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Outstanding Value
For the money, this set on CD-Rom is a gem. It is true that the commentaries range from excellent to poor, but for this price, the good to excellent ones would cost far more if you purchased the books individually. In my opinion, the best are 1-2 Samuel, Job, Psalms, Matthew and Acts. Also strong are Genesis, Exodus, Ezra-Nehemiah,Proverbs, some of the Minor Prophets and Revelation. Unfortunately, most of the remaining New Testament commentaries are weak to poor, and the Major Prophets are dominated by Old School Dispensationalists whose method of interpretation is too limited. Still, for the price (and you can buy this CD for around $$ at other internet sites), you are getting the good ones at a bargain and can consider the others as a bonus. | 45 stars
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LOVE IT
Robin Jarvis has crafted an excellent trilogy drawing on various mytholgies. These books are so well written, they appeal not only to young adult readers, but also children and adults. I picked up the first book but quickly realized my young children would like this as well- it has become a read-aloud treasure in our house! We will be reading and re-reading this series for many years... | 45 stars
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Britian's answer to "BOB Books"!
"Have a go" is number 2b in a series (1a, 1b, 1c, etc.) which takes beginning readers slowly through the process of learning several new words in the context of everyday adventures. The stories are interesting, based on stories young kids can identify with, and beautifully illustrated. We've found the pace to be perfect -enough to keep a child interested, but not overwhelmed! They are not as silly as the Bob Book series, but seem a little more "grownup".I found this book and a few others in the "Key Word Reading Scheme" set in Toronto three years ago. My daughter is now starting to read and I'm very glad to have this book and the others in the series. For some reason they are almost impossible to find in the U.S., while other Ladybird Book series are available. We've loved all of them! Maybe Amazon could find a way to make the whole set available? | 45 stars
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The Classic
Drum teachers worldwide use this book because its THE syncopation book.'nuff said. | 45 stars
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Not bad for a kid, but what was the editor thinking?
Paolini is painted as a prodigy, and he very well may be. His book actually isn't half bad. His editor, however, should be fired.I started reading it in an airport, but found it hard to concentrate on the similar words/names Paolini uses. On the plane, I used the glossary to refine my understanding of the words used.Now, I am a fan of Tolkien just like the rest of the world, but I found it rather patronizing that the hero, on a quest for personal growth and self-discovery, is named so closely to Tolkien's Aragorn. That's just the most superficial example of Paolini's mimicry.Paolini's age clearly shows in the underdeveloped dialogue that his characters engage in. Eragon's cousin is supposedly in a heated love affair with the daughter of the town's butcher, but their conversation is so dispassionate that it might as well have been a clinical analysis of romance.These shortfalls could have been cured by a competent, attentive editor. Rather, it appears that the editor simply allowed Paolini's valiant, yet underdeveloped work go to press without the detailed review it deserved.Paolini may be a gifted author for his age, but his work certainly does not earn some of the accolades it has been accorded. I, for one, will look for more from him once he matures as an individual and as an author. | 23 stars
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It is all about beauty
I fell in love with Diebenkorn's paintings when I saw a pictureof one of them on Internet. I bought this book. It wasprinted with high quality. His paintings are all about beauty.He achieved the maximum freedom of expression with littleeffort. But you should always try to see a real painting of him in musems. I was shocked the first time to see one Oecan Park. | 45 stars
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Learn while young to hope, to love...
