Division 1 Books

"Susan Ballard gets it right and Borrowed Time is a hoot and a half."
--Bob Boze Bell
Executive Editor, True West magazine

One of the best books I've read in ages! Most books I've read on the old west are generally written more about the Earp family and their story with John "Doc" Holliday as a side character. This book really focuses on Doc's life and humanizes him in a way I've never seen before. He was more than just a gunslinger and gambler. He was a man tormented by the fact that he had a deadly disease, and lived his life like everyday might be his last. The story is so well written that you find yourself engulfed in it and the characters. The friendship between Doc and Wyatt Earp is so real and so natural, it's almost like you know them personally. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone! A really fantastic read, I couldn't put it down! I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series!

Being a fan of all things Old West and in

particular "Doc" Holliday and the Earps, I decided

to pick up a copy of "Borrowed Time".



Almost instantly I found myself teleported back in

time to places rich in detail and atmosphere. From

the rolling plains to the bustling cowtowns, I could

clearly envision myself in these settings. The

descriptions were vivid as well as historically

accurate which as a student of the Old West I found

very satisfying. I could almost smell the smoke

filled saloons, or feel the cold wind blowing in

from the plains.



Doc Holliday, usually portrayed as a one

dimensional, almost abrasive character in books and

film was brought to life in Ballard's story as a

living, breathing, complicated man complete with

real emotions and a depth that's severely lacking in

most other characterizations. This not only applies

to Holliday but all of the other characters as well.

I particularly enjoyed the banter between Doc and

Wyatt, conversations that seemed as natural as any

you might have with a best friend. None of their

interactions seemed contrived or stiff.



The story telling, besides being richly

descriptive, also had an easy going style and a nice

flow, balanced nicely between dialog and action.



This was one of the few stories I've read, Western

or otherwise that I felt connected to the characters

and cared about them as well.



It was an engrossing novel I simply couldn't put

down. A winner for sure and honestly I can't wait to

read the second book in this series and anything

else that S.M. Ballard writes.



---J. Place

Winooski, Vermont

Borrowed Time, a novel by S.M. Ballard Reviewed by J.D. Harkleroad

Borrowed Time is S.M. Ballard's first in a trilogy about the life and times of John Henry "Doc" Holliday. Before I read this novel, my first thought was What more can be said about Doc Holliday than has already been said? Boy, was I wrong! Until now (with the notable exception of Val Kilmer's portrayal of Doc in the movie Tombstone), Holliday has only appeared as a shadowy appendage peripherally attached to Wyatt Earp's coat-tails. Ballard, however, brings Doc Holliday to life in his own right, fleshing the man out while revealing little-known layers of his life. The reader feels as if he is observing first-hand Holliday's transformation from his genteel, cultured background as Dr. John Henry Holliday to the hot-tempered gunman/alcoholic who came to be known as "Doc" Holliday.

Ballard has thoroughly researched her subject and it shows. The Tombstone Times, Arizona's History and Information Journal, has published numerous non-fiction articles by Ballard, many of them about Doc Holliday. The character so engrossed her that the concept for a Holliday trilogy was born.

Borrowed Time is not another "shoot-em-up-Tony." While action abounds in this novel, two other story-lines run parallel to the main plot. One illuminates Doc's interpersonal relationships: his abiding friendship with Wyatt Earp; his love/hate relationship with "Big Nose Kate" (Fisher) Elder who, by the way, did not have a big nose; his antagonistic relationships with both Bat Masterson and Wyatt's brother Virgil. The other story-line revolves around Holliday's struggle to live as normal a life as possible while dealing with an illness that, in that time period, proved fatal more often than not. The reader, however, gets so caught up in the Doc Holliday character that, even knowing how the trilogy will ultimately end (we all die sometime) is in no way a deterrent.

Borrowed Time is a great read that will appeal to both men and women, and I'm eagerly looking forward to Holliday in Tombstone, the second in Ballard's trilogy due out in 2008.

This review refers to the original volume that I have sitting by my TV. In these days with cable and satellite available many vintage TV shows are aired all of the time. A quick thumb through the book not only gives excellent overall view of the show but the cross reference of stars and other shows is suburb.

I have used this book since I "found" a copy on book stand in NYC back in the 80s. Worth the purchase price.I use it all the time. The 1992 version should be better.

Used in conjunction with the Prime Time Stars book, this makes an excellent cross-reference of TV programs and stars for the period covered. My hopes are that the authors write a update for both the television shows and stars. The format is excellent showing all aspects of the shows including dates televised, stars and their roles, and interesting facts about the production.

