Shoes Books

This seems to be an informative and interesting book... however, it isn't at all what I expected.

Somehow, I anticipated some photos, but the book is full of simple drawings in limited color, and very limited perspective instead. The writing is descriptive of the shoe drawn, plus an outline (which I found unnecessary, the text could have been placed next to the drawing so I wouldn't have to flip back and forth to visualize and analyze) but there is little or no history (other than in the introduction) as to the how's or why's of the styles, trends, construction or materials, environmental or social situation at the time, or of the manufacturer/cobblers of the time, which for me would have been of great interest.

It also has the word 'sourcebook' in the title.... which I took to mean as a source for information on shoes and manufacturers. There is a limited section in the back that gives a brief synopsis of mostly modern shoe manufacturer's biographies.... but no 'sources'.

The book is of general interest to a shoe fan, but did not meet my expectations at all. I am a little disappointed. I'm sure I'll get over it and learn to love it for what it does have...

I happened upon this book in the bookstore, and also recently saw it mentioned in Harper's Bazar. All they say is that it is a "comprehensive history of footware." What they fail to mention is that all the pictures are illustrations. There is not one single color photograph of an original shoe. If you check the product description above that Amazon provides, it does tell you that it has illustrations, but many people don't know to look there.

While the drawings are nicely done, they didn't give me the same thrill that seeing an actual photo of an original shoe would have. The pictures on the cover are exactly the same type of drawing and the same type of composition that you will see of other shoes in the book. I can understand having drawings of shoes from hundreds of years ago, but not having any photos of modern shoes seems a cop out.

The book is informative, but I think it is in no way "complete." It gives an overview of shoes from different eras, but does not scratch much beyond the surface. So, you get a little of everything and some representative pictures of the average footware, but not a good sense of what might be unique about a particular time period beyond what you can see for yourself in the illustrations.

I've read other books on fashion history that do a better job than this book in covering a wide range of time periods (such as Decades of Beauty). However, these books did not contain only shoes. I have yet to find a book about shoes that has both good photographs and informative text.

So, due to lack of competition, some people may want to check this book out because there isn't anything else out there. But, I would not reccomend buying it sight unseen. I think that this book would be too elementary for a fashion historan or someone into the history of shoes, but too boring for the average person to want to buy. I definitely would not recommend it for someone with a shoe fetish. It was worth the time I spent looking through it at the bookstore because of some of the text, but mostly because of the lack of photos I did not buy it.

You really must give thanks to the author for having given us this book. As usual it is peerless in the degree of historical accuracy and detail that his illustrations unfailingly provide. Morever, it is one of the rare books that give us as much insight into men's footwear as it does into the history of women's footwear.

Of course it would have been nice to have detailed photographs of original ancient footwear or even those from a century or two ago. Sadly, many specimens have not survived at all or at often at best are in poor condition and are kept hidden from regular open exhibition at textile museums that do own them due to their fragility. In most cases the original appearances of the footwear have to be reconstructed using paintings and published period sources along with a dash of imagination. The results are illustrations that bring to life what the historic examples would have looked like to a far greater degree than pictures of old footwear delapidated beyond recognition.

Granted these inevitable limitations, the splendid size and quality of the illustrations makes this a tour de force vastly superior to anything else likely to go into print for many years, if not decades, to come

Fans of the shoe, whether they be fashion-oriented or art-oriented, will welcome John Peacock's fabulous book Shoes: The Complete Sourcebook, which holds over 2,000 illustrations to accompany a comprehensive history of shoes. Another plus: both men's and women's shoes are covered, from the earliest known shoes to modern times; and plenty of color accompany a chronological history which covers footwear trends, manufacture, and influences on changing styles. If only one fashion or art book on shoes were to be chosen for a discriminating library, it should be Peacock's: he leaves nothing out.

I waffled between 4 and 5 stars for this. I think Peacock could do with some slightly more accurate titles. This is a history of western European shoes, with ancient Mesopotamia, Greece and Egypt thrown in for length. Beyond those, there is nothing on even eastern Europe, let alone Asia, Africa, etc. I also suspect from his books that Peacock does not really approve of our casual age. I saw only a single tennis shoe; none of the clogs and earth shoes that were so typical of the late 1960s and early 1970s; and none of the elaborate athletic shoes. Peacock does say that he is focusing chiefly on fashionable shoes, but I think that the high-end athletic shoes qualify as designer models, even if the other don't.

