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Book reviews for "Beifuss,_John,_Jr." sorted by average review score:

Darkwerks: The Art of Brom
Published in Paperback by Friedlander Pub Group (November, 1998)
Authors: Brom and John Zaphyr
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If we could put more 5 stars I put them and more if I could
SUPERBE! never we could see some of brom art in a book! Here we can see more 150 drawings (and there are more I know). It's dark, and there is a lot of imagination. Brom is a great artist. If you like his style, don't hesitate to buy this book!

THE BRILLIANTLY EXECUTED ILLUSTRATION OF A DARK IMAGINATION
I first saw this book some years ago, but stupidly failed to buy a copy before it went out of print. I was greatly releived to see that it`s available again and have remedied my error. The art of Gerald Brom is brilliantly executed and the print quality of this book is well up to Paper Tigers usual standards. Be warned however Darkwerks is a good title for this book and anybody looking for chocolate box art should look elsewhere. If you are willing to take a walk on the dark side however this is as good as it gets.
I have made sure I didn't repeat my mistake of years gone by, as soon as the follow up volume "Offerings" hit the shelf I grabbed a copy, not as immediate as Darkwerks, Broms style has matured and his images remain as hauntingly dark as ever. It is as you would expect excellent.

The Experience of Brom
Brom is the most amazing artist in the Fantasy genre. This book is a great buy if you love Fantasy art and you want to see a true master. Forget Frazetta, forget Vallejo, Brom is the one. This book portrays Brom's art to it's fullest. Beautiful, full color prints adorn every page, showing off Brom's masterful talent and attention to detail. Don't miss out on this one or it's sequal 'Offerings'.


Death from Child Abuse... and No One Heard
Published in Paperback by Currier Davis Publishing (01 June, 1986)
Authors: Eve Krupinski, Dana Weikel, and John G. Cronin
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This book really touched me...and I'm only a child myself!
I first read this book in the sixth grade and haven't been able to find it in any library since. However, it has made me more aware of child abuse in America and how horrible it really is. I cannot believe that some judges will overlook this sort of thing while I as a young child was able to see how gruesome it is. Even now I am only 14 and outraged that this is being overlooked in our country. I think every teenager should read this book. It makes us,who especially at this age are self-centered appreciate what we have.

A mark in my heart forever
I read this book when I was in middle school and I am now 27 years old and have never forgotten this horrible story of a girl who could have been me. Ursula was close to my age and I even went to school with a girl who brought a picture of her to school since their mothers were friends. I was so saddened by this that is has made a mark in my heart forever. I feel that I have become a better parent and moreso aware of my surroundings with child abuse and how to deal with it. I believe her mother is a sorry excuse for a mother and should have fried for allowing this.....but God will deal with her in the end

Death from Child Abuse and No One Heard
I first read this book when I was in the sixth grade. I am now 27 years old and have been searching for this book ever since. I could not remember the title or author but was able to find it ... . Thank you ... . This book touched my heart so much. People often asked why would you want to read a book so horrible - it is not the content but how the book made you feel. It is an amazing book and it will surely make you weep. I am very happy I was able to find it after all this time.


Jeet Kune Do: Bruce Lee's Commentaries on the Martial Way (The Brue Lee Library, Vol 3)
Published in Paperback by Charles E Tuttle Co (November, 1997)
Authors: Bruce Lee and John Little
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An wonderful commentary on martial arts
This is a wonderful book. It compiles Bruce Lee's thoughts and ideas related to Jeet Kune Do and martial arts in general and even a few thoughts on life, too. His explanation of the tools and tactics used in fighting open up a whole new level of the martial arts, even for beginners. This is a GREAT book. While it may be a tad disjointed at times, that only seems to add to the greatness of it. Some of it is like a puzzle you must figure out, so even after you've finished reading it, you find yourself actively STUDYING it. A wonderful book.

