Tate Books

SPOILER ALERT:
Astrid Lindgren lost her marbles when she wrote the last chapter. The story is beautiful and as a christian I have no problems reading it to my children as a fantasy rendition. The illustration of evil regimes and quest for freedom is very moving and uncanny in many ways. Worth reading for this alone, but the ending speaks a message that should never have been spoken. The older boy, the hero, would rather kill himself and his younger brother in a suicide attempt, rather than living a life as a cripple. SICK!

I read this book when I was a child and it was one of my favorite. Now I finished reading it to my sons and they love it too. It took me a while to read the first two chapters though, I just couldn't stop sobbing...although I knew the story. It didn't take us long to finish the book, we needed to find out what was happening next...Such a great book, we will buy some copies and give them to friends!!!

Way before Harry Potter and JK Rowling came along, European children book writers were taking children more seriously than most English and American writers. At the helm of this beautiful movement of children-centric literary world was Astrid Lindgren of Sweden and the wonderful Erich Kaestner of Germany, both well-known and widely read in non-English speaking Europe and most other places, but conviniently limited to a few of their works in UK and the USA (Pippi Longstocking for Lindgren and The Parent Trap for Kaestner).

Brothers Lionheart is Lindgren manifesting Kaestner's frustration at those childrens books authors who think that "children are made out of sweet pastries and cotton candy" (expressed at the beginning of the Flying Classroom, another master piece not known in the English speaking world). I read this book when I was 7 and have continued reading it, mainly in other languages, and had never seen it in English. The translation is good, although I do not like "Scotty" as a translation of Carl's nickname. The real one "Skorpan" (a sort of doughnut) is much nicer and homier.

Brothers Lionheart was very influential in my life. I learnt many lessons from it and enjoyed it very much, and I never felt that I was being preached to or was put down by the author. It is a novel that will appeal to children and even many adults (those who have not forgotten their childhood and thus their reason). I profoundly disagree with the person who is worried about the "negative" effects of the books darker issues (the after-life). It might surprise you that children are a lot more open-minded than their parents: they have not been spoiled by the prejudices we call "our heritage".

This book, I will claim, is one of the best books ever written, anywhere, in any language, and if it was me, I would have given it to all the 6 billion people in the world to read...

What happens when I die? Will I be all alone? Where will mom and dad be when I die? Will they be sad? What will happen to me after I die? These are questions children wonder about. When my daughter was about 5-6 years old she kept talking about "the mysterious beyond" where you go after you die. We have no idea where she got this idea from.

In this book, Astrid Lindgren, the Swedish author who also wrote the Pippi Longstocking books, the Emil books and the "Children of Noisy Village" books, address these difficult questions. She does this without giving any definite answers and still she succeeds to give comfort to children via this exciting and beautiful "after death adventure". Astrid Lindgren's writing is very much in tuned with the feelings of children and the story is spell binding and well paced.

Briefly, Scotty (Skorpan in the Swedish version) is a ten year old boy who is very sick. Everyone knows that he is dying except himself. Then one day he finds out in a cruel but accidental turn of events that he is going to die. To comfort him his older brother Jonathan tells him a story about Nangiyala, the land of adventures that lies beyond the stars, where you go after you die. As it turns out Scotty will not be going to Nangiyala alone. In fact the tragic and short life of Scotty and Jonathan and the love they developed for each other during their earthly lives enabled them to be the heroes that Nangiyala needs upon their arrival. The adventures in Nangiyala are much like many other good fantasy stories like the Chronicles of Narnia or the Lord of the Rings, but they also have a deeper meaning to them.

My teacher read this book to the entire class when I was about 9 years old (the Swedish version). All the kids in the class loved the book and we listened intently while our teacher struggled to read it. The death of your child is a parent's worst fear and having to deal with it head on like you do when reading this book is, I think, emotionally harder on the parent then on the child. I and my wife started reading this book to our daughter (8-years old) but she ended up reading the whole book to herself and she loved it.

