O Books

Finally someone noticed all the small differences in System Administrators lifes that require a different approach to time management.

Plus, a sense of humour and accurate advices.

Time Management for System Administrators is a book not only aimed at system administrators but also other task and interrupt driven employees early in their career. It presents a core concept of use to anyone struggling with a "never ending TODO list of doom" both for business and personal tasks. Some of the information is of a very basic nature such as "do short tasks and important tasks first". Part of this, however, could be Thomas Limoncelli's writing style which is detailed almost to a fault. It is, however, a very easy book to read and I found myself going through quite a few pages in one sitting.

On the negative side the analogies the author uses to try and explain time management in computer terms get a bit thick at times in the first few chapters but soon they run out and are no longer in the way of the points being made. Two other somewhat awkward chapters are the Stress Management and Automation chapters. Is it worth the time to write (or read) a chapter to basically tell us to occasionally take a vacation and to get a massage? It seems like filler to pad out the book. Similarly, the important take-away point of the automation chapter is to, well, automate things! However the chapter contains an overly specific set of shell programming tricks the author has learned over the years. These are of course presented as examples of how to automate, but the amount of time spent on details and anecdotes makes this chapter also feels like pad. The time spent in these chapters could have been better spent on the core points of the book.

What is the most valuable information in this book? The core technique is what the author calls The Cycle System. This is a way to manage your TODO list so at the end of each day every item assigned to that day has been addressed, if not necessarily completed. It's a very useful technique for learning to plan, to ensure you follow through with completing tasks and to improve your sense of accomplishment that you are managing your workload. Interestingly the author has always used a paper-based TODO list and calendar, so each technique of The Cycle System is explained both for paper and digital (PDA) methods. The Cycle System can help by providing a framework for managing tasks other than continuing to add them to an ever growing list, however it still requires a lot of discipline to properly schedule tasks in the future to avoid them all piling up on the task list for the current day. After several weeks of using the system it is certainly a workable method as long as you are honest with yourself on the amount of real work you can accomplish in a single day and you dedicate a good bit of time on a regular basis to future planning and scheduling of tasks that aren't high priority or due immediately. Unfortunately, the author doesn't go into a lot of detail on techniques to handle the issue of building up a backlog of low priority tasks other than to suggest daily, weekly and monthly planning times to reprioritize and reschedule tasks. The issues of email management, interruptions, unexpected tasks, request tracking software and even life goals are addressed. This portion of the book is where the true value lies and it provides a good amount of information.

If you currently have no structured task management system this is a great resource to start with. You'll certainly come away with a wealth of information on getting a system in place to start to manage things. If you forget to complete tasks or tell someone you'll do something only to forget it when the next person you run into starts you on a new problem, then this book will be very useful to you in how to manage interruptions and always follow through. If you are fresh out of school and you're in an IT job where tasks are starting to pile up, this book will be of even more benefit to you with its stories and broad IT specific topics. As such I would recommend this book to anyone in a task and interruption oriented job as a basic primer on how you should be expected to manage yourself. If you are in a computer job, so much the better, but regardless of your line of work you can still learn a great deal.

Ranked at four stars due to the issues discussed above, but still very highly recommended!

I was skeptical at first, but I followed the advice in this book, and BOY HAS IT MADE A DIFFERENCE!

I picked up this book when it first came out, as I was already a fan of The Practice of System and Network Administration.

It's been three years, and I'm no longer frazzled. Users no longer call me angrily wondering why I forgot to do such-and-such. I (hardly ever) forget to renew service agreements and run regular maintenance.

I cannot recommend this book enough, especially if you feel like there aren't enough hours in the day, if you work late, if you feel like your users are beating down your door.

Another thing about the system described in the book is its reliance on a paper-based organizer. I had tried and failed several times to use electronic methods. I'm a sysadmin! I should be able to use computers for everything! Being given a sort of permission to use paper for what it is good for helped me out a lot.

As a DBA, I found this book extremely useful. It's easy to read and has practical advice that works. I was a bit demotivated at work and this book helped me spring back into action.

Some of his quotes I try to remember daily; one of my favorites is "perfection is a real time waster" because it's so true!