Return of the Dragon
Commentaries of Bruce Lee is one of the most comprehensive collections of quotes, diagrams, and theories on the market today. Integration of Jeet Kune Do in Movies adds an element of excitement, to the book. I found the book very well organized. The five elements of Jeet Kune Do were describe in comprehesive detail. Narrative was easy to read supported by a series of thoughts, techniques, and insights that kept my attention for hours. One of the best Martial Art Books, I've read this year.

Bruce Lee's ultimate definition of Jeet Kune Do
This book exposes Jeet Kune Do on all levels. Bruce Lee explains in depth the philosophy as well as the offensive/deffensive positions of JKD. There are also many visuals giving the reader a clear view of what Lee is explaining. I've gone through this book numerous times, and I still have not found it to lack anything. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking into JKD.


John Shaw's Closeups in Nature
Published in Hardcover by Amphoto (September, 1987)
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The best book on close-up photography. All practical methods
I have attended workshops taught by John Shaw, sitting on the side of a flower covered mountain, listening to John discuss macro technique. This book caries all of the character and clarity of being there listening to him in person. John Shaw's work is undoubtedly some of the best nature closeup work around and this book gives you all his tricks. The photographs in the book are excellent technically and provide wonderfull examples for the techniques explained in the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a complete overview of different macro techniques and/or detailed instruction on any of these techniques. He gives you all the options for macro technique without spending major dollars on unneeded equipment.

images of natures tiny subjects
If you're interested in nature photography and especially macro work, get this book before you spend a ton of money on confusing and/or expensive equipment (ie macro lenses, diopter sets, extension tubes, lens reversal rings etc.) John is easy to read and covers about everything you need to know about how to capture natures tiny subjects on film. Although the book is a bit old, basic photo techniques don't change and his love of photography is contagious. Buy this book and you'll be out in your yard within hours, camera in hand. He is a firm believer in the old saying "necessity is the mother of invention". From calibrating your light meter, using the palm of your hand to estimate midtone exposure, making homemade flash brackets or reflectors from coolwhip containers and tin foil, he covers it all. He reviews the basics of exposure, flash, different film pros and cons and explains all the basic macro equipment so you know what lenses and equipment will and won't do for you.

Excellent Book, Well Written, Awesome Photographs
John Shaw's were the first books I read on photography, after the Canon camera manual, and his books are the absolute best you can find.
The photographs are brilliant, no doubt. But what makes this book special is that almost each photograph is explained. You not only get to see great photographs, but also get an insight into what went into the composition of the photograph itself. Small things like using a tripod, not relying too much on filters, and the use of macros rounds off this excellent book.
This book, John Shaw's Landscape Photography, and 'Nature Photographer's Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques' make it a must-have for any budding as well as experienced photographer.
If you have read some of his other books (like the ones I mention above) you may find some concepts being repeated, but they are so essential to good photography that they are well worth being read and re-read.
Go ahead, beg, borrow, or buy this book. (No, do not steal :)


No Mercy
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Pocket Books (May, 1999)
Author: John Walsh
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No Mercy:The Host of America's Most Wanted Hunts....
I felt that John Walsh was supberb when co-writing this book. I bought this book in order to get some/more information how the criminal mind works so that I can learn to recognize the evil creatures. I am learning from this book that you cannot recognize him/her. They often hide behind a mask.

I am a child advocate and can only admire Mr. Walsh for taking his rage and having the courage to use his unfortunate and traumatic experience to catch scum-bags. His book is easy to read (I can't put the book down once I pick it up). He makes me understand from the beginning to the end how much hard work goes in to finding these rotten-evil-dirt bags.

Thank you John Walsh for your endurance in helping us find our children and putting many of these animals where they belong (out of society). My emotions, tears, and heart goes out to these people who have suffered.

Buy this book you will not regret it!!!!!!!!

Chilling But Empowering
I started reading No Mercy as soon as it arrived from Amazon.com, and I found that I couldn't put it down.

John Walsh, whose own son was abducted and murdered in the early 1980s, has turned his anger into a powerful force for good. He and co-author Philip Lerman are the inspiration behind America's Most Wanted, the Fox television show that has helped capture over five hundred dangerous criminals.

