Like Kundera in T"he Book of Laughter and Forgetting," this author kept startling me with little reports on what it feels like to be unable to live unself-consciously.

"Much of what I write is simple truth, but even so, when you say it over and over, it feels like a lie."

Old Buddy Old Pal is a remembrance. But how do you recount the tale of a shared history? What's fair? What's true? The narrator, Burt, is too honest for nostalgia and too self-aware to be at ease with his past.

This book is about missed chances and what happens when a chance for perfect love (and the re-vision of self it offers) re-appears. I was completely absorbed by this thoughtful, contemporary tale of friendship between two men.

Even readers who look no deeper than the surface of "Old Buddy, Old Pal" will find Mr. Laser's exploration of the boundaries friendships and relationships a worthwhile read. That is, the tension, the conflicts and the "universal truths" within the story - by themselves - are sufficient to keep the pages turning towards the book's surprising and satisfying finish. But readers who look beyond the simple "plot/story" of the book are in for a special treat. The author's skillful clipped-prose, present tense style lends itself well to developing the book's complex, multi-dimensional characters. Vivid imagery, subtle symbolism, and unexpected ironies await thoughtful readers seeking not merely a good story, but excellent writing as well.

With remarkable sensitivity, OLD BUDDY OLD PAL tells of the gradual dissolution of a college friendship over a 10 year period. There is a sub text of the alienation created by living in a big city. Mr. Laser switches effortlessly between the present and the past. Two great incidents describe a wedding ceremony held in an upstate Holiday Inn and attending a Yankee baseball game. Mr. Laser also has a gift for writing terse sentences which speak volumes (e.g. "That's what Thanksgiving is for...the reawakening of ancient enmities" and "It's just a convention of TV that friends hold no grudges, have no memories." I look forward to his next book.

This is the first time I have ever purchased a Farmers almanac, and now I wonder how I ever gardened without one! It is set up in an easy to read format, and is small enought to carry around!

Being America's oldest published periodical, this fact alone assures a potential examiner or reader that it is indeed a worthwhile study. This funny and odd (perhaps one say this, I thought that odd was a good pointer, however, others might disagree over this) book has been read and studied for almost 300 years and gives weather indications for the following year. The supplemental guide to watching the weather is a funny little thing that teaches one how and what to look for whilst one is outside observing the shifting weather patterns. Highly Recommended.

This book tells it all like it is. It leaves nothing out. If you have problems figuring out what the symbols mean, there is a directory that helps you. I recommend the books to friends & family every year - which I perchase every year myself.

This is a fascinating work on a fairly esoteric topic. Although I usually don't usually encounter such works unless I am looking up specific information, I came across this book and had a difficult time putting it down. The illustrations are a magical blend of art and fact. When I have visited the courthouses, I felt as if I had been there - from both the prose and the drawings. If this topic (Texas history and culture) sounds interesting, get the book - you'll love it. If you are not sure, get the book - you'll love it. This will make a wonderful gift.

Great book whether you are from Texas or not. The author's artwork is superb and gives you the real feelings of these "old Texas friends". The stories are right out of history and very entertaining. Whether you are young or old, the past is always a great place to visit and Mr. Morgan's book is a wonderful time machine with which to travel there. Highly recommended.

The prose is remarkably uplifting and allows one to look at history in a unique fashion. The stories are interesting and some local people with firsthand knowledge about one particular story told me the article was correct to the letter. The drawings are amazingly accurate to the finest detail. An excellent gift for the upcoming holidays. Your friends or relatives would greatly appreciate this book.

I bought this book after hearing about the death of the great Ferdinand.
This book shows many of the great ones that have come along, many that are still breeding and many that are living out the rest of their days in quiet comfort. Livingston is a fan of all of these horses, writing as if each one is her own. I read this book in one sitting, crying and laughing all at the same time.

I can't help but think of all the horses that didn't make it, the horse that met the same end as Ferdinand. The one's that were bred for speed but couldn't quite turn it on at the right time. The horses in this book were and are all very, very lucky indeed.

I had the pleasure of meeting the author at Gulfstream Park . She was doing a book-signing at the Florida Derby and I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. She is a kind and gracious lady. She took her time with everyone who approached her. I was already planning to purchase book and was so happy to get an autographed copy! The pictures are incredible and the grace and dignity she conveys with them is perfect for such beautiful animals as thoroughbred horses. I recommend this book to anyone who loves horses or horse racing. As Ms Livingston signed in my book : Track fever is a good thing!"

