I received this book as a Christmas present, the most wonderful present. When reading this book I experienced JOY and felt the love of my friend, Barbara who gave it to me. I wanted to share that feeling so I just ordered 10 more to give to my friends and family - the special women in my life I am close to. The book inspired feelings of excitement and re-awoke my sleeping inner adventuresome but delicate beautiful woman. Thank you to Monique Duval and Joanna Abbott Moss for such a treasure. I am off to start cookin'

Ms. Duval had a wonderful grandmother who told her terrific stories, asked her marvelous questions, and engaged her deeply in a vivid yellow kitchen. In this series of wonderfully illustrated meditations, she recaptures those special moments when "every outrageous question I asked was elaborately answered and decorated like a birthday cake." As Ms. Duval explains, "The Persistence of Yellow is a book about a place like this (her grandmother's kitchen) that exists in all our hearts."

One of the major charms of this book comes in the form of marvelous turns of phrase with vivid imagery that first startle, then illuminate.

"She flung off her pinstriped suit and gave birth to herself."

"So, she decided that if she must have chains, she would rather be chained to her dreams."

"Last night I ate the moon . . . . I'm still hungry for you."

"Today I saw the future . . . . [which] leaves a little trail of hope."

"When you catch an angel, consider yourself fortunate."

"There is a quiet wind voice inside of me. It's the same voice inside of you."

Her summary of what the book is all about is that it is "a recipe book for the soul."

As enjoyable as the meditations are about angels, natural elements, and conversing with our true selves, the illustrations (which you can see in more detail here on Amazon.com) transform the meditations into ethereal sculptures of transcendence. Ms. Moss has created wonderfully curving line drawings complemented with bold splashes of yellow which symbolize the spirit of the meditations beautifully. You can enjoy this book just for the illustrations and be very pleased.

Although I rarely comment on book design, this one deserves mention and much credit. The theme of yellow is woven into the design in exciting and useful ways. For example, some pages are printed in yellow type. Other pages are all yellow, with white drop outs for the type. Other forms of yellow highlights are used elsewhere. These design elements continually change and pleasantly surprise, making one happy to see the next page . . . even before considering the meditations or the illustrations.

Although everyone can and should enjoy this book, I believe that it will speak more deeply to some women (because the imagery is more feminine than masculine) than to many men. But guys, give yourself a chance to enjoy this book. It's gently inspiring, like a lover's caress!

This is both a great book for lifting your own mood and a thoughtful gift to someone who may need some brightness in their day.

After you have finished enjoying this book for the 10th time, I suggest that you try to write some of your own meditations. If you like the results, have someone (or do it yourself) make complementary drawings with vivid colors that excite and inspire you. In that way, you can be doubly inspired to enjoy all the potential that life holds!

If you've ever turned a "don't you dare!" into a "daring do"; if you've ever heard the wisdom of a grandmother whispered in your ear; if you've ever found a tiny miracle tucked away just for you underneath the shelter of a tree on a rainy day --this book will help you celebrate. If you haven't shared these experieces but want them, this book will help you hope. And as much as I liked the written word, I loved the art! I found myself tracing the whimsical, skillful illustrations and the effect was almost as if I was following a labrynth taking me deeper into my creativity. I'm charmed!

Some critics have complained that Brett Duval-Fromson's the Gaga Years falls short of his Running and Fighting: Working in Washington. That's a bit like comparing the Cherry Orchard to King Lear and concluding that it isn't a very good play.

And in any case, the critics may not have been paying close enough attention. It is only on the second or third reading that one sees how Duval-Fromson's wit suffuses this book. One of many examples: The chapter on MiniScribe, a disk-drive maker whose financial shenanigans are compared to fall of Acre in 1291, is written without recourse to the letter "E" -- a wry comment on how MiniScribe ulimately lacked earnings.

While many consider the Gaga Years a business book, in my library its shelved elsewhere -- between Dumas and Eckhart.

Duval-Fromson's work has it all: The braces, the big cigars, the Lydians. Drawing parallels between Croesus, Ivan Boesky, the beginnings of Lyme disease in Westchester, and George Soros' sparring with the Hunt brothers, the Gaga Years weaves a tale that will keep you turning the pages through pot after pot of Earl Grey.