Making to-do lists and setting goals is an integral part of time management and this book shows you how to do it properly. A+!

Tom Limoncelli is a well-known system administrator, author and orator. He speaks at conferences around the globe on issues ranging from firewall security to time management. He has also published papers at conferences such as the Usenix LISA on a wide variety of topics including innovative firewall techniques, coordinating massive network changes, models for improving customer support, and the security issues related to firing your system administrator.

I like the book "Time Management for System Administrators" because it is written BY system administrator FOR system administrators.

The book covers not only the general time management principles, but also valuable advices for system administrators: how to make use of automation, how to cope with multiple customers, bosses and tasks, and so on.

In addition to this book, I can recommend the other great titles that I liked much: "Never Check E-Mail In the Morning" by Julie Morgenstern, "Getting Things Done" by David Allen and "Time Drive" by Gleb Arkhangelsky.

The condition of the book was EXACTLY as described, and was sent quickly.

Pricing was excellent as well.

This book was life changing. It helps you to heal your wounds and move on with life. It is also a great introduction to meditation and buddist teachings.

If you are looking to find support in working with core issues of ego and places where we have emotional body pain held this is a excellent book.

I read this book, to be a partner as my boyfriend works through some issues in his life. It spoke just as clearly to me as it has done to him. Our culture "trains us" to suppress uncomfortable emotions. This book helps us get in touch and accept and welcome them - and move through the uncomfortable ones, to a place of greater peace. These are great thoughts and helpful meditations. I hope it is as encvouraging for you as it has been and continues to be, for me.

Going through a divorce after having been dumped by a husband of 17 years, I was really critical of myself. As if having endured the ex's scorn wasn't enough, I had to add o--and add on--and add on to the attacks on every aspect of my personality. I was stupid. I was unattractive. I was not "woman enough." I didn't deserve love.

This book was recommended by my therapist and it was just what I need to STOP bringing myself down, to learn to accept what had happened to me, and to move on.

As a newbie to the wonder of star gazing, I personally found this book a must-have because of its timeliness at my current level of experience. While I own a Go-To telescope (SCT), most of the time I have found that I enjoy star-hopping instead. The Thompson's Guide has helped me, in short-order, to find DSOs that I was having trouble finding. The approach of occasionally using geometric relationships has helped, on many nights, to increase the number of objects I've been able to find. This book has served me as more than just a key guide in simplifying star-hopping techniques; the black/white images and the related commentaries are also of immense benefit. Finally, quite a bit of historical information is also provided in a brief, yet beneficial form. I'm ready for their next volume, which I hope contains an additional 450 DSO objects for me to pursue!

'Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders: From Novice to Master Observer' is an absolute must buy for any and all amateur or even experienced astronomers. Filled with 500+ pages of content spread over 50 chapters, this book will enable you to start really using your telescope and finding all the wonders that the stars have to show to anyone that wants to open their eyes!! Jam packed full of star charts will locations, names, and related phenomena information in the area of where you will be looking, this is a hobbyists 'candy' book, just waiting to be unraveled and enjoyed!

My only complaint with this book is that I wish the images were printed in color. I realize that most of the pictures with a space background will be really black, but I feel that some color would really help make the content jump off the pages even more.

Not only does the book tell you about phenomena to look at in the sky, there also is information on the type of equipment that can be used to gaze up up up as well as general astronomical information. If you are a star gazed, pick this book up!

***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

A book to take you on a remarkable journey.Written by practicing observers with affordable equipment, it lends a sense of wonder to star gazing and meets the needs of experinced and inexperienced amateur astronomers.
I cannot recommend this too highly.

At first glance I wasn't sure what to make of this book. It's not an atlas and it's not another generalized book about astronomy. It struck me as something that has been done before. After all, I have a huge astronomy library and this sort of fit in next to my Burnham's three volume set.

But the more I looked at it....the second glance...that was the look that told me I had something special with this book. As founder of an astronomy club, I'm always trying to find something that correctly sets expectation for what people will actually see at the eyepiece of the telescope. Bingo! That's the real value of this book.

You get a realistic preview and then tons of valuable information. Also, if you grow weary of the Messier catalog but don't know where to go from there, this book will give you abundant targets!