This is an exquisite novel. The bulk of the story takes place on the near-deserted Indonesian island of Samburan, where Axel Heyst, the reclusive Swede, has chosen to make his hermitage. In an important vignette about midway through the novel Conrad lets us in on the origin of Heyst's cynical and disillusioned attitude toward life. Here, as his father lies dying, Heyst asks for some final guidance, some final advice about life. His father tells him that all people are pitiful, and "you... if you are anything, are as pitiful as the rest." "What is one to do then?" asks Heyst. "Look on - make no sound" were his father's last words to him. This profoundly affected Heyst, and stayed with him, and a fortnight later he started on his travels - "to look on and never make a sound".He leads a wandering life and avoids contact with others. Intimacy is foreign to him, but he has a truly magnanimous, altruistic heart, and one day on the island of Timor, he impulsively pays the fines for the captain of a trading ship (Morrison) and bails him out of certain financial ruin. As a result, Heyst is offered employment in a coal company, and when Morrison dies, Heyst becomes the owner. The company goes bankrupt, but rather than leave for greener... islands, Heyst decides to stay there with his servant, the "Chinaman" Wang.On a neighboring island, a hotel keeper by the name of Schomburg begins to circulate rumors about "the Swede", rumors that include blaming Heyst for the untimely death of Morrison. Heyst, (completely unaware of Schomburg's malicious hatred) makes a rare visit to the hotel, and while staying there, he is again moved to action by his sensitivity and altruism. This time, he becomes involved in the troubled life of one of the showgirls, a violinist by the name of Alma (Heyst changes her name later to Lena). He rescues her from the loathsome Schomburg's amorous intentions, and carries her off to his island. This infuriates the already hateful hotel keeper, and soon a wandering trio of deperadoes provide the perfect means for murderous revenge. Under the unfounded pretense that Heyst has hidden vast stores of loot on his island, Schomburg convinces these three thugs to invade Samburan, capture their due reward, and return the girl to Schomburg. What follows is an intense psychological/physical battle of wits and bodies. The scoundrels are armed and accustomed to shedding blood, while Heyst and Lena are completely unarmed and defenceless. When Lena is alone and suddenly confronted by one of the villains, she feigns sympathy for their plan, and begins to work a duplicity that even Heyst is unaware of. She takes it upon herself to divest the villainous Ricardo of his weapon. She becomes the sacrificial heroine... working a very, VERY bittersweet "victory". To say more is to say too much... I'm sure Conrad would visibly cringe to find that modern readers knew about the last chapter before reading the first.In many ways Victory ends up being a love story. A story of a developing love... that was horribly infringed upon, invaded! Brutal as Romeo and Juliet. It is beautiful how the devotion, charm and innocence of Lena was slowly plowing up the fallow ground of Heyst's long-forgotten heart. The narrator Davidson tells us that one of the last things Heyst had ever said to him were... "Ah Davidson, woe to the man whose heart has not learned while young to hope, to love - and to put its trust in life!" This, from the man who had made it his life's mission to avoid all such feeling.I cannot imagine the sense of futility that would palpably descend upon anyone assigned to improve upon one of Conrad's sentences, or (horrors) tighten up a paragraph. Thankfully, my only self-inflicted assignment is to read more of him. | 45 stars
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Grant on familiar territory, teen angst.
Once again dark fantasy king Charles Grant explores the traumas of being a teenager in that unique hell called high school. A group of friends mourn the death of their leader as "something stirs." This book reads less as a typical dead teenager horror story than a dark parable about the pain of growing up...and apart. And of saying good-bye. | 45 stars
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An....obsession that may kill them
Hotel owner Josie has decided that, like her grandmother, she's destined to run the family hotel and never find everlasting love. Now a hotel corporation is bent on taking over Hotel Josephine and a murder in one of her rooms has Josie fighting to stay open. One day, in walks a stranger who pays for a week's stay. The fiery attraction between them is instantaneous. But will Josie end up being badly scorched when she finds out why he's really there?What Josie isn't aware of is that Drew's there to convince her to sell...using any means he can. After all, he's not called "The Closer" for any other reason. But even Drew has to admit there's an attraction between himself and Josie. She's mysterious, beautiful and full of passion. Passion that soon explodes between them. But in between their hot passionate encounters underlies a sense of tension as mysterious acts-including another murder-intrude into their lives. Is someone sending a dark message? But the biggest question is...who?Tori Carrington takes readers on another sensuous journey in their latest trilogy, Dangerous Liaisons. The hotel owner, Josie was first introduced in POSSESION and her Caribbean roots give her a dark, earthy sensuality to which Drew is immediately drawn to. The tension swirling around as a result of the recent murder hangs a dark cloud heavily over the hotel. The moment he steps into Hotel Josephine, the sexual chemistry burns between them, pulling them into an affair that's like, well...an obsession with each other. Readers will be pulled into a captivating story of forbidden love and heart-stopping danger in OBSESSION. Josie is hanging onto a tiny thread as the life she's only known is threatened by the one person she didn't expect to hurt her-the man she's fallen in love with.Don't miss a story filled with action, intrigue and a love that burns hotter than a Louisiana heat wave. OBSESSION will have you reaching for a fan while leaving you breathless wondering what's going to happen next. Pick up another winner from the fabulous Tori Carrington. | 45 stars
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Just waht I was looking for!
