Universal Remote is one of the best books that I have read. The book is full of layers, and deep with plot and subplot. Hartnett offers what seem to be distractions or sidebars in the form of "channels"--chapters for a tech era. I am almost hesitant to compare a new writer with these names, but if the author can turn out work as good as this consistently, he will be mentioned with Orwell, Vonnegut and the other great fiction writers of recent times.

Michael Hartnett has struck literary brilliance with Universal Remote. In a satirical manner of candor and wit, so uncommon in today's trite novels, Hartnett has defied modern principle and created a brilliant work. To second Ken Darr's review, this is a book which I recommened without reservation.

A New Voice in Post-Modern Suburbia Universal Remote by Michael Hartnett Reviewed by Ken Darr, York College

True to the digitized consumerized world presented in the novel, Michael Hartnett's Universal Remote has something for everybody. It is a postmodern journey through suburbia arresting the reader with its visions of misunderstood, misapplied and misinterpreted technology. Universal Remote is all at once a mystery, comedy, satire and personal manifesto in which the author deftly intertwines the elements of a technologically starved society which knows not what it craves for. The novel also achieves something rarely, if ever, found in postmodern literature: it is a page turner. Hartnett successfully blends the elements of his story into what becomes a satirized mosaic manifesto of suburban culture. No, this is not another novel which simply highlights false values, hollow lifestyles and empty existence ala suburban styling; rather, Universal Remote uses suburban Long Island as its setting to allow a larger loftier vision to seep through like the toxic waste responsible for killing the rather philosophical Satan, who has several cameos (mainly he shows up dead). During a series of sharp opening scenes that include a science teacher lopping off his pinkie at a lecture, reporter Russell Pines joins Prometheus Labs to write PR for the messiah of technological gadgetry, a Universal Remote that has the ability to allow the owner to control all his devices and equipment from wherever he is. While the idea has been done before, Hartnett's treatment and plot orbiting around the device make the novel a truly original work. From his exposure to the device, Russell Pines is finally inspired into writing a long desired column series on what his life would be like if he immersed himself for a year in the artificial and technological elements of our existence. That means Rus as "Technoman" must eat only unnatural foods, interact through machines, sleep only with women who have had plastic surgery, etc. In the midst, Pines unwittingly meanders into technological sabotage, in and out of his fragmented relationship with his son, becomes completely wired to everything from his car to his physical nourishment, chases the story of Satan's final days, is visited by his past, throws himself into one of the funniest and outrageously politically incorrect sex scenes written to date, and becomes a target/hunter for a counter technoculture terrorist who may or may not exist, Paddy Dangus. The world Hartnett creates and examines is skillfully satirized. Upon it completion, the novel remains on the mind of the reader and beckons for continuance and reexamination. It is Hartnett's first novel, a bold and successful attempt which creates another welcome original voice to postmodern literature.

I really like this book because I can always use it to refer to any stat I'm looking for. It is a complete package. Has Everythin From rookies, to stars to All time records!

This is a book that reports a large scale research study, both qualitative and quantitative on how Hispanic and Anglo media consumers differ in their habits and orientations. A very useful book for marketers and media specialists.

This is an excellent collection of high quality MR images of the brain, each accompanied by a brief clinical history, radiologist's findings, a discussion, and a list of suggested reading. The 100 topics cover a vast area of clinical neurology, from common disorders to the uncommon and the rare. The presentation in the form of a teaching file gives the reader the opportunity to study the cases in an interactive way. As a practicing neurologist, I found going through the pages of this book an enjoyable, and of course, a profitable experience. I have no doubt that all those interested in clinical neurology, from undergraduates and postgraduates to practicing clinicians will find this book an exciting way to learn MR imaging of the brain and sharpen their clinical acumen.

Another great book from my high school teacher Mr. Bradley. There are some very mysterious characters, a LOT of action for a little boy, and unpredictable plot twists. I loved the highly descriptive magical "shows"--they really gave me a clear picture of what was happening, so much that I could almost see it myself! Also keep in mind the e. e. cummings quote at the beginning while you read.

