Thomas Books

Tom, I cant even fathom to call him Thomas, has caught the essence of what it is to be a Guard "Bum". Guardsmen and Guardswomen from across the country can really relate to this book and the feel is Just right. As Tom's real life former First Sergeant, it is with pride I recommend this book. I read it from cover to cover in one day and went back to read it again just to enjoy it all over again.

I got this book on a recommendation from someone on one of the discussion boards I frequent. I can't say that I was disappointed by this book. It was very well written, although it would have been nice if he would have saved some of the stuff for the end of the book. It kind of ruined it knowing the end. Although, those things added to the book as it was being read and it did give a bit of tension to it.

But it was a different perspective on aviators.

Full disclosure -- Tommy Young (he will never be the more formal "Thomas W. Young" to me) is a good personal friend and former squadron-mate, and when we were activated and deployed to the desert as C-130 crewmembers in 2003 I spent many mornings on the porch of his tent, drinking his coffee and talking about life and literature. When we returned he told me he had written a book and that it had been published and was available on Amazon, but I bought it with some trepidation, wondering what I should say if I read it and didn't like it. I should not have been concerned. This book tells the story of a fictitious Air Guard C-130 crew and the intrigue they get caught up in on an airlift mission in South America. The characters are given great depth and the story has a wealth of detail about modern Air Guard airlift missions and the situations aircrews can find themselves in. Every detail is true to life and drawn from the many hours Tommy has spent on missions like the one he describes. The plot was suspenseful and made this book a page-turner. I highly recommend this book.

Tom Young has worked very hard to provide an inside view of the air crewmembers and maintenance support for the venerable C-130 Hercules. Tom is very acute in describing the overall mission of the C-130, and of her other military roles as well. An airplane is not an airplane unless the personnel factor is involved, and only Tom and his experienced writing career can provide this. Buy this book, and it will become a treasured piece in your library.

As a loadmaster on C-130s, this book is a must read for all flyers! Has a great storyline and true to the life of a flyer.

allright, i havent read this book, but reading other reviews guarantee its a good book. my question is i can't seem to find this book anywhere; amazon doesnt carry it, nor do any other bookstores i've checked. i've gone online and looked hard for it, but all i come across is the original spanish version, whereas i dont speak spanish. the review states that this book has been translated into most languages, but where are the english translations. if you have information where i can purchase this book please email me at josecruz@sfsu.edu, thanks.

Mind's labyrinth has reached very few times such level of anxiety, desperation, loneliness, introspection and madness as you will experience with this story.

Ernesto Sabato wrote one of his three masterpieces with such eloquence and conviction that you will wonder after having read it why this monumental work is not better known.

This notable writer and thinker, not only paid his personal debt to Poe, but all a gallery of inquisitions, observations and statements about the human nature, will integrate this colossal portrait of Castel and Maria.

E.S.belongs to that dynasty of major Latin American novelists with admirable figures such Borges, Cabrera Infante, Cortazar, Quiroga, Asturias. He has been a man of sharp intelligence, astonishing erudiction and refined culture. I really hope you to read this book and from the first page you will be struggled by an invisible arm that will envolve you in this passionate and extraordinary portrait.

In last instance there was only a dark and lonely tunnel: mine!

juan pablo castel is the mind of men who strive to find a meaning to their existence. juan pablo's mind is a world of fanatasies that puts him on the verge of reality. here we have to examine the labyrinth of his mind and find that all he was searching for is merely the return to his infancy. we shouldnt be surprised that every men with an extraordinary intelligence, finds himself trapped in this purposeless universe. when men discover that they're left alone responsible for their actions, they seek nourishment from an idealized concept. in this case, this concept is maria iribarne. knowing that god doesn't exist (at least in the way we wish to beleive) juan pablo travels backwards in time to the origin with the hope of understanding his chaotic existence. this is where juan pablo becomes an existentialistic individual who simply wishes to be non-existential. the tunnel here refers simply to his mind. castel finds himself in the middle of nowhere, with no purpose at all. the paint refers to the door that will open his mind to maria that represents an illogical mind. though from the surface, we might think that it is castel's mind that's twisted, unpredictable and perhaps deviant, i must say that there exist order, pattern, and lucidity. it is maria's mind that is illogical with a lack of sense of the world that surrounds her. castel is the only victim of a cruel and insensible game that leads him to the deepest state of mind that could be nearly impossible to recover from.

