Ford Reviews

Whether it's a chance encounter amidst a daily routine or an unexpected turn during distant travels, each of these stories is a heart-warming reminder that whatever we truly need is always close at hand and every moment is a mystical adventure......if we take the time to notice.

I keep it on my bedside table and re-read a few stories from time to time, just to remind and inspire myself to look for the magic as I travel through my days.

This is a book I like so strongly that I had to write a review. The true stories
of other people's experiences always appeal to me because stories connect us
to each other. These are mystical experiences, dream-time, past-life
regressions, synchronicities, and just surprising unexpected things that have
happened to change other's lives. We can all learn from them and perhaps
renew our own hopes.

A friend gave me this book for my birthday a few days ago, and I stayed up half the night with it. I'm getting on in years and cannot travel as much as I used to, but this is the next best thing! Actually, just as good but different, as one needs no suitcases or airplane tickets for these soul journeys. A wonderful and inspiring read for old and young alike. Solves my gift-hunting task for the coming Christmas!

A warm-hearted and touching look into the life of bees. Through the eyes of the author, the personality, social culture and care of bees are explored with love and wit. While scientifically sound, this book reads more like a novel than a text book. I highly recommend this book. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Without being highly educated in scientific terms or history, this book was a wonderful and enertaining read. I have always been fascinated by insects, especially bees and ants, and this book fulfilled every question I had on bees. Longgood has written it so well that it is like reading a novel rather than nonfiction. This book makes one want to go out in the hills and study the nearest colony of insects all day long.

MR LONGGOOD HAS TAKEN THE SEEMINGLY MUNDANE CHORES OF LIFE WITHIN THE BEE HIVE AND GIVEN THEM A PERSPECTIVE THAT EVEN THE THE MOST STAUNCH INSECT HATER WILL FIND FACINATING. THIS BOOK BRINGS YOU TO A LEVEL OF FASCINATION WITH LITTLE CREATURES WHICH WILL FOSTER AN APPRECIATION FOR BEES THAT YOU NEVER COULD HAVE IMAGAGINED.

My vision for The Wish Factory is an everlasting concept for anyones personal belief system. I read this book as a Christmas gift to my son. It was one of the few gifts exchanged; we were bankrupt on Wall street, living off broadway and I was given the last rough draft to read. The Wish Factory gave us the gift of hope with a new belief system. After that, I was fortunate to become aquainted with the author. Ms.Shellman is more creative than anyone I know on this planet! I would like to support the wish factory by saying that "everyone is missing out on their own opportunity in life, without knowing about this book"! I see this book selling everywhere, and I see every word Ms. Shellman writes, selling globally. All Blessings and Success to Ms. Shellman; May all your wishes come true Jana!

This little big book THE WISH FACTORY by Jana Lynn Shellman offers the reader a simple, honest approach to making and keeping our lives positive and filled with possibilties. The message she has is beaming with hope, and is delivered with enthusiasm and that "personal touch". The book has two parts. Ms. Shellman begins with a most delightful story about a child who learns what to do with thoughts called "hopes" and "wishes". This story carries a powerful lesson of faith, reinforced by the art of positive thinking. It is the kind of story that could be surprisingly enlightening for anyone of any age. The second part is an instruction book that addresses lifes' personal issues such as "happiness" and "success". The author shares her insights and gives practical suggestions on how to mangage these areas in a personal way. The Wish Factory could be enjoyed by and useful to anyone, regardless of affiliation, and especially invaluable to those unaware of our heavenly connection. Al

The Wish Factory is age free. This story/instruction book shows us that no matter how hopeless a situation looks, we must remember that we are not alone and if we keep communication going with our Creator [and don't forget to listen], we will be given the answer that's right for us. I applaud the author on this book and look forward to more of her work.

I am a family counselor and I recomend this book for my teenage clients and their parents. It is full of comfort. Like a big sister whose just been through all the trials of being a teenager herself, Amanda is able to offer a perspective that parents and other adults can't. The formate is helpful and user friendly. The reader can look up any topic in the contents and read one page or many on subjects ranging from boys, to peer pressure, to parents. This book encourages girls to listen to their own voice instead of following the crowd. It encourages each girl to make choices that satisfy themselves.

This wonderful book offers 366 (yes, it accounts for leap years) daily tips for living the best life you can. Offers sound advice for handling boys, jobs, peer pressure, self confidence, having fun, parents, jealousy, manners, dreams, and any of hundreds of issues that pop up daily for the average teen. This book inspires you to act in your own best interests and make the most out of life.