It should be noted that the story is not tied to a specific set of religious beliefs about life after death, so if you have strong beliefs in what exactly will happen after death (religious beliefs or atheistic beliefs) you may have a problem with this fantasy version. In my opinion this book is Astrid Lindgren's greatest book. However, it is also her most potentially problematic book, so I advise that you read the first third of the book yourself before you read it to your child. This would help you to prepare answers to difficult questions and to verify that you really want to read it to your child. The writing is very sensitive, peaceful, and thoughtful but it deals with difficult questions. Some people have a problem with the ending so check out the ending too (I did not have a problem with the ending). I loved it as a child and so did my daughter but it may not be true for you, so find out.

A number of stories end with the death of their heroes; this the first one I can recall that BEGINS with the death of its heroes. In addition the sometimes charming, sometimes terrifying illustrations by Ilon Wikland nicely complement the story.

Everyone knew that 10-year-old Karl (Scotty) Lion was dying, what with his crooked legs, his constant coughing, and now being too sick to go to school anymore; everyone except Scotty that is. But now he knows, and he's terrified. His brave, handsome, and loving brother, 13-year-old Jonathan Lion, tries to comfort him by telling him that when he dies he will go to Nangiyala, where all sagas come from, where he will be strong and no longer sick and where Jonathan will eventually join him, and because time passes differently in Nangiyala, it will only seem like a couple of days to Scotty even if Jonathan lives to be 90. But poor Jonathan must live on Earth without his Scotty, maybe for 90 years.

Well, it doesn't quite work out like they thought, but a couple of deeply moving, heartrending chapters later, the boys are together again in Nangiyala, and the REAL story begins. Jonathan told Scotty that in Nangiyala you have adventures from morning to evening and at night, too, but he failed to mention (or more likely failed to grasp himself) that there are adventures that should not happen... but do. There's a cruel tyrant in Nangiyala who has imprisoned the people of Wild Rose Valley and intends to do the same to Cherry Valley where the Brothers Lionheart now live,...

and it is going to be up to them, especially little Scotty who still doesn't believe he is brave at all, to stop him.

Astrid Lindgren, of Pippi Longstalking and Mio, My Son fame, has written a powerful and deeply moving story here that I'll not soon forget if ever. So why only three stars? Because I've got a serious problem with her shocker of an ending.

With far too many sincere but ill informed parents panicking over the Harry Potter books (while Philip Pullman's openly, even proudly Satanic "His Dark Materials" trilogy oozes by under the RADAR), I don't want to hit this too hard, but parents need to be aware of what is IMHO a serious flaw in this book. It is NOT as you might expect with the neo-pagan afterworld her story takes place in; IMHO there is nothing here that anyone whose religious beliefs postulate a different sort of afterlife need fear to expose his children to. It is FICTION after all. The problem is the ending.

SPOILER ALERT

The Brothers Lionheart triumph in the end but at a heavy cost; many friends are dead, including their beloved and faithful horses. Worst of all Jonathan has been poisoned and will soon be paralyzed, but he has a solution. It seems that when you die in Nangiyala you go on to Nangilima, where it is still the time of the sagas but only happy ones and no more adventures that should not happen. So if Scotty will take Jonathan upon his back and jump off a high cliff, just like Jonathan took Scotty upon his back and jumped out of an upper floor window to save Scotty's life from the fire at the cost of his own back at the beginning of the book, they can go to Nangilima now, together.

So that is exactly what they do,...

and I'm sorry, but this is SICK!

Jonathan earns the name of Lionheart when he risks his life, loses it in fact, in order to save his soon-to-die little brother, but when HE faces some amount of life (but probably not all that much) as a paralytic, he talks that very same brother into killing him along with himself, in order to get into a BETTER afterlife a little bit sooner. What in God's name was Lindgren thinking? Oh, I'm not especially worried about children reading this and killing themselves in order to go to Nangiyala, but our children could do without Yet Another message that if you are crippled, you are better off dead. They get quite enough of that from too many so-called "Pro-Choicers" who apparently fear that if people get the idea that life is still worth living even for the severely handicapped, they might begin to wonder about the ethics of killing the healthy but merely too small to scream.

END OF SPOILER

If you disagree with my opinion and own an older edition, The Purple House reprint of The Brothers Lionheart is worth picking up because of the smooth new English translation by Jill Morgan (the publisher herself?).