Ernesto Sabato is best known for the second of his three novels, ''On Heroes and Tombs,'' a massive, intricate chronicle of murder and passion set in the Argentina of the 1950's. In his 1948 debut novel, ''The Tunnel,'' these themes are already on display, but in a simplified, almost fabulistic form. Mr. Sabato's narrator introduces himself, his crime and the object of his passion in the very first sentence: ''It should be sufficient to say that I am Juan Pablo Castel, the painter who killed Maria Iribarne.'' He then launches into an account of his affair with Maria, a married woman who first draws his attention at an art exhibit. Once their affair begins, however, her elusiveness provokes his jealousy, plunging him into a ''personal hell of analyzing and imagining.'' Does she see other men? Does she actually love her frail, blind husband? Does she love Castel himself? His attempts to answer these questions grow increasingly contorted and obsessive; finally, his crazed solipsism displaces romantic passion as the real subject of the novel. While Castel crouches, knife in hand, in the shrubbery outside Maria's weekend retreat, he makes his condition explicit: ''After all there was only one tunnel, dark and solitary: mine, the tunnel in which I had spent my childhood, my youth, my entire life.'' When it was first published in Spanish, ''The Tunnel'' won the applause of Thomas Mann and Albert Camus and was described as an existentialist classic. Still, in this fine new translation by Margaret Sayers Peden, Mr. Sabato's novel retains a chilling, memorable power.

Juan Pablo Castel is a tormented and insane painter who falls for Maria, a woman he meets at an art exhibition. She is married to a blind man -the subject of Sabato and Saramago's obsession- and has a house in the countryside. She is also the mistress of her own cousin. Castel discovers this and goes mad with jealousy. We have no way to know the truth, because everything in the novel happens inside Castel's mind.

When I first read the novel, in 1989, I thought it was a great psychological thriller, a true gem of existentialism. My praise for it has diminished, though, as I have come to dislike the guy. On a superficial level, it's just about the mad obsession of a lonely and depressive loser who is unable to cope with his passion and that leads him to commit a crime. If you find it profound and revealing, then enjoy it.

I read this book and tried to hold back tears through a lot of it. Its hard to imagine that a human being could be that cruel to another human being. Its also hard to believe that it went on as long as it did and nothing was done to stop it. Its hard to imagine someone surviving all that and then going through everything afterwards. Though this would be a hard book to read without any emotion, it was extra hard for me because I am good friends with her brother Chiefy and his family. Knowing what happened to him and his siblings brought an extra tear to the eye because it felt more personal. I am glad that all the birth siblings of the author and Mrs. Thomas herself all moved on and started families of their own and found eachother. It really puts a happy ending to a nightmare begining.

This book was written very well. The story it tells comes across very honest and candid. The most important message it conveys is that we should never ignore the warning signs of child abuse.

...like so many others I was unable to put this book down. It is a book that I keep on my desk at home and refer to often. I have highlighted many words as they are what I have been trying to put into words for years. There was no sexual abuse, starvation or foster care in my childhood. I instead suffered only physical and emotional abuse untill my teenage years. Like Kim I blocked those events from my memory. I am 48 and only remember my life clearly from April of 1974 when the person I thought was my "MAMA" died. I have two sons and an ex-husband that don't understand why I keep telling everyone "I want to go home." I met Kim in March of 2004 and consider her my best friend I will ever have. We don't talk or see each other often but I knowthat she is the only person I have met to date that truly understands what I feel inside. Kim has the strength and courage to pursue what I have only dreamed about. My heart is with her and those that are still hiding secrets of thier past. With Kim's determination and support from her books I beleive we all can "go home" someday. We can make peace with that fact that we are not to blame for the actions of those we trusted with our futures. We are victims and we can speak out to prevent the abuse cycle. Thank-you Kim for letting the world see abuse thru the " eyes of a child."

Takes a brave woman to tell her story, she is no doubt a remarkable woman. Unfortunately for me, there were a few stories that she shared, that I myself remember as a child and I realize that I do not have to courage to reveal those secrets...Thank-you for sharing your story with myself and others. I have passed this book's title along and several of my friends are reading it.

