Walsh Books

Great book for our little warriors! Who they really are (as playful little boys) and who they REALLY are (as God's children).

This book was easy and fun. The pictures were great and reminded me of my [..]boy. I loved the lesson while he was having fun being a boy. Every boy should learn to be a boy like Will..

This little book has a great message for little warriors. The artwork is fantastic.

Sigh... you know your fave football team's in the dumper when you'd rather re-live their past glories than watch their games during the present season. Especially after how the `Skins took `em apart earlier this week (as of this writing). Not that I was all that optimistic about the '05 Niners' chances anyway. Well, I may have been a bit optimistic when I figured they'd win twice as many games this year as they did last year (up to 4-12 from 2-14)... but let's not get into that. I'd rather discuss this tome that covers the team's first Super Bowl season, the first leg of their journey as the NFL's "Team of the `80s".

Like a few of Glenn Dickey's other books I've read, "America Deserves Has a Better Team" is a fairly fast read. But then, there are only about 110 pages of standard text-- the rest are photos and season stats-- so the whole "fast read" thing pretty much goes without saying. And now that I think about it, my blowing through all that text in a two-hour span really isn't all that fast anyway, is it? That's just over a page per minute!

Anyhoo, the book starts out with a tribute by then-mayor Diane Feinstein, and is followed with a foreword by late S.F. Chronicle columnist Herb Caen. Then the book proper starts as Dickey lays out a fairly brief yet informative overview of the team's pre-Super Bowl years. From their start as part of the All-American Football Conference to their shocking blown lead to the Detroit Lions in the 1957 divisional playoff to their divisional championships in the early 70s that ended up just short of making the Super Bowl (all thanks to the Dallas Cowboys), the Niners just couldn't seem to get over the hump. Also covered is the purchase of the team by the DeBartolo family in the mid-70s, and the disastrous yet mercifully brief reign of general manager Joe Thomas.

After the Thomas fiasco, the hiring of Bill Walsh from Stanford and the drafting of Joe Montana are brought up, as is Walsh's development of what would become known as the West Coast offense, which controlled the ball by passing rather than running. And boy did they need that kinda offense during their initial championship run, 'cuz their running game left something to be desired! The team's best back gained just a little over 500 yards that year!

Anyhoo, the chronicling of the 1981 season pretty much goes on a week-by-week basis from the fourth game on. Among the the most interesting bits are the two close wins over the intra-state rival L.A. Rams, something the Niners hadn't done in sixteen years. Then there's the shocking 45-14 drubbing of the Dallas Cowboys, a game that would set the stage for the NFC championship game, which is also a high point of the book's week-by week breakdowns. Then there's the story of the Niners adopting a "tough-it-out" attitude that helped them outlast the Pittsburgh Steelers in a midseason matchup.

Also covered is Niners head coach Bill Walsh getting himself pumped up for the regular season matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The team's owner, the legendary Paul Brown, had passed over the then-Bengals assistant for the head coaching job several years before, and Walsh was dead set on proving his head-coaching abilities and worthiness to his old boss. Which he did with flying colors as the Niners won rather handily.

As expected, the NFC championship against Dallas and Super Bowl XVI against the Bengals are covered in fair detail, both in text and in several color photos. Oddly enough, none of these photos depict the most famous moment from the NFC title game, "The Catch". There's a black-and-white one from another angle on the cover, but the most famous shot-- the one that ended up on the next week's cover of Sports Illustrated-- is nowhere to be seen.

Speaking of photos: I noticed several in this book that didn't look quite right. Take the pic of Freddie Solomon reaching out to grab a pass beyond a Dallas DB on page 36 for example. The caption states that it is a photo from the NFC championship, but it can't possibly be from that game because the 49ers wore their red jerseys that day, and Solomon is obviously wearing a white one in the pic. A similar pic on page 38 stating that it was from the Niners' divisional playoff game obviously wasn't, for the same reason the previous pic I mentioned wasn't from the '81 conference championship. And both pics on page 44 are wrong; the top one claims that it is from a Niners game against the Atlanta Falcons, when it's obvious the helmet logo on one of the players is the fleur-de-lis of the New Orleans Saints. The lower pic claims to be from the 1981 regular season game against the Bengals, but the one Bengals player is wearing a helmet from the team's pre-tiger-stripes era (prior to the 1981 season). I could mention a couple more examples of erroneous photography, but I think I've proved my point. It appears that whoever collected and captioned the photos either didn't bother to research their origins all that well, or they were lazy and figured the fans would be too stupid to notice. Or mebbe they did it to give the more nit-picky and anal-retentive uberfans something to do, I dunno.