Being a recent nursing student I have to say I really liked this book. Mary C. Townsend did an excelllent job breaking down the material. It contains nursing diagnosis, chapter summaries,case studies and chapter reviews. It included every aspect of information that made paperwork, careplans, clinical prep-work and studying a bit easier. I would reccomend this book to any nursing student especially if this may be your future field.

I absolutely loved this book when I found it in my local library. At first I was interested because Michael Bradley is my high school English teacher, but this book totally blew me away. It's very witty and humorous, and he uses a lot of highly imaginative analogies and metaphors. It has fast-paced action and some twists and turns that make you laugh and cry with it. There's nothin' but good stuff. Anyone who reads it would be puzzled as to why he only wrote two such books.

Before I even finished this book I began using the "dispassionate" techniques Dr. Bradley recommends. The results have been dramatic. My 13 year-old and I have not had a screaming fight in a while (they were happening every other day) AND we have been communicating in a way I thought was lost forever. Dr. Bradley uses an upbeat and candid style to get across all that ails today's teens, from medical insight that supports the notion that our kids are crazy (his term, not mine), to an environment that inundates them with sex, drugs and rock and roll at a very early age. His case studies are enlightening, and sometimes terrifying, but a wonderful way to get his point across without bogging down the reader with too much psychobabble. I highly recommend this book not just for parents of teenagers-my relationship with my 10 year-old is already benefitting from my newly learned parenting skills-but for every parent who has, at one time or another, been frustrated while trying to communicate with his or her child.

Dr. Michael Bradley's book, "Yes, Your Teen is Crazy!" is an
inspiration and should be on every parent's night stand, indefinitely.

From the frightening statistics on teen suicide today to safety and privacy issues, you will finally understand what you're dealing with as a parent and what you can do to make the experience better for your teenager and your family.

Dr. Bradley's grasp of teen fears, trials and needs is a pleasant reminder to be kind to our teens in an otherwise punitive society. This book is a guiding light for parents trying to love sometimes unlovable kids while also providing security in the face of panic. He offers excellent guidelines to help conquer your fears while also helping your teen deal with their own tumultuous world.

Having read Teens in Turmoil, I would have clenched harder at every indiscretion my two teens commit, convinced that they are at risk. I was miserable and scared. but immediately when I began reading this book, my views were altered dramatically. I don't feel so nervous about all the typical-by-Dr.-Bradley's-view things my teens do. this helped me develop a perspective that allowed room for my kids to become and be who they will without me getting in the way, but with some practical measure of limits and growth applied.

it's a friendly and compassionate book both to the teen and the parent. Dr. Bradley is on the side of both teen and parent and makes me feel that I'm not doing so badly, and most important that I'm not alone. His own personal accounts are some of the most enlightening, and come with tension and suprize.

I was first offput by some cutesy language, but it is used unabashedly throughout, and so now I accept it as part of Dr. Bradley, the child psychologist with a little bit of a ham in him. the reading is very easy and grabs the reader right away, but the opening material is easy to take in, despite the fear it might instill (in what our society is doing to itself). past 1/2 way the material is more difficult, dealing with the guts of tough issues, so I have slowed down for the home stretch.

All in all, I would highly highly recommend this reading to any parent of a teen. Please read it and learn you are probably doing ok, if you are concerned enough to find the time to spend with this book.

Flags of Our Fathers is a grand book by James Bradley. It is about the small island of Iwo Jima is in the pacific region. It is a Japanese controlled airstrip close to the country of Japan. The Americans wanted to take control of this very small island because it is a prime place to re-fuel and land aircraft on, the island before they go to attack Japan. This book is about six men and the rest of the Marines and Navy that all go to the island to take control of it.

Those six men fought on that island and they raised the flag on top of Mount Suribachi. They started the famous image taken by Mr. Rosenthal.

This in my view is the greatest book in world. It is a very touching and emotional book. It was sad and really spoke to me. It is hard to believe that these men were just doing their duty.
I recommend this splendid book to anybody that wants to read a very touching book about the heros of Iwo Jima.

This book was the complete package! It gave a backround of each man on Iowa Gima that raised the flag. Then went into each mans way of getting to Mount Sirabachi. Then in the end of the book went into what each one did when they came back from the war. Couldn't put it down and have read it three times since I recieved it. You will not regret buying this book.