Conclusion? It's a must have. I'd call it an updated, condensed Burnham's!

Chris Reich

It's always a pleasure to come across something really done well.

The team of Robert and Barbara Thompson, who produced the excellent "Astronomy Hacks" in 2005, have come up with a superlative book for beginning to intermediate deep sky observers entitled, "Illustrated
Guide to Astronomical Wonders".

Taking the objects from six well-known observing lists:

= the Messier objects,
= the RASC (Royal Astronomical Society of Canada) Finest NGC objects
= the AL (Astronomical League) Binocular Messier List
= the AL Deep-Sky Binocular List
= the AL Urban Observing List
= the AL Doubles Star List

the authors present 400 outstanding objects, all well within the range of moderate apertures (the largest scope referenced in their book is a 10" reflector). So, while challenging, the number isn't overwhelming and the objects aren't too difficult.


The objects are sorted into fifty constellations available to northern
observers, each given a chapter and presented alphabetically. Each chapter contains:

= A discussion of the constellation

= A full constellation chart showing object locations.

= Tables giving:
- type, size, magnitude, coordinates, etc for each
object
- the originating observing list (Messier, RASC, AL) from
which the object was taken

= Finder charts for each object with uniform 5 degree or 1 degree
circles superimposed, making them adequate for field use

= Individual discussions of each object. Each discussion also
contains a description on how to find the object, as an example,

"...The easiest way we found to locate NGC 7129
was to place mag 4.4 xi on the SE edge of our
finder field and look for mag 5.4 7-Cep which
appears near the NW edge. NGC 7129 lies on a
line between those two stars, about two-thirds
of the way from xi to 7-Cep..."

= Uniform 1 square degree black and white photographs of almost all
of the deep sky objects. These small images better approximate
what a visual observer might actually see at the eyepiece.


= Each object also bears a four level visual rating, ranging from
unimpressive to showpiece and a four level finding difficulty
rating, going from very difficult to easy to find.


To those acquainted with the larger, more expensive two-volume Night Sky Observer's Guide, this chapter format will look familiar,the significant difference being that the NSOG chapters list a selection of variables in each constellation.

Of course the 400 objects of the Thompson book is dwarfed by the 5,541 of the NSOG, but that smaller number in the Illustrated Guide allows it to include more practical finder charts and to better address amateurs equipped with moderate apertures under less than ideal skies. For example, some of the NSOG descriptions only list what you'll see in fairly large scopes, 16 to 18 inches. That's not helpful to many amateur observers.

The first sixty or so pages of the Illustrated Guide contain an intro to DSO observing and a discussion of observing equipment. Both sections are very informative and actually enjoyable because, surprise, they address the concerns of a real practicing amateur observer.

For example, you'll find pointers on how to plan observing sessions but you'll also find things that'll move you off the level of a beginner right away, for example, a description of the Trumpler scale for open clusters and a discussion of perceiving color in blue-green O-III light.

Equipment wise, the Thompsons aren't shy about noting their preferences, for example, their favored planetarium software is Megastar. But they also objectively discuss the pros and cons of telescope types, individual eyepiece lines and the performance of different nebular filters.

The book aims to supply some of the practical wisdom that observers usually have to pick up the hard way - spending time under the night sky and patiently distinguishing the useful from the irrelevant and the hype.

Physically, the Illustrated Guide is an attractive paperback that opens flat and has generous margins on each page for jotting notes.

So general strengths of the book? The Illustrated Guide is a reasonably priced, one-volume guide to deep sky observing written by a knowledgeable observing team that can become a mainstay of any amateur library. Using just this observing guide, a beginning observer could become a relatively advanced amateur in a reasonably short period - yes, I think it's that well designed. For some observers, it might actually make up their entire observing "career".

Urban astronomers may find the black and white images invaluable in helping to identify objects like open clusters that might normally go unrecognized in light polluted skies.

Also, with some qualifications, viewing all the objects in this book will fulfill the requirements for a number of observing certificates, if that's one of your aims.

OK, weaknesses? Well, none really. But something said by the authors in their introduction bears repeating. Amateur astronomy has become almost synonymous with deep sky observing. And that's unfortunate.

