This book is an absolute must-have for anyone who wants to draw these birds... or simply appreciates their beauty. These aren't simply glamor-shots, they're close-up detailed images, from a number of different angles. Every one is well lit, in crisp focus, and shows wonderful detail.

This wonderfully photographed book is an excellent reference for anyone interested in carving birds of prey. An extremely thorough series of photographs is included for each bird covered in the book. Additionally, patterns and other carving consideration are included for each specimen. The book concludes with a chapter on creating acrylic eyes for carvings, a chapter on carving and painting a kestrel, and a chapter exhibiting some of the authors carvings. Incidentally, the author's carvings are great.

Scholtz's other book, Carving a Red Tailed Hawk, does not do this book justice. This book contains better photographs and better carving.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in carving birds of any type.

This is a gorgeous book packed with large color photos of many beautiful live birds. Its intended purpose is as a sourcebook for artists, but it will universally appeal to any bird lover.

The introductory chapter illustrates common features of raptor anatomy. Detailed chapters follow on 17 major North American species with numerous color photos and line drawings with dimensions.

A practical application is included with a step-by-step section on carving and painting a finely detailed kestrel in wood. There are even instructions for making remarkable lifelike eyes from acrylic plastic.

The book concludes with a gallery of the author's own fabulous museum quality carvings. This is a great combination of nature photography and fine art.

There are no words to describe what an amazing book this is. I read this book when I began my journey down the road of grief and healing over my dad's death. I wept. I laughed. Sometimes at the same time,but God ministered to me through the openeness of this family. They allow you into such a private, intimate time and let you see that you can grieve with hope. There is no doubt that you will be blessed by their courage, strength, faith, and unending devotion to the Lord. May God bless them for their willingness to be used by him in such a vulnerable way.

Gregory Floyd writes from the heart - and what he has to share is compelling not just from the perspective that he is sharing the depths of his grief - and how his faith in God helped him to deal with that grief. His insights are for ALL Christians, and will benefit the non-Christian as well. Gregory shares poignantly about the world - wanting to provide only worldly comfort, some Christians who only wanted to offer "spiritual" consolation, and how the most precious who reached out to him and his family were those who BLENDED the heavenly and earthly realities. He gained insights into how all Christians are called, albeit in different ways, to bear their share of the suffering of Christ to ultimately experience the true JOY of Jesus. I can't say enough how every Christian will benefit from reading this book: it will help men to see the need to not be afraid to show their feelings (after all - "Jesus wept"), and will enable them (through reading of Gregory's many examples with helping his wife and children deal with the death of John Paul) better husbands, fathers, and spiritual heads of their households; it will speak to all of how to deal better with catastophic personal suffering, or improve their consolation and compassion on those around them who are in the throes of some form of suffering. Don't think twice about getting this book!

In High Schools, the students watch "Schindler's List", a difficult but important film, in order to learn from the tragedy. This book is the "Schindler's List" for marriage prep. Without it, "For better or for worse" is a glib statement, by two egotists who are unprepared when that "worse" (whatever it may be) inevitably rears its head. Because I'm reading it before my wedding, I have a firmer grasp (like cement) of the importance of the commitment, the experience of a family (albeit a large family), and confirmation of that ever-present presence of grace, God's grace, still flickering while nearly everything else is in shambles.

While the story is agonizing to tell, Gregory Floyd handles such impossible material with grace. There's great potential for the book to be a dual threat: to be emotionally draining, and repetitive. Granted, it's both, but it's never boring. The book grabs you by the jugular and causes personal introspection to take over. I was reminded of how a child can have a dual personality, angelic wonder intermixed with a carnal longing for playtime and candy, all within a half-hour. I was encouraged by his friends and large family, and reminded of the blessings of what a family could mean. I was floored by the powerful words of wisdom of Fr. Philip Merdinger at the funeral mass, the stunning reassurance that where Johnny-Paul was, he would never want to leave. All this and I'm still not halfway through.

Most people wouldn't consider getting a book like this until (God forbid) this sort of tragedy strikes home. Don't wait until then... you will not have the strength to read this. Don't be intimidated by the material... it's easy to read, it flows, it goes down easy (if easy is the best word). Though it all, my hope in families are invigorated, and my faith in God is reassured (like fire).

