Spencer Books

This is a beautiful love story and very informative historically
The author describes events and characters like you were really there and knew these people.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. I couldn't hardly put the book down.This author is very impressive.

The author grabs your attention by setting you right in the excitement of New Mexico becoming a state, as seen through the eyes of a young woman and her family. Mardee has a captivating personality that draws you into her adventures and her loves, with an ambition beyond her era. The history of NM and descriptions of her beautiful mountains are wonderfully woven throughout the book. You won't want to put the book down. I am waiting for a sequel.

"Girl of the Manzanos" is an amazing story. Even though I am not finished reading it yet, this story grabbed my attention the first time I picked it up to read it. This story is insightful, and I think young boys, and especially young girls, can relate to the main character, Mardee. Barbara Spencer Foster did an amazing job writing "Girl of the Manzanos." It was obviously hard work writing such a good story, but she managed to do it successfully. I think everyone should read "Girl of the Manzanos."

Girl of the Manzanos is an easy flowing novel portraying the history of the early statehood era of New Mexico and entertwining romance with the culture of the time. The main character, Mardee, is appealing and believeable, and somebody with whom we can admire and identify. She's ambitious, beautiful, and bright - a girl ahead of her time. I couldn't put the book down and believe it will appeal to readers of all ages.

Glimmer Train has fascinating short stories which hold my attention from beginning to the end. The publication itself is quite classy with personal touches, such as photos of each author as a child and personal comments by the authors. Glimmer Train publications are absolutely first class and I highly recommend the publication to anyone who enjoys reading!

I've been an avid reader of Glimmer Train since Issue 5 (though I was lucky enough to get the back issues before they sold out!) and look forward to its arrival in the mail. I highly recommend it!

I've been a fan of Glimmer Train since I received my first issue several years ago. Subsequently, I started a gift basket service and now include Glimmer Train Stories in my gift baskets. Customers absolutely LOVE receiving them! For "people on the go," this collection of short stories is easy to pick up and read when you have just a few minutes. It also can provide hours of reading enjoyment if you have more time to spend.

Glimmer Train consistently delivers on top quality writers. This is a journal that truly cares about its writers, and it shows. The stories are carefully chosen, and are unique, original, witty-- intelligent choices. I get excited when I see Glimmer Train on the stand!

When you read this book you will realize why there is so much controversy about Human origins. The fossil record is so sparse, it makes you wonder how scientists have been able to deduce as much as they already have. This book was probably written as a reference for college level courses in paleoanthroplogy, but it is also a good reference for armchair amateurs such as myself. Concise, well written and superbly illustrated, the book is an invaluable resource.

Okay, Australopithecus afarensis. I've heard of Lucy; I know she was found at Hadar in Ethiopia, but what is her accession number? How much of her was actually recovered? Good thing I have my copy of Larsen et al. "Human Origins: The Fossil Record" on hand.

Superbly illustrated with line drawings and maps of the different fossil localities, this encyclopedic text traces human evolution from the Dawn Apes through modern Homo sapiens in the best way possible-- with the fossils. Each specimen is well drawn, most in multiple views, so that the student or amateur who can't make it to Addis Adaba to see the real thing can have a chance to compare fossil homonids from around the world. In addition, for comparative purposes, the authors have also supplied illustrations of the modern great apes. A fun and informative text either for study or just as an escape into our origins. I must emphasize, however, that the emphasis of this book is on illustrations for pictorial comparisons, not on descriptions. The text concerning each fossil, therefore, is fairly short.

Covers a ton of prominent homind specimens with detailed black and white illustrations (drawings not photos) that accent the morphological features of each specimen. Includes detailed descriptions of the specimens and also a nice description at the beginning of each section. As a bonus also includes a section with non-hominid primate specimens. This book is great for anthropology students needing a quick reference to numerous specimens. It also contains numerous references to the literature about each specimen so makes a great starting point for research.

This book is an excellent source for students and teachers of human evolution. It is the first compilation that I have seen that puts drawings of all the major fossil finds together in one place. It is very helpful as a supplementary text in an intro human origins class since most books lack adequate pictures of the major fossil players.