I purchased this book when it was first published over a dozen years ago and still refer to it several times a week. Not only is it comprehensive but Tim Brooks often gives short biographies of the stars, listing other shows and related areas for which a particular actor or actress might have been known. I'm sorry that it is currently out of print because I would like to have an updated version of the book.

I have had enough of polite incompetance. I have written two nice letters to the brain-dead idiots at AMAZON, attempting to explain to them that this book, THE WAR ABOVE THE TREES, is NOT FICTION as they classify it.

It is an ACCURATE HISTORY of some of what went on during the 4th Infantry Division's Operation Wayne Grey in the Plei Trap Valley of South Vietnam in 1969.

They respond with polite drone-composed responses that say nothing, then they DO NOTHING.

So as of now, and according to me, this book is NOT Fiction. It is as real as a heart attack. And AMAZON will probably have it mis-classified as Fiction forever.

Me being a gunner in Vietnam too it is the real thing don't miss this

I was on the ground as a rifleman during this mission, often looking up in awe of these choppers coming to our aid. I have spent a great deal of time researching "Operation Wayne Grey" and Ron's book still filled in lots of blanks for me. He tells what it was like to get into some of those tiny LZ's we had created and how hard it was to keep up with the many demands put on the aircraft and crews. I want to thank Ron for telling his story and for all he did back in the Plei Trap Valley.

This is an excellent book about the battle for the Plei Trap Valley in Vietnam (Operation Wayne Grey) in March and April of 1969. I was with the 1st Brigade headquarters for much of March, then took over as commander of Delta Company, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry on LZ D-Handle for the last two to three weeks of the operation. Mr. Carey has captured not only the chronology and tactics of the battle, but also the personal side of the fighting in this most inhospitable location. It was a place of thick jungle and steep mountains. The NVA considered the valley their territory, had it well fortified and fought hard to keep it. Mr. Carey and all the other helicopter crewmen were our life line. Without their heroic daily flights the infantry, artillery and engineers fighting in the Plei Trap Valley could not have inflicted heavy casualities on the NVA, thus stopping a serious threat to the Allied control of the Central Highlands. This is a great story of ordinary people doing extraordinary deeds.

This is one great book. It might be a bit dry to the non-die hard WW2 fan, but it is the notes of an interogation of the Panzer Lehr General! This is a great book for any WW2 game especially Flames of War because you get to hear the "what might have been" from the general. For example, Lehr's General was denied placing his force in a location where the entire 101st would have landed on top of them! There are several more very telling scenarios like this too, and it would have changed history if some of his requests were granted!

This is a fabulous book full of inside information, facts and maps created personnally by the General. The author does an excellent job in presenting the thoughts of the hard nosed General who began to see the fallacy of Hitler's war and was one of the first to surrender his division. It will be of special interest to readers studying the First Infantry Divsion in WWII since General Bayerlein was the significant opponent for much of their operations.
Well researched and well written and a "must read" for WWII students.

The author has done an excellent job compiling hard to find documents in a single book. The third in her series of books on General Bayerlein, Ms. Spayd has done what no other could; bring to life one of World War II's most colorful and respected leaders. In this book, Ms. Spayd provides the reader with General Bayerlein's self-written accounts of critical events of the war. The book is well organized, providing the reader with a wonderful tool for research or wargaming. Of particular interest are detailed unit break downs and maps done by the General himself. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Panzer Lehr Division or German military history.

Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth is a must have to help you learn how to study the Bible. It gives you the proper study tools needed to help you understand the Bible.

This time tested classic is essential reading for all who wish to have an accurate understanding and interpretation of the Bible, the Word of God.

Dr. Scofield and his theology are concisely presented in this volume with no wasted words. Exceptionally good, with clear-cut apologetics and definitions, his dispensational layout has never been beat. A small volume yet a powerhouse that baffles me as to why it is not still in print, being a favorite.

Kathy Park's illustrations pop off the pages of "The Student from Zombie Island and tickle your funny bone! While children laugh themselves silly at the book's original humor -- only a child author like Michael Moorehead can really relate to what makes his peers laugh -- adults love the subliminal message it teaches about not spreading false rumors.

Bust `em Up Bill is starting his first day at a new school in the middle of the school year, setting the stage for outrageous rumors to circulate about him before he even sets foot in the classroom. They say his breath is so bad, it will singe your face if you get too close, and if he burps near you, it might even set your hair on fire! Everyone knows he must be a frightening, horrible, rotten monster! Could it be true? With a name like his, why wouldn't it be? You'll have to read it to find out!


