This review pertains to the Audible.com version of the book. Initially, I enjoyed hearing the tale of a novice company builder and his patron, a wise old business man. The narrative style reminds me of sections in "Rich Dad, Poor Dad." A number of pithy maxims are shared with us through the eyes of the pupil, but towards the end of the book we start getting sermons.

There are long spiels on how science has only realized what many deep thinkers (e.g. Buddhists) have known all along. One silly example was his point that the Buddhists say "we are empty", and the author goes aha -- see they knew that before the physicists discovered atoms are mostly space. Maybe I'm overdramatizing here, but the author's naivete and aggrandizing statements remind me of the spin Nostradamus lovers present to the rest of the world. Other sermonizing statements include (paraphrasing) "if you don't know what to do with a company problem, put it in God's hands and do his will." Of course, the author must be unbiased, so he always says "God as you see him or her." Sounds reasonable, but then he goes into this section where even atheists *must* know there is some kind of God, and if they don't, can they create universes? Some great reasoning and open minded thinking there.

There were lots of other statements where I just shook my head thinking the author should stay grounded on earth, or at least, stay focused on the supposed topic. If you get this book, I suggest you avoid the final sections where he becomes heavily spiritual.

...and that's needed today more than ever.

I had never heard of Marc Allen before finding this book in audio format at a local rental store. You may not have heard of him, either, but whether you are starting a business or just trying to manage your life better, I encourage you to check out the audio or print version of this book.

I was just looking for something to help me in my work. The title "Visionary Business" caught my eye. It was a short, yet unabridged audio book, and read by the author. I figured it might help. Couldn't hurt. Why not try it? What I expected to get was the usual one or two good ideas that might make it worth the price of the listening...

It's such a thin volume, after all.

What I got instead was a new vision and practical approach to my business and to living, which was so amazing...

It's such a thin volume, after all.

In it, we meet a character named Bernie, who says (among other things):

"When you believe in yourself enough, your most important desires will become intentions, and your intentions will manifest in reality. It's a law of nature. Intentions produce results. Our thoughts and our words are powerful -- powerful enough to create what we want... So be it. So it is."

At the same time, I was reading THE POWER OF NOW, by Eckhart Tolle, and having daily Ah-Ha's that were nudging me into a little more presence and away from some of my old head trash...

In Visionary Business, I was reading a story of a struggling start-up business and an entrepreneur who reminded me of myself. I'm sure many readers would feel the same.

At one point, Bernie asks the young man how his business plan is working, and he describes it as a barge that is very hard to move... He is then encouraged, not to work on his plans, forecasts, action plans, etc., but on his VISION -- the vision of that barge... because as long as he sees it as not moving, nothing else he does will matter.

Understanding that your vision is the controlling factor is vital. There's a song I love by David Wilcox, that includes the words:

"I got such a mess between my ears
like dishes in the sink
Stuff I don't believe just tumbles in
until I don't have room to think...
...All my failures are on display,
the broken dreams of yesterday
Stuff I should have thrown away,
but I've kept it here instead
I've got to empty out the inside of my head"

Stuck barge or cluttered head, we get what we envision, and the power of our intention is greater than we have dreamed.

This is a storyteller's tale. Spun more than told, and practical as well, with business advice and guidelines for a healthy enterprise in addition to the emphasis on working on your vision (and emptying the trash from the inside of your head).

A final thought that I found helpful (in reading the author's bio) was this: Decide you are going to do everything in life in an easy, relaxed manner & a healthy and positive way... I appreciate that bit of vision a lot -- maybe most of all, and I'm seeing its fruit in the lives around me.

It is important to understand that this is a fictionalized account of a true story, and, that the twelve "Keys of Visionary Business" will be of greatest benefit to those who are about to begin or have already embarked on an entrepreneurial venture of some kind. My own opinion is that the same twelve "Keys" could be almost as valuable to everyone else in business. I say "almost" because the perils and opportunities of entrepreneurship pose quite unique challenges which almost always must be overcome with limited resources, including (especially) experience. In Allen's fictionalized account, there are two main characters: The narrator and his mentor, Bernie. Allen devotes a separate chapter to each of the 12 "Keys" and then provides an Epilogue, followed by an Afterword in which he includes 25 principles and practices of visionary business. This term has many different, sometimes quite different denotations and connotations. In this context, Allen means (a) being able to envision with absolute clarity what you want your business to be and (b) building the business guided by that vision.

