Thoroughly researched and detailed, Mark Lewisohn's "Complete Beatles Chronicle" will satisfy even the most knowledgeable Beatle fan. This monster reference book provides the who, what, when, where and why of nearly every day in the life of the Beatles. Every concert, recording session, film and TV appearance is painstakingly noted and described. In many cases, Lewisohn provides exact times and lengths of recording sessions. This is great for those of us who just have to know exactly when and where our favorite Beatle songs were recorded! Only upon examining the Beatles' grueling schedule can one truly appreciate how diligently John, Paul, George and Ringo worked to attain their status as the world's premier rock band. Simply put, the Beatles' earned everything they got and Lewisohn, arguably the world's foremost Beatle authority, drives that point home in this remarkable document. In addition to the daily entries, the author also includes rare photos, notes, concert bills and recording session track sheets. The overall scope and magnitude of "Chronicle" is nothing short of staggering. No other book provides such an accurate and detailed account of the Beatles' daily routines. Hard-core fans have long respected the dedication of Mark Lewisohn and, once again, have been rewarded with a Beatle document unlike any other. Highly recommended.

Why is this the "First Beatles Book One Should Read?" Simply put, Marc Lewisohn (an EMI records reseracher) volume is a true labor of love, but not a "tell-all" or a "I was John Lennon's mailman" rip off.

This is a true, scholarly effort. It is a day-by-day account of The Beatle's professional, not personal, affairs. More than just what they did where on an particular day, it shows how hectic their early days were, how incredibly frantic was the Beatlemania in Britian and the USA and their best work (from Revolver on) evolved in the studio.

The book is intelligently writtena nd produced. Each year is a separate chapter, starting first with an introduction which puts that year in perspective to the Beatle's career. What follows is a day by day retelling of every concert, recording sesson, Radio/TV appearance, etc. It's a great companion to Anthology (CDS and video) as you get an idea as to how certain events played how, how certain songs were recorded and again, how crazy the early 60's were for the Beatles.

If anyone wants to know the who, what, where and why (especially why the Beatles broke up as professional musicians) this book, which first appaeared in 1992 and is finally reprinted, is the one book to have. I've read it once and plan to go back again and again.

this is the 3rd book on the beatles by mark lewisohn that i have gotten, & it is sort of a combination of the 1st 2, "the beatles live", & "the beatles recording sessions"(the 2nd book paul mccartney wrote the intro to because he admired the 1st book so much).i swear, i have been reading books on the beatles since they have been being written from 1964 on, & these books by mark lewisohn are really all you need - maybe include hunter davies "the beatles",1968. "the beatles live" was my favorite, it describes so well the early days of the group in liverpool & hamburg.
if you know a lot about the beatles but you havnt read any of lewisohns books yet, you will find SO much info you didnt know. he researched these books for years, was given access to everything at abbey road, every show they ever did from 1957 on that is possible to know anything about is chronicled. Lennon would have LOVED the "live" book, it brings to life so well those early days in hamburg that he loved to remember.I dont know what else to say, i cant recommend them enough. these books are the next best thing to having a new beatle album, which we know can never happen.

I have long been a fan of Roger von Oech's work on creativity (see A Whack on the Side of the Head and the Creative Whack Pack card deck). I found this book to be a pleasant and valuable addition to my resources for stimulating my thinking in new ways.

The book's core are 30 epigrams ("a terse, witty, and often paradoxical saying") of the 125 that have come down to us in the quotations of other authors from Heraclitus, as written 2500 years ago. Mr. von Oech has taken the traditional translation and updated it into more conceptual English in many cases, which makes the material more accessible. "All things happen according to the logos" (from Heraclitus by T. M. Robinson, University of Toronto Press, 1987) becomes "The cosmos speaks in patterns." Each epigram begins with an imaginative line drawing to give you an initial impression of the concept. Mr. von Oech goes on to provide some key subpoints in a brief essay, some examples of the concepts and subpoints in action, and occasionally gives you puzzles and brain teasers to play with (the answers are at the end of the book).

