Roberts Books

Reviewed by April Sullivan for Reader Views (10/07)

"Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna" is a great book and not at all what I expected. With a title that lists four female names, I was assuming that the story was about women friends or a story about a man with lots of girlfriends. The author cleverly addresses this issue with the statement "...and with the title `Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna' you might be suckered into thinking that much of the action doesn't take place in an army infantry training unit in Georgia." And I was suckered! Even though this statement is part of a rambling narrative about the book that is on the front and back cover totally replacing any cover art or traditional book cover text.

The main character, Gerard Kelderman is graduating from college with a major in music and a minor in religious studies. He is an outstanding cello player and has learned the art of diamond cutting from his father who is a Master in the field. He is engaged to Sylvia and they plan to move to Colorado after college so that she can go to graduate school. Yet as the book opens, we find Gerard's life in turmoil over the fact that he has found out Sylvia had an affair with another man. In his emotional state, Gerard makes a rash decision to enlist in the army.

The story follows Gerard's life in basic training and his thoughts back to his previous life and his childhood. He finds standing at attention gives him plenty of time to think and he brings up repressed memories from his childhood, specifically memories surrounding the death of his sister.

I would not normally pick up a book about army cadets and their experiences in basic training. I am not interested in reading about gun parts, bivouacs, macho talk, and the verbal abuse given by Drill Sergeants. But this book surprised me. Although all the above topics were included, the book was more about the relationships between the cadets. Author, Robert Slentz-Kesler was able to create characters that I enjoyed getting to know. And he was able to weave the storylines of the present and the past together into a seamless novel.

I am so glad I read this book! I feel like I have a better understanding now of the teamwork that is necessary in the army, and why the Drill Sergeants yell so much. I recommend "Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna" to anyone who loves to read. No matter what genre you like, this book is a delight. Find out for yourself who Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, and Anna are, and how they fit into a story about a group of male soldiers.

As the wife of a US Marine I've spent many a year around the military community. The characters in this book are well developed, interesting and, in my experience, very believable people. The writing was easily understandable, the plot was never dull. I hope the author will follow up and tell us what happens after this book ends. Does the "he roe" go to jump school? Does he ever call Rachael or Sylvia? Does he realize any deeper feelings for Merideth? Does he take his cello to the DMZ? Please don't keep me waiting too long for the sequel, or another book that introduces me to a whole new group of characters. When's the movie being produced?

Pudgy cellist Gerard Kelderman, dazed by discovering his fiancee's infidelity, enlists in the army the day of his college graduation. His life is confetti. These bits catch the light inside Gerard. He is questioning everything, especially the death of his baby sister, years before.
The bootcamp scenario is a 5-star hoot, truly hysterical. But in the private zone (no pun intended), Gerard is turning over a lot of stones.
This is a rich coming-of-age story. It looks hard at the pain of letting go - a member of Gerard's platoon is crazy with grief over his mother's death - and laughs at the persistent pratfall of youth.
I love this book. It's one I'll re-read over time.

Take the character work of A Separate Peace, toss in the humorous approach of Tom Robbins, add just a dash (OK, a dash and a half) of Lenny Bruce's tongue, and what do you get?

I have to admit that at first I didn't enjoy reading Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna at all. I got hung up on the first chapter, in which the main character, Gerard, does some things that I kept thinking a character should not do. Because of this, I found myself unable to suspend disbelief over the ensuing chapters.

But then I figured out my problem -- the fixation on what "a character should not do" was based on being stuck in American fictional cliches, and Slentz-Kesler's main character isn't a cliche. So I went back to the beginning and read Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna without preconceptions about what "should" happen and what "shouldn't" happen in the plot. And you know what? I found that what I'd thought were discrepancies were actually essential parts of the story of Gerard, who he is, and how his physical and personality changes occur within the crucible of basic training. I got it, and once I got it, I really liked it.

My point? Try to shove Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, and Anna into a pigeonhole and you'll be frustrated. But let the novel unfold on its own terms and you'll grok it and enjoy it. I recommend this novel for a time when you're feeling flexible and fluid.