Having embarked on a number of entrepreneurial ventures myself, and now working with many others who have, I can personally attest to the great value of the "Keys" but it would be a disservice to the author and to you, were I to divulge them here. Each must be shared within the context of the on-going interaction between the two. Bernie asks all of the questions I wish someone had asked me. Of even greater value is the wisdom he shares, sometimes strategically withholding it until the narrator is ready for it. Their rapport reminds me of the rapport which Mitch Albom describes in Tuesdays with Morrie.

An entrepreneur is one who (literally) "undertakes", often at great risk and amidst uncertainty. That is true of the narrator. With all due respect to the practical value of Bernie's business acumen, Allen reveals certain dimensions of Bernie's spirituality which are -- for me, at least -- at least as important as his impact on the narrator's business decisions. Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out Robert L. Wallace's Soul Food. Both books share much in common (eg thoughtful, well-written, practical, and reassuring) even as they approach similar subjects from different perspectives. For those who are about to begin or are now embarked on an entrepreneurial venture, these two books are essential resources.

I had to buy this book for National University's online course. I really like national University and wish they would have chosen another textbook.
I was not impressed with the information inside. Ryan does a question and answer format that briefly synopsis very important topics in education. Sometimes when I read a topic, I am really disappointed that a topic that has had a great deal of reseacrh is presented by Ryan in a half page.

He wholeheartedly attempts to sell the reader on bilingual education which I disagree. There are other topics that he discusses with what I feel is a liberal point of view.

The main point that I was taken back by is the fact that Ryan's end-of-chapter bibliographies include research that is sometimes dated. His sources are sometime 6-8 years old or older.

Here are some excerpts of recent book reviews about Ask the Teacher - a book I will keep as a resource throughout my teaching career:

... fills a need for a manual of teaching tips, based on a combination of current educational research and years of experience....

John Luster, M.A., Educational Consultant, California State Department of Education

... borders on the edge of genius. ...an understandable description of how teaching should be done.

Roger Axford, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Arizona State University

... fills a void and captures the imagination of those of us who are involved in improving instruction and learning....

Thomas MacCalla, Ed.D., Vice President, Multicultural Affairs, National University and Jacqueline Caesar, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Arts and Sciences, National University.

... what an absolutely innovative idea! ... articulates in clear, lucid language his thoughtful and dialogic responses.... Engages you to consider the theoretical within its practical relevant applications in the cognitive process.

Idrenne Lim-Alparaque, Ph.D., San Diego State University

... promotes critical thinking, a love for the teaching profession, and the type of enthusiasm and idealism that is needed in order to make a difference in the lives of the children that we have in our classrooms.

Professor Luz M. Salazar, M.A., Program Coordinator, California Teachers Association

Rather than lose its reader in detail and "ivory tower" language, Ask the Teacher offers a format of brilliant simplicity that teachers find easy-to-read and understand. This is a book for every teacher's classroom desk.

James Mitchell, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, California State University, Dominguez Hills

... truly a practical practitioner's guide to teaching and learning in the diverse classroom. ... addresses major educational foundations beginning with the celebration of ethnic diversity in our schools.

James Mbuva, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, National University

... a wonderful resource, integrating the "best practices" and current educational research in an "easy to understand" format.

Maxine Stewart-Carlson, M.S., Adjunct Faculty, School of Education, National University

... a "hands on" manual, which is applicable to any academic grade level as well as serving as a useful educational tool to any teacher.

Lauren Birney Ed.D., Science Department Chairperson, Hoover High School, San Diego City Schools

It is an amazing work that covers virtually every relevant question and educator might have.

Celia Kelly, M.A., Adjunct Online Faculty, School of Education, National University

... assists in bringing the new teacher candidate to the realization that there are academic and researched relevantly solutions to the challenges faced in this wonderful profession of teaching.

James L. Hutcherson, M.A., Teacher, Bonsall Union School District

... most certainly a book by a practitioner for practitioners and as such it is a valuable addition to any teacher's library.

Jacquelyn Spacek, Ed.D., Associate Regional Dean, San Jose, National University

Every future teacher needs to be armed with theory, compassion, and idealism. The book manages to convey all of that.