I live in the same town as your brother Chiefy, at least when he is not on his ship. He spoke to me off and on about his childhood and it was just so sad,then I read the book and there were parts when I couldn't help but cry and there were parts that just disgusted me. It's so hard to believe that a human being can be that sick in the head-and to think he got away with it just revolts mee. Chiefy told me he has passed away though, so I'm sure now he is paying for what he did. I certainly hope so because no human being deserves to go through what all of you did. I'm surprised and glad that you all kept your sanity and are normal people today. You all deserve alot of credit. You're a good writer. I can't wait to read your next book.
Mimi M
Lakeside,CA

Patricia Sprinkle is one of my favorites becuase she doesn't just "phone it in" with her series books. Great character development and an ending full of surprises.

I had not read Patricia Sprinkle before I read Who Left That Body In The Rain. It wasn't as easy to figure out "who done it" as you might think and I appreciated the challenge. An quick read.

This is the first Patricia Sprinkle book that I read, and ever sense I have some to love her writing style. This book is excellent not only for the vivid portrayal of life in the South and the customs that go with it, but also for the intrigue and suspense that keeps the reader guessing almost to the end as to who the killer really is. This list of suspects goes on, and on, and with one major suspect on the lam, its easy to finger that person right off the bat. I really enjoyed this book and the McLaren Yarbrough is a delightful heroin.

Except for the first two books, I have read all of Patricia Sprinkle's Thoroughly Southern Mystery series to date and have loved each one. The stories envelop the reader in the cozy comfort of visiting with old friends, without ever letting them overstay their welcome. Each book reveals something new about returning favorites and introduces enough new friends, family members, and villains to keep things fresh and interesting. The mysteries are clever, intriguing, complex. The setting is rich in the regional flavors, customs, and manners of the small-town South, but never at the expense of other cultures or groups of people. This series never disappoints.

I hope Signet will one day offer BUT WHY SHOOT THE MAGISTRATE? and WHEN DID WE LOSE HARRIET? in the same style as the rest of the series so my collection may be complete.

I had a hard time deciding whether I should give it 5 stars or 4 stars, because it took me a long time to get into this book and get interested in the characters. I didn't really care for the setting. To me, it wasn't really cozy enough.

The writing was good. The clues/twists/surprises were clever. The more pages I read, the better it got. When I got to the last 100 pages, I couldn't put it down. It was so interesting, and it kept getting even more interesting by the page.

So while I was deciding whether this deserved a low 5 or a high 4, the last 100 pages convinced me to give it a 5. The last 100 pages were so good - those pages in themselves deserved a very high 5!

I loved reading the first book to this series written by Hilda Stahl. When I saw that her daughter wrote the second book in the series, I wasn't sure if it would be as good. But, I was not disappointed...this book was just as good as the first one, I only wish that the series had continued.

I just finished this book last night and i thought it was excellent! I have never before read any books by Laurie Stahl but know i want to read all her other ones.I bought it thinking it would probably be boring but right from the beginning it held my apt attention! There are a few parts that are kinda corny and someplaces where u can predict just what is going to happen, but it does not take away from the wonderful story that it is!

This book was so interesting that I couldn't put it down. It was very unpredictable. Now, where can I find sequel 3?

Right away I was skeptical about the book, thinking I would see differences between the sequel and the original, but I was completely wrong! The whole story line had flowed so well from the first book to the second that my grandma didn't even notice there were two different authors. The book gave me so many different emotions and I loved every bit of it!! From happiness and laughter to anger and sadness, I took in everything I could from this book and I feel that it has made me a better person. I encourage anyone who sees this book to buy it right away, along with the first one because the story line and characters will touch you in such a way I cannot describe. When I finished reading it I ran to the computer right away to see if there was another sequel, but to my despair I have not found one. Where is #3 Laurie????

What a refreshing continuation of the Women of Catawba. Laurie did a wonderful job of following the style and personalities of the characters in this sequel to the book her Mom wrote. We were pulled into another era with ease and felt the dedication to God these women had as they faced their own challenges in life. I agree, where is book III, Laurie?

While Wonderdog is a fast an easy read, Inman Majors gives glimpses of his complex understanding of the English language. Between laughing out loud at the antics of Dev Degraw, I found myself re-reading several areas in which Majors shows off his talents as a true wordsmith. Thanks for a really enjoyable book! I am looking forward to more.

