Part of the writing process can be controlled and part cannot: writing feeds on enough time and good work habits. THE PSYCHOLOGY STUDENT WRITER'S MANUAL describes writing as a creative process in need of planning: finding an argument that will keep a discussion going all the way to more than one possible conclusion; fitting in source materials from the Internet and the library; fixing the usual grammar and style mistakes; and following APA style format and source citation. Jill M. Scott et al not only cover psychological correlation, description and experimentation paper writing but also handle genograms, which they clearly explain and illustrate, and professional ethics. The book helps writers in all fields and is every bit as well organized and written as Christopher Thaiss and James F. Sanford's WRITING FOR PSYCHOLOGY.

This book gives a logical and neutral assesment of all the fundamental and popular beliefs and philosophies of the major religions of the world. It is a must read for those who attempt to establish or advocate relativity in world religions, or simply those who wish to learn more about the plurality of the religious world! Easy to read, fun to follow and hard to forget.

The Sociology Student Writer's Manual is an excellent resource. Every student, major and minor, in the discipline will benefit from a close study of each chapter. Following the instructions will make citations and referencing a cinch! All the tips and clues necessary to provide your instructor with perfect copy, both in content and in form, are included. There is even a chapter on the www. This offering is both a writer's manual and a model for doing research, with examples in all areas of the sociological endeavor. IT IS WELL WORTH THE INVESTMENT!

SPADA is a journal that contains some of most current ideas on historical swordsmanship by a number of the field's leading researchers. As a student of historical swordsmanship myself, I think it is an excellent step in the right direction for the progression of this school of study.

As far as the contents of the book are concerned, my hat goes off to the editor, Stephen Hand, for distilling such a diverse, and yet interesting range of papers from the vast array of excellent treatises available.

The book also features some interesting reports on some of the most recent activities undertaken in the WMA community. This provides the reader with a very good 'big picture' perspective into what advances are being made in what fields, and an appreciation for the vast range of people who are now interested in historical swordsmanship.

With regards to it's practicality, the book caters for many different tastes - whether you are interested in the finesse of renaissance fencing, or simply a medieval re-enactor using the trusty 'sword and shield' method. SPADA provides useful insights and a greater understanding of historical methods of fighting.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in gaining a greater appreciation of historical swordsmanship, and anyone who is curious to know what the swordmanship community out there is doing. I rate it as a 'must have' item, and I look forward to more SPADA releases in the future.

cheers

Matt Partridge
Secretary
Order of the White Stag

Stephen K. Hayes's SPIRIT OF THE SHADOW WARRIOR is an unusual sort of book. First published in 1980, Hayes's volume has undergone twenty-six printings(!) as of 2001, but still retains the feel of a very specific era in American culture: the Ninja Era. During the Ninja Era, which endured through a large chunk of the 1980s, the national obsession with everything ninja knew practically no bounds. There were ninja movies, ninja games, ninja in comics, ninja weapons and, of course, ninja books. SPIRIT OF THE SHADOW WARRIOR is the first of five "how to" volumes by Hayes that exploded onto the eager stage of the Ninja Era.

SPIRIT OF THE SHADOW WARRIOR is unusual in that it's not a book specifically about anything. A quick flip-through reveals the step-by-step photo panels of combat that typify many books on martial arts, but that's only part of the total package. Other chapters in the book include history, philosophical discussion, meditation techniques, and even a series of exercises meant to expand an individual's awareness of what can only be described as ESP. This is a lot of ground to cover, perhaps too much. Weighing in at a slender 143 pages, Hayes's ninja volume scarcely has time to dwell on anything in depth, giving a reader the sense of rapid skimming even during a careful read. While this keeps a reader from growing bored (there's hardly time), it also leaves a vague sense of dissatisfaction when the last page has turned. There doesn't seem to be enough meat on this bone.

This is not to suggest that SPIRIT OF THE SHADOW WARRIOR is not worth a read. Author Hayes is, according to his bio, the first non-Japanese to be awarded the highest honor in the "Togakure Ryu ninjutsu tradition." He parlayed this achievement into a number of books beyond this series and enjoyed some measure of popularity during the Ninja Era, but faded into relative obscurity shortly thereafter. His writing style in SPIRIT OF THE SHADOW WARRIOR is quiet and deeply metaphorical. Bits of his poetry appear scattered throughout the book's pages. For those expecting a muscular, testosterone-heavy exploration of action-movie ninja, Hayes's book will be a genuine surprise. Even those with no interest in shuriken-tossing, sword-swinging ninja can find lots of useful material in the philosophy and meditation chapters, the ones that veer so far away from the stereotypical ninja material of the Ninja Era as to be almost unrecognizable.

