Your book is terrific. I have lived with "gotcha press" for years. When I was the Deputy Secretary of Defense, I had to go to the press bear pit on a regular basis. I wish I had had your book before I did that. It would have helped. And the techniques I learned the hard way convince me you know exactly what you are talking about. Great reading.

John Hamre, President and CEO, Center for Strategic & International Studies, and former Deputy Secretary of Defense

As a community volunteer and leader in the Dallas area, I decided I needed to be prepared to deal with the media if anything "big" happened in my community. You never know when you may be in the spotlight. I found "Beat The Press" fun to read and easy to understand. It has helped me to be prepared in a media event and would be a great resource during a media crisis.

As a new President of an organization where I occasionally am in need of speaking with the press, I was looking for a fast, easy read, informational, straight-forward book that could help me better understand the media and how to respond to questions more effectively for my company. Beat the Press met my criteria. This book gives you "how to" information that can help those who find themselves talking with the media or needing to send or review press releases. I feel much better prepared. Excellent book to keep readily available.

Alice Fulton here offers beautifully crafted essays on poets and poetry, emphasizing the power of estrangement that gives lyric much of its interest. Emily Dickinson plays an important role in this book, but above all the reader will find elegant and telling formulations about poetry's exploration of possibilities of feeling.

Let's keep it simple: this is a challenging but accessible and rewarding book. It's not surprising that some professional reviewers have carped; the book takes them (often deservedly) to task for preaching "karaoke poetics," parroting with increasing volume and decreasing originality things that were said -- and tired -- a decade ago. Fulton's chapters on her own poetry and on Dickinson are outstanding, but the whole rewards even a casual reading. Though it's prose in format, the book is still a poem -- a fractal poem -- in the way it plays with its subject matter, diverges on flights of fancy and whimsy, reveals the poet as a person rather than a cold auctorial voice, etc.

Not since I read Wallace Steven's 'The Necessary Angel' 25 years ago have I felt such a wide-ranging intelligence in a book of essays on poetry. Fulton uses theories of science in absolutely startling ways. Readers with any interest in rich metaphors will find much here that is positively exciting and new. Her two essays on what she's calling "fractal verse" are solid, thoughtful, and full of possibilities for where poetry can take us. So far as I know, no poet has ever before described the "poem plane" and how poets are at the threshold of "breaking" through it. To me, this is as significant as Pound's idea of "breaking" the pentameter was when it was first proposed. This book is the work of a true visionary.

If you enjoy quirky characters, a dash of silly humor (even the sound effects are funny), and mysteries this audio book was made for you. The main plot is well layered and interesting. Within a few moments I was hooked and wanted to stay with the story to find out what the deal was with the fourth tower. Later more and more mysteries, some completely unrelated to the tower mystery, kept me interested and involved during Jacks hesitant search for the tower and the jukebox. There is a lot going on in the story, each character could easily merit a book unto them selves, Little Freda or the Madonna Vampira for instance, but the author keeps a firm grip on the plot and I didn't feel lost or left on some pointless side story at any time.

If you enjoy audio productions don't miss out on this classic and be sure to check out the many other audio productions of ZBS!

Your body may have to stay in one place, but your mind can make incredible journeys. The Fourth Tower of Inverness is an homage to old time radio, with generous dashes of mystic fantasy and adventure. Jack Flanders journeys to his aunts three-towered estate in Inverness, where he encounters a mystery. An old Juke Box plays just before a disaster occurs. When a vanishing Fourth Tower appears in the mist, Jack knows he must enter the tower, and find the source of the Lotus Juke Box. Along the way he recieves help and advice from Far-Seeing Art, Little Frieda, Chief Wampum-Stompum, and Jives the Butler. Just one more thing, beware the Dragon!

It was over a decade ago when I first heard this story. Since then, I've worn out two sets of tapes and had to purchase the CDs. It was well worth it! The story is an excellent work of modern fantasy and features an incredible audio palette of sound that transports you to another world...humorous, smart, and very entertaining!