This book includes a detailed index for looking up whatever topics concern you, as well as a list of other helpful books and websites. How cool is that?

Be True to Yourself : A Daily Guide for Teenage Girls, is a treasure. It is an important and powerful book; a book that every teenage girl should read. Amanda Ford's writing style is simple, honest and very real. You know she is speaking from her heart and from her own experiences. This is a book with integrity. It is one that the reader can open to any page and find inspiration and guidance. Like Sarah Ban Breathnach's "Simple Abundance," Be True to Yourself has a daily message. The book will never become outdated and it can be read day after day. Each page is like a precious gem that shines on its own. There is no gift you can give that will help a girl more during her teenage years than Be True to Yourself. It will become her best friend and companion.

I've bought many books trying to understand this passage in my and my daughter's life, and I needed to buy only this book. It confirmed with text what I was feeling and thinking and gave me a better perspective of her teenage life, which I had either forgotten or not come to grips with in these millennium years. I say the same about Wonderful Ways to Love a Teen, a companion book.

I just love this book. It has so many enlightening ideas on how to avoid blow ups and relate to each other with understanding. All it takes is a little thought before speaking. I think there are many mothers and daughters who would like this book, especially because it gives both the teenager's and the mother's viewpoints and feelings.

Wow! How close can you get without actually being a part of something. This book really gets you involved and does a great job of relating the feelings that are there between a mother and her daughter. A must buy, 5 star book.

Daniel Ford's novel served as the basis for the excellent Vietnam war film, "Go Tell the Spartans". The movie was generally faithful to the novel, with just a bit of Hollywood added. The story follows draftee Stephen Courcey through special forces training and finally into the jungle of the Central Highlands of the Republic of South Vietnam. There, the experience of his military advisory team seems to be an allegory to the American involvement in Vietnam. One of the characters, a number crunching junior officer, allows that it will take 50,000 American combat deaths to "stabilize" the situation in Southeast Asia. This statement in this work of fiction written in 1967 is pretty amazing when you consider that the final American death count in Vietnam was 58,000 and change.

The novel moves quickly and flows nicely. The characters are strong. You find yourself somehow inside Corporal Courcey's head and laughing at Captain Olivetti's obsession with his CIB, his combat infantry badge. The role of Major Barker in the book is much less central than it is in the movie. But then, Burt Lancaster played the ... out of Major Barker in the film, so they may have made certain adjustments for the star.

There is a sadness and fatalism about the book that may bother some. However, the topic is not exactly uplifting. On the whole, a worthwhile and enjoyable read.

Ok, even though this happens to be a fictional account, and the names and places are completely fake, the description of events is extremely eerie and just plain dead-on for what became Vietnam. The book came out at a time when the war was still believed to be winnable, but Ford gives us an honest look at the unwinnable situation of Muc Wa, and what it did to its ever-loving and overwhelmed young commander. I think we've all heard too many storied of this same sort that happened in Vietnam, and here it is again, but its simply one of the best books if you want to get a feeling of what it might have been like to be a young man with what was basically a nearly impossible mission, one he felt a patriotic and militant duty to fulfill, but, like so many other times the powers that be wouldnt allow it. Another strong point is its brevity, it gets the job done without having to do it over a 300 or 400 page novel, the book and the language within it will flow easily for most any high school student. An excellent read on the subject, and highly recommended.

This is a classic, a story written by a journeyman reporter who was in Vietnam before the war escalated out of control. The story is a metaphor for the conflict: a handful of Americans and a platoon of Vietnamese mercenaries are told to garrison a "town" called Muc Wa. There is no town--just the remains of some French emplacements and a graveyard. (The graveyard becomes a major theme in Go Tell the Spartans, the Burt Lancaster movie made from Ford's novel.) They set up a garrison, the Viet Cong attack, the garrison is reinforced, and onward and upward in a spiral of violence that ends only when the Americans are ordered to "exfiltrate." For a novel that was published in 1967, that was a darned good prophecy. Read it, and wonder how the United States was so pigheaded as to believe it could ever win a war being fought on those terms.

Bought with 'Oriental Carpets; A Complete Guide'. I like both, they compliment each other. But if had to pick, would take 'Complete Guide'.