Slentz-Kesler's novel tracks the evolution of his hero, Gerard Kelderman, through college gradution, Army enlistment, and basic training. But this isn't simply about a man conquering external obstacles. Gerard is a Man with Feelings: he struggles with his weight (what a relief to see this happen to a male character instead of a female one), he is a sensitive musician, and he is coping with a repressed trauma. So the reader gets both pitch-perfect ensemble scenes of Army life, mined for every ounce of comedy (think of the mess hall, the exercises, the pranks, the resentments), and a psychological tale of Kelderman's loss and self-healing. Slentz-Kesler writes compassionately about each of his characters, and refuses overly simple explanations for the various kinds of trouble humans manage to stir up for themselves. Despite the Army context, he is more tender than profane: witness the warmth that the members of the Third Platoon develop for one another, a warmth that is not easy "boy's club" war movie stuff, since, among other things, they defend one another from crooked jewelry salesmen; or enjoy the many remembrances of the toddler, Anna, and her charming developmental quirks (After smacking her older brother, the narrator, "she would cup Gerard's face with both her hands and look him right in the eyes. 'You gonna be ok?'"). On top of all this, Slentz-Kesler includes interesting details about the diamond industry (my favorite bit explains when the cushion cut gave way to the brilliant cut and why), and just enough sex and violence to keep the plot driving. In short, there is something for everyone here.

This is what a Lovcraftian collection should be. Almost all the stories are spot on good. While one or two stories in the collection fell flat for me, most were excellent. I will not go into each story in the collection, as others have done that justice already; but "The Insider" was so good that it still gives me a shiver thinking about it.

Any fan of the "mythos" needs to have this collection. While dovetailing closely with HPL's writing, it has originality and freshness that made it a joy (or horror) to read. And you have to love the cover.

These days one of the hardest problems facing Cthulhu Mythos authors is to be able to write exciting tales within Lovecraft's framework, and yet tell these tales in a new and exciting voice. A fresh approach unfortunately seems to be something that numerous authors who've recently contributed to the cannon have been unable to do. So it is refreshing when an author such as Stanley C. Sargent succeeds to do just that, bringing a new perspective to the worlds of cosmic nihilism.

The Taint of Lovecraft is Sargent's second collection of Mythos tales, the first was , also published by Mythos Books LLC. This later collection contains nine tales, nine poems, two essays and numerous illustrations, including interiors and a cover illustration by the author of H.P. Lovecraft dressed up as a Pharaoh.

The standout tale in this collection would have to be "Nyarlatophis, A Fable of Ancient Egypt" which draws us back to the life of Pharaoh Amenemhat I, founder of the Twelfth Dynasty, and his encounter with Nyarlathotep (in the form of Nyarlatophis). The Outer God once more attempts to destroy humanity as we would expect, but this time in a land and culture nearly three thousand years distance from the time when Lovecraft penned his first tale. It is evident that Sargent knows his subject, both Cthulhu Mythos and Egyptian history, and so is able to take us lovingly back to this splendid age so often referred to, but rarely visited by other cannon authors.

One of Stanley C. Sargent's great strengths as a storyteller is his ability to adapt Lovecraft's style, yet make it his own. Stories such as "Live Bait" and "Double Screetcher" incorporate those horrific twists readers expect at conclusion, a trait Lovecraft used so well. But these stories also allow us to see the comic side of the mythos, and to see that our perceptions of what is right and wrong is based purely on our `humanness', and that sometimes we are no better than the horrors we ourselves fight against. Sargent's favourite of his own work, "The Black Brat of Dunwich" likewise has a similar theme. This story tells "The Dunwich Horror" from a completely different perspective, in this case from the viewpoint of Wilbur Whateley, and makes for interesting reading, especially if we consider that Lovecraft's protagonist Armitage is seen as the antagonist here.

The end of the collection contains two essays, the latter of which provides an interesting analysis of "The Dunwich Horror" offering a rarely discussed insight into what self-inflicted and societal-inflicted demons Lovecraft might have been fighting against all his life, but demons that also allowed his fevered artistic expression to flourish. Lastly, each story is introduced by steadfast scholar Robert M. Price (I can see this guy on his own Mythos Collectable Card), who provides his own special touch to the collection providing insights on each story for those who like to know how and where such tales originate.

In summary The Taint of Lovecraft doesn't take the Cthulhu Mythos into new places and new times, rather the reader is drawn back to Lovecraft Country - be that Arkham, Dunwich, Innsmouth or Ancient Egypt - and once arriving there, Sargent turns everything on its head. Nothing it seems, is what it seems, but isn't that what the Mythos is all about?

The Taint of Lovecraft is a joy on many levels. Stanley C. Sargent writes with wit and insight that are equally incisive in crafting the tales collected here. These brilliantly original takes on the Mythos fiction created by H.P. Lovecraft will undoubtedly please fans of horror fiction in general and Mythos readers especially. Sargent labors over the historical research that forms the backbone of many of his tales, and the results show in the authenticity and accuracy of his work.

This mix of stories, poems, and two highly entertaining essays is an important contribution to Mythos fiction. More importantly, though, it is a highly satisfying read.

The centerpiece of the book, "Nyarlatophis, A Fable of Ancient Egypt" is one of the most impressive Mythos-inspired stories I've ever read, and achieves the almost unheard of feat of rivaling the work of HPL in its sense of dread and eerieness, even though it is set in time period far removed from that in which HPL wrote.