Barbara has devoted much time and heart into a wonderful book reflecting the lives of many racing legends. She's been able to touch on individual aspects of each animal including a little racing background and breeding. After reading each chapter, I felt I knew each one personally.
As a frequent browser of Bloodhorse.com, I've come across obituaries of several horses that were in the book and have printed the articles and inserted them into their appropriate chapters. I recently emailed Barbara with some inquiries and she was very kind in responding back to me. She is currently working on Old Friends-Part 2 and you can bet I'll purchase a copy for my library.
I recommend this book to all horse enthusiates!

In this colorful book, kids will delight in the tale of the pure, if someone what unlikely, friendship that develops between an old, lonely man and the house-trained flea he purchases from a petshop ("teeny tiny litter tray" and everything). The classic theme of friendships that break the usual mold is revitalized in this story by Mary Elizabeth Hanson with quirky and emotion-filled illustrations by David Webber Merrell.

While the old man is enjoying taking his tiny little friend to the movies, the beach and even a whale-watching cruise, the ever-skepital townspeople begin to whisper among themselves. "He's knotted his noodle." It's true that they mean well, but it seems that the townspeople would feel a bit more comfortable if they could actually see the pal the old man is chatting with.

This is a fun, fun book with a strong message about friendship that your kids will want you to read over and over. You'll gladly oblige.

Amazon is making a serious mistake in classifying this marvelous book a children's book. I will be 70 on my next birthday, and I fell in love with this book and bought it (full price) while visiting Taos, NM. I plan to share it with my grown children. The charm of this book lies in the inseperability of its wacky tale and fabulous illustrations. I predict that this combination of Mary Elizabeth Hanson and David Webber Merrell will take its place alongside Lewis Carroll and Sir John Tenniel.

The title of this "little gem of a story" is what captured my interest, but the illustrations by David Webber Merrell stole my heart. Gentle lessons and laugh out loud illustrations are a wonderful combination to this feel good picture book. A lonely old man finds friendship and companionship in a most unlikley pet...and she is a lovely shade of purple with a saucy yellow bow on her head. This is one story you will want to read to yourself after you have read it to the children or grandchilden.

Old Talk: New Conversations is a truly "user friendly" planning guide for seniors and their families coming to grips with regard to making decisions stemming from the facts of aging upon the issues of medical care, finances, legal issues, and lifestyle matters. Five professionals present insightful and practical information and commentary that include chapters on Planning for a Financially Comfortable Retirement; Estate and Tax Planning; Long-Term Care Insurance: The New Financial Necessity; Getting the Care You Need When You Live at Home; and Choosing Your New Home: Retirement/Senior Housing. Old Talk: New Conversations is an invaluable, very highly recommended guide which ought to be a part of every community library, senior citizen center, and geriatric social services agency reference collection.

This is one of the best books I've seen in a long time. It's a very practical book that's written so anyone can understand it. It's a great way to introduce the subject of planning for the future with a parent (or an adult child).

I met the authors. They are nice people...and they know what they are talking about. They went out of their way to answer my questions. This book answers every question you could possible have about planning for your future. It rocks.

What a great medium for travel or just to pass the time.I bought this series after listening to old time radio program replays when i could catch them on my car radio.I am from Oklahoma and it was interesting to find that one of the programs that i really enjoyed originated in Oklahoma City.I also enjoyed the commercials which are humorous in todays context but give such a wonderful feel of the bygone era of my parents and grandparents.One commercial concerns sending cigarettes to veterans in a Muskogee,Okla. veterans hospital.I would recommend this series to anyone.It certainly makes a long drive enjoyable and is so much more stimulating and vivid than television.

I cannot recommend this product enough! I bought it because I've never heard an old time radio program like they used to put on before tv existed. It was amazing how the shows could come alive in your imagination without the aid of a television screen. The actors are skilled and the sound effects are wonderful. I wish they would bring back radio shows based on the mystery shows of the past. Its perfect for me because I can crochet and keep my eyes on my work while listening to the radio mysteries. Whether you're cooking in the kitchen or driving to work, you can still be entertained with these shows!

