Austin Reviews

I've never had so much fun reading a mystery novel. Camacho grabs you with the first line and never lets go. Not only is every chapter a cliffhanger, but every paragraph is one, deftly feeding you just enough information to make you yearn for more.
Hannibal Jones is a refreshingly original and sexy protagonist, a mixed-race "troubleshooter" who is as moral as he is cool. The glimpses into his mind are endlessly intriguing. He never ceases to surprise and impress the reader, yet comes off as totally believable. Real. And enormously appealing. To men as we ll as women. (There's plenty of violence, but since Hannibal so reluctantly resorts to it, I couldn't hold it against
him.)
Every character is so masterfully drawn, memorable,
intriguing.
Camacho also plays fair with the plot. Too few mystery writers do. He feeds us enough details to give us a theoretical chance at solving the mystery. When the exciting resolution came, I was delighted--surprised, yet immensely satisfied. It all made sense!
In Collateral Damage, Camacho shows us what every series mystery can be. You've got to read it to know what we've all been missing. I feel like standing up and cheering. Bravo.

If you want a great mystery, look no further than Austin S. Camacho. Austin's Hannibal Jones character is both likable and tough and this book (like all his others) is a page-turner and one of the best books I've read in a long time. Keep an eye on those bestseller lists, you're certain to see Mr. Camacho's name on there in the very near future.

I read Collateral Damage right after Blood and Bones. I admit I'm hooked and am looking forward to Mr. Camacho's next work. The characters and their stories kept me guessing to the end and the story was fast paced and made it difficult to put down. Hannibal Jones is my hero! If you are looking for an interesting story that challenges the intellect, yet is full of action, Austin Camacho is for you!

These are two chicks you'd wanna hang with, but we can leave the reds behind. All the talk of the dancers at Antone's, how a midnight run to Gardenridge and the yearly Marie Calendar's pie special is my Austin too. To hear a newcomer's view of our bugs, the heat, the twang and the rodeo made my laugh alot. I think most Texans would get a kick outta Heidi and the Reds.

I truly enjoyed this book of short stories. The chapter about Georgia's sister was very endearing. I loved that each story was independent of one another and yet they all seemed to fit together because of the city's backdrop. You really get to know the two main characters, Georgia and Vivian as they go through their everyday lives, from minimum wage jobs they love, to their friends that visit and give life to their adventures. The chapter about Georgia's Uncle relating back to the songs of Tom Waits reminded me about how different songs and movies can jog someone back to the memories of loved ones. I highly recommend this book.

As a long time Austin local, I must say that I approve. I'm not one to want to encourage Californians to move on out here, but Heidi & the Reds doesn't lie. We got the bugs, we got the slackers, the singers, the blues, Stevie, Antone's, you name it and Heidi's got it. The book's more about family and friends and dreams then about any city or state, but I think that's why everyone will like it. And if you ever was curious about rodeos, carnivals, the blues and the Southwest you won't be disappointed either. I'd recommend it to all my buds.

In the foreward of the third edition of "Sound Mind Investing", Larry Burkett writes "...I endorse the integrity and honesty of Austin Pryor. Obviously you, the reader, must evaluate his advice yourself. No one individual has the right advice for everyone, and anyone can, and will, be wrong in the changing economy we live in. But if you will spend the time to read carefully the counsel Austin provides in this book, you will find it both time and money well spent."

I agree wholeheartedly. After having read numerous introductory texts on money-management from a Christian perspective, this book is the most comprehensive and readable text of the lot.

Austin's book is divided into 6 Sections:

1) Getting Debt-free. The author considers this the first level of financial fitness, an equivalent of laying a proper foundation upon which to build. At this early point in the text, he discusses the importance of tithing in your plan. Austin writes "we are not commanded to give generously. Rather, our giving is a test of sincerity of our love and our willingness to trust in God's utter faithfulness" (based upon 2Cor 8:8,9:8). Austin goes on to say "When you pray about your giving, may I encourage you to give to the full measure of your gratitude and cheerfulness. And continue to ask God to enlarge your heart toward Him so you can eagerly embrace the sacrifice needed to give all the more."
In addition, budgeting as well as the dangers associated with the misuse of credit cards are discussed.

