I enjoyed reading Keith O'Brien's book very much. It was fun to relive college times and some of the soul searching that takes place at that age.

Mr. O'Brien accurately captured the trials and tribulations of the maturation process. A fun read!

A fun look at the complexities of adolescence with very dramatic twists. Explore yourself as you join the voyage of discovery embarked upon by Cole and co. and realise there are more than you desiring to grow spiritually.

If you have ever had any interest in looking inside of yourself Between Friends sets a fantastic example. It feels like you are becoming friends with these college students as they go through their life experiences, as well as learning along with them. The author holds nothing back when it comes to the entities of college life as he creates their reality. Anyone could relate to at least one of the well-developed characters if not aspects of each. I applaud the author's ability to incorporate insightfulness and keep it so entertaining. It is an enlightening book whether you are looking back at your college years, presently enrolled, or just wondering what it would it would be like to go. Between Friends will definitely get your wheels turning from the moment you begin reading to way beyond when you finish the last chapter.

This is a fun book full of ideas to get kids writing. There are ideas for daily news writings, journal entries and reproducible story starters. The story starters correspond with specific books that you first read to your class, and then encourage your students to solve a problem or tell about personal experiences similar to those in the story.

What is important about Carol Simpson's wonderfully well-planned and illustrated book Daily Guided Writing for teachers of kindergarten through second grade, is that it is full of practical lessons in guiding writing plus it contains the work of several of her students. Not only does Simpson give grade by grade lesson plans on a daily basis, she encourages the use of her daily guided writing lessons in such a manner that does not demoralize the experienced teacher who has run out of ideas with which to stimulate his or her students. She realizes that there are "...those elementary teachers who feel they need some additional ideas for teaching their students how to become good writers. The ability to communicate with pencil and paper, or word processor, is an important skill for our fast-paced world"(Preface iii). Nor does she demoralize the most important person, the young student who is keen to explore new worlds and to express him or herself.

I briefly borrowed Daily Guided Writing by Carol Simpson from another teacher. As a teaching resource for early writers (K-2), I found it to be quite useful and am purchasing my own copy. What pleased me most is that I didnÕt have to wade through inessential theory to get to the well-organized ideas and suggestions.

The book is divided into three sections: Experience Stories, Using the Daily News, and Journals as Guided Writing Lessons. All sections contain information I already knew along with ideas that made me think, ÒOf course! Why didnÕt I think of that?Ó It is designed with the understanding that your students are progressing in their writing skills throughout the year, so suggestions are given for modeled, shared, guided, and independent writing.

In addition to the main sections, Daily Guided Writing contains an appendix with reproducible Daily News (with and without illustrations), story starters, and suggestions for publishing studentsÕ stories. The appendix is a nice bonus in an already valuable book.

I have been a friend of Benny's since the early '70's. This book does not portray HIM as the killer, it tells how he couldn't have been the killer. There's more to this story than what has been printed, but being the man that he is, he will not incriminate others by telling the whole story.
Before the Ky killing, when Sherry was involved, she seemed like an ignorant female trying to keep up with 'her man'. Benny may have been a crook, but never a killer. He may have led a life of crime, but he also has a heart. I have bought this book twice & loaned it out, so I am ordering it again. It is based on some facts & news clippings & case files, but no interviews from Benny himself. Crooked sheriff's, judges, DA's, jurors... I have family in Ky, I know how crooked it is. Since this book has been written there has been more evidence unfolded against Lecter Co judicial system. Blame the real murderer.

Benny Hodge is my cousin and he got a stay of exacution i have read this book and would like to have a copy of my own i do not believe in credit cards so i cant order onlie please if anyone could help me out and sell me this book it would be greatly appreciated my e-mail is....

This is a true story of stealing, killing, loving, and living without remorse. A true story of corruption in small towns; lawyers, sheriffs, deputies and many more. The author, Darcy O'Brian did an excelent and unique job of potraying these people as the events unfolded. This book held my interest all the way to the end. There was not a dull moment. It's filled with unbelieveable acts of stealing and murder.