What may stand out most about Sargent's tales in this collection, though, is their unerring capacity for nurturing the humor and sense of irony that is native to HPL's work but is often lost or overlooked among other Mythos fiction efforts, and bringing it to the forefront.

In short, this is a beautifully written, fantastic book.

A devoted student of the Lovecraftian writing, Stanley Sargent has brought fresh and exciting blood to this art form in his book TAINT OF LOVECRAFT. His stories grab you at the beginning and hold you spellbound to the final words, often those that are unexpected and surprising.

You need not be a student of ancient history to understand Mr. Sargent's stories. He brings everything to life for you, keeping you on an exciting journey through words that are alive and ready to leap out at you as you turn each page. If you are ready to be shocked, surprised, thrilled, and mystified, this book is for you.

In this, his second collection of tales inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's writing, Stanley C. Sargent firmly establishes himself as a master of his craft--a compelling storyteller in his own right and an important torchbearer for the legacy of Lovecraft's Mythos. The best tale in this collection is "The Black Brat of Dunwich," an insightful reinterpretation of Lovecraft's "The Dunwich Horror" that meshes so well with the original one cannot help but think Sargent found the key for cracking a sinister code Lovecraft intentionally wrote as a hidden subtext. It almost begins to feel that one needs Sargent's later work in order to appreciate the antecedent text on all of its multi-faceted levels. I don't want to overstate the point, but I wish future collections reprinting Lovecraft's original tale could all include "Black Brat" side-by-side with it. That being said, Sargent's story may lose some of its relevance for the uninitiated.

Most good Mythos fiction is not only steeped in a sense of otherworldly terror and the macabre, but is also solidly grounded in real-world history. "Nyarlatophis" is no exception; Sargent's knowledge of ancient Egyptian history and mythology appears exhaustive, and this tale--the longest in the collection--was obviously well researched. In some ways, it may actually have been too well researched, as the first third of the story is rather ponderous as the reader wades through what often feels more like an historical essay than a novella. But again, readers who stick with this tale will be glad they did, as the pace picks up significantly half-way through, and the dark, cataclysmic ending is all the more powerful for the grounding in history Sargent provided earlier on.

As for the remainder of this collection, it is a varied mix: an effectively disturbing science fiction tale that brings the Mythos to the stars, a prequel and a sequel to two other Lovecraft classics that also stand on their own as powerfully creepy narratives, a handful of comic takes on HPL themes (fun but probably my own least favorite pieces in this bunch), and one or two twilight-zone style horror pieces with only very loose connections to the Mythos per se. These stories are handsomely illustrated throughout, including a drawing or two by Sargent himself. The author also throws in nine of his whimsical poems, written in a style that blends Edward Gorey with Shel Silversetein. Two of Sargent's non-fiction essays complete this set, one that is really little more than a collection of anecdotes about the possible influences of Lovecraft on the EVIL DEAD films, and the other of which provides some fascinating insights into Lovecraft's biographical self by finding clues in his stories.

For all those enthusiastic minions of things Lovecraftian out there (among whom I count myself one), THE TAINT OF LVOECRAFT is a book that should have a prominent place on your shelf. For the rest of you, TAINT might well serve as a good introduction to the expanded Mythos, but if nothing else, it offers a handful of diverting tales.

McGinnis is a master of his craft, I mainly purchased this book not because I want to paint like him, but when I saw a piece he did for Enter the Dragon I had to commend his visual flair pertaining to movie posters.....the man is a master, and frankly, his Bond women are goddesses. This book conatins some great works of his, add it to your collection like I did.

I can't recommend this book strongly enough. Way back during an age when book illustrators were respected celebrities, Robert McGinnis would have been the toast of the town.

This book is a consumate showcase of an extremely talented artist. Every aspect of his career is covered and it lets the reader see that McGinnis had made a mark in not one, not two, but three different genres.

One: Paperback book art, in which he introduces an atomic age America to his very distinctive brand of woman: amazon tall, lean as a steel pipe and as majestic as a swan.

Two: The genre of movie poster art where he helps elevate James Bond from paperback book secret agent to one of the country's most recognizable pop icons.

And three: A return to his statuesque beauties in arguably the classiest collection of pin-up art the oil canvas has ever known.

As with many great American illustrators, Robert McGinnis settled into his later years by painting brilliant scenes of the wild and tamed West and those works are also given their own section in TAPESTRY.

A must-have for illustrators and art patrons if there ever was one.

This book has filled all my expectations. Before I bought it, I was looking a few paintings of McGinnis, but I was always sure about that this is a great publication. Excellent!

