Shaw Books

Cancel all your plans for the next couple of days, once you start reading this book you will not want to put it down. The Author has an amazing ability to make places and characters come to life. Although Angel has a tough girl exterior you can not help but feel sympathy for her. Her disfunctional family life, the men in her life all make for unforgettable reading. "Angel" was a great form of escapism for me and when I finished I wished there was more. Let's hope the Author has plans for a sequel. Although the book was long, it was never long winded, always entertaining. I would highly recommend "Angel" to anyone who loves romance and adventure. Please, please Jess Shaw can we have some more???

I wasn't too sure what to expect with this book when it began. Here was a story that had been done before in my eyes...young girl in love with a guy she has known all her life etc etc and then a strict father who forbids their love. At first i thought been there..read that. But reading more I saw this is not a story that has been done before. Here is a story of a young woman who is determined not to give up even after her capture and the death of her husband. This is a must read!!

While the narrative style of writing can indeed place you right in the middle of the action and did, there were some times when the story tended to gloss over many exciting circumstances while at the same time focused on other, not so important areas. For instance, near the end of the book, the Cubans kidnap Angelique, our heroine. And yet, there are no details of her capture and rescue. In fact, the author chooses this as one of the rare times to ignore her point of view completely and focused instead on everyone else's point of view. I liked the book overall and especially enjoyed the honesty of the characters who were presented in raw form; as humans with flaws, but there were some times I wish the author had delved into more detail.

Angel tells the story of a girl that is forced into a harsh world due to an arranged marriage. She gets jerked around from everyone, whether it's her childhood sweetheart or her father. But ultimately, she decides to take control over her own destiny. The first-person perspective the book is written in further adds in you being able to feel her pain.

This book was a real page turner. I could not stop reading it. For a father to treat his own daughter the way the he did is sickening. It is not a wonder Ange had so many problems in life. The abuse she suffered is more than any person should ever see. If Ange would of been allowed to marry Eli from the start things would of been a lot different.You will not be disappointed with this book. Once you start reading you will be hooked.

This was the first book I read for my first therapy practicum as a doctoral student and it provided a rock-solid foundation for cognitive-behavioral case conceptualization and treatment planning. Provided that you already have good basic clinical skills (or are learning them elsewhere), this book is all you need to get started doing CBT.

Beck's approach to treatment of depression is both innovative and of long standing value. Opening the book to any page I find examples readily useable for group and individual therapy. Clearly written and easily understood. Excellent for all psychiatric related professionals. Readily able to be used by all levels of caregivers.

This is more of a text book than anything. Not a book for self help. It is a bit wordy and is sometimes needlessly convoluted.

I bought and read this book many years ago and found it very helpful. I read it again a few weeks ago and was again able to appreciate it's value. Aside from the dated research, and some of the debate regarding the use of anti-depressants, it remains as fresh and powerful and relevant today as it was when it was published. It is definitely a giant step in taking the mystery out of depression and I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to learn more about the nature and treatment of this illness.

Cognitive Therapy of Depression by Beck, A., A. Rush, B. Shaw, and G. Emert
1979. Guilford Press, NY This rather long, very detailed book is meant for professionals. However, many who suffer from depression can relate to much of what is described, especially in several chapters. This book was written in 1979 and many ideas we read about in self-help books originally came from these authors. It is widely accepted that Cognitive Therapy can control depression at least as good as antidepressants, and without all the chemical side effects that often occur. A recent study in the American Journal of Psychiatry revealed that many people stop taking their meds due to side effects and that medication often does not work especially the first time. Cognitive Therapy is a bright light for us depressives who do not get relief from medication or who suffer terrible side effects.
In a chapter entitled "Focus on Target Symptoms" we are given methods that can quickly alleviate the disabling parts of depression. Contrary to what many believe, prolong discussion of feelings can intensify the feelings. Such excessive "ventilation" of feelings often strains relationships with friends and relatives. To deal with "overwhelming problems" the patient could be asked what solutions he would offer to another person in a similar situation. Although depressed patients do sleep less than other people, many patients exaggerate the extent of the insomnia. If a person said he was awake all night, he was probably in a light sleep for a good part of the time. Depressed persons tend to make broad categorical judgments and show a typical all-or-nothing response to bad events. A good exercise is to try to list some possible benefits.