The longer the section, the better I liked it. So I left the book wishing it had been longer. That's my usual test of how helpful a book was to me. While many of these epigrams meant nothing to me on first reading them, Mr. von Oech's explanations soon made each an old and valuable friend.

Mr. von Oech suggests three ways to use the book. First, you can read it from start to finish as a creativity workbook. Second, you can take one epigram a day and make it the focus of a meditation for that day. You can repeat the list at the end of 30 days ("You can't step into the same river twice" so you should get new insights each time). Third, you can use the book as an oracle. When you have a question, randomly pick an epigram (there's a random number table in the book to help you do this) and apply it to the problem. I would like to suggest a fourth application, as well. You could use the epigrams to stimulate group creativity in problem-solving situations involving others.

Space does not permit (nor would fairness allow) publishing all the epigrams here, but let me share the ones that had the most impact on me.

"That which opposes produces a benefit."

"A wonderful harmony is created when you join together the seemingly unconnected."

"I searched into myself."

"Many fail to grasp what's right in the palm of the hand."

"Things love to conceal their true nature."

"Those who approach life like a child playing a game, moving and pushing pieces, possess the power of kings."

"Sea water is both pure and polluted: for fish it's drinkable and life-giving; for humans undrinkable and destructive."

"It is disease that makes health pleasant, hunger that makes fullness good, and weariness that makes rest sweet."

"The way up and the way down are one and the same."

"A thing rests by changing."

"Donkeys prefer garbage to gold."

"Every walking animal is driven to its purpose with a whack."

"Your character is your destiny."

"The Sun is new each day."

The summary combines all thirty epigrams into a brief essay. I encourage you to take one of the epigrams above and apply it today. If it helps you, go on to use another one tomorrow. If that is working, order this book and keep using other epigrams daily until the book arrives. Then, see how Mr. von Oech's thoughtful ideas about the epigrams expand your thinking even further!

Be prepared to find diamonds in your coal mine!

A number of years ago, I read Roger von Oech's A WHACK ON THE SIDE OF THE HEAD. It was fairly early in my career, when the mold is still unformed but the message was poignant. Recently, when I ran across EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED and saw von Oech was the author, I decided to pick it up and renew myself to von Oech's teachings. What a breath of fresh air he offers with EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.

von Oech draws heavily upon the ancient wisdom of Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher. Heraclitus, like Parmenides, postulated a model of nature and the universe which created the foundation for all other speculation on physics and metaphysics. The ideas that the universe is in constant change and there is an underlying order or reason to this change-the Logos-form the essential foundation of the primary Heraclitean view. Everytime one walks into a science, economics, or political science course, at most any level, significantly all the teachings originate with Heraclitus's speculations on change and the Logos.
Despite this and the fact the ancient Greeks considered Heraclitus one of their principal philosophers, precious little remains of his writings. The passages remaining are tremendously obtuse, not because they are quoted out of context, but because Heraclitus deliberately cultivated an obscure writing style (one that makes one THINK!). However, thanks to von Oech's passion for all that is Heraclitus and his teachings, we are presented with many the ancient 'riddles' and a modern day correlation and translation of each. von Oech recalls being struck with "the Heraclitean bug" while studying in Germany many years ago. Now, he has written a book in which he brilliantly and entertainingly examines concepts such as symbol, paradox, and ambiguity in relation to creative thought.

At the beginning of EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED, von Oech provides the reader with 30 creative insights to consider and explore our creative psyches. von Oech goes through each of the thirty selected epigrams, provides his interpretation along with examples, parables, and questions-the kind that make you go "Hmmm"- all the while stoking the creative being within. von Oech does not attempt to inform the reader that his interpretation is the correct one; to the contrary, he implores the reader to step outside the boundries of conventional thought to find the "correct" answer.