2) Saving for Future Needs. This includes the principles of saving money in a secure, low-risk emergency fund (financial planners recommend 3 to 6 months living expenses; Austin recommends $10,000) as well as in an accumulation fund for big-ticket items that you anticipate purchasing within 1 to 5 years. He also includes advice on preparing to help your children to finance their college or technical education. He believes that, if parents have the financial means, they should consider helping with the expenses of a college education for their children. Emphasis is given to the benefits of investing for your children's education as early as possible. Powerful examples are given. Note that Austin believes that children should be responsible for a portion of their educational expenses as well. Advice on where to invest this money is given, including but not limited to Ed IRAs and 529 plans.

3) Investing Your Surplus. Once you are debt-free and have adequate savings in an emergency fund, the author believes you can then begin to take educated risks by investing your surplus in mutual funds. This section is a primer on investment basics and mutual funds.

4) Diversifying for Safety. Austin is a strong proponent of building an age-appropriate,diversified portfolio through mutual fund investing. For the typical investor, he advocates "dollar-cost-averaging" or "value-averaging" strategies versus market-timing strategies, although he does admit venturing into market-timing strategies in his personal investment approach (He did this professionally in the past, but does not recommend market-timing for the average investor. Reasons are given). This book includes a short quiz that enables the reader to see what their personal tolerance is for investment risk. Once you determine your tolerance level, Austin leads you through determining your appropriate portfolio mix and shows you how your mix should change as you go through the various financial stages of your life.

5) Retirement Countdown. Austin wants his readers to have a realistic view of their needs for retirement. He discusses how to properly lower your investment risk as retirement approaches.

6) Investing that Glorifies God. The book ends with a section entitled "Investing that Glorifies God, a Biblical Blueprint for Building Your Financial House on Solid Rock". This section is priceless. Austin essentially reminds the reader of the importance of an eternal perspective, and that our investing should glorify God by acknowledging His sovereignty, valuing His majesty, builidng His Kingdom, upholding His righteousness, seeking His wisdom, and enjoying His blessing.

Please consider the counsel given in this book. I have and it has changed my financial life.

This is an awesome book! It is helpful for the beginner as well as someone who already has a "foundational" knowledge of finance. It is easy to read and understand and yet gives you a wealth of information. I read it cover to cover and even now often find myself using it as reference for making financial decisions. A must have for anyone interested in getting their financial house in order in a manner that is honoring to God. Worth every penny and more!

After trying to invest on my own,with mixed results; I've come to have a real admiration for the years of solid experience and great insight in Sound Mind Investing. The market perspective, great research and wonderful world view rate this book tops for me.

One of the great poems in the English language--and certainly a top contender for the greatest narrative poem. A retelling of the Alfred the Great's defeat of Guthrum and the Danes at the Battle of Ethandune (or the victory of the true power of Christianity over the inherent weakness of paganism), written to be read aloud or to oneself (but please do read it aloud). A ranking of ten stars would be more accurate. [This review refers to the first edition.]

The greatest poem ever written! Read it and it will lead you into a high and heroic world and change your life forever!

The greatest poem of the century. The100-page saga of King Alfred the Great's apparently hopeless war against the Vikings is all one dreams poetry might be - stirring the heart and soul, filled with beauty, wisdom and excitement. A timeless message of hope and wonder. A few passages stumble, as is inevitable in a work of this length, but these can be overlooked. Read this wonderful poem and it will lighten and change the world for you. The greatest antidote to depression and despair that I know!