I can't recommend this one highly enough. From Suspense's "Ghost Hunt" (listen to this one with the lights off and see if the chill bumps don't grab you), to "The Uninvited" (which was made into a movie that's just as creepy as this story), to all 3 of the Inner Sanctum Mysteries - there are just too many good ones to highlight them all. I really haven't found a better collection like this yet, and I think you'll love it too. If you haven't been introduced into how good OTR used to be, then this is a great way to be introduced to it.

Cute and clever collection of observances on doggy behavior. Just for fun, but one of the cleverest of its type, and I love the illustrations.

I read this book at the house of a fellow dog lover and ended up ordering 6 copies for other dog lovers I know! Can't wait to share it with them, as they will appreciate the not only the humor, but how well it represents the personalities of dogs we have all known and loved.

This book must be written by a really smart old dog because he does seem to know how everything works. I read some of it to my dogs and they totally agree. We all had a great tummy scratch and took a nap. Great fun!!

A must for all Asatru Folk who need to learn Old English. The smart idea the writer has is to skip the Latin transations and to only use poems written in Old English, this way you learn the words as well as the grammer. Wyatt Kaldenberg

When I bought this book I only expected to get a smattering of OE. but was delightfully surprised to find that this text, in conjunction with Robinson's Old English and its Closest Relatives (which you should read first if you're a monolingual English speaker)brings the world of old Germanic language and culture into a sharper focus. After reading some texts in Old English, I started to branch out into Old Icelandic and even Gothic (truly Exciting!). I feel that Old English is an essential study for anyone interested in Germanic language. It serves as a good, solid base by which languages like Gothic and Old Norse are more easily and quickly understood.

This is the only book for Anglo-Saxon that I know of, besides some editions of Beowulf, which has PARALLEL TEXTS for all of the readings. This is a huge help and will save you a whole lotta knock-shloggin' (looking words up), so you can study Old English kicked back with your feet up. Plus, the translations are nice and literal, and where they can't be literal, the translator gives the word-for-word meaning in parentheses.

Another nice thing is that, unlike most all other Old English readers, none of the selections here are translations of Latin works (and so not influenced by annoying Latin syntax), but all original Anglo-Saxon compositions, including some of the most important works: Caedmon's Hymn, The Battle of Brunanburg, The Battle of Maldon, The Dream of the Rood, The Wanderer, The Seafarer, The Wife's Lament, The Whale, selections from The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (Alfred vs. the Vikings--hooray!), and others.

Mr. Diamond says that this book "is intended to make learning Old English as easy as possible", and he does a great service by publishing it. True, there are no lessons or exercises, but if you've been studying your German or your Icelandic then you'll have no problem with the very to-the-point treatments of grammar, Umlaut, metrics, etc. (If, on the other hand, you haven't been working on your modern German, then what the heck are you already jumping to Old English for?!)

This book, good also for review, will get you reading Anglo-Saxon texts very soon if not immediately, and the mix in them of a hardy Germanic character and a very familiar Englishness is pure pleasure.

(P.S. If you want a really helpful edition of Beowulf, get George Jack's (OUP), and if you want a nice overview of all Old Germanic, try Robinson's Old English and its Closest Relatives.)

My first encounter with the book came about through a pilot/mechanic friend who knew Slats pretty well back in the day, and loaned me an original copy in the early 1980's.
I was so taken with the story,it's humor and narrative honesty I asked to borrow it again, and have fantasized for years since about trying to arrange a proper screenplay and justly present it. Unfortunately I'm not aware of any skills in that regard. Nonetheless I would be thrilled to be involved in it.
My friend has since died, however I know other people who knew Slats as well also, and are still living and get excited every time his name is mentioned.
His story is a treasure, and he is truly one of my all time heros........

Slats is my grandfather by marriage when he married my grandmother and his adopted son still lives in San Marcos, Tx and adopted daughter in Temple, Tx. His worldly ways has inspired his living family. We are all so proud of him and his contribution to the aviation history here in Texas. We would like to know more of his escapades from friends of long ago. This book only touches his highlites and I am sure there are many more stories to be told. We would like to hear about them.

My Grandfather knew Slats and I still have an autographed copy of the book. Every summer from 1955 until 1962 my family would trek from Oklahoma to the cottage at Port Isabel, TX. Old Soggy No. 1 was always the first book I read that vacation. From this book I developed a life long love of aviation. I concur with one of the other reviews, this book should be made into a movie. It would be a very tough movie to do well, though.