To steal a line from Studs Terkel, I couldn't put the damned thing down. The Old Detective's Daughter is that kind of book. Spencer has written a good work of fiction that held me in its grasp until the last page. While the book is only 99 pages, it is a multi-textured story about forgiveness and chance. Set in Chicago and Youngstown, Ohio, the main character T.J. Montegomery, a woman detective, is hired to help an older man at the end of his life find his estranged daughter. In the process of working on the case for the old man, her own father is dying of cancer. While she has to accept that her father is about to die, she can't quite make peace with the bad state of medical care he receives. The story winds up being less of a mystery and more about the relationship between father and daughter. The parallel plots of father and daughter draw you in as they move to wrap themselves up at the end. I like particularly liked TJ's close friend Karen. Spencer creates an intriquing character in Karen who helps TJ see her plight from a different perspective. This is a good little story that has me looking for more from this writer.

The old Dective's Daughter is a delight to read! It is a well done mystery that captures the attention and keeps you reading. But it is more than a mystery, it is a heart filled story beautifully weaves the past and present together, touching upon issues relevent to many of our lives.

The characters and places are very vivid in this book. The story strikes a balance between standard detective story and the nature of family relationships. A.V. Spencer's description of the title character's encounter with the health care industry is particularly chilling.

The mystery novel has long been a genre that authors have used to deliver a compelling story while also including a serious theme. This book interested me from the start because it used the genre so well, which is why I agreed to write the foreword. The story is certainly compelling--centered around an aging man's search for his long-estranged daughter. This is one of those stories where the detective herself (yes, a woman detective, as the title implies) is emotionally drawn into the case as discovering the whereabouts of her client's daughter also uncovers the detective's grievances with her own father. A.V. Spencer gracefully weaves these parallel stories together, in a tale that will take every baby boomer through the conflicts and victories that characterized their own generation. Do the fathers and daughters heal their old wounds and get back together? It would be unfair to both reader and author if I revealed that, but I can say there are intriguing and touching moments along the way.

"The Oz Factors" pulls back the curtain of misinformation and deceit carefully concealing the vested interests of the "great and powerful" of western civilization. What you have been taught about western history, science, archaeology and spirituality have been twisted, distorted and concealed from view to serve the self-serving lies and fears of wizards and witches.
Learn how to think for yourself. You don't have to be the victim of the "oz factors" any longer. Read this book.

You probably think it's a good thing to question assumptions. Well if a book helps to to discover assumptions that you forgot you were assuming, you might call that a revelation. I for one enjoy a good revelation. This book is full of them, and wasn't that the real story of the Wizard of OZ? I knew there was something about that movie.....

The compelling thesis of 'The Oz Factors' is that Mankind can responsibly guarantee the greatest of futures if he is willing to challenge the most cherished perceptions of his past. The author is a skillful iconoclast who opens the reader to possibilities that are novel and insightful. The book is a "must read", a visionary milestone.

This is an incredible book that will open your eyes to the real history of mankind, the current precarious conditions of our world's ecology, economy, and social structures under the influence of the powerful and oppresive vested interests, and the propaganda machines they control and use so well.

I could not put this book down as Lawrence Spencer gave me a history lesson unlike any I ever had before. And even as I was being amazed by this tapestry of the history and development of the educational, medical, pharmaceutical, banking, government and military organizations of our world, it was the combined impact of their effects on our planetary environment, the health, sanity, and freedom of all beings that changed my viewpoint forever. I was so shocked that it took this book to draw back the curtains of illusion and make the truth so evident that I had to admit to an old, nagging apprehension that things were not quite as they appeared or were being "officially" presented to be.

The author's humor and wit kept me glued to this story, and the analogy of "The Wizard of Oz" to these frightening mysteries of life made the vast scope of this work magically comprehensible. He even exposes the simplicity of how to handle our information overload so that we can actually see and determine for ourselves just what is actaully going on "in the merry old land of Oz" so we can act to help create a meaningful future on this planet. I foresee this book as a major motivation for increased global awareness and social responsibility that will rejuvenate our hopes for the future generations with positive and effective actions taken now.

If you want a book to help you in life! Get this book! It tells you how to deal with the past, present and future.

This is why they call this book the present... because it presents you with an opportunity to learn from the past, plan for the future... and to be fully present in the moment. I do not think there is a better gift.

I loved this short story. I have recommended it to friends and family. I even had my 16 year old daughter read it. It's message is both timeless and powerful. It reads easily, though despite its lightness loses none of its impact or power.

"The Present" is truly a gift you should buy yourself and read... and then share with others!