WOW! What an amazing book! If you are looking for guidance, support, understanding, encouragement or just someone who has REALLY been there, Joyce Schneider and this book are for you!! You won't get a one way ticket to guilt island, just a real life person willing to share her past and life experiences and ultimately a "recipe" for a sweeter life than you could have ever dreamed possible! Thank you Joyce for not being ashamed to tell your story! It inspires me to empty my dark closet of secrets and gives me a desire to not only seek forgiveness, but permission to forgive myself!!

When I first saw the title, Chili and Chocolate Cake and realized the meaning behind it (Sunday church nights) I became familiar with my own special place I have in my church and particularly the church I grew up in. The book is not only a pure and honest account of the authors life, but it brought us readers drawn to the innocence of the author and her wanting to share her spritual growth and her path that took her there. This book is great for young teens, kids going off to college, and parents to understand and find their own spiritual path.

I love the fact that the author, Joyce, uses her life in a way that touches your heart and brings you to see God through her eyes and her heart. She is vulnerable and yet so strong, as she experiences God through her everyday experiences. God has definitely used her to communicate His love to all of us. A great read!

This book has forever blessed my life! Not only can I personally relate to so many of the topics that Joyce talks about, it truly ministered to me in so many areas that I had "swept under the carpet". Healing through the Word of God is the key to living a life FULL of peace and joy...and this book walks you through that. So many times, we tend to turn to things or to people to try and fill the "holes" that we have created...but there is ONE who will take you in His loving arms and make you feel complete...like no other can. Joyce, thank you so much for sharing the words that God has given you. Your book has helped me in more ways than I can ever tell you!! And God, thank YOU for this amazing woman who uses the precious gifts You have given her to help a hurting world. Please bless her Father!! I love you Joyce!! AN AMAZING BOOK!!!!!!!!!!

Joyce is a living testimony of what God can do and wants to do in our lives. She was willing to give it ALL to God and in return she now has the freedom we all strive for!! Lets all take a lesson from Joyce and put our complete TRUST IN GOD and let God heal us from our past!!!! Great book Joyce!!!!

A must read. I truly enjoyed this book. The bible study was so realistic. THere were time I actually felt as if I was there with the group. This is a very touchy but true subject, however the author did a great job with it.

Treva Langston is a lot like me. No, I've never been a high-powered lawyer, owned a large ritzy home, purchased designer clothes or counted myself as one of the upper-middle class. No, I'm not a deeply coloured African American woman who struggles with deeply rooted issues concerning her self-worth. But still, I see parts of myself in Treva. Like Treva I experience times when I don't want to cook, don't want to clean, and focus more on my own interests than upon loving my husband and children, though I do all of these things daily. So despite our many differences I feel that Treva - and through her the author whose imagination she sprung from - are my bosom sisters in Christ.

Debut novelist Kimberly Cash Tate took me by surprise with her first entry into the Christian fiction market, Heavenly Places. Tate captured my heart with her richly executed characters and frank, introspective prose. The women she has created are beautiful, flawed, imperfect women of faith who depend upon God to carry them through and heal their wounds. When six of these ladies come together for a study of Ephesians, that's just what He does - shows up and takes control of the steering in each life. While each woman is impacted by God's love and guidance, the tale revolves around Treva who, once revolving only around herself, is experiencing a shift in orbit. God is about to become the center of her universe.

Throughout their time together in God's word and by lifting each other before the throne of grace, each woman experiences God at work in her life. There is no doubt - these women can pray! One of my favourite aspects of the book is the impassioned, authentic prayer that pours from the hearts of these women. After reading this title, women will be longing to find a vibrant, tightly knit women's Bible study modeled after the inspiring example presented. I'd be ready to sign up today!

The only low-point worth mentioning are the cathartic scenes of emotional healing that occur at each Bible study. While moving, the manner in which the women fly to each other in tears time and time again does become somewhat repetitive by the book's end. I would have appreciated a greater diversity of reactions and description, but this repetition does little to detract from the novel's merits.

