Clubs Books

If you have every been a New York tourist, cluelessly wandering the streets looking for a cool bar in which to hang out only to end up in a cheesy "Night at the Roxbury" reenactment, you must buy Shecky's. The guide has never failed me. You can find a bar for any occasion or mood, with helpful information such as which places sell the strongest drinks. I only wish they'd write one for San Francisco!

I once was lost but now I'm found.Accurate, outragiously funny reviews. A must have if you're going to assume the overwhelming task of finding the best spots in town. Great value if you're looking for the perfect gift.I Love Shecky's!

This book is a great idea, simply because New York is one of the world's great drinking towns and hasn't had a very good guide (if at all) to put it all together. This guide can only get better, since there are some notable omissions, but the task is indeed daunting so I can understand how difficult it is to include everything. For instance, New York City does comprise of FIVE boroughs, not just Manhattan.

My only other criticism is that it is a bit biased...you can clearly tell by reading the descriptions and classifications of the various bars, clubs, and lounges what type of people are contributing to all the reviews. That being said, the "Shecky's Picks" denoted by a happy face next to the name of the bar generally are excellent choices.

Definitely worth buying.

Shecky's really spells it all out.With all of the bars listed in this book, I was able to pick out a perfect spot to have a large group for some drinks. The reviews are hysterically funny, and the descriptions are right on the money. Essential for any one who goes out at night. Anyone.

Shecky's Bar, Club and Lounge Guide is the greatest. Before SHecky's, there was no guide to drinking in NYC, and lets face it, NYC is a nightlife, drinking town. All of Shecky's reviews are right on, funny, hip and always accurate. The icons are great as well as the lists in the back of the book. All of my friends love the guide and we all live by Shecky's Bar, Club & Lounge Guide.

This is the greatest book I've ever read and that includes the classics. And, for all of you cynics out there, I'm not just saying this because I'm the senior editor (P.S. The 2004 guide is hitting stores this week).

Shecky's makes it easy to pick a watering hole. All the reviews are funny, hip, and, most importantly, true. Whether you live in New York or are just visiting, this book will help you find refreshment.

The funniest New York guide book i've ever read! The description s are right on and the jokes are awesome!!!

Shecky's is by far one of the most useful recreational/night spot resources I own. While I do not always agree with the reviews, the comments are definitely worth taking into consideration and are usually rather amusing (especially the review of the Gemini Lounge). At the very least, this guide can help you eliminate the frat boy bars from consideration!

Sheckys is by far the best guide to all that New York's nightlife has to offer. Its to the point reviews are both entertaining and right on the mark. Sheckys is a great way to avoid a bad night.

This is the 15th year I have given my mother the Sierra Club Engagement Calendar for Christmas. I must confess I made a big mistake one year and gave her a different kind. This was NOT okay! She loves this calendar and saves every one of them. She enjoys looking back through them; it is like a walk down memory lane, "Oh, I remember when...". I am grateful that you are able to give her such enjoyment. Last, but not least, the photographs in there are awesome! Keep up the good work.

I got this for my aunt for christmas one year, just on a whim, and every year since she's always made absolutely certain that I'm getting it for her again. She loves it. The thing I like most about it is that it's got a new photo every time you flip a page... I hate the kind that only have, like, 5 pictures total in the whole thing. I suppose my only caution would be that having so many great pics leaves less room for actual writing space... so if you're one of those people who need to plan out ever last little 15 minutes of time between 6 am and midnight... this might not be best for you. ;]

Sierra Club 2004 Engagement Calendar:
"The most popular nature calendar ever published".
Stunning images of flora and fauna.
Week-by-week format with 57 full-color photographs.
Gift-boxed.
In order to view 12 thumbnail images, go to this page:
sierraclub.org/books/calendars/
This exquisite appointment book rates 4 stars rather than 5
because the paper utilized in its production is neither
Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) (ie, produced w/o chlorine nor
with any chlorinated bleaching compound) (H2O2 is OK), nor
50% (or more) "Post-consumer reclaimed waste" (that is,
reclaimed paper-fiber that has served its end purpose).

I am a professional photographer so I truly enjoy the artwork inside this book. On top of that, there is tons of room for me to write in my appointments and client information. It's a great calander to have!

