Shaw Books

The is really a great book. It begins by detailing a factual history of the ancient martial arts and their interaction with Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. It then goes on to outline numerous meditation and Ki development exercises. It even throws in a few self defense techniques, just to show how the "Spiritual Warrior" can learn to consciously defend "Him" or "Her" self. This text provides the reader with not only a new and deeper understanding of the physical aspects of the martial arts but a complete how to for Ki development and the various forms of Buddhist meditation which have been developed for and associated with the martial arts over the centuries. I used this book as one of the references for my Master's Thesis.

While doing my Thesis I contacted Master Shaw. He was so nice and talked to me indepth about meditation and how it can become a natural evolution of the martial arts. He possesses a vast amount of knowledge on this subject, which is apparent in this book. I believe this book truly adds a new chapter to the martial arts.

One of the things I like most about this book is that it does not solely reference the martial artist, or "Spiritual Warrior" as Scott Shaw details all of us to be as, "He" or "Him." It also intermingles "She" or "Her" with this delineation. When speaking to Master Shaw he told me that this was not his idea, nor was it the way he had written the book. It was something done by the editors. None the less, I think this interchangable style is great. It acknowledges and gives power to us ladies, something most books on the martial arts never do.

Overall, I believe this to be an important work on breaking down the barriers of the traditional macho male dominated martial arts and taking them to the level where they can be embraced by the more spiritually inclined among us.

Your one stop shop...

For those that know their martial art history, the beginning chapter of this book is shady. Most of the information is true, but some of the printed material is speculative and not labeled as such.

The mixing and mingling of feminine and masculine pronouns assigned to 'the warrior' throughout the text made the reading...inconsistent and strangely difficult. There is no doubt that both men and women are/can be warriors, and I think the writing would have been more fluent if Shaw had just made that point, chose one pronoun, and stuck to it.

Shaw displays his opinions upon the spiritual path to the martial arts very well, but I think that he forgot to stay open to the idea that there is more than one way to skin a cat. When reading this book it sounds as if you are doing everything wrong if not following the path he is documenting, and I strongly disagree. To put it more poetically, "There are many paths up the mountain, but only one peak".

Sprirituality is a difficult subject to write about. It is like sand - when a person tries to take hold of it in a physical manner it simply slips through the fist. I bought this book looking for a truly spiritual text, and was disappointed to find yet another picture filled manual on the martial arts. Shaw's effort is to be commended, but I'm affraid that in his attempt to convey something very esoteric the sand slipped between his fingers.

I like this book. It thought me a lot of things. That is to say that it cleared or put in to words some of the ideas I was thinking at the time. The first part of this book is an exelent path for those who are looking for a different view on martial arts if not life as a whole. With the good things said, now I have to write about the only draw back of the book. The second part of the book talks about exercises and meditation technics, and these are fine and easy to follow. However, after these technics come a serious of fighting moves an teachings that quite frankly didn'tsit well with me. I don't mean that they are bad technics. I just didn't see a real reason to have them in the book because the fighting technics shown are common to most martial arts that teach some kind of grappling. Maybe after I mature more as a person and a martial artist the secound part of the book will make sense to me. In closing buy the book and pay attention.

I actually read the comments from the other readers before purchasing this book myself and the "he" / "she" reference which most of the reviewers mentioned didn't really get in the way of the content of the book itself. (Who knows, that may not have been the writer, but rather the publishing company, like so many other typos in books). I liked the way Scott Shaw intermingles spirituality with the martial arts; it reminds you of how the old Chinese practitioners see the martial arts - as an art and not just for fighting. I learned interesting tid-bits from this book and recommend it for anyone who is spiritually-minded.

This is a surprisingly enlightening book, with historical information on the development of the martial philosophy up to the modern day applications. It's written to be understood but doesn't talk down to people. One of the best books yet I've seen for martial arts. I recommend it to all new practitioners as well as the seasoned ones.

Every Civil War buff (and many others, too, thanks to the movie "Glory") knows the story of the 54th Massachusetts, the black regiment commanded by the boy-colonel Robert Gould Shaw which attacked the Confederate Fort Wagner in July 1863.

The story of the 54th is memorable for many reasons. The most obvious one--and the one usually focused on--is that Shaw and the 54th displayed extraordinary courage in the assault on Fort Wagner. Another less emotional reason is that the 54th proved to the nation that men of color could and would fight for the end of slavery. This was the shattering of an important color barrier and an important stage in the evolution of the conflict. By war's end, an incredible 74% of free Northern blacks of military age would enlist (p. 50).