Treasure hunting and mysteries in U-Bet, Montana, of all places. And can a sophisticated NY City editor and a rustic rodeo cowboy find happiness together? If so, where? A great sequel to The Lost Manuscript of Martin Taylor Harrison. Hope there's more in this series.

I think Stephen Bly is a great author. Unfortunately these books aren't available in my language yet, so I have to keep reading him in English. Comparing to anyone else? Zane Grey - but from another viewpoint. Being the second book in the "Austin-Stoner FILES" this book doesn't let you down, even though sequels tend to do just that. Both plot and story is good, and the conclusion is spiritually edifying. My advice to those that bought it: Keep on reading it: You'll enjoy it. And to those who hasn't: Buy it! You won't be disappointed!

This book combined unique characters with a great story line to create a 5 star book. I'm an avid reader of christian fiction and few books have kept me as entertained as this one. I couldn't wait to find out what happened between Lynda and Brady after I read "The Lost Manuscript of Martin Taylor Harrison" and "The Final Chapter" didn't let me down. The characters are so hilarious and the banter between Brady and Lynda had me anxious to see if they would eventually end up together. I definitely recommend this to anyone who needs a laugh.

Jackie M. Hopkins spins a lively tale with spicy flavor. "The Horned Toad Prince" is peppered with Spanish words that are easy to understand in context with the story -- but just in case a word proves troublesome, there is a handy Spanish/English dictionary at the end of the book. Does Reba Jo meet her match in the Horned Toad? She's a feisty gal; the toad is as clever as a Texas day is hot. Enjoy!

As I read this book to my first graders they just giggled and giggled. I had their full attention for the entire book. At the end of the story we discussed our favorite part and we decided it was when the horned toad ate the bowl of chili. The illustrations are just wonderful!

This delightful tale by Jackie M. Hopkins will make you laugh out loud! Peppered with Spanish words and phrases, Reba Jo and the Horned Toad's dialogue is absolutely a hoot! Kids of all ages love to hear fractured fairy tales, and I am sure this one will be a favorite. I highly recommend this title and plan to use it in my school library!

This is some of the heaviest reading I have chosen in a long time. While I must say I did not agree with several of the viewpoints of the collective writers, the writing was done with conviction and the ideas were thought-provoking. I recommend this book to any students of African American history, Journalism or Economics. I thought a better title for this work would have been Collective Black Genius.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Too many times the Black community is treated as if we all believe only one idea or follow one way of doing things. "Black Genius" brings out the qualities our many talented Kings and Queens by providing personal narratives with solutions to many concerns that effect the Black Community daily. I highly recommend this book. If you are concerned about issues in the Black community you wont be dissapointed.

The only reason I bought this book is because Walter Mosley's name was attached to it. Mosley is one of America's most valuable treasures, and I jump at any opportunity to experience his words. However, while his essay is excellent, the other authors more than hold their own.

I don't know who the intended audience is for this book, but I think it should be required reading for everyone. From age 15 through 90. Liberal, conservative, egalitarian, libertarian, agnostic, spiritual, what have you.

I cannot put my respect for this book into words. I am saddened with the realization that this book will go unnoticed by many because of a number of reasons. This book deserves much more recognition than it has received to date.

This book is nine chapters of mostly biographical information of muslims from west africa who got caught in the north american slave trade. The first two chapters are an overview the muslims and historical accounts. Chapters 3-9 concentrate on the lives of some of the most well known muslims and what others wrote about them.

The reason why I didn't give this book five stars is because of the author's use of Ar-Rahman as if it is Ibrahim 'adurraHmaan's last name. In the muslim faith, it is blasphemous to refer to a person as Ar-RaHmaan or any of the other names of allah (god). This may seem like a small issue to most, but it is a very serious issue because the author is showing his ignorance of Islam and spreading ignorance among the readers who know little or nothing about Islam. The readers of this book will see the casual use of ar-Rahman and think that it's ok to use it for short 'adurraHmaan. Since the author has a Ph.D, I think he should have had knowledgeble muslims read through his book before publication.