I am usually a critic of "Life of Christ" stories. It's easy for me to mount my soap box and say, "If one wants to learn of the life of Jesus, read the gospels." However, this book was different. Oursler remains faithful to the biblical accounts of the life of Jesus, weaving the material from the four evangelists together to produce a truly great narrative. For those thirsty for some reading on the life of the Lord, I would certainly still point them first (and always) to the Scripture; however, I must admit that, regarding Oursler's narrative, there is some value to be gained from the stirring of the heart this story produces. Highly recommended for all -- both young and old.

Read this book out loud to your family and use it for discussions about the life of Jesus Christ. I have a 13 year old son who knew very little about Jesus, and now has a simple but deep grasp of the story. It has lead to talk about Jesus' miracles, His inspirational teaching of morality, and His resurrection. This book is accurate in every particular to the gospel of Mark. Oursler does a good job of describing the facts of the gospel in novel form so that the people come alive again. The language is challenging and specific, though not complicated. Oursler knows the definitive meanings of words and uses them well, but puts them in understandable context. One small remark that might be construed as a complaint: the physical descriptions of Jesus are true to the classical western paintings of a brown haired man with light eyes. Small quibble, not important. Oursler captures the spirit of the man and the glory of God in Him. If you need to "read" the Bible story before beginning your study of the Word, this book will give you a clear picture of the life and teachings of the Master. Enjoy!

The Greatest Story Ever Told is one of the most compelling books on the life of Christ I have ever read. Above that, Edward Herrmann's reading is artful and compelling. It's an excellent introduction to your friends who don't know Jesus, and for yourself if you want to grow in your understanding of the greatest man that ever lived.

Anyone who is interested in taking up photography should have this book. There are many emotions "pictured" in this book, a wonderful and artful way for people to get in touch with themselves.

When a Photographer has done the hard work necessary to become a portraitist for many of our modern musicians, screen personalities and others of note there is always a danger that his or her work will lose its innovative drive. Greg Norman has managed to avoid this pitfall and has retained his ability to make deep, searing penetrations into the personae of his subjects. There is a natural intensity to Norman's work that often disguises the tremendous control he actually exerts over the process.

Greg Norman's career started as an amateur taking shots at rock'n'roll concerts. He went on to document the protest era, film work in Los Angeles and portraiture. Always showing a fine sense of the moment, his images breathe with life. He works almost entirely in black and white, creating strong, graphic prints.

I love the perfect contrast of a shot of the Barbi Twins, the incredible expression on a photo of Nina Hagen, the frequent glimpses of Keanu Reeves, and many, many others. "Inside Life" has about 175 beautifully printed photographs in it, and very little distracting text. There is a foreword by John Waters, an introduction by Dave Fulton, and a short afterthoughts section for reflections from some of his subjects.

"Inside Life" is a remarkable testimony to the work of one of America's notable photographers during the 90's. It has value as a source of inspiration for other photographers as well as being a beautiful coffee table book.

If you are thinking of buying this book because you are a Keanu Reeves fan, then go ahead and do so. It is definately worth it! It is a great quality book.

Mr. Fulton's style of writing is very straightforward and not nearly as dated as you would think. The narrative moves forward quickly as he describes his adventures in a matter of fact tone. But what a story and what a commentary on how our world has changed!

One vignette. He is out of food in the middle of a desert. An Arab shows up and, as was the custom, shares exactly half of his food. Then he disappears inside of his closeby hut. Looking inside, Robert sees him setting up a homemade backgammon board. The Arab beckons him in and begs with his eyes--do you play?? They played all night and he gets trounced by his new friend.

As I was reading about his trip from Damascus to Baghdad, our troops were attacking Iraq. I thought that this young man's journey simply could not be made today. The world, despite the technological advances in communications and plane travel, is not a safer place for the American adventurer.

Get this book! You will not be able to put it down.

This is the first young man to travel around the world by motorbike. According to him he had no intention of doing so but blurted it out to impress a young girl and then he had to go. Lots of wonderful, funny, self-deprecating humor. He is well educated, highly intelligent, and it shows in his writing. Many wry phrases sneak into this book, "The driver cried out for in". Great reading, and very interesting to learn what traveling was like in 1932. He is apparently still alive and kicking. What an adventure.