Planetary and variable star observing each require different types of observing skill and often different types of equipment. Until excellent guides like the Thompsons' new book are devoted to these branches of amateur astronomy, many people will continue to ignore them.

John Cheng
Pittsburgh PA

I absolutely love this book. It has such a great message, and I agree with a lot of the other reviewers that the message is wonderful for both kids and adults.

The illustrations are wonderfully simple, and I really like how there are few words per page. This book makes for a great read aloud book for pre-schoolers. I read this book recently in front of my class of 4 and 5-year-olds and they clapped at the triumphant ending of the book...they were so happy for the missing piece!

Shel Silverstein's representation of human relationships and the many "holes" that people often have is very astute. I think the subtleties of the different personalities might be over the head of children, but most adults will see just how spot on he is.

I really really can't celebrate this book enough.

This classic book was really written for children, but it has a powerful message for people of all ages!

The drawings are simple but effective, and the story is one that we all can relate to. The Missing Piece starts out alone and is looking for someone or something to complete it. By the end of the story, The Missing Piece realizes he doesn't need anyone to complete him. He is already complete.

This is a very quick read that can help build the confidence of a young child, and can help adults regain the confidence they may have lost somewhere along the way!

This was a gift to me after a divorce. The content is simple yet profound and I love to share it with my children in hopes that they too will know that relationships are at their healthiest when people are whole and complete, rather than half of a whole like a friendship necklace (to the chagrin of tweeners everywhere!) ;) I now share this with others who are going through relationship troubles or struggle with their self-worth.

A person who was one of the most influential in my life gave this to me as a gift. After reading the book, the gesture impacted me that much more. I buy this for anyone that means something to me. This type of book should be shared by all. Silverstein is a master who I still feel isn't talked about enough.

Don't forget 'The Missing Piece'!

I LOVE this book. What a simple way of viewing the process of breakups and of finding meaningful relationships! Great for readers of all ages.

O'Reilly's an up and coming publisher of computer related books. Maybe a kingpin already. This selection is a true quick reference guide. Written by the Thompsons, this selection gives you a thorough look into buying, assembling and operating computers. You do need a basic understanding to get anything out of this book, but if this is the case, you won't be disappointed. I have a first edition copy, and it's still current. That says a lot, a first edition published four years ago is still not too outdated! Think about it. How many computer related books can you think of that's relatively current after four years? Huh?

This book is amazingly concise and thorough, yet also very easy to read. It contains many helpful photographs, and the authors maintain a great website that is tremendously useful and is a great addition to the book. I am not a big fan of the "In a Nutshell" computer books published by O'Reilly, but this book is definitely an exception. It's great for both beginners and experts.

Robert Thompson is a man who doesn't hold back from giving his opinion on why something is good or bad, either on his website or in his books. In _PC Hardware in a Nutshell_, he tells you just what he thinks of what's good and bad about PC components in just about any category you can think of, and backs it up with all the facts, figures and personal experiences you could ever ask for. Every chapter includes historical information on the components under discussion, detailed reviews of what they do and how they do it, and recommendations on what to use (and what not to use). The final chapter walks you through building your own machine step-by-step, though, this being an omnibus book, the chapter is necessarily slightly skimpy in comparison to _Building The Perfect PC_. The writing style is clear and lively, in fact the book is well worth reading as a book even if you don't need any specific information at the time. The only real complaint I have is something the author has no control over - the fact that new PC hardware comes out so fast that it's just impossible to review every single new thing in a paper edition. (Well, that and the fact that Thompson doesn't like Western Digital because he's had bad experiences with their hard drives, whereas I've been using WD exclusively for years and never yet have had one go out on me. I think that can be chalked up, though, more to the fact that there's just so much PC hardware out there that different people are just going to end up having completely different experiences with components from a particular manufacturer. That, or I just got lucky with WD hard drives.) All in all, this book is truly indispensable.

This is a great book that covers every aspect of building a PC. However, as of August 2004, the 3rd edition of this book is a bit dated. For example PC3200 memory is considered the newest memory and both Pentium 4 Prescott processors and Athlon 64 processors were not out when this book was published. If you are buying this book, you may want to wait for a 4th edition, unless you are looking to assemble an old computer.