Given that, it's wonderful for what it does cover. Men's shoes are included. My favorite part is the ancient shoes; I have never seen such a variety illustrated.

The pages have small but clear drawings of usually 7 or 8 shoes per page, with minimal labelling. More detailed labelling follows. The time length covered by each section varies; as one might expect, shorter period are covered for more recent shoes. This is not as lush as the photographic collections of shoes, but I think it's more helpful as a history, especially for older styles which may have been reconstructed from fragments.

The introduction gives a brief history of the development of the shoes. There is a timeline where the shoes are reproduced as outline drawings to get a idea of the flow of change. This is followed by a concise history of designers and companies, and a bibliography.

So, it doesn't have a scholarly historical text, I don't recommend it for people as a book for gaping over startling shoes, but it is a very good visual history.

Sometimes I think that the Tennis Shoes series should have ended with "The Golden Crown". Not to say that this next section of the series isn't most exciting, but this book is not up to par with the rest of the series and is sadly rather average.

This fresh plot, however, happily brings in characters that have been pretty much ignored earlier in the series, and the catalyst that gets our characters is moving is probably one of the more exciting plot devices. A Lagoon parking lot kidnapping, of all things. Boy, that poor Hawkins clan.

I think the biggest problem is that this story tries to do too much all at once.

Sure, it's exciting, sure, these are extremely well-written characters, but sometimes it's best to narrow things down.

Still, it's nice to see all the fun Book of Mormon/Biblical landscapes and scenarios, and, gosh darn it, I love these characters and I love Heimerdinger's snappy writing.

I love the research notes - well thought out - always keeps you in suspense.

Okay guys you are in for a thrill. Chris has done it again! I give it five stars. Chris takes a little girl, gives her some "magic powers" and wham you have a novel. The book is not just about a little girl its about surviving in a strange and unknown world I have to admit that it does have a bit of romance, not too much to where the book is mushy gushy or any thing. In the book you are never one one subject for more than one chapter which keeps you on your toes and something is always around the corner ready to jump out and suprise you!

My brother and I have been reading the Heimerdinger "Tennis Shoes" series since they first came out in 1989. Even now, as adults, we still enjoy them, and have read the series (through 9) multiple times. This is the first book of the series that comes with notes for each chapter, which adds much to the understanding of the historical nature of the story. This is also the first book in the series that is told from the perspective of several characters. Because of this, the book jumps around much. I imagine that some kids may have difficulty keeping the flow of the novel with so much switching between narrators. As with the other books in the series (#3 and forward), there are multiple story-lines in the book. However, this is the first book that really does not connect the stories, and therefore leaves the book lacking in some respects. Even the next in the series does not connect the stories, so I wait with eager anticipation that #10 will finally wrap them all together. Unlike the trilogy of 5-7, which connected nicely all the way through, this one leaves a group of characters essentially floating in a literary limbo, leaving the reader wondering. Nevertheless, for readers of the series, one must read this one too. "Gadiantons and the Silver Sword (#2)" remains my favorite of the series for suspense, and numbers 3 and 4 remain my favorites for story-line. Enjoy!

This awesome adventure book sends you flying to the ancient Americas, and Old Jerusalem.
When Garth Plimpton's kids are stolen, Meagan, Apollos,and Marco are accidentally thrown into the Mayan times! While they are trying to get home, Joshua, Becky, and Mary get caught in a time continum that sends them to Old Jerusalem, where they meet an old villian, and an unexpected time traveller.
This story has a great hangtail endng, and I can't wait for the next one!

Despite the fact that I love the Shoes books, I found this one completely one-dimensional and dull. The author is at her best, I think, when she is creating characters who excel at theater or ballet. Though she did an adequate job describing the Big Top, that the two protagonists run away from home to join their uncle at, all the characters were paper thin, including the protagonists. The only thing we learn about the girl is that she has long blonde hair, and the boy does not even rate a physical description. We learn that they're sheltered, but they don't really change from beginning to end. I much prefer Dancing Shoes, Tennis Shoes or Theater Shoes.

this sweet story of two children who go to live with their uncle in the circus community is a look into a way of life many never see. as a child it fascinated me and as an adult i still have it on my list of "to reread books". if you can find it you will not be disappointed!