The best travel book I have ever read. As a young man in 1933, almost on a dare, Robert Fulton rode a Douglas motorcycle (which he still owns) around the world, not only seeing some increible places but writing about them in a highly entertaining and informative way. The book, like the trip, lacks the higher agenda which mar so many travel stories. Fulton simply set out to have a grand adventure and to write about it with humor and respect for those he met. You'll want to go right now to see some of these places for yourself. My favorite is the spot where Krakatoa once stood, marked by flames on the surface of the sea. A must read for anyone who likes a good travel story.

I bought this author's Autodesk VIZ CD and liked it so much I decided to try the AutoCAD 2000 CD because that's what I use. I really liked it too. The things I like best are:

1) Its cheaper than other CD's and covers more commands.
2) It also covers more than even the big books like
Inside AutoCAD. Its _all_ tutorials so its easy to
understand.
3) Its easy to install. Just follow the directions.
4) Its easy to use. I like using ALT + TAB to switch back
and forth between it and AutoCAD. The READ THIS FIRST
page is the only thing I had to read in order to
understand exactly how to use it.
5) Its easy to print the tutorials. I set my properties
when I print to put two pages on each piece of paper
to save printer ink. I read the tutorials like magazine
articles - they very easy to follow because there are lots
of pictures. You should do this too. The tutorials are long
sometimes.
6) No animations, which is good because they suck up space
and you can't print them, and they are boring to watch -
if I wanted animations I would buy a video which there
are two million of.
7) The index is very good - commands are easy to find
8) It covers everything - beginner, intermediate,
advanced topics. Lines, arcs, circles -> object tracking
and dimension styles -> dimension families, plot style
tables -> 3D commands & custom menus/toolbars. I think
its like 80 hours or more of training. I haven't finished
it yet.
9) The author writes back if you email her questions about
the tutorials. I didn't understand Otrack (even after
I did the tutorial which I didn't read carefully enough)
and she wrote back when I emailed her. She knew exactly
what I was doing wrong. She's very polite.

I recommend this CD very highly. In fact I like both the
things I purchased from this company. The VIZ CD is very good too.

One warning - this isn't a "for dummies" product. Its for people that actually want to learn the product and use it to do real work. If you are looking for something really easy this product might not work well for you.

Easy to install, lots and lots of projects, covers the easy stuff and works up to the hard stuff. I bought it for my office and now everyone is borrowing it. The publisher does answer questions about the tutorials by the way. You email them - they email you back. Pretty cool.

I can't believe this CD is so good! I never knew it was possible to get training, REAL TRAINING, without going to a class. But this CD really delivers. In under two weeks, I've gone from a beginner to an Expert. (Well, I'm making 3D models which seems like expert stuff to me.) Oh, and I got stuck and sent an email to the publisher. Within 24 hours I had an ANSWER from a REAL LIVE PERSON that got me going again. Tell me another publisher that cares enough about its readers to answer their questions. This CD is like a teacher in a box!

A wonderful piece and by itself makes using Viavoice's possible and efficient.

Susan Fulton is a leader in speech recognition technology at The New York Times.

Speech Recognition is a dazzling technology making huge leaps forward in making computers more useful. It sounds great, to have your computer "take a memo" and obey your command. But is this really possible? Susan Fulton answers that question with a resounding "Yes! If you have the right guidance." This is what she provides in Begin Dictation. Why let yourself in for frustration, wasted time and wasted money when practical how-to's are so readily at hand? Based on years of experience using speech recognition to accomplish real activities, Begin Dictation is more than a simple user's manual. With step-by-step illustrated instructions, Susan Fulton shows you how to make your speech program work for you and, indeed, dazzle you.