Healing past wounds, reconciling family members, bringing people to Jesus and a good dose of personal conviction - God is all over this book. As He takes these situations in hand, readers experience joy, heartache, sorrow, regret, cozy familial love, freedom and the ecstasy of being in God's will. To think, Tate accomplished all this in the hours before her children rose in the morning and entered their busy homeschooling schedule. I'm impressed - Heavenly Places is the best women's fiction I've read this year. I highly recommend it. Kimberly Cash Tate is an author to watch. I hope she puts pen to paper time and time again, crafting more stories for God's glory.

Heavenly Places by Kimberly Cash Tate is a powerful novel of the lies that we can believe about howselves and how that separates us from God. Treva Langston looks like she has it all from the outside. Career as a high-priced attorney, married to a handsome college professor, Hezekiah, three beautiful daughters named Faith, Joy, and Hope. But when her husband gets a job near Washington DC, it means giving up the job she loves and returning to the place where she grew up. Treva's entire life and self-esteem is shaken when after moving to DC, she can't find a job and ends up home every day. Her sister, Jillian, invites her to participate in a Bible study with some other women, and while she initially fights it with every fiber of her stubborn being, she keeps attending class after class until the truth of God's love starts to sink into her soul. Treva's mother, Patsy, does all she can to shatter Treva's newfound sense of balance by reminding her that because of her dark skin, she is not beautiful, and therefore her only value is in having a career. Tate shines in her debut novel in portraying a woman who insists on living her life on her terms and ends up having to face God on His. Treva is a delicate character, so wrapped up in her own problems and hurt that she doesn't notice anyone else's pain, but Tate makes her sympathetic and entirely likeable. Her growth throughout the book is visible, though never forced. Much of the book focuses on a Bible study of the book of Ephesians, and Tate teaches an amazing class about the gifts that God has given us in His love, and the promises He's made. As Treva learns about God's love, the reader can't help but do the same. Inspiring, moving, and fascinating, it's a terrific first novel!

"Heavenly Places" by Kimberly Cash Tate left me with mixed feelings. The cover art didn't grip me. If I saw it on a shelf, I probably wouldn't pick it up. Then, I was really put off by the genre being listed as "African American". What does that mean? I did enjoy revisiting my east coast roots, and I love the reading guide full of discussion questions at the end of the novel for use by book groups. But I can't say that I would recommend this novel.

Have you ever tried to decide whether you liked a book or hated it? This is a book about an African-American wife of a college professor and mother of three daughters and how she moves from self-hate to seeing herself as God does. Most of this change comes through a Bible Study she is doing with a group of African-American, largely middle to upper middle class stay at home moms. They are studying Ephesians and much of the book is their discussion of the book and quotes from the study guide they are using. That puts the book in the category of a sermon wrapped in a story which generally isn't my cup of tea, but I will say this was better done than most. I really felt for the main character and though, on the suface, this African-American wealthy attorney from a dysfunctional family and I would seem to have little in common, I was able to find some of myself in her on several occassions.

One thing I didn't like about the book was the theology espoused. At one point, the Bible study group is exchanging salvation stories and one of them says that she has always been a part of the church and God has always been a part of her life. The others are quick to point out that she has to have had a salvation moment where she has prayed the sinners prayer and accepted Jesus. She does so then and there--but why was she at the Bible study to being with--or attending church as an adult--if she didn't love God and want Him in her life? There were other parts of the book too where it was clear that this Catholic was reading about someone else's religion.

Another thing that annoyed me was that everthing worked out too well. The message was very much the "trust God and do His will and you will be happy here on earth". That was quite a contrast to what I heard at mass Sunday: "Pick up your cross and follow me". ...less

Man's inhumanity to man never ceases to amaze me. The story is at once tragic then hopeful, despairing then spiritual. Oni has captured the essence of one of the 20th century's worst travesties in a simple almost childlike manner. Perhaps not brilliantly written, it is brilliantly told. This is the first Killing Fields book I've read (avoided for obvious reasons of personal discomfort, although I've read books on Armenian genocide, Holocaust and Dharfur) and I will now join those who work to build on the strengths of Cambodia and its people. I especially appreciated the brief history of Cambodia at the end of the book, and the sweet and simple photos. I felt this strong sense of peace at the end of reading, as if in fact Oni will achieve her goals and be part of a larger vital improvement for the lives of so many Khmer, both in America and in Cambodia.

