Let's solve the expression step by step:

$(6 + 3)^2 - 6^4 + 5$

Step 1: Simplify the parentheses

$6 + 3 = 9$ Now the expression becomes: $9^2 - 6^4 + 5$

Step 2: Calculate the powers

$9^2 = 81$ $6^4 = 6 \times 6 \times 6 \times 6 = 1296$ Now the expression is: $81 - 1296 + 5$

Step 3: Perform the subtraction and addition

$81 - 1296 = -1215$ $-1215 + 5 = -1210$

Thus, the value of the expression is: $\boxed{-1210}$

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions for practice:

1. Simplify $(7 + 2)^2 - 5^3 + 6$.
2. Evaluate $(5 + 4)^3 - 7^2 + 9$.
3. Calculate $(4 + 6)^2 - 8^3 + 10$.
4. Simplify $(3 + 8)^2 - 4^4 + 2$.
5. Evaluate $(9 + 1)^2 - 5^4 + 7$.

Tip: Always follow the order of operations: parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division, and then addition/subtraction (PEMDAS).