This book is a must-have for people using the following software: * ViaVoice Gold * VoiceDirect Continuous programs by IMSI * ViaVoice * ViaVoice Transcription * Lotus WordPro with ViaVoice * Lotus SmartSuite Millenium Edition * ViaVoice 98, Executive, Office, Home

If you are serious about using speech recognition, you need this book.

The second edition is now available. Begin Dictation, 2nd Edition (1999) is updated and expanded to cover the latest versions of IBM's popular ViaVoice speech recognition software. This is an independent book by a recognized expert. Far more than a user's manual, Begin Dictation gives an overall treatment of how to get the most from speech recognition by someone who uses it and teaches it in her everyday work.

Being a native of Johnson City, a graduate of Science Hill High School and East Tennessee State University and knowing the city well, this account of the book brought back many memories to me. Age-wise I was between Ms. Fulton and her brother, Charles, whom I knew as a passing acquaintance during high school. Although I didn't know the main characters, I certainly knew of them and was still living in the Johnson City area at the time of this tragedy. Ms. Fulton adheres to the subject in a manner seldom seen in todays literature. I heard of the book through the grapevine and was certainly not disappointed. I commend her for her writing ability. I followed her as an English Major graduate of ETSU and know that I could not approach her ability to put such an account on paper.
I want to express my congratulations to her and add my recommendation. I consider this account a must-read for anyone with roots in the Johnson City area during that tragic time.

I just got finished reading the book. When I purchased the book, it was suggested that I not start it late at night, because I'd want to finish it... Truer words never spoken.

Though these people were strangers to me, I found myself really getting into the details of the family. Patty's writing is so personable and easy to read... I was quickly transported to how life was in the early years of our American cities.

What an incredible life Mr. Smithdeal had ~ his entrepreneurial vision, the courage he exhibited in such varied adventures, from Yellow Cabs, political interests, dog breeder, Utopia Farms owner... What vision, what determination and belief in himself! The details are many and the pictures are a wonderful addition to the story. (When I saw the photo of the bearskins hanging up, I was reminded of the great bear stew recipe in ...and garnish with Memories, another excellent Fulton book.) I empathized with his sorrow in the wake of a horribly disturbed man who was bent on destroying him and then the way that this whole tragic event affected him.

The end of this story is so appropriate ~ stand straight and speak proudly of the man who brought so much to so many. I know that this will be a treasured book for the whole family through the coming generations. As your mom said, we all have skeletons... the only difference is in how we handle them. Patty has chosen well.

"Let the Record Show" is the quintessential southern gothic story, with the added benefit of being completely true. Patty Fulton has captured the tenor of a time and place that no longer exists. I know, because I grew up in that place and I knew, and know, many of the people mentioned.

To say that Ms. Fulton demonstrated an uncommon bravery by recounting this story that so touched her own life would be true, but incomplete. In a small southern town the issues touched upon in "Let the Record Show" are those that are most keenly felt. By scratching the scab off, and exposing for us the full panoply of this tragedy, Ms. Fulton has given us a unique insight into the internal workings of a community in extremis.

For those who have become jaded by recent exhibitions in the American Judicial System, "Let the Record Show" is a refreshing reminder that occasionally innocent people are indicted and tried, and it is up to the citizens of a community to see that justice is done.

From a purely personal perspective, I am indebted to Ms. Fulton for helping me to understand an important part of the history of my community that was previously shrouded in mystery.

I hope that you pick up this book. In its pages are wealth more immense than you can possibly imagine.

This book is easy to read and understand. For years I have gone to spiritual direction and this book has hit the nail on the head as far as getting you focused on the divine and not your own ego-wants. It's a step by step look at that process of spiritual growth that is so wanting and yet so difficult sometimes. Great book!! I've recommended it to everyone and want to carry it in my Catholic bookstore. Get it and grow spiritually!

I came to this book prepared to be unmoved by it's overly doctrinal approach to modernity and it's trappings - psychological and otherwise. I was surprised, however, when I found myself examining my life in new and profound ways. I say profound because Fulton's reflections go to the very heart of how we live. I find myself choosing my words more carefully, living more reflectively. And what more can I expect of a book...especially one picked up with such (initial) distaste?