*Goodbye, My Little Ones* concerns a case of serial infanticide in New York state. A prosecutor was working on a case in which a father was tried and convicted for murdering one of his three children. (He was in fact suspected of having killed all three.) An expert witness brought the prosecutor's attention to an earlier case, in the late 1960s, in which several children in another family had supposedly died of SIDS (crib death); the witness believed those were homicides also. Eventually the prosecutor reopened that case, and the mother, Waneta Hoyt, was convicted in 1995. I particularly like true crime books with a medical angle. This one includes interesting information on the history of SIDS research. Two of Hoyt's children (identified only by their initials) had been included in a major paper on SIDS in 1972, but almost from the very beginning some physicians suspected that those cases were homicides. The authors' style is a bit more reportorial and brisk than the work of some other writers in this genre; Ann Rule, for instance, takes more time to develop the atmosphere of a setting. This book moves the reader right along without, however, slighting any points of detail or character

this book is full of information about Waneta Hoyt but it also is about another parent who killed his babies. Stephen Van Der Sluys also murdered his babies because they were in his way & he did not want to take care of them. Charles Hickey does know how to tell a story.

A very well written book. This is a story that needed to be brought to book to let people take a look at what happened in the family life a Waneta Hoyt and the deaths of babies; Eric, James, Julie, Molly, and Noah. Thanks should go to William Fitzpatrick, DA and to all the investigators for bring these murders to light. Also thanks to the author and contributors. This story will make you mad for what Waneta did, sad for the innocent babies and relieved for some justice. A must read!

Children can easily relate to Jamaica's feelings and may learn that sometimes people seem to be mean when really their feelings are just hurt.

It was just right for my six-year-old to read it to herself -- and she carried it around with her until she had finished it!

This book is a good one to read to pre-schoolers and kindergarteners to help explore the feelings they have when they either meet someone like Russell or, at times, actually find themselves acting like Russell. Hey, we all do it now and then.

Jamaica finds herself having to share her markers with Russell, who is neither well-behaved nor particularly adept at being prepared for class - he never has his supplies with him, and Jamaica pays the price by having to share her markers. She pays a heavier price when the picture she draws gets scribbled on by the dreadful Russell.

When she tells her father of the day's events, he acknowledges her hurt feelings at havbing her work ruined, and then springs a surprise on her - Russell is moving away, do you suppose his feelings are a little mixed up right now?

Jamaica remains angry over the incident, to the extent that she won't join the class in making "Goodbye" cards to Russell; seeing how Russell behaves in the school yard at recess, one can find it difficult to blame her.

The end of the story finds Jamaica empathizing, finally, with Russell. This is truly the moment of self-awareness and the moment when most children become cognizant of their own actions on others; by placing herself in Russell's shoes, just for a fleeting moment, Jamaica understands, or more importantly TRIES to understand, what has made Russell act this way recently.

Again, sharing this book with the younger children opens up a museum of opportunities to see if we can learn from each other. Pat yourself on the back if you purchase this book.

This is a beautifully written book about a brillant frustrated man, who was a great novelist, newspaper columnist and a competent bureaucrat at the same time. Interesting to an American for that insider's look at those segments of Irish life, it is also valueable to an Irish American Catholic for it is explanation of how O'Brien's convinced Catholicism limited his intellectual curiosity.

This book is the definitive biography, whatever quibbles one may have with the author's judgments, aesthetic or otherwise, about O'Nolan's life or art. Think instead about what you get with this book: an author who knew the subject personally, in-depth research into O'Nolan's origins and childhood, an intimate knowledge of the Irish literary scene in the interwar and postwar years, and the ability to show how these shaped the subject intellectually and psychologically. I disagree with a few of Cronin's assessments: I think The Dalkey Archive was the pinnacle of O'Nolan's novelistic achievements. While I agree he should have written more novels, I also feel that his time writing newspaper columns was well spent; there's more wit in most of those columns than in many novels by lesser writers. This book satisfies one of the most important criteria of a biography, that it be a good read in and of itself: Cronin is an excellent writer.

Cronin is an affectionate biographer but thankfully not a hagiographer. His personal acquaintance with Brian O'Nolan gives him insight into the various personal and artistic personae that O'Nolan adopted: Flann O'Brien, Myles na gCopaleen, etc. Cronin spends too much energy speculating as to why O'Brien never managed to fulfil the artistic potential of his first two novels. It is, perhaps, unfair to fault Cronin, as this failure frustrates anyone who has read O'Brien's early work. However, Cronin's tone occasionally becomes pious and judgemental of O'Nolan. One wishes this tone would have extended to other aspects of O'Nolan's life (specifically the personal); Cronin evokes and explains the mind set of Dublin in the early to mid twentieth century, but he seems wary of really examining it. In all fairness, that might have been another book altogether. In sum, the book is readable, often as funny as O'Brien himself (and occasionally just as sad), and useful for the student of Flann O'Brien. It fills

I am So Suprised no one has reviewed this book. I thought it was great. One of RCOB's best works. If you like Genetics and a good plot this is the book for you.