Duval-Fromson's finest book is matched only, perchance, by E.A. Roy's work on Hungarian bearer bonds. I pray that it will come back in print.

Few financial journalists ask the tough questions as determinedly as the polymath Brett Duval-Fromson. This book is a freewheeling, far-ranging essay on how money works, how to play it -- and what it means.

Without lapsing into intrusiveness or self-involvement, Fromson practically makes high finance into an Aesop's fable in this incredibly accessible narrative. From his insight on the society of the Lydians to a quirky story about the Egyptian Pharaoh Ptolemy II, Fromson keeps the reader turning the pages -- and you just might learn something while you're at it!

This book is fast paced and exciting. The author maintains your interest without making it obvious what will happen next with the contents of the manilla envelope. Its hard to believe that it's fiction, it reads so true. This book would make an excellent movie and Davis deserves a thumbs up on his first book

A good action book with thought provoking plot. How difficult is it to control the out come of elections in a smll state. Maybe easier than we think

Masters Of The Millennium tells the story of how "twenty-something" players Justin Leonard, David Duval, Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickelson are changing the way the game of golf is played as they etch their names onto the leaderboards week after week. These superstar golfers are electrifying galleries on stops all over the tour, and taking the tradition-filled game of golf to an entirely new audience that had not previously followed golf as passionately as they do now. Masters Of The Millennium provides insights from these young players and enables the reader to learn how they respect the players that walked the fairways before them, and why they hold the future of the game into the new millennium. Masters Of The Millennium is "must" reading for all fans and players of the game of golf.

I tremendously enjoyed reading about the young players that are ready to challenge just about everyone on the PGA tour! I read the book yesterday , just before watching Duval battle it out w/ Tom Lehman- with the other guys just behind him- TIGER, and Leonard! This is a great , fun book to check out!

Compiled by art historian Kathleen G. Hjerter, The Art Of Tom Lea: A Memorial Edition is a simply gorgeous coffee-table artbook that showcases the black-and-white as well as the color illustrations of Tom Lea's drawings and paintings. Images of the American West, World War II, and the enduring vibrancy of nature are palpable in these historic and captivating images. A brief but informative commentary enhances this collection of outstanding visual images, with most of the pages being devoted entirely to superbly presenting Tom Lea's unforgettable work. The Art Of Tom Lea is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended contribution to personal and academic American Art History collections.

Early Tejano Ranching: Daily Life At Ranchos San Jose And El Fresnillo by Andres Saenz (Professor of History, Austin Community College, Austin, Texas) is the story of the author's family (the Saenzes and the Lopezes) who established San Jose and El Fresnillo during the 1850s and 1860s. Drawn and composed from interviews, historical records, visits to historical sites, and more, Early Tejano Ranching presents a fascinating picture of life in the past, the daily work of ranching, the labor of self-sufficient families who struggled to surviving against drought, wild animals, and even Indian attacks. Early Tejano Ranching is solid and highly recommended representation reflecting the history and heritage of Texas. Also highly recommended is Professor Saenz's earlier work, Tejano Empire: Life On The South Texas Ranchos (0890968349)

"The Robinson Crusoe of Texas." said J. Frank Dobie. "The most literate of all nineteenth-century Texas memoirs...authentic history." wrote John H. Jenkins in his "Basic Texas Books". In 1835, Texas offered young men like John C. Duval a chance for action and glory. That year he and his brother, Burr, the sons of a former governor of Florida, organized a volunteer company called the "Mustangs." Like Davy Crockett, they were fired up "to give the Texans a helping hand on the road to freedom" from Mexican rule. The first chapters of this book lead up to the Goliad Massacre, in which Burr was killed. John was luckier. After a hair-raising escape from Goliad, he wandered across the country-side, dodging the Mexicans and living by his wits. The diary that Duval kept during these exciting months was the basis for this book, which was published more than fifty years later, in 1892. In the intervening years he was a Texas Ranger known as "Texas John" and later was recognized as one of Texas's first men of letters as the author of "The Adventures of Big-Foot Wallace". A must for any Texas collector.