This was my very favorite book as a child. Its ability to transport you to a wonderful world and still be able to relate to its characters was a true joy. I loved all the "Shoe" books but this was my very favorite and I read it several times until the librarian at school made me return it. Subsequently I tried in vain to emulate the back flips and tumbles the characters in the book so effortlessly master. This book speaks to the heart of the child. I have passed it on to my daughter and she has found the magic in the "Shoes" as well. Find it, read it, pass it on.

Do you remember when the Meg Ryan character walked into Tom Hanks' FOX BOOKS store and the customer asked about the "Shoes" books, and a monologue about the wonders of Noel Streatfeild's "Shoes" books ensued, touching on Dancing Shoes, Ballet Shoes, and Skating Shoes, which is absolutely wonderful? That scene made me break down crying, because I had never heard anyone other than myself talk about these terrific books, and the fact that it is tragic that they are mostly out of print and hard to find. This book is a wonderful story of working hard for a goal, and accomplishing it, or at least getting on the road to achieving a reasonable, yet magical, goal. If you want a great book for your favorite elementary school girl, buy this one - then buy the other "Shoes" books (and get a copy of Tennis Shoes for your favorite boy too!)

Paris Jackson has a lot on her plate for one woman. Trying to start up her own shoe company using a product she and her friends developed called Sfoam. A job at a local bank she's not entirely happy at, but she finds her boss attractive. A boyfriend who keeps changing the rules of their relationship, AND an ex-husband who wants her back. Not to mention her mom is now going to random funerals of people she doesn't even know and dating ex cons she finds in the personal ads?

It's enough to make Paris want to run, from everything and everyone.

Great book I enjoyed this one immensly. One of the best chick lit books I've read.

I read this book in less than a day because I just could not put it down. I had to know what was going to happen with JWP, Inc., whether Paris was every going to achieve her dreams and see her company succeed, and if all the people in her life truly had her best interest at heart.

I know that this is Chick-lit but there was a lot of real world experience that you can take away from this such as: trust your gut instinct, never give up on your dream but don't be afraid to make adjustment, learn to think with your head and not just with your heart, and sometimes you have to take off the rose colored glasses to really see a person.

I would truly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed.

It looks like PWJ, Inc; the company that is making Sfoam (a cushioning system for running shoes) is going to go belly-up because none of the foot wear companies are willing to give it a chance. Paris Jackson, a runner who created the concept is ready to throw in the towel due to a lack of funds when her ex-husband Greg, a venture capitalist, comes to town five years after he left her one month into their marriage.

Paris has a no commitment relationship with Will, one of the scientists who developed Sfoam but he is very unhappy that Greg is back in town. His possessiveness makes commitment shy Paris back away from him and move closer to Greg while she fantasizes about her boss who is about to fire her because her work at the bank has suffered because of the hours she puts in at PWJ. When Will and Paris officially break off, Greg is there ready to pick up the pieces and help her run the company. Paris has to find out what she needs to make herself happy before she can make any decisions about the firm or the men in her life.

This is as much a character study as it is a chick lit tale. There are many funny scenes as well as serious moments. Readers come too really like and care for the vulnerable protagonist. Stephanie Rowe knows how to grab and keep reader interest as IF THE SHOE FITS is a terrific reading experience. This is an author who makes chick-lit tales deep and enriching novels.

Harriet Klausner

This is definitely a chic-lit book. I prefer romance novels. The story is about a woman's stresses and indecisions over work, friends and lovers. I didn't admire or like her. Because of her dream job at night, she was doing a poor job at the bank and that bothered me. No integrity. She would make up sicknesses to get out of work at the bank. I wasn't drawn into the story or other characters that much, except for Will, one of her lovers. I didn't laugh. Nothing surprised or delighted me other than having a happy ending. I would not recommend it.

Note: This book only covers the theory behind Thumb Therapy, not the actual procedure to restore the reflexive oral swallow. For the actual therapy, see one may purchase an additional pamphlet at the website: three w's - a dot - petsitterspurrfection - a dot - com

Streicher clearly was onto something. It only makes sense that oral problems are caused by harmful habits that one acquires throughout life. This book explains multiple cases where Streicher evaluated and treated patients with stuttering, crooked facial features, misaligned teeth, bite problems, TMJ, and more. Like the Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais, he knew that habits overtime create changes in the structure of the body. He also recognized how, by changing these faulty habits, the body will "right" itself. The student or practitioner does not need to know what "right" is, but just how to get out of the way and stop interfering!