The "Student From Zombie Island" is the perfect book for gift-giving!

here's a new student coming to class and no one is looking forward to it. The kids have been told he's called Bust `Em Up Bill, but they aren't sure why. Rumors fly as they try to decide what Bust `Em Up Bill will be like.

Each student has their own idea of how Bill must have gotten his name. Suzy Frederick is sure he's six feet tall and set kids hair on fire with his horrible breath. Penny Jinx thinks he must torture kids on the playground and make them swing from the monkey bars - by the tails. T.J. McGravy says Bill doesn't exercise in gym class, but makes kids run around the track 5,000 times - sideways. Who to believe? How bad will Bust `Em Up Bill be?

The Student From Zombie Island was written by Michael J. Moorhead when he was just seven years old. The book teaches children the danger of believing rumors and reminds readers that rumors can easily grow out of control and be far from the truth. It's a funny book - well written and includes adorable illustrations by Kathy Parks.

I enjoyed this book, as did my children. My daughter will be starting kindergarten in the fall, so this book came at a perfect time. It helped open up discussion about rumors and how to treat new kids at school and is written in such a way that it made it a fun topic to talk about instead of feeling threatening.

Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 10) For Reader Views (1/08)

Have you ever had a new kid in your school? Do wonder what the person would be like? Sometimes your imagination can run away with you. Bust `em up Bill might have the same ideas as you? Some people might say this guy is.... troublemaker or a thief. Do you sometimes believe them? The book seems so realistic. Imagine bringing live bees to study spelling and putting whoopee cushions with chocolate pudding on other peoples' chairs! Most of the time, the kid isn't as bad as they say he is. Busting up your classmates can sometimes mean more than just beating up on their classmates.

Michael J. Moorehead has written a very entertaining book which will entertain children of all ages. This will be a delight to the kids who have a new kid in their class, or are a new kid in a class. Adjusting to being new in a school can sometimes be hard, but if you enter laughing and have a good attitude, there is nothing you can't do and you will soon find some new friends.

Jumping to conclusions without finding out the facts is never a good idea. The concept of "The Student from Zombie Island: Conquering the Rumor Monster" comes across in a smooth way and humorous pictures. I would love to read more books about the student from Zombie Island and his adventures at his new school!

Though there is a lot of repetition in this book, it is a great teacher's resource. It covers all areas - math, science, art, cooking, dramatic play, etc. The phonetic rhyme poems are good and actually make sense. Fabulous resource.
(There is another book, specific to numbers, as well.)

This is a fabulous resource for parents of Preschoolers. My little one loves the activities, which include a wide variety such as: coloring, science, language arts, large and small muscle activities, art activities, and cooking. For each letter of the alphabet there are approximately 12 pages of activities. My child looks forward to our preschool time together, and so do I thanks to this book!

Puckett's book is an accurate and engrossing story of soldierly professionalism and uncommon bravery. I will pass the word around about this treasure.

How do I know? I was at Ap Gu as a point man with Lima Platoon, A Company, 1/26th Infantry, 1st Infantry division.

Joe Dirvin
Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia

The Battle of Ap Gu took place on 31 March through 1 April 1967. It was the largest, most decisive battle fought by the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry (Blue Spaders) of the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) during their five-year tour of duty in Vietnam.
While outnumbered almost ten-to-one by the NVA and local VC near their safe haven of Cambodia, the Blue Spaders left the battle field strewn with over 600 enemy bodies when the fighting stopped.
This account traces the action on a daily basis using comments by soldiers who were there, including the Battalion Commander, LTC Alexander Haig (later, General and Secretary of State) and other Blue Spaders.
For their actions, the Blue Spaders were awarded the Valorous Unit Award by the Secretary of the Army.

I was wholly inspired by this book. Experiencing Life Through the Chakras is comprehensive and enlightening. I have a clearer understanding of how to experience and express as a human and a spiritual being on this planet because in discussing the functions of the chakras and how they affect us, the author give us tools to use, spiritual guidelines and an clear picture of our existence here. It is a book I will reread many times.

As a person who has read numerous books relating to spirituality and metaphysics, I have encountered a number of explanations of the chakra energy centers, but none as practical and insightful as those provided by Clarence Deigel in "Experiencing Life Through the Chakras." Any seasoned traveler on the path of spiritual growth would benefit greatly by reading this very captivating and enlightening book.

I have given these books to several children. They love them and they get a break from computer games. I gave this particular book to my grandchildren while they were in their teens. Now I have given this to a neighborhood girl and she loves it.

You can draw anything with eyeballs. The sky's the limit. Allows a great deal of creativity with a handbook of ideas. It comes with colored pencils too. Good even if you can't draw. A great gift.