It was indeed an outstanding surprise to read the powerful and charming biographical books witten by Duval Edwards: "The Great Depression" and "The Senator and the Runaway Teenager". Here you have an exemplary life: a fighting soul, a hard-working boy, a lawyer, a soldier, and a father. These are the role models that America needs, not the phony material that the media presents as examples to our youth. Duval Edwards represents the best that America has to offer to the world - a poor young man, coming out of poverty through hard work, stamina, ingenuity, and good use of the mind.

My feeling is that these two books (which, by the way, make very easy and pleasant reading) should be in the Must Read in every intermediate and high school in the country. They are extremely inspirational. Thanks Duval.

Raul Bravo, Professor of Mathematics

Addressing life from a golf perspective, Bob Duval does so in a series of letters. Mentoring friends, students, family and his father, he reveals that the only secret to the game is there is no secret.

His advice his tempered by his experiences and those related to him. Thus, this mentoring oozes with one poignant thought: play the shot that's in front of you.

The Duvals have had plenty of that medicine to swallow to teach them. Loss of son, of marriage, of love for the game. From that grit comes this mentoring sage.

Much in here to reflect on. Fascinating insights from inside the ropes to those of us on outside. Play on!

I have read all the Cheney Duvall books. Although I have been frustrated with how the series has gone along with Cheney's and Shiloh's relationship this book finally put an end to the question of how Cheney actually felt about Shiloh. This book takes place on an Hawaiin Island where Shiloh's family was supposed to have come from. He goes there to find out more. Cheney finds out some disturbing news about Bain Winslow the man who brought Shiloh to the Island. She goes trying to convince him to come back when a volcano thought to be dead errupts. They are caught on the Island trying to find a way off. At the end, Cheney finally decides that she really cares for Shiloh. I am looking forward to book eight coming out. I wrote Gilbert Morris when the series came out he said that there would be eight books in this particular series. I'm curious to see how they wrap this series up.

Wow! What can I say? Island of the Innocent was totally awesome. I can't wait for the sequel. Let me tell you, when Shiloh came back to save Cheney, I was thrilled and scared to death. Wouldn't it be just like an author to make something horrible happen right when the good parts are beginning? Thankfully, nothing horrible happened to Shiloh and the book continued. This book was slightly different from all the other Cheney Duvall books ( I own them all). The writing style was slightly different. That makes me wonder, did Lynn Morris write more of this book than the others or did Gilbert Morris just change his style a little? Not that I mind, I still think the book is excellent. I thought it was totally completely awesome when I saw how the authors had tied in the Winslow series written by Gilbert Morris into this series. I'm guessing that with a couple more Cheney Duvall books, they can make it fit right into the Winslow series. Anyways, my biggest question is WHEN IS SHILOH GOING TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN AND MARRY CHENEY? I mean, by now, we know that they love each other and should be together. I don't want the series to end but I feel as if I have been waiting a long time for those two to speak their hearts to eachother. Well, that's pretty much all I have to say, so I'll end it with a couple words. If you haven't read this book and the others in the series, READ THEM!

This was an awesome book. It had its shortcomings, but in general it was great. In this book, Shiloh Irons, Dr. Cheney Duvall's nurse and a former pugilistic champion, has sailed from San fransisco to Hawaii with a young man named Bain Winslow (sound familiar, diehard Morris fans??) to try and find out more about his family. (when he was an infant he was abondoned on the doorstep of an orphanage.) Cheney, still in Frisco, discovered disturbing facts about Winslow. So disturbing, in fact that she decides to sail to Hawaii herself to warn Shiloh, and ends up staying on the island. Then, a "dormant" volcano decides that naptime's over. Cheney and Shiloh, along with some friends, find themselves racing for their lives, trapped between a river of molten lava , a burning jungle, and shark-and-jellyfish-infested waters. Of course, through it all, Cheney depends on God for strength to make it through it all. I think that this is the most exciting book so far... Gilbert and Lynn Morris have that talent of writing that makes you feel like you are right there with the characters. I was screaming and sobbing and praying right along with Cheney. Anyway, it was a fantastic book, but who's with me in thinking that Gilbert Morris should hire a new editor??? And someone please, please tell the authors to hurry up and write the next book!!