This engagement calendar contains REALLY beautiful photos for every week of the year. The photos range from rocks, to water, to wildlife, to mountains. There are a few closeups of small animals, leaves, and snowflakes. The calendar has photos covering all seasons, as well. The week starts with Monday at the top of the page, and finishes with Sunday at the bottom of the page. There is plenty of room to write in appointments. Dimensions are about 7" x 9", x 1/2". The quality of the paper is lovely. I bought it for myself, and I love it.

I have this calendar - it's great. I always buy the Sierra Club engagement calendar. I happened to notice that the 2006 price by private sellers on Amazon is quite high, while you can get the 2006 calendars from the Sierra Club for $5. If for some reason you want a 2006 at this point, go to the Sierra Club.

This is about the 8th year I've gotten this and always enjoy the weekly colorful scenes.

For 8 years I have purchased the beautiful Sierra Club
Calendar. There is enough room to record all of my appointments,
follow through on the results of the appointments, note all of the important crises that occur. and all of the wonderful
"mouthings" of my children! What a beautiful "book" to
treasure!!

I am a photographer and a writer and the author of numerous books on photography and I have had a copy of the Sierra Club Engagement Calendar on my desk every day for more than 20 years. I find this calendar to be an inspiration in terms of both its beautiful photography and its wonderful geographic diversity. I've never had a photo published in the Engagement book, but I've probably gathered more inspiration and ideas from these little calendars than from the hundreds of how-to books in my office.

The photos in these engagement calendars are the cream of the cream of the crop of the world's best nature photography. Master photographers like the late Galen Rowell, who had many dozens of photos published here, consider it one of their finest showcases--and who can blame them. Sierra Club has never relented on the quality of the reproduction of these superb datebooks and considering there are more than 50 photos in each book, the price is a bargain.

I have used this calendar as a journal and a diary of my writing progress for, literally, decades. And whenever my brain starts to freeze after writing about photography for weeks on end and I need a new idea to write about, I simply flip through the calendars and I can discover hundreds of them in the work of many of the greatest modern nature-photography masters. Also, when I'm looking for travel ideas, places to go to shoot new pictures for my books, I also look here for inspiration and ideas. The Mojave Desert, Monument Valley, the Everglades, the Sonoran desert--these are all places that I learned about in great detail from these datebooks. You learn more about a place by seeing great photos of it than you ever will by reading about it--or so I feel. (Of course, you learn a great deal more if you hop on an plane and go see it!)

Finally, I gave my mother the engangement calendar for Christmas every year for around 20 years and she used them as a daily journal. I still have every one of those journals and they are a great joy to flip through and see what she was up to each day.

Why this long winded (and very sincere!) endorsement for such a simple product? Because I owe these caldendars (and the Sierra Club) a debt of gratitude for inspiring me day after day, year after year, with the greatest photography in the world. If you have a young photographer in your life, inspire them, show them how spectacular photographs of the natural world can be. For an investment of under $15 you can change their perceptions of nature and help educate them about fine photography. Someone gave me my first copy of this calendar many years ago and I've been grateful ever since.

Of course, I have to warn you, once you look at some of these photos you'll want to put your camera up on Ebay :) But don't do it! Instead, use these photos as your photographic inspiration and your goal.

Jeff Wignall
Author, The Joy of Digital Photography (Lark Books)

I am an environmentalist, and once served as an officer of my local Sierra Club chapter, although I later parted ways with them on account of their anti-private-sector views and tendencies toward "Political Correctness", and I now favor less-radical groups such as The Nature Conservancy. That said, I still continue to purchase one of these little spiral-bound Sierra Club engagement calendars every year--they're just so handy, and the photography is beautiful. There's usually also space on the facing page (with the photograph) to make additional notes.

In the course of an individuals maturation process, there are certain immutable truths that transcend the [genders] and the generations. Benjamin David has grasped that process and articulated it in such a fashion that any person who has been through, or will go through, these turbulent years, can identify with. In detailing the trials and tribulations of persons whom I can easily recognize, it was refreshing to see that I was not alone in my thoughts-awkward or normal, his characters embody life for a person my age. As each page passes and the characters unfold, it is easy to see a friend, an acquaintance, or even yourself evolving with the story. Truly a delight to read and an enlightening experience. I look forward to more stories from this talented, energetic, realistic and enlightening author.

So This is Wilderness... offers some of the most insightful prose about growing up and learning who we are and what is important to us of any book around. The book's several stories offer characters, situations, and feelings that one can relate to, which is, after all, the hallmark of a great story. David's writing style is unique, inviting, and reflective of the way in which we think about things. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys short and intriguing stories that will undoubtedly strike a chord of nostalgia.