The text isn't the only thing that sometimes seems out of place. Hayes appears throughout the book in black-and-white photographs, a bearded guru in black garments. Like his soft-toned, almost contemplative writing style, he seems too darned nice to be mixing it up with edged weapons, or creeping around on rooftops on assassination missions. But it's this peculiarity in the book that eventually makes it worthwhile. While SPIRIT OF THE SHADOW WARRIOR would not even exist were it not for the Ninja Era, its refusal to fit neatly into the mold of popular culture lends Hayes's writing relevance it might not otherwise have had.

It's somewhat pricey for a relatively thin paperback, but this Hayes book contains very useful knowledge about ninjutsu. If you own Hayes's other (earlier) titles, you may think this is simply "rehash"; but it's really not. "Ninja, Volume 1" contains basic kamae (postures), information about the manifestation of the elements in combat (techniques included), meditation exercises, and a "self-help" section about understanding the self. As always, Hayes's wisdom is only surpassed by his instructor's (Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi). It's a worthy investment if you are willing to spend the money!

Warriorways of Enlightenment written by a western that has a true understanding of Ninjutsu. A student of Grandmaster Hatsumi, Mr. hayes gives us an intriduction and lessons that start us on our way of understanding the Togakure Ryu ninjutsu traditions. Book is filled with excellent photos.

This was my first ever Stephen White book, and it will not be my last. White is a talented writer who intricately weaves psychology, suspense and a richly plotted story into one cannot put down book.

This story revolves around two high school aged kids plotting revenge on the justice system that has let them down. Alan Gregory, the psychologist and narrator, is brought in with the PD to help solve the murder mystery of the town's DA. His wife, just off maternity leave and also working for the DA, also gets involved in the investigation because the DA was her boss, and the prime suspect is a police chief in the town (Boulder.) There is so much more to it, but other reviewers also detail the story so I will not do so.

Suffice it to say that if you want an edge of your seat, psychological thriller this book is a great choice. It weaves in issues that are prevalent in today's society in an intelligent, not overly preachy and interesting way. This book raises interesting moral questions throughout -- that will spark some intellectual thinking about how our society operates when it comes to justice, crime and punishment. Do punishments fit the crimes? Is society too reactional and not proactive enough?

For a thought provoking book you will not be able to put down -- this is a sure fire hit...

It would be easy to mistake Stephen White's Alan Gregory series for Jonathan Kellerman's older and more established Alex Delaware books. Both involve pyschologists, both are told primarily in the first person, both have murder mysteries and both main characters have gruff police "sidekicks." The differences, however, are more important: while the Delaware books are declining in quality (for reasons best discussed in a review of Kellerman's books), the Gregory books remain consistently good.

In this story, the district attorney of Boulder is murdered and the prime suspect is Gregory's cop-friend's partner, Lucy. Gregory's wife Lauren, usually a prosecutor, extends her maternity leave to help defend Lucy. Meanwhile, Gregory gets a new patient whose son may or may not be involved with the murder, and also may or may not be planning additional killings.

There are suitable twists and turns in the story, but what makes this book (and the series) exciting is that no character outside the narrator is truly safe. White has no qualms about killing previously established characters. With a job that puts her often in danger and with an erratic but debilitating disease, even Gregory's wife is not safe from danger.

If you are a fan of the Kellerman books (which tend to be better sellers), than you should enjoy these books as well. But these books are also good enough for any mystery fan to enjoy.

Stephen White has written a thriller that you just can't put down. I throughly enjoyed this book. Alan Gregory, the psychologist, has a dilemma in the ethical patient/doctor confidentiality when Noami Bigg relates some information that could result in the loss of lives, one of which could be his own wife, Lauren. The twists and turns as he tries to make a decision as to what he should do will keep you reading to the last page.

I will defintely get more of Stephen White's books to read after this one.

Great reference for all aspects of this subject. Use it every week. Highly recommended for novice-expert.

Its even better than the previous edition. Check my comment in the previous edition's review. Good work Roger Jennings and Group.

Along with Robert Cowart & Kenneth Greg's book on the WindowsNT Bible which is for beginners, this book by Roger Jennings is the BEST that is available for NT.

This is the first book I've read out of the Alan Gregory series and I fell in love with it. I have read many many books but not too many mystery/suspense books. After reading this book I plan on reading the rest of his series plus other mystery books. I read this whole book in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down. Like other reviews READ THE BOOKS IN ORDER. I have now read 2 other books out of this series and reading the series in order will be most enjoyable! READ THIS BOOK. It will blow your mind.