Lana Sherman, M.A., San Diego Unified School District

... "user friendly"...addressed key issues in education that all students entering the teaching profession should know....

Mary Anne Weegar, M.A., Sweetwater Union High School District

... highly informative on teaching in the diverse classroom....

Katie Klinger, Ed.D., Assistant Professor, School of Education, National University

... practical and succinct in addressing a multitude of topics on teaching and learning.

Barbara Salice, Ed.D., Associate Faculty, School of Education, National University

... very readable and stimulating.... ... a superb teaching tool....

Ralph L. Kimo Sanchez Jr., M.A., Core Adjunct Faculty, School of Education, National University

... key component to engaging students in a very stimulating interactive course. ... affording students a keen insight into today's educational issues.

Thomas J Syage, M.A., Ocean Beach Elementary School, San Diego

... informative and articulate answers to questions about most areas of education....

Carolyn H. Brannon, M.A., Adjunct Faculty, School of Education, National University

... covers tremendous ground.... Full of teaching tips, hints, and discussions of current educational topics.

Lance Larson, M.A., Hoover High School, San Diego

As a veteran teacher and teacher-of-teachers, I have referred to pertinent questions and answers to share with my university students, parents of my classroom students and colleagues.

Eloise M. Cole, M.A., Ocean Beach Elementary School, San Diego

I finally found a source that has put in writing what I have been teaching my students in the classroom about teaching and learning. The Question-Answer format is stimulating and begs to be read.

Jack L. Housden, Ed.D., Core Adjunct Faculty, National University

... full of useful information that new teachers should have at their fingertips. It is easy to read, the format is such that you can easily access answers to your questions. In thirty- one years of teaching I have not read another better.

Carol Matthews, M.A., Core Adjunct Faculty, National University

... delightful and informative. ... used at National University and at the University of California at San Diego. ... students regularly use it as a guidebook and reference book. ... should be in the personal library of every K-18 educator!

Cynthia Schubert-Irastorza, Ed.D., United States International University

... a must for all beginning teachers. Its clear question and answer format answers the questions all new teacher want to know. ...any teacher could easily incorporate it ideas and philosophies into their daily curriculum.

Lisa Haydt, M.A. United States International University

...an excellent mix of philosophy and practice. ...shows new eduators how to incorporate what they have been taught into everyday practices.

Kathlyn Roberts, Ed.M., Prairie View A&M University

...a thorough, practical, easy to read guide to the field of education for any teacher - not just the beginning teacher. A must for a teacher's reference shelf.

Theresa Punzalan, M.A., San Diego State University

...a breath of fresh air. I recommend this book to all teachers regardless of their years of teaching.

Melvin Zeddies, Ph.D., United States International University

This book was reccomended to me by someone I work with, and I was hesitant to give it a try because I am not much of a sports fan, so a book largely about baseball seemed like it would be very painful. But I am very glad that I gave it a shot because this book is actually very good. It's subject manner is on the serious side (the longtime friend and teammate of a ball player discovers he is dying) but the narration is light and easy, keeping it from getting too dense and dramatic. The style is unique and makes for a pleasant, laid back read. The characters are well drawn and effecting, you get a very good sense of them all and it is impossible not to care about them. As someone who as I said is not a sports fan I can assure you that it is very readable even if you are not also. I will definitely be giving the author's other books in the series a try (I only wish that I had started with 'The Southpaw', which is the first in the series).

As I was a-walking the streets of Laredo, As I walked out in Laredo one day, I spied a young cowboy all wrapped in white linen, All wrapped in white linen and cold as the clay.

I seen by his outfit that he was a cowboy, And as I walked near him these words he did sigh, Come sit down beside me and hear my sad story, I am shot in the breast and I know I must die.

It was once in the saddle I used to go dashing, Once in the saddle I used to go gay, First down to Rosie's and then to the card house, Shot in the breast and am dying today. Get 16 gamblers to carry my coffin, 6 purty maidens to sing me a song, Take me to the valley and lay the sod o'er me, I am a young cowboy and know I done wrong.