This is one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. From the beginning of her life in a cave to the constant struggle for suvival, Oni describes her ordeal, an ordeal no one would have dreamed could ever actually happen. Her life could have ended many times if it were not for the caring people around her and for her own perseverance. Oni is one strong, determined lady and her story needs to be told to the world. If you only read one book a year, this should be the one!

"And a child shall lead them" -- Oni Vitandham begins her real life story as a child, of resilience and survival surrounded by constant death, destruction, danger, and unimaginable horror. Although dealing with a conflict over 30 years removed, this book could not have arrived at a more poignant time. At its core, the political themes are as relevant today as they were then in stemming the flow of innocent blood.

This book should further resonate with recently honed political sensibilities (per Abu Graib, Iraq, etc) and serve as inspiration to us all not only as citizens but as human beings to stand up for justice and equality (even in the face of dire political rhetoric).

Oni's story reminds us how truly blessed we all are and of our universal responsibility to prevent these horrors from re-occurring.

"Evil prospers because good men do nothing." Edmund Burke

This is a wonderful book and easy reading. I would recommend it to anyone and I am going to refer it to my friends. Take the time to read it, it's definitely worth your while.

A reading of Oni Vitandham's "On the Wings of a White Horse" is an inspiring experience to say the least. It is a tale of immense pain and suffering, yet courage in the face of failure and despair. It is the story of a life that may never have been but for the love of family and friends. A theme that seems often lacking in our world today. It is not an easy book to read. Indeed, it is often violently confronting. However, it is certain, that the reader will leave with a greater sense of compassion, love and hope for the future of humanity

Oni's is a powerful, at times confronting and terrifying story that delves into the subjects that have all too often been left to the back pages of history. From the fall of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, to the Communist movements in Laos and Vietnam, and beyond to a new life in America, Oni's journey often reads like a political history of South-East Asia during the 1970s. For one young girl to be at the centre of some of the most desperate struggles of the decade, and to emerge not only alive, but also so incredibly empowered, seems almost beyond comprehension.

Yet this is what makes Oni, and her story, so enthralling. To quote the saying, "whatever doesn't kill us, makes us stronger" seems almost inadequate to describe this story. Indeed Oni tells her life as it is, with little attempt to shield use from the intense pain and suffering that she herself has had to endure. At first this seems almost to hard to bear. However as even Oni herself tells us at the start of the book; these are her childhood memories. It is this thought enough that inspires the reader to continue on.

Indeed Oni stands for an idea that is greater than her own personal story and even greater than her desire to see a prosperous and peaceful Cambodia. She believes in the right of all people to have the chance to grow up in peace and happiness. She believes in the power of the individual and the immense capacity that humans have for spreading happiness in their world.

A reading of Oni's "On the Wings of a White Horse" will leave the reader inspired. Indeed it is a story that enters through the heart and leaves through the head. One cannot read it and not be inspired to get up and care about the plight of the millions of people who are so less fortunate than ourselves.

The DNA of Successful Leaders takes readers through a personality profile and the diagnosis of the results, which, based on the title, probably isn't surprising. Personality profiles aren't what you like to read in your leisure time, nor are books about them. I felt the same way about personality profiles, until I picked up this book.

The DNA of Successful Leaders is what I would call the "real-life personality profile." Mr. Tate's philosophy is simple - you were born to lead and influence others for the better, but your leadership will only be effective if it is true to who you are.

The information in this book is invaluable, and is a must read for everybody to use in business and in life. It encourages readers to be authentically themselves, and to allow others to be the same. As a Coach, this insight alone made me cheer!

I have never seen a "personality" profile that is so insightful and provides such practical application. I have found it to be very helpful to me at a business level as well as a personal level. As a doctor it has helped me to have insight to my patients and understanding how to communicate certain concepts to them more effectively. In my personal life it has given me a lot of new insights to my friends and loved ones. A must read!!

An incredible insight to understanding yourself and how you relate to others. Tate's book shows how easy it is to adapt, relate, and influence others while all along being true to yourself, associates, clients, and friends. A "must read" no matter your occupation!