The Story of Jackie Robinson: Bravest Man in Baseball is about the struggles of one black man who made a big difference. Jackie Robinson was a great athlete in college but was not let into the Major Leagues because his skin was black. Robinson played on the Brooklyn Dodgers in the "Noble Experiment" which was meant Jackie being the first black on a white team. His team looked down on him because of the color of his skin. When the fans yelled slurs at him and other teams yelled at him it overwhelmed the Dodgers. They finally stood up for Robinson. I recommend this wonderful book, Jackie Robinson: Bravest Man in Baseball because it has a lot of action and emotion.

The Story of Jackie Robinson, Bravest Man in Baseball is about the struggles of one black man who never gave up. Jackie Robinson was a great athlete in college but he couldn't play Major League baseball because of the color of his skin. When Jackie Robinson played on the Brooklyn Dodgers he was part of the "Noble Experiment" and his teammates were unfriendly. Also fans yelled slurs at Jackie. In 1947 Jackie Robinson won Rookie of the year and the admiration of the American people. I recommend this book because it tells how Jackie Robinson was a great athlete and a brave person.

The Story of Jackie Robinson: Bravest Man in Baseball is about the struggles of one black man who never gave up. Jackie Robinson was a great athlete in college and wanted to go to the Major's but they wouldn't let him because he was black. The general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Rickey took a chance on Jackie. Rickey said would let him play if he didn't fight back over racial slurs and attacks. This was known as the "Noble Experiment". Jackie's team looked down on him and fans harassed him because of the color of his skin. At last everybody realized Robinson was a great guy and that the color of a person's skin doesn't mater. In the end Jackie Robinson won the admiration of all American people. I think that you should read this book because it shows someone with great courage.

A fierce brain virus assaulted Floyd Skloot's brain overnight, leaving him severely impaired, mentally. With his productive life changed forever, he began painstakingly writing heroic essays about his experience. Against all odds (given the dour subject), the result is insightful, moving and often downright hilarious. As a writer of poetry and novels, Skloot is able to plumb the depths of his mind for just the right word or phrase to lift his tragedy to heroic levels. By the end of the book, you realize that he has come to the point of viewing his disaster as an opportunity to live a rich and rewarding new life - just on a different level.
Inspirational without being cloying.

Floyd Skloot lives not far from me, so I have had the opportunity to meet him briefly three times. First was at his reading from "The Fiddler's Trance," his recent book of poems. Second was at his home near Amity, to pick up a second copy for a friend. And last was at his reading from this current book of essays.

Skloot's illness is at once apparent. He is obviously weakened physically, and his personal descriptions of his mental states cannot be doubted. I was both touched and somewhat amazed that these essays are so strong and clear and finely attuned to the suppleness of the English language. As he describes his abilities both before and after his being "geezered" by a virus in the brain, I am struck by an glimpse into the kind of intellectual juggernaut he must have been, for, ill as he is, he remains a true essayist --informed, and above all, interesting.

These essays describe his illness both from within and without, with researched clinical objectivity on the one hand, and the suffering knowledge of one's own debility on the other. And the latter descriptions seem to me entirely rescued from self-pity by Skloot's wonderful sense of humor. His brief and occasional words about the love between him and his wife are just wonderful irresistible candy.

Skloot describes his writing of an essay as taking months, a little bit at a time, always husbanding his strength, guarding his reserves, making these, beyond their intrinsic merits, a testament to his perseverance before daunting odds. How easy is would be, I reflect, to instead succumb to the blandishments of Tangueray and tonic.

"In the Shadow of Memory" is a remarkable achievement, and a service to the damaged of our world who are far less eloquent. There is no maudlinism here, although an occasional sense of his rage at the bureaucratic dullness the very ill must often confront.

A most informative and engaging read.

Floyd Skloot. An unlikely name, an incredible medical survivor, and a monument to the durability of the human spirit. IN THE SHADOW OF MEMORY is a memoir by a man who by rights should be unable to have access to memory. On December 7, 1988 ( a date he frequently references ) Floyd Skloot became infected with a virus that all but destroyed his brain. He was left without the ability to ambulate, to process information, to remember from moment to moment what his intentions were in the most basic maneuvering things of life. Prior to his illness he was a writer and a poet and after fourteen years of heroic struggle, he has been able to write about his journey to acceptance of his condition, his childhood as a member of a family with a highly bizarre mother, a distant father and a gradually self-destructive brother. So with all this permanent brain damage, how is Floyd Skloot able to produce this elegant, compelling, warmly humorous, insightful group of essays? Well, VERY slowly - is the main answer. He explains that it took about eleven months to write one essay, bit by fragmented bit.