Inconvenient for the reader, the actual therapy is not thoroughly explained. He suggests to put the thumb in the mouth while speaking and to check one's swallow, making sure there is no facial involvement. But Streicher does not go into these procedures in detail.

Thus, a supplement was later published. In addition to this novel, you can purchase the actual therapy, as listed above at petsitterspurrfection.

Streicher also makes some assumptions without facts backing him and thus discredits his own work. If he were still alive today, there is a chance he would revise and reprint this book in an even more logical way.

Instead, after his death, those who knew him published a supplement to the book that explains the entire process (though it too, is not fully complete).

So, more on his theory. As described in the Alexander Technique, in the human body, destructive habits add a new force that can overpower the natural carriage of the human framework. For example, people who slump much daily, may in time no longer be able return to an upright, balanced position; their body stiffens and hardens into misalignment. Through the guidance of a teacher and thus learning to no longer collapse, overtime the body will regain its natural elasticity and poise. This macro concept can be applied in a micro manner to the mouth. This is why all it takes is an elimination of the habit. What a relief! Similar to Alexander's work though, Streicher really recommends one seeks treatment in the hands of a Thumb Therapy specialist.

And at the moment there are few, if any, practicing in the US.

What does that mean? The curious reader can attempt to discover for himself. I know I've made some headway. As a training Alexander Technique teacher, I feel that sooner or later I will be qualified to relearn and rediscover what Streicher had done. I am also in contact with many of his clinical associates; we are working on getting the Thumb Therapy out of the woodwork.

Due to the spam crisis, I cannot leave direct contact information, but I will offer that I am studying under Jane Heirich of Ann Arbor, MI and she can be reached through information listed on AmSAT (American Society for the Alexander Technique)'s website. Google may prove useful.

Happy, easy swallowing!
Tim F.

Well what can I say. The author started talking about his secret thumb therapy and from then on kept repeating cases after cases, without achieving much. It was like reading an ad for a therapy which was never discussed. Even from a general medical interest standpoint the material has little to offer.

Buying the book was a waste of money, reading it was a waste of time.

There has been a proliferation of books, tapes, seminars that address stress, anxiety, muscle tension, migrane headaches, TMJ and jaw problems, neck and back pains. If these area's are of interest or concern to you then John P. Streicher's book, The Pebble in the Shoe, should be at the top of your list. What is most meaningful for me is John's approach to "swallowing difficulties, speech and learning disorders and emotional dysfunction and how these are symtoms connected by a common cause". If you are a parent of a child with a speech or language disoder or an adult with a speech or language disorder this book is priceless. I have read Roberta Pierce's book concerning "Tongue Thurst" and Richard Barrett's "Oral Myofunctional Disoders" and John Streicher accurately states that "their therapy does not cure;it does not recondition the reflex system. It is another way of teaching individuals to control or override their habit conditioned speech and swallowing patterns". This book reminds me of the world renowned "Alexander Technique" developed by Frederick Matthias Alexander. John takes it a step further than Alexander by providing a "Vaccination", a therapy, he discovered. Like Alexander, John saw the need of finding the cause of a problem not just looking at the symtoms of the problem. Alexander stressed a process he called "inhibition- the ability to stop, to stop at the source, those harmful habits of thinking and doing from which most of us suffer". John discovered "that an oral habit causes problems by forcing the body to operate around it". But, "simply eliminating a habit would not bring the body back into balance. Someting was needed to recondition the system", according to John. This "reconditioning the system" is what the Alexander Technique lacks. John's Vaccination and subsequent Therapy is going to benefit so many people especially for those who have lost hope. Indivduals who have taken the inititive to seek professional speech therapy, for speech difficulty, are highly motivated. These individuals recognize that they have a problem and want to correct the problem by seeking the knowledge and expertise of a competent, qualified and experienced speech therapist. Unfortunately speech therapy has been and is still today "a sympton-chasing practice". "Speech pathologists describe an articulation pattern by listing what sounds are omitted, distorted, or substituted with other sounds. They are not trained to address causes". For those who have sought professional help for speech difficulties and have felt frustration, humiliation and failure even after years of "professional therapy", John Streicher's, The Pebble in the Shoe is a miraculous gift! The most profound affect for me was in the speech field but the therapy is applicable in the fields of education, dentistry, psychology, and medicine.