I had been searching for a transcription of Handel's majestic Royal Fireworks Overture for the pipe organ for quite some time. Finding this book was a godsend. Thanks Amazon! | 34 stars
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A Dangerous Book
You can probably refer to the other 755 Amazon reviews to get a sense of this book. I will explain quickly, however, why it's a pernicious force, based on my own experience. The Fountainhead takes a very powerful hold on a lot of young people who read it just before or just after arriving at college. At a time when these young people are going through a lot of upheaval in their lives, and often feeling very alone, this gives them a false sense of security; rather than going through the hard work of making friends and generally being an adult, this book feeds notions that we don't need other people. That's not a healthy outlook for an 18 year-old striking out in the world.Life is complex and none of us make it alone. It's true that we need a strong sense of self, but Rand takes it to a sociopathic extreme. Luckily, I had a respected college comp professor who told me that "this is a dangerous book for a young guy," and who suggested that I rethink what a world of complete individualism would look like. I'm the better for having known him, not Ms. Rand.I hope that those of you who see value in human interaction and feeling, and reject Rand's almost incredible view that any of us can be truly independant, will avoid giving this book as a gift, reading it, or recommending it to anyone. If you want to give a good gift, choose something that will challenge your loved ones to be more thoughtful, caring individuals, not something that will turn them inward and give them a god complex.PS - This is not philosophy. Rand wasn't that smart, or if she was, it's not demonstrated in this book. | 01 star
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Ray Bradbury's Best
I picked up an old paperback copy of this book at a flea market 8 years ago. I couldn't put it down. It's a quick and enjoyable read. Bradbury doesn't hit you with the message until he's ready. He prepares you for it with the main body of the story, and, in the last few pages he provides a biblical quote, from revelations, regarding what books are really for. The quote describes the tree of life and says "And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." Quite a slam dunk ending that you won't get unless you're ready for it. True literature, he is saying, is to serve a higher consciousness and heal our world. And the tree of life is books, and the leaves on the tree are the pages in those books. This book changed the way I saw and understood things. It's amazing how one book can awaken your vision, and, in turn, awaken your understanding. | 45 stars
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Great read
I love Fern Michaels books. I have many, many of them. This is another great one That I have recommented to my friends. | 45 stars
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One of the Greatest Stories Ever Told
If you like this kind of story...Pride and Prejudice is the best relationship story I have ever read. There have been many off-springs, sequels, movies etc. in the tradition of P&P. Jane Austen is the master of interpersonal relationships and her tales take us back to a gentle era where things not being equal, women have to make the most of whatever situation they are born into. Austen introduces us to Elizabeth Bennett, a strong woman who is a devoted sister and daughter and very honest with her heart. She has become one of my favorite heroines in Literature not only because of her heart, but also for her ability to grow. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this book was watching as the main characters are transformed throughout the telling. Mr. Darcy, who is perhaps one of the more idealized men in fiction, recognizes his weaknesses through Elizabeth and she in turn learns from him.The cast of characters are some of Austen's most unforgettable. Mr. Collins the dim-witted cousin who thinks he is quite a pious man and a good catch for any women. The annoyingly cheeky Lydia, Mrs. Bennett the nagging mother with not much upstairs, but good intentions none the less, and many more. They all held my interest throughout the book and left me wanting more of them. I highly recommend this book to be read and re-read many times. You will see how great characters are developed and a great relationship is formed. | 45 stars
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Work and the Glory Volume IX: All is Well
This book, ninth in the series has proven to be the best. Lund has really outdone himself, giving life to his characters, testimonies to his readers. I recieved this book for Christmas, and finished it by the next day. Thank You, Gerald Lund! | 45 stars
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Glad I stuck with it
This book starts slow, with some phrases that sound lifted from 50s film noir. I almost put it aside after 50 pages due to the pace and writing style, but I decided to give it a little bit longer and I'm glad I did. The writing evens out after that, and the story starts sucking you in. There were some good twists and decent character development and at the end, I was glad I hadn't given up on the book. | 34 stars
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Ms. King continues to captivate with her excellent writing.