O bang the drum slowly and play the fife lowly, Play the dead march as they carry me on, Put bunches of roses all over my coffin, Roses to deaden the clods as they fall

The quartet of Henry "Author" Wiggen novels by Mark Harris are one of the high water marks in sports literature and Bang the Drum Slowly in particular is, by any measure, one of the great American novels. Writing before free agency made players millionaires and anticipating such groundbreaking tell-alls as False Spring and Ball Four, Harris treated sports realistically--players are work a day drudges who have off season jobs and swear and drink and womanize, management cares about little other than the bottom line, matters off the field effect performances on the field, etc. This honest approach, distinctive narrative voice and poignant subject matter combine to make this an unforgettable novel.

I'm sure even most folks who haven't read the book have seen the movie. Henry Wiggen, star left handed pitcher for the NY Mammoths, is called to Rochester, MN to pick up his roommate Bruce Pearson, the team's third string catcher. Pearson has just found out that he is dying from Hodgkin's Lymphoma (which is now often survivable). Henry who has always had a difficult relationship with Pearson, mostly because the catcher is such a simpleton, takes on a sort of protectors role, even ending his contract holdout with the club in exchange for a contract clause saying that Bruce can not be cut. As the season unfolds, both Henry ends up having a career year and Bruce too begins to play well, Henry's sudden friendship (including even teaching him the game of TEGWAR--The Exciting Game Without Any Rules) giving him increased confidence in himself, and the team hangs around first place. Then as fellow players begin to find out about Bruce's condition, they too lay off of riding Bruce and they start to gel as a team. Finally though, Henry gets a call from Red Traphagen, the team's retired catcher, now teaching school in San Francisco. When Red tells him that the club has wired him several emergency contract offers, Henry knows that club management has found out about the illness. They call Author up to a suite of the team's hotel to try Mau-Mauing him into releasing them from the clause and while he's there Dutch telephones Red. Their conversation provides a nice illustration of the unique patois that Harris utilizes:

Dutch said: "How much can I offer?"

"The sky is the limit," said Patricia, "but use good taste."

"Hello there, old pal," said Dutch.

"Hello there yourself," said Red. I could hear his voice but I could not hear the words. "It would all sound fine to me," said Red, "except I can not leave here. They can not find another man on such short notice."

"To do what?" said Dutch. "They can find 40,000 men in a minute."

"I am making money hand over fist out here," said Red.

"Horsefeathers," said Dutch. "Nobody makes money in such a racket but the football coach. I will up it 33 1/3 % and not one penny more."

"I can not stand the noise and the excitement," said Red. "I quit it for good and never miss it and am glad to be done with it. Keep it and best of luck."

"Very well," said Dutch, "I am sorry to troubled you."

"Goodby", said Red.

"Goodby," said Dutch.

"Goodby", said Red.

"I will up it 16 2/3 % more," said Dutch. "That is twice the first wire plus 33 1/3 % plus 16 2/3 %. I am under orders to go no higher."

"Sold," said Red, and Dutch hung up. "Somebody remember and can Diego Roberto when Red hits town," he said. "Every cloud got its silver lining."

Henry, of course, refuses to let the team off of the hook. The team ends up winning the pennant and World Series, but Bruce sickens and has to leave the team before the end of the season.

On October 7, Henry gets the call from Bruce's father informing him that Bruce has died. Henry offers this affecting epitaph:

In my Arcturus Calendar for October 7 it says, "De Soto visited Georgia, 1540." This hands me a laugh. Bruce Pearson also visited Georgia. I was his pall-bear, me and 2 fellows from the crate and box plant and some town boys, and that was all. There were flowers from the club, but no person from the club. They could of sent somebody.

He was not a bad fellow, no worse than most and probably better than some, and not a bad ballplayer neither when they give him a chance, when they laid off him long enough. From here on in I rag nobody.

The film version was on AMC the other day and I've been walking around the house singing the song. Whenever she hears me, Brooke yells at me to knock it off because it's so melancholy and reminds her of the movie. The book will have the same type of lasting impact on you; it's just one of those stories that stays with you.

GRADE: A+

It was great and really well writte

This is the perfect book for curling up with on a Saturday afternoon! Gorgeous pictures, interesting text and a wide variety of house styles makes this one of the better home design books I've seen. I highly recommend it.

I love this book. The photography is beautifully done and it makes you realize what you are missing if you don't have a weekend retreat. It's a great coffee table book, as it's wonderful to pick it up for a few minutes, look at the lovely houses and read about the owners. A very cheerful elegant book, makes me think of summer even on the wettest days.

