A story of redemption, about how people can grow and change even when they feel their life is at a standstill, this was an absolutely marvelous read, a definite keeper. All the characters were very believable, an intruiging mix of good and bad, and their struggle for growth and meaning in their lives made you root for them every step of the way. I especially like the realism in the situations they faced, and the fact that not every conflict was neatly vanquished and tucked away. There are things these people will still struggle with, but the faith and love they share as a family will see them through. It reminded me a bit of Summer's End, by Kathleen Seidel, another good book about families.

I admit I'm a Romance junkie and read more books per month than I care to count. This book stopped me cold...it started with two unlikable characters ; one betrayed and bitter the other shallow and uncaring.

Slowly, through their journey from betrayal to redemption, my heart warmed to them. By the end of the book I admired and loved them both. It had just the right amount of suspense, passion, betrayal and forgiveness. You close the covers of the book and sigh with satisfaction.

Romance readers and western fans alike will enjoy this moving story of courage, selflessness, and love, set against the wild, rugged grandeur of 1882 Wyoming. A powerful, sweeping story with well-drawn -- and all-too-human -- characters, Color of the Wind is wonderfully written. I loved the kids! Kudos!

What begins as a thoughtful essay on the roots of our culture's endemic malaise, quickly develops into a compelling call to personal action. Certainly not self-help in the traditional form, but a well-crafted, thought-provoking book that can shake up your self-perspective. I personally don't want too many people rummaging through my refrigerator - but the central premise of the book left me taking stock of my life-relationships, and making practical plans to improve them.

This is a wonderful book- well-written, insightful, and engaging. It provides a unique perspective on the isolated American culture and why our relationships suffer in this setting. The book is more than just an analysis of what's hurting our relationships- it makes a convincing argument that we are not helpless American drones but can get up and do something to change our lives. In this regard, the book is very empowering and well worth reading whether you are American or not. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".

As a transplant to a big city with no family and few friends close by, I had to work hard to develop meaningful relationships in my life. This book underscores why doing this is so important. Dr. Will Miller is right -- it's those close, "Refrigerator Rights" relationships that make life worthwhile. This book is a great read.

Aristotle was searching for a man who could study for the sake of studying, who saw learning as an end in itself and who could inspire others with his thoughts.
In my friend, Gabe, Aristotle would have found his guy. A true Renaissance man who began his University curriculum as a Roman Catholic Divinity student, he enjoys and amazingly varied schedule of diverse careers, lifelong passions and seems to know every other person on the Planet.
As the hearing son of deaf parents, he learned how to sign before he could speak and once he learned how to speak, he has never stopped talking or creating a buzz in dozens of different areas of his many-faceted life. Thousands of his students in his New School University classes can attest to his formidable, yet playful intellect, charismatic teaching abilities and funny sense of humor. Gabe's intuitive insights and interviewing skills have elicited and illuminated the thoughts and feelings of hundreds of New School Roundtable and special courses guests, ranging from Muhammad dAli to Julia Roberts to Marcel Marceau.
As the principal court-appointed dactylogist of the NYC judicial system, judges, attorneys, physicians, and psychologists appreciate his clear, nuance-filled interpreting skills. Gabe has performed at the White House, United Nations, on Broadway, at Colleges throughout the US featuring his award-winning show "Reality or Illusion...Mind Over Magic?" Gabe's wonderful motivational magic show as the "Amazing Doctor Can-Do" is a delight for both hearing and deaf children.
Gabe's been a host and guest of hundreds of national and local radio and TV shows. He was executive consultant of the Emmy-nominated ABC Afterschool Special "Mom and Dad Can't Hear Me". He the chief sign language tour docent at the American Museum of Natural History.
Brevity is the soul of Life and Human Life is, or should be, an adventure in self-discovery, learning what talents one has and using them to their fullest. Gabe figured this out early in life. He continues to inspire all of us to take the great leap in personal evolution to "Have fun, to do good and to be happy". I am proud to count Gabriel as my dearest friend.

This book edges ahead of others in that it features clear photographs, has words listed topically, and explains deaf history and culture throughout the book. It is much easier to use than books with a "dictionary" layout. The author has the experience and backing to know what works. I highly recommend it.