As he was in A WHACK ON THE SIDE OF THE HEAD, von Oech is immensely entertaining. He is an individual who has spent his career assisting others to think creatively. As a byproduct of this career, von Oech has proven himself to be a prodigous creative thinker in his own right. Those in the 'concrete' professions-attorneys, consultants, accountants-will find this book extremely insightful. Thinking in the abstract is incongruent with the 'concrete' professions (I know, I'm one of them). As such, having the fodder to stoke the creative juices, particularly when problem-solving, is a boon to any professional.

At it's small physical size and only 190-odd pages, this book is perfect to keep handy at your desk or any place one engages in thought. I plan to keep it nearby just to refer to when a problem presents itself in an ostensibly unsolvable manner.

Highly recommended.

The fact that von Oech draws heavily upon the "ancient wisdom of Heraclitus" in this book correctly suggests what a creative mind such as von Oech's can accomplish when seeing direct and useful correlations between an ancient Greek philosopher (other than Plato and Aristotle) and intellectual challenges in the 21st century. Von Oech describes Heraclitus as "the world's first creative teacher." He recalls being "infected" (happily) with the Heraclitean "bug" while studying in Germany 30 years ago. Now von Oech has written a book in which he brilliantly and entertainingly examines concepts such as symbol, paradox, and ambiguity in relation to creative thought. He offers 30 "Creative Insights" of Heraclitus which include, for example, these five:

#2. "Expect the unexpected or you won't find it."

#4 "You can't step into the same river twice."

#12 "Many fail to grasp what's right in the palm of their hand."

#26 "Donkeys prefer garbage to gold."

#29 "Your character is your destiny."

Individually and even when clustered with the other 25, these "Creative Insights" may seem unworthy of careful consideration. In fact, von Oech provides a brief but insightful analysis of each which effectively demonstrates the wisdom of #12. Truly creative thinkers are always alert to what I call "the invisibility of the obvious." They are not threatened by or even uncomfortable with symbol, paradox, and ambiguity. On the contrary, their minds are stimulated by them.

Throughout his book, von Oech inserts a number of brief puzzles for the reader to solve. (The correct answers are included and explained within the "Final Thoughts" section.) These puzzles are fun to grapple with, of course, and presumably most readers will solve them of them. My point is, the answers to the unsolved puzzles are no less obvious than the answers to the others, no matter which specific puzzles the reader is unable to solve.

Frankly, when I began to read this book, I really did not know what to expect. What of value could I possibly learn from a relatively obscure Greek philosopher? However, von Oech had already convinced me of the value of an occasional "whack on the side of the head" and "kick in the seat of the pants" so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. (See #12.) As always, von Oech is immensely entertaining. He has superb writing skills. And of course, he is an immensely creative thinker in his own right. I strongly recommend this little (in length) book to literally anyone who wants to put white caps on her or his gray matter. Those who share my high regard for this book are strongly urged to read all of von Oech's previous books as well as those written by Guy Claxton, Edward de Bono, Lynne Levesque, and Michael Michalko.

This book rested on my bookshelf for about two months after I received it from Amazon. Frankly, I found 700-plus pages a little daunting. But having read The Supreme Commander - Stephen Ambrose's masterful book on Ike's war years, this seemed a natural follow-up. It was especially alluring because Ike so admired Marshall. As I deem Ike a genuine hero, it was natural to be interested in his hero.

Well, I'm glad I tackled it! I rank it alongside biographical masterpieces like Edmund Morris's two-volume biography of Teddy Roosevelt and Ron Chernow's biography of Rockefeller. Simply put, this is one of the best books I've ever read.

For anyone interested in the WWII era, or generally the history of America in the first half of the 20th century, this is MUST reading.