This book is an inspiring source of ideas. Loved it!

Sorry I had to give this book one star, but that was the lowest choice available.

The book is frightening in the sense that it sets up the spiritual father as a channel through which the blessing of God flows to the believer. The reformation was fought over the scripture claiming that their is only ONE mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ. Yet this book claims that unless one is "joined" to a spiritual father, that person is a "spiritual orphan" or a "bastard". I have great news for all--God doesn't birth kids into His Kingdom and leave them orphans, and He certainly doesn't create bastards. Oh, and surprise! The book ends with an exhortation that spiritual children must "honor" their fathers, with money, of course. Oh yes--that's the key to revival. People--WAKE UP!!

This is a great book. Mark Hanby really has an understanding of the need for spiritual fathering. This book caused me to reflect greatly on my own life and helped me to be even more grateful to the men that poured into my life. This book is essential for anybody who leads others. Pastors, missionaries, small group leaders, worship leaders and anybody else who is in ministry or leads other Christians.

Using biblical principals, truths and examples Hanby reveals the secret to receiving generational blessings, and what prevents blessings from travelling through generations. He shows how God gives blessingand anointing from father to son. Using Elijah & Elisha, Hanby really shows how their relationship effected the blessings that had.

This book will get people to think about their own lives. This book is not just about spiritual fathering, it's about being a true godly figure in another's life, thus making this book every bit as applicable to women as to men. This book is written by a pair of men that live out the relationship that this book teaches. There is a lot of biblical principle combined with life experience and life stories. It really makes this book enjoyable to read. I am glad I read this book and highly recommend it to all those in leadership in ministry.

Dr. Mark Hanby is a true Prophet. For those who are tired of "churchianity" and religion as usual this is the book. Any book or tape by Dr. Hanby will transform your life because he answers through the Word what you have not been able to express but felt inside. You Have Not Many Fathers shows the true order of God and how we are supposed to impart to the next generation as well as "honor" those who have imparted the gift of God to us. My husband and I saw Dr. Hanby at a T.D. Jakes Pastor's Conference in 1998. Some of the very words that Dr. Hanby spoke about Church order and the "Now" move of God are now being talked about in the church world today. At the time we first heard his words, they sounded so revolutionary. Dr. Hanby, being a true trumpet is ahead of his time.

After countless attempts at creating a new universe, or continuum, the folks at Marvel finally hit on the right approach: recast their franchise characters as younger and more in tune with the issues of the day. Add top-notch writers and artists and voila! we have a hit. Though the story arcs are so far quite familiar to those with any sense of Marvel's history, the fresh approach to characters and the nifty art contribute to an overall great reading experience.

I would recommend this compilation to anyone who can't get enough of the Marvel universe or those who would like to start their trip into said universe. In short, recommended for any Marvel fan!

There are some noted examples of a writer coming in and revitalizing a comic book by tinkering with the fundamental nature of the character, as Alan Moore did with "The Swamp Thing" and Frank Miller accomplished with "Daredevil." But starting from scratch, as Marvel is attempting with "Ultimate Spider-Man" is a much rarer attempt (e.g., John Byrne starting over with Superman). However, writer Brian Michael Bendis is well aware of the high stakes game he is playing and through this second trade paperback collection of comic book stories ("Ultimate Spider-Man" issues 8-13) the results are quite admirable.

At first glance the obvious intent here is to condense the story of Spider-Man. In what we know consider Volume 1 of "The Amazing Spider-Man" Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. the Kingpin, does not show up until issue #50 (and really did not become the monolithic New York City crime boss until Miller worked the character into "Daredevil"). Here he catches Peter Parker's attention in issue #8 and it is Spider-Man's attempt to bring down the secretive crime lord that creates the story arc of this collection. This means that we get to avoid the Terrible Tinkerer and other abominations from the early years of Spider-Man under Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. On the Peter Parker side of the equation we pass Betty Bryant and Gwen Stacy and go immediately to Mary Jane Watson.

The theme of these stories is that Spider-Man, who is in point of fact almost sixteen years old, is in way over his head as a superhero. The Kingpin proves this by taking about a half dozen pages to defeat Spider-Man and toss his unconscious body out the window. Spider-Man's early attempts at crime fighter are so inept that he actually contributes to the idea that Spider-Man is a criminal, making it easy for J. Jonah Jameson to trash the hero in "The Daily Bugle." In the end it is as much Peter Parker as his alter-ego that scores an initial, tentative victory over the Kingpin; plus Spider-Man's verbal battle with the Kingpin is a minor comic (as in comedic not as in book) gem.