This book is an excellent introduction to ASL and Deaf culture issues. There is a manageable number of basic signs and insets providing details about being deaf in a hearing world, information on famous deaf people, and technological advances useful for the deaf. The introduction also contains a concise history of deaf education. The author is extremely credible, which is something important to me when learning a new language!

From the instruction of a single deaf individual, I have developed a rudimenary knowledge of sign language: the alphabet, numbers, various greetings, some nouns and adjectives. This book has helped me to reinforce what I know, clean up the sloppy signing I had been doing, and learn new things. I have had trouble learning signs from books in the past because I would often miss something important. With this book, I've felt very comfortable with the new signs because of the format. The combination of specific written descriptions with pictures gives a very understandable way to learn new signs. The added bonus of mnemonic devices to remember which sign is which is very helpful. It's embarrassing to admit, but I kept confusing the signs for "yes" and "no" until I read the helpful hints in this book - not a good thing to get wrong!

There may be books with more words in them, but I would recommend this book for all beginners, and advanced beginners like myself. Once the signs here are learned (and as in my case cleaned up considerably), then start looking for more comprehensive works. I've been practicing about 30-100 words a night depending on how many I already knew and feel very confident that I'm finally doing them correctly.

This book illustrates that professional agents come from amongst us and adjustment back to reality is harsh. The author throws out many obstacles which make it very difficult for a normal man to keep his sanity. This person is cold blooded and gets a rush out of putting his life on the line for his country. He is not afraid of death, going there many times and coming back. The terrorist of today would not want this man on their trail. I recommend this book for soldiers from any branch and readers of action and adventure. I wonder how I would have done in his shoes???????

This book is one that will heighten your senses about the Vietnam War and all the post destruction it wrought. Seen through the eyes of a trained government assasin, Grayson relates how the thirst for blood and money can sometimes overtake the valuable ethics brought up in the lifetime of a man. Beautifully written, it keeps you on your toes from start to finish. He brings self-discipline and order to a most chaotic era in American history. Grayson explains the evolution from childhood to killer while trying to come down and adjust to life as a father after the chaos is over. A must read for any member of the United States Military.

Turn an average normal person into a responsive killing machine and then watch him adjust back to normal. Seen through the eyes of a trained government assasin, Grayson relates how the thirst for blood and money can sometimes overtake the valuable ethics brought up in the lifetime of a man. Beautifully written, it keeps you on your toes from start to finish. He brings self-discipline and order to a most chaotic era in American history,Vietnam. Grayson explains the evolution from childhood to killer while trying to come down and adjust to life as a father after the chaos is over. A must read for any military member or adventure reader.

Someone recommended this novel to me, as a 'prairie' romance, a novel about pioneers and the hardships they faced when settling the American frontier.

What can I say? I loved this book, A place called home, is the story of Livi and Reid, and the trouble they must face with conflicts with Indians, disease, death, and prejudice.

While some elements, such as the frontiersman's easy acceptance of Reid as a "half-breed," and Livi's daughter's quick recovery from Small Pox were a tad on the unbelievable side, overall, this novel is wonderful!

Would recommend this book to readers who love Americana romance.

This was my first Grayson book and I loved it.
The love between these characters is VERY real.
I could not put it down.
The story "wraps itself around your heart"
Don't pass up this book.

Elizabeth Grayson is a master at historical detail and bringing her characters appear real to the reader. From the start, you will wait with held breath as the heroines husband is murdered in front of her and her young children. Then to have to continue the rugged trail to make a new home out west took more strength than most women would possess, especially when that woman is pregnant and one of her youngsters develops smallpox which scares any decent help away. It is a joy to read!

My first exposure to this book was ten years ago, when in the LSU library I stumbled upon some very old, very dusty books. Being intrigued by old books, I found his simple titles (Adventures in Contentment, Adventures in Friendship, Adventures in Solitude, etc.) irresistible. I read 5 David Grayson (Ray Stannard Baker's pseudonym) books in two days. I returned them to the library, then soon afterward moved to California. I could not remember Grayson's name, though I would tell stories about those wonderful books that influenced my life and my writing.

7 years later, I came across a 90 year old copy of Adventures in Contentment, and found that it struck me as even more profound, having tasted a little of the cynical world that drove the main character from the city to the farm. This is the only book I have ever read that made me cry tears of human experience -- and then the very next chapter had me laughing out loud. (I was sitting at a coffee house with my friends when this happened, after which they wanted to borrow the book.)

