When I first came to the end of reading Watch My Back, I felt compelled to go right back to the start and read again. It isn't just a book about martial arts or bouncing - it is a book about life and the sort of fears and worries that we all have lurking within. And as with all of Geoff's other titles, there is something that we can all gain by reading them. Watch My Back really affected me and my life in many ways. Firstly, it made me realise that no matter who you are, we all have obsticals in life that can be overcome if we really want it. And secondly, it forced me to eventually meet and befriend Geoff, who is a great man. His advice has led me to try my hand at writing and I am now a published author myself. Watch My Back - simply superb!

Geoff T. takes you on a ride through the torid storm that was his life 'on the door.' He opens up his heart and allows you to share in his dreams and his fears in one of the most honest accounts that I have ever read. He unfolds entire situations for you to read that help you to better understand just what a cruel, sadistic, egotistical world it is that we live in but also leaves room for humour. GT battles his own demons, describes the various opponents he has faced and shows not only one of the toughest and dedicated minds but also one that came to learn discipline and philosophy to get him out of the rut that he found himself in. A must for any doorman (bouncer) or wannabe but a compeling read for any member of the general public.

Geoff is a great author who has undergone a few changes since this book was released in the early part of the 90's. His books give you the truth about physical confrontation and how to react in certain situations. He has no qualms about stating weaknesses in the Martial Arts of today that have not moved with the times and can be downright unsafe for those who think that combat in the dojo/training hall is the same when hit with the scary reality of an assault which is never announced in the same way as taught in the gym. This books pulls no punches and is as real as you can get without immersing yourself in the same dangerous role of doorman. He has released an updated book which encompasses his other books "Bouncer" & "On the Door" as well as this in the one volume of "Watch my back". He has risen was above his many counterparts in the Martial Arts and is now a major influence to a great many people with his views and positive outlook on life . His books now show the futility of violence and show how the bigger man can walk away and hold his head high without letting the ego get in the way My advice is to get reading from this great man, his knowledge and advice could help you in many aspects of life from physical training to being a better person. The world needs more like him.......

"A beautiful story of love, honor and scientific achievement" is how Dr. Seuss, with tongue in cheek, describes this book. Touted as Dr. Seuss's first book for adults, The Seven Lady Godivas was originally published in 1939 and reissued in 1987. It tells the story of not one, but seven 11th Century Lady Godivas. They are sisters sworn not to marry their beaus, the seven Peeping brothers (yes, Tom is one of them) until each of them discover a scientific truth about horses. They were driven to this oath by the death of their father during an experiment using a horse as a means of transportation.

The history is confused, but the fun never stops. Dr. Seuss's full page drawings (in red, black and white) illustrate every other page. The end papers are a fanciful illustration of the Godiva family tree. The text, though wordier than his childrens books and not in rhyme, is thoroughly Dr. Seuss. He explains the seven sisters preference for nudity by saying they had brains and were not given to vanity. He goes on to say "they were simply themselves and chose not to disguise it." Although this is a great summation of nudist philosophy, it doesn't say much about his regard for women who choose to wear clothes. Instead of scientific truths we are treated by the author to fanciful origins for seven proverbs about horses as each sister discovers her "horse truth" and goes on to marry her boyfriend.

If you enjoy Dr. Seuss, you will find these drawings and this story delightful. Although described as an adult book, children will enjoy the story as well. Today's young folks may not be familiar with all seven of the horse proverbs that Dr. Seuss relates in a book that is over 60 years old, but it should not deter from their enjoyment of this amusing tale. The drawings are not detailed enough to offend even the youngest of readers.

A must read for any Dr Suess lover over the age of 18; it is truly meant for adults, but not off color in the least. Lets hope the publisher runs another edition for those of us who love an erudite Dr Suess.

The Seven Lady Godivas, in my opinion, one of the best books ever written by Dr, Seuss. Yes, that's right! Of course, Theodore Gissel has a great appeal to the young at heart, but this book is a HOOT!