But Bendis is interested in doing more than creating a more streamlined version of the story of Spider-Man. In the final issue of this collection he unveils a radical change in the whole secret identity part of the character's dynamic. It will be interesting to see how this plays out (especially since it kills one of the my all-time favorite scenes from the original "Amazing Spider-Man"), but I have to admit I appreciate the character's motivation for doing so. The Spider-Man story is enough of a soap opera without resorting to the more inane traditional elements of the genre. All in all, this is a first rate retelling of the tale, enjoyable both by those who are well versed in the character and those who come to this series in the wake of the blockbuster film.

The pencils of Mark Bagley and inks of Art Thibert create a unique artistic interpretation of Spider-Man (think Titian inked by Todd McFarlane) and Peter Parker (whose can match Mary Jane strand for strand for hair in the face). I am not sure if the credit goes to the writer or the artists, but bonus points for having the saved new and improved Electro from having to wear one of the worst costumes in the history of comic books.

This tpb shows peters mission to find his uncles killer leads him to the kingpin and his electric thug electro( who has atendencey to use food puns... smoke you like a salmon etc.)
But it shows peter joining the bugle to take pictures and work on computers. this is a must have for ultimate fans.

This book would have at least 4 stars if not for the negatives mentioned below. Regardless, the reader is truly exposed to Mark Twain's thoughts about his life as if he was on the porch with you talking about them. Particularly interesting were his recollections of his early childhood, his exposure to slavery and African Americans at that time, his lecture travels later in life, and difficulties with publishers. You also seem to catch fragments of stories that might/should have made it into his published works. (And his comments on all of the unpublished material that he destroyed! To be able to read that material now . . . .) Overall, a very enjoyable book that does well to capture a truly great American author.
There were some negatives -- The numerous times that Twain was apparently financially duped by publishers, relatives, and acquaintances was depressing, and much of the middle part of the book became a lament, in my opinion, because of that. But still, you get the perspective of a great author who was either genuinely financially naive or a lousy custodian of his money; or perhaps he 'stretched the truth' a little.
Also, at least in my copy, the pages were out of order in several places. (It was the equivalent to actually sitting on a porch with the great author, listening, but being occasionally interrupted by clouds of mosquitoes.) The out-of-order pages made it extremely annoying, and if you get a copy like that, send it back!

Treat yourself to the autobiography of a great man whose rich life held everything - humor, joy, sadness, passion and heartbreak. I love his highly evolved sense of social justice and his clear perception of the hypocrisies of his time (and indeed ours). The most touching aspect of this book is the way he opens up and gives us access to the most intimate and tender parts of himself. This is one of the best autobiograpies I've ever read and I've read it countless times. This book will touch your heart and make you laugh out loud.

The problem with putting together Twain's ramblings about himself is that in the original, they are scattered all over his life in no particular organization. The editors of this version have put them in roughly chronological order and taken out some of the more repetitious pieces--and it really works well when you sit down with this remarkable book and make your way through the life tale of the greatest of all tall tale men.

What also comes through clearly is the immense sadness and loneliness he felt at the end of his life. He is a man looking back on a lifetime of irreplaceable moments, some tragic, some unjust, many downright hilarious--and some unspeakably poignant, as when Twain mentions his pride to discover that his little daughter Susy, who died before him, had started writing his biography.

If you want to know more about the man who saw a river so wide it only had one bank, this is the place. More than almost any biography I can remember, this one made me smile, made me laugh loudly, and just as often filled my eyes with tears.

"I love to think of the great and godlike Clemens." -- Rudyard Kipling

From start to finish Breakout at Normandy is a solid account of the experiences of Combat Command B of the US 2nd Armoured Division during the COBRA offensive in July 1944, leading up to the cauldron for German SS armour at Roncey & St.Denis le Glast - a forshadowing of what was to come at Falaise.

Potential readers should be aware that whilst the actions of Maurice Rose`s Combat Command A are included, they are glossed over and quite frankly better handled in Martin Bluemson`s Breakout & Pursuit.