Ms. King continues to capture one's attention with her wonderfully detailed writing. I was especially pleased to read about how special the heroine was and was immediately drawn to the budding relationship between heroine and hero. I felt I was right there within the gypsy camp and was pleasantly surprised by each twist and turn of the plot. | 34 stars
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Religion, politics, and scientific hubris
"Cat's Cradle" is another brilliant novel by Kurt Vonnegut. A science fiction satire/tragedy/love story/dysfunctional family saga, "Cradle" is narrated by a writer who had set out to write a book about the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Ultimately he gets involved with the colorfully warped family of scientist Dr. Felix Hoenikker, a weapons technology researcher. The narrator's quest takes him to the Caribbean island republic of San Lorenzo and to an encounter with Bokononism, the remarkable religion that has been outlawed on San Lorenzo. And driving much of the story is the secret of Ice-Nine, a scientific discovery with horrific destructive power.Above is the bare-bones outline for a richly-peopled, tremendously imaginative exploration of human arrogance and frailty. "Cradle" is filled with brilliant motifs and details. From the San Lorenzan dialect to the details of Hoenikker family history, the book is a wonder. But possibly the best part of the book is Vonnegut's rich realization of Bokononism: its scriptures, rituals, and lexicon are intriguingly revealed throughout the book."Cradle" is full of unforgettable scenes of both horror and whimsy, all brilliantly capture by Vonnegut's amazing prose. For a compelling companion text, try Octavia Butler's "Parable of the Sower," another sci-fi novel about a fictional religion. | 45 stars
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Waiting for Thatcher?
I'm surprised that no one has commented in depth about this unusual novel; in particular that it's obviously a comedy, though a very dark one. As with any comedy, the characters are archetypes and grossly exaggerated bufoons, such as in the *Comedia del Arte.* The story opens with Mr. Rock, who functions as a sort of *Il Dottore,* who is typically erudite and has made a famous discovery. (We never do learn what Mr. Rock's boon to science is.) There are the *Innamorati,* Elizabeth and Sebastian, who are overly-dramatic and selfish lovers. And above all there are the *Pantalones,* the repulsive characters of Miss Baker and Miss Edge, who are obsessed with retaining their power and position while suppressing all expression of humanity in their charges, rebellious adolescent girls. Also typical of the *Comedia del Arte* is that there's a great deal of deceit happening, as everyone tries to evade or misrepresent the truth.Despite the exaggerated characters, the novel has a clever, fast-paced story, and it reads like a quaint English murder mystery. Two girls are missing. Are they dead? Have they tried to escape this institution of suppression? Wouldn't you?I would like to read a cogent analysis of what "Concluding" really means. What's it's point? The book was written at the dawn of the British welfare state, and throughout the novel the State looms ominously. Mr. Rock expects the State to provide for him and honor his great accomplishment. Ms. Edge and Ms. Baker try and manipulate the State to secure their hold on power, but they are ignored.Tension builds until a letter arrives from the State Council which has decided, without consulting any of the characters, to turn this girls school, a grotto of wormy innocence, into a pig farm.Well, that reads precisely like something out of Ayn Rand. An all-powerful state heaping disaster upon everyone's already-repulsive lives by the uncaring decree of a committee. Has Green (the pen name of Henry Vincent Yorke 1905-1973) used a black *Comedia del Arte* farce to express his crypto-libertarian views? The other reviewers here all agree what a fine novelist Green was, but that's all they are able to parrot.American novels typicaly have at least one hero, an agreeable character that the reader identifies with or cheers on. Even such hapless protagonists asGeorge F. Babbitt,Elmer Gantry,Sherman McCoy,or evenClyde Griffithsare treated in a generally sympathetic manner. But in British novels, those of Martin Amis for example, it is not unusual to present an entire cast of rotters, the point being that they get just what's coming to them.This is such a novel.Curiously, on page 217 one of the headmistresses says, "He flaunts our authority." That is incorrect, and the word should be "flouts," but I don't know if Green may have made made this mistake deliberately. | 34 stars
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Great Novel!