And what essays they are! The first half of his book is devoted to relating his struggle out of the abyss of an obliterated memory of his past. In his words "Memory is what connects us and memory is what has torn us apart." It is a phenomenal, charismatic paeon to the strength of the human spirit. In the last half we are treated to meditations (with much humor) on "Kismet", "Pal Joey," and "Hamlet" as well as other philosophical meanderings. Finally he comes round the circle of a life that began with a cruelly obsessive-compulsive mother whose rigidity drives the family apart, to a point where he is recovering from an illness that has erased much of his unwanted past, and to a quiescent, final stage of Alzheimer's Disease mother. The irony is at once humorous and touching.

To Skloot's credit as a writer, brain injured or no, he presents this wild ride with quiet compassion and sensitivity without ever becoming maudlin. This is book for all of us who think we have had hard knocks in our lives: the teacher, the mentor is here within these lovely pages.

As a music fan, there are two things you want to add to your experience, a songlist compilation and a biography. Anything more is really too much, but in the case of groundbreaking album cover art, and knowing Pink Floyd's history of employing visual effects in their shows, a book like this is necessary, especially since albums are gone now, and the tiny graphics you get on a CD jewel case don't compare with the stuff promoters used to jam into album jackets. This book is a trip into Storm Thurgeson's head, not necessarily Floyd's. The difference is not much since Storm was a boyhood chum, and listened so well to his employer's ideas, instead of pushing his own. That's one reason the band was so successful musically as well, was Hypnosis' reliance on the members' themes. This book is not a graphic artist's design book, though I wish it were, but it would be tons bigger. It covers 30 years (and not even all the Floyd's covers (for instance, The Wall)). But you will appreciate the fact that Storm operated more under impluse as a designer than by today's modern design houses which try to render graphics in a production line style...can't be done. The author's bylines give us insight if not in technical process, then in the intellect process, and it's good fun knowing this guy was a friend to the Floyd for a LONG time, even having to uncomfortably stand in the middle of relationships for the 'Is There Anybody Out There?' live Wall issue. All in all, I'd give 5 stars for the artwork and presentation, but lose half of one for lack of technical explanation. Enjoy!

What do you get when you cross art and the greatest rock band in history? A materpiece! If I had the chance, I would give this book a million stars!

Storm Thorgerson, mastermind behind most of Pink Floyd's album artwork, has compiled almost all of the rare, unusual, interesting, and familiar pieces. It also includes stories on how they (the art) came to be (which, by the way, sheds a light on the innovative genius of the band). It goes from the early years of Syd Barrett to the post-Waters era. This book is a must for any Floyd fan, especially one who is interested in the history and progress of the band.

Few people have been more closely associated with Pink Floyd over the band's 30-year career than graphic designer Storm Thorgerson. And virtually no one (outside the band members themselves) has been more responsible for the mystique that shrouds the band and its music.

In "Mind Over Matter", Thorgerson explains in some detail the concepts and techniques behind the creation of some of the most evocative and memorable images in the history of Rock and Roll. With stories and recollections dating back to the band's foundations in the mid-sixties, Thorgerson goes piece-by-piece through most of the band's catalogue, recounting not only how he and his team created the images, but also detailing what they are meant to represent and how they relate to the music.

The book features beautiful color reproductions of the band's album covers, lyrics layouts, and CD booklets. (All but two Floyd albums-- "The Wall" and "The Final Cut"-- are included ; these are omitted because Thorgerson was, in his own words, "temporarily relieved of [his] duties" for these albums.) But the biggest treat to the serious fan are the reproductions and discussionsof lesser-known images, such as a tour promo and program from 1975, and artwork specially conceived for the 'deluxe' boxed set "Shine On". Also included are the designs for the remastered and repackaged CD releases of the Floyd's albums, as well as some art which was apparently created just for this book.

As a full-sized coffee table book, "Mind Over Matter" is gorgeous to look at. Thorgerson's text, which is witty and insightful, makes for a good read. All in all, no Pink Floyd fan should be disappointed.