Of particular help is the chapter entitled "Depressogenic Assumptions." Depression is mostly a thinking disease. Cognitive therapy aims to correct negative thought patterns. This chapter goes to great depth explaining the many faulty beliefs that depressives cling to. Everyone with depressive moods will find themselves written about here. People who suffer frequent bouts of depression often hold high expectations for themselves; they believe that to be happy they must never make a mistake, must be accepted by all people at all times, and/or must be successful in whatever they attempt. These beliefs were acquired from childhood experiences or from the attitudes and opinions of peers or parents. A part of cognitive therapy is to identify the chief assumptions that lead people into depression. The patient must be actively involved in discovering these depression-producing ideas, simply pointing out dysfunctional thought processes is not effective. It must be noted that sometimes people have periods where their expectations are working; for example they may make the starting football team or make the cut for cheerleader. When experiencing success, the person is exuberant and becomes bonded to the idea of seeking high levels of success in order to be happy. To ensure high performance, that is to be larger than life, the depressive often develops many shoulds and rules of living.

Many people have belief systems organized around "justice" and "deserving." These sometimes work well, but the depressive goes overboard. One might believe that if one worked hard one should always succeed. However, how hard should one work? Also, what exactly is success? What does it mean to be good? One series of thoughts to understand this is given as: "When someone says, 'Dr. So-and-So is good,' what does that mean? Does it mean he is good in all realms of a medical doctor, or in special areas? Does it mean that he is a good clinician? Is he good with patients? Is he good at research? Is he good at emergencies? Or does it mean he is a good husband, father, neighbor, church member, and bridge player?"

Depressives need to train their minds at looking for alternative ways of viewing situations. Fairness is often a matter of personal opinion or bias. "The employee believes, 'I do the work around here. I produce the product. I should receive more money. It's not fair.'--while the owner believes. 'I produce the capital. I invested it. I took the risk. I should get more money instead of having to give it to workers.' In nearly ever case, fairness can be looked at from two or more points of view."

This book is not a quick, easy read. Rather, it is detailed and thought provoking. Some of us people with depression need thought-provoking ideas instead of simple instructions. If you worry and think a lot, you will love this book--but it might cause you to change your opinions and lose your depression.

Fun! That's the best way to describe it. It's amazing to take a look at the way we live and how we eat! Tucker has done a great job, although eating some things I would never dream of, describing the food and the timeline of a day in the life! Makes you stand back and take a look at yourself as well. Thanks for the fun!

I also took a picture of everything I ate from May 29th 2003 until december 31, 2004 and posted it to my website. I think it was the screen savers made fun of me for doing it on one of there episodes. I used my Nokia 3650 Camera phone. Good for him for being getting it out to print. His book has a nice format. It reminds us we could all use some more variety in what we eat.

this boy eats way too much food! wish i could eat like that. i wonder if he's fat.

i got this book as a belated birthday present last week and i can't stop flipping thru. i thought it would be dumb and silly but its completely addictive. and honest. this guy eats so much. i just wish he wrote more words instead of just putting the pictures. i recommend this for anyone because it's really funny and it makes you think about food and everything that you eat and do..i looked at what he ate on my birthday and his appetite is even bigger than mine. get it now you wont believe it!

Have you ever wondered what other people do when they're alone? If so, then you're going to love this book because Tucker Shaw divulges every detail of his life. Well, every detail of his gustatory life. I don't know much about Tucker Shaw, but he sure does love to eat. Shaw decided to take a picture of everything he ate for 2004. Every single item. Every single day. Day in. Day out. The idea probably sounds ridiculous to most people, but the execution of "Everything I Ate" is excellent and I enjoyed it immensely. Each picture is accompanied with a blurb detailing what, where, and with whom he ate.