Want to find the ancient ruins of your family's Scottish history? Then arm yourself with a copy of this book by Martin Coventry and a map from the local Ordinance Surveys and you are on your way to discovering real history that you can see, hear, feel, touch...Martin is constantly updating his information; receptive to additions and changes from all sources to his unique work. A real treasure of information; I would not be without one as I recently wrote a first of three books on the medieval Douglas Clan. A fine research tool for the professional or amateur castle "buff."

This book is an excellent guide to Scottish castles and certainly the most comprehensive book I have seen on this subject. It goes into great detail about 2500 sites of castles and fortified houses going back down the centuries. It gives lots of information about each site including a description , location , history of ownership and opening times . Most castles in Scotland are either owned by Historic Scotland , the National Trust or private individuals. There is probably a lot more in this book than you could ever imagine about Scottish castles. I have some pictures of 20 Scottish castles on my website http://www.castlepictures.com but the scope of this book is way beyond that .

As a Coventry resident, I found this book fascinating, especially with its explanation of the truth behind some of the myths of this raid.

Despite the destruction of this raid, Coventry survived and so did many of its most important medieval buildings. The post-war reconstruction was ambitious and well planned, and has been ruined in recent years by cheap building and poor planning.

(A numerical rating, as above, is mandated by the new Amazon format but explicitly disavowed by this reviewer.)

Author Kurki, in the course of demolishing some widely held but erroneous views of the Coventry Raid, also provides a very interesting survey of the Battle of Britain. He details German Air Force units, weapons and operational plans, British defenses (including electronic), Ultra and other Allied codebreaking capabilities, and brings together a lot of useful information not easily found elsewhere.

Very interesting account, with maps, photos, charts, appendices, bibliography, and index.

"A beautiful story of love, honor and scientific achievement" is how Dr. Seuss, with tongue in cheek, describes this book. Touted as Dr. Seuss's first book for adults, The Seven Lady Godivas was originally published in 1939 and reissued in 1987. It tells the story of not one, but seven 11th Century Lady Godivas. They are sisters sworn not to marry their beaus, the seven Peeping brothers (yes, Tom is one of them) until each of them discover a scientific truth about horses. They were driven to this oath by the death of their father during an experiment using a horse as a means of transportation.

The history is confused, but the fun never stops. Dr. Seuss's full page drawings (in red, black and white) illustrate every other page. The end papers are a fanciful illustration of the Godiva family tree. The text, though wordier than his childrens books and not in rhyme, is thoroughly Dr. Seuss. He explains the seven sisters preference for nudity by saying they had brains and were not given to vanity. He goes on to say "they were simply themselves and chose not to disguise it." Although this is a great summation of nudist philosophy, it doesn't say much about his regard for women who choose to wear clothes. Instead of scientific truths we are treated by the author to fanciful origins for seven proverbs about horses as each sister discovers her "horse truth" and goes on to marry her boyfriend.

If you enjoy Dr. Seuss, you will find these drawings and this story delightful. Although described as an adult book, children will enjoy the story as well. Today's young folks may not be familiar with all seven of the horse proverbs that Dr. Seuss relates in a book that is over 60 years old, but it should not deter from their enjoyment of this amusing tale. The drawings are not detailed enough to offend even the youngest of readers.

Begin with seven Lady Godivas and seven Lord Peepings; add the need for each Godiva to come up with a "horse fable" before being able to wed the Peeping to whom she is betrothed and Theodore Geisel has another winner! Definitely for adults but not at all off-colored. Another must for true Dr. Suess collectors.

This is the finest and most accurate book on Castles in Scotland you will find. Complete with photographs and illustrations, Martin Coventry gives the reader an accurate historical-to-present story, complete with over 290 pages of locations and contacts, of almost every Castle in Scotland. Mr Coventry is considered by many as Scotlands foremost authority on anything to do with Castles in Scotland. As the producer and paranormal investigator for the Adventures Beyond series, I had the opportunity to meet and interview Mr. Coventry in person. It was partly due to his recommendation that we decided on investigating what is reported to be the most Haunted and evil castle in all of Europe, Hermitage Castle. Mr. Coventry prides himself on being as accurate as possible and has done immense research on every Castle he lists in his books. This book is an excellent informational tool as well as an indepth guide book.

