Watson Books

Echoes if the Sixties is not only interesting, but entertaining. I was impressed with the way it was organized into a "Time Capsule," summary, "Hit Singles," and interviews. What a wonderful reference vehicle. After reading it from cover-to-cover, I enjoyed reviewing sections again.

This book was so great. I espically liked the Gary Puckett and the Union Gap section. I am from San Diego, CA and it is cool to hear where they are now, and what their lives have been like. For the music lover this is a great selection!

This is an honest, truthful, profile of 43 of the most popular Rock Stars from the 60's. Written after in depth interviews with the stars themselves, it tells their histories and what they are doing now. How their Rock fame affected their lives. It is fun to read and really brings back memories. Highly recommended!

Ms. Watson's book clearly educates her young readers on the finer aspects of barbershop singing! Happy to see that the characters/singers are depicted as average regular guys with a love in their hearts for this unique art form. The illustrations by Bonnie Lemaire are totally engaging. As an elementary school educator (and a barbershopper), I can't wait to read this book aloud to my students! Highly recommended as a means of educating children about this wonderful slice of Americana.

This book is absolutely charming! The story and pictures instruct the reader about barbershopping, while communicating the love that the teacher feels about this unique musical expression. A "must have" for every child's library to teach and preserve this musical art.

This book is a wonderful means by which children can learn about barbershop singing. The illustrations are extremely helpful in understanding the story. Whether a child has a parent participating in barbershop singing or not, it will keep a child's interest. This book might plant the seed for a child to look forward to this hobby sometime in his or her future.

I feel like a 5 year old with a new toy. This book is sooo cool. I am making a portrait of my grandparents using the instructions in this book. I am a very novice quilter, and I am able to understand the directions. Worth the money.

Want to applique with the Best! Pick up the book Faces and Places: Images in Applique by Charlotte Warr Andersen. The book is a complete guide to the process that she has developed to create her wonderful pictorial quilts. Do you want to create in fabric a portrait of your loved ones? This is the book to study. Anderson's writing is concise and simple to follow with many pictures to help you see the steps. Her book starts with the basics of needleturn applique (no freezer paper), through all the details for a great finished product. It has four learning projects, patterns included. Definitely time consuming, but the results are spectacular! A phenomenal book for the quilter seriously looking for a way to portray whatever they desire, even great for a beginner who likes a challenge. It's how I got started in quilting

Although the content is a bit intimidating at first, Charlotte Andersen gives detailed instructions, easy-to-understand directions, and constant encouragement. When I first leafed through the book, looking at the photos, I was convinced I'd never be able to grasp this technique, let alone master it. After reading Andersen's text and getting caught up in her infectious enthusiasm for this type of work, I'm inspired and ready to make magic. A must-have for any quilter ready for something completely different from the old nine-patch block.

I appreciate David Watson's transparency and insights in this account of his battle with cancer and with really learning to trust in God. David Watson was an active and reknowned Christian preacher and minister who contracted cancer in the prime of his life.

This memoir lets readers into his private thoughts, theology and interactions during his last year of life. He had hoped and hoped that God would heal him. Thousands of Christians prayed for his healing. Many came and visited him and he attended services during which hands were laid on him in hopes of his healing.

Despite these many prayers, David died from cancer. For me, the big question after reading this book is "What was God doing here?" The secondary question that I think lingers is "What does this mean for Christian ministry and praying for the sick?"

David offers valuable insights in this book, some of which is devoted to biblical theology.

Thousands of Christians who earnestly prayed for David. John and Carol Wimber who flew from California twice to pray for him, the several bishops who prayed with him, his team, John Wimber's church, etc. etc. all prayed according to the promises of Scripture that Watson cites in his book. They laid hands on him, they cursed the cancer, they commanded it to leave, they fasted, they shared communion, they spoke words of knowledge, they had faith and they persevered. These are all the actions of faith that I think the Bible suggests and commands. But God did not grant their request that Watson would be healed and free from cancer.

There are more than a few miracles in this book. One cannot honestly read this book and think that God is not present and did not act in Watson's life. He was transformed spiritually through the experience of this event. The love of the Body of Christ shown to this man and his family is overwhelming. It is that love and nothing else that Jesus said would define his followers. Not withstanding a few exceptions, the church proved itself followers of Jesus in its response to Watson. By Watson's testimony, we see that God was present and working in his life. Watson never seemed seriously to doubt God's presence.

But those who prayed for him asked specifically for his healing that he might live a long life. And this was withheld by God. It seems that Watson examined himself from every angle to discern anything within or without that might be blocking his healing. He received words of correction and even rebuke. He addressed what he discovered. And his cancer remained and grew.

When we begin at the end of Watson's book, it tells a different story. Instead of a drive to be healed, Watson shares one wish, "there is nothing that I want more than to go to heaven. I know how good it is." His last words recorded in his book are "Let's go home." (Epilogue) Something transformational occurred in Watson's life. This is what God does: he transforms. Sometimes that transformation may include physical healing and sometimes it might include bringing someone home. I have a feeling that after Watson received an embrace by the Father in heaven he would not have wished for another day on earth. For he knew that the same arms that hold him in heaven, hold his wife and children on earth. They are in good hands until they meet him again.

