Robertson Books

My first contact with "Red Hills and Cotton" was in 1973; I was 4 years old, and my mother had been given the book as a birthday present by my aunt. When I was old enough, I read the book for myself. Ben Robertson is buried in my hometown, and I recognized much of the geography of which he writes. I also recognize much of the human spirit about which he writes - the spirit of the Southern small farmer.

Although many of the circumstances of the South have changed since this writing (in the early 1940s), the nature of the people has not changed to a great extent. We may not work the fields each day, but our love of God, family, homeland, adventure, loyalty -- all these things remain close to our hearts and lives. Ben Robertson would still have reason to be proud. Would that he had lived longer and written more!

This is one of my all time favorites. Being raised on a cotton farm in Texas in the depression, I can relate to it entirely. It showed me the close relationship of all southern people and the common heritage even though our farms were a 1,000 miles apart. Many of Ben's relatives were just like mine. And cotton was King. It was the main topic of conversation all year.

An English professor I had in college once berated me at a poker game for recommending this book. He had never heard of it. I gave him a copy. I can only imagine the sardonic moment in which he finally picked it up. He loved it. The book was given to me by a Capitol Hill policeman from North Carolina. This is the sort of book that will help Yankee's (like me)to understand the Old South; a truly liberal and enlightened view. This is one of those books, whose author was struck down early in life, that makes you wonder what might have come from his pen had he lived. These are memoirs, memoirs of the old folks that made up the backbone of the South after the Civil War up to the Great Depression, real, living people whom, thorough these pages, become a delight to get acquainted with.

From a member of the next generation with recollections and experiences of a similar nature, I can assure you that this book gives a highly accurate account of what it was like growing up in the rural South. The next best book of this nature, and one similar to it is "Run With the Horsemen", by Ferol Sams. Although "Run With the Horsemen" is classed as a novel, it accurately portrays life in the rural South during the Great Depression. Please don't miss reading either of these great books concerning events that occured at a special time and in a very special place.

Very helpful discussion of basics and some advanced issues regarding compliance for RIA's.

I can't imagine any RIA firm, particularly those with CFP designees on staff that wouldn't be interested in this book. It is both well written and well organized. I intend to keep this book as a permanent resource. Opportunity to earn 20 hours CFP CE credit gives it great value as well.

I was quite "blown away" by the amount of accurate information in this book. In all of my years in this industry I have never seen it contained in one place so comprehensively. It is also quite easy to read and to find what you're looking for. I recommend this book as a guidepost to everyone in the investment advisory business.

Any area involving government regulations is destined to be very complex and very confusing. This is particularly true with securities and the SEC and state regulatory requirements. Ms. Demby's book provides a guide through the regulatory maze.
I am just beginning my journey into the financial planning profession, and this book will always be within easy reach.


James Dupree, CPA

A poignant and touching story woven together from journals and notes. It speaks of true Christian faith, love of family and sacrifice for others. It is rich in desription and brings back many memories of living in a small town and attending a local Methodist church.

This book offers the reader hope, understanding, and how the Robertson's faith saw them through so many hardships. The Robertson's suffered pain, sorrow, and adversity, but their steadfast love and abiding faith in the Lord always prevailed throughout the turmoil in their lives. Even though it was a simpler era of time, the hardships that they endured then is still prevelent today. I would strongly suggest that anyone suffering these adversities to read this book in order to gain a stronger appreciation for what we have and to gain faith and understanding for tomorrow.

Shadow Dawn is a one-year diary/journal kept by a pioneer "steel magnolia" during the mid-thirties. Mary Adelaide Webb and her Methodist minister husband, Doctor Webb, take the reader on a journey of faith of the shadows before miracle drugs or bypass surgery as well as the joys of their "holy vow" kept throughout a forty-year Christian marriage. The reader is swept up in the optimism Mrs. Webb exhibits even under dire circumstances and the grace she imparts through her thoughts and actions. I wish I could have known Mary Webb; what an inspiration she is!