But a deeper, more significant reason why the history of the 54th is important--and one, moreover, that's usually missed--is that it invites reflection about the standards by which our culture, then and now, measures "manhood." W.E.B. Du Bois (quoted on p. 123) put it well: "How extraordinary...in the minds of most people...only murder makes men. The slave pleaded; he was humble; he protected the women of the South, and the world ignored him. The slave killed white men; and behold, he was a man." Prior to proving themselves in battle, both the North and the South looked at men of color as bumbling and cowardly half-wits. Except for the minority Abolitionists, most whites considered blacks subhuman, and there seemed little or nothing blacks could do to break through that conviction. But he moment they proved themselves skilled at killing other human beings, they were accepted (even if reluctantly) as "men."

Duncan's Where Death and Glory Meet is a fascinating chapter in the history of how our culture determines manhood. Although a rather detached supporter of abolition, Shaw was skeptical about the fighting abilities of freedmen, and initially declined the command of the 54th. When he did accept, he was painfully aware that the eyes of the nation were on his regiment, and his training of them was relentless. But the 54th measured up by proving itself in battle.

Moreover, Shaw is also representative of the cultural measure of manhood. In his private letters, he expresses great ambivalence about commanding the 54th and almost panicky fear about assaulting Fort Wagner--a task that he (correctly, as it turned out) thought rather hopeless. Just as th But Shaw, fully aware of what was expected of a "man," overcame both doubts and anxiety in order to perform his duty. Just as the ability to kill men made his black soldiers "men," so Shaw's willingness to die in battle also demonstrated his own "manhood," his final maturation from a boy-colonel to a seasoned warrior.

What fascinating under-currents run through the Civil War. Too bad they're so often bypassed in favor of the surface stories of guns and glory. For more on our cultural conflation of manhood with battlefield courage, Margaret Creighton's magisterial The Colors of Courage is highly recommended.

HONOR THE MEMORY OF COLONEL ROBERT GOULD SHAW AND THE FIGHTING MASSACHUSETTS 54TH BLACK REGIMENT IN THE CIVIL WAR

COMMENTARY

FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Those familiar with the critical role that the recruitment of black troops into the Union Armies in the American Civil War usually know about the famous Massachusetts 54th Regiment under Colonel Robert Gould Shaw which has received wide attention in book, film and sculpture. Those heroic black fighters and their fallen leader deserve those honors. Glory, indeed.

Although Shaw was hesitate to take command of those troops after suffering wounds at Antietam when he accepted he took full charge of the training and discipline of the regiment. Moreover, as the regiment marched into Boston to cheering crowds before embarking on ships to take them South each trooper knew the score. Any blacks captured (or their white officers, for that matter) were subject to Southern `justice', summary execution. Not one trooper flinched. Arms in hands, they fought bravely at the defeat of Fort Wagner and other Deep South battles, taking many causalities.

I have remarked elsewhere (in a review of William Styron's Confessions of Nat Turner)
that while the slaves in the South, for a host of reasons, did not insurrect with the intensity or frequency of say Haiti, the other West Indian islands or Brazil that when the time came to show discipline, courage and honor under arms that blacks would prove not inferior to whites. And the history of the Massachusetts 54th is prima facie evidence for that position.

I should also note that the Massachusetts 54th was made up primarily of better educated and skilled freedman and escaped slaves unlike the black troops recruited from the plantations in the Deep South in the 1st and 2nd South Carolina black regiments. Thus, one might have suspected that they would not be up to the rigors of Southern duty. Not so. After reading a number of books on the trials and tribulations of various Union regiments, including the famous Irish Brigade, the story of the 54th compares very favorably with those units.

However, so as not to get carried away with the `liberalism' of the Union political and military commands in granting permission for black recruitment it is necessary to point out some of the retrograde racial attitudes of the time. It took a major propaganda thrust by Frederick Douglass and other revolutionary abolitionists to get Lincoln to even consider arming blacks for their own emancipation. Only after several severe military reversals was permission granted to recruit black troops, although some maverick generals were already using them, particularly General Hunter. As mentioned above there were qualms about the ability of blacks to fight in disciplined units. Moreover, until 1864 black troops were paid less than their white counterparts. The Massachusetts 54th is also rightly famous for refusing pay until that disparity was corrected.