What I DO know: this is the second Glenn Dickey-penned tome on the Niners I've read that features more than a few factual errors (the first being "Glenn Dickey's 49ers"). Needless to say, thanks to these little photographic "glitches", I've taken some of what I've read here with a few grains of salt-- the stuff I hadn't already read in other 49ers books written by other authors, that is. I find the whole situation a little strange, considering Mr. Dickey's reputation as one of the bay area's most celebrated sports columnists. You'd think he'd be more thorough in researching the photos? Or perhaps someone else did the collecting and captioning of the photos, and was done without his supervision? I wonder...

Anyhoo, if you're a long-suffering 49er faithful looking to relive those days of yore when your fave team literally came out of nowhere to claim their first league championship, "America Has a Better Team" is sure to get those scarlet-and-gold-hued nostalgic juices flowin'. Just don't be lookin' at those photos too much; they might not from where the captions say they're from!

`Late

This is a rare 49er book from 1982 following their first superbowl win. I believe it's the first by San Francisco newspaper writer Glenn Dickey. I have his more recent "The rise and fall of the 49ers" book which had it's fair share of factual mistakes in it but this one seems to be pretty acurate as far as that kind of thing. It contains 2 sections of photos in it,obviously from that great season so thats a treat to look at.
All in all,a rare book that you dont see anywhere these days except here and Ebay.

We have had this book for quite awhile and it is getting worn from reading it over and over, lifting the doors to see what picture is underneath. Favorite pages for our 18 month old grandson are the ladder page and bug page.

My 10 month old loves this book. She especially loves the page with the ants. She wants this book read to her over and over again and she smiles every time.

Reviewed by Randy A. Lakin for RebeccasReads (10/08)


Brian Walsh's book, "Boys Should Be Boys", is one of a kind. This is a book that tells why boys and girls learn differently, without putting down boys. Brian Walsh has spent thirty years out of his forty-two years of teaching as a Headmaster. Mr. Walsh is a graduate of both Yale and Harvard. I was impressed by his grasp and knowledge of the differences between boys and girls; so many educators think that you can teach boys the same as girls, which is true to a point, but they do not realize that young boys handle situations differently. Young girls tend to look at things with emotions and feelings were boys look at things with a competitive outlook.

Mr. Walsh points out that girls are motivated by trying to please a teacher or parent so that they will like them. Whereas boys try to complete tasks so that they are the first one done. One example in the books that Mr. Walsh uses is sports. If boys are choosing up teams, the last boy picked is generally happy that he was picked to play. When it comes to girls the last one picked fears that they were picked last because they are the least liked. One point that Mr. Walsh puts forward is that "boys just want to have fun." This is one aspect of sports that many parents do not understand. I have seen this time and time again at sporting events for children. One parent will be yelling at their son for missing a shot, a pass, or letting the ball get past them. The boy's parents are yelling at the top of their lungs about how he messed up, but the boy is playing the sport to have fun, and yes to win as long as it is fun. This is something many parents have forgotten. After all it is just a game; no one's life is on the line, as the boy's parents would have you believe.

I personally do not have children, but I am a great uncle. I have three nephews in the five to ten years old category. As I read "Boys Should Be Boys," I could see so many examples of their behavior listed in the book, and I now have a better understanding of my nephews. I think all mothers of young boys should read Brian R. Walsh's book. It would not hurt for their fathers read this book, too. Mr. Walsh points out a very key factor in raising and teaching boys. The fact is that there are differences between boys and girls. This book is a must have in any parent's or teacher's library. Mr. Walsh passes on some very essential information about teaching boys verses girls. I highly recommend this book to everyone. You can't go wrong with purchasing Mr. Walsh's book, "Boy Should Be Boys."

Reviewed by Dr. Michael Philliber for Reader Views (10/08)

How often mothers, sisters, aunts and female teachers have wondered, "What's wrong with those boys?" How many times have parents of either sex fretted over their sons' underdevelopment and strange interests, asking themselves, "Is my son normal?" Their reactions may range from seeking professional help to simply grinning and bearing it hoping for the best. Well help is here! Brian R. Walsh brings his 42 years of experience as a Headmaster of both a co-ed and a boys K through 9 school, together in his hardback book, "Boys Should Be Boys: A Headmaster's Reflections." This short, 213-page piece is chock full of wonderfully humorous and insightful anecdotal stories, experiences and observations of boys, their antics and their growth from kindergarten to 9th grade.

