Watson Books

Since Amazon didn't post an editorial review, here's the description from the book to help you decide if this book is for you: This book contains three of Ian Watson's novels: The Book of the River, The Book of the Stars, and The Book of Being. From the flyleaf: "From time immemorial, the Black Current has defined Yaleen's world. Separating the eastern bank from the unknown western side, it cuts the river -- and the world -- in half, a black strip running down the river's center, from the towering, unscalable Precipices where it seems to ooze out of the solid rock, to the depths of the ocean: huge, mysterious. and alive. For like the goddess some believe it to be, the Black Current is aware. It allows men on the water only once, a second try invides madness and death. Only women are granted the freedom of the river, and Yaleen years to experience that freedom. So, in search of adventure, she drinks the black essence of the Current and joins the River Guild, beginning a series of voyages that will take her farther than she had ever imagined. For no one really knows what the Black Current is, and no one has ever crossed it. No one, that is, until Yaleen's brother Capsi dsicovers a way to get to the western side. The deadly consequences of the forbidden deed thrust Yaleen into the center of a maelstrom of events that could end the world as she knows it. For the long silent Black Current has been watching, planning, growing into consciousness. Now after patient eons, it is about to act. As the far shore called to her borther, the Black Current will summon Yaleen. Young, terrified, yet determined to save her world, she answerss it's challenge -- and discovers a being who can turn death into paradise ... a being who wants to become a god. But even gods have foes ..."

One of the most intriguing characters in the history of 16th century Scotland was Francis Stewart, Fifth Earl of Bothwell. Cousin to King James VI and godson of Mary Queen of Scots, Bothwell was a pivotal figure in what the book's cover copy aptly terms "the nightmare politics of his day."

Handsome, charismatic, and wildly popular, Bothwell was both rallying point and poster boy for such disparate groups as the border reivers, bishops of the Kirk, and ambitious Catholic noblemen. Although Bothwell stood uncomfortably near the throne (his father was one of James V's [illegitimate] sons), King James VI was openly fond of his cousin, granting him honors and restoring to him lands and titles lost by his uncle James Hepburn, the fourth Earl of Bothwell (and Mary's third husband.)

Bothwell rewarded his royal cousin's favor with a campaign of terror -- repeated efforts to kidnap James, as well as several strange, almost inexplicable assaults on the king's privacy and peace of mind. The turbulent, fragmented culture and the constantly shifting loyalties of Scotish nobles and clery made it extremely difficult for James to censure Bothwell, much less contain him. Bishops praised Bothwell from the pulpits as the "sanctified scourge of God," castles guardians quietly released him from any attempted imprisonment, and the border reivers, always eager for adventure and plunder, flocked to his banner, providing Bothwell with a personal army that was often far superior to anything the king could muster.

Courted by nearly every faction in Scotland, financed by his marriage to a wealthy widow (and through under-the-table stipends from Queen Elizabeth, who encouraged many of his exploits), Bothwell led a charmed life, albeit a highly complicated one. As Lord Admiral of Scotland, he carried on secret and highly treasonous negotiations with Spain in the uncertain days before the attack of the famous Spanish Armada. He accepted money from England's queen while he plotted to free his royal godmother from an English prison. Such was his popularity and power that he weathered two of the most deadly accusations possible: treason through witchcraft.

When storms waylaid James' expected bride, Anne of Denmark, the king gallantly set sail to meet her in Norway. Their return was hampered by such fierce storms that Danish sailors suspected witchcraft. James, who survived the first of many assassination attempts when he was still in his mother's womb, was a justifiably nervous man, always alert to any threat to his person and position. Back in Scotland, he learned that a conspiracy of witches in North Berwick, alledgedly led by the Earl of Bothwell, had performed dark rites in an attempt to bring about the king's death. A trial resulted, but Bothwell was easily acquitted by this peers (due in no small part to the large band of "toughs" who were much in evidence during the trial.)

This is easily the best, most informative source I've found on the Fifth Earl of Bothwell. The author writes well. The information is organized well, researched throroughly, argued clearly, and presented in an accessible style. This book filled in the gaps left by several intriguing, unanswered questions raised by other histories of the period, including several biographies of King James VI. Few books present the complicated politics of 16th century Scotland so vividly. Some characters cannot be defined by a recitation of their actions; their power comes largely from a personal charisma, and can only be perceived in the context of their times and through the eyes of the people who knew them. Bothwell was such a man, and any attempt to "explain" him is likely to fall well short of the mark. Not even a reliable portrait remains to help our imaginations conjure the "wizard earl." That said, this book exceeded not only my expectations, but my hopes. I came away with a far better understanding, not only of Francis Stewart, but of this fascinating era.