As a part-time reading teacher, I use this book with slower readers and underachievers. The book's simple, clear process of handling time gave the students a sense of how to be responsible for what they do NOW, learning that their futures are dependent on proper actions taken right now.

The chapters are short, and as a result very digestible for your teens. This book allowed me to move into basic study skills with the lessons inherent in the text as a basis for their new learning schema.

The principles are universal and maybe applied to anyone at any age.

We were all able to improve our use of time!

I purchased this book for my department at work. I also purchased the CD and found the CD even more enjoyable than reading the book.

My team was under a lot of pressure to perform and as is often the case in adverse conditions, some were beginning to blame others and lose focus on the tasks at hand given the large amount of work yet to be done.

The response I recieved from the workforce was varied but all positive. Living in the present, learning from our past, preparing for the future, and living with purpose has become a sound bite in our department. The book is a quick read and the CD tough to not listen to all at once. Make sure you have sufficient time to listen to it in one sitting.

If you have customers or coworkers that do important work and you have lost touch with what needs to be done, this book will help you step back from your task saturation and reflect on where you are at, where you need to go and why it is important for you to do so.

This is a book I will share for many years to come.

I recently purchased a box of miscellaneous books (as if I needed more) and hidden amongst the jumble was this little gem. I had a complete flashback when I opened the covers and viewed the wonderful pictures. This series, "A Golden Guide" was the first series of books that I owned concerning what is probably my primary interest - nature. As a small boy I had one of these on animals, reptiles and amphibians, insects, trees, flowers and many more. I can remember spending hours and hours pouring over them, to the point that I wore many of them completely out and could recite from memory, verbatim, page after page, description after description. It would be difficult to estimate how many hours I spent with these books and running around in the woods, creeks, fields and yard trying to identify things. They were actually quite a large part of my life. You have to remember that there were not that many child friendly identification guides at that time and that access to books was far more limited then than it is now.

This particular little volume is simply full of the most wonderful colored pictures, actually, life like drawings, of the most perfect and beautiful seashells. The text is wonderfully readable for age appropriate children to use. And believe me, these are well made little books and can take quite a beating. I was a rather rowdy youth and should know.

Now do not be mistaken, this is not the end all books for shell collectors. This little book deals with over 200 genera and over 1,100 species and could hardly be expected to even scratch the surface of this subject. A serious shell collector will need much more than this in their arsenal; but that being said, there are certainly worse books out there to get a kid started and get a kid interested in something new.

I am not at all sure if this series is still in print, but if it is not, it is a true pity. I know my life would be much less richer had I not had access to them and parents that saw to it that I owned them. My original copy of this particular book has long been departed now, worn into an almost unreadable state, but my goodness, did this used copy ever bring back some wonderful memories.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

When I was 12 years old our family went on vacation to Folly Island South Carolina. I had been a shell enthusiast since I was in diapers and we got to stay in a beach house owned by my uncle. I was in heaven! I grew up in the northeast and had never seen any of the shells that seemed to be common place there. Unfortunately, up to then I had never owned a book on shells and knew little about them or even what to call most of them. On my second day there my aunt gave me a little book with shells on the cover. I opened it up and it opened a whole new world for me. I was mesmerized. I now had a source of information about my favorite pastime. I looked up and found each and every shell I had found and even learned how to clean and take care of them like a professional. That book was Seashells of the World. Thirty years later I now have thousands of shells and hundreds of books on shells, many of them quite advanced but to this day that little book is my favorite by far. I have worn out my tenth copy and never go anywhere without a copy. It is perfect for all ages from toddler to adult.

As a teacher I used this book for the first time with Elementary school children. Who love it and find it easy to use. They actually get excited about Seashells! I am going to buy more copies for each child in my class! I always wondered about the names and classifications of many of the shells that I have found along the Florida Coast, and now I know!!!

As one of the illustrators (Marita), I would like to point out that I produced many of these illustrations from black and white photographs of perfectly shaped shells which were then colored according to the colors and patterns on recently acquired shells...the illustrations therefore are quite special in that they are the prototypes for their classification.