Given that Shaw lives in NYC, it's not surprising that what he eats is pretty diverse. Sure, he often snacks on potato chips and Entenmann's pastry, but he also eats at quite a few upscale restaurants on a regular basis. Clearly, he has access to diverse ethnic foods, and he takes full advantage of it. However, people are certainly creatures of habit, and Shaw seems to be more than a little obsessed with cereal (300 bowls during the year).

Whether you read each page or just skim the pictures, it's a fascinating book. I was left wanting to know more. Who are these people with whom he eats? (Some little snippets of his friends can be seen throughout). Why did he eat trail mix almost every day for several months and then never again? How in the world can he eat so much oatmeal?!?!? Like any good book, "Everything I Ate" leaves you begging for more table scraps.

My ghosting adventures began when I asked a former employer if I could write his story. When he said yes, Ms. Shaw's book was one of the first books I grabbed, and I've been pleased--mostly. (Copyeditors don't easily forgive what some folks consider "the small stuff.")

Most helpful: contract particulars, strategies for prompting interviewees, reminders that the ghostwriter's time is valuable, and suggestions for time management. Areas I hope she punches up next time (and I think the copy I read was her first edition): how to break into the business/tales from the trenches/beginners' mistakes.

I approached this book with mixed emotions about the author, but came away convinced she knows her stuff on this topic. I realized she couldn't pop on over and hold my hand through my "first time," but I must say, her book gave me the courage to do a little self-promoting of my own; I mentioned during a party that I'd be ghostwriting my first book and before the night ended, two guests had cornered me to ask how soon we could meet to discuss the books they'd always wanted to write!

If you ever have a question about Ghost Writing this book is THE reference book because it tells you everything you need to know. I recently had an opportunity to get into ghost writing and I used Eva Shaw's book as my guide. The result is that I am now getting paid for my work. Whether you are looking for a way to get into the business, information about how to write a contract for your client to sign, or a detailed description of your responsibilities and your client's responsibilities - this is the book to buy. I am really excited about my new career. Thank you, Eva, for giving me such great guidance!!!
Paul McAllister

Whenever I take a seminar or read a book or a magazine article, I normally skip to the author's credentials. I want to learn from the experts--people who have repeatedly succeeded at a critical skill.

This book gives you step-by-step insight from a seasoned professional. It's one of the rarely discussed aspects of book publishing--yet potentially one of the easiest ways for a writer to make a solid living. You don't need a "platform" or a huge audience to be the writer for someone else--or their ghost. Whether you get your name on the cover of the book or not, I've learned you are generally not credited writing a particular book. Ghostwriters fill a huge need in the publishing industry and practice their craft as servants of the story.

Dr. Eva Shaw has ghostwritten books for over thirty years and readers of this comprehensive title gain the benefit of her experience, teaching and insight.

Few books are written on this particular how-to topic. When Ghostwriting was out of print, I tracked down a used copy and read that version--just to show how intense I was on finding some instruction on this topic.

Every writer will gain from reading Ghostwriting. It will improve your business practices, your techniques and raise your antenna for the ghostwriting possibilities in your own backyard or across the world. If you are open to the possibilities, ghostwriting opportunities are everywhere.

This book guided me to a successful ghostwriting business. I started out hardly knowing what a ghost-writer is, and now I am one!

Dr. Shaw describes completely what a ghost-writer does, how to get clients, what to do on the first appointment, your rights and responsibilities as a ghost, plus much more. She answered all my questions.

This is truly a book to get you started in the business and to keep by your side all the way to the bank.

(Forgive the unedited Introduction to the Second Edition. Imagine the author trying to dash off a quick Intro while the publisher drums his fingers and taps his foot.)

Jan Martin
Ghostwriter/writer/editor
martinpublishing.net

I found Ms. Shaw's book so helpful and encouraging I've taken the step and asked for work, found ghosting clients and started writing for this lucrative field. While I teach writing at a community college and have freelanced for a number of years I wouldn't have had the courage to ghost without the help of the no-frills guidebook.