The format of "Boys Should Be Boys" follows a fairly helpful order. The first two chapters deal with simple aspects of what makes boys tick and how they develop friendships. Walsh brings out some very basic, wholesome clarifications that should calm many a troubled mother's heart. For example, how a boy's self-esteem grows and is strengthened as he gains competence in a given skill. Therefore competition, which is usually not from malice, is a fairly normal aspect of a boy's mindset, whether in math or games. Humor also plays a big role for a boy to deflect vulnerability in themselves, as well as to encourage competence in other boys.

The next section of the book approaches the actions and growth of boys from a more developmental line. Walsh covers in three chapters the boys in primary grades, then intermediate years, and finally on into early adolescence. He lays out the fairly typical places of boys at each stage, giving loads of examples. Walsh also passes on several observations with regard to their academic progress.

The third set of chapters covers relationships with parents, teachers and girls, as well as in regard to leadership and physical contact. Much of the material in these chapters is already anticipated in the early ones, but here Walsh widens his analysis and helpful suggestions. Most parents will be encouraged as they read these chapters, and will simultaneously start seeing how to strengthen their own approach to the boys in their life.

The final two chapters of "Boys Should Be Boys" are more about Walsh's concepts of what manhood means and how it is often distorted in professional sports, movies, and video games. It is here that the reader will meet Walsh's underlying aim for boys. The idea of being a man, for Walsh, is not ham-fisted bullying, or macho rooster strutting, but having strength and restraint in serving others, and protecting those less powerful.

One of the immediate ideas in "Boys Should Be Boys" is that there really are differences between the sexes, in how they develop, process things, view relationships, and competition. But Walsh has clearly and successfully distinguished the differing traits between boys and girls without falling into sexist stereotypes. Having raised two daughters and now raising two sons myself, his observations have been very helpful for my comprehension of the differences that have perplexed me for years. "Boys Should Be Boys" by Brian R. Walsh is a must-read book for parents, scout masters, teachers, aunts, uncles, sisters, and anyone else who cares about the boys in their life. It will encourage, inspire, correct, lead, and enhance your perception and relationship with your boys.

I haven't read this book recently, but remember reading it all the time as a child. I remember the soft illustrations, and the feelings of Brunus. I think my parents got this book for me at the arrival of my baby sister, when I was four. I remember reading the story and feeling the same way Brunus did, when Heek came in the mail. It is one of very few books that I know I remember reading.

I secretly prefer Brunus and the New Bear to the later works of renowned author and artist Ellen Stoll Walsh, probably because I remember reading it when my own children were very young. When a boy named Benjamin receives a new teddy bear, his "old" bear Brunus grows jealous and tries to hide his rival under the rug. This book charmingly tells the story of sibling rivalry in a way children will understand and relate to.

James Walsh's book titled CATHOLIC CHURCHMEN IN SCIENCE is an informative account that undermines the false notion that Catholic authorities were adverse to scientific investagation and achievement. Walsh's book was originally published in 1906 and republished by Cosimo Publishers in 2007. This is an informative book that not only gives good accounts of Catholic Churchmen and their accomplishments but also the historical background of each man including the scientific thinking contemporary to each Chruchmen's life.

Walsh makes a good point in his opening chapter that opposition to scientific advances came not from the Catholic authorities but from secular rivals. For example, Walsh was clear that opposition to Versalius'(1514-1564)did not come from the Catholic Church but from secular colleague's who relied too much on the Ancient Roman physician, Galen (c. 130-c. 200 AD). Harvey's (1578-1657)work re blood circulation and the fact that the heart was a muscle was opposed from secular rivals for the same reason. Neither man was condemened by Catholic authorities.

Walsh began this study with an examination of Copernicus' (1472-1543)work which argued for the helocentric theory of the solar system. This theory states that the earth and planets orbit around the sun which was opposed by the geocentric theory which in turn states that the sun and planets orbit around the earth. None of the Catholic authorities nor any of the Popes contemporary to Copernicus condemned Conpernicus work. Father Copernicus was only asked to make minor (very minor) changes such as stating some of his work as logical hypotheses rather than definate conclusions. Copernicus himself admitted that he could make his concepts as final proof and even admitted that his work was based on hypotheses which the Catholic authorities said made logical sense. Had Copernicus and his contemporaries had more telescopes, both would have agreed that his conclusions were based on solid proof rather than well reasoned hypotheses. Copernicus was always in the good graces of the Catholic Church and was never condemned in spite of false accounts to the contrary. Walsh was very clear about this fact.