I'm in agreement with everyone else, that 1.) Robert Mcginnis is the best paperback book illustrator ever (perhaps rivaled only by Frank Frazetta); and 2.) This is the best collection of Mcginnis art available in book form. There's only one flaw in the whole thing: it never says what medium the artist uses (I found out it's egg tempera). If you love to gaze at beautiful paintings of every genre subject, or if you are yourself a painter or commercial artist, this belongs on your bookshelf. I've had it for years, and never tire of looking at it. A classic.

I had never even heard of Robert McGinnis until I was linked to this page by the editors' names (the Fenners) who I know from their affiliation with science fiction art. The reviews were so favorable that I decided to gamble on this book without any other familiarity with McGinnis. I usually lose on these impulsive gambles. Not this time. Suffice it to say this book is a total prize, it's just filled cover to cover with extreme beauty.

I am particularly impressed with this man's diversity of talent...he does great "pin up" type art of beautiful women, and then he does these embracing outdoor scenes which are almost within the genre of "Marlboro" commercials and then there are other pieces which are evocative of Norman Rockwell and Maxfield Parrish. Each painting is fantastic and to me represents a dinstinct aspect of the best phenomena in Earthly life. However, there is even a little sci-fi art in here, so not all his fantastic visions are necessarily Earth-bound!

I love unexpected treasure!

The work of Stephen Mark Rainey has soul, depth, character, and the ability to make you care about the characters, which makes his power to terrify that much more awesome. He has his own distinct voice and beat, but some of his work--as with The Last Trumpet--is so uncannily Lovecraft that one has to wonder if Mark has some hidden talents he's not telling us about, such as channeling the untold words of the dead. To name a few favorites: 'Threnody' is a wonderful execution of a brilliant premise and 'The Fugue Devil', which has to be *THE* Stephen Mark Rainey classic-- terror and heart in perfect harmony. Unforgettable.

I'd recommend his work to anyone.

Rainey does what so many Cthulhu Mythos fans cannot - he takes the idea of unknowable horror, things that see us as nothing, and places that idea firmly in the modern day without doing a Lovecraft pastiche. His stories in this volume are all connected by locale, but range in horror from trapped heroes, doomed to a grisly fate, to a feisty futuristic heroine, fighting for survival after the stars have become right. Satisfying work, set in the Mythos, but without the standard trappings so many authors feel necessary to throw in (the million moldy volumes, rattling through the entire Old One pantheon, etc.). Highest recommendations. I've just ordered Balak, his novel, after finishing the collection, and can't wait for it to arrive!

The Last Trumpet is a bone chilling collection of short stories by Stephen Mark Rainey. All the stories though different, are inter-connected in an interesting way. A treasure worth keeping in your library. Very well written, it's true horror at it's finest. If you like all things Cthulhu as I do, you won't be disappointed. Breathes new life into the mysteries of "Avante Garde" 20th Century music.

really interesting read. rainey has a way of making something seem very fresh. his plots always seem original, even when they are not. great stories. great descriptions at times. what rainey is really master at, however, is the angle. he writes a story from a certain angle, making it very intersting. his stories are at their best the most refreshing stories i read in horror. very enjoyable

What a bore and nuiscance it is to read through the piles and piles of Lovecraft pastiches that have accumulated in the past decades. Sometimes one is left to wonder why ever H. P. L. encouraged anybody at all to contribute to his phantastic creation, forgetting too soon about some of the writers who have really done a lot to expand the mythos in its masterminds' sense, and to keep it alive through now almost 80 years, people like Fritz Leiber, Ramsey campbell -or Stephen Mark Rainey.

Not too full of hope, but impressed by the overwhelmingly positive reviews the book got, I started to read through the first story, and actually became so absorbed that I could not stop until I finished the last page. It is true, Rainey has managed something all too rare: to write explicit Cthulhu-Mythos fiction without being derivative (at least as far as it is possible), bringing in a whole lot of new -and not so new- interesting aspects and ideas with an originality and, particularly, quality of style that would have made H. P. L. proud !

Although the last of the stories seemed to me a little bit like one might imagine the multiplayer mode of the upcoming Doom III-game, it nevertheless gave me some quite unpleasant nightmares (and usually I did not get any from reading horror fiction since I read "The dreams in the witch house" by Lovecraft at age 14).