As an upper elementary teacher, I am constantly looking for books that will encourage my students to make a transition from "picture books" to "chapter books" and that will nurture a desire to read. Spencer Hurley and the Aliens provides both of these.
Terry Locke doesn't just entertain with his words, but draws the reader in with his comical illustrations. I read this story aloud to my third graders and they were crowding in to see if there was an illustration as they were introduced to each new character.
With characters that we befriended in our imaginations, we are anxious to find out what happens to them in Book Two of this series. As a teacher, I can rest assured that I have found a book for boys and girls to read for the best reason of all- for enjoyment!

Spencer Hurley and The Aliens Book One "The Abduction" is such a great story. This book is one of a few books that I have encountered that I could not sit down. This book grasped my attention from the first chapter to the very last. The book causes you to think about the story and opens up your imagination to the fullest. Like the good old days of having a story that keeps your imagination going without a pause!! My daughter that is 9, also enjoyed this book, and we are looking forward to the next Adventure...

As an adult, I never stopped being an avid childrens-book reader (e.g. Harry Potter et al) and have found yet another series to keep me entertained and hooked, awaiting for the next adventure. Book One in the Spencer Hurley series is just the beginning of what I expect to be a continuous and exciting journey, with lovable kids, adults, and aliens, and of course, the not-so-lovable.
Book One captures its readers early on, inviting us into the lives of its three main characters. As we embrace these youngsters and cheer them on, the author takes his readers on unexpected twists and turns, unsure where we, and Spencer, will end up next. The author's vivid and colorful imagination, as well as the use of illustrations, enriches his storytelling. A must-read for any kid at heart.

Prepare to be beamed aboard an alien vessel that's full of strange creatures and goopy cuisine. From the first page to the last, Spencer Hurley and the Aliens is a fun and exciting tale that I couldn't put down. Spencer may be the lead character but, his bumbling friend, Ryan definitely steals the spotlight. With this being Book 1 of a series, I can't wait to see what mess they get into next.

If you appreciate Boy George and his talent as a singer this book will make you appreciate him as a man. The candidness with which he shares his life, its tragedy and heartbreak, the drug usage and the fey wildness of his life in London shared with his cronies is fresh, real and honest - nothing phony. He doesn't gloss over his own imperfections. When you've finished the book you love the man all the more.

wondering if I can buy this book in the book store, would I have to order the book, becouse it would not be in stock anymore,?

Yes, this book is 500 pages long, but Boy George has managed to get your attention and hold onto it throughout his book. It only took me 4 days to read this book because George was so open and honest about his life, mistakes and tragedies that I couldn't set it down!

George takes you step by step through his entire life, thus far, and retraces his steps from anonymous to famous. From happiness to tears. (I even shed a few tears of happiness and sadness when I was reading it.)

If you are considering reading this book, DO NOT hesitate! You will never regret reading this book. I love Boy George, my sister on the other hand isn't all that fond of him and she still was interested in reading his book, that is how great it is!

Fabulous!!

I hate reading. I think the last book I read start to finish was 15 years ago. However, I simply could not put this book down. If you are wanting to know what it is like to be a freshman in college today, then this is the right book. Even though the setting is 1997, I believe that the main character's experiences are still very valid. If you want to know what it is like to go through a fraternity pledge program in today's society, then read this book. There is more to the book then Greek Life, but be prepared for a strong Greek influence. If you were a member of a Greek organization, this book will take you back in time. I have recommended it to all of my college friends and friends who are now college administrators.

O'Hare really captures the true essence of what college life is really like. I especially identified with the characters, it felt like he was writing about things I had actually experienced during my own romp through college. Kudos to O'Hare for getting it right. If you're a college graduate or prospective student you're sure to enjoy this fun and entertaining read.

This is one of the finest books I've ever read about the college experience, because I could really relate to all the characters involved. Hollywood has made kids of this age one dimensional through movies like American Pie, but O'Hare brings his characters to life by giving them emotional depth and a level of sensitivity that is truly revealing in the characters' development.

This book will make you laugh and cry, but does so in a lighthearted way. It's an amazingly easy read and definitely worth the time.

C Spencer O'Hare's "True Freshman" offers a poignant and accurate reflection of the true college experience through the eyes of its protagonist, Logan Bennett. This book is perfect for any post-adolescent who is curious about what they will be subjected to once they reach college, parents who want to know what their kids are REALLY up to at school, college students who wish to compare notes, or any college graduate who wishes to bask in the nostalgia of these glorious days.

Well-crafted, sensitive, provacative, and laugh out loud funny, True Freshman is a novel that will wisk you away to a world that many have been through and few will ever forget