Although only writing four books, O'Brien displayed a unique talent for imaginative and sensitive writing that is still relevent and captivating 30 years later. It is extremely unfortunate that both this and his other lost work (The Silver Crown) are out of print, as the four books together blend thematically to give the best overview you are going to get of this important, yet mysterious US author. As to Report itself, although functionally a fantastic book, it is probably the least of the four simply because it borrows so heavily from its predecessor Mrs. Frisby, such that it seems as though he might have merely rewritten his newbery award winning classic as an adult novel. However, this is not really the case. Instead, Report gives a fuller view of that same body of invention that also produced Mrs. Frisby, such that while certain ideas would not have worked effectively within children's literature, they work to amazing success in this sci-fi/espionage thriller (if one can really classify this book.)

As to the story itself, it does show O'Brien at the peak of his writing with vulnerable yet brave characters, a fascinating plot centering around the possibility of biological warfare (though this is not political, the characters are scientists, not politicians or generals), and O'Brien's favorite theme of humanity struggling against the constant threat of dehumanization via technology.

Again, this is not his best book, but everything O'Brien put out was significant--and while some of his other books have as stronger message, this one is a great and satisfying romp through what is mostly familiar terrain.

I've read this book three times, each time about three years apart. I can't think of a better book to read on trip as it will completely absorb you while you are waiting at an airport, or bored in flight. I would call it a science fiction mystery.

Welby O'Brien mixes in some great words of wisdom with stories of her own painful divorce to produce a helpful, easily-read guide for newly divorced Christian women. Her chapters on "the other woman" and "when he remarries" were especially helpful, as were chapters on how to deal with going back to work and taking on new responsibilities at home, and on dealing with the divorce in church. (One thing she didn't cover--what to do when your ex-spouse and his wife continue to go to the same church! In my case, I insisted he find a different Sunday School class, I stay away from them as much as possible, and get involved in different activities. Fortunately, I go to a big church.)

If there was one flaw, it was that most of the book assumed the divorce was the husband's fault, as it seemed to largely be in her case. The truth is, even when a husband leaves for another woman, it takes two to destroy a marriage, and she only gave lip service to that and to the self-forgiving necessary as part of the healing process. In my case, I had as much to do with the breakup of the marriage as my ex did, so some things hit rather hard; I was almost where her ex-husband was, though thankfully I repented.

The best things I will take from this book are the "feel, deal, heal" formula for coping with all the emotions that come from a divorce, and the reminder to be content in God with whatever my marital state is. And yes, there are blessings to being single!

Welby O'Brien has obviously been there!! She gives practical advice on issues large or small that impact a life after divorce, especially an unexpected divorce. I felt like I was reading the book about me. I find that I continually refer to her book for practical guidelines as well as the great questions she poses at the end of each chapter. This is a must for all christian women who have gone through a divorce.

The approach by O'Brien, who has a master's degree in counseling was to detail the process of divorce from a woman's perspective. She shows the pain and rejection, the anger and the effect of consequence of divorce.

O'Brien lures you in by starting soft, then pinning you to the wall with detailed accounts of hard hitting real life drama that we all relate to. You will cry with her and later share her triumphs.

This book is not a self centered portrait putting the author on center stage. Rather it is an eye opening account of the author's observation of experiences that prove common to most women. It is a selfless and very healing protrayel of the steps needed for survival. This is not a 'see the duckie' fuzzy kids story. This is an 'I was eaten by the bear ... and lived' horror story, that though tragic in reality then, leads the author to show what every woman must now do, just to keep on living.

The author leads into amazingly simple but maningful steps for every woman to take to regain her life, her self meaning, her physical and emotional well being.

I however am a man. This book had a different meaning to me. I also saw the tragedies caused by my own caulousness and the devastating effect that it had on my own ex wife. Yet I saw the common survival techniques were as valuable to me as a man as they were meant to be for the woman of divorce. I also related well to Ms. O'Briens unique observation of dealing with the painful emotional waves of marital seperation ... the FEEL, DEAL, HEAL approach. Too many others have just tried to help us make the pain go away, Ms. O'Brien shows us how to face off with and conquer it.