Along with Ben Hogan's 5 Lessons and Dave Pelz' Short Game Bible, this is probably the best instructional book on golf I have ever read. And while those other two concentrate on the swing mechanics of different parts of the game (the full swing and the short game), this one is all about strategy and what you should be thinking about on the golf course. Very thought provoking, I will keep it by my bedside stand for repeated reading for the forseeable future. I will give away several copies to golfing buddies this Christmas...

Ray Floyd is one of the finest golfers of the past 30 years, and is regarded as one of the best short game players of his generation. This book does not disappoint-- it is a valuable addition to any avid golfer's reference library. Rather than merely focus on swing mechanics, Mr. Floyd provides valuable insights regarding the golfer's mental approach to the game, course management and the scoring shots which comprise the short game. Especially helpful is his analysis of the ten mistakes amateurs make that pros never do. While Ray Floyd has an impressive professional resume, he does not dwell unnecessarily on his many personal accomplishments (unlike, for example, Hale Irwin's Smart Golf), but focuses on the task at hand. Clearly written and well-edited, this book is a keeper-- a future classic.

I am a high, high handicaper. Doubtless if I read less and practiced more I would be better, but I have a day job. Ray Floyd's book is a pleasure. He gives simple clear suggestions. So simple that while I was out golfing I actually remembered his advice and improved my score. Other books give you technical advice in abundance, but he gives you a sense of joy and great advice on mental toughness. Many books tell you where to put your hands and where to plant your feet. This book fills in the gap that many books overlook. How to maximize the abilities you have for the day and how to enjoy the game when things go off line. It's a little book, but so is Hogan's "Five Lessons." They belong next one another on anyone's bookshelf. If for no other reason for the sake of balance, which as we know in golf is very important.

I was a little hesitant on ordering this book, but since he is a local Charlottesville author, I decided to take chance.

While the book is rather thin, it will take you sometime to digest the material between the covers. I am on my third reading.

WARNING - if you are deeply "religious" then this book is not for you. While Hurt is not scalding of religion, he takes more jabs at it than say, your parents who formed some of your thinking habits.

It is an excellent read. Many thought provoking questions, and if you take the time, many could lead you to look at your life, and to see if you are heading down loser avenue.

Highly recommended, and that is rare for me, as I am pretty critical on most books.

Three cheers for Floyd Hurt! He has really given us a lot to ponder in this catch all guide to making the best out of the here and now. I was surprised that in such few pages he was able to make me stop and think, and I mean really THINK, so many times. This book is condensed down to core questions that many of us are afraid to ask. In my opinion it ends up asking "who is responsible for how I act and feel?" I highly recommend this book with one word of warning, be prepared to accept answers about yourself and truths about the world in witch you live that you may find challenging to deal with and perhaps even more challenging to change.
If you feel up for the adventure though, here's you ticket.

Floyd Hurt's book emboldens the spirit and stirs the juices. Remember when we were told that fulfillment came when we tried to convince ourselves that "I'm o'k" or "I'm worth it"? Not much to go on with that approach. In this book there are no gimmicks for feeling good, no mantras that pump you up for a day. Hurt's work focuses on philosophical thought (centuries of it)and pairs that with useful, life altering behaviors. The philosophical aspect grabbed my attention right away. He has taken other's brilliant minds and complicated ideas, added his own, and pulled together a simple and realistic way for each of us to view our experiences. In this well written and well organized book, he reminds us of the importance of the struggle to make sense of our life; and whatever our beliefs, to remember that ultimately we need to be the brains and emotions behind our own actions. His is the convincing concept that we have tremendous power to live our life exploring, discovering, learning and enjoying. That is truly an exhilarating idea.

This is an extremely fascinating and well-written book. It tells the story of not just the horrible massacre of Jews and other "undesireables" by the Nazis in WWII occupied Kyiv, but also of life in Kyiv under Nazi occupation. Equally fascinating is the account of Babyn Yar (its Ukrainian name) long AFTER the Germans had been pushed out. It is the personal, first-hand account of the author who is a 12-year old boy at the time of the German entrance into Kyiv. One correction to a previous review here - according to the editions I have seen of this book, the author is not Jewish, but half-Ukrainian and half-Russian. This is of minor importance other than for those who might be inclined to reject this book as "Jewish Propoganda". It is a very honest work, portraying everyone involved as all-too-human; sharing all characteristics from the noble to the obscence.

