Robertson Books

What is it about Halloween and ghost stories that turns us all into kids? Just looking at the covers of local author William Robertson's two spooky story collections makes me want to grin like a jack o'lantern and cackle like a witch. Lurking in Pennsylvania features a cover photo of two fawns in a patch of trees - a photo that was probably high in the "awwwww...." factor (as in, "awww, aren't they sweet?) before the addition of a demonic glow in the eyes of the Bambi twins. (This is probably a much more accurate portrayal, many gardeners will be happy to let you know.)

Robertson's newest collection, Dark Haunted Day, displays another familiar northern Pennsylvania scene, that of the weathered farmhouse surrounded by stark trees. This cover is in black and white, as are the rest of the photos scattered throughout the book to accompany various stories. Not that it would matter much if the photos were in color, because for many months of the year, and at several times of the day, this is the way our landscapes look. In both his introduction and with the tone of his stories, this Potter County author speaks to the way the atmosphere affects those of us who call this area home. The author remarks that although this climate causes bouts of depression in some people, for him it has inspired the creative spark that allows him to present us with stories, poems and pictures that bring that childlike pleasure in scaring yourself.

Indeed, as I read through the offerings of these two books, I connected most with the stories about kids. The very first one I read was "Rescue at the Devil's Den", which combines Robertson's two greatest strengths - his knowledge about the Pennsylvania Civil War unit known as the Bucktails, and his writing for children. Bill Robertson marches with the local re-enactment unit of the Bucktails, and has penned five wonderful books on the subject. With co-author David Rimer, Robertson writes about the experiences the young men of northern Pennsylvania had while fighting with the Bucktails. Obviously, Robertson draws on these writings, and adds a supernatural twist in creating some of his horror stories. The Boy Scout who is stranded up in Devil's Den on a tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield makes out far better in his encounter with the spirit of a soldier than does the photographer who hasn't been paying child support in the appropriately titled, "Bad Things Happen to Bad Men."

Another thrill came from hearing Rob Kathcart give an animated reading of "Mrs. Babcock's ABC's" to a young audience who shrieked in delight as second-grader Perry finds at the truth about his "evil" teacher and principal. And children as well as adults should enjoy the fact that in many stories, ghosts get their revenge on people who deserve it - hunters who needlessly and brutally kill over their legal limit of deer; a home repairman taking advantage of an old widow; the editor of a magazine who enjoys sending rejection letters. Although occasionally Robertson's dialogue or style is a little stilted, these two books on the whole offer countless nuggets of enjoyment. I encourage Gazette readers who are looking to share a thrill: support a local author, turn off the lights and read aloud by firelight what's Lurking in Pennsylvania on any given Dark Haunted Day.

Editor,"Of A Predatory Heart"

With two pre-teen girls I'm always looking for ways to connect. This is a wonderful bedtime read. Have recommended to several others. Each "chapter" is two pages long and ends with a eternal, uplifting, thought provoking message. A real treasure in our household and a book that we will continue to revisit.

Death of a Swagman was written in the mid point of Arthur Upfields career and shows in his attention to detail and his ability to capture the feling of Australian country towns in the early part of our century. The story is a good detective novel in its own right with plenty of plots and action and red herrings. Bony's relationship with Rose Marie is used as a strong pivot point throughout the novel giving a useful viewpoint of the running of the town from a child's perspective. The advantage of this book over other bony novels is the character development of the subjects. This gives a depth and humanity which remains after the story is finished. The narrative of the swagmans lifestyle and its mythology is addressed here with great detail and provides a refreshing glimpse of a bygone era.

Lisa Robertson's Debbie: An Epic is a wonderfully original non-linear lyric poem. Although it does not produce a narrative or present consistent characters, it takes in fundamental ideas--women's position in society, contemporary attitudes toward classical authors, distrust of narrative--and spins them into a beautiful, ever-shifting lyric fabric. Although you won't emerge with a paraphrasable story in your head, you undoubtedly will have extraordinary lines and phrases and images occupying your mind for days.

The layout of the book itself is stunning, taking advantage of different font sizes and shades, white space, and margins--it's a feat of book design.

I am currently learning about California Native American History, but there are so few books out there. The ones that do exist such as Indians of CA: The Changing Image by James Rawls & Strangers In A Stolen Land by Richard Carrico are informative, but rely on newspapers and Euro-American opinion as a primary source. Albeit important, these books do not reflect Native American perspectives at all. This biography is the only text I know of that attempts to fill this gap. I especially like this book because I grew up in San Diego and to learn about what this county looked like 100 years ago moves me. Knowing the places that Delfina Cuero mentions sometimes brings me to tears. It is an invaluable piece of history, and it is an inspirational account of human resilience.

I don't read German well, but for those who do there are 10 reviews on the Amazon site in German, amazon.de, which you find with a search term of Der Apfelgarten. There are 7 five-starred and 3 four-starred. It pleases me very much that my mother's memoir is available in Germany. (It was also translated into Italian and Chinese but I know nothing about those editions.)

Please see also Measuring Time-by an hourglass, a collection of my mother's essays that I've just had published by Dog Ear Publishing, available on Amazon.com. Betsy Robertson Cramer

Also see: Measuring Time - by an hourglass

Serving as proof that even the most inauspicious of beginnings, i.e. the dreaded "viral video," can lead to great success (author Graham Robertson co-wrote and directed the hugely popular online spoof Superfriends Wassup!), Robertson's Desktop Cinema: Feature Filmmaking on a Home Computer is exactly the kind of user-friendly moviemaking guide that most directors strive to write (and read), yet rarely do.
The book is a pleasure to read and packed with all sorts of useful information (you never notice just how much you've actually learned until you've moved on to the next chapter).
Written from the perspective of someone who knows what it's like to struggle as an independent moviemaker, it's therefore chock-full of do-it-yourself tips and a handy CD-ROM that includes the first 17 minutes of Robertson's all-digital, sci-fi feature, Able Edwards, as well as storyboard templates and other forms that will definitely come in handy in your own moviemaking endeavors.

This journal has been an invaluable tool to help me pinpoint areas that need work, as well as to track my exercise, food and blood sugar testing results! I take it with me to doctor's appointments too, as she likes to be able to look at how I'm doing in all of those areas so that she can make suggestions for changes that I haven't thought of myself. I highly recommend it!

This book is a hilarious reflection of Samuel Marchbank's everyday life and travels in Canada.. Every entry has something interesting to say even if it is forced out by his admitted lack of dramatic excitement.. Some of my favourite quotes have come from this book and others in the Marchbanks series.

Please do not vote, yet! I will finish the review shortly. Thank you!

INTRODUCTION:

I have to admit to you, the Psalms never excited me. Besides the handful key verses from Psalms (e.g. 119:11), the rest of the Psalters were too melo-dramatic for my taste (too much talk about enemies, sorrow, despair). Reading Bonhoeffer's thoughts on the glory and splendor of God, of our Savior and Messiah has been a very humbling and teaching experience.

Previously (2002) published as "My Soul Finds Rest" (identical content).

AUTHOR:

CONTENT:

CONCLUSION:

For me, the Psalms came alive, with spiritual father Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer memorized, meditated, and drew a deep spiritual manna from the Psalms. Now I have a better appreciating for why the Orthodox liturgy (based on St. John Chrysostom - the gold mouth, and St. Basil) is infused with Psalm verses (Psalmody) and whole passages, and why the Psalms have been known across the centuries in the West as "the he treasury of the Church's finest prayers" (Psalters).

Now when I read, pray, and sing, the Psalms I make sure to use a Bible that has titles and notes (explanatory and devotional) for each Psalm.