This book was recommended to me by a friend and I want to spread the word. I loved it and I can't wait for Benjamin David's next book.

Twenty three year old Benjamin David here presents his readership with a colorful collage of American Jewish youth in turn-of-the-century times. Miami apartments. Pennsylvania dormitory rooms. Used-clothing shops. Jerusalem movie theatres. Bar Mitzvahs, grocery stores, pubs, malls, bus rides... David's (extraordinarily well-developed) characters find themselves in the most awkward and maddening situations imaginable, again and again encountering figures altogether perplexing. His band of liberal Jews have us move from laughter to sobs and back to laugter all in the span of a couple of minutes. These stories epitomize the struggle that is and has been American Judaism. The book is sensational and needs to be read.

This book is a MUST read! The author has such a wonderful way with words! He tells his stories in a gentle and informative way. The reader will feel that he has a very close personal relationship with the characters, and at times the narrator of these enchanting stories. With a warm personal style David invites his readers into the mind and the heart of his characters. He reveals to us clear and poignant pictures of a young Jewish man as he experiences life in Israel and in what appears to be his native United States. The reader will also feel a close relationship with the protagonists friends, lovers, and even his relatives. Anyone who enjoys well written yet entertaining short stories must read this book.

I've read the Soldiers of Summer twice already.... Not because he's my father, but because it brings you back to a time when we weren't on the edge of fascism, and police did their job based on talent and skill instead of cameras and patriot acts.... A talented police officer, writer, and professional bodyguard tells a compelling story about life behind the badge... Beautifully written. It's a refreshing look at a time when Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Dio, Ozzy, and all the metal greats were about to rule the airwaves. A time when black was black and white was white... a time of national and cultural identity and strength.... As Joseph put it.... Before 9-11-2001....

The Soldiers Of Summer is one of the finest novels I have ever read. Mr. Phillips takes us on a journey that begins in the quite of a suburban morning and ends on a battlefield of wills and emotions in the upstate of Fort Drum, NY. Phillips' protagonists are five New York City police officers who believe their two week training duty for the Army Reserve will be like a vacation for them but upon arrival find out this is not the case. After getting chewed out by their Platoon Sergeant, James Corey, for being late, they encounter their commanding officer, Captain Lyle Longjohnson, a strange man wearing dark glasses at night and slapping a riding crop against his thigh as he speaks. Things go progressively downhill after that; late night guard duty, full work days that begin at dawn, and forced marches ensue, leaving them their only consolation, alcohol. They name their bivouac area Whiskey Hill and vow not to succumb to their Captain's willful attempts at trying to destroy them due to his mistaken belief they're trying to prevent him from getting a promotion to Major he covets.
However, along the way Phillips treats us to an insiders view of what the cop life in New York really entails and how alochol becomes an escape, much the way Joseph Wambaugh did in his novels about L.A. cops, a fraternity that has much in common no matter what coast you live on. Broken marriages due to infidelity abound but here you find out why they happened, as Phillips' emotionally bloodied protagonists forge their way to a conclusion that becomes inevitable if the reader has been paying attention.
As far as Mr. Phillips writing, it is smooth, easy and flows well allowing the reader to fully enjoy his gifted prose style much the way readers have enjoyed those noted few who came before him. Yes, Soldiers is a real literary find and a stunning achievement for someone the reading public knows little of but should know much about to give him his proper place in the American literary scene of today. GET THIS BOOK TODAY!!!!