You'd be a fool not to read this book. Mr. Tate- what a difference you have made in my company!! A month ago, one of our most valued employees resigned. Since reading this book, I have been working on all of our relationships within our company in order to improve communications and cooperation. When she quit, we were devastated. Knowing she was a pure 'red' I re-read the chapter on reds and worked to understand how a "blue" should work with her. After a deep conversation following literally exactly the words of Mr. Tate, our employee reconsidered her position and rejoined our company with a completely renewed outlook on her job and the company. Mr. Tate, you single-handedly saved our company. I appreciate everything you shared in this book. It has been the most relevant and practical guide for my business. Thank you!

I got this book for Christmas and honestly, I'd have prefered socks. I don't mind personality quizzes. I, like most educated people, find them droll and amusing, a light-hearted folly, something to do on a rainy day in lieu of sudoku. This book, though, is such a heaping pile of psycho-babble and business-speak it made me want to grind glass into my eyeballs. Why? It's basically a rehash of The Hartman Personality Test, popularly called "The Color Code," reworded just enough to avoid litigation. (Mr. Tate was, after all, a lawyer in a previous incarnation.) In addition, there is absolutely no bibliography or evidence of any actual research, meaning that Tate, with his aforementioned law degree, has about as much academic sanction to write a book about psychology as I do. Third, Tate makes no attempt to hide his deeply held Republican and rightist views, painting Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush in blindingly favorable light and maligning such former Democratic leaders as Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. Finally, he claims to apply his "methodology" to the Beatles, claiming that each one had one of the four colors in his test, attributing their massive popularity to that alone. No Troy, they just played great music.

If you're a banal mid-level managerial type whose anonymously boring career is stuck in a rut and who buys into the "I'm Okay, You're Okay" malarkey pop culture continues to force feed the masses, than this might just be the book for you. If you're a thinking human being with a personality more complex than a coloring book, look elsewhere.

The style and format of this book was different from LTCSA but it was equally as good. This book focuses on Rachel, the once loose daughter of Pastor Simon is now a pastor's wife herself, but not at her own will. She goes thru many trials and tribulations. Drama is not a short fall in this novel. It's a very easy read and even if you don't read the prequel you can still get into this one. But I would suggest it so you can follow to see how all the drama began. This book had a twist at the end that I was not expecting. After reading this I eagerly await a third installment. If not about Rachel then we can peek more into the lives of her brothers Jonathan and David who have drama for yo momma! Surely Ms. Billingsley will not leave us hanging.

I love this book it is very good from beginning to end. I did not want to put this book down. But I am looking for for the next part because I want to know what happens next......ReShonda Tate Billingsley is a wonderful author. I enjoy all of her books.

This book was a great and I am praying there will be a sequel. If you haven't purchased this book, shame on you. Keep up the good work Ms. Billingsley!!!

I finished this in two days. It only took this long because the kids would not let mommy read LOL

This is a great book. Very realistic. Beter than watching a movie. I highly recommend it. I cant wait until the sequel.. Will there be a sequel? Please let there be a sequel.. LOL

I really enjoyed this book. I could hardly put it down. Hated for it to end.

The purpose of this book is to help children/teens learn the presidents in order. It has silly sayings and mnemonic devices to help one remember. Each president covers two pages. The left side of the page is historically accurate information whereas the right side is a silly saying to help you remember that president and the sayings are linked like a story. If you can remember the story, you should be able to remember the presidents.

Well, I know my Presidents now, that's for sure! I had great fun learning them, too, sitting on the couch with my husband one afternoon. The two of us went through the book, working through it and giggling at the references all the while. It was a lot of fun and we learned every president during the read. I planned to buy it, learn them, and then relist the item. But, I decided to instead hold onto it for when my nieces come over. I am always hunting for new ways to entertain them and this will keep them busy for sure! :) Lots of fun for all ages.
I highly recommend that you buy it and have as much fun as we did, and learn a little something, too! 5 stars!

This book was ordered for my son, who is a teacher, for Christmas and it came in plenty of time. Thanks so much.