One should also not forget that the North in its own way was as deeply racist as the South (think of the treacherous role of the Southern-sympathying Northern Copperheads and the Irish-led anti-black Draft Riots in New York City, for examples). This reflected itself in the racial attitudes of some commanding officers and enlisted men and well as the general paternalism of even the best white commanding officers, including Colonel Higginson of the 2nd South Carolina. It was further reflected in the disproportionately few blacks that became officers in the Civil War, despite the crying need for officers in those black regiments and elsewhere. Yet, all of these negatives notwithstanding, every modern black liberation fighter takes his or her hat off to the gallant 54th, arms in hand, and its important role in the struggle for black liberation

This book serves as an important source of information regarding the birth of the 54th Massachusetts,black soldiers, politics, Shaw's personal and Civil War life. It is well written and places the reader at the start of northeastern politics and Shaw's upbringing. Shaw leads a pampered life of a wealthy family. He travels the world yet comes back to fight for the Union in the Civil War. His family is influencial in his military promotions and sets his promotion to Colonel with Governer Andrew's backing. Shaw becomes Colonel of the 54th and dares to take a risk at leading the first ever black regiment. His daring tale of being an outcast and a potential political target for his role in getting the 54th ready for battle is courageous and inspiring. The book covers the plights of the 54th in learning drill, military life and battle in chronological fashion. Much is covered in this short yet informative book on Shaw and the 54th. The definate "must read" for anyone looking to get an understanding of how the 54th and Colonel Shaw came together and fought!

Although Robert Gould Shaw was only 25 years old when he died, leading the 54th Massachusetts Infantry in a futile assault on Fort Wagner, he has become an object of interest in the past dozen years, especially since the release of the movie "Glory," which gave a somewhat fictionalized account of the 54th. This book by Russell Duncan is a good introduction to the life of Shaw, and gives an extensive bibliography for those who want to engage in further reading and research.

In this book (which is an expanded version of the introduction to Shaw's collected letters that Duncan edited and published in the book "Blue Eyed Child of Fortune") Duncan gives a view of a life that one can truly say was tragically cut short by war. Robert Gould Shaw spent much of his short life trying to find his way and place in the world, something that many of us can identify with immediately. He had difficulty in accepting authority; he could not decide upon a career; he was the only son of well-known abolitionist parents, yet he had grave reservations about the abilities of black people. A "rebel" by nature, he could be rigid and unbending with others. He was dominated by his mother, only truly breaking away from her by marrying a lovely young woman against his mother's wishes. Married to a woman he apparently adored, he also engaged in a flirtation with a schoolmistress in South Carolina after accepting the command of the 54th. Shaw had found his calling in the military: he was brave, and able to inspire confidence within his men, yet he promised his future wife that he would not persue the military as a career once the war was over.

This book is a good introducation to the brief life of Robert Gould Shaw. It contains some photographs of the Shaw family and Annie Haggarety, Shaw's wife. It also dispells some of the myths about the 54th that were present in the movie "Glory," chief among them the myth that the 54th was made up primarily of unlettered escaped slaves. From reading Duncan's book it appears many were literate freedmen of long standing. Also, the sergeant-major of the 54th was the son of Frederick Douglass, not the middle aged recruit as played by Morgan Freedman in the movie. I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the life of Robert Gould Shaw, or the history of the 54th, as a jumping off point for further reading.

Where Death And Glory Meet: Colonel Robert Gould Shaw And The 54th Massachusetts Infantry is the fascinating military biography of Civil War Colonel Robert Shaw who commanded an infantry unit composed of Negro soldiers, the North's first Black combat regiment. Russell Duncan presents a poignant portrait of an average young soldier struggling against his mother's indomitable will and thrust unexpectedly into the national limelight. Drawing upon Shaw's letters home before and during the war, Where Death And Glory Meet tells the story of the rebellious son of wealthy Boston abolitionists who never fully reconciled his own racial prejudices, yet went on to lead his black regiment into fierce and bloody battlefield conflicts where they performed with heroic distinction and scotched forever the notion that black soldiers would not or could not fight successfully against the Confederate forces. Where Death And Glory Meet is a superb contribution to Civil War studies and will prove of deep interest to students of Black history.

For a one time read, this book is good for about an hour. Other than that, hope that your friends enjoy finding out things about themselves from personality books.

This book is great!!! It was funny, easy to read. I had bought it a few years ago and I still read it over and over again. It is defiantly worth the money!!!!!!!

This book is an awesome way to get to know more about yourself, and really get you thinking. It doesn't claim to be able to tell you exactly what makes you tick - and it doesn't. But it DOES get you thinking about who you are.