But to get to the point: Rainey's stories are all centred, in a way, around an imaginary Virginia County, surrounding the (fictious) town of Beckham, and around a couple of protagonists that are, often in a subtle way, connected to each other. But apart from that arkhamasque resemblance, the similarity to Lovecraft's imaginary Massachussetts realms ends. The southern background and the distinctly postmodern settings of the stories leave little room for comparison to Lovecraft's creations. A major influence on Rainey's book was obviously the role of SOUND in the opening of vistas into the great (and terrible) beyond, influenced (admittedly) by H. P. L.'s "The music of Erich Zann", and, certainly, some of his other, less explicit, stories & a variety of other sources. Whatever the origins, the idea is presented with overwhelming originality and a sense of weirdness that reminds of some of Ramsey Campbell's best and most disturbing stories in places. All of the stories, which Rainey published over a long period of time, are interconnected in a complex but enjoyable way, with a lot of cross-references, so that one is almost left uncertain whether this is a collection of short stories or a caleidoscopic novel.

The more playful of readers may also expect a lot of really enjoyable Mythos in-jokes that offer some relief from the partially almost unbearable darkness of the stories (be prepared e. g., to meet a certain ghoul named "Richard" under the most appropriate circumstances in a story that would have found the approvement even of Lord Dunsany himself, if he'd been in one of his most sinister moods).

Rainey manages easily to write in an almost dreamy and surrealistic Dunsanian, as well as in a realistic, dialogue-and action-based, stephenkingesque manner, but always keeps far away from merely copying these or any other writers, particularly never-ever copying H. P. L. himself. Read one of the deceased Lin Carter's stories (whose work as an editor I admire, but, frankly, not his writings) and compare it to one of Stephen Mark Rainey's best efforts as "To be like them", "Sabbath of the black goat" or "The fugue devil", and you will immediately recognize what unfathomable abyss lieth inbetween.

Highly recommended. I'm certainly up to buy anything the man has ever written.

This is a great book and really fills in the blanks, so to speak. We enjoy coming home from church and looking up the hymns from that morning and learning more about the song writer and the circumstances surrounding the hymn. More often than not it will lead to tears. I would recommend this to every Christian household.

I bought this book as a reference book to be put on my coffee table.
It is a wonderful history of many of my favorite hymns and looks wonderful
displayed on my coffee table. I would highly recommend it!

This was a gift for an organist/pianist. She loves the hymns included and the stories. The spiral format is wonderful for staying open for playing. She has already used it for a funeral and was pleased at the selection of hymns available. Highly recommended!!!

This book is beautiful! I bought this keepsake for a gift and the person loved it! It is not only fascinating but the book itself makes a beautiful addition to your coffee table! Well worth the price... it looks like it costs at least $50 or $60. It's a great gift whether you read music or not.

This is a wonderful book for anyone!!... There are songs with the words and music on one side...and the story of the hymn on the other side... Great spiral binding makes it much easier to read and to play from... I just ordered two more for gifts... the large print is a big plus for me as well.... you won't be disappointed with this fantastic book!!

Great book - I studied with Galen and he is a great guy and the world expert on cash-futures basis. Well worth the price and a place in your library!

After reading the Doctors masterpiece three times, i had enough of his theta gamma explanations. I am an avid reader who greatly enjoyed the Doctor's complicated explanations. I totally agree with Elvis. Great work again doctor

After reading the Doctors masterpiece three times, i had enough of his theta gamma explanations. I am an avid reader who greatly enjoyed the Doctor's complicated explanations. I totally agree with Elvis. Great work again doctor

I've been working in Futures & Options research for 3 years now, and this has proven to be the best refernce guide available. Terrence elucidates the concepts and mechanisms underlying the treasury bond basis with eloquence and intellect. His other work, Eurodollar Futures and Options, is also a great reference for the shorter end of the curve.

This is simply the only truly readable and authoritative book on its subject. Terry Belton is acknowledged as being the foremost authority on futures research, and this book bears it out. If you're thinking about basis trading, or work in the derivatives market, this book is well worth a look.

(I should also mention that Terry is my boss..doesn't stop it being a good book, though. Hope I get that raise!)

Reviewed by Stephanie Rollins and Parish Rollins (age 3) and J.T. Rollins (age 9) for Reader Views (2/07)

Tyrone, a turtle, has to wear glasses. His glasses are big and bright red. He also wants to play "hide and seek" with his friends; however, he is unable to hide his head in his shell. He discovers that he can do so if he takes off his glasses. This makes him feel much better; now he can play with the other animals.

What did Parish think of "Tyrone: a Turtle Tale?"
She is fascinated with the illustration of a large snake.

What was her favorite part?
"She points to the frog and says `ribbit'!" Now she wants me to say "rabbit."

Does she want to read it again one day?
She picks up another book to read. "You." She points to me, showing me that she gives me permission to look at the book.

Is there a funny part to "Tyrone: a Turtle Tale?"
She points to the snake again.

Do you like the pictures?
"Yes."