Father Basil Valentine (c. 1370-.1440)is next in Walsh's book. Walsh gave a good, detailed account of Father Valentine's work with metals and metallurgy. Father Valentine undermined the work of the alchemists and focused on how different metals react to mixture and heat. Father Valentine is credited with work on antimony and its reaction to other metals. Father Valentine's work was popular among Catholic cirles and was republished several times and in different languages in Catholic realms. This is astounding when considers that Father Valentine lived BEFORE the invention of the printing press. Father Valentine was severe in his condemnation of quacks and charlatins who dabbled in chemistry at the expense, and at times the expense of the lives, of the uneducated and ignorant who fell prey to false claims of miracle cures and "snake oil" medicine. Walsh also did a good job of discrediting the false impression that Pope John XXII (1316-1334)issued a papal condemnation of the study of chemistry. Pope John XXII himself studied chemistry. The actual truth of Pope John XXII's condemnation was that it was against quacks and charlatans whom Father Valentine condemned and who are condemned today.

The next section of the book dealt with Father Linus Linacre (1460-1524)who advanced the study of medicine. Father Linacre was one of the first if not the first to prove that there are saliva glands and ducts in animals and people which in turn explained other physiological phenomena. Father Linacre was one of the first to suggest that people could survive a plague better if they had proper ventalation and exercise. Father Linacre was in full agreement with Pope John XXII and Father Valentine in condemnation of quacks and unqualified medical practioners who could cause so much harm.

The chapter on Athanasius Kircher, S.J. (1602-1680)is interesting to those who appreciate the advances of modern medicine. Walsh gave Father Kircher credit for advancing the study of microbes and their affects on
people. Father Kircher was clear that some micorbes contributed to disease, and he was one of the first to get a grasp of the causes and possible cures of the plague. Father Kircher's studies included studies on Ancient Egypt and accurately predicted the deciphering of the Rosetta Stone. Walsh cites his work in the study of chemical changes involving metal.

Walsh's chapter on Father Nicholaus Stenosis (1622-1670)is yet another interesting chapter. Father Stenosis was born and raised Lutheran, but after visits to Rome and conversations with nuns and priests, converted to Catholicism and eventually became a bishop. Father Stenosis, also nicknamed Steno probably by his Italian friends, pioneered geological studies. Father Stenosis wrote about geological layers and gave intelligent explanations of fossils in rocks and surfaces. He helped explain the effects of erosion, volcanic action, etc. on geological strata. His work was well received by Catholic authorities, and those who are members of geological associaions have added memorials to his tomb. One should note that while Father Stenosis was frail and did not live long, he was a courageous man. He helped defend his native Copenhagan when attacked by the Swedes. Father Steonsis' last years were bitter sweet. He was forced to leave Copenhagen because of his Catholic Faith, but he always loved Rome and Italy.

The following chapter is just as interesting. Walsh gave a thorough treatment of Father Abbe Just Hauy (1743-1822). Father Huay did thorough studies in the study of crystals and showed that angles, shapes, etc. of crystals were a natural occurance due to geological pressues and changes. Father Hauy also alerted men that studies of crystals helped with studies of magnatism and lightening and static electricity. In fact Father Huay warned of using kites to study lightening before Benjamin Frnklin did. Walsh showed Father Huay as such a kind, considerate man, the he (Fahter Huay)was not initially persecuted during the French Reigh of Terror when many Catholic priests and nuns were martyred. Yet, Father Huay was fortunate because shortly after his release after a short time in jail, the other priests arrested with him were put to death.

Walsh concluded this book with Father Gregor Mendel (1822-1884). Walsh gave the non-expert a clear understanding of the importance of Father Mendel's work in genetics. Walsh also explained the Father Mendel's work was not very well known at first because of the attention Charles Darwin's (1809-1882) work received. Yet, Walsh also states that had Darwin read Mendel's work, Darwin would have radically altered his concept of "Survival of the Fittest." Those who agreed with Darwin argued that physical environment was the reason for changes in species while Father Mendel clearly proved that genetic changes and not physical environment were the reason. Father Mendel's work was vindicated in the late 19th and early 20th. centuries by Weismann (1835-1914)and De Vries (1848-1935). Both of these eminent geneticists gave Father Mendel full credit. Lest anyone think that Father Mendel was an ivory tower professor, he was the abbot of his order which involved so much of his time. Walsh showed that Mendel's work was well received by Popes and other Catholic authorities.

