Not silly liket the other Fly Guy books.
350549
This was more informational book about sharks.  Let's just say if you don't want to learn about sharks than this is not a book for you.  My son owns most of the Fly Guy books because the stories are silly and funny too.  This one was more educational in top of Sharks which is not his favorite topic to learn, so he didn't really enjoy it as much.  I would recommend parents to read it at the book store or at your library before you spend your money buying it.
489765
Good Winter reading.  Haven't had the opportunity to implement the ideas contained in the book.  It's easy reading and fun.  I have a friend who routinely catches northerns on a fly rod.  Now perhaps I will join him.
51979
i like this  book... they are a little silly at points, but overall great fun to read. worth your time
3934252
Not every book has to be super-serious minded.  This one isn't -- combining good information with corny illustrations and jokes.  It's entertaining for kids, and when they are laughing, they are learning.
3052390
I picked this up in a European airport, thinking it was going to be a quick silly read, like Tom Sharpe.  It's nothing like, but I wasn't disappointed.  My only caveat: start earlier in the Discworld series - starting here made for a confusing beginning and the uncomfortable sense that I was missing stuff.
950406
In this book, Mr. Gonzales lays out a few simple techniques that we've seen in the Fly Tyers Bible, brings them together; legs, extended bodies and wings, into a single fly and then colors that fly to match the real bug. Yes, its centered on flies of the Poconos and Pennsylvania in general, but can easily be adapted to the West Coast bugs. Mayfly and caddis nymphs, emergers and dries? Check. Stonefly nymph and dries? Check. Baitfish? Check.

What's different about Mr. Gonzales' flies? They're hyper-realistic. THEY LOOK LIKE THE REAL BUGS! I've been advocating for years that tiers should stop using "Chinese wispers" patterns. One person ties a fly to match the hatch. The next person ties a fly sorta like the first... and on and on... til you have no idea what the original bug may have been. With Mr. Gonzales' flies, you turn over a rock or seine, see what's there and then hold your fly box side by side with the original and you will have a match.

Its not all fly tying. There are very effective techniques besides fly selection to catch the fish.

Bottom line... Its fun. You can easily tie flies that go from the presentation display right to the end of your tippet. If you don't want your mind and tying skills expanded, don't get this book. Once in your hands, you'll be chained to your vise trying out these patterns.
Cheers
1500506
Modern day version of Lord of the Flies.

I enjoyed the pace of the story, and it's the leading characters.  I hope the breaks and gaps in the first book of this series will be filled in expanding the back stories and motivations.
1669821
I think I would like these better if there was less sex, and if the sex were a little less males all bossy and sometimes just plain unpleasant.  I have nothing against rough sex, but it seems these guys are always pushing their (and they do go ALL alpha, owning their women) women to do what they want.  And the women always do, and love it.  Just once, a woman should get to say no.
That aside, the plot is traditional Feehan - guy rescues girl, continues to rescue her, introduces her to sex, and life in a different type of world, they destroy the enemy together, although some bad enemy remains for later.  And sex, lots of sex, filling in pages between cooking lessons and shopping sprees, killing bad guys, nearly dying and enjoying nature.
The characters come from a series, were previously introduced.  They enjoy a bit more depth than they should as a result.  I particularly liked the spider versus insect play she used here - being an entomologist, I enjoyed that the good guys know the difference, and the bad guys have standard anti-insect feelings.  And I loved the silk imagery.
4503108
I got this book to read a fly fishing mystery.  There is a murder and a case to solve but that is not main issue in the book.  What I got was a complex novel about relationships.  Work, family, friends, society and nature relationships.  The connection between the river, the steelhead and the guide/fisherman are the background for Hank's interaction with the people in his life.
3078337
Same basic plot, characters and dialogue as the others but still a hilarious, easy read.
824303
Kind of similar to The Game by Neil Strauss, but a little raunchier.  It was not as scientific or meticulous as The Game, but still had some very good insight on picking up women.  I've read a good number of advice books for men and this guy's stuff stands alone.  There are definitely chapters with some original ideas.  I could have done without the lewd stories but I still enjoyed the book.
803673
What I liked most about this book is that the majority of the essays are based in Michigan.  I gave it an extra star just for that reason.  I think if you're from Michigan and you flyfish, then you'll probably enjoy this book as much as I did.  His writing style in my opinion is somewhere between Gierach and Lyons.  In his essays, Jerry Dennis talks about his favorite fishing partners just like Gierach does.  And, the pen and ink illustrations throughout the book are done in the same style as Gierach's books.  Dennis writes realistically about fitting his love of fly fishing into an average every day life of a father, just like Lyons does.  As far as writing about nature and fly fishing in Michigan I think this book deserves 5 stars.  But, I didn't like the few fictional stories toward the end of the book.  They were a little odd and had strange endings.
4272871
Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown is a lot different from his previous two Star Wars Books Darth Vader and Son and Vader's Little Princess. For starters, all the illustrations are black and white. But more importantly, it's styled as a journal rather than a series of full page illustrations. As such, it's a much longer read with a lot more content. However, it is aimed at a younger audience. Yet the universal aspect of Star Wars makes it a story that can still be enjoyed by adults.