This hip, teen-oriented book offers up twelve avenues to self-discovery, ranging from 20th Century+ psychology to ancient astrologies. Each technique is given an accessible and informative synopsis of its history and approach, and is followed by questions and info to get you started on using it to find out your true self. You can see which brain hemisphere you depend on the most, research your multiple intelligences, and find out whether you're an Introvert or Extrovert (and all the other categories that come out of that famous test). But along with the modern science, you get a hefty dose of ancient spiritual stuff too: Native American and Chinese astrology, as well as the familiar Western kind; palm-reading, chakras, and more. After going through this book with my 14-yr. old cousin, I felt that a lot of these techniques reinforced each other when I compared what they had to tell me about myself, which says something. And learning about chakras and enneagrams informs you not just about yourself, but about other cultures as well. Very fun, informative, and surprisingly deep. You could learn a lot about yourself-- what have you got to lose?

Getting kids to read can be tough, but not when it comes to Tucker Shaw's books. My teenage daughter has all of his books (this is the fourth I believe). They keep her busy, inetested and an involved for hours. I'm always truly amazed at the things she learns about people, the world and most importantly, herself by reading his books! He writes with a level of understanding that most impresses me. We'd love to have him over for dinner sometime. Thanks Tucker!

I read this book over ten years ago when my wife and I were doing a big road trip through the south of the US. We were 'stranded' in New Orleans for a couple of weeks waiting for a cheap hire car return to come up and wiled away the time eating great food and checking out all the amazing things happening there daily.

One of the things we did was go to a film screening of an obscure documentary 'he must have something' on the Shaw case by a local amateur documentary maker. The JFK movie had just come out so it was topical at the time but we had no idea there was any connection between New Orleans and the Kennedy assassination so it was all news to us.

The film was great, a documentary that follows the book closely along similar lines with interviews of witnesses, lawyers, the judge etc. I wish I could get hold of it, but sadly I dont think it has ever been released. Like the book, it doesnt have much to say on the assassination, but a lot to say about the American legal system in the context of Louisiana and New Orleans.

At the screening the filmmaker recommended this book and we bought it later that day. My wife and I spent the next week or so reading it out to each other and we both loved it. We were both practicing lawyers at the time and could really relate as common lawyers from a very similar (but foreign)jurisdiction to the real life drama of the US legal process in action.

I particularly liked the judge in the case, because he was a pretty colourful character in a lot of ways, as many lawyers are, but was despite this highly principled in his execution of his duties and incapable of allowing unsound evidence to be admitted. To my mind the judge and jury were the real heros of the book because they came to the right result in the face of a lot of confusion and pressure.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the jury system and also New Orleans. Lawyers will particularly like it for its gritty and realistic protrayal of the law in action. Also, anyone else who likes a great non fiction read will find plenty to enjoy. I put this up as one of my favourite non fiction books of all time along with others greats like 'The Guns of August', 'Barbarians at the Gates' and 'The Hitler Diaries'. Really first rate.

This is the best account of the debacle known as the "Trial of Clay Shaw".
A completely innocent man essentially ruined by a messianic, paranoid, out of control DA known as Jim Garrison. This book is James Kirkwood's firsthand, contemporary account of this sordid affair, and is simply a delight to read. The most important book of this sad chapter in American jurisprudence...

This book is very well written as you would expect from a well known author and playright such as Mr. Kirkwood, however it is very one sided as anyone who reads this with an open mind will notice. Upon researching this book I came across the information that Mr. Kirkwood wrote this book at the request of a friend to whom the book was dedicated, who was originally requested to do a positive report of the trial by Clay Shaw himself. This neutralized any information I read and made me consider it an interesting work of fiction.

Author and playwright, James Kirkwood doesn't concern himself with ballistics, badge men and grassy knolls. He's not concerned with whether or not Oswald acted alone, or if he acted at all. In his eye-opening book, "American Grotesque: An Account of the Clay Shaw-Jim Garrison Affair in the City of New Orleans", Kirkwood is a court room witness of the case against Clay Shaw. In the process, he interviews several key players, including Clay Shaw, Jim Garrison, Perry Russo, and Judge Haggerty. The result is quite the opposite of the case as presented in Stone's film "JFK" or Garrison's book, "On the Trail of the Assassins". In Kirkwood's book, the case against Shaw is nothing less than a shame and a shameless persecution of an innocent man. Kirkwood doesn't pretend to hide his allegience to Shaw, but he allows the reader to draw his/her own conclusion. Fortunately, the outrage and sadness he feels about the case is hedged with a lot of humor and good old fashioned sarcasm. His parenthetical comments are brilliant!