I strongly recommend Pebble in the Shoe to those with a personal or professional interest in Speech Therapy, Orthodontics, or TMJ problems. I also commend it to anyone who enjoys reading about new discoveries and achievements.

For me Streicher's therapy was a break-through in my search for help with my own speech difficulty (following adult Orthodontic treatment). It offers understanding and practical help after months of professional consultations and browsing the Internet in search of understanding of my particular problem.

Streicher's therapy is a totally natural, non-invasive way to treat speech, dental and jaw problems. It describes how we can allow nature to heal us and has given me hope that I can be cured without further Orthodontic or Dental work.

John Streicher's search for and discovery of a cure originated from realising his Aunt's difficulty in communicating. He describes her problems and his own struggle to have his theories accepted.

I found the book interesting, exciting, informative and sympathetic and I dearly wish there were professionals in my own country who practise Streicher's therapy.

If you had a pic of the item that would be alot better. I will NOT buy anything I can`t see a pic of. So, you may want to think about that.

it's a helper book for everybody,that they will be learn everything about the shoes..

This book reviews the history of shoes from ancient times to the present, concentrating most heavily on "western" styles. The text is quite substantial and informative from a writer and a publisher with good reputations. It is lavishly illustrated in both color and black & white with photographs of shoes and reproductions of historic illustrations. As compared with catalogs and chiefly pictorial collections, it has fewer shoes and more context illustrating social attitudes and people wearing shoes and much more information. There are sections on some of the most famous contemporary designers.

The is a detailed table of contents and a substantial index, but no bibliography.

I'm mad for Colin McDowell who must be the patron saint of fashion information professionals! This book has got it all, great photos, shoe sketches, acurate history and even shoe fantasy. I love to use this book to show our students that mules are not a twentieth century invention by Candies. Please take heed this is not a weekend reader for it contains quite a bit of text but, it is great to refer to for research and for those of us who can't get enough information about shoes. If you are interested in shoe design please check out the Ferragamo section; pure candy for the eyes.

This book has lovely pictures, although the author admits she has taken the liberty to decide which should be included for each year. It would be an even better book if the articles were named, better yet a small description, sometimes I wondered if a shoe were a man or woman's.

I think the book is good but stops short of being great but it is interesting and I would like to a sequel with the other drawings that were left out of this edition.

This review is from the viewpoint of a home sewer and crafter who adores vintage clothing, not a fashion historian, designer or illustrator.

Never having purchased any of the Pictorial Archives series before, I was surprised and initially disappointed by the black and white illustrations and the complete lack of text.

While it is fascinating to see how fashion accessories evolved over the decades there is no indication of whether an item was casual and day wear, or dressier for afternoon or evening. An index naming the style of each piece and/or notes explaining popular colors of the day would be helpful.

The black and white illustrations do render the detail of the accessories beautifully. With over 2,000 copyright free illustrations of wide variety of styles for men, women and children included I look forward to years of inspiration for fashion embellishment.

This book is great. It is just what I was looking for in doing some period research. The illustrations could only be better if they were in color. Anyone interested in fashion accessories of this period will not be disappointed.

This book is exactly what it claims to be - a pictorial archive. For descriptions or details, Dover has a wide selection of books that will be of immense help with materials, construction, and history. For those who already have a working knowledge of the century in fashion, this book is a candy store of visual tidbits.

Just a note: very few fashion illustrations of the nineteenth century were colored; hand-coloring was a labor-intensive process reserved for high-end publications with limited runs. Check my Listmania list for some books with color illustrations.

Despite the possibly cold- and academic-sounding title, The Social Sources of Denominationalism is actually a passionate, engaging read. Its premise is that the rise of Christian sects shows that the Christian churches have failed in their ethical duty. They should all be preaching the single unified truth of Christ's love, says Niebuhr, whereas instead they each reflect the economic and social traits of the people in their sects.