Austin's book brings to light an under-examined aspect of African Islam's role in early North America. The short biographical stories of African Muslims have never failed to capture students' imaginations in my classes. A good read and an excellent addition to reading lists for American and African-American History surveys.

It is about time that someone documented with accuracy the origins of some of the earliest Muslims in America. My congratulations to the author, Allan D. Austin.

"City Smart Austin" is an indispensable guide to aculturally-rich and multifaceted city.

Austin natives EleanorS. Morris, Paris Permenter, and John Bigley wisely present the city in six geographic zones. And they cover everything from Austin basics (weather, homes, people, etc) and day trips to recreation areas and where to shop/eat/stay.

Whether they are writing about "BookPeople" (one of the largest bookstores in the U.S.) or the 'Dillo Express (one of the city's laudable forms of public transportation), the authors speak with warmth and home-town credibility.

I was especially pleased with their accessment of Austin's accommodations. Yes, they duly point out the grandeur of the historic Driskill Hotel. But they also note the convenience and affortability of the La Quinta at the Capitol, which not only has a gracious new manager, but renovated "Gold Metal Rooms," which have new decor, 25-inch TVs, and speaker phones!

The book's maps are clear and helpful, with inset-captions for easy referral; and the b&w photos--while a tad too small--are often bright and sharp.

An added treat of "City Smart Austin" are the valuable coupons in the back of the book. Don't miss them!

Like the last reviewer, I too was considering a work-related move to Austin. I wanted a guide book that could give me a quick and easy entry into what Austin had to offer a tourist and potential resident. This guide book gave me a good overview of Austin while I was there -- it wasn't just an index or list of area attractions and businesses: It contained a lot of useful 'tips' interspersed through out the book and the maps were clear and well integrated with the text.

I had some reservations before I bought this because the maps were not in color. However, the maps were clear and concise. Rather than clutter up 1 map with icons for restaurants, attractions, etc., the maps were repeated in each section of the guide, and contained only the relevant data for that section; this made using them very easy. I'd also say that the authors of the book were very generous with the number and variety of maps.

Overall, the design of the book made reading and finding information easy. Good use of bold type made flipping through and finding stuff easy too.

In the end, I got the Austin job and will be moving there soon. As a future Austin resident, I think this will still be the only guide I need.

I am considering a move to Austin and found a lot of useful information in this guidebook. I used it to plan my freetime following a job interview in the city and found it right on target regarding the restaurant reviews. Good buy!

This reprint from the original 1951 Growl Bear by Margot Austin is delightfully illustrated by David McPhail. McPhail's soft illustrations lead the reader to believe that all will be well, despite any doubts that arise while reading the text. Growl Bear cannot communicate his desire to make friends, all the other forest creatures are afraid he will bite them, for all he can do is growl "Gr-r-r-r-r". The little bear attempts to seek help from the wise Old Owl, who misunderstands and makes matters even worse for Growl Bear. Finally, Growl Bear is reduced to tears. Fortunately wise Old Owl lives up to his name and figures out that poor little Growl Bear isn't trying to scare the others with his "Gr-r-r-r-r", but he is just so very little that he hasn't learned to talk yet! And with a happy smile, all is made well. This is a good book for anyone, of any age, who may have a problem with communication.

I really loved this book, not just for children, I thought it was great, too. The storyline was thought-provoking and the illustrations were so cute! Although I bought this book for my niece, I am planning to buy another copy for my own collection of children's animal storybooks. Definitely can recommend this colorful book and the lesson it teaches is a good one as well.

Little Bear seems to have trouble making friends simply because he growls his greetings to them. After a visit to the wise Old Owl, however, his problem gets solved in a very delightful way. This book tells a wonderful story about communication, has beautiful watercolor illustrations and is a terrific read-a-loud for ages 3 to 6.