No Mercy tells several of the most famous stories from America's Most Wanted, all of which are emotionally wrenching. The most intriguing is "The Strange Case of the Green Parrot," an incredibly improbable set of circumstances that sound like a Hollywood script. I'm not going to give away the ending, but I will say that this tale alone is worth the price of admission.

The stories in this book are chilling, and they may give you nightmares. It's difficult to believe that we share the same planet with monsters who can do the things that Walsh and Lerner describe. But at the same time, the authors show that caring people can and should and do fight back.

I confess that I have never watched America's Most Wanted--I prefer books over television. But I may begin to watch the program after reading this book, out of a sense of responsibility if nothing else. Walsh's efforts have probably already spared countless hundreds of people from the pain that he himself had to endure. The more people who watch his show or read this book, the more criminals will be caught before they can hurt or kill again.

The book includes information about children who are still missing, as well as about several fugitives who are still at large--perhaps some reader will send in the tip that brings these cases to a close. The one omission that surprised me was this: as far as I could tell, the book did not give a web site for America's Most Wanted. (I looked it up, and it can be found at amw.com or americasmostwanted.com). It semes to me that the Net is the ideal place to post bulletins and updates between airings of the show, and it would have been useful to put this bit of information in the book or on the jacket.

One of the best books you will ever read........
John Walsh is truly a hero for our time. I read his book about the abduction of his son Adam and besides crying from start to finish, I could not put it down. In "No Mercy" he comes out fighting and for all of our sakes he continues to do so. This book will haunt you especially the first story. I was so shaken by it that I could not get it out of my mind for days. One cannot believe the kind of sick people that are walking around but lucky for us, John Walsh is right there behind them putting them where they belong -Jail!


Cooking for Madam: Recipes and Reminiscences from the Home of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Published in Hardcover by Scribner (October, 1998)
Authors: Marta Sgubin, Nancy Nicholas, John F., Jr. Kennedy, and Nancy Nichols
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This is more than just a cookbook!
Delightful book with delicious recipes. The Summer Pasta Salad and the Brownie recipes are out of this world! This book not only contains delicious recipes, but it also allows the reader into the lives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis and her children, letting you see a side of them through the photograhps in this book, that has rarely been seen in the past. It is a reminder that the members of this close family are ordinary people, rich in their tradtions. A very enjoyable book and great to give as gifts to other cooks in your life.

A highly interesting cookbook/family album
The author has compiled recipes suited to particular occasions--summer gatherings, small dinner parties, birthdays, etc.--and documented their preparation thoroughly. Interspersed throughout the book are the type of family photos that we all have of our own families gathering for birthdays, holiday dinners, and the like. In addition to being a marvelous collection of elegant (but simple to prepare) recipes, it is also a respectful look at one of this country's more interesting families.

A Great Book
I loved this book! In addition to providing delicious recipes, the author recounts family stories which pay tribute to the Jackie branch of the Kennedy family. Marta's recollections read like an episode of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," yet throughout, the family always seems warm and down to earth. Also included are many family photos of John, Jr.


3D Studio MAX 3(r) Media Animation
Published in Textbook Binding by New Riders Publishing (July, 1999)
Authors: John P. Chismar and John Chismar
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Real Inspiration
I've read several MAX books before, but few of them compared with the content found here. Although creating port side fly bye's of space ships is a lot of fun and a great way to impress your friends, Mr. Chismar has finally delivered a MAX reference for what most of us will actulaly be using 3D Studio Max for. The quality of writing is excellent, and I can't speak highly enough about the content. Media graphics are an area of 3d Design that most of us think we know hot to do, but this book inspired and reminded me of what being a 3D artist is all about. Getting a job (and paid)for doing something you love. I'm looking forward to seeing Mr. Chismar release more material of this type.