From a Combat Command B perspective, there are many personal accounts from both the Americans and Germans who slugged it out in the Normandy hedgerows and dozens of interesting b/w and colour photos which have not been published before to my knowledge.

However, the limited scope of the book, and the fact that it doesn`t include any strategic, operational or tactical maps means that it cannot be read in isolation to gain the full value of Mark Bando`s research.

Despite this handicap, General Bradley`s strategically important COBRA offensive launched at the end of July 1944, which busted open the German hold on the Normandy bridgehead has been neglected by military authors of late, so Breakout at Normandy is a welcome addition to anyone`s library.

The author covers a great story about a seldom noted battle in WWII. His research is first rate. I have 2 problems with the book. First, there are no maps at all! In setting up the story of how fate brought these 2 opposing armies together, the author gives detailed verbal accounts of the movements of each side. Without maps, it is difficult to envision these movements. His accounts mention small French cities and roads such as "D39, D610, and D238". I was lost as to where each side was, but enjoyed the first hand accounts of what happened when they met. Second, I would like to see a chart of each side. The book mentions parts of both armies, but it is hard to envision their place in their armies. A listing of the weapons each side used would have been helpfull too. Overall, I did enjoy this book. The research, photos and story are great. I hope the author revises his book to include maps, charts and weapon listings. If so, I would buy the second edition, even though I have read the first.

This book is the obvious product of detailed and exhaustive research covering a little known aspect of the long neglected breakout from Normandy by VII Corps in late July 1944, e.g. Operation COBRA. I must laud Bando for tackling a subject that few authors have dared to examine. The photographs alone are worth the price of the book, however, Mark Bando has also included first hand accounts (never before published) from both German and American veterans. Additionally, he has all but solved the mystery surrounding the death of the commander of the 2nd SS Panzer Division. Bando should be read in concert with James Jay Carafano's "After D-Day" as well as the official account by Martin Blumenson "Breakout and Pursuit". What is exceptionally valuable about Bando's work is that it puts a human face on the events described in Carafano and Blumenson.

I challenge anyone to look up the so-called quotes and references. This book misquotes constantly and twists information mercilessly. On the other hand, it is a terrific book if you are a child molester.

Exhaustively researched and persuasively argued, Victims of Memory is another good book in the growing, and needed, field of the debunking of the "recovered memory" movement. Early chapters about the history of the movement and the highlights of its watershed cases are excellent surveys, as are the histories of similar psychological fads such as multiple personality disorder diagnoses, child abuse ring accusations, and even Freudianism.

The book's heart, however, is in the chapters in which the author interviews recovered memory therapists, patients, people accused of abuse based on "recovered" memories, and those who have realized their accusations were false ("retractors"). These chapters are insightful, moving, and surprisingly even-handed.

As a summary of the recovered memory movement and its shortcomings, this book is excellent. It falls down when the author attempts to explain why this strange phenomenon is happening now. He gives us possible reasons from urban malaise through ecological concerns and selfishness to pre-millenial tension. This laundry list of societal factors, which he says proves we are a "society in upheaval," sounds like the same list Democrats use to explain why there are Republicans, Republicans use to explain why there are Democrats, cops use to explain why there are criminals, and old folks use to explain why things were better in their day.

Of course, the most important thing about the recent plague of "recovered" memories is that we understand they are likely false and scrutinize them carefully. Victims of Memory should be useful in raising awareness on the subject, as it is powerful in both its logic and its emotional tone. If it cannot also answer its question, "why now?", well, neither can anyone else.

This book was real help to get out of the Hell my family has been in since falsely accused of abuse. The irresponisible therapists have NO idea the pain they have caused.

The breakdown of the spells into various groups helps players check spells fast.

But beware, play balance of the spells are poorly done for nearly all spells cast by Elminster, Khelbun, Seven sisters and the major characters in FR.

The rest are alright execpt for some balantly munchkin ones (unidirectional wall of force??). Discretion required.

A good compilation of spells. I like the tables in the front of this (the first) book. I understand this is not meant to be a rule book, but some help on where to find rules on chronomancers would be nice, since there are a fair number of spells for them in here. Recommend getting 1st and 4th books before obtaining rest so that you get the tables and index.

This book has it all. It is a must have for any wizard. With the other 3 books you will have thousands of spells that are easy to find and understand.