Wayne Trapp: The Journey of a Sculptor only looks like a coffee table book. It is in fact, much more: a nonlinear autobiography of a poet, a laborer, and a seeker. It is story as meditation. It deserves to be read, not browsed, from start to finish.

Trapp's enormous repertoire of sculpture, painting, and drawing has begged, for decades, to be catalogued. The works themselves --voluptuous and emphatic -- tell of a sometimes expansive, sometimes encumbered life. Each piece, from the imposing monoliths forged in steel to the sparest, most intimate brush drawings, put spirit first. They, and their maker, over the forty years chronicled here, thrive through the best and the worst of times.

The photographs and the excerpts from the artist's journals flow in seamless dialogue between one another. At once adamant and inquisitive, Trapp's life and work are revealed here as a graceful struggle. Journey reads like a novel. Near the end is a full-page self-portrait captioned "These eyes have seen too much." The spent, disheveled visage halts the reader. Trapp chose colors from a jangly, late-night pallet: fuschias, rich blues, tropical yellows, vermilion, purple. The caption might easily continue: ... "but never enough."

Dancingfish Press Editor Deborah Mayhall-Bradshaw's lyrically combined graphics and printed word are at once antiphonal and in perfect unison. The text and photographs are set against a talky collage of handwritten journal entries; letters; news clips; poems; drawings and diagrams penned urgently on looseleaf pages. The effect is one of being alone in Trapp's studio while he's out doing errands. You're driven to look, read, and touch each vibrant scrap.

Wayne Trapp's work demands utter engagement and compromises nothing. His words are elegant, whimsical, harrowing; and not for the faint of heart. Journey gives back with a stunning largesse. It dares the reader to come along.

This book is glorious. I have many coffee table books on artists, but none ever gave me the feeling that I'm on intimate terms with the artist - this one is the exception! When I read Wayne's (see, we're already on a first name basis) journal entries, it feels as if he's right here sharing a good glass of wine. And to have that experience combined with such a visual feast makes this book something very, very special.

This book tells a story about a company that many have never heard of and a helicopter that even less have heard of. Kaman Corporation and its H-43 helicopters. They were unsung hero's of the Viet Nam war performing many more resuces per helicopter deployed than any other. If you like helicopters, history, or just want to read something interesting I highly suggest this book.

Yes, there were more helicopters in Vietnam than the Huey. This book tells the story of the kaman H-43 series...you know the "eggbeater" helicopter. The original '43 served the Navy and Marines in both training and observation roles, and when it was redesigned with turbine power it became the primary short-range Air Force rescue craft of the 60's. Read about the Huskie that was lost in Thialand while trying to save a B-52 crew and you'll appreciate not only the helicopter but the brave crews that served in them. I have several of the author's books, and I'd like to see more heicopter histories...

I bought several landlord's rights books and found that this book was really helpful and easy to understand. I highly recommend this book if you're a landlord in need of legal advice to protect your property.

This is a major component of my landlord/property manager library. I was not surprised to find, when I purchased this recent updated edition, that it is even better! (I noticed more excerpts of code.) Nolo Press has a deserved reputation for offering excellent legal guides for the lay person

Seattle is well known for it's contributions to the performing arts in many genres. Arguably, the biggest contributors is the Pacific Northwest Ballet which is among the best in the world. One gets a sense of the difficulty and trail of establishing this fine organization.

The book not only the story of the Pacific Northwest Ballet from it's meager beginnings to the internationally reknown company that it is today, but also a sketch of biography on Kent and Francia Stowell who influenced this wonderful organization to what it is today. Ardent fans of the PNB will relive the many name changes and stages of growth through the pages of this excellent book. There is brief coverage of some of the names of those who affected the PNB early on such as Glynn Ross (Former general director of the Seattle Opera), Janet Reed (instructor and former dancer New York City Ballet) to name a couple. Though the book isn't heavy in detail, there is just enough to tell the PNB story in an enjoyable manner.

One aspect of the PNB which is covered (though lightly), is how the organization reaches out to the community. Perhaps the most visible way is educationally by the establishment of Pacific Northwest Ballet School. In addition to the impressive growth, the book details some of the challenges such as funding and lack of boys enrolled in the school reflecting the homophobic attitude of some people concerning ballet here in the states. Another way the organization is involved community wide is reflected by the number of adults enrolled in the school and the regional classes offered by the school.

Within you will find fabulous photography of both the careers of Kent and Francia Stowell as well as the defining and key moments of the company over the years; truly memory lane for followers and fans of the PNB and their wonderful school. Included in the pictures are the well known staples of the PNB; Swan Lake and The Nutcraker. It is a wonderful, charming and interesting book on one of the truly great attractions in the culture rich city of Seattle. If you enjoy ballet and dance or a fan or the Seattle area, this will be a great addition to your library.

this book is *well* worth the money, i received it as a christmas gift this year and i've been reading it over and over. if you are interested in learning about PNB or just looking at some fabulous shots of their company i highly recommend purchasing this book. it is a gorgeous hardcover with an in-depth history of the company past to present.