I just love "Angelo", the main character in this book,k even though he is a ruthless killer. The story is a fantastic thriller. | 45 stars
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good, except nothing happened in it
One thing I like about this series, I can read them and be entertained. This book still was entertaining, despite the fact that nothing happened. Robert Jordan is very political, everyone is perfectly composed and the blink of an eyelash means that they are especially agitated. Those people must be very sick of watching each other so closely. I know I would be. I think Mat put it very aptly in book five, when he wanted to escape because he was tired of people looking at him like " in a second they were going to tell him what he was thinking, and they already knew whether his small clothes were clean or not". Mat's one of my favorite characters, he makes me laugh. It was too bad he wasn't in this book. This book let a lot of stuff hang. I think Mr. Jordan could start bringing in more of the Forsaken to pick things up again, instead of going into all these sub plots and counter plots between Aes Sedai. It's so annoying reading about Aes Sedai composure. But all in all he wrote a good series, I felt like the characters were old friends by the time I got to book seven and I could laugh at everything they did because it made sense. It can't be easy living up to the fantasies of millions of fans. Maybe that's why he's letting it drag, he wants to make sure that the series isn't disappointing. | 34 stars
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superb'
What can I say, the book is a classic! It's memorable reading they will remember, for all school children. I bought this for a nephew who likes to read. It will be an adventure for him as it was for me, when I was his age! The price was superb' | 45 stars
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truth and illusion
Here is a book which presents the psychology of a modern day spiritual seeker attempting to approach the teachings of Gurdjieff and the Sufis. In the process, the seeker is forced to question some of the beliefs, assumptions, behaviors, and attitudes he carries regarding the realm of so-called higher consciousness and its manifestations. The reader, consequently (hopefully), also engages in the same process.Worrying about whether the story is completely factual or not is a natural reaction, but also slightly superficial. Gurdjieff himself was not exactly a straightforward, honest, direct kind of guy, but is widely known for trickery, cryptic references, and bizarre, amoral behavior. His statements and books, like Meetings with Remarkable Men, often garner the same reactions as this book. Why should those who subscribe to Gurdjieff's teachings be so outraged if it were true that Idries Shah wrote this as a teaching tool in a similar vein?If someone wants to judge Shah, I suggest they look not only at his person, but at what he taught. People who criticize Shah generally don't look at the content of what he taught, or the ideas (eastern and western) which he promoted (see the work of Robert Ornstein and the ISHK, as well as the Institute for Cultural Research, and the Octagon Press, which publishes classic Sufi texts from Saadi, Rumi, Sanai, Jami, al-Ghazzali, al-Qashani, the Suhrawardis, etc., in addition to books about the cultures of the Middle East and other parts of the world). Critics focus on whether or not he was "the qutub" or whatever, as if any of us could tell.There are some who do not see the essential connections between Gurdjieff and his teachings and the Sufism presented by Idries Shah. There are those who do. Reading the texts can help a person make a decision, and this book is one of the texts which should be read. Another book which may aid in this, with plenty of factual detail, is J.G. Bennett's Gurdjieff: Making a New World.People who need nice easy answers all packaged and straightforward and given by smiling bald men in robes will probably not like the Sufism presented by people like Lefort and Shah (I suspect they wouldn't like Gurdjieff either). People who are looking for pure academic scholarship could also be disappointed (Shah himself points out from the very first pages of The Sufis that his work is part of a program for Sufi impact on society, not primarily for the world of Orientalist Academia.) And those who are superficially attached to certain forms might have trouble appreciating the essential identity of various esoteric teachings.But those who appreciate the complexity and potential of the human experience (as well as its patterns and distortions) might, however, enjoy this work, and the Sufism which it reflects. | 34 stars
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Fantasy Reviewed
By re reading after 40 years, & enjoying the thrill of the adventure classic as such, I find myself in anticipation of the next classic. | 45 stars
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Heartrending
This book touched my heart & gave a better understanding of this remarkable woman. We need more like her in this world | 34 stars
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Easy Read
This book is a very easy read and helps you re-focus. I liked this book and will add it to my work library | 34 stars
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Theology of the Anticross