What happens when a group of ordinary men find themselves in the middle of chaos, disorder, and violence? This is the question explored by author, Joseph L. Phillips, in his new book, THE SOLDIERS OF SUMMER. The main characters, Welles, Devlin, and Griffin, a group of New York City police officers, journey into the throes of chaos at a two-week summer camp for the Army Reserve. Mr. Phillip's offers his readers an intimate look into what "can" or "might" happen to a person and the choices growing out of such unexpected events. Set in 1978, THE SOLDIERS OF SUMMER, is a crazy beer-soaked romp that travels from New York to Canada and back again, skillfully incorporating the anti-war sentiment of Vietnam into the storyline. It mirrors the world in which we live as well as some people we would rather not meet! A poignant and disturbing look at the various sides of human behavior and character, THE SOLDIERS OF SUMMER is a novel intended to enlighten and challenge its readers, as well as to make them take a deeper look at the positive and negatives sides of humanity. The "good guys" head off to summer camp in good spirits, while trying to recover from hang-overs, in the comical opening scene. The characters are realistic and will be familiar to many as an old friend or the neighbor down the street. They are the "average guy", caught-up in his middle-age-years during the late 1970's. Phillips gives extensive background scenes on the characters, relating their mishaps and obstacles to past experiences in a way that aids the reader in understanding the complexity of the characters, their motivation and their goals. A good book for audiences who enjoy genre fiction novels of this nature, THE SOLDIERS OF SUMMER, is not without some problems. Mr. Phillip's presents an interesting, action-packed story, but he leaves the reader confused and distracted by some of the "telling" interspersed in the story. Elaborate sentence structure, and a seemingly "too literate" langauge from characters at certain points in the story, detract from the flow of action. However, Mr. Phillip's does an excellent job overall with the dialog and is most often real, true and vibrant. This brings the characters to life and creates clear personality traits and tendencies that the reader will recognize and identify with. There are some passages that leave the reader a little off-track and confused. Still, THE SOLDIERS OF SUMMER succeeds in its effort to tell a story about real people who must deal with situations unusual and foreign to them. The fact that these people are police officers simply makes the tale more intriguing. Even with its problems, THE SOLDIERS OF SUMMER is a vivid tale that engages the reader as it explores the harsher side of humanity. A good book for the "summer reader" to take along to the beach with them.

I have always been more the fan of literay works with emphasis on characters than the genre novels that seem to dominate today's market and in The Soldiers Of Summer I have found one. Mr. Phillips, a retired police officer, takes us on what could have been just another cop tale but this one has a twist. These men are members of the Army Reserve doing their two weeks summer camp during the summer of 1978. It should be a vacation but it turns out to be a nightmare they can only cope with by sequestering themselves into their own tight knit group where whiskey and their camaraderie becomes their only source of relief. They also have their own personal demons to deal with from problems on their job, lingering nightmares for some from the Vietnam War, to broken marriages and relationships that have made their lives a bitter pill to swallow. There are a few comedic interludes along the way, a weekend trip to Lake George that ends in a fight and a trip to Canada that goes awry. This novel has all the makings of a damn good movie also along the lines of The Last Detail, and if someone doesn't snap up the rights they're crazy. This is a great read with characters that will stay with you long after you've put it down, so don't let this one slip by.

I'll admit it, I've always liked books by ex-policemen about life in the cop shop and beyond. Joseph Wambaugh's Lines and Shadows is still one of my favorites. The Soldiers of Summer, however elevates the genre several steps beyond ordinary fiction and into the realm of literature. Joseph Phillips, who patroled the streets of New York in the 1970s and 1980s, in the pre-Guiliano wild days, paints a portrait of policing that is at once compassionate and compelling, with riveting characters who will remain in your head long after you put this book down. His prose style is short, sweet and to the point, enough so that Hemingway would be proud! Even if you're not an avid fan of cop books, this one's worth a read. Give it a try--you won't be sorry.

Peter Shandy, a botanical expert, is on a mission in Pickwance, to discover a mystery about some lupines that are growing in an area where they usually do not. All goes well until one night when a local man, Jasper Flodge, dies while eating his dinner at the same Inn Peter is staying at. Over the course of a few days the restaurant is a busy place; full of new characters discovering the past of Jasper; trying to unravel the mystery of his untimely demise. It takes another murder and a great deal of gossip before Peter and his wife, whom he called to come help solve this mystery, to settle the case. This book is one that is full of suspense and thrills. There are many mini-plots that run through it to tie the entire novel into a unimaginable conclusion. This is a must read; one of Charlotte's pieces.

This book is not only a great science fiction read which is full of suspense but it is also a touching love story. I am not normally a science fiction reader but I loved this book. The characters were real and well rounded. The suspense was great. I couldn't wait to turn each page. I look forward to a long and fruitful writing career from Mr Blaylock.

If you have come across this page, you had better read this book. I could not recomend a better one.

There is no getting this story out of my head. The best part is when the people Moo. Do yourself a favor and check this one out.

Loaded with celebrity fun... I was looking for something to touch on my gigglebox & this was it. I loved this wacky roller coaster story - complete with romance, time travel, celebrity appearances, coming of age, and the unearthing of the government's water conspiracy. I highly recommend this to all folks that need a little dose of humor, solid characters, and just an all around good story.

Stacey has a crush on his math teacher. she tries to work harder and she is the teaher's pet. When there is a dance, she turned down Sam's offer with them.