This isn't a career for everyone, thank heavens, but if you're toying with or determined to make a living as a writer (and you're a good writer) I highly recommend the tightly written manual. I especially appreciated Chapter 3's "How To Begin." The writing is strong and clear, like Shaw's other books.

The book should be on every writer's bookshelf. It's an excellent resource for writers--especially with the sample contracts, how to determine fees and of course the ethical aspects of the business.

I've already recommended it to others.

Best yet? I've just received my fifth check from a ghostwriting client. Would it have happened without Shaw's book? No way.

There is so much nonsense surrounding Ki -- in the movies, in books, in magazine articles. This book has none of that. This book presents a Straight-Ahead approach on how to understand Ki, develop it, and how to actually use it in every day life. Read This Book!

Having read the excellent Warrior is Silent, I was dissapointed with this. The book is a worthy introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine but most of Mr Shaw's work here can be found in any text book on acupuncture.

First and foremost I have to say that this book does a great job of presenting the Korean understanding and usage of Ki. Though Korean Ki is mentioned in a number of other books, this is the only text that truly provides the complete historical foundations of this understanding and the complete how-to. Not only is this a very interesting book to read, but the reader can truly come away with something that they can use. I give this book, "5 Stars."

Ki is so often spoken of in association with the martial arts. But, the method for how to actually develop and use Ki is virtually never taught. This is why this book is so refreshing. Not only does this book provide the historical foundations of Ki, from a Korean perspective, but it also provides exact step-by-step techniques to actually learn how to harness and develop Ki and then use it in everyday life. I give this book two thumbs up.

What is most interesting and impressive about this book is the way that Master Shaw makes the practice of Ki easy. The Ki development techniques in this book are precisely described and easy to use. Great Book - Great Read - Recommended!!!

I always enjoy reading Books on Larry Bird.He is truly one of the Greatest Basketball Players that I have ever seen play.His Mind for Play&detail is showcased rather well here.

Kevin VanSickle W131 "Book Review" Larry Legend is an interesting book about a boy who fell in love with the game of basketball and developed his own self-discipline as he became an adult. Larry Bird's success and consistent team management are his legendary qualities, according to author Shaw. Mark Shaw writes about Larry's roughneck childhood, what led to his triumphs in his high school basketball days, and through his professional career as a player, then a coach. Larry seemed to have gained confidence and self-esteem at a young age and by keeping those positive aspects he became an intimidator and motivator for many. This book will intoxicate your interest if you want to hear about the Legend's journey to the top. In Larry Legend, Mr. Shaw explains how the Legend himself was a role model, not only for young players, but also, his teammates and coaches around the league.

It was pretty indepth, and is a nice overview of his life from the time he was a legend in Indiana to coming full circle by coaching there. It also mentions his daughter, who has a distant relationship with his father. If you're a Bird fan, even if you're not, but you enjoy reading about basketball, this is worth the price. It paints a very balanced portrait of Bird. I like the fact that it isn't slanted one way or the other. It portrays the good and the bad. I'm a Bird fan, but I like objective journalism, which this seems to be. No schlock hero worship journalism here, nor is there any railing against him. Even though I like Bird, I will not condone his actions if they are perceived as wrong or controversial.

as if it weren't popular enough, the author of this book is the step-father of Kent Harvey. The boy Knight (Coach Knight) grabbed and was the spark that lit the flame of his being fired as IU Coach.

Larry Legend covers the whole Bird story. Author Shaw has a knack for revealing the little things about Bird that intrigued me. I think this is a must book for any Larry fan.

I have just finished reading Robert Shaw : More Than a Life and found it an interesting read. I knew little of Shaw before this book and always wondered why he was not given more credit as an actor. The book, which is filled with recollections from family and friends gives great insight into a truly complicated man. He was constantly conflicted about acting versus writing. He excelled at both. When he was happy in his work, he was happy in his life. The suicide of his father, the death by drugs and alcohol of his second wife Mary Ure and the early death of Erroly Flynn at age 51 (same age as Shaw) all influenced his life and his work. It was also interesting to learn of the tax problems that plagued Shaw and others who worked in and out of Britain. If you like biographies, movies, and men who lived bigger than life, I highly recommend this book.