This book is the best and most fun ways to learn about the American Presidents that I have ever seen. For each president from Washington through Clinton, there is a brief caption regarding his life and accomplishments. There is also a drawing taken from a photo or portrait, a cartoon style drawing and associated play on words to aid in remembering the name and whom they succeeded. For example, the cartoon for Dwight Eisenhower shows the Eiffel Tower with eyes on it being held by a tree with eyes. The caption is "The tree-man is crawling up the side of a huge tower that has eyes on it. It must be the eyes-on-tower!" The cartoon for Harry Truman, who preceded Eisenhower, shows the tree-man.
One of the best books for learning history and social studies, I strongly recommend this book. If my children were of a suitable age, I would buy it for them.

After one night, I knew all 43 presidents of the United States in order without looking. This book is AWESOME!!! :D

Can I Get A Witness hits the floor running. Ms. Billingsley does a good job of throwing the reader into the story and you find yourself feeling for the characters and caring about what happens in their lives. The plot and character development are both thorough but it seems a bit too short and slightly rushed at times. When I finished the last page I found myself wishing certain points of the book were longer.

The story revolves around the lives of three sisters and the struggles they go through to cope with their relationships. The sisters are helped along by their Aunt Ida with her the well intended, sarcastic yet funny at times comments and advice. Aunt Ida raised them and encourages them to include God in their relationships.

Vanessa is a divorce-court judge whose marriage has been in trouble for a long time. Unfortunately, Vanessa was totally unaware of their marital problems, leaving her unprepared for the crazy ride she will have to take while dealing with her husband Thomas and his mistress.

Dionne, the youngest and brattiest of the sisters, whole life revolves around getting married before age 30. During her quest to find a husband, Dionne finds Roland; a not yet divorced man with doggish tendencies... which only the beginning of her troubles. Dionne has lots of growing up to do and doesn't seem to actually figure this out until it's almost too late.

Rosalyn, the eldest sisters, is the most level headed. With a happy marriage to a minister and a son - she comes off as the perfect sister with the perfect life. She is spiritually in tune with herself and seeks to help her sisters through their issues. But, she too has some drama of her own.

This book is a very fast read with strong characters. A story line that is crazy, funny, and serious. Ms. Billingsley delivers serious lessons with humor and care. I even found myself speaking out loud a few times at the audacity of some of the characters! A must read.

This is an excellent book. The characters are well developed and the plot is very interesting. You wont be dissapointed.

CAN I GET A WITNESS by ReShonda Tate Billingsley is an action packed story of two sisters and their troubles with men. Vanessa is a divorce court judge who finds herself suddenly in the same position as the people who come before her every day. Her husband, tired of her constantly putting work before their relationship, and even worse, of her putting work before what he desires most in this world, a child, has finally had it. He leaves her but she finds him, unfortunately, with another woman. Vanessa is outraged and heads for divorce court. The judge insists that she and her husband, Thomas, go to counseling before he will grant the divorce. Vanessa doesn't want to go, but knows that she must. Will the counseling help them get their marriage back together? Or is Vanessa too bent on revenge for reconciliation?

Her sister, Dionne, is dating Roland, a man no one in the family thinks much of, but that's okay with her because she loves him. Then she discovers he is cheating and the heat is on. There are other complications and she begins to seek revenge. Will it all turn around and bite her, rather than destroy Roland?

CAN I GET A WITNESS is a real page-turner that keeps your attention from the first page to the last. It covers numerous issues that are common to all human beings and it leaves lessons learned by the characters. It can certainly cause readers to take a hard look at their own life. It is well-written, loaded with suspense and tension. It certainly held my interest.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of the RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

"Can I Get A Witness?" is a page-turner filled with drama, twists, and most importantly, a powerful spiritual message on love and forgiveness. You'll feel a range of emotions traveling along life's rocky road for sisters Vanessa and Dionne. Reshonda Tate-Billingsley did an awesome job of bringing the reader into the world of her characters. I've read several of her books and have enjoyed them all!