If you are a person of thought, this book will move you. Grayson will take you on a tour of his farm and his mind. You will give him a voice, and you will hear that voice speak the words as you read. You will quote this book, you will reread this book, you will think of this book with the fondness of a close friend.

The simplicity of the essays will charm you, his masterful vocabulary will force you to grab your dictionary, and his expressive literary patterns will strike you as being as close to poetry as prose could possible come.

A picture may say 1000 words, but David Grayson's simple essays about small town life in the early 1900's will paint more vivid images in your mind than 1,000,000 Michaelangelos ever could. Simply stated, this is the greatest literary work ever written. Unfortunately, modern literary critics refer to this type of work as unimportant, sentimental and preachy. So this book will probably never be placed in its rightful spot in the literary canon.

Still, don't think the author died in obscurity without his talent being discovered. He was a lifelong friend of Woodrow Wilson, and in his old age, Ray Stannard Baker won the Pulitzer Prize for his biography of his famous friend.

I wonder why there aren't any reviews on this book? It is the greatest book ever written. This book is about a person who has found a perfect harmony in life. Escaping all the scholastic philosophy and theological quest David Grayson here settles for what I regard the highest wisdom and the true purpose of life, and that is living. The book is potrayal of extra-ordinary experiences of a farmer poet who discovers a world within and without and adds a dream world quality with a sense of humour to our everyday experiences. A return to nature, beauty, simplicity, spontaniety and harmony!

I first purchased Beating the College Blues, about five years ago, while I was an undecided and depressed college student dealing with many of the issues discussed in this book. Dr. Grayson and Dr. Meilman present frequently asked counseling session questions, culled from their experiences with over 4000 college students, and provide short, concise and USEFUL answers. Topics range from beginning college to life after graduation....and everything in between! There are chapters dealing with academic issues, personal issues, family issues, love and sex, common disorders, and even a chapter on deciding if professional counseling is something a particular reader may want to pursue. Their advice was extremely useful for me and as a future student services professional it provided an invaluable and insightful look into the unique problems encountered by the college population.. I would highly recommend this book to college students, their families, and to anyone who is interested in working with this unique and exciting group.

I first purchased Beating the College Blues, about five years ago, while I was an undecided and depressed college student dealing with many of the issues discussed in this book. Dr. Grayson and Dr. Meilman present frequently asked counseling session questions, culled from their experiences with over 4000 college students, and provide short, concise and USEFUL answers. Topics range from beginning college to life after graduation....and everything in between! There are chapters dealing with academic issues, personal issues, family issues, love and sex, common disorders, and even a chapter on deciding if professional counseling is something a particular reader may want to pursue. Their advice was extremely useful for me and as a future student services professional it provided an invaluable and insightful look into the unique problems encountered by the college population.. I would highly recommend this book to college students, their families, and to anyone who is interested in working with this unique and exciting group.

Air Force pilot and flight surgeon Grayson "Cutter" Clark fears nothing. Even the trip to war-torn Sentavo to rescue war orphans doesn't bother him. Yet when Lori Rutledge joins his crew as the NGO operative, she nearly brings him down. Now he must rescue the children, and avoid becoming emotionally attached to the woman he left nearly a year ago.

The fates intercede, as Grayson gets another girl in his life, a young orphan named Magda. She quickly becomes a unwitting cupid between the two, and slowly Lori and Grayson begin to realize that the spark they felt over a year ago is still strong. Is this flame of passion strong enough to make their love eternal, or will the blaze die in a glorious sensual moment?

GRAYSON'S SURRENDER offers a sweet yet steamy romance, with a hero to love and cherish, and a woman brave enough to face a war zone and a child who can't speak English. The minor characters also enhance the overall plot, from the talkative and often fun-loving Bronco, to Grayson's parents who have troubles of their own.

Military romance fans will enjoy the pure intensity of the details, including a sudden decompression. The emotions flowing between the two and the pain of loss and injury strikes like a lightning bolt. It leaves one begging for another blast, a second helping of pleasure and a simple delight. Catherine Mann has begun her career in grand style, with all elements firing off without a hitch, so expect big things from her in future novels. -- Jo from Author, Author!