Life Lines: Stories From The Firehouse by experienced firefighter, officer and instructor (serving for almost two decades with the Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is truly impressive and memorable collection of true-life, personal tales of firefighters and paramedics who candidly speak of the most pivotal calls they had to face during their professional duty. Highly recommended for personal, school, and community library collections, the triumph, tragedy, and heroism are all presented in Life Lines makes for truly unforgettable reading.

Readers unfamiliar with Wayne Mutza's writing, as well as those aware of his stature as an aviation historian, are in for a rare treat with his latest book, "Life Lines: Stories from the Firehouse." While this volume marks a radical departure from Wayne's usual subject matter and format, it continues his tradition of clear, concise documentary writing. In twenty-five very readable vignettes, this former Milwaukee Fire Department officer provides insight to a world the uninitiated can only imagine. The stories, all true, are collected from his own experiences and those of a score of his comrades -- people who willingly do work we are all grateful for but which only a few would choose to attempt. From fear and death to the necessarily macabre humor of those who go to battle every day, the realities, sorrows, and joys of the firefighter's job are presented without apology or softening. The accompanying photographs support the tales, but the words of Wayne and his contributors would ring every bit as true without them. This is powerful stuff, and highly recommended. After reading "Life Lines," your reaction to bare-bones news reports of fires, vehicle accidents, and rescues will be forever changed.

The book was suspenseful from beginning to end. The characters were as intriguing as the plot. I enjoyed all three books in the Cowboy Code series and recomend them to readers who like cowboys in modern settings. You'll get more than your money's worth.

The book was emotionally touching, suspenseful and fast paced, one of the best from a writer who is known for great romantic suspense. The hero is truly a hero in every sense of the word and yet is so human it seems he could step from the pages. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense.

The fact that there was a loonie at centre ice during the Salt Lake City Olympics only makes the double gold that much sweeter.
I loved reading about how the loonie came to be as well as how the Canadian teams perceived it. This story is for the true Canadian Hockey fan and will remain a legend for years to come.

I devoured this short read of Canadian history in one sitting.

If you are a true Canadian Hockey fan, then you already have this book! Can you imagine Wayne Gretsky whispering in your ear "You're gonna be a legend"! Truly inspiring and very well written. You'll keep the pages turning.

This book is a great read for anyone interested in the life and times of one of the more colorful characters in the western expansion era. I enjoyed and learned of Luke Short and how his life interacted and effected some of the other well known characters of the time. I wish this author knew others of the same era as well, that he might write of them as well. Hated to see this book come to an end.

I loved this book! The author totally draws you in and fills this book with such anecdotes, facts, speculations, and often subtle humor that you cannot put it down. I was eager to read this book and learn more about a less-known famous figure from the Old West, and have also read Short's other books. I heartily reccomend all of them to anyone who enjoys humorous non-fiction as well as nondisputable facts. Short has the cunning wit of an intellectual and the story telling gift of a grandfather.

This is an amazing and extremely insightful book on a most important topic to police. It covers all the areas that tend to stress police personnel from social to physical to political to extremely personal. The eye-openers are many and the recommendations right on the mark. A total program is laid out for dealing with stressors in a logical and intelligent way. It is a good read and a valuable resource for law enforcement and for their families. The Centurion's Octagon really wraps up the total picture and prepares the reader for the totality of the police stress challenge. Excellent book.

Dr. Ford's knowledge of what stresses police officers is obvious and extensive. As a veteran cop himself, he knows what he is talking about and lays out an excellent program to reduce stress incurred by serving as a police officer.

The tape that is included with the book is also very good, giving excellent exercises to mitigate your stress.

I use what Dr. Ford has given me in this book, and it really works. The very unique type of stress we endure is focused on here with great success. I recommend the book wholeheartedly.

Off. E. Whince

This was an extremely well written book, it was intriguing and made me only want to read more. It was a colorful, indepth look at the last few battles before the south finally surrendered. I would recommend this classic piece of work to anyone who would like to know and feel the last battles of the civil war along with the surrender of the south.

In his book, R. Wayne Maney (History teacher at Thomas Jefferson HS for Science and Technology, VA) describes in intricate dfetail the events contained within the last great campaign of the American Civil War. In researching his work, Maney spent many tireless hours at the Library of Congress, AND IT SHOWS! An artistic blend of historical detail, battle movements, personal reflections, and news reports sets the stage and tells the story of The Army of The Potomac's last great push towards Richmond, eventually leading to the Second Battle of Cold Harbor and the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Courthouse. This book holds a personal interest for me, because I was one of Mr. Maney's AP European History students and I can verify his complete interest in the Civil War and his dedication to historical detail.