McGrath does a fine job of documenting the genesis and development of Luther's doctrine of the "alien righteousness of Christ." The thoroughness of his investigation makes this book well worth the read for any student of the doctrine of justification. McGrath is honest in his presentation of Luther's work even to the point of noting its inconsistencies and contradictions. As a writer, however, McGrath is quite boring. He repeats much of his material many times over and has difficulty presenting it in a developed manner. The book is entitled, Luther's Theology of the Cross," but this subject isn't addressed directly until the last 30 pages of the 181 page book. Finally, McGrath renews the challenge he made earlier in his book, Justicia Dei, in which he said, "If it can be shown that the chief teaching of the Reformation, the article by which the church stands or falls, was a theological novelty, unknown to the Christian church throughout the first fifteen hundred years of her existence, it will be clear that the Protestant claim to have reformed the church cannot be taken seriously: far from having reformed Christian doctrine, Luther would have deformed it to a point at which it could no longer be considered catholic or Christian." (emphasis his) Ironically, as in Justicia Dei, McGrath then sets forth to prove that this is exactly the case! There was and is ongoing debate in Christianity as to how justification takes place within the individual, but as McGrath clearly points out, all Christian theologians and doctrinal pronouncements professed the belief in the intrinsic transformation of the individual from a state of sin and enmity with God to a state of divine grace and sonship. Luther was the first to ever dream up the idea of the imputation of the alien righteousness of Christ. It's true that the pactum theology of the late Middle-Ages stressed that God awarded man's efforts a value far beyond their worth in keeping with his covenant promises, but this is a far stretch from Luther's idea of an alien righteousness. In any case, the theologians of the via moderna never denied the reality of transforming grace as did Luther. It simply wasn't the focus of their theology. Moreover, the pactum theology, insofar as it required a totally natural act on the part of man apart from grace to initiate justification, was a clear aberration from Catholic doctrine. The fact that the Church hierarchy was remiss in its duty of combating such errors doesn't change the fact that this teaching was not compatible with Christian doctrine. I came away from reading the book ever more confirmed in my understanding of the great and divisive error of Dr. Luther. It is clear that his "human tradition" robs the Cross of its power to bring about a "new creation." For Luther, as McGrath notes well, we are and for ever will remain depraved sinners with nothing but a mask shielding us from the wrath of God. That is the most pathetic excuse for a "gospel" I have ever heard. | 23 stars
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A saddening Relic of It's Era
This is a supposedly "humorous" look at Black life in Louisiana around the turn of the century...Tales like "Diada, Daughter of Discord" openly refer to the Black characters as baboons and gorillas. Racial epithets in the descriptions of the Black characters are spewed in almost every story and great fun is made of the ignorance and illiteracy of African-Americans in these tales. One truly horrid episode has a White writer playing a "joke" on the local Blacks convincing them that they will die from a disease called "ancestors" and great fun is made of the Blacks' belief that they are about to die! Amos and Andy was quite enlightened comapred to this! Considering that this was written at a time when lynchings and segregation were widespread toward African-Americans, "More E.K. Means" is a sad relic of its time! | 01 star
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So glad to see it back!!
As so many others have said, I also bought this book in a used book store in the mid 80's. I loaned it to a friend and never saw it again. I tried to buy another copy, but discovered it was out of print. I'm so thrilled to see it back. This is a must read for any girl "coming of age"! | 45 stars
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The Best
This is a great Christmas story to share with your loved ones around the fireplace on Christmas eve! I'm sure you will enjoy this! | 45 stars
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Useful reference for users of Radio
This is useful for those such as I who use intermediate/advanced features of the Radio Userland software, which is written in UserTalk, the language of Frontier. Radio is a great program: you can use its basic features with only basic computer knowledge, but if you are willing to work at it, the program offers tremendous flexibility and user control. This book gives a lot of basic information about the UserTalk language and how it is incorporated into Frontier, and much of this information is relevant for Radio, such as the identity of operators, basic syntax and many of the 'verbs' that carry out basic functions in both Radio and Manila. Unfortunately, it omits some aspects that were added later on, such as the xml and rss verbs, simply because it was published in 1998 and not revised since then. | 34 stars
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Amazing chronicle of human survival
A rugby team and their family and friends.. travelling together for a big match.. flying over the Andes mountains. Seems pretty regular I suppose, except that the plane crashes, and it can't be pinpointed. There is instant death and feelings of hopelessness, but there is also the spirit of life, and the desire to survive. I have read this book several times and each time I get the same emotions. It is a great book, but be warned, it is not for the weak of stomach! Still, Piers Paul Read does a wonderful job of telling the story of the Andes survivors. If you have not read it I highly recommend it. Yes, it's a little gross, but by the time you get to that part you are well immersed in the story. | 45 stars
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Thorough perhaps but redundant
Contrary to what some other reviewers have stated, I do not believe Service goes out of his way to humanize Stalin. However, Service glosses over huge and momentous events, such as the Great Terror. We have all heard of the monstrous acts committed by Stalin but none of the details are given, other than numbers and names. It seems inconceiveable that a 600 plus page book would be superficial and lacking specificity but it does. One gets the feeling Service felt previous biographers had already provided the dirty details and therefore left them out. He also does not tell Stalin's story in any chronological manner. He jumps around endlessly. I cannot recommend this book. | 12 stars