Stacey's student math teacher is a hunk and Stacey is in luv. To impress him, she worked twice as hard in math(her favourite subject) and got perfect grades and his approval, she would help him after class with organizing the classroom and at one point he dropped her off to a BSC meeting cause she was running late and she took those as signs that he was interested in her. She was so hopeful that she had written a beautiful poem for him and gave it to him but after that he started distancing himself from her and when she confronted him saying that she liked him, she burst into tears. She even turned down Kristy's brother Sam when he asked her to the Spring Dance because she was so sure she would go with her teacher, she went with her friends and had a couple fast dances with her teacher but then when she tried asking him to have a slow dance, he told her that she's a great girl but she's a student and he's way too old for her, and that he sees her nothing more than a brilliant student and great person, but in a nice way and stacey felt heartbroken. I can completely relate to her feelings of thinking she had a chance with him although it was very unlikely to happen. The way the book was written descriptively makes you feel like you are there with Stacey and could relate to her.

this book was extremely well written! Ann M Martin really went into detail and description about the setting and about stacey's feelings of love towards her student math teacher Wes. If you're in middle school and are crushing on someone, you can truly relate to stacey.

A really good book! Keep up the good work, Ms. Martin!

The season is spring, and wedding bells ring! At least, that's the thing that's on Stacey's mind. When a student teacher arrives at Stoneybrook Middle School and is going to be Stacey's subsitute math teacher, Stacey can't pay attention in class! Wes is cute, but he's 22! But then Stacey realizes that not every romance will work. Read this book!

In this book, Stacey has a crush on her twenty two year old teacher. She worked hard in math and even gave him a beautiful poem. She turned down Kristy's brother Sam who wanted to go with her to the Spring Dance. Instead, she wanted to go with the teacher. But the teacher said he was too old for Stacey.

John Sherman has really done it with this excellent book. Though some may find his sense of humor somewhat caustic (I happen to like it), this is an indispensable guide to all the major bouldering areas in the country. Make no mistake--this is not a "guide book"--you will find no route topos or maps of bouldering areas here (though there are maps TO bouldering areas). The text stays within the historical realm, and Sherman's knowledge of these places is revealed on every page. Of particular interest are his (and other's) memories of places like the Buttermilk boulders, which are presented in a light that precedes the mega-popularity that Bishop has attained in the last five years or so. And Sherman is not only a talented writer--he is also one of my favorite climbing photographers. Beautiful and tasteful prints illustrate almost every page. Well worth the money.

This book is fantastic. If you like bouldering and John Sherman's humorous tales you will enjoy this book.

The SOFT COVER BINDING FALLS APART after one or two openings. Of three people I know with the soft cover, all three have fallen apart. BUY THE HARD COVER VERSION!

Stone Crusade is THE book of bouldering and the history of the sport in the USA. John Sherman's witty and irreverent writing style and his artistic photographic skill capture the true feeling of the sport across the entire country. A guide book, history lesson, and entertainment all rolled into one. You will want to hit the road on your own Stone Crusade.

I have used this book many times to find bouldering areas. I have also found that it gets me to the boulders easier then the published guide. This book has a lot of great history on bouldering in the United States, the people who started it all and which areas they had the most influence on. It is like Rock And Road for bouldering only better.

It reads as a guidebook, a history, and as literature. Sherman writes with surprising grace and introspection about the sport. Nice profiles of the locals at different areas, too. And I was relieved to see no reference to the finest, and apparently still secret, problem at Carderock, MD.

I really enjoy reading the stories. The idea to write about Striped Bass caught that weighed more than sixty pounds is great. It would be better if it was edited better, there is too much redundancy. Dont let that deter you it is a very good book especially if you like catching large bass.

Obviously written by a man passionate about striped bass! Loaded with storys and information vital to any striped bass fisherman, novice or expert. We look forward to Tony's next book.............JC

The fishing stories in this book are authentic and highly interesting. It is a good read for any salt water fishermen.

Great book for the striped bass fanatic. Gave it as a gift and the striper fanatic loved it. Very interesting facts for the srtiped bass sportsman.

"Tony Checko has put together a wonderful collection of stories and information anyone interested in the outdoors would enjoy. He weaves together masterful imagery that allows you to feel the waves, smell the scent of salt air and become part of the hunt in every page. You do not have to be interested in Striped Bass or fishing to enjoy this collection of stories and the passion Tony has put into this book, it is a keeper."