James B. Hagerty
Cincinnati Ohio

General George Marshall deserves to be as well know as Patton or Ike. He more than anyone else is responsible for America's victory in WWII. He could have been Surpreme Commander of all forces in Europe but out of duty and honor he stayed in Washington where he was needed. No person wielded more power during the war years except perhaps FDR. He was responsible for promoting such men as Ike, Patton, and Bradley. Who knows how history might have changed if he had sought the fame and glory that Ike received as Surpreme Commander. In this book Ed Cray follows Marshall from his childhood through his WWI and WWII service, including his later positions as Secretary of Defense and Secertary of State. I don't know of any other man who did as much in his life as Marshall. Best of all, he did it all with complete honesty and integrity. He had the absolute trust of all mjor players in WWII including FDR, Churchill, and Stalin. This book derserves to be on the shelf of all WWII buffs as well as anyone who wants to know what true leadership is about.

As I finished reading Mr. Crays critically detailed book of General Marshall, I could not help feel sad by the lack of recognition he received. As a truely great man he did not have to prove to anyone who was in charge. Even at the Pearl Harbor hearings the people observing stood up when he entered and left the room out of shear respect. As Winston Churchill stated about General Marshall when WWII was over " Thank You". Americans will probably never really know what a great leader, soldier, statesman, and example he truely was during such a dark time in our history. Mr. Cray does a great job in paying tribute to the man.

The book was a gift to my father, years ago, who was a chef with some domestic and international training and experience. A fan of Escoffier, my father couldn't believe some of Herter's comments about the reknown French master of cuisine. This is a wonderful, mixed up collection of recipes, which seem to be second to a world history according to THE authority, George Leonard Herter. He claims authentic historical recipes, but the ingredients list begins with "Take a #2 can of whole corn..." I'm sure the early Native Americans had the electric can openers ready. In any event, a must-read, as I have devoured this book many times and keep howling with laughter. Oh, and yes, the recipes are quite good...and easy.

In addition to being a useful cookbook, this is a facinating history book. This is my favorite cookbook, and has taught me how to cook more than any other. It is also very entertaining, and funny to read. Some of the recipes that I've used which are excellent are Shoshone meat patties, saurbraten, Stonewall Jackson barbecue ribs, Seminole Corn Relish, sour dough pancakes La Salle, and beans escoffier. And if you've ever wondered how to make Worstecshire sauce, beer, or about 50 different kinds of wine after reading this book you will wonder no more.

This is simply the funniest, strangest cookbook I've ever owned. The story of St. Anthony's world famous sandwich put my boyfriend into such a state of hilarity that I thought he'd stopped breathing. Of course, it's just one among many bizzare blends of ancient history and rustic American home cookin'. Some recipes, ostensibly from original, ancient sources, use such things as ketchup and luncheon meat. I had no idea the book had been re-published in 1995, so I was shocked to find these reviews! My edition is 1969, Vol. I, gold hardcover, self-published by Herter's store. In back, it lists some other titles by the Herters, such as, "How to Live with a Bitch", "George the Housewife", and "How to Get Out of the Rat Race and Live on $10 a Month". If anybody finds these, I'd love to know how they compare to old "Bull Cook".

It's always so nice to find other people that see animals in the same heavenly light. If my husband asked me to make a choice between him and my beloved dog - I'd pick the dog. The reasoning would be, that if he couldn't understand my love and very primary NEED for animals; perhaps he never knew me at all. But you know what? My husband does "get it". His heartstrings have been pulled in the same way as mine. Pets never leave and seldom disappoint. When everything is topsy turvy in my world - precious Molly comes to the rescue. The best part of the book was for me when George decides to take the somewhat bedraggled mother, Lupa. He really IS an animal lover - a man with a soul. I'm the gal that always wants the orphans, the discarded, or the mutts. Great book. So glad this book was written.

Several years ago I discovered this gem in a bookstore at the St.Louis airport when a connecting flight was cancelled. I sat in the food court, crying, and finished the entire book. Since then I have given 6 copies to dog loving friends for special occasions. This is a book to cherish, but it is not just about dogs. It's a wonderful account of the relationship of the two men who rescued the dogs, and to all who were involved in their extremely long and happy lives. The author is a philosopher, and the book is extremely well written and erudite, a commentary on the values that make life worth living - love, devotion, trust - the karma is the same for humans and canines. I have shared my life with eight dachshunds, and I recently buried my beloved Dieter with George Pitcher's eulogy-poem. Thank you, George and Ed.