My wife bought me this biography because she knows how big of a Robert Shaw fan I am. However, before reading this book, my knowledge of Shaw was limited to his work in the movies. I had no idea he was a brilliant writer as well as a father of ten. After reading this biography I read one of his books, The Man in the Glass Booth and realized how big of a talent he was with writing. It was mentioned several times in his biography that he enjoyed writing more than he enjoyed acting. It also tells about his time doing Shakespeare and there is a section about his time spent acting in Jaws. This is truly an exceptional biography about an exceptional actor/writer.

When I saw Mr Shaw for the first time (in Jaws)I was about nine years old.
Now I'm twenty and Shaw was far before mine time but I feel that he can learn me how to life because this great biographie from a man who I love and dream about.
I'm sure that I'm the most fanaticus of the "Shaws-fan" from the Netherlands.
I have a private archief from this unique person and I dream about him and think most of the time how sweet he was for childeren.
Mr Shaw is deep in my heart because I discover his live and read this colourful biographie and I will thank Garmean and Gaston for this great great great book, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!
This book is the most best biography because the spirit that Shaw in his short live had give this book the most power.

(sorry for my bad english I think)

Love you all Gilian Schmidt,

the Netherlands

While he never reached the mega-stardom of Sean Connery, Richard Burton, or Peter Sellers. Robert Shaw was still one of Britains major stars. A very talented, but difficult man, it is not hard to see why he had problems in his life. A tragic childhood experience (his father commited suicide), haunted Shaw all though his life. Determined to succeed, Shaw was over competitive, which alienated him from many people. Basically he was a decent man, who while had many faults, never had the self-disgust of Richard Burton, or the utter selfishness of Peter Sellers. 'From Russia with Love,' made him a star, but it was his role as 'Quint' the shark killer in 'Jaws,' which made him a major player in Hollywood, but success came to late, for like so many of the character,s Shaw played in his films, he had used all his skill and determination to get to the top, only to fail at the last minute. His death in 1978, at the early age of 51, robbed Britain of one of her truely international stars. A total family man, Shaw was also a talented author and playwright (something he was returning to at the time of his death). It's good to see a biography of this talented but neglected man. The authors do a completely fair study, pointing out his strengths as well as his faults. Recommeded.

This is an excellent and engrossing account of a complex, flawed, difficult, passionate, honest, immensely talented and hugely underrated actor, author and playwright.
The book provides a superb overview of his life, and provides a counter-balance to the only other completed (to date) biography, the rather more subjective view of his former manager John French.
Robert Shaw's brilliance as a performer and writer was underpinned by the early experience of his father's tragic suicide; the resultant fiery over-competitive will to succeed was best channelled in performances that displayed his talent for supreme intensity backed by intelligence. On this form Shaw commanded the camera; witness his scene-stealing in From Russia with Love and Jaws - then witness again in his other works; this is Gold standard British talent that is yet to be fully appreciated by his profession and public...this book helps redress the balance a bit and lets us know what we are now missing.

Oliver Goldsmith (c. 1730-1774) was born to an English clergyman in Ireland and is often described as an "Anglo-Irish" author. Originally trained in theology, he later studied medicine and worked as an apothecary's assistant. Both then and now, critics regard the vast bulk of his writing as "hackwork"--poorly written material undertaken for the money offered. Even so, Goldsmith was indeed an exceptional and often innovative author when he put his mind to it, and his finest works rank with the best of his age. By most accounts Goldsmith wrote the comedy SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER in 1771; it was first performed in 1773 and has remained a favorite of the English stage ever since.