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TELL SACKETT IN THE MOGOLLON RIM AREA OF ARIZONA TERRITORY--SACKETT BOOK #16
Louis dates this book between 1875-1879, with the action taking place in the Mogollon (muggy own) Rim and the Tonto Basin of Arizona Territory. The Apache wars are still in progress as we visit Camp Verde and while there are exposed to Al Seiber. Camp Verde was originally named Fort Lincoln in 1861 when established to protect people from the Apache, the post was originally manned by volunteers, and then later by regular Army in 1866.Al Seiber, 1844-1907, is a name immediately recognizable to any reader of the Apache Wars period. Al was of German ancestry who scouted for the Army, later being chief of scouts over the Apache scouts. Earlier he had fought at Gettysburg, among other civil war battles, receiving at least two wounds. History still holds Al, or "Sibi" as he was known by Apaches, with great respect. And his times with both Tom Horn and the Apache Kid remains in the mind of any reader spending time with Dan Thrapp's 1964 biography of Al Seiber.This western novel assumes a somewhat strange storyline in that Tell's wife, Ange Kerry Sackett, comes to harm, and is actually murdered. Not just murdered but strangled to death. It seems very much out of Louis L'Amour character in that in all his other novels he continually reinforces the thought that a woman alone would never be harmed by a man, no matter how bad that man may have been. It is therefore somewhat hard to accept, at least for me, that this is the storyline Louis chose to begin one of the Sackett novels. But there it is, and one has to deal with it to try to understand this book.As stated in other reviews, I have all of the L'Amour books in hardcover and read them over from time-to-time. In all my reading of his books over the last 40 plus years, this is one of the more unique Sackett books. If you have not read that much L'Amour it may not strike you in that manner.One interesting aspect, however, of this western novel is that Louis continually mentions the manner which the Sacketts will come to the aid of any Sackett in trouble. Well, in this novel he shows exactly how that would happen, using the word-of-mouth grapevine the fact that Tell is surrounded by at least 40 gunmen in the Tonto Basin area quickly causes any Sackett hearing of it to ride to Tell's assistance.And it is always pleasant to encounter Cap Roundtree in the Sackett books. And I will let Louis himself describe Cap Roundtree: "A salty old customer, a mountain man, trapper, cowboy, all-round western man. Dry as alkali dust and twice as bitter. A tough old mountain man who had hunted gold and fought Indians and had the scars to prove it". That pretty much not only describes Cap Roundtree but can safely be applied to all the Sacketts as well.This book will afford its readers a couple night's reading pleasure. Let'r rip!Semper Fi. | 23 stars
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This was a nice book.
The book is about a girl named Fern. She got to keep a pig named Wilbur. A spider named Charlotte saves Wilbiur's life. I really liked this book. It was very funny. My favorite part was when Wilbur tried to spin a web. | 34 stars
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Excellent regimental history
Thomas Parson here relates the story of the five companies of men recruited from California (the only ones from that state to fight in the East) that made up almost half of the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry regiment; in so doing he actually gives the history of the entire regiment. Originally a single company was raised from the Bear Flag State, and they were known as The California Hundred (100 men = one company). After they arrived in Boston, it was found difficult to raise additional companies there, so the governor of Massachusetts requested from California additional recruits. In a short while, 400 men were recruited and were on their way (by ship via the Isthmus of Panama) to join their fellow Californians.They were led by Col. Charles Russell Lowell of the famous Lowell family of Boston. A highly regarded officer and leader of men, he died from wounds received at Cedar Creek in the Shenandoah Valley in 1864. Parson traces the proceedings of the 2nd MA Cavalry from its formation through all their engagements, including actions in the northern Shenandoah in 1862 against Mosby, scouting and pickett duty just west of Washington, and, after being assigned to Sheridan's Army of the Shenandoah, much action throughout the Valley in 1864. After witnessing the surrender at Appomattox, the regiment was mustered out. It was a little depressing to learn that, in typical government fashion, Washington at first refused to pay for the regiment's return home to Californian until a lawyer brought suit for the men. Three months later, the government relented and paid. I wonder how many men couldn't or wouldn't wait the three months and went home on their own? Even more, I wonder how many took the overland route (Oregon-California Trail) rather than going by ship?Parson's narrative is interesting and well told. He has researched deeply and cites frequently from diaries and letters written by the soldiers. His account is detailed and authoritative, but contains much of human interest as well. It's another excellent regimental history in the McFarland series. Highly recommended. | 45 stars
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His usual excellent work
A shame he is not in private practice near where we live. (Or maybe he writes better than he works with clients.) In any case, good practical advice for nearly anyone struggling with the issues. | 34 stars
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Good read but egoism = genius?