Lt. Grayson Clark is fearless...except when it comes to relationships. But no relationship, no woman, ever affected him the way Lori Rutledge did. Even after a year without her, he can't shake the thought of her. And when they're sent on a mission together, all those all feelings flood back.

Lori broke her own heart a year ago when she left Gray. She doesn't know if she can live through that kind of pain again. But how can she walk away from this one last chance with him?

Catherine Mann delivers a fast-paced, touching story of rediscovery as Lori and Gray find what they were meant to have all along...love. I'm looking forward to the next book, Taking Cover, this November.

When I taught English, I often found students becoming what "they read;" therefore I carefully selected literature designed to elevate their sense of possibilities and to illustrate characters (and authors) who had no inner compass or clarity. The same dynamic remains true for adults. If I remember this author's credentials correctly, her Master's Degree focused upon dramatic literature, particularly William Shakespeare. This classical education I find evident in the mental images she creates - Her characters actually "move" within the reader's mind with the vibrancy and speed of a Shakespearean drama. For readers who enjoy romantic fiction, I recommend this well constructed and fast paced book. It weaves not only a unique plot, but also leaves the reader with personal questions, "Am I in a box?" "When did I crawl into this box?" The writer offers, not just a glib romance story, but a more profound statement on what it takes to live "happily ever after." A "To be or not to be" questioning at the end, resolves quite nicely, but not without personal examination, a sacrifice of false pride, and a commitment to move forward. Alessandra

The stories in this volume show how difficult it is to be gay -- that is, to be a human being. The characters are basically all the same person: a bright, loquacious, ironic Aerican gay male who may be white or black, Asian or Hispanic, 22 or 42, who deals with society, family, and the culture of the mass media with humor, compassion, and a touch of self-pity. I liked the story about the gay punk rock band the best, but the story of the closeted gay cowboy ranch manager was also very affecting, especially in light of the fact that it takes place in Wyoming after Matthew Shepard's murder. The author seems to like women and old people, too -- or his characters do. A nice, pleasant read. I laughed aloud a few times, and it usually takes a lot to get me to do that.

Although some of the stories are kind of experimental and use techniques I think they don't really need, I think this is a wonderful collection of stories about gay relationships and cultural identity. Grayson's couples are usually interracial or intercultural -- black/white, white/Asian, Asian/Hispanic, Jewish/Indian, punk/cowboy -- and their conflicts are played for witty comedy and clever dialogue. There's also a very poignant strain in memories of experiences of loss, including those friends who've died of AIDS. The author seems to be trying to use gay relationships as a way of dealing with our current obsessions: the Internet, wealth, ethnic identity, and pop culture -- not to mention dieting (a lot about food in this book, including ethnic stuff). The best story is "Boys Club," a hilarious look at the gay punk subculture.

The author's weird sense of humor and roundabout way of tellinga story, with lots of asides and non sequiturs, reminded me of DaveEggers or David Forster Wallace. The characters here have no boring coming-out problems (except maybe the cowboy in Wyoming, but who can blame him) or typical gay situations. You get the feeling they care more about witty conversation than sex, but the humor doesn't seem very gay. It's kind of a bizarre take on gay relationships, often online ones, and the book drags in spots. But then you get these incredible riffs that really sparkle, particularly in the title story. "The Silicon Valley Diet" knocked me out when I first read it ... and it holds up great on the second reading.

this book is a real thriller. action packed and very enjoyable to read. I used to be Geroge Grayson's secretary at a large Philadelphia law firm and just knew George had it in him to be a great author.

This is one of the best thrillers-written-by-lawyers that I've ever read, and I've read quite a few.
The intrigue and suspense is very good. There's a mysterious sub-plot concerning an old manuscript. The pace of the story-telling is very exact and intricate. The plot is fantastic in a way, but just credible enough.

A facinating thriller that is truly hard to put down. George Grayson takes the reader on a journey through the worlds of international finance and espionage with a masterful touch. Grayson imbues his work with a level of sophistication, scholarship and attention to detail that is unusual for the genre. This book has something for everyone: attorneys will enjoy the jabs at large lawfirm life, while those with an interest in international intrigue will be well satisfied. The story begins with the murder of an associate at a large lawfirm. His sister, refusing to believe his death was a suicide, recruits a law professor (a former federal prosecutor) to help her investigate his death. Together they plunge into a web of intrigue involving the Chinese government and the search for a mysterious, lost shipment of gold.