Throughout history, says Niebuhr (brother of the more-famous Reinhold Niebuhr), sects have arisen when their parent church has grown remote from a vital Christianity; sects are a continual attempt to renew the religion. Also, says Niebuhr, the revolution and the new sect have always come from below: the existing church tends to gain respectability over time, and gain middle-class adherents, thereby drawing further and further away from an emotionally appealing experience of Christ and more towards a cold, academic understanding of God. The poor, says Niebuhr, have always sought a more direct -- emotional, arms flailing, speaking-in-tongues -- connection with god, which "respectable" churches are loath to provide. And those respectable churches are much better at telling the poor to mind their own business and accept their station, than they are at elevating that station.

So ultimately, the "ethical failure of the divided church" (title of the first chapter) is the church's failure toward its most needy members. The presence of sects is not the church's failure -- rather, its failure is to have made those sects necessary in the first place.

This is the only book I know of that plainly discusses the failure of the Christian Church - in context of the Bible. Nieburh clearly identifies two violations of the Church's three fundamental requirements COMMANDED by its Founder: 1) BROTHERLY LOVE (John 13:34-35; 15:12,17), 2)UNITY John 17:11, 21-23), and 3) SUPERNATURAL EMPOWERMENT (John 14:16; Acts 1:4). The Book of Acts showcases what can happen when a body of Christians *obeys* Christ's 3 commands. The author boldly provides many examples of how today's so-called 'Protestant' churches defy Christ's commandments - and export Church division through their missionary programs. Very unique book in its critique of 'churchianity', a topic apparently, too hot (politically) for today's hordes of religious writers. Every born-again Christian should read Nieburh's exhortation. Chapter 1 says it all...the remainder of the book is merely additional detail.

Niebuhr's work is one of the greatest works in theology that I read while at Divinity school. I highly recommend it for its clear, concise and rational approach to Protestanism and explaining it in its many varied forms.

Wanted to give 4 stars, but rated 3 because it is not an easy read. The concepts and reasoning make sense. Recognizes humankind's attempt to bring a much higher power to an understandable level; or to mold an ideal into a form that justifies oneself -- regardless of how far short one's actions fall. Will break rationalizations of believers, or explain the diversity of a common belief to a non believer.

This was a story that I could tell was written with the effect that there is a rainbow after a storm. Mr. Davis is a convincing storyteller.

We meet Franklin who is a drug addicted, an alcoholic and suffers from mental illness. Franklin is befriended by Bryce, who is his nurse caseworker. Bryce has dealt with some of the same issues Franklin has experience. Bryce is a Vietnam veteran and his return home from the war had him suffering from addictions as well. These two men find they have more in common then first realized and Franklin's shoebox is the impetus.

There are several small stories within this novel. The main story is endearing, however, the smaller ones are never quite developed. We meet several supporting characters who either fizzle out or their ending didn't have a full middle after the reader is first introduced.

Although a good edit is needed, these minor flaws are correctable. The author's vision and descriptions were well written. The dialogue however seemed a bit stilted at times, but this again can be corrected with a good editor.

This story is truly a feel good story. Even with the small problems, Franklin's Shoebox is an interesting writing effort.

Bryce Wright has come full circle with the seasons, and as
he looks back over the past year he feels a supreme sense
of accomplishment. This Vietnam veteran now employed as
a Mental Health Counsel is ready to annotate his files with
closure and hopefully one success story.

His client Franklin Cooper has been plagued with the diagnosis
of a Manic Depressive Disorder with Drug-Induced Psychosis.
Bryce, has been where Franklin is and so he is empathetic
toward the suicidal, drug induced behavior of Franklin. He is
committed to helping Franklin so he will not become just another
statistic, just another young black man lost to society.

Franklin's existence hinges on the hope he has in a cardboard
shoe box left to him by a father he loved unfalteringly. It
was the death of his father that heralded the beginning of
Franklin's detachment from life. And it is that very shoe box
that serves as a life preserver, rescuing him each time he
feels the waters of life eclipsing him.

Franklin's Shoe Box tells two stories, one about the challenges
teens and young adults confront when they choose to abuse drugs
and alcohol. And one about a Vietnam veteran who gets to tell
his story with hopes that it will be therapy for those who lost
a part of themselves in 'the Nam'. A catalyst for Franklin is
the fact that Bryce served in Vietnam with his father and can
fill in some gaps peppering his confused life. Along with
Franklin's issues Bryce realizes he has to help family members
who are co-dependent to Franklin's illness.