This book is destined to become a classic on the subject of divorce, and should be required reading for any one facing or recovering from divorce, and those guiding others through it.

I had expected something with a little more depth, but perhaps that's because I'm a member of a vanishing species (someone who majored in literature in college). Harris' novels are arguably the most "literate" crime thrillers around, displaying not only loving research of forensics and police work but a command of European literature and culture much deeper than mere "props" for the erudition of Hannibal Lecter. I have seen very little commentary on them that discusses this, or the deft mingling of "our common squalor" (a phrase from "Lambs") with images from Donne, Eliot and Dante. Lecter is also a character with a grand ancestry in history and myth, and I would have loved to see an exploration of what he owes both to genuine killers and the demons of fiction and tradition.

What I got was a book that would have been half the length had it not been padded out with the resumes of the films' stars, producers and directors. While it's interesting to know why the first Red Dragon movie, "Manhunter," contained some puzzling alterations and omissions, I don't need to know everything about the filmography of everyone involved, or the minute studio politics -- that doesn't do much to elucidate the novels or the finished pictures.

By contrast, author O'Brien's appreciation of Harris' abilities and intentions as a writer is culpably shallow. One example: his interpretion the title-page quotation in Lambs, "Need I look for a Death's Head in a ring, that have one in my face?" While he sources it correctly (Donne's Devotions) he doesn't even bother to connect it with the Death's Head Moth used by killer Jame Gumb to mark the flayed remains of his victims and to represent his ambition to be transformed through wearing their skins; instead he suggests it is chiding the reader for interest in fictional killers when so many real ones can be found in the newspaper. The deeper implication that Lecter's monstrosity parallels something that might be mined out of all our psyches (given greater play in HANNIBAL) doesn't even occur to him. I throw up my hands.

As for the all-but-operatic repetition of theme, imagery and incident that occurs throughout the novels, or the delicious subtle parallels between characters -- such as Will Graham's relationship to his family as a stepfather versus Francis Dolarhyde's as a stepchild, pointed up by Graham's facial mutilation at the end of the book -- well, let's say I was hoping to see a good critic go to work on that, and I'm still waiting. In fact, it's clear that O'Brien is interested in only the most banal conventions of storytelling (allowing Graham to "be a hero" versus the sometimes scalding insights Harris includes in his internal monologues) and doesn't much care whether the author was trying to do anything other than keep the reader's attention.

An intriguing book for a student of cinema, but not much use to a reader.

This book is just great. It is a must-read for every fan of the Hannibal Lecter books/films. I would be truly shocked if i discovered that there are any important (or not so important) information about the Lecter - phenomen that is not in it. If you are a hardcore fan of Hannibal and have not read this book: do it.

Alright Hannibal fans here it is, the unauthorized guide to the Hannibal Lecter trilogy. After just finishing Yvonne Tasker's excellent book on The Silence Of The Lambs (BFI, 2002), this book showed up on my doorstep. I was in heaven. Daniel O'Brien has done a great job of covering all three books and films. With 32 pages of color and b&w pictures, this book sets the record straight. I was especially impressed by O'Brien's giving Manhunter a fair shake by letting the facts speak for themselves. A must have for all true fans. Pass the Chianti.

This book does exactly what it promises by providing a biography of O'Brien's life and a review of her career to date. For any fan of M.B., this is an enjoyable read. What is especially interesting is that this is not a lurid tale of a former child star descending into an ever darkening pit of pain and confusion. It is the story of a survivor who might have transitioned into adult superstardom had it not been for the ever changing tastes of the viewing public and the disintegration of the studio system. I was glad to see that someone cared enough to present an honest and fair picture of Margaret's career and life while a good number of her co-stars were alive and able to be interviewed.

This book has everything about the wonderful little actress, Margaret O'Brien. Not only does it have a biographical section, but details every film she every made with a complete listing of cast, crew, synopis, a behind the scenes look at the making of the film and comments from costars and O'Brien herself. The author has put a lot of research into this book and it deserves to be read.

Neatly organized book on the greatest of all child stars. Includes complete listing of all television appearances - she did a ton of them!! MOB comments on all her film rolls which is fasinating. Also some very rare photos from MOB'S private collection. Author is close friend of MOB which adds authenticity to this book