This is a truly inspirational book and extremely well written. It focuses on the life of two people after the Civil War and the struggles they endured and gives the reader hope and encouragement for a better tomorrow in the world we live. Those principles applied at that time as well as today. The book is a comfort to the hurting in today's world.

When she was very young, my daughter loved pop-up books like this one. The sections that pop up form opening and closing mouths and bills, something that she was fascinated with. The story involves a series of common Earth animals all talking about a flying saucer that landed on the roof. They are: a cat, a crossbill, a bulldog, a duck and a hippo. The last animal is a little green Martian. My daughter would have loved this book.

We are on our second generation of kids enjoying Jan Pienkowski's wonderful pop-up books, including Small Talk, which was originally titled "Gossip". The illustrations are bright, vivid and amaze children & adults alike. Highly highly highly recommend these books.

Cute pop-ups, good for very young children. It's one of my childhood favorites as well as my sister's.(We're 13 & 11 now)

This is one of my favorite Jan Pienkowski books. The text is sparse. It's a short message that gets boggled as it is repeated over and over (like in the game "telephone") by a series of animals. It's not really a story, though--it's more of a statement. To that end, I suppose a teacher could use it as an entree to a discussion of listening skills. Or, perhaps a parent could use it to highlight the importance of taking accurate phone messages or something of the sort. But I don't see it as the type of book a child, particular an older child (post-kindergarten) would read over and over again. On the other hand, I think it is a very appealing book for babies and young toddlers, even though it is not recommended for that age group. The text will be lost on them, but the marvelous pop-ups won't. They are big, colorful, three-dimensional animal faces. My son loved them. He was only a baby, but I would lay him on his back and show him the pictures and make the animal sounds. He would reach up and put his hands in the animals' mouths and giggle. As he got a little older, he would go through the book himself, saying the names of the animals and making their sounds. Of course, the downside of babies and pop-up books is that the pop-up books end up taking a beating. SMALL TALK did not make it to my son's second birthday. Even so, when I have another baby, it's the first book I'm going to buy him (or her).

This is the best comic about a Beaver in Space that I have ever read! It's really interesting to see how a 17 year old nobody started his career with this stuff! If you like Transmetropolitan, you should read Space Beaver. Not that they're anything alike, but Warren Ellis wrote something in both titles, and Darick Robertson drew them both. Every story has a beginning and this is Darick Robertson's. And hey, even THIS is better than Phantom Menace.

I had vaguely heard of Space Beaver when I started reading Transmetropolitan. Enjoying the super-detailed art of Darick Robertson, I wondered if I would enjoy Space Beaver as well. Let me tell you, after reading both volumes, I love Space Beaver! The characters are believeable, with real emotion. It is also a wonderful thing to witness Darick's artistic progression from the somewhat cartoon-like beginning of the book, to the sharply detailed, and realistic end. Violent, funny, sad: these things describe Space Beaver. It's not Shakespear, but what do you expect from a bunch of talking animals, shooting lasers at each other!? Buy Space Beaver, it's totally fun, and totally legal!

I have never read it, but I love it!

In 1946, while attempting to invent a cure for being vaporized by a detonated atomic warhead, researchers unexpectedly discovered the universe could essentially be broken down into two fundamental categories; those which are Space Beaver, and those which fail miserably to be Space Beaver. The only thing remaining was for Space Beaver to be invented, and in 1986 Darick Robertson did just that.

Whether or not Darick would ever have become the comic artist he is today if he hadn't tried to draw comics, we may never know. But we definitely wouldn't have Space Beaver, as well as some other stuff like Transmetropolitan, and I think he does some work for Marvel or something. Or maybe I'm thinking of Arby's. No, I'm almost positive it's Marvel.

But more recent, high-profile works aside, Space Beaver is something you absolutely must have. Why? Name three other things that have anything to do with a beaver in outer space. You probably don't even have one thing with a beaver from space in it. What kind of person are you? Obviously you are lacking in Space Beaver-related things. Besides, it's a good book; a juxtaposition of words and pictures as a means of relating a story. A storytelling medium invented entirely by Darick himself (unconfirmed). But the important thing that you should know is those words and pictures are pretty damn good ones. And there's lots of them too.