It's impossible to begin this novel and not devour its entirety in one sitting. It's THAT good. White's hero, psychologist Alan Gregory is beseeched by his urologist friend and colleage, Adrienne, to begin treatment with a recently-admitted 15 year old who attempted suicide. Soon, it becomes clear that the victim is embroiled in the recent murder of a universally-despised physician who chaired a regional health care company. Did she do it? If so, why? It's not the resaon you'll think upon the introduction.

Fast-paced and sparkling with interesting characters and dialogue, this is a thriller not to be missed. So many plot twists, you'll be boggled how they all interconnect, but rest assured White weaves them seemlessly.

Stephen White's novel "Critical Conditions" is a fast paced, quick read attention grabber from the begining. The plot takes a quick start and keeps you interesetd the enitre book. If you like medical mysterys with a twist, you will love this book.

So let me guess. You just found out that White wrote a new book, and you can't wait to buy it to read the latest adventures of our hero, Dr. Alan Gregory, right? But you read the synopsis, and discovered that Alan isn't the main character, so you're a tad disappointed. After all, Alan and Lauren are who makes these books so interesting! How could White dump his main character now!? Not to worry - this book will knock your socks off! Kirsten Lord is the main character, and she finds herself in a heap of trouble. A former D.A. from New Orleans, she is in hiding, because one of the cons she put away for life is exacting revenge on her and her family. The con promised in open court to take away two important things from her. The first was her husband, and she fears the second will be her nine year old daughter. Kirsten assumes new identities and travels across the country trying to hide from the people who are out to get her. Soon she realizes it isn't just the guy she put in jail who is after her - there is another group hunting her down as well. She ends up in Boulder in the Witness Protection Program, but she can't even trust the Program, because it seems they are out to get her also! Kirsten enlists the aid of Dr. Alan Gregory and his wife Lauren to help her survive, in what becomes a race against time to save both her life and the lives of others. Kirsten teams up with an unlikely partner, a mafia enforcer named Carl who watches after Kirsten and her daughter. This is a fast paced thriller that you will have trouble putting down. The characters are so likable that you will bond with them almost immediately. And while Dr. Gregory and a very pregnant Lauren do take second chair in this book, they are by no means missing completely. I promise that if you are a Stephen White follower, you will not be able to put this book down.

I like Stephen White's books (and have read them all) for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that he's not afraid to shift the focus away from psychologist Alan Gregory and his now-wife, prosecutor Lauren Crowder. To compare him to Jonathan Kellerman (as Doubleday does on the flap copy-something Doubleday just loves to do, as if comparison is a huge selling point rather than a risk of turning readers away) is to do White a great disservice. White never, as Kellerman always does, inflicts himself on the material. (One can almost hear Kellerman exclaiming from the pages, "Aren't I clever?" Well, no, actually.) Aside from brief mentions now and then of discredited syndromes (like repressed/recovered memories) he doesn't actually travel down the potentially hazardous road of bad therapy. Instead, he allows the characters to remain in character. And fine characters they are, too! In The Program, not only is the story original and clever, but also he's created in retired hitman, witness-protected, Carl Luppo, one of the most original and well-conceived people I've read about recently.

What I also like about White is his plotting skill. Each book seems to get just that much tighter, that much leaner, that much more labyrinthine. And the different "voices" in this book have genuine authenticity, particularly the exchanges between what, for want of a better term might be called, the "contract arranger" and his sundry hitmen/women. No overly technical whiz-bang stuff, just meat-and-potatoes serious business.

Kirsten Lord's (the prosecutor in witness protection) whale motif is a tad peculiar, but since the woman never for a moment goes out of character, who's to say it isn't valid? Certainly her concern for her daughter, and her grief over the murder of her husband, ring very true. Maybe people start thinking about whales when they're threatened with the loss of everything they value.

Finally, any writer who can endow two dogs with such character that the readers can actually see them, is a writer to be reckoned with. I highly recommend all White's books. They're never less than very good. The man really does get better and better and, in large part, I think it's as a result of his willingness sometimes to let his two central characters play secondary roles.

Assistant DA Kirsten Lord is on the run along with her eight year old daughter. After Ernesto Castro,s drug dealing conviction, he threatens her saying, "For everything I lose, you will lose twice." When Kirsten's husband is shot down by a professional hit man in front of her, she and Amy change their names and leave town thinking they can relocate with the support of friends in her state but without any real protection. When Amy is nearly kidnapped, she asks for help from the Federal Witness Security Program (WITSEC)

The story line continues to develop as the reader learns that Kirsten has been a vocal and successful critic of the program and there are many federal agents who do not think she deserves their protection whatever the danger to her and her child. As she joins the program and is relocated to Boulder, Colorado, she requests the help of a psychologist to help her deal with all the trauma that she is dealing with. The psychologist is Dr. Alan Gregory, and old friend from Stephen White's previous books.