The humor of this book is quick and intelligent. "At this point the basement smells like a subtle mixture of dead man's toes, cheese fondue, and a barrelful of monkey ear wax set aflame." Highly recommend this book. Would make a great gift for hipper fathers. Reminds me of some of the old Burt Reynold's comedies...but better. Would transfer to the screen successfully. Jason Bateman as Dev.

As everyone seems to agree, one only need read about twenty pages into the book to realize that Inman Majors has an excellent grasp on the English language. On top of that, he has a very clever wit, as does his protagonist here, Dev Degraw. The entire book is filled with his cynical, circumlocutory humor--it literally never stops.
The end result is a 'loser lit' tale that reads like an extremely long series of consecutive, self-deprecating wisecracks on Degraw's situation. The book does indeed contain many hilarious moments, but alas, they are nothing more than momentary. The witty, eloquent cynicism first comes as a fun, promising read, but eventually forces you to strain your eyes as you try to see the story beneath the language. This gets old very quickly.
The story underneath--and, in my opinion, the book in general--could have been much better. Had the quality of the plot equalled the quality of the writing, this book would have easily recieved five stars, but as it fails in the latter department, I must rate it a 3/5.

I decided to read Wonderdog because Inman Majors was featured at my local library's Southern Voices Conference, but to be honest my expectations had been set pretty low by the lackluster review of the book. I was so surprised to find myself enjoying this book enormously! I did recall a couple of Walker Percy characters, and the comparison to Confederacy of Dunces was appropriate...but this book treaded the difficult waters of staying humorous and intelligent but not resorting all the way to "loser lit"... it did not evoke sadness like some of those books did, and I found myself laughing more than I ever do when reading a novel. The author's use of language was a huge asset to the book -- I am usually turned off when authors seem to be trying to impress with an abundance of "big words" -- THIS author, however, constructed some of the funniest sentences I have read in recent years. The characters who were no more than cardboard thick were still funny in their placement in the story. I couldn't recommend this book more! I am looking forward to reading more by this southern author.

At last, the American writer who appreciates Ralph Malph as the American writer should of the humor!

This is story of governor-elect (in the matter of insanity) Dev Degraw and four dogs, the wiener dogs of torment meeting the eerie parallel of the (late, great) Thor (now fetching Pa in heaven!) and his not-pale imitative descendent, Comet, who may be the title dog.

I quote "may be" title dog, for is Dev Degraw not the symbolic title dog of himself? Why the D here, and why the D there? Perhaps Dev's name should be Dog Dog to make Biminim's d-light complete?

For Dev is a dog as surely as man is a dog and as surely as Inman Majors is genius!

Must not man be dog to run for the Head of the Heart of Dixie? Can you not see George Wallace as wiener dog #1 and Fob James as wiener dog #2?

All hail again Inman Majors (I.M. yall), and may you not fill your threesome with Bunny Akins and Odelle Bailey!

What can I say, I went to the same college as Thomas and I have worked for him as a student, so keep in mind that I might not be fully objective, yet it is undisputable that this is an honest depiction of a tough profession in which he clearly excelled is quite remarkable. He doesn't hesitate to give you a brutal insight into the ups and downs of a difficult job that clearly takes a lot more than just talent, but also dedication and vision. Thomas has proven that he has mastered all three and on top of it stuck to his principles! Read this book before you embark onto the journey of being a commercial filmmaker: commercial or not: learn how to have to think on your feet, accept defeat before corruption, and turn defeat into success. The credo is to believe in humanity and people that will share your vision, because after all you want to tell a good story, share your point of view, and entertain the audience while of course you have to sell a product. Commerce and art do not have to be contradictions and Thomas shines a light on the somewhat mysterious paths we all have to take. Respect and congratulations to an honest book with many helpful tips! Read it and marvel at its wonders. Thanks to the author.

As a producer/artist who is considering a move into the commercial production world, I wanted a book that explained, in a step-by-step fashion, the mundane work routines of a commercial director without glamorizing the business or condescending like an Idiot's guide. This book is exactly that. No frills, just the facts. It is so well-organized, informative, and concise--with tons of great advice that I know I will continue to reference for years to come. It will probably be some time before I can apply all the tools in this book to my professional career, but in the meantime, I feel so much more confident about my decision to move in this new direction. Thanks for writing this, Thomas. I would have been wondering for years if I should take the plunge or not.