Mr. Davis has written an intuitive story with a pace that keeps
the reader in step with all that is evolving. The character-
ization could have been tighter, but this is still excellent
therapy, saturated with painful realism, and renewed hope in the
human spirit. This is a good read.

Reviewed by aNN Brown
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Bryce Wright has come full circle with the seasons, and as
he looks back over the past year he feels a supreme sense
of accomplishment. This Vietnam veteran now employed as
a Mental Health Counselor is ready to annotate his files with
closure and hopefully one success story.

His client Franklin Cooper has been plagued with the diagnosis
of a Manic Depressive Disorder with Drug-Induced Psychosis.
Bryce has been where Franklin is, so he is empathetic
toward the suicidal, drug induced behavior of Franklin. He is
committed to helping Franklin so he will not become just another
statistic; just another young black man lost to society.

Franklin's existence hinges on the hope he has in a cardboard
shoe box left to him by a father he loved unfalteringly. It
was the death of his father that heralded the beginning of
Franklin's detachment from life. And it is that very shoe box
that serves as a life preserver, rescuing him each time he
feels the waters of life eclipsing him.

Franklin's Shoe Box tells two stories, one about the challenges
teens and young adults confront when they choose to abuse drugs
and alcohol. And one about a Vietnam veteran who gets to tell
his story with hopes that it will be therapy for those who lost
a part of themselves in 'the Nam'. A catalyst for Franklin is
the fact that Bryce served in Vietnam with his father and can
fill in some gaps peppering his confused life. Along with
Franklin's issues Bryce realizes he has to help family members
who are co-dependent to Franklin's illness.

Mr. Davis has written an intuitive story with a pace that keeps
the reader in step with all that is evolving. The character-
ization could have been tighter, but this is still excellent
therapy, saturated with painful realism, and renewed hope in the
human spirit. This is a good read.

Reviewed by aNN Brown
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Since five stars is all I can give so be it; however, five stars does this book no justice. From the front cover to the back I was captivated by The Spirit of Franklin's Show Box. When I first started reading I was drawn in by the ease at which the words flowed. From page one I identified with the character Franklin Cooper and immediately fell in love with him. Even though he had problems there was an underlining, almost spiritual (pardon the pun) connection to him. The introduction of new characters was fresh and the dialogue crisp and exciting. I found it difficult to put the book down, even to go to sleep. With The Spirit of Franklin's Shoe Box Davis manages to draw the reader into the story. Some scenes I read two and three times because I was in awe of how well it flowed. I highly reccommend The Spirit of Franklin's Shoe Box to anyone looking for an exceptionally exciting, gut wretching read. What I enjoyed most was the dept with the author detailed mental illness as well as the information provided about Vietnam and the effects that war had on not only those on the front line but also how it effected their families. The primary and secondary characters in this book are wonderful, they compliment one another to the highest degree. Thank you Stormy Davis for having the courage to Tell such a wonderful story.

T.C. Matthews
Co-founder
Prolific Writers Network

"tarantula shoes" is very funny book. It is about a boy moves into a new town wants to be cool whith the other kids sohe trys to convince his parents to buy the shoes for him but there is just one problem they are 150$ so they say no. So he starts making events whith his tarantula to gain money but the spider was lost one day and blamed his friend and to find out what happens in the rest of the book youll need to read it.

"tarantula shoes" is very funny book. It is about a boy moves into a new town wants to be cool whith the other kids sohe trys to convince his parents to buy the shoes for him but there is just one problem they are 150$ so they say no. So he starts making events whith his tarantula to gain money but the spider was lost one day and blamed his friend and to find out what happens in the rest of the book youll need to read it.

Tarantala Shoes

I really like this book because it was funny.A kid is living in Texas and then all of a sudden they are going to Kentucty.This book is very good because I read it.You should read the book.Sometimes it can get exciting and you will want to keep on reading the book.

"Tarantula Shoes" is great! Tom Birdseye is aWONDERFUL author. He makes you feel like you are there. When I read"Tatantula Shoes" I could really see how Ryan O'Keefe felt when moving and meeting new kids. I recommend this book because it is funny, but it also shows you real life problems and how to solve them.