I would not accept the author's hardware recommendations as the final word. For one thing, the components they review are in many cases no longer manufactured. Magazine reviews and PC hardware Web sites are going to have different opinions on what the best components are.

Let me start out with a huge thanks to O'Reilly. I'm not a big fan of large corporations or publishers - but I have come to trust O'Reilly implicitly wherever technical issues are concerned. Although I'm certain that they are not the "perfect" publisher, nor in the business for wholly (ha!) altruistic reasons, I AM amazed by the remarkable originality, diversity, range, quality, accuracy, and honorable business practices of this publisher. Oftentimes I wonder how they manage to maintain such a level, when their current library is so chock-full of tough-to-follow acts.

That said, PC Hardware in a Nutshell does not fail to meet up to these high expectations. Let me get the review portion of my review out of the way - simply put, this is the book I have been hunting for a couple years. That I did not immediately search the O'Reilly library only shows that I am a bit silly. I should have known better. End of review.

But I would like to carry this a bit further, and go out on a limb to discuss the only complaint prior reviewers have voiced: that the book is too "Microsoft-centric."

Rather than a weakness, I believe that this is actually a strength. Let me offer big kudos to the authors and publisher for realizing that a serious, yet accessible, compendium of computer hardware knowledge was necessary. The folks who register such complaints are those least in need of an in-depth introduction to PC hardware. These are the high priests of hi-tech, who rule the roost by virtue of their knowledge-monopoly on all issues technical. They would have you believe that if it was not hand-crafted from spare parts, duct tape, and copious amounts of solder and configured with the most obscure version of Linux, then it's only fit for a 4-year-old. They are, quite simply, dead wrong. Let them compile their own "PC Hardware for Only the Most Serious Tech Gurus", I say!

Thompson's very first point is that he intended the book to be of the most practical usability possible. The practical reality is that the people who desperately need such a compendium are poor fools, like Yours Truly, who are too technical to be satisfied with tutorials on how to use Microsoft Office, yet are not quite knowledgeable enough to get right under the hood of their PCs (never mind build a Linux box from spare hatpins and Reynolds Wrap). We, the "psuedo-techies", often do not come equipped with enough experience, knowledge, or confidence to take ourselves to the next level. We are the crowd who are using Microsoft products, yet would love to learn enough to understand exactly WHY Microsoft means "mush-mind" and Linux is God - but will never get there without a guide. This book is the guide, and to me it says, "Psuedo-techies unite! Power to the people!"

"Spider-Man: The Ultimate Guide" is a must-have book for all the wall-crawler's fan! It has information about lots of characters and a fantastic spidey's time-line! The illustrations are as good as well, and you can even find information on alternative Spider-Man series, like Spider-Girl, and Spidey 2099. Although the book is very nicely done i still missed more detailed profiles, anyway you will sure not regret for buying this one!

I never read a Spider-man comic book, but I wanted to know all about Spidey, his allies, and his enemies. This ended my search!

We bought this book for our five year old who loves Spiderman, but our whole family has enjoyed learning more about the villains and other characters in Spidey's world. It is fun to learn the origin of characters we are familiar with and some we had never heard of before. There are lots and lots of illustrations to keep the kids' attention, and the stories and bios are interesting enough for adults as well. The binding has fallen apart on our book- which may have survived better under normal wear and tear- but that is mostly because my son takes it to bed with him since he loves this book so much. Overall, a great book for kids and adults too.

Tom De Falco's comprehensive SPIDER-MAN guide is one of my favourite spidey books, covering everything from the comic's origins in the 60s to the recent movies. With some great insight into the characters in the world of comics and good layout, this guide tells you all you need to know about Peter Parker, Mary Jane and assotment of villians (Green Goblin, Doc Ock, Venom et all). DeFalco's extensive research has paid off, making this an essential addition to the already bookshelf-breaking collection of comic book guides. This is a must-have book for any SPIDER-MAN enthusiast.

