred by the impact of racial oppression, each of which develops its own capacity to comprehend and confront life's hurtful circumstances.

Deftly interweaving three cross-cutting narratives, "Leaving" traces the evolution of Ruby Washington's family, from its rural South Carolina roots to the coarse, drug and violence-saturated streets of Oakland California. It is a novel which treats not only the arc of personal odysseys, but how the individual lives of the Washington family fit in the historical stream of African-American history. Indeed, an anonymous prisoner, whose words reverberate consistently throughout the novel, underscores this historical consciousness when he insists that African-Americans "dive into your history." He warns that "without the knowledge of your past, you're likely to" repeat the same mistakes past generations made in trying to understand racism. Without knowledge, without a sense of self, the nameless prisoner scolds, African-Americans will "pace back and forth" on the raft of history, "like a beast in this jail-cage."

"Leaving," however, is much more that a book that elevates consciousness. It is a novel that elicits our most profound emotional alliances with its characters, even when the men, women and children portrayed repel and repulse us with their shortcomings. Even in its depiction of depravity, the novel gains transcendence. Despite its overwhelming portrait of urban material and spiritual poverty, "Leaving" encourages hope. The repository of that hope, curiously enough, is the oldest member of the Washington family, Ruby Washington, who suffers the memory of witnessing the murder of her beloved intended Ronald after the latter has challenged the reigning white supremists in his small South Carolina community. Ruby is a living martyr, sacrificing her life to the care of her conflicted half-brother Love Easton, her drug-riddled daughter Lida and her two tormented, blighted grandchildren, Ronald Love and Paul "Li'l Pit" LeRoy.

Dry offers no pat answers to racism. His characters carry horrific scars but often choose paths that can only carry them to greater degradation and self-effacement. "Leaving" provides little solace to those who believe that we are winning the battle against drugs in African-American communities. Given the prevalence of anti-social influences in Oakland's African-American community as depicted by Dry, readers may well conclude that our nation has fractured into disparate racial nations. Yet, despite the preponderance of accusatory evidence, "Leaving" never wavers in its belief that human struggle results in victories: hard-earned, seemingly insignificant and even incidental. But victories nonetheless.

(...)

I gravitated towards this book initially because of the many good things I had heard about it. This book sucked me in immediately and it's thick size did not matter, until the end when I wished it would continue.
Richard Dry captures the "black experience" in America better than anyone ever has in the past. It is not a "preachy", "blame the white man" novel, but a FACTUAL, ACTUAL account of the travesties and inhumane conditions blacks have and continue to endure in the "land of the free".
At times I was angered and saddened over particular events that I had never heard of. But as an AA woman I gathered the strength inherited from my people to face the truth.
Something has sparked in me after completing this book, a renewed spirit maybe? An awakening?
"Leaving" should become required reading for all students in high school. It is too important to ignore.
EXCELLENT WORK MR. RICHARD DRY! Anyone who reads this book owes it to the public to spread the word. PICK THIS ONE UP! It is a classic!

Leaving is Richard Dry's debut novel and it is excellent!! It is the story of Ruby Washington's family - three generations and their actions and reactions to survive against all odds. In 1959, Ruby, poor and pregnant, hastily leaves small town Norma, South Carolina for Oakland, California with her younger half brother (Easton) in tow. She moves in with her father and his lover and finds work as a seamstress. Dry then blends in the political and social happenings of the time and we watch how Ruby struggles to hold her family together despite racism, incest, domestic violence, and the influx of drugs in the community.

Weighing in at 450 pages, Dry gives the reader a lot to consider. The interrelationships of the characters are complex and engaging. Dry provides up close and personal perspectives of the movement through the eyes of a college age Easton when he ventures south to participate in a Civil Rights march in Selma, Alabama. Another supporting character embodies the Black Panther philosophies; Lida (Ruby's daughter) resorts to prostitution to support a drug habit; Love (Ruby's grandson) grows up with heroin-addicted parents and experiences the juvenile justice system. Every character has a unique voice/view and a heartbreaking story, which Dry tells with compelling realism. Interweaved within the story are historical (factual) citations and references that shaped race relations and influenced the Black experience in America.

Dry writes with conviction and purpose as evidenced in the title reference and the theme of "leaving" is echoed in the character's actions, a few examples are: Ruby's exodus from South Carolina is necessary to avoid racial violence; whereas Love escapes to the same South Carolina to avoid the ills of urban gang life. Lida's choice to leave Ruby's home is a result of her fleeing pain and unresolved issues; Marcus (Lida's husband) leaves for three years to launch a musical career, etc.

This book was simply a good read -- the characters and plot were well developed; pacing was sound and the story moved quickly (which made the 450 pages easier to digest).

I never could fully understand how to play "craps" and always avoided the crap table but after reading "No-nonsense" I can now say I understand it much better and can't wait to try it. I recommend it to the beginner and the experienced player alike. One warning: don't skip any chapters.

As someone who had no idea how to play Craps, I now feel confident in myself to play the game. This is an excellent book for a beginner and reading it will allow you enjoy the game more!

Great book on craps. Doesn't try to push some system on you. Just tells you what there is to know about craps and how to get started. He gives you one "system" but is really just a 'way to play the game' not a gimmick that is supposed to make you into a long term winner. Recommended!

This book was just that, No-Nonsense. The author presented the game of craps in a way that a beginner can easily learn. He then gave his own strategy of playing craps that is also easy to learn along with other tips about the game and gambling in general. The author does not set out to claim he will make you rich at gambling. He, instead, presented a way to have fun a craps while also having the chance to come out a winner during some sessions of play. The book is relatively short, but the information is superb for anyone that is new to the game, or even for the hardened player who may be looking at another way to approach the game.

As with most of the other reviewers, I was anxious to get on the craps table but didn't know the first thing about how to play. I heard it was statistically an advantageous game for the player compared to others in the casino, but once again that assumes the player knows the correct strategies and what to bet on. This book solves all of those problems. Not only is it a great introduction to the rules and format of craps, but the author lays out an easy to learn strategy that exploits the small house advantage. The author's writing is straightforward and is free from all of the unnecessary fluff that comes with a lot of other how-to books. The math is easy enough that you don't need an advanced statistics degree but in depth enough that you are confident in the numbers he is throwing at you. This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in learning craps or looking for an effective "game plan" to enhance your dice-rolling experience.