I found this book at the book store on campus at Princeton University and was delighted to find the author George Pitcher was on faculty at that time. The book was totally fascinating and I was amazed the author's conveyance of the true feelings between man and his dog. Dogs give such unconditional love to their owners/masters but this book develops the reverse also. The men just love their dogs so unconditionally that my emotions were overwhelming. I cried for a half hour after I completed reading this beatiful story. What love.....taking the dogs to Europe on the QEII, cooking for them, caring for them in their old age. These men are true animal lovers. I wish Mr. Pitcher would write more about this subject. Absolutely one of my all time favorites and I read at least 100 books a year.

I don't usually take the time to write about the books I read for pleasure, but this one got to me in a unique way. I really felt I was there, every step of the way on an adventure that surprised and thrilled me. The authors succeeded in hooking me in from the very first, then keeping my attention for the entire book, quite an accomplishment because I'm a very demanding reader of fiction. Congrats to Messers. Wallace and Keith, and I hope they write more together.

Final Bearing, by George Wallace and Don Keith, truly is a rip-snorter! The authors packed a lot of exciting action into every page. Combining submarines and other craft with spies, drugs, and jungle warfare was a potent formula mixed up with a great air of authenticity. I hope it sells well, and I can hardly wait for the movie. But the book jacket needs a government warning: "Do not read this book if you have heart trouble!" Frank S. Virden, Captain, USN (Ret.)

This is a good read. The plot continues through several characters to culminate into the final riviting scenes. There is enough technical information to keep the interest of those who truly understand those elements, but that same information does not interfere with the enjoyment of the story for those less technically knowledgeable. In fact, I learned a great deal of the atmosphere surrounding the lives of our brave military personel by reading this book.
The story deals with the good/evil struggles of our lives here on this planet through the actions of our military and the underbelly of society from which they protect us.
I do recommend this book.

I'm a "theatrical rat" and have found Paul Carter's book very useful both in theater and at home. The book was intended to be a source of information, both mainstream and obscure, for the technical theater community. However, if one needs a survival guide for any purpose, The Backstage Handbook will do the job. Buy it now. *****(out of 5)..

I've used this book as a 'bible' for ten years. There is nothing like it. It is concise, exact and obviously created by actual working live production personnel. Paul Carter fills a much needed lack of reference material in the production field. The illustrations/drawings are more than worth the price of admission. It is most unfortunate that Paul is not here to create new editions. Please keep this in print!

Of course this book is great, but for the ultimate reference library backstage, please search out a copy of PocketRef or DeskRef. They're the same book, just one is desk size, the other...well, I'll let you figure this one out. Trust me. DeskRef has everything. It isn't geared at theatre directly, so it has lots of formulas that "come up" backstage in those situations where real world advise is needed quickly. Get a copy. Please. You will thank me

I have been reading Bob George's column for many years. and this book brings back many fond memories, along with more than a few chuckles. Great reading for all.

I've been an avid fan of "By George" for over a decade. Mr. George's witty and insightful view of events in his life are ones we can all relate to. And now captured all in one book. A must read!

BOB GEORGE IS A VERY SPECIAL PERSON AND A RARE GIFTED FRIEND. HIS MANY ARTICLES OF THE "GILLOTTE- FERRARO" FAMILY HAVE TRULY SAVED THESE PRECIOUS MEMORIES FOR ALL TIME;AND GENERATIONS.THIS BOOK IS TRULY ANOTHER WONDERFUL EXPRESSION OF HIS RARE TALENTS.HE IS A VERY SPECIAL FRIEND AND I HOPE MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE CHANCE TO PURCHASE AND TREASURE AGAIN HIS WONDERFUL TALENT; THANK YOU BOB FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL SPECIAL MEMORIES; I WILL ALWAYS TREASURE YOUR GIFT OF WRITING.