I have been a rabid Spider-Man fan, reader, and collector for the past 13 years. In that time, I've seen some of the best (1980's to 1993) and worst (Clone Saga) this hero has to offer. IN addition, I have collected every issue ever published. So, I'm very knowledgable about SPider-Man and his world. Still, this book is a delight to read. I didn't learn anything new, but it is well written, spectacularly illustrated with original comic art from some of Spidey's most legendary artists (Ditko, Romita Sr., Romita Jr., Frenz, Andru, Sal Buscema, Gil Kane, McFarlane, Bagley, Larsen). New fans will learn a lot from this book, but no matter how long you've been a fan of Spidey, this book is a treasure trove for you!!

V. O. is a short story by Betty Dravis, who is without a doubt an extremely talented author. In just eight short pages, she manages to weave a tale that grabs you quickly, draws you in, makes you care, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. In less than 15 minutes, I felt like I had read a full novel.

Clearly, this story is fast-paced, yet Ms. Dravis' crisp, succinct prose provides you with a level of detail not normally seen in a short story. The plot is immediately intriguing and suspenseful; I couldn't put it down.

I strongly recommend this clever tale for all fans of horror, mystery, or plot twists with surprise endings. While I had a pretty good idea of what was going to happen, this excellent narrative crafted by Ms. Dravis kept me enthralled until the very end.

The theme for V.O. by author Betty Dravis is not a new one. It has been explored through the ages in story form, both oral and written. There have been mythologies woven around the concept that forms the plot.

However the similarities in theme, Dravis takes it a step beyond into a more macabre setting with undertones of eroticism fueling the engine which drives the story. Understand that there is nothing overt with regards to sexuality in the story, rather it is something that simmers below the surface as implied, more than realized.

Virgins have played various central roles in sacrificial settings from time immemorial. Here, they are no less innocent nor unassuming for the positions they accept in this bizarre ritual which would drive the less greedy, the less gluttonous to the brink of insanity. Have a read and feel the fear creep up on you when the curtain is pulled back to reveal the climatic discovery of the story.

Have you ever sold your soul to the devil? Once you know what the deal is, you may want to, but don't do it. This both erotic and creepy tale is about getting your health and your youth back with all its pleasures, but at a price that only the soulless can live with. If it sounds too good to be true and it is still true, then there is a dark secret hidden in the deal. I think I am good at solving puzzles and problems but I did not see the disturbing end coming. All my guesses were wrong.

Betty Dravis is an extremely skilled author and narrator with an incredible imagination. The dialogue flows quickly and smoothly, while the story steadily increases in tension without any interruptions in the suspense. Then suddenly the concluding shock knocks you over, and the story ends leaving you with disturbing thoughts that you have to get rid of before bed time. If this novel was a piece of music it would be Maurice Ravels' Bolero, and it takes about the same time to read as it takes to listen to Bolero. With this short story Betty Dravis is breaking new ground in the horror genre. Don't sell your soul to ancient and evil magic, but get a taste of it by reading this short story. V.O. is an excellent and bone chilling read for both horror aficionados and horror newbie's.

Charles, a respected banker in his sixties, takes a cruise with his wife and upon his return looks and acts much younger, as does his wife, who is now pregnant. When his elderly friend Walter inquires about this dramatic transformation, Charles tells him it lies with V.O. Asked to explain further, Charles swears Walter to secrecy and tells him about the cruise, where he and his wife were taken to a private room and there the most beautiful man and woman they had ever seen danced for them, culminating in the best meal they had ever eaten. Curious as to the mystery ingredient that made the meal so wonderful, they are simply told it is V.O. Walter, upon sponsorship by Charles, takes the cruise with his wife, and upon his return, Charles notes a dramatic improvement in his physical being, but is puzzled by Walter's reluctant happiness over his transformation. It seems Walter figured out what V.O. means, and the reality of that is most horrible indeed.

Betty Dravis stands in the forefront as bestselling author of romance, mystery, and children's books. Now she joins the ranks of Stephen King as writer of horror. With the ability to incorporate such a brilliant plot -- which I'm sure King would have carried forward over 300 pages -- into a concise, well-written short story, speaks volumes of her talent. This is the first short story I've downloaded from Amazon and I've since ordered all written by Ms. Dravis, who has the unique ability to deliver a galvanizing plot which moves quickly, ending with a twist the reader does not see coming. Bravo!