I have been looking for a copy of "Babi Yar" by Anatoly Kuznetsov for several years. I'm not sure this is the same book, but the fact that both books describe the occupation of Kiev during World War II from the eyes of a 12-year-old, including the horrible massacre of Jews and Ukrainians at Babi Yar, lead me to believe that this might be a rewrite of my copy of "Babi Yar" I have been unable to find in circulation. In my copy, printed by Dell in 1966, the protagonist is not Jewish, but Ukrainian-Russian, although many of his friends at the time were Jewish as were many of the survivors the author interviewed after the war whose stories were included in the documentary. Having lived in Kiev for five years in the early 90s, Babi Yar is not only a book of the atrocities that took place in Ukraine during the war, but a glimpse at the survival skills by ordinary Kievites during the occupation. In this way, it chronicles the plight of all citizens of Nazi occupation, not just those of the Jewish residents of this wonderful city. It also describes the way in which the Nazis rounded up young Ukrainians for shipment to farms and factories in Germany, which is the prelude to the stories of thousands of Ukrainians, many of whom returned home after the war and became Soviet citizens I met in Kiev fifty years later. But many of these young Ukrainains who found themselves in the West upon the German defeat immigrated all over the world, comprising the Ukrainian diaspora, who also returned to Kiev after independence to help build this new nation. If anyone knows whether these are the same stories or if the original has been rewritten and expanded, please post this information at this site. In any event, it is unfortunate that both copies of this book are out-of-print because the story of the citizens of Kiev and the atrocities of Babi Yar need to be told.

This is an important book which I hope will be put back in print soon. The story of the Ukrainian occupation during WWII, as well as Babi Yar death camp are fascinating, if also horrifying. The book covers a theatre of the war that is seldom covered in such detail.

The honesty is the most interesting part. The author, a 12-year-old boy at the time, (and NOT Jewish), had no reason to fabricate, and with an innocence that makes it clear he isn't trying to propogandize, just reports the horrors he sees. The book also includes some later gathered (when the author was grown up) interviews with survivors of Babi Yar death camp which are even more harrowing.

The most fascinating part of the copy that I have is that it BOLDs the portions of the book that were edited out by the Russian censors, before the book was published in the Soviet Union. It is interesting to notice what the censors chose to cut out, as much as what they chose to leave in!

Well worth finding in a used book store, if you can.

A truly amazing work obviously written by a true fan with a bad performance review. The statistical effort needs some urgent B2 coaching in order to reach the dizzy heights at the top of the "Group of Six".

It seems that the authors have gone the extra mile in order to keep it authentic with a generous amount of time off work donated by their respective employers or was work manager involved?

Excellent.

A very fine piece of work. This must have been writtenon Saturdays.....

I don't see any reference to Doris Jones in the credits!!

A truly excellent piece of work. It surely justifies a much higher asking price.

However I do wonder how much credit should go to BT for all the generous time they donated to the project. I did not see them listed in the credits for the book.

The seven layers were very puzzling, but obviously the authors knew their significance.

Overall a very fine complete history of the band

"In Spite Of" is a well-written, passionate story involving high finance, loyalties, murder, drug trafficking, and sweet romance. Victor McGlothin triumphs as an author in this drama centered around the lives of Jonathan Holloway Sr. and Jr., spanning a twenty-five-year period. "In Spite Of" paints the portrait of being Black and male in America. "In Spite Of" his contributions to this society, respect is hard earned and sometimes quickly dispelled. Jonathan Holloway Sr.'s life choices destroyed he and his family. Jonathan Jr., a bank manager, has to contend with an evil foe from the past that he's totally unaware of. A must read, can't put it down book

'In Spite Of' is a great debut novel by author Victor McGlothin. It really was refreshing to read a novel written from a 'straight black male' perspective. The novel has something for everyone, if you enjoy a good book, this is a must read! I enjoyed 'In Spite Of' and I anxiously await Mr. McGlothin's next novel 'Autumn Leaves.'

Victor McGlothin details the history of Dallas through the eyes of a young man and then takes you on a thrilling ride as the main character's life unfolds. It was very interesting to read about Black Dallas in the 60s,70s and 80s. The author's style made the book a pleasure to read.