This reviewer's only criticim of the book is that the book could have been longer and more comprehensive. Yet, even the non-epxert can understand the scientic principals and concepts. One character trait that the these priests and scientists had was their kindness and lack of any snobbishness. These men were as willing to help the dullest student. They took their vows of the Religious Life serious and did their duties as priests as well anyone could. Any reader, Catholic or not, can appreciate this book and have a better understanding of science.

This is a great companion piece book to "How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization" by Thomas E. Woods. "Catholic Churchmen in Science" does cover Mendel and Genetics which was somehow overlooked in the aforementioned "Civilization". I am glad books like this are being written because the Catholic Church's rich heritage and contributions to mankind as a whole go beyond the celebration of Mass and the construction of beautiful church buildings (although those are very important to)! I am a scientist and Catholic and see no conflict between responsible science and my faith. In fact I find that faith enhances my awe and interest in the biological sciences.
I wish these books could be read in our educational establishments in the U.S. as I am surprised at how many Catholics here no nothing about the the incredible legacy and contributions of the Catholic Church to areas such as science, agriculture, literature, architecture, international law etc.
It seems that the Catholic history taught in schools from books written by Protestants and atheists only teaches about how the church was corrupt (always a different time frame depending on which non-Catholic group you talk to) and how they were selling indulgences (some clergy were abusing indulgences by making exaggerated claims not selling them per se) and the faith was only for the rich.
The sad truth is that the 16th century rallying cry of Luther and company (that did not remain in agreement for very long) was Sola Scriptura!, the Bible Alone!
In view of this new man made mindset where it was only what was in the (Catholic Church assembled) Bible that mattered many hospitals and institutions of higher learning were destroyed and vandalized in the Sola Scriptura frenzy in places like England and Switzerland. Science for a lot of these new Puritans (Calvinists, Amish, Pilgrims to name a few) was definitely not seen as being of God. So it is amusing now to hear Protestant leaders claim how the sciences were freed due to the Reformation and this book provides an intellectual and factual rebuff of that skewed history.
Very informative book that makes me feel honored to be Katholikos.

I use this book to teach beginner English Language Learners (ELLs). These students enjoy learning vocabulary from rereading it. I like being able to teach it through interaction. The oral style language is ideal for beginner ELLs in school who need practice with questions.

We read this book every now and then when the mood hits us to be particularly silly. My daughter wasn't excited about it until she got closer to 4, and now she likes to use her imagination to ask questions beyond where the book goes. It's definitely not her favorite book, but it has its own quiet influence on her creativity.

When a football player follows this book they will increase there skills and abilities exponentially. The training program in this book helped me to increase my forty yard dash time by .2 seconds over a summer, and also helped me to score in the top 5 on my team in overall atheletic ability!

For anyone who wants to attain optimum conditioning, this is the book for you. This book will show you how to be the fittest athlete on the football field. It's no wonder Eric Dickerson shattered the record books. I personally have benefited from the flexibility training and increased my strength as a result.

Marissa Walsh's A FIELD GUIDE TO HIGH SCHOOL tells of Andie, who has just finished eighth grade and will soon begin high school. Her big sister will be graduating as she enters school - and her guide for new freshman Andie contains wisdom and fun to delight any middle school reader contemplating high school's challenges.

Andie's nervous about starting high school. What if everyone compares her to her super-popular sister and finds her lacking?

Since Claire just graduated, she won't be there to help Andie, but neither will she be there to overshadow her. The day Claire leaves for college, she leaves behind a present for Andie: a field guide to high school.

Inside, she dishes on what not to do, the differences between the cliques, and the knowledge that everyone's insecure in high school. Is the answer really to just be yourself?

Andie shares the guide with her best friend, Bess, who will be attending a different high school. While the two friends pour over the guide with amusement and wonder, they realize that this tiny guide dishes on everything high school.

Readers will be left wondering if Andie follows her sister's advice and if she survives high school, though, since the book only spans one day.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel

A dear friend gave me a copy of this book when I lost my son and only child 3-years ago. I still read it on my son's birthday and on the day he passed away. It is a powerful and healing book that captures all the emotions of losing a child-- from utter despair to anger to acceptance with grace. I'm sad to see it's out of print.

This book is a very nice gift for someone who has lost a loved one. Particularly, if the person that has passed is young. This book was given to me when I lost a very good friend in high school, and now, years later, in the unfortunate instance when someone I know and love loses someone else, I always give this book as a gift, in hopes it can provide comfort to someone else.