But don't take my word for it, or even Darick Robertson's (who's endorsement is inherently implied, by the way). Consider the words of Abraham Lincoln himself, who said "No matter how much cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens." And there certainly are.

Robertson should be castigated for only one thing, the sequel he promises in his afterword has never eventuated.

Being a historical recreationist, I am fairly picky about any books that deal with history- and besides the accents (which the author later says he made up in order to make the story more real to the reader, from the main characters' point of view), I found the culture and many events to be very accurate, from what we know. As far as imagined events- I happen to be Wiccan, so naturally I was drawn to the book for the title- and I was not disappointed on the magic side of the story. The land of fairie is very accurately represented from the Celtic folktales I've read- there's an encounter with the Wild Hunt, an interesting take on Clan symbolism, and of course, the occasional fun conjure. When there were sex scenes in the book, I found them to be quite in keeping with the story and not gratuitous.
The fear of torture, real to any woman who's studied the time period, was portrayed very well also.
Go for it- the only thing you'll be sorry about is that there is no sequel! Although the story does indeed come 'full circle' at the end, you'll want to read more about this magical world.

I cryed when I found that there was no more. I will never know what else befalls our heroin. Please I begg of you, right the promised sequil!!!

It was so enchanting, that I never put it down. I read the hole book in two days. When I came to the end and was teased by the promise of more, I was over joyed. I ran right out to the book store to buy the sequil. I will be clinging to the lost hope that some day our beloved author will come to his senses and right our long awaited sequal.

I was in here looking for more books by the author because I loved this books so much. Somehow he struck the right balance in an ever shifting world our heroine travels through, and still making it all balance and ring 'true'. I was glued to the book until I came to the end. One of the things I love, character development, was handled extremely well. Though the ending came 'full circle' and fit in perfectly, i was still mystified and wishing to take another journey to gather more data in. Alas, there is no sequel. I mourn.

This is the other half of complimentary book "Lift off"

Scott Robertson's unique vehicle designs are applied to things that drive in this book.

You will see the process of firstly small quick rough sketches until he finds a shape and then develops the most liked shapes further. The next step goes into more detailed sketches with full vanishing points laid out.
The final art is then revealed in amazing detail and believability.

If you are learning about concept and design pick this up now, also look at the tutorial videos and other books.

[...]

I love books like this and Scott Robertson is a great thinker. What love is that there is focus on Sketching which is not focused on enough in other books.

A very good book! It must be different, because Scott Robertson, is a phenomenal artist!
Very good same!

This second book from scott robertson is just as amazing as his "lift off" book. This book has real world examples of the creative process that it takes to create a vehicle from a simple idea to a final render. Tons of amazing sketches are inspirational and just candy for your eyes. I love this book and never get tired off looking at it. I recomend it to anyone in the design field who is looking for fresh ideas and work for inspiration

Steve has done it again with another coming of age page turner. Having worked with middle schoolers for
years, and being an avid fisherman himself, he uses both experiences to create a memorable young adult
book that is suitable for all ages. I liked Sandy because he showed a depth of character that isn't always apparent in other YA books. The book doesn't get bogged down in details, but manages to put you
directly into the story from the first page. I have recommended this to many of my middle school readers,
and every one of them has come back with positive remarks.

The Stream

Good stories are, by nature, meant to entertain; but, what can make a story great is the added bonus a reader gets when the tale teaches a reader something new; The Stream is a great story. What, you may wonder, did I learn from reading this great tale? I must admit that initially, it was with a little trepidation that I approached this novel. Fishing? What do I know about fishing? I thought. It is neither a hobby of mine and really, I could not very well identify with a story about a youth who gets lost at sea when he goes out fishing. But, I was wrong and in for a treat.

I was hooked from the moment I completed reading the Prologue. The main protagonist, Sandy, is in some form of danger and I found that I immediately wanted to know what happened. This desire to know what happened was sustained throughout the tale and is testament to Mr. Robertson's craftsmanship. The remaining chapters chronicle the events of Sandy's life and experiences in the two weeks prior to this incident. It is an honest, heart-warming and yet funny account of this teenager's life in the sea-side town of Mayport, Florida.