Alicia Hill Jones, Author "Blessings of Purpose, A Novel"

Good book Ms. Billingsley. I liked the storyline and the characters made me laugh, cry and I also got alittle irritated. I've read all of Ms. Billingsley's novels so far and I'm never disappointed. It's a trip how Vanessa has more drama in her life than the people she presides over in court. Dionne you love Roland THAT much? Rosolyn you shocked me. Aunt Ida do you have to be up in everybody's business?

I appreciate Jack and Corrine's book because it focuses on how an individual can work to improve a relationship. There's not a whole lot of psychobabble here; it's not all about how you were raised or when you were toilet trained. The authors take a practical look at how to use compassion, trust and good listening skills to cement the bonds of love in marriage.

This book is a follow up from an earlier book in which some of the same HEART principles are used in business. That's important to know, because the main message here is that the principles taught in this book are universal.

The last point for potential readers of this book is that it is told as a story, not a text book. While I usually am turned off by preachy books, this book didn't come across that way. It's as if the authors decided that they would build on a story to help the main messages sink in better. I think it works!

This book is straightforward, accessible and can be read in one sitting. The skills demonstrated through the story of a busy married couple going through a difficult time, are vital to any relationship. I was able to apply them immediately in my life.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to nourish their personal relationships-- It's not just for the married!

This book has the power to change relationships. An easy-to-read story shows us when and how to use the 5 secrets. It is a helpful model for our most meaningful relationships--better partner, better parent, better friend. Insightful and practical.

I found this book extremely valuable because it actually provided "tools" that can be used to better communicate in general - not just with your spouse. This book does more than just provide you communication tools. It does a great job of applying them through a simple and understandable story line. As I read the book, I kept thinking that anybody managing others in a workplace would probably find that this book - and the "5 Secrets" within it - could greatly improve their communication with others. Managers should learn these "5 Secrets" and pass the knowledge on!

I'm a life coach, and I read a lot of books on relationships. I just finished reading Rosenblum and Dugas's book. It's great.

I'm a big John Gottman fan. Gottman's Seven Keys to Successful Marriage explains the dynamics of couples better than any other book, and it's based on scientific observation which is also unique. Until now, it has always been my first recommendation to clients or friends with couples issues.

Now, I think Five Secrets will overtake Seven Keys as my first recommendation to couples with challenges. It's more user friendly and therefore usable. When I have a client in the midst of troubles, someone that needs strategies to get to the heart of things right away, I will share the five secrets of marriage from the heart, and suggest that s/he read the book. It sets forth a clearer, immediately implementable approach.

Excellent service. This book arrived on time (even early) and in very good condition. I recommend this bookseller and give 5 stars.

Nikola Durdevic
Croatia, Europe

I am not convinced that this is the BEST Jean Michel Basquiat retrospective catalogue to date...but the work selected for this publication is certainly consistently better than most others published before or after this one. Basquiats peak of productivity was from1981-83 and much of that work is catalogued here..But the dissapointment is that many of his last works (circa 1988) will not be found here....but in the more extensive Basquiat catalogue published by the Tony Shafrazi Gallery.
There are also a few images here that will make you wonder why they were selected and some of the text seems to over emphesize  
the fact that Basquiat died of a DRUG OVERDOSE.
You can skip the text or consider it ....it's the work that counts in the end!

This is by far the best catalogue of Basquiat's work as it was shown at the Whitney. By far, this book superseed others as it relates to quality and quantity of plates. Strongly recomend.

If you are looking for a wonderful combination of Basquiat's work and biography, this is the book to own. This book is full of many beautiful color plates of his work, as well as the story of his short, successful, but tragic life as an artist who had his brief moment in the sun before succumbing to the drugs.

Such a tragedy for a talented fellow like Basquiat to succumb to the temptations of drugs at such an early age. His paintings are so raw and fresh. I feel as though he used canvasses as giant doodle pads which he displayed to the world. Many of our own doodle pads (next to our phones, on our office desks, etc.) end up in the [bin] but Basquiat's ended up in the galleries and museums of the world. Some think of his work as [bad] but I view it as a treasure. Fine art, cartoons, grafitti and doodling...the best things in life. This book is the best collection I've seen of his work. The reproductions are well done and the essays are enlightening. For the art afficianado, this book needs to join the collection.