This is not just another techie book. This is a wonderful amalgamation of marketing, technology and business wrapped in an easy-to-read "how-to" book.

Capturing Customers.com is filled with so many good ideas that I was kicking myself for the opportunities I had been missing. Now, armed with these lessons, I'm already making meaningful changes in my business. I'm so glad I picked up this book and only hope my competition doesn't.

This book has great insight into the e-business story. I have found it informative and have already recommended it to clients who are moving to e-business for more efficient marketing opportunities. Mr. Colombo's practical approach to technology and the Internet is real plus. This book is worth the time and will give you insight into the e-business movement. I also like Mr. Colombo's style and find it entertaining to read and a good book for an airplane commute.

You read the manifestos, the prophecies and the change-or-die ultimatums. Now read the postmortem. George Colombo begins his dissection of the dotcom corpse by stating the now obvious: Many Internet companies didn't offer viable business plans, the Internet stock boom was mostly hysteria, and the average Internet start-up had no clue how to acquire or serve customers. But picking through the carnage, he identifies elements of the dotcom business model that are worth salvaging. In clear, spare prose he explains how businesses can blend brick-and-mortar operations with electronic innovations like permission marketing and mass customization to capture long-term customers - the key to success in a market of hyper-informed and fickle consumers. We at getAbstract.com strongly recommend this book to any and all professionals, especially those left wondering what's to become of their vaunted Web strategies in the post-dotcom era.

Courtesy of Love Romances

Gray Sinclair is a ship captain on a mission. He is on a quest for a mythological gemstone, the "Sacred Heart," a rare flawless red diamond. His brother is on the brink of losing the family estate and Gray believes finding this diamond will save them all from ruin. He never expected to find himself tried and condemned to death in a small Scottish town, for a murder he did not commit!

Bonnie MacTavish is the sole witness to the gruesome death of her friend. She found Gray crouched over the body, bloody knife in hand, concluding he is the killer. In spite of that, she wanted Gay to receive a fair trial. When he is convicted in the farce, her doubts of his guilt begin to surface, leading her to the decision to help him escape.

Gray doesn't need her help though, and makes good on his escape, taking Bonnie with him. She is furious over her kidnapping and vows to make his life miserable until she can make her bid for freedom. Things change while they are at sea, however. Bonnie begins to see a whole different side of Gray, one of compassion, and she realizes he is not capable of brutally murdering anyone.

As Gray continues on his quest for the stone, he and Bonnie grow closer, but he carries additional emotional burdens he is afraid to tell her about. He believes that if she knows the truth about him, and his family, that she would be unable to care for him. Will Gray complete his quest for his own personal Grail? Will Bonnie manage to break through Gray's personal barriers to reach his heart and the love he denies himself?

This was a novel full of adventure and passion. Ms. George gain proves her skill at penning a tale to tug at the heartstrings. Gray and Bonnie are full of personality that leaps off the pages. His demons and her fire are always evident. The colorful cast of characters, right down to a cuddly canine, and a rather ugly, but loved no less, pet vulture, entrance the reader, making the story all the more enjoyable.

The sometimes overly wordy passages takes getting used to at first, but once familiar with it, it is hardly noticeable. Also, the murder which begins the story takes a back seat to Gray's quest. This reviewer had trouble believing that Bonnie could apparently forget all about her friend's death, thought hat is what appears to happen for most of the story. Other than a few references to Gray's label as "murderer," most of the novel no one even thinks about that which started the whole adventure.

All in all, this was an exciting story full of emotion, dangers, action, and conflict which is par for the course in the genre. Ms. George puts her own signature on the romance world, drawing people in and making them eager for the next story.

This is a wonderful story of the power of love and trust. Bonnie is not afraid of the Devil himself, in this case Gray. She is attracted to him and is convinced that is not a killer. ...This is a definite keeper.

This was a wonderful, sexy, unpredictable story, and Gray and Bonnie really went through a lot to find the love they deserved. I so enjoy Ms. George's endings. She always suceeds in doing something I didn't expect.