Finally, a book about the process of making commercials! It's an easy, up to date read and has lots of funny examples. Really all aspects are there, even the politics of commercial business, how true. Enjoyable read on your flight to Cannes!

This was a superb book, one of the best I've read recently (I read hundreds).... because the author writes from a professional working director's standpoint, and his tips are carefully crafted and communicated.

The thought process behind the Ford/mountain spot, and revisions for example (pages 62-66) was superb, eg why not having the woman drive up, the visuals, framing etc.. very practical and well written.

The business end of it was extremely well put together as well, with advice for commercial directors and how to properly shop their spec reel and establish themselves.

As someone who primarily creates internet commercials for my company's products and seminars, I found a ton of solid content here, too - for all aspects of crafting the spot professionally. The author put a lot of work into writing this, it's extremely professional, hands-on, and should be considered a "seminar in book format" for commercial directors. It's just that powerful. Nice work - thanks!

Two thumbs up - this one's a winner.

- ken

What I liked about the book was the straightforward advice and insights into how things really get done in commercials. The author really gets into the nitty-gritty talking about his experiences so that you are left with an idea as to how these highly charged commercials are made. Do visit his website to see the actual commercial which was the main case study in the book.

As a Sales Professional with an Executive background in Human Resources, I am truly amazed that someone finally figured out a clear and workable way to pinpoint the best business alternatives and decisions. Additionally, there are proven methods to test these choices for excellence, BEFORE implementation.
I feel this book is an excellent business tool for anyone who has to make complex and important decisions. Because there are Always circumstances where the best choice is hazy. It solves that problem and saves
time in the process.

This book shows the reader the optimal process to reach well-thought-out decisions that not only pick the best possible solution to a problem or opportunity, but also rates how well the solution meets the overall criteria. This help assure that the solution will actually solve the problem, not just be the best of mediocre options. If the solution does not reach the level of comfort of the team, that it will solve the problem to the actual criteria determined, the team has the tools to reopen the process and further research, brainstorm, etc., until the criteria are met. Fabulous book, fabulous process. Any team can benefit greatly by implementing this process.

I only wish I had had this book 40 years ago when I first started in business. Tom has hit the problem with a 100% solution. I hope he follows up with more of his insight and business savy.

Tom McAuliffe is a brilliant leader in business! This book should be required reading for anyone starting out in the Business World.
As an individual who has started a *few* successful companies.
In my opinon this author's book is priceless for it's sheer knowledge it has to offer. I have consulted with this author on several occasions with much success.

In my final semester of a strong MBA program, I was surprised to discover a totally new approach to management decision-making. I think it is a topic that is largely overlooked by most schools. Perhaps it is assumed that smart students will be able to make smart choices, make them quickly, and be successful bringing others to their point of view. My prior business experience would suggest that these goals are not so easy to attain. Tom McAuliffe's book, The 90% Solution, might offer a clue as to why some management teams are so much more effective than others. I think the tools offered in this book could be important to any business student who wants to succeed in the real world. Or, to paraphrase American Express, "...don't leave business school without it."

A great book....even if you don't cook. Huge amount of history tidbits on all our favorite cowboys and cowgirls come along with these great recipes. Most recipes are very easy to use with ingredients you generally have on hand. Five stars!

My husband bought this for me for Christmas. Since then I have bought several for gifts to friends from the old cowboy movie era. What a hit!

We use this all of the time. It has recipes that you can actually prepare and they really taste good.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I'm a big fan of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, and was delighted to see pictures of them in there, and actual recipes from the real people! Not only are the recipes real cowboy food, but the facts, trivia, and other neat stuff in the book is just as much part of the book as the recipes! The sections are labeled in a very western-y style: Appetizers are "The Frontier", Beverages are "Watering Hole", Soups and stews are "Stir-ups", and so on.
There's a whole section on chili, one of my favorite foods! I was very excited to find "Gene Autry's Texas Chili", and several from Roy Rogers too. There's recipes from all the greatest cowboys in there; from TV stars to rodeo champions, to just ranches who still love the American cowboy and his great food. There's a recipe from the show Gunsmoke, called "Gun-smokin' Chili", which I thought was really neat! The desserts are great as well (just like everything else in the book!). From pies to cakes to cookies and ice cream, it's got it all! I really love cowboys, and I am a cowgirl myself. I have my own horse, and wear a cowboy hat, boots, a leather belt and a big belt buckle with a horse on it every day. This All American Cowboy Cookbook really hit the spot! I can't wait to show it to my friend, who is also a cowgirl.