Outstanding piece of work!
The book I am currently using is 3D Studio MAX 3 Media Animation and it is fabulous!! I believe John P. Chismar did a wonderful job with this work and I hope to see more of his writings in the future. This book is so thorough in explaining each step as well as gaining a greater overall understanding of the concepts surrounding 3D Studio MAX. Many books and tutorials give step by step instructions as to how to perform a function within 3D Studio MAX, but end there. Mr. Chismar does a great job in presenting the basic steps but also goes beyond that and gives the overall concepts behind those steps. Hats off to Mr. Chismar for a job well done!!

Absolutely astouding! The most useful Max book yet!
I've always wanted a book that wasn't just a rehash of the manuals with tips and tricks here and there interspersed -- and I found it!

This is a wonderful book that assumes you know the basics, and takes you step by step through real-world examples. Not, hey, load this file that we made, and then go from there, but you start the projects with File->Reset! I love that!

I wish more books were in as in depth and useful as this one, and I'll definitely be looking forward to any other books you write!


North and South
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Dell Publishing Company (February, 1983)
Author: John Jakes
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Excellent!
Jakes combines romance and history in this tale of two families, one Northern and one Southern, tied by friendship but almost torn apart by the turmoil the US experiences prior to the Civil War. I admire Jakes for beginning this book in the 1840s and tackling the pre-war era that is so important for fully understanding the war. So many historical fiction writers begin their works just as the war begins and the background is not properly set. Jakes' charcters, especially those of Orry, George, Charles, Madeline, Ashton, Brett and Billy are well drawn and capture the reader's sympathies. The television mini-series didn't do this book justice; it is an excellent read.

The Greatest Series on the civil war
North and South is an excellent book that grabs the reader from the opening page and sends him/her into the 19th century america. When I read the book I can feel the pain of the characters. I can better understand history while being entertained. John Jakes is by far the best historical author I have read.

Five star reading
North and South is the story of the Hazard and Main families. George Hazard and Orry Main meet on the way to West Point. The two form a strong bond and become lifelong friends. In fact, the families become quite close. The bond and friendship of the families are tested by the events of the world and by family members. North and South tells us the events leading up to the Civil War and the impact they have on the two families.

This book is very well written. Mr. Jakes conveys many emotions during the 800+ pages. There is humor, sorrow, pity, anger, confusion, and love just to name a few. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the families and all they went through. Reading this book I think I got a great understanding of what the country must have been like during this time. There is a lot of detail put into the story. It makes it very interesting to read.

North and South is a book definitely worth reading. It will put you on the edge of your seat and keep you turning the pages to find out what will happen next. It doesn't matter if you're a history fanatic or not, this book is excellent. Definitely worth the time reading it.


Dom Casmurro (Library of Latin America)
Published in Paperback by Oxford University Press (September, 1998)
Authors: Joaquim M. Machado de Assis and John A. Gledson
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Dom Casmurro: an insight on human relationships and fears
Machado de Assis was, undoubtly, one of the best writers in brazilian literature. He mastered, as few others did, the portuguese language and, trhough his books, he depicted the brazilian society on the 19th century. Dom Casmurro is one of his finest romances, and shows, with an extreme sensitivity the insights of human relationships, the fears we all have, the suspicions all are most likely to have, and the unconditional love of the character for Capitu, whose eyes, one who reads the book won't ever forget

A Brazilian classic
I can say without a shadow of doubt that this is my favourite book. It was the first book of Machado de Assis that I read and which made me follow in love with his work.
It is a story about an old man who "try to attached both extremes of his life" on the own words of this character, Bentinho who explains his nickname, Dom Casmurro, on the first pages of the book. He tells the reader about his youth, his studies and mainly about his first and only love: Capitu.
However, if you are expecting another novel talking about love, reading the book will surprise you. It is not only about love, it is about insecurity and doubts. Better, this novel is about the human soul, its worst and best sides.
I would say that the talent Machado de Assis takes the reader into an investigation. But it is not an usual one. It is necessary to enter into Bentinho's mind looking for clues that could absolve him or his beloved, Capitu. The reader is overwhelmed by the doubts that disturbs Bentinho and which made him took drastic actions.
The most fantastic element in this book is that reading it over and over never guarantees the certainty about what it is right and what is wrong. If we suppose that there is some truth to be found. It is a game between the character and the reader!