The play concerns the Hardcastle family, who are country gentry living living outside the common realm of English aristocracy of the day. Mr. Hardcastle dislikes "society" and frequently battles with his silly wife over his refusal to spend a season in London; Mrs. Hardcastle is in turn besotted Tony Lumpkin, her wayward son by a first marriage. Indeed, the only sensible member of the family is daughter Kate--and as the play begins she is told by her father that his choice for her husband, Charles Marlow, will arrive that very night. But things do not go as planned: due to a prank by Tony Lumpkin, Charles and his companion George arrive under the impression that Hardcastle's house is actually a roadside inn. Needless to say, complications abound, and Kate finds herself assuming the role of rural barmaid the better to study her intended and bring all complications to a happy resolution.

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER is often considered a turning point in English theatre. Earlier comic authors tended to emphasize themes of hypocrisy for comic effect; Goldsmith certainly makes use of this, but instead of giving us cuckolds and strumpets he takes a more kindly point of view. His characters may sometimes be foolish and silly, but they are not so much vicious as playful and although the plot is farcical the situations are never unkind. The result is a charming confection of smiling entertainment. SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER has remained a favorite of the theatre for over two hundred years for a reason: it is as spritely, elegant, and amusing as it was when first produced. Recommended.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

This play is a wonderful little comedic satire that is as funny now as when it was written in 1773. Mr. Goldsmith's characters are wonderful, and the storyline is funny without being "sappy". His characters are so very human! He does not shy away from exposing human frailities, and he does it in such a way that no one would take offence to it. His characters make common human mistakes based on misunderstandings and practical jokes, but his characters are not tragically changed from these occurences. They, as well as the audience, understand human frailties, and look upon these as things that help us grow. This is a jovial, friendly play that is well worth the time it takes to read it. I find that reading plays is a nice alternate to reading long novels. A little different from short stories. I like the economies of a play. So much is written and so much is implied all in five scenes.

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER is one of the best plays to be written during the Restoration era. It's full of wit and great one liners, not to mention that it's a comic satire on the dramatic conventions of the day. The play is quite funny and when performed is one of the few "classical" (meaning anything pre-20th century) plays that all audiences seem to enjoy. Unfortunately, Goldsmith's masterpiece is seldom performed nowadays. Most American's have never heard of Oliver Goldsmith (is that the guy who directed PLATOON? is a typical response), let alone SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER. SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER instead tends to be one of those plays that everyone in theatre knows about, but that most people outside of the theatre universe don't even know exists. It's a shame because the play is a masterpiece of wit and comic timing and has so much to offer to modern day audiences.

This play is a rollicking satire on the British caste system of that era, seen through the mischief, mayhem, and mistaken identities of this work. Almost a must-read!

Few English plays dating from the eighteenth century appeal to modern audiences. For much of that period comedies were characterized by an exaggerated sentimentality and intense moralizing. Independently, the playwrights Oliver Goldsmith and Richard Brinsley Sheridan rejected this moralizing mode, returning to the English stage a humorous, mildly satirical form of comedy.

In a short period they created three plays that are still enjoyed today: She Stoops to Conquer (Goldsmith, 1773), The School for Scandal (Sheridan, 1775) and The Rivals (Sheridan, 1777).

In recent months I have read all three play. All are quite good, but I especially liked She Stoops to Conquer and The School for Scandal. While The School for Scandal is widely admired for its witty dialogue, She Stoops to Conquer offers the most hilarious situations.

The basic theme in She Stoops to Conquer is familiar. The guardians, her father Mr. Hardcastle and her aunt Mrs. Hardcastle, have arranged a suitable marriage for young Miss Hardcastle. She, of course, has other plans. Oliver Goldsmith adroitly transformed this overly used situation into delightful comedy. The plot is complicated by a shy suitor, friends with their own plans of elopement, and an unruly prankster, all leading to utter confusion in the rustic Hardcastle household. I quickly became engaged with the ridiculous happenings; I read She Stoops to Conquer in a single sitting. Five stars.