The attention of the book is on Roan Novachez, a young boy who wants to be a pilot like his dad and older brothers. However Roan ends up at the Jedi Academy instead. His journal forms the story as he describes his experiences at Jedi school, dealing with bullies, girlfriends and homework. The story is a mixture of comic strips, illustrations and diary entries. There's identifiable characters like Yoda, and lots of familiar elements like Tatooine, Ewoks and lightsabers.

While kids are sure to enjoy this, it's also a fun read for adults. I got quite a few laughs out of it and really enjoyed the Ewok Pilot comics. While the artwork isn't in brilliant color like the previous books, nor is it in the same level of detail, it still works well. The format also fits in a lot more for readers to enjoy. Whereas you can breeze through Vader's Little Princess in about ten minutes, Jedi Academy will take at least an hour.

Overall, Jedi Academy is something different, but still fun. If you enjoyed the art style and humor in Jeffrey Brown's previous books, you'll find the same enjoyment here, just with a different format. I give it a four out of five. It's a solid, fun read for all ages.
391704
It's his usual, but I really like it too.  It's fun and easy and a nice change for the stuff I usually read.
3520994
pretty entertaining, but standard stuff.  I really like Easy in a down home, guy next store kinda way.  He'd be fun to have a beer with and to swap tall tales.  I'll be reading his next offering and I'll be hoping for a little more action.
1041502
For me this is a reference book I read it several years ago and it got me started fishing nymphs.  I like it because it is not dogmatic.  I tend to be a creative fly tier.  I make up my own patterns on a whim and get a lot of enjoyment from seeing what works.  It is a vicarious fishing adventure each time I pick it up.
3960805
First in the "Bug's Adventure Series" is the short book "Bug's Trip To The Store." The book, like the series, tells the tale of Bug, a yellow Volkswagen, in his various exploits. In this case, Bug is going to the store and for good reason.

Bug has figured out that he feels out-of-sorts and that is because he needs gasoline. It is a long way to get to get gas, so he sets out being sure to obey the traffic lights and road safety rules. Along the way, he focuses on dealing with road obstacles, other traffic, and getting rid of his fear.

Despite the pressure from a semi on the interstate and other issues, Bug conquers all and safely makes it to the store. He gets his much needed gas and makes the return trip home while contemplating how he overcame all obstacles and did not let fear get in his way.

Persistence no matter how scary is the main theme of this charming book. Geared towards readers ages 4-8 it tells the tale nicely through the form of rhymes and lots of imagery featuring bright colors and details in a cartoonish format that kids will relate well to regardless of their reading ability. While some beginning readers may struggle with the word choices at times, the book is cheerful and colorful and should hold their interest while providing a nice core message that can be reinforced by adults in their lives. Unlike many children's books that come out these days, there is nothing in this book that can be taken one way by kids and another by adults.

Simply a delight, this book and the three book series (includes Bug Meets His Friend and Bug Goes Through The Maze) just make reading fun no matter what the age of the reader.

Paperback version supplied by the author in exchange for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple  2011