In the space of 10,000 to 15,000 words - what for a novel would be a mere one or two chapters serving as little more than introduction - a skilled short story author has to create characters, setting, atmosphere, tension, action, dialogue, plot, resolution and dénouement. A pretty tall order for any author but Betty Dravis is clearly up to the task!

V.O. is a catchy little horror story that leaps off the springboard of the typical human desire for physical beauty and longevity and deals with the consequences of what might be called the archetypical "deal with the devil".

The plot is simple enough and it's driven forward with Dravis's clever use of convincing dialogue. The eroticism in the protagonist's explanation of his experiences is thick and palpable - quite convincing enough to raise a mild sheen of sweat on any reader's brow that has a full set of hormones on board and is willing to allow their imagination to run away with the compelling words that Dravis puts in front of us.

Want to spend an enjoyable 10 minutes that will whisk you away from whatever you're doing? Read Betty Dravis's V.O.

Paul Weiss

Very good book. I don't write the best reviews, but I try not to give the book away. Lauren returns home after she recieves a letter from her fathers lawyer. She left home when she was young and returns a woman. Her father made arrangements for her to marry their neighbor Garret. She loved him when she was younger and still does love him. The book was really good. I have read it twice, along with the other ones in this series. I just don't remember everything, I read too many books to remember. Anyway like I already said the book is very good.

I loved it !!! The four books of the series are great but that one was my favorite !!!

I have never been disappointed by Constance O'Banyon, and she has never proven me wrong. I read Lauren's and Garret's story three times. If you believe in love ever after, you will love this book. If you don't, you will still love this story. Ms. O'Banyon, when are you going to come out with another book?

I am definately one of your biggest fan. I need more to of your books to read.

I don't have much time to read so when I do I want the book to be good. I have always counted on Constance O'banyon for that and she has never let me down. I found THE AGREEMENT to be a wonderful story. Garret Lassitor loved Lauren since she was young and he had the grace and goodness to wait until she grew up to tell her. That's my idea of a hero. If you want a good love story, you can't go wrong with this one.

Constance O'Banyon is an amazing romance author. In my opinion, The Agreement (Secret Fires) novel was one of her best stories. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. The story captured sweet innocence, fiery romance, stubborn feelings and heartwarming scenes. You will get it all in this full-filling love story. I sighed heavily at the end because I was sad it was over. I was so involved in the characters that I didn't want the story to end--of course, the ending was the best part, and I'll definitely read it again. Do yourself a big favor and draw a bath, light some candles, and READ THIS WONDERFUL BOOK!

A beautiful story, wonderfully written and a pleasure to read. You won't be able to put it down!

At first I wasn't sure what to expect from a "historical Christian fiction" book, but once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to pick up the next one. This book really does have it all.

I enjoyed this novel. The main character was someone you knew well after a few chapters, and I found myself rooting for her, her friends and her love interests. Her adventures were exciting enough, and her love story was affecting. Once I began to care about the characters, I could easily ignore the problems with this book. I spent several late evenings reading this.

The problems are not too terrible. The author often tells the reader details that should be revealed through the story. The prose is slightly awkward throughout. There is a lot of coincidence in the plot. Some of the coincidences are so improbable that they began to annoy me.

There is also a good deal of historical detail in the story, which I enjoyed. The action unfolds in Berlin, Vienna, and Prague- in real places which are well described. Now I feel like seeing those places for myself. I feel as if I know them intimately.

This is the first book in a series: The Zion Covenant. I will read the next book in the series, because I am hooked. I want to know what happens to everyone!

This book is a real eye opener if you are interested in WWII, but don't want to watch boring documentaries or read boring text books about it. It brings it to life. Charlotte Mason would have called this a "living book". Historically acurate history written in story format. There are 9 in the series, and all are worth the read.

Elisa Lindheim is young, beautiful, and gifted. The oldest child of retired Luftwaffe officer Theo Lindheim has grown up in Berlin, enjoying the privileges of her father's heroic World War I reputation and of his financial success as owner of Lindheim's Department Store. The shadows cast by Hitler's rise to power are darkening her life, though, in 1936. Estranged from her lifelong love and former fiance who's chosen to give her up on orders from his military superiors, Elisa lives in her Gentile mother's native Vienna and calls herself Elisa Linder. She plays in the opera house's first violin section, and - like so many other Jewish or part-Jewish Germans and Austrians - refuses to believe that things will continue to get worse. Any day now, the German military will have had enough of the mad paper hanger; and after that, life will be normal again.