Some readers might be unnerved by the author's implied assumption that malevelent witchcraft not only existed, but actually worked. Skeptics would do well to remember that this book attempts to bring the reader into the mindset of 16th century Scotland. Read in this context, such passages add to the narrative rather that detract from its credibility.

Highly recommented book. It's hard to find a copy, but well worth the effort.

Fantastic portrayal of one (important) aspect of the female body. Trevor Watson holds an uncanny ability to demonstrate "the erotic" in a non-offensive, professional manner.

This is a delightful book written by a new author, Benjamin James Watson. The father, Richard Jesse Watson as illustrator and son as writer combination translates perfectly. This story will entertain children of all ages and makes an enjoyable bedtime story. I can certainly imagine Benjamin going on many different adventures in the future and I look forward to them all! Don't miss your opportunity to enjoy this beautifully written and illustrated edition.

This book not only helped me but it changed me. Being quite like the author I believe that people that go through traumatic experiences should do the best that they can to pick themselves up and go on with life as best they can. It is true. Darkness is the touch of death and would be extremly hard to deal with if you were in the same situation. David Bisson is a very forgiving man and should be known as that sort of person. He rose above his past and went on. People do not apresiate what they have until they don't have it anymore. They don't realise how fortunate they really are until they read something like this. People get sick of each other and wish that they never see them again. This is natural but I think that this book should begin to show others what some people's lives are really like. Mental pain will always be more powerful than physicall. David faught for the acceptance of his parents, the acceptance of his brother, the acceptance of his peers and the acceptance of the darkness. DARKNESS KILLS...

Scripture, examples of celebrities, and the influence of the fashion and multi-media industries are the 3 strands that "braid" this book together.

The picture book portion shows two sisters throughout their Christian home-schooled day. They are adorned in braids that received compliments from their Caucasian peers. Compliments are like praise. Thus Braids of Praise was born. The sisters wanted loose, blonde hair, while their peers wanted braided hair with accessories.

The book includes a self esteem chapter with an inventory list and ways that the fashion and multi-media industries have contaminated the development of healthy self esteem in people. Additionally is a chapter naming celebrities who have starved or died to "look good." Even publicized statements revealing the low self esteem of a blonde haired, blue-eyed ROYAL person is shared. This is a monumental reminder that the sought after physical characteristics and regal social stature cannot make a person happy. Resources for help are cited and scriptures complete this one of a kind picture book. This "journey through a school day" really transcends gender, race, age, and socioeconomic barriers.

this tells a lot about Britney and has some great stuff in it. the pictures are awsome and the setup is great.

Emile Gruppe was a very successful Massachusetts painter and art instructor. Due to his prodigious output, there are literally thousands of his works in existence and they frequently appear at auctions and art galleries. I doubt anyone would say that Emile Gruppe's work is in the same league as Sargent, Bellows, Hopper, Eakins, Bunker, Homer or Mary Cassatt but, at its best, it captures the feel of the day and is charming and colorful. The title of the book, "Brushwork for the Oil Painter", is really just a pretext for writing another book about how to paint in oils outdoors. Sure, he tries to tie his comments back to that theme, but the most useful parts of the book explain his materials and approach to constructing a picture. He explains his "limited", pure color palette (a warm and cool of each primary), and how to convey depth and light as well as several tricks of the trade. Close ups, with call outs, describe various brush stroke and other techniques. The book is loaded with photographs of his paintings; many are quite different than his prototypical ships at docks in Gloucester. I've seen so many of the "ships at the docks" paintings that it was fun to see other subjects and some of his rarer, earlier works. I bought the book without having seen it and I was pleasantly surprised by its usefulness. The only negative is that some of the photographs and close ups are black and white which sometimes makes it take a little longer to figure out what he is getting at. On a personal note, I thoroughly enjoyed his brief descriptions of his interactions with Charles Hawthorne, John Carlson, Robert Henri and Harvey Dunn. In closing, at the end of the book, there is a selected Bibliography. Since people reading this review are probably interested in learning how to paint, and I think the list is very good, here it is: George Bridgeman's "Life Drawing", John F. Carlson's "Landscape Painting", Gruppe's "Gruppe on Painting" and "Gruppe on Color" (I have not read these), Charles Hawthorne's "Hawthorne on Painting" and last, but not least, Robert Henri's "The Art Spirit".

I found this book to be a wealth of knowledge, but I am a novice with EIS. If you are already experienced with EIS, I'm not sure if this is the book for you.

I was tested, challenged and entertained by this easy read. I thought I outsmarted the narration, but I was wrong. Excellent.