In this story, Mr. Robertson has introduced various themes from the preservation of family values, teenage romance, boy-growing up and a rescue mission. To his credit, Mr. Robertson has managed to intertwine all of these themes and the end result is a tale which is seamless and flows beautifully. The language is neither too flowery nor is it too simple - indeed, Mr. Robertson has struck a balance to ensure that the tale is told with great aplomb. There is much humor in this story and it comes across in the many descriptions that Mr. Robertson has given to the characters and places. For instance, `Watermelon-on-legs' and `Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum' immediately create images that makes any further description of these people superfluous. Also, what was intriguing was that Mr. Robertson has succeeded in writing dialogue that is so true and original that it was refreshing.

It is often said of novels that words should be enough to sufficiently convey a tale. When illustrations are included, something does not seem right and more often than not, a reader may become frustrated with the fact that the illustrations do not eventually tally with the description in the book. However, in the case of The Stream, it is the exact opposite for Mr. Robertson's words already conjure up images that are most vivid and when the strategically placed illustrations presented themselves, I found myself thinking, "that's exactly how I saw it"- indeed, the illustrations are beautiful and they add to rather than detract from the tale told.

As I started with the idea that readers should learn something new when reading a tale, I think it fitting that I end this piece with what I've learned about fishing by quoting what is my favorite passage in the book:

Actually, Sandy already knew that the tide would be low because he kept up with the charts. Good fishermen always considered several natural occurrences when fishing. The tide was one. Sandy liked an incoming tide. The temperature of the water was significant, the phase and location of the moon was another factor. The presence and location of baitfish in an area was also important. The moon would be setting about the time the sun rose, which was perfect. The water was very warm around the inshore reefs and there were lots of baitfish swimming there.

You don't exist!
The book doesn't exist!
The chair you are sitting in doesn't exist!
All that exists is the story and you are in it!

You become the kid, Sandy, as he makes the
same mistakes you made when you were his age.
Difference is, his mistakes may cost him his life.

The beauty of this book is... it takes you away
from your life and brings you into the story
where you become one with the kid...
and you are very affraid to turn the next page.

This is one of what I've come to think of as Robertson's "coming of age" series, and in a sense it is the typical young-man-on-a-quest story. It's more than that, though. The author weaves his love of the sea and fishing, his encyclopedic knowledge of both, and -- most importantly -- his deep understanding of young men from his years as a teacher and coach, into a tale that is reminiscent of Conrad and Hemingway but that is, in the end, pure Steve Robertson. A good read for all ages.

We so often talk about the Holy Spirit, but we have no idea who he is. This book thoroughly introduces us to the person on the Holy Spirit, and it goes carefully through the different functions of the Holy Spirit, the gifts, and a variety of other things. A great study to do with a friend.

We so often talk about the Holy Spirit, but we have no idea who he is. This book thoroughly introduces us to the person on the Holy Spirit, and it goes carefully through the different functions of the Holy Spirit, the gifts, and a variety of other things. A great study to do with a friend.

The Supernatural Church is an owner's manual for every believer. It is designed to teach and equip a person for power in life and ministry. It will help you grow in spiritual sensitivity, and you will learn how to be used by the Spirit effectively.

Confused about the Holy Spirit, the baptism of the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, anything to do with the Holy Spirit, then this book is a must read. My only advice, don't rush through it! It takes you through scripture step by step, laying out who the Spirit is and goes on from there. This book is nothing but pure, biblical truth. I highly recomend it for any believer who wants to know more about the Spirit!

Excellent book by the real deal. I hope he writes more fiction as I really enjoyed the read. Action packed based on very possible scenarios, very believable.

A friend recommended The Walk-In by Gary Berntsen and Ralph Pezzullo as a good spy thriller. I picked up a copy from the library, and it made it to the top of my recreational reading list rather quickly. This ended up being an excellent story with elements that are all too imaginable in real-life...