I just love this cookbook! It has great recipes with directions that are easy to follow. Only trouble is I enjoy reading all the stories and comments so much that I forget I'm looking for something good to cook up!
I'm ordering 2 more as gifts for my trail riding buddies!

I discovered this book at my sister's home after I bought a print while visiting. The comments accompanying each print in the book provide an intimate look at Wyeth's life and art. It added a new dimension to my fondness for his work. I'd highly recommend this book to any admirer of Andrew Wyeth.

I purchased this item as a gift for an artist friend, she was very happy with the quality of the reproductions in this book.

This isn't a linear autobiography, in the usual sense. Instead, it presents selections from Wyeth's entire life as a painter, from his mid-teens to his late seventies, when this book was published. Wyeth's own notes on each piece make it an autobiography.

This says less about the artist than about his artwork, which speaks for itself. His subdued palette captures the people and places of his life. Places include farms, barn or farmhouse interiors, Maine shorelines, and other open spaces that are increasingly hard to find. Wyeth's people include his wife Betsy, his sister, and neighbors. Grittier than Norman Rickwell but no less affetionate, he presents them at work, at hard-earned rest, or simply at a quiet moment. A few nudes of teenaged Siri, including the remarkable "The Virgin," capture the gawky grace of emerging womanhood. Two images really stood out for me, though, images I would never have associated with Wyeth. "Spring" and "Christmas morning" carry a surreal sense, somehow even closer the the supernatural for their entirely realistic rendering. "Spring," especially, offers an amiguous sense of hope using the starkest and bleakest of visual language.

As Wyeth narrates each painting, a sentence to a paragraph for each, parts of his life emerge: friendships, successes, and losses. Without being mysterious, the text comes across as spotty and selective, omitting far more than it presents. If you want a standard kind of biography, you'll have to look elsewhere. Instead, this book is closer to the occasional cup of coffee with the artist, shared over weeks or months, in which different moments of his life arise almost at random. His words add an intimacy to the art that's hard to express, but that is worth experiencing - as is the art itself.

-- wiredweird

I didn't know a lot about Andrew Wyeths work before reading this book. I had seen the paintings and I liked them a lot, but I didn't know that much about them.

The book is labeled as an autobiography, but its form is not what many might expect. This is not a book consisting of prose with the occasional picture, it is a book that mainly shows Wyeths paintings with a paragraph or two about the paintings below. Written by Wyeth. For some this may not be what they are looking for, but I liked this very much.

It is a very good introduction to Wyeth's paintings and the subject matter he painted. The people, the places and their history. There isn't a lot of information about Wyeth himself in the book. At least not in the sense one would expect from a traditional biopgraphy. But after reading it I feel I know a lot more about both Wyeth and his paintings than a typical art-history or biographical text would give me.

I'd be happy to recommend this book.

My teacher introduced me to Andrew Wyeth's paintings and drawings about a year or two ago. I've been in love with his work ever since. It's just how beautiful his linework is and how he brings life to the paintings. That is so incredibly rare. There are plenty of portrait artists out there, but I can't think of one that impresses me as much as he does. I think this is because of how well he knew his subjects.

He said drawing with pencil helped him get to the core of a thing. If you've ever drawn or painted people and animals from life, as he did, it increases the appreciation for his work one hundred fold. I also think that this is why his paintings and sketches are so full of life - you just don't get that from a photo, there is NO comparison. His landscapes blow me away every time, and I'm not really a fan of landscape paintings. Something about the solitude of it all just takes me in.

My favourite is Night Sleeper, which is on the cover. His palette is just beautiful, i don't really think it's muted or drab - the closer you look, the more colours you see. How he played colours in juxtaposition, so that they glow, is another part that gives his work such intensity and life.

The comments beside all the work are, as people have mentioned, very good. The entire book is one of those slow joy books. It's just nice to sit with it and turn the pages slowly and take in every thing.