This is an outstanding book, certainly one of the best on the subject. Very informative yet easy to understand. Profusely illustrated and very detailed.

I live in the Middle East and my Afghani carpet dealer recommended this book calling it "the Bible" for any collector. The color pictures and pattern by pattern breakdown help you get a feel for the beauty of this unique art form. My only complaint is that the carpets pictured are all museum quality and not on offer to your average collector! If you are just getting started or if you've been collecting rugs for a while, this book is an essential addition to your reference library.

"Ralph the Duck", the second item in ABSENT FRIENDS, is my favorite short story. This first-person account by a Vietnam veteran hooks the reader with a funny golden retriever who loves what makes him sick (Think about it). The narrator is a part-time college student, taking one free class a session in partial payment for his job as a security guard. He figures it'll take him sixteen years to graduate.
The story is heavily laced with irony in that the student tests the teacher. The narrator (I couldn't find a name) turns in a paper entitled "Ralph the Duck", which seems entirely inappropriate for an assignment in rhetoric and persuasion (You'll need to read the story several times before you figure out why he felt it met the assignment).
We've all met teachers like the professor. He never wears a suit. He sports khakis and sweaters, loafers or sneakers. Ironed dungarees.
There's lots of sardonic humor. The narrator says, "Slick characters like my professor like it if you're a killer or at least a onetime middleweight fighter."
The story picks up pace when a red-headed co-ed takes some pills during a snowstorm and disappears, and our hero is off to the rescue. The redhead is the professor's "advisee".
Although the story is twenty pages long, it is very sparely written. As I was reading it, I thought to myself, "This would make a really good novel." Apparently Busch did, too. It's called GIRLS. If you can't figure out "Ralph the Duck", read the novel.

RALPH THE DUCK is simply one of the best short stories I've ever read. It is absolute MUST reading for the developing writer, though it may make you feel miserable, as its level of mastery is intimidating. It is simple and unforgettable.

I'm actually sorry Frederick expanded the story into "GIRLS". It works far better as the punch to the stomach it is in short-story form.

This collection of stories will whet your appetite for more from this fine, fine upstate New York writer.

In "From the New World," the first of the fourteen stories in this collection by Frederick Busch, a producer with a liking for Melville encourages a writer to develop a script where people learn things without overhearing them. Busch follows his character's advice: these stories are about loss -- the loss, by sympathetic, everyday people, of a parent, spouse, sibling, or child -- and yet the dimensions of their loss, sometimes even the fact of the loss itself, are only hinted at. The stories are remarkably affecting, the characters are credible and interesting, and the dialogue is right on.

Of all the books available on business development in the professions, this is the best of the best. Concise, practical yet never simplistic, Ford Harding hits the strategic issues of business development, then ties the issues to solid implementable actions. As an advisor to CPA and law firms, I consider this book to be the "course textbook" for learning the subject matter quickly. Professionals don't have time for volumes of thick how-to manuals. Give it to them straight and quickly. This book does that. Every page unlocks another important concept in business development. When finished the reader not only knows the subject, but knows what to do next. Instead of throwing the book in a cabinet, it should be kept in a handy place, and as the professional becomes more experienced, it can take him/her to the next level of understanding, and to the highest reaches of successful rainmaking. A must read for any professional who wants to grow their practice.

I used this book in the planning of a training program for business development activities at the engineering/surveying firm, Psomas and Associates. We needed a training program for every level of staff from principals to marketing support staff. This book was amazing! It made the job sooooooo much easier! The information in this book was nothing short of inspiring and the success we are having in the program is testimony to the quality of the ideas and programs described in the book. I recommend it very, very highly!

I am a consultant in a company which does not have an organised rainmaker system (yet). As such, much of what I read in this book was new to me and I have discussed its contents with my boss. I think that this book will help us to improve our business. It is full of insightful ideas.

The projects in this book are pure eye candy! Very innovative techniques and projects, my favorite being the polymer clay eggs, of which I have made four dozen for Christmas presents!

Directions are very clear and the gallery of beautiful artwork throughout will get your mind creating ideas for your own beautiful pieces.

If you're looking for inspiration, the photos and the projects in this book are for you.Gives some basic step by step caneing instructions as well as an intricate butterfly design. Much more. I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.

This is one of the most inspiring books I have seen on polymer clay. It really does get my mind going with ideas and makes me want to get right to "work." It's clear and precise in instruction, as well as attractive to even look through. It's my favorite