Dr. Gregory is also treating a second member of the WITSEC program...a mob hit man named Carl Luppo. Carl and Kirsten meet as the suspense grows and Kirsten realizes that she knows someone wants to kill her, but that she cannot determine by herself if it is Ernesto Castro, someone within the WITSEC program, or a third party from an old case that she had prosecuted. The book is worth reading to find out who all the characters are and whether or not they are the bad guys with the intent to kill.

Incidentally Dr. Gregory's wife, Laura, an Assistant DA herself, gets involved with helping solve the mystery even though she is nearly ready to have the baby that she and Alan were waiting for in an earlier book. The old neighbor Adreinne is still next door as well even though she plays only a very minor role. The book is a page turner worth reading and Stephen White is an author I will look for again.

When I picked up Stephen White's latest book, Warning Signs, I didn't relaize there was a whole series featuring Alan Gregory. So I wanted to start at the beginning. I have to say I found the first Alan Gregory novel a disappointment. It took me forever to get hooked on reading Privileged Information. I was very disappointed in this book, and almost quit reading it a couple of times. Fortunately I also picked up Higher Authority and read it in two sittings. Luckily Stephen White recaptured my interest.

This is Stephen White's first Alan Gregory novel but for me, it was not the first one I read. I suppose you could say that unfortunately for me, it came after having read REMOTE CONTROL, HIGHER AUTHORITY AND PRIVATE PRACTICES. As I write this I am working on HARM's WAY. Let me just say that I have enjoyed all of these books and my main regret is that I did not read them in the order in which Mr. White wrote them. I think that if I had, I would have enjoyed them more.

Reading Privileged Information so out of sequence was somewhat unnerving because I already knew so much about Alan Gregory, Lauren Crowder and Sam Purdy so I did not get to enjoy meeting them for the first time in this book. However, that is a minor issue.

In this first book of the series, Alan Gregory, a Boulder, CO psychologist suspects one of his patients of murder and is almost ruined professionally (and financially) by the death of another, who implicates him in a sordid affair. This patient, who killed herself, had previously fixated on Alan Gregory but his problems are only beginning there.

In the year previously, Alan's wife left him, a patient died in a car wreck and his dog was hit by a car. He gets involved with Lauren Crowder and one of his patients actually follows them on their vacation to New Mexico.

Flash back to the present and Alan has to deal with the fact that he could be a murder suspect and faces a possible lawsuit from the dead girl's parents. He also wonders if he will lose his professional license. As I read all of this I found myself asking, "what did this poor guy ever do to deserve this...?"

I think this is an excellent starter in this series, especially for someone who has NEVER read any of the other books written by Mr. White since. This is the book that lays the foundation and provides the history and personal background for so much of what will happen later. The information provided in this story line is built upon (quite well, I might add) in the books that follow this one. This was an enjoyable read and I know that had I read this one first, instead of somewhere down the pike, I would have become a Stephen White fan right then and there.

One of the things I like about this book (and the rest of the series, too) is that White deals very effectively with some controversial topics. For example, Lauren Crowder has MS and when Alan meets her, she eventually introduces that into the dynamic of their relationship. She also has trouble trusting men because of a failed marriage.

In later books, White takes on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons) and that's a brave thing to do for a man who lives in a part of the country where they are a power unto themselves. (See Higher Authority). Stephen White writes the kind of book that I like to get into and he uses recurring characters we become familiar with and concerned about. In all of his works (this one included) he includes and builds on a level of tension that keeps the reader turning the pages. I felt that way with each of his books that I have read so far.

IF I can make one recommendation to readers who have NOT discovered this author, it would be this: read PRIVILEGED INFORMATION first. It was White's first novel and the one where he introduces many of the characters he will be using in later installments. Read this and the other White books in the order in which he wrote them and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I have read all of Stephen White's novels and enjoyed them immensely. However, I have to agree with a couple of the other reviewers that reading them in order is best. I failed to do so and one day when I have forgotten the details I will read his whole series from beginning to end. They are that good. In Priviledged Information we are introduced to Alan Gregory who is a very interesting character. This book is a real thriller and very suspenseful. I could not put it down like all of White's books. I find his books every bit as good as Jonathan Kellerman's. Perhaps more so as his relationships with others are explored more deeply than Alex Delaware's.