Unfortunately, this book is out of print. However, try to pick up a used copy here, while they are still available.

James Kirkwood, novelist, exposes the nuttiness of Garrison's chuckleheaded jihad against Clay Shaw. Mr. Shaw, respected, liberal, a gentleman, found himself indicted for conspiracy to kill a president for whom he voted. The nightmare he endured, which left him in near penury, is recounted here. How can such a man endure a trial with witnesses against him who include psychotics, drug addicts, and those who think they have been hypnotised several hundred times by besmirchers of their sex lives? And how can such a man keep his own sanity after such an ordeal? Find out in this excellent book, brilliantly written with humor and pathos. The account given in "On the Trail of the Assassins" by Garrison himself leaves out a few details; this account, written by one who attended the trial daily (unlike Garrison), is detailed and amusing and....well, sane. Buy this for the truth.

Book Report: Publishing Strategies, Writing Tips, And 101 Literary Ideas For Aspiring Authors And Poets is a solid collection of nicely presented writing tips and publishing strategies for aspiring writers and poets seeking publication. Presenting the "ten golden rules of publishing", including "write a story you are passionate about - one that is marketable"; "take notice - rejection is not part of a writer's vocabulary"; and "you are what you write - protect yourself"; Book Report is a timely, welcome, and thoroughly "user friendly" advice guide which is very highly recommended reading for aspiring authors and novice poets wanting the kind of readership audience that only being published can achieve.

This how-to book, written by a writer for writers,
speaks in a voice I can relate to. The step-by-step
process is easy to understand and inspiring.

I've read most of the how-to books and magazines over the past 15 years, and this is the only one to inspire me to stop reading and start writing.
The book lays out 10 basic rules for success, and helps new writers understand they are about to embark on an endeavor that's as much about the publishing business as it is creativity.
Is it useful? Let me say this: It's right next to my keyboard as I'm developing my new novel proposal.

Book Report is a very useful guide that I turned to again and again while crafting my book proposal. I was impressed by the author's ability to not only cover the nuts and bolts of writing a proposal, but also to succinctly convey what makes a quality proposal. Particularly useful were the parenthetical tips the author inserted throughout samples in the appendix. With Mark Shaw's style and ability to anticipate writers' questions and omissions, I felt like I had a mentor by my side leading me through what had been a daunting process.

An excellent source of information and help for the unpublished and struggling new writer. It gives you help in every aspect of writing - creating an outline, writing a first draft, making revisions and (most importantly of all!) writing a proposal and sending it out to potential agents. Some elements of the book I already knew - it has a list of "ten commandments" to writing a book, I knew about half of them going in, but even so - they were very informative. The biggest strength of the book lies in the appendix where examples of proposals are and where Mr. Shaw gives you step by step instructions in preparing your own. I would strongly recommend this book to any new author trying to find an agent and ultimately a publisher - definitely a good investment.

A wonderful addition to the Professor Simon Shaw mystery stories.
Sarah Shaber has, as always, thoroughly researched her story background and fitted together a tight and believable plot.
I anxiously await her next book; she only gets better at her craft.

Pulitzer Prize winning author Simon Shaw is a tenured professor at Kenan College in the historic part of downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. He is famous for solving three cold cases and has become known as a forensic historian. Helen Williams is referred to Simon by a mutual friend because she has a very big problem. She has the memories of an Annie Evans who lived in Raleigh in 1910 and remembers burying an eighteen month baby girl in an unmarked grave.

Neither Simon nor Helen believes in reincarnation or past life memories but the traumas she dreams about as Annie are making her a nervous wreck. She wants a logical answer for these memories and she hopes Simon can help her. Although at first Simon thinks she's mentally disturbed he agrees to look into the matter and is shocked to find out that Annie Evans did exist. As he is researching her life, he questions many people who knew her and one of them is murdered leading Helen and Simon to believe that there is a secret involving Annie that someone doesn't want revealed.

The protagonist is a historian who uses primary and secondary sources to move forward his investigation and it is fascinating to watch him go from not believing in Annie to piecing together the important parts of her life. The relationship between Annie to Helen is as much a mystery as the murder of one of Simon's interviewees and readers will feel totally satisfied with the outcome to both puzzles. THE BUG FUNERAL is a charming amateur sleuth tale.