This is an awesome book. It had me glued from page one. If you don't read any other book this year, make sure that this is the one. I can only hope that a movie will follow for these amazing men and all of the other people that fought and died for our country. We owe them and this book is a fitting tribute to them. I only wish that this would have been written earlier. KUDO's to you.

This book is easily one of the best books I ever read. I especially recommend it to anyone who is interested in wars and the men who fight them. Bradley's personal and passionate account of arguably the toughest, bloodiest, and most highly decorated battle our nation ever fought is simply remarkable.

By the end of the book you will long remember and appreciate the sacrifice and significance of the U.S. Marines' WWII Battle of Iwo Jima and the lives and deaths of the six flag raisers (Harlon Block, John Bradley, Rene Gagnon, Ira Hayes, Franklin Sousley, and Mike Strank) forever immortalized in Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal's prize-winning photo atop Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945, and in the world's largest bronze statue, the United States Marine Corps War Memorial.

Shortly after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, an e-mail I will never forget arrived at my work computer. Attached to the e-mail was an image, actually two images side-by-side. No words were needed. On one side was the Rosenthal Iwo Jima flag-raising picture, and next to it was the New York City firemen flag-raising at "Ground Zero" picture. Reading this book helped me to fully understand the old adage, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

On Parris Island I was made to memorize the words of Admiral C.P. Nimitz in reference to the Marines on Iwo Jima...."Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue". Having served in the Marine Corps I have visited and stood in awe of the Iwo Jima memorial. Having worked in and around Johnstown Pennsylvania for four years, I drove past the boyhood home of Seargent Mike Strank at least twice a weak and heard his name in reference to the historic flag raising. Having read this book I will never see them or think of them the same way again.

James Bradley tells the tale of his father, Navy Corpsman John Bradley and the five Marines that helped him raise the flag during the battle for a slab of volcanic rock and sand during the island hopping campaign in the second World War. With integrity mixed with a flair for story telling, Bradley details the lives of these six men before, during, and after this historic event. He shows the ordinary men they were and the warriors they became.

What's more impressive is that he chronicles how America made them heroes and simultaneously how the surviving men in large avoided the spotlight. He shows the humility that exists in all great men. Bradley's in depth research brings the battle alive and even manages to stir emotion 55 years after the event.

The book is brilliantly written. Its historical value is only outmatched by the tales of humanity that accompany it. It passes along a moment of American pride to generations that had yet to been born. It enthralled me from the moment I picked it up and did what I once thought to be impossible. It made me even prouder to have served with The United States Marine Corps. Semper Fi.

As a baby-boomer, I'd certainly heard of Iwo Jima. I was familiar with the famous photograph of the flag-raisers on Mt. Suribachi. But I had no idea what the battle represented, why it was perhaps the most vicious fight of the entire war and had no clue as to the incredible selflessness of the Marines and Corpsmen who fought, killed and died on an obscure spot of volcanic ash in the Pacific.

Bradley was inspired to research and to write about his father, one of the pictured flag-raisers. The inspiration came, primarily, because of his Father's very reluctance to speak of what occurred on Iwo. The experiences were so painful, so vivid, that his father spoke but a few words to his son on the subject during his entire lifetime. Bradley responded to the mystery by researching the lives of all of the flag-raisers, speaking with their families and their comrades-in-arms.

The book is excellent because it relies heavily on graphic descriptions of the events by veterans. The island represented the first piece of territorial Japan to be invaded by the Americans and it was a veritable underground fortress. It was so heavily fortified that Bradley tells us the final Japanese defenders did not surrender until 1949 - and they emerged from the depths of the island well-fed and -clothed. The chaotic invasion, the deadly crossfires, the taking of Suribachi and the final sweep across the entire island are brilliantly described by Bradley and the veterans.

Iwo served as a air corridor gatekeeper on the way to Tokyo. The book tells us of the casualty projections that Allied planners arrived at as they drew up the tactics for conquering Japan. Countless millions of lives on both sides were saved by the A-bombs as Japan had steadfastly refused to surrender and had promised terrible, Iwo-like battles at every turn.

In describing the awful nature of battle and the lives of those who fought it, Bradley has performed a service for all of us. It is an outstanding tribute to all veterans and especially his father.