Possible Interest - Another Comedy and Two Moralizing Plays:

John Gay's The Beggar's Opera, first staged in 1728 in London, was another exception to the moralizing trend in the eighteenth century. This delightful, satirical comedy is considered the first modern musical. Five stars.

In the prologue to The Conscious Lovers (1722) Sir Richard Steele states his objective: "To chasten wit, and moralize the stage" and to "Redeem from long contempt the comic name". Steele's objective was to instruct and to ennoble rather than to amuse. Humor is clearly subordinate. Two stars (plus perhaps 1 star for historical interest).

George Lillo's moralizing melodrama, The London Merchant (1731), was a resounding success in the summer of 1731 and was apparently performed 179 times by 1776. Its repetitious moral lessons seemingly resonated with eighteenth century audiences. Three stars.

This book can be hard to come by (you can order it from Amazon but just try to actually GET it from them--I gave up after 4 months and used an Amazon 3rd party seller). But it's worth hunting for. A wealth of information and handy reference volume for the serious collector and serious bookseller.

Very informative, well written, witty and interesting. A good read for a reference book. Lack of an index keeps it from being a great book.

Written by bibliographer John Carter (1905-1975), and originally published in 1952, this 232-page compendium of information and insights has long been considered the "how-to bible" for dedicated antiquarians, bibliophiles, and specialty lib-rarians with respect to locating, evaluating, and acquiring rare and out-of-print titles. Now in a completely revised, expanded, and re-set eighth edition, the ABC For Book Collectors is additionally enhanced with an informative introduction by Nicolas Barker (a personal friend of the late John Carter and the man who is responsible for the updates and revisions of this eighth edition). Among the subject authoritatively covered (and arranged in more than 490 alphabetically presented entries) are technical terms used in book collecting and bibliography; auctions, book conditions, facsimiles and fakes, "points", rarity, and more. This new addition provides up-to-date information on web-based book collecting (including eBay sales). The ABC For Book Collectors is a seminal and essential reference shelf component for dealers and collectors, and will prove of immense interest to authors, publishers, librarians, bibliophiles, bibliographers, and reviewers as well!

Carter's book is not dated for me, but timeless. He has a droll and elliptical way of deflating the fatuous inclinations of book dealers. Yes, there is no index, and it is tough to find exact terminology sometimes. But this book is not a mere reference book, it is meant to be read and enjoyed and instruct you in the "what", but also the "why" and "how". Carter, in his manner and wit, shows a *way* of approaching rare books which I think is very healthy. His skewering of the term "mint condition" and his hilarious description of "issue mongers" have me revisiting this book for momentary pleasure again and again. I started in used books in a store about 8 years ago and when I was hired, my boss put this book in my hands. I have always appreciated that gesture. Any collector should find both pleasure and knowledge in this tome.

One of the earlier reviewers -- a history grad student -- noted that this book is "outdated and unorganized." Both of those claims are inaccurate. I'm a manuscripts curator by profession, and this text is certainly not outdated. Book knowledge, and the subtleties of collecting and discriminating among important texts, are the highest priorities of John Carter's book, and he imparts those things with great skill. Several reviewers also criticize the lack of an index or table of contents. Folks, it's an encyclopedia; each term has its own heading, in alphabetical order! The book IS the table of contents and the index. This book was required reading for the "Introduction to Descriptive Bibliography" calss when I first attended Rare Book School in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1998; I'm sure it still is.

It's important for historians (grad student or no) to familiarize themselves with this terminology. "All the terms and abbreviation in the book can be found on the Internet," notes the aforementioned grad student. Whoa! The great hulking trash barge that is the Internet does indeed pull up search terms for all of Carter's entries, but I don't trust them to be accurate. Many book-collecting terms are highly subjective ("first edition," for instance) and I'd never rely on an unvetted digital source for an accurate description if I knew nothing of the subject. You can trust John Carter's book. It should be handy on the bookshelf of every bibliophile. You'll find yourself reaching for it a lot. -Dan Lewis, Ph.D., Curator of the History of Science, the Huntington Library.