Anyone interested in Castles in Europe or planning a visit to Scotland needs to get a copy of this book. Mr. Coventry also puts out a smaller handbook of Haunted Castles and locations called, 'A WEE GUIDE to The Haunted Castles of Scotland', which deals specifically with those castles reported as being Haunted. This book is a must for those interested in the medieval fortresses which are rich in history and shrouded in legend and mystery. This book provided Adventures Beyond with accurate hard to find historical and factual background information on both of the Castles we investigated in our documentaries, Threave Castle, in Castle Douglas and Hermitage Castle in the South of Scotland. Well worth it at twice the price.

Who is the most famous Anglo-Saxon (real, ancient Anglo-Saxon) of all? Chances are you can't name a thing the kings Aethelred or Alfred the Great did in their reigns. Chances are you never heard of Leofric, Earl of Mercia, or his wife Godgifu. Undoubtedly, though, you have heard of Godgifu under the name by which she has come down to us, Godiva. You might know her chocolates better than her legend these days, but even on the chocolate box, she rides naked on her horse; a legend like that can never die. The life of the legend is traced in _Lady Godiva: A Literary History of the Legend_ (Blackwell Publishing) by Daniel Donoghue. Godiva has been, and will continue to be, more than a hawker of confections, and this summary of the life of the real Godiva, the origin and transformations of her legend, and the use to which her story has been put, makes clear Godiva's importance.

Godgifu was pious and generous, especially to the local convents and monasteries. She did nothing that would have made her famous; there is no history that hints of anything resembling the legend, which was only first written down over two centuries after her death. She saved the people of Coventry from taxation by fulfilling her husband's "impossible" condition that she ride naked through the town. The tale that the villagers agreed to keep their windows shut and not look, except for Peeping Tom the tailor who was thereupon struck blind, is a later addition. Peeping Tom didn't even get that name until the seventeenth century. Godiva became a star of processions through Coventry, processions that had previously featured religious items like transubstantiated bread. Donoghue takes us through bad ballads and Tennyson's poem, to Victoria's enthusiasm for the legend, and to the takes on Lady Godiva by Dr. Freud and Dr. Seuss.

It is clear that Godiva still rides, but her identity has changed for our times. Donoghue shows how the legend has lost the story that concentrated on Godiva's virtue and generosity. There is now no heroism and no coercion. She paraded herself naked, and is understood these days as an exhibitionist. Peeping Tom is only infrequently associated with her legend, and is more a part of legal issues than folklore. Donoghue also explains the attraction of medieval legends in general; Dungeons and Dragons and Harry Potter are part of popular medievalism, which is booming. Serious medieval studies, concerning how this part of our past has been viewed by successive centuries, are still vibrant in academia. This study of a particular legend, clear, serious, and comprehensive, lets Godiva ride on in new intellectual exposure.

Unlike other pocket dictionaries, this dictionary fits in a pocket. It has over 600 pages of definitions and a durable plastic cover. The 50,000 definitions are much better than the usual 200-page vest-pocket dictionary definitions.

My 90-year-old mother was lamenting the fact that her beloved dictionary didn't follow her from the old homestead to the assisted-living facility where she now happily resides. So I knew I had to get her one. After much scouting, I settled on the Oxford Large Print Dictionary. Perfect choice: light enough for her to lift, large enough print for her to read, and at 60,000 entries, considerably more definitions than others in the market. She just now received it. And horror of horrors, she told me I had misspelled "nonagenerian" on her gift message. Quite a gal, my mom!

Written, printed and published in Scotland, The Wee Guide To Scotland: A Concise History With 1250 Heritage Sties To Visit is a sueprbly organized travel guide which is as easy to use as it is an intrinsically fascinating survey of some 5,000 years of Scottish history ranging from prehistoric times to the present. From neolithic settlements, burial cairns, standing stones and circles, to medieval forts, brochs, and castles, to renaissance mansions, gardens, and cathedrals, to twentieth century museums and galleries, The Wee Guide To Scotland is enhanced with simple maps, information on locations, visitor facilities, opening times, and contact details. If you are planning a vacation or business trip to Scotland, then begin your itinerary preparations with a careful reading of The Wee Guide To Scotland!