How is Parish like the turtle?
I explain that the turtle wears glasses. Because of his glasses he had difficulty playing "hide and seek." This made him sad. Then, he figured out the problem. Now he can play; he is happy. "You wear glasses. I do, too." She comes back with her Dora sunglasses on.

Maybe the turtle feels how you feel when your brothers do not want you to play with them.
"They're mean." She stomps her foot. I had to explain to her what it means to hurt someone's feelings.

J.T., the 9-year-old, grasped the ideas of the book. He thought it was easy-to-read. He did not think his friends would want to read it. He explains, "They are into dirt bikes and ninjas."

I believe that "Tyrone: a Turtle Tale" is written for first and second graders. It did not keep Parish's attention well. J.T. thought the storyline was too babyish for him. The illustrations are wonderful. The story is written in different colors and styles throughout the book. This adds to the attraction of the book. The font is large.

The storyline is relatable to all children. "Tyrone: a Turtle Tale" is a fun book for those in early elementary school. I recommend it!

"Its hard to single out just one magnificient thing about this book, because there are so many! I LOVE it! The story is charming. The language is infecting, and Tyrone and his swampy friends are precious - - WOW ! The artwork fits the story like a custom-designed glove ! Very nice !

"Tyrone, a Turtle Tale" was one of 5 books to be awarded Honorable Mention in the "Children and Young Adults" category of Writers' Digest Magazine's 10th annual award. The outstanding graphics, story line, and overall quality of the book were mentioned as factors in placing "Tyrone" in 2nd place overall, out of more than 200 books submitted.

I read Tyrone a Turtle Tale to my grandson's second grade class. They truly loved this story and listened with great participation. The children wanted me to read the story again, but, Ms Lewis, their teacher promised them I would be allowed to return another day to read the story again to them.
This story is a great tool for children, not to give up, to realize they do have friends, and there is always a solution to any problem that may come along.
This book will forever stay in our childrens library.
I am going to purchase a book also for the school's library so that All the children can read this book.
Respectfully,
Joanne Willis

Tyrone a Turtle Tale is a delightful story about overcoming adversity with a little help from friends.
This is a beautifully illustrated book. One that is great to own or makes a wonderful gift. I really enjoyed the story and was especially pleased to find the proceeds going to the breast cancer research. Good story...great idea.

Even though I disagree totally with the title, "Ultimate Guide," I do have to admit that the contents of this book are right on the money and very specific to the sport of boxing. Although all of the exercises and stretches demonstrated in this book can be found in pretty much any good book on weight training and/or stretching, it is the specific focus of this book that makes it so unique. In other words, it is not the individual exercises in this book that make it such a great resource, but the way the material is presented to the reader whose primary focus is on improving their own boxing skills.

Although I didn't necessarily agree with absolutely everything the author presented in this book, I would have to say that I found at minimum at least 90% of the material in this book to be valid.

The majority of workout routines suggested in this book should be considered as just that, suggestions. Use them as guide to go by and create your own training routine based upon your physical abilities and personal goals.

I have already started incorporating several things that I picked up from this book into my own training regiment and have found that I have already made some improvements in just the first couple of weeks. This book was definitely worth the price I paid for it.

Shawn Kovacich
Martial Artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

This is the best book I have seen for boxing training! No matter what level you compete at, this book is for you. I have really improved my agility in the ring after reading this book. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in being a better, more athletic boxer!

If Rocky could do it so can you -- and this book is the secret how. The book (aka "the boxing bible") won't only put you on a plan to increase strength and stamina, but it will also boost your quickness and agility. After reading this book you'll be able to knockout Mike Tyson.

This book is perfect! A workout plan geared specifically toward boxing that really works! Appropriate for any level of boxing! I highly recommend this book!

This book made great suggestions for improving some of the most critical parts of being a successful boxer--endurance, power, agility, and speed. This book takes a healthy approach to boxing--it succinctly and clearly outlines how, depending on your experience and level of competitiveness, you should proceed on improving your ability as a fighter. I recommend this book without any hesitation.

This dynamic memoir is written with much candor,humor,and passion. The author allows us to see deep inside his heart to experience the pain, the joys,the thoughts and the emotions as this living account of God's mercy and grace come alive.

The author responded to his own internal compass that was instilled in him by his parents as a child. This was a faith that held steadfast in the face of evil and death. This revealing biography will take you through the fog and friction of war,the deprivation of a prison camp,his calling of God to the priesthood;balancing married life,children,ministry and Air Force responsibilities that will transform you in unexpected ways.

From the time that I started reading the first page of Unchained Eagle until I finished reading the last page, I was completely absorbed in the account of Father Certain's life as a military officer and church leader. His story is an inspiration to those of us who lived through the Vietnam era and who are also engaged in our churches. He has provided special insights into the trama that the war experience caused for many military personnel, especially whose who were prisioners of war, and has described a strategy for addressing our personal and spiritual problems through our faith in God and support from God's servants. I highly recommend Unchained Eagle as a must-read autobiographical work.