I was very impressed with former prostitute and gay film legend Aiden Shaw's previous book, "My Undoing: Love in the Thick of Sex, Drugs, Pornography, and Prostitution." It was a very well told autobiographical look into his extremely interesting and sometimes depressing life. His new novel, "Brutal," is supposed to be a work of fiction. Instead, it reads like another version of Shaw's autobiography, taking the reader through a few portions of his life once again. The supporting characters are not fully developed, and there's no particular storyline. It's a connected series of events that lead to an ending I of course cannot give away (the ending did surprise me; it might not surprise some). Still, it's an enjoyable read. And if a reader has not read Shaw's autobiography, "My Undoing," then perhaps that reader will have a different take on this novel than I. But regardless, the novel still fails to present a powerfully cohesive tale with fully realized supporting characters. I recommend this book, with reservations. It's a good read with some very intriguing insights into the life of a gay male prostitute. And I absolutely must add: It has one of the greatest sex scenes ever written. It's explicit, and profoundly digs into the psychology of sexual relations. And it shows just how good a writer Shaw can be, as he proved not just with sex but with many subjects in "My Undoing."

Shaw, Aiden. "Brutal (Uncut)", Running Press, 2008.

Like Reading a Diary

Amos Lassen
Aiden Shaw is a gay adult film superstar who follows his memoir "My Undoing" with an explicit look at sexual excess in "Brutal". Our hero, Paul, is living a life that is out of control. Drink and drugs preoccupy him and he seeks out abuse from other men. He lets them use his body for a price and he uses their drugs. When he comes to from his escapades, he has trouble distinguishing what is real.
"Brutal" is intimate and shocking especially in the way Shaw writes about male prostitution, drugs and gay sex. "Brutal" is written in the first person and I felt as if I was reading a personal diary. Shaw gives beautifully delineated characters and the book is full of twists, turns and surprises. He holds nothing back and he deals with gay sex in a very direct manner. Remembering that he is writing about the period in which the AIDS epidemic had just begun, we read about unsafe sex and wild party as the era before the devastation ends. Shaw allows us to look in at his personal life and he offers no excuses for his behavior.
The story grabs the reader from the first page and I found myself not able to stop reading until I finished the book. We have all heard these stories before but we have not heard them so eloquently and so revealing. The language is simple but sublime and we get insights into both the psychology of drug usage and spirituality as well as thoughts on death and lots of gay sex. It is an earthy read as it tells the tale of a man who has not come to terms with himself. His life of drugs makes him think he has had a great life but he also realizes that without the drugs he has and is nothing. As the book reaches its end, the simple prose becomes probing as Paul tries to find out who he really is. This is not a pretty book but it is an excellent read even in the fact that it is quite raw. It both chills and warms the heart and it is the story of many of our lives

This man writes from the heart, a very dark heart soaked in dark love! Beautiful and extremely real with only the raw blood dripping truth to stare at! I am loving this mind so do spend time with him before you are unable to.

I choose brutal because i wanted to get away from the more duller literary stuff. ... its very original and very down to earth. it tells a tale of a man who hasnt come to terms with himself. drug induced hes lived a great life but without em hes nothing. the novel is very moving towards the end when the prose turns from simple notation to heavy inner probing by the protagonist.
great easy read....... buy it

Aiden Shaw has broken one of my life long habits. Never in my long years of reading (and they are long years) have I completed a book at one reading. I like to read a bit, put the book down and ponder on what I have read. With "Brutal" however, once I began I couldn't stop. As a long time addictions counselor and hospice worker, I have heard all the stories and sat with the dying until the end. Aiden Shaw has taken all the stories and experiences and weaved them into an engossing, captivating and life-revealing novel. Written in simple language without any of the technical and college-i-fied terminology, this book provides insights into the psychology -- and spirituality -- of drugs, sex and death and dying. It is a "must read" especially for anyone connected with addictions and death and dying.
Ford Boyer
Author of "Rituals for a Peaceful Transition"
Co-Author of "Listening to the Soul"