Harriet Klausner

If word got out that respected history Professor Simon Shaw was investigating a case of supposed reincarnation, his reputation and career would be cooked. But that is exactly the situation that Simon finds himself in when in response to a plea from a good friend, he agrees to see Helen Williams. Ever since she was a child, Helen has had memories of someone else's life -- a woman (Annie Evans) who lived at the turn of the century in Raleigh, North Carolina (the very town that Simon's university is in). In an ironic twist, what Helen wants is not for Simon to prove that she really is Annie Evans reincarnated as Helen Williams, but to prove that her "memories" of Annie's life are completely false, especially since part of Helen's memories include Annie's involvement in the burial of a baby. Wanting absolutely noting to do with this particular case, but compelled to help, Simon begins to investigate Helen's "memories" and finds himself being reluctantly and deeply drawn into the case. Far too many of Helen's "memories" are turning out to be fact -- could Helen be a case of true reincarnation after all?

"The Bug Funeral" was a very fast and engrossing read. Simon's latest case proved to be truly intriguing and very engaging one, and I found myself drawn into the mystery from the very first page. Sarah R. Shaber definitely knows how to write and present a good Malice Domestic mystery novel that will keep you guessing and riveted till the very last page. And while Simon Shaw may not have matured much over the past few years, and while I found his rigid approach to the whole reincarnation notion a bit trying, I'd still vote this as a good read.

I gave The Bug Funeral four stars because it delivers what it promises: a cozy with charming characters, not quite as clever as those in the MC Beaton series but definitely enjoyable.

Simon Shaw, award-winning history professor, gets drawn into a case proposed by an attractive woman. She remembers events that took place nearly a hundred years ago, imagining herself as a woman named Annie Evans. Reincarnation? False memories? But how does she get the data to create false memories? She's been tested by psychologists and found sane.

Simon discovers Annie Evans existed after all. She worked in an orphanage that's long gone, but there's ample evidence to corroborate her story. Together with Helen, he tracks down friends and relatives who remembered Annie. And working from careful observation, he solves the dual mystery of what happened to Annie and how Helen got caught up in Annie's memories.

The story held my interest to the end, with charming details of Simon Shaw's comfortable bachelor life, the North Carolina culture and forays into history. I would have liked an author's note to tell us what she researched: what's plausible about the ending, how realistic the historical touches are, and more. Yet for a cozy, this type of neat ending seems just right.

THE BUG FUNERAL by Sarah R. Shaber is a fast-paced intriguing cozy mystery. The amateur sleuth Simon Shaw looks back into the past to solve a current day problem. The North Carolina setting, past and present creates a wonderful backdrop for this mystery. Doctor Wade Ferrell approaches his friend Simon Shaw, a history professor at a small college in Raleigh, North Carolina with an unusual request. Helen Williams has memories of the life of a woman who lived at the turn of the century. In all other areas, her life is normal and she has been to psychologists and psychologists alike. Nothing can rid her of these memories. She feels she cannot marry her fiance until she knows the truth about whether she killed a baby in a past life of a woman named Annie Evans. Will Simon investigate? Simon figures he will put in a couple of hours of work, say he cannot find anything and then be done with her while satisfying his friend's request. There is just one problem --- the more he investigates history, the more credibility her memories have.

THE BUG FUNERAL captivates. The mystery and the atmosphere intrigue. The look at North Carolina now and in 1910 was beautifully written and opened up an earlier era for me. I had just never really thought before how it must have been like to live in my home state at that time. Readers will appreciate the familiar current day North Carolina landmarks and way of life. Whether it be the K & W cafeteria or mention of NC BBQ or mention of the Jewish, Cherokee and Baptist communities, Sarah R. Shaber transports her readers to North Carolina, past and present.

The sleuth, Helen and Annie Evans are wonderful characters that inspire the reader to unravel the mystery and get to know them. The reincarnation theme was done extremely well. Each chapter starts with a quote about reincarnation from from people and characters like Sherlock Holmes, Benjamin Franklin, Carl Jung, Socrates, Mark Twain, Henry Ford. Religious texts and ideas from different faiths are examined -- not in an academic way but in chapter quotes and dialogue that flow naturally. The mystery itself is quite heart-moving with definitely a surprise or two at the end. The tone is sweet and tender with a unique puzzle to solve. Goodness emanates from the characters and yet the puzzle hints at a darker side. I would definitely include THE BUG FUNERAL in my top mystery reads. This mystery has a nice Christmas touch. The Raleigh are descriptions made me homesick for my native state and add an extra dimension for any North Carolinian fan.

I loved the storyline it held me captivated, wondering who the deceptive
person could be.