A universal literature masterpiece
Machado de Assis is perhaps the greatest Portuguese language romancist, and certainly the most important Brazilian author. This book is his best work. In a very short manner, it could be desribed as a "Brazilian Ottello", but it mustn't be be considered as a version of the Shakespeare classic, but a unique story, very reach in itself. Machado has an amazing ability to make the reader feel like his characters, and involves us in a tram where the complete uncertainty and blind jealousy is thrilling, and rises our deepest passionate feelings, for or against the main character. This book is a definitely a must read for everyone who enjoys good literature.


The Grand Sophy
Published in Audio Cassette by Isis Audio (December, 1999)
Authors: Georgette Heyer and John Westbrook
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Average review score:

if only there were more novels like this out there...
The very first romance novel I ever read (and I'm not including Jane Austen in this category) was "Black Sheep" by Georgette Heyer. I enjoyed the book so much that I immediately began haunting used book stores, hunting for as many of her novels as I could get at a time. That was more than two decades ago, and Georgette Heyer has remained a firm favourite ever since (in spite of her rather dated opinions about the merchant middle class, etc). "The Grand Sophy" ranks up there with other of my all time favourite Heyer novels (the ones that I rate about 10 stars) like "Sylvester," "Sprig Muslin," "The Foundling" & "These Old Shades," -- they're all excellent reads that every Regency-era romance novel addict should read at least once!

Other reviewers have done excellent jobs in giving plot synopsis, so I'll leave off doing the same except to note that the novel deals with the humourous and outrageous efforts of a visiting cousin, Sophy Stanton-Lacy, to sort out the myriad of problems that all those around her have (mainly her Rivenhall cousins like Herbert and Cecilia) become entangled in. What makes this novel 'work' is not only the clever plotting and the numerous escapades that Heyer has Sophy pull, but also the brilliant manner in which Heyer draws her characters. In Sophy Stanton-Lacy, for example, Heyer has created a young heroine who while incredibly managing, bossy, independent and very determined, and yet who is so utterly charming that you cannot help but root for her to come out on top -- this in spite of the fact that your sympathies may lie elsewhere. And I did have sympathies elsewhere! The first time I read the book, I felt quite sympathetic towards stuffy cousin Charles. Here was a young man, the only sensible person in a rather flighty family, who had had to contend with some crisis or another for goodness knows how long, all he gets for his efforts is abuse from his family! Yes, he is stuffy and easily angered, but his family was enough to give even me the megrims (and all I was doing was reading about them!)

"The Grand Sophy" is a riot of a read. Heyer sketches Sophy's escapades in such a humourous and entertaining manner that we cannot help but be charmed. Cleverly plotted, possessing elegant prose and characters that are just so alive and real "The Grand Sophy" proved to be the kind of book I wish I could find and read everyday.

By all that's wonderful, it's the Grand Sophy!
This was my first introduction to the world of Georgette Heyer and what an introduction it was. I still laugh to this day at Sophy's delightful unconventionality and at the way her poor bewildered cousins learn to deal with her. A wonderful, wonderful book with great period detail and a light-hearted touch that makes it refreshing and non-sentimental at the same time. Read it. I'll not spoil the enchantment for you but beware...Sophy (and in consequence Heyer herself) is very addictive. You might just find yourself craving more.

Georgette Heyer does it again!
I grew up on Georgette Heyer romances and I am so sorry to find that so many of them are out of print. My mother, sister and I have literally read two copies of "The Grand Sophy" to pieces!

She's a positive role model that transcends 19th century England and contradicts the waifish pseudo-sex goddesses of the 90's. I wish more young women would read this marvelous book and not feel so ashamed of who they are or what they look like!


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