A well done account of the authors feeling and thoughts from being shot down in a B-52 to becoming and being an Episcopal priest. He gives detail but he makes it so readable that I found it a real page turner. A very interesting look at how the author deals with his Post Traumatic Stress from his ordeal. I recommend it.

It is very rare for me to take a book of this nature.I was glued to it from cover to cover. Unchained Eagle is not just a re-count of events made only for Vietnam Veterans or for Episcopelians,has been written for all who want to keep his/her believes against all obstacles in life.
Unchained Eagle shows us the true price of freedom.It gives the reader an understanding on the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and how coming back from a War, takes a lifetime to overcome the hurdles.With incredible amount of success, as we may see his life unfolding after the book.Reader keep on reading, his story is still being told.

Robert Certain's biographical sketch is more than the story of one Vietnam POW who survived his ordeal with strength, honor and integrity. It is truly the story of one man wrestling with his call to serve, first as a Navigator over targets in Vietnam and then over flocks of Christians seeking God through the Church. Fr. Certain's tale cuts to the core of what it means to serve and serve faithfully. Beyond the loyalty to his oath as an officer Certain presents a compelling story of his loyalty to his devoted wife who stands by him during his time in the Hanoi Hilton and then, how his faith in God made him give himself over to Christ.
For those who knew the times and appreciated what our Veterans did for their nation it is a compelling tale. For those born after the Vietnam War Robert Certain's book will help you capture the times and trials of this troubled period through the eyes of one who lived it vividly. Every veteran can share in his fears, hopes, joys, adventures and ultimate victory over his captors. Every Christian can find their own path to redemption by accompanying Fr. Certain on his journey from Prisoner of War to Prisoner of Christ.

For anyone who is familiar with Vince Gironda, this book is a must have. If you are a body builder and you have not looked into Vince Gironda you are missing out on a lot of valuable insight into creating muscle. This book not only gives exercises the Gironda way, it shows body building the way it should be done, you against the iron. Gironda trained many of the best including Schwarzenegger. If you think you are tough, try out Gironda's 8x8 routine, what he called the honest routine (not included in this book).

I'm not sure if this is the best BB book ever, but I would rank it very highly, partly because it contains information you may not find any other place. BTW, I waited to write this review until I had read the entire book.

Gironda makes it clear that his ideas were criticized in his day. Bodybuilders were laughed at when he first started, but he didn't let that stop him. His low carb, high protein diets must have seemed really weird back then. However, not so much in the post-Atkins world.

Then again, his recommendation to consume raw eggs and raw meat sounds like an invitation to food poisoning. Also, I am concerned that if I followed his advice to use dessicated liver tablets, I might be consuming too much iron and increasing my risk of heart disease. In fact, he recommends using a ton of supplements, and I'm not sure that this is necessary or that I could afford it.

Although he gives several different diet plans, they are actually for people who are already in good shape. He says he has no patience for fat. To lose fat, he says "eat less". He expected people coming to his gym to already be in good condition before they came asking for his advice. Of course, if you are out of shape, that doesn't mean you can't get something from this book. Just don't expect it to give you a lot of guidance on weight loss.

Also, don't expect it to be a book about getting huge. Gironda's idea of bodybuilding was not about that. He was really into the V shape.

He discourages heavy back squats, becuase he says it can make the gluts and waist too big, thereby detracting from the V shape. He also mentions that a guy with a short neck should not work the traps specifically. He even mentions that some bodybuilders look fat when they have their clothes on, because they have gotten big in the wrong places.

One interesting idea I picked up from this book is the use of hyperventilation. The idea is to take several deep breaths before beginning an exercise to get oxygen circulating so the muscles don't give out too soon. I found this very useful when doing high rep sets. I was able to get through the set more easily.

I think it is definitely worth following his advice on back development, given that he had one of the widest backs of his day.

Finally, he includes a chapter for bodybuilders over 40, which I particularly appreciated since I just turned 40.

I'm not sure what Kennedy's contribution was to this book. Probably some editing and choice of pictures. It was originally published under a slightly different title with only Gironda's name on it.

In Kennedy's book, Beef It!, he promotes the use of heavy, high rep squats, especially for those with a slow metabolism. Also, he argues against the idea that bodybuilders need a lot more protein than the average person. Instead, he recommends a high carb diet low in sugar, salt, and processed foods. He does not seem to think that a lot of supplements are necessary except maybe just before a contest.