In The Depths of Desire, Naomi Chambers has had a crush on her best friend's brother, Joshua, since she was a teenager when she felt that he thought of her as a little girl. Consequently, she never revealed her feelings to her best friend, Patrice, or Joshua. Now that Naomi is all grown up, she has a successful life: beauty, brains and the job of a lifetime in New York City. She is eager to return to her hometown and when her best friend asks her to housesit for Joshua, while he's out of the country on business. She jumps at the chance to save money and get a glimpse of Joshua's life without his knowing. While complications have kept them apart for years, Naomi still has strong feelings for Joshua. Imagine her shock when he arrives home after his job has been cut short and they unexpectedly become roommates. Joshua and Naomi find it hard to be roommates and ignore their feelings for each other. Joshua wants to settle down and begin a more mature life, but...it doesn't include his ex-fiancé Jacqueline--and she is livid. When he and Naomi finally get serious about each other, problems begin to arise. Naomi's life is threatened, and she can't figure out if Jacqueline is really behind it all. Sophia Shaw creates a suspenseful romance story that keeps the reader on edge!

I thought this was a good book, alot is unravelled along the way such as joshua sleeping with naomi & him secrectly wanting her as much as she wanted him.

I thought it was a page turner.

i enjoyed all the sex scenes (wink) and could get a good vision and understanding of all the characters and where there coming from.


all in all i give this book a rateing of 5 stars.

Naomi Chambers has it all: beauty, brains, and the job of a lifetime in her hometown of New York City. She is eager to return home and when her best friend Pat asks her to house-sit for her brother Joshua while, he's away on business, she jumps at the chance. What Pat doesn't know is that Naomi has had an crush on Josuha on years and while complications kept them apart, she still has strong feeling for him. Imagine her shock and surprise when Joshua arrives home unexpectedly after his job has been cut short. Joshua is now ready to settle down and upon his return, reconnects with his ex Jacqueline. But after spending time with Naomi, he realizes his heart belongs to her and breaks it off with Jacqueline but she refuses to let go. Soon, Joshua and Naomi, who despite their best efforts to ignore their attraction to each other, give in to their feelings and embark on a relationship. Of course, problems begin to arise as someone has it in for Naomi and she soon finds herself in danger and in a life or death situation that builds to a shocking and unexpected climax. Depths of Desire is the perfect blend of romance, suspense,and drama. I give this book 4 stars. Reviewed by Shay C of PeoplewholoveGoodBooks

Naomi Chambers has always had a crush on her best friend's brother, Joshua. She always felt he thought of her as a little girl, so she never revealed her feelings to him or her best friend, Patrice. When she relocates back home to New York from DC, Patrice offers her Joshua's apartment to stay in while she gets on her feet. Naomi accepts the invitation because she thinks Joshua is aware of the setup and since he is away on business for an extended period of time. Naomi is in for the shock of her life when Joshua comes home unexpectedly and finds her in his bathtub. He has no idea what she is doing at his home and Naomi is not only embarrassed at being caught in such a vulnerable state, but also enraged that Patrice set her up. Joshua being the man he is, agrees to allow Naomi to stay with him as a roommate until she finds a place of her own. The arrangement works out for a short period of time before the feelings they both have for one another begin to surface.

DEPTHS OF DESIRE is a fast-paced, enlightening read that deals with feelings past, present and future. The characters were relatable and the story was believable. Shaw did a great job with the writing and had me reminiscing about childhood crushes I may have had. This was my first Sophia Shaw read, but it won't be my last.

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Mr Shaw takes an age old subject and adds a twist that will keep young and old alike turning the pages. I can't wait for more!

I thought this book was great from the very first chapter. It was hard to put the book down, the author held my interest all the way until the end. The characters were easy to relate to and understand.

Though this book may have been directed more towards young adults, I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone interested in science fiction, suspense and humor.

A portrait from the distant past holds the key to the future. A new technology holds both a promise and a danger. Four strangers are on intersecting courses. At that most critical moment of their lives they face a dark and sinister force. These threads weaving an intricate tale of humor and suspense as two teenage prodigies, a network news reporter, and the mysterious creator of this new technology race toward their destiny.

A Norwegian technology company, the GundTech Corporation, lead by an enigmatic genius, has developed a world-shattering computer networking technology surpassing every conventional technique known or any believed to be possible, threatening the underpinning of the computer industry. This new technology promises to change the very foundations of modern society and revolutionize facets of everyday life from communications to entertainment and education. It is the later that starts two teenage computer fanatics, Cameron and Rosa, on a journey of self discovery and places them at the focal point of events that will determine the destiny of GundTech, the mysterious genius behind it, and the holographic technology he has developed.