This is a profound book for all Christians to read to gain a better understanding of our relationship to Jesus Christ and the world.

Craig Stephans, author of Shakespeare On Spirituality: Life-Changing Wisdom from Shakespeare's Plays

David Watson candidly shares his journey from "life to life" in a comforting and encouraging manner. With the Lord as his travelling companion, Watson reveals the most important pursuit given to humanity - to seek God's face.

David Watson's honest reactions as he fights cancer are not just for those who are dealing with illness. They are for all of us who struggle with fear and faith. As I read this book, I remembered another David's difficult times recorded in the Book of Psalms. That David always ended an emotional cry by looking into the face of God and trusting. In the depths of crisis David Watson finds a love relationship with God which does not deny a difficult reality, but which carries him through. This book has greatly encouraged me.

Are you on 'a break' from working out and struggle with motivation to get started again? Or have you never worked out a day in your life but want to get started and get overwhelmed at the 1,000s of options the fitness industry throws at you - so you don't? If your answer is 'yes' to either of these questions then this is the perfect book for you! Glen quickly, cleverly and humorously confirms how complicated and intimidating the fitness industry can make the process of taking care of yourself appear to the person needing to make and keep it simple. He reminds us how easy it is to make a difference in the quality of our health every day by just doing the littlest-simplest things. The refreshing part about his perspective is; it doesn't have to take 30 minutes for an effective work out and it doesn't have to involve a major diet plan to start feeling better about yourself. This is a quick and entertaining read and surely a perspective that will make it harder for you to say, 'aw...I'll wait til tomorrow...' Good luck!

This is the kind of book that can be read over and over again because it is short but it's message is one that can improve your life.This book is the best investment you can make in yourself to get motivated to get in shape.Go out and get it!Worth every penny.

This inexpensive book has changed my life. Unlike most fitness regimes, this one provides a common sense approach to fitness that has escaped other authors. Forget paying for expensive and time-wasting gyms. This program provides fitness that does not detract from my life. I couldn't put it down (and not just because the humorous author made the cover out of fly paper). This book was sort of like his program: easy reading and to the point. No fat. Buy two. It will be good for both you and a friend.

This is truly a fantastic book! I made the Thanksgiving Turkey arrangement a couple of weeks ago and my friends are STILL talking about it! The instructions are easy to follow and the author has a great sense of humor. This book will make a great gift for anyone - in fact I've already purchased a second copy!

I love "Flowers that Wow"! It is packed full of amazing floral ideas. The author includes very concise instructions on how to create amazing floral arrangements. This books gives you everything you need in simple and easy-to-follow steps to create unique and fun floral arrangements! And the style of writing and sense of humor have me re-reading the book over again!

I ordered this book because of the floral birthday cake design, made by Mr. Fong, that I saw online about 5 years ago. I am so glad I purchased it because it not only provided me with the instructions for that design but it gives many great and unusual design ideas with the instructions. I will refer to it when I need party ideas and designs for my floral design class projects.

The four huts are four short essays about retreat from the world, specifically retreat to small and private home. I'm not a very romantic person, but I started to feel that longing for a thoughtful, simple life as I read these essays.

The four cover an 800-year period, starting in China then moving to Japan. The earliest writing, by Po Chu-I, may be my favorite. The first part is brief and business-like, a description of the hut, its environs, and the views from it. Although the writing is plain, I can't help imagine the drifting Chinese landscape paintings I've seen, with mists and peaks off to the edge of vision. This piece ends with two brief poems that express some of the writer's quiet passion. I was quite taken by the way the prose and poetry are used to express different parts of the author's experience.

The second writing in this book struck me, at first, as disingenuous. Again, the hut is simple but sturdy and well-made, and the environs capture many different aspects of natural beauty. The landscaping is completely man-made, though, and the property was acquired and developed at huge expense, near the capitol. My second impression was that yes, the scene has some Disney artificiality about it, but the urge that drove it was as real as any. Even at that time, the start of the Heian era or just before it, urban crowding was a reality, and urban gentrification was as much a factor as in any modern city. If "The Pond Pavilion" could not be an actual withdrawal from the world, it was a lovingly built homage to the ideal.

The third essay, the Ten Square Foot Hut, has appeared elsewhere, and is still worth reading. This focuses less on the hut itself than on the process of withdrawal and the life of the near-hermit. It is pervasively Buddhist, and does not promote complete isolation from the world. It does, however, offer an appealing look at an old man, usually alone but never lonely, doing what he has worked for many years to do.

The final essay may be the shortest. It is certainly the most recent, written some time in the 17th century AD. It is also a symmetric end to the collection - Basho's lttle essay reads much like the first.