Anyway, I don't know why Kennedy would want his name to be used on a book which clearly disagrees with his own ideas, so I suppose it had to be more of a business deal rather than a true collaboration. Of course, Kennedy is a self-described hardgainer, so I don't think he ever had the kind of personal bodybuilding success that Gironda did. He is, however, a very successful publisher and author.

I'm generally not all that impressed by pictures. There are books out there with great pictures and little information. However, for such a slim book, the author has included a wealth of information. And since the book is not so huge, there is no excuse not to read it all.

This is definitely a classic, and I'm surprised that it went out of print. I think it is one of the few bodybuilding books written about this time which has appreciated in value. I think that it will continue to do so as it becomes more rare, so get your copy sooner than later.

Vince Gironda was a pioneer in the world of bodybuilding, his methods were many years ahead of his time. The exercises, routines, nutrition, and philosophy contained in this book are some of the best in the world of physique training and bodybuilding. I recommend this book to any serious fitness enthusiast with an open mind. This book is simply a gold mine of information!

Note: there are several versions of this book on amazon at widely varying prices from used book dealers. Buy the cheapest version...they're all the same. if the title says "unavailable", then search amazon for another version by another seller...it's worth the trouble. Now for why i think this book is worth your reading (I only review excellent books...a small percentage of the books i read...why waste more time even talking about something that's not excellent?)...

Mr. Gironda had some ideas that were ahead of his time and a few places where i think he may have been incorrect. Here's the part you should study...

1. Go for symmetry instead of bulk. Unless you're into a professional sport or occupation that requires great stregth (example...have friend who's the first ATF agent through the door when making bust on crack house...he needs to be capable of brutality)..unless you need to be huge...extra weight can require more time in sleep and eating and slow you down. You can look plain fat in your clothes and most women are more attracted to the lean tarzan sort of look.

Don't believe me? Get a copy of Men's health and a copy of muscle and fitness...now ask the women you know which group of men (out of which magazine) would they want to choose their next vacation partner.

So if huge muscles make you more sleepy, less likely to get laid, less healthy, and require more time to maintain...I'd say a more lean tarzan look just works better all around.

Vince teaches this strategy (tarzan over hulk) and gives practical suggestions for pulling it off.

A let down was the fact that most of the photos in his book show people hulked out on steroids (not consistent with his philosophy). But if you look at photos of the author himself...he lived what he preached. In the photos in his clothes, he looks lean and not huge. With his clothes off he looks strong but not too bulky and the symmetry and vascualrity give him the "wild [and healthy] physique" of a Tarzan.

2. A few more extras...he gives a leaning up diet that is basically Atkins made better with it's suggestion of a high carb meal every 3 to 5 days to reload the muscles with glycogen and avoid weakness. When i do this diet, i make friday and monday carb days and stay with raw eggs (mix 6 in blender with scoop of whey and a tablespoon of diet jello and handful of ice), sushi or steak for supper, occasional atkins bar, and a teaspoon of metamucil per day (to avoid the constipation of all meat/egg diet).

I can't officially reocmmend the raw eggs (ask your own doctor...and don't have your lawyer even think of calling me if you get a stomach ache), but the way i do it is buy fresh eggs and just keep them cold until i'm ready to eat them. I've been eating raw eggs almost daily for about 30 years and never got sick from them (and keep a total cholesterol around 160...but i eat very very few sweets, don't drink any alcohol at all, and i exercise once almost every day and most days two times a day).

Then on carb loading days i have a salad, fruit, and even some pizza or something crazy to reload.

Anyway, sorry, don't won't to write a book just telling you a way to apply his all egg and meat diet (which he wrote way before atkins wrote his book).

3. The other ideas about training after 40 are excellent (i'll soon be 47 so i'm relating more to these chapters).

***What to ignore...he's not a fan of aerobic exercise. DEAD WRONG. Weights will not substitute the health benefits of walking. Do both..or do you not think you're worth it?

***Read more on my website and read my reviews and get healthy (guess what the people you're taking care of and using as an exuse for not working out...like your family and friends and customers...remember them? Guess what? you'll take better care of them if you're healthy).

Buy this book, throw away the sugary poison that's in your pantry...the stuff that you wouldn't feed to your dog, and go workout. Vince is right...it's 85% diet but the diet becomes easier if you're doing the workouts...it takes both.

Peace & health to you.

Vince Gironda's training techniques are very effective for women as well.

Doing neck presses and incline db press filled in a hollow area I had around my collarbone also gave my breasts a firmer, tighter look.

Working the side delts improved on a otherwise poor bone structure and made me look better in my upper body.

I was also able to firm and tighten my legs with "Howorth squats" and pulley squeezes.

To bad Vince is gone, I would have enjoyed meeting him.