Matt Freed is a counter-terrorism agent who is tasked to interview an Iranian thought to be a highly placed intelligence operative. He tells Freed that there are two major terrorist operations about to happen, and that Freed will be shot if he leaves the building. The first bombing is to be carried out in Qatar, while the second will be a significant strike on US soil. The officer says he doesn't yet have the details on the second threat, but he's still working with the terrorist group to find out what is planned. Freed obviously knows this is important intel... provided it's accurate and truthful. On the surface, the details seem to pan out, and authorities are able to minimize the damage of the first attack. But details of the second attack are still unknown, and the Iranian wants to be permitted entry to the US in order to save his own life. US authorities are mobilizing to fight this unknown threat, and they're willing to let the Iranian into the country. Freed isn't completely convinced that this isn't a set-up, and he nearly throws his career away to try and find out if the informant is actually the attacker. Frantic trips to Uzbekistan and Moscow reveal details that, if true, means that hundreds of thousands of US citizens will die. But if Freed is wrong, his actions may start another war in the Middle East...

Berntsen and Pezzullo have teamed up to create a very tight spy novel that could be happening right now for all we know. Berntsen was actually a CIA counter-terrorism agent, so his plot and characters have a ring of authenticity to them. Pezzullo ties the storyline together with excellent writing, and the net effect is a novel that's hard to put down, as well as uncomfortable to read and think about...

This novel was written by a former CIA operative that led counterterrorism initiatives in the Middle East, Latin America, and East Africa for over 20 years, even confronting Osama Bin Laden.

Gary Berntsen, then, brings a degree of austere realism to an international spy drama that rings true and captivates the reader. I felt that I was in the room or on-site with each of the characters as they acted.

Writing partner Ralph Pezzullo brings a flow and buildup of storyline that is uncommon and presents paramilitary operations in a gripping fashion. It is sometimes hard to tell what side some of the actors support, just as in real life, but the resolution of the storyline is satisfying. An important function of the story is to bring greater understanding of what is happening within global terrorism, making the book valuable public information.

A high-level Iranian intelligence officer "walks in" the U.S. Embassy and meets with Matt Freed, delivering secret information that America will be attacked in its most vital spots within two weeks. The story could be false, but U.S. forces prepare for battle and counterintelligence.

Feeling preparations are lacking, Freed organizes his own initiative. He leads his group to an Afghan prison in search of an important senior citizen, to an Uzbek biohazards dump of an arms facility, and to a Moscow hospital to see an arms dealer dying of bio-warfare results. Freed is left on his own in his wide ranging actions, the U.S. government not daring to avow knowledge of them. A mysterious white-haired operative repeatedly appears at each skirmish or point of intrigue, but what side does he represent?

In the end, the "walk-in," the Iranian intelligence man, was working only for his own side. He attempts to unleash far-reaching biohazards in the U.S. and several people are affected, along with Freed's personal life.

This book is full of action and the horrors of terrorism, but is good information with a minimum of harsh language.

Anyone interested in America's position in the War On Terror should read The Walk-In.

For years all kinds of writers have been trying to tackle a realistic and fictional story related to the war on terrorism. Books and even movies, such as the The Sum of All Fears, failed in imagination and were tip of the iceberg doomsday concepts with few substantive ideas of where a possible threat to the United States might come from? Who are the perpetrators, and how do they plan on carrying out their plans for mass murder?

Where all the other stories have failed, The Walk-In provides everything this kind of a story needs and more. The book is the story of Matt Freed, an aggresive counterterrorism officer, who receives a tip from a walk-in at a U.S. embassy. It is up to Freed to follow this lead, find out if this guy is for real, and chase down the people who are plotting to kill innocent lives.

Bertnsen and Pezzullo have created a wild and plausible plot that shows exactly where and how potential threats may materialize. A lot of the reasons 9/11 wasn't prevented had to do with human failures and counterproductive beauracratic structures that impede the efforts of brave individuals who bear the brunt of having to protect America under extremely difficult circumstances. The Walk-In is written brilliantly and conincingly, and you will be surprised how much you can learn about the threats we face from a work of fiction. Anyone interested in this subject, or just enjoys a fun and exciting plot will do themselves justice by picking up this book.