The reader cannot help but be captivated by this young couple. Having been chosen as two of a very few select group of candidates to participate in the GundTech academy, Cameron and Rosa attain national celebrity status and must deal with this as well their struggle with the difficulties facing every young fifteen year old. At the same time they must face the challenges of their fame and notoriety as they move into the secretive world of this computer technology giant.

KB Shaw has crafted an engaging science fiction novel. FROM THE SHADOWS, first engages the reader in the lives of Cameron and Rosa while at the same time foreshadowing the conflict revealed as this exceptional couple journey into the inner workings of GundTech and its holographic networking technology. The author cunningly brings the reader along this odyssey, providing captivating detail and suspense to the end.

Even though this novel is aimed at the young adult audience, it has appeal for a broad spectrum of science fiction fans. It has particular appeal to those adult science fiction readers seeking a new and interesting perspective on the future of computer technology and internet communications. I highly recommend this novel.

As a former English teacher and a bookseller, I would highly recommend this book not only to young adults but adults of all ages who enjoy an "intelligent" mystery. It's the kind of book, in my bookselling days, I would have loved to hand to a person and say, "I think you'll really enjoy this one."

As we follow Cameron and Rosa, two very believable fifteen-year olds, through their adventures in the present, past and future, we are constantly wondering, right from page one, how do all the pieces fit together? Mr. Shaw does not disappoint us as the ending brings us full circle with a dramatic finish. He also has the ability to bring the reader directly into the scene with excellent descriptions.

I think young readers will enjoy the unfolding relationship between Cameron and Rosa, each strong characters in their own right, with their interactions being both humerous and realistic. Although the basis of the book is technology, the average reader will not become lost as we are skillfully guided thruogh the potential danger of technology gone awry through a good plot and characters we care about. The human element is definitely present.

Often the best sign of a good book is not wanting it to end, or wanting to know even more at the end. "What happens next?" I felt this way and would love to read a sequel to see what these characters do with their new-found technology in the 21st century, as well as the continuation of their relationship.

Shaw has written a relevant and compelling story. In the tradition of Harry Potter and Ender Wiggin, we see a child prodigy. Only this time there is a twist. The prodigy is all grown up. Shaw brilliantly weaves technology, humor, and romance into a hip, age-blind novel. Unlike Harry Potter, most of Shaw's world is realistic and possible. Children will be able to relate to Cameron and Rosa. As Cameron and Rosa learn not only life leasons but history lessons so will the reader. Shaw has a winner here.

This book is easy to read and a quick reference. However, I agree that you will need to refer elsewhere for more detail. Our clinic has just purchased the hand rehab volumes in hopes to gain more knowledge.

This book gives case studies of specific hand/arm injuries with time-tables for splinting/treatment in therapy, etc. Aids in outpatient clinic setting.

This book has been helpful in following a hand/UE protocol when you have not received one from the doctor. It also helps if your a new therapist and are not sure where to start with your patient.

Information is laid out clearly & precisely. A great "how to" book with useful & practical information. I would recommend this book to any therapist practicing in hands.

A great quick review reference book, very helpful within a practice setting for easy-to-access information. Information is designed in a diagnosis-treatment summary style, good for therapists looking for a quick reference on common treatment diagnoses. For more detailed info (as one might need for initial instruction or for the CHT exam), one might be better served by the "Rehabilitation of the Hand" volumes. This book is very practical and helpful in day to day practice.

This is a good basic book about westward expansion though a little bland. Not a big hit with our kindergartener and 2nd-grader.

My 5-year-old loved this book. The book is full of interesting information presented in a way she could understand. The format of question/answer really works well. We have several of this series and like them all, but this is our favorite, so far.

We are homeschoolers, and are studying U.S. History. We used this book to compliment our studies of the Reconstruction and Reform Period. My children enjoyed the layout, as well as the information. They liked it so well, they usually read ahead of the scheduled assignments!

This book was great for my 4h grade class. It is written on their level and does describe how problems were solved on the Oregon Trail. It is an informative and easy read.

This book was wonderful to use in the classroom with my Fourth Graders! It is written so that they can easily read and understand it and provided realistic illustrations to support the text. While it is not a book that can be easily read in one sitting it goes along well with our study of the Westward Movement and was enjoyed by all the students. It was conducive to group discussion and covered all the aspects of the topic that the students wished to know from the question "What was a covered wagon?" to "Could they recieve mail along the way?". It lent itself to projects and assignments for the students.