This book is quite brief, and even shorter if one skips over the translator's noted. It seemed to be over much too soon. Still, the book's brevity and simplicity are modeled after the scenes it describes. It was hard to close the book and come back to the reality of the modern world.

Burton Watson, the well-known translator of 'The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu' and Ssu-Ma Chien's 'Records of the Grand Historian of China,' here turns his attention to something much slighter, though perhaps no less profound.

'Four Huts' is made up of four short prose pieces or 'chi' (Records) praising the wisdom of the simple life: 'Record of the Thatched Hall on Mount Lu,' by the major T'ang poet, Po Chu-i; 'Record of the Pond Pavilion' by Yoshishige no Yasutane; 'Record of the Ten-Foot-Square-Hut' by Kamo no Chomei; and 'Record of the Hut of the Phantom' by the famous haiku poet, Matsuo Basho.

All four of these 'Records' or essays have the same theme: the wisdom of removing oneself from the rat-race, setting up a simple residence in beautiful natural surroundings, and getting back in touch with one's real nature and with real things. They celebrate, as Po Chu-i puts it, being 'happy with one's surroundings and at peace within' (page 9). Short, and easy to read, it would be a wonderful book to have along with you on your next trip to the forests, lakes, or mountains.

The book also contains a brief, though somewhat uninspired Preface, by Watson; brief Introductions and endnotes to each piece; and twelve fine halftone illustrations, by the remarkably competent Zen calligrapher Stephen Addiss, which help set the mood

It's a small and beautiful book of just 132 pages that will easily fit into a purse or shirt-pocket, well-printed in two colors on a heavy high-quality ivory-tinted paper, bound in a stiff glossy illustrated wrapper, and it even has persimmon endpapers. As a book, it would have been perfect if only someone had thought to add stitching.

Most of us probably realize that it is the simplest things in life that bring us the greatest joys - a simple and unostenatious dwelling, time in which to unwind and become what we are supposed to be, a refreshing breeze, sunlight, wholesome food, raindrops, birdsong, the sound of water, children's laughter, a well-loved book.

But despite knowing this we allow ourselves to be seduced by the tinsel glamor and superficial excitements of the bustling metropolis. And the question raised by this book is just which of the two, the simple or the glamorous, provides the richest and most rewarding satisfactions?

'Four Huts' will probably be read by those who need it least. But it would make an ideal gift for some Prozac-popping friend you think needs it most. It might, with a bit of luck, just end up changing their life.

This small book containing 4 short essays (and a poem or two) on the simple life makes one realize that possessions and big houses can be a burden; life can be lived simply and serenely. These essays were written by one Chinese author and three Japanese authors, over almost a thousand years, ending with Basho. I enjoyed all four essays, but Basho has so much wit to him that I have to say he is my favorite. I love the image he presents: nothing holy or wise, just sitting there admiring the view and squishing lice. What more is there to life?

My daughter bought this book for her daughter at the school book fare. It was a start to the world of HANK ZIPZER for my granddaughter. We have bought several since then to keep our girl interested in reading and these books are listed on the accelerated reading program.

I bought this for my 9 year old 4th grader and he absolutely loves it. He can relate to a lot of things that Hank is going through, and although Hank's tactics seem silly, he always seems to arrive at a sensible solution.

This series of books offers a great peek into the stuggles of childhood that so many of us can identify with! Henry Winkler's description of life for Hank is very real and his travails and solutions are funny and sweet. My thanks to the authors for giving us these books to give to our kids!

When I purchased this book, I expected it to have the script of the show. Now, I know that it is a nice biography about Cameron Mackintosh. You can learn about his life. I expected a bit more about the concert of Hey, Mr. Producer. I expected a program or something. I enjoy reading it.

When I first saw this book in a store here in Australia, it hit me that the producers had some style. A very classy coffee table book and spectacular photographs of stunning Mackintosh Productions, Hey!, Mr. Producer is what you have to have. Written in a passionate style toward musical theatre, once you pick it up - you won't put it down.

This is a really great companion book to the popular PBS program celebrating producer (duh!) Cameron Mackintosh and his endless contributions to musical theatre. It has fascinating little tidbits about show after show, including "Les Miserables", "Miss Saigon", "Cats", and "The Phantom of the Opera".

This is simply a beautiful book and a must have for any horse lover. This collection of horse art is the best I've seen. It's a jewel that packs a punch and would look great in any home. This book is part of a wonderful series that includes "Zoo", "Dog", "Cat", "Sex", and "Flora". They're great as a collection!

I enjoyed examining all works of art in this book to learn some techniques used by the masters, it's also a great book for ANYBODY(artist or not) who simply loves horses. It would have been nicer if it were bigger, but otherwise it's a great coffee table book.

In the same format as the popular books ZOO, CAT, DOG, SEX comes another overview of art and writings from ancient times to the present. Lavishly illustrated with all forms of art dealing with the Horse, author Harrison has blended academia with whimsy and the result is a treat for art and animal lovers of all ages. This is a terrific item for a gift.....