Of course that's not what happens during the year that follows. As Theo Lindheim moves to get his family to safety, but fails to get himself out of Germany successfully, history in the making catches up with Elisa and forces her to make choices she never imagined anyone might have to face.

This is that rare book, a "faith based" novel that's worth any reader's attention. Well researched and well written, VIENNA PRELUDE moves along at a steady clip and then races to a suitably tense climax. The authors understand what far too many writers (especially of faith based fiction) don't "get" at all: that characters' actions must flow from who they are, not from what the book's chosen theme requires them to do. While the coincidences that keep parting and reuniting Elisa and American journalist John Murphy become strained from overuse, somewhere in the tale's second half, and a few of the characters' lines of dialog sound more like a sermon than an individual's words in conversation, the overall effect is just what it should be. The reader quickly becomes invested in knowing what will happen to Elisa and the others, and the triumph of their faith is all the more real because of the struggles that living it costs them. I expect to read more in this series, and that's the best compliment one can pay to any author.

The concepts of Buddhist belief are often quite difficult for the average western mind. I remember taking a Buddhist overview class in university and being completely lost. A few years later, I was drawn to another more in depth class. This class was taught by a man with passion and patience who walks the path himself. The right teacher truly makes all the difference.

The Way Things Are is written by Lama Ole Nydahl. This man truly has a gift. He takes the basic concepts of Buddhism and relates them to his readers in such a natural way. Moreover, he connects these notions to living in 21st century America.

If you are looking for a basic understanding of Buddhism, The Way Things Are is a very good choice. You'll get a very good overview that you can actually understand. The author also provides some invaluable hints on how to find a good master.

Anyone looking to engage with Buddhism should begin with this book in which Lama Ole Nydahl clearly lays out the central Buddhist principles and their various forms in the world today. Nydahl's constant travelling and teaching over the last 30 years grounds the work in a frank and fresh understanding of the world we live in and Buddhism's place within it. The power and practical significance of these teachings in such an accessible form makes Nydahl's book a rare find indeed.

This book changed my life.

"The Way Things Are" packs more into a single paragraph than many other teachers give in an entire lecture or hundreds of pages of text. These are teachings that point directly to the nature of mind.
They're presented in a clear structure with background and context, but devoid of exotic cultural baggage. Cultural trappings often seem wonderfully mystical to western readers, but they can easily distract from the timeless simplicity of Buddha's message: that our true nature is joyful, fearless, and compassionate.

Beginning to remove the veils obscuring that truth is what "The Way Things Are" is about. It doesn't offer quick fixes, but something better: methods that work. These methods, part of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan buddhism, are presented in a way that's practical for the modern world. "The Way Things Are" shows that you don't have to live an exotic lifestyle or go anywhere else. Right here, right now, you can begin to see things the way Buddha tells us they really are: that the world is a pure land, and that all beings, including ourselves, are already buddhas who simply haven't realized it yet.

This book won't please everyone. Some readers will find the author's style disturbing, others will find it inspiring. That's cool. There are countless different styles of Buddhism, each working best for different kinds of people. "The Way Things Are" shows one of them.

If you're interested in learning more about what Buddha taught, and are prepared to critically evaluate what you read, I highly recommend this book.

This is an updated version of the first book about Buddhism I read.
It changed my life and opened my mind up to everything that is lasting, true, and joyful.
It truly tells you "the way things are." - no new age feel good elixir full of nothing but air.
It is the rock solid teaching of the Buddha specifically for the modern, western mind.
Be prepared to have the sun handed to you and the clouds blown away for good!
Great read and permanent part of my library.

This is a book for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. With his inspiring and clear insights and refreshing humor, Ole Nydahl offers a true gift to all of his readers. I highly recommend to all who have questions that school didn't quite answer to pick up a copy of this book. And for all seasoned Dharma readers, this is an excellent book to go back to regularly. Enjoy!