Well, I have to say that I was expecting more philosophizing and less drama here. But in the end, The Fountainhead is a drama. A drama with a message, but a drama nonetheless. This drama features characters unlike any I've ever met before, so I'm not sure that such personalities exist here in the real world. Perhaps the characters are meant to represent hypothetical extremes of pesonalities. But characters that I cannot relate to unfortunately make the message more difficult to relate to as well.Because it's a drama, the ~700 pages actually read fairly quickly. The language and style are quite pedestrian; a 5th grader should be able to get through the novel quite easily though the "message" would likely not be fully appreciated by one so young. The story is gripping and becomes a struggle of good against evil. Good is represented by the egoists, evil by the mundane and mediocre whose agenda is to stifle genius and promote collectivism. A bizarre love story is intertwined through the greater plot. The novel is set in early 20th century New York, which was the most modern city in the world at the time, so even now in the 21st century there's nothing really outdated about it. And the New York setting lends greater dynamism and pace to the plot.This is not, as you may often hear, a story about the field of architecture. It just so happens that the main characters work in that field, but the story (and message) could have been nearly the same if written about any other field. In fact, when reading the many architectural discussions throughout the book it became painfully obvious to me that Rand did not have an architectural background, and I'm not even an architect. Some of those discussions should have been omitted as they didn't really add value to the story or the message.The message seems to basically be that only people with great ambition for personal success or perfection generally advance technology or the arts and thereby our standard of living. By nurturing such "egoists" and not obstructing their way, we allow the fruits of their work to be integrated into our culture, and this ultimately betters society as a whole. The implication is that humanity would be much farther along after, say, 500 years of nurturing egoism than after 500 years of stifling it.It's a compelling theory and I will not speculate on the long-term benefits to society, but I seem to see an obvious and major downside to the theory: Because an egoist could easily be a power hungry madman with no good intentions, short-term trauma on a massive scale could be a possible outcome. Is theoretically faster progress worth that pain?I don't think it's as simple as Rand makes it out to be. Throughout history, egoists have arguably led the advance of technology and the arts. However, they have also started wars resulting in appalling levels of bloodshed, sponsored attempts at genocide, stolen peoples' retirement nest eggs through corporate crime & scandal, etc. The problem is, egoism does not necessarily connote genius and good intentions. Egoism could just as easily come with cunning and a thirst for money & power without regard for who is injured as a consequence.A good read. I would not call it brilliant as many have. In fact I did not find it particularly well written from the standpoint of style. However, I can see that if the message were to ring true for someone then the book could be seen as brilliant. | 34 stars
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Great book
It was Great! I loved it. Perfect for someone who likes classic stories or Christmas storiesIt was very good | 45 stars
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Friendships are tested
Simon, Portia, Cath, and Josh were the best of friends in college. Portia eventually broke apart from ther group, while the other 3 continued their strong friendship into their 30s. At a pivotal moment in the lives of all 3, Portia surprises them by showing back up in their lives and things get very complicated.I liked Jemima J by Jane Green better than this book, but I certainly would consider this a good read. I even splurged and purchased it in the hardcover version (because the paperback took so long to be published).I think with most books there is a certain level of predictability but, again, Jane Green manages to through an unexpected twist or two into this novel as she did with Jemima J. One excellent thing about this book is the 'true to life' qualities it has - marital troubles & other relationship woes, occupational changes after starting your career, tension between best friends, etc... | 34 stars
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too short
first, it is very short, this issue can be treated more exhaustivelyand second, this is a really strange translation, there are many typos! | 23 stars
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Clever Social Satire
Despite its (some people think) outrageous depiction of the near future, the book is actually a harrowingly realistic comment on our vitiated society and what it MIGHT become if its sociopathic paradigms are not arrested. The ending is a sly insinuation: the way its written, the reader is almost supposed to sympathize with Alex's triumph over the system as he returns to his vicious self. By dehumanizing Alex's victims, Burgess plays another joke: instead of condemning the punk's actions, the reader is supposed to ENJOY his 'outings'. Burgess's message, I think, is this: society is rapidly accelerating toward self-destruction; people are disgusting and innately malevolent; things are going fine, and the enduring paradox of our existence is the best testimony to it. | 34 stars
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One of my all time favorite series
The Korval saga is one of the series that I get off my shelves, dust off and re-read at least once a year! These books are going to be re published by Misha Merlin, so you haven't missed your chance to read them yourself. | 45 stars
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The Watsons go to Birmingham
great for our 5th grade reading requirement, ties in with our field trip to civil rights museum. was a great price and was donated to school library | 45 stars
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Don't believe painters ...read the true story in this book!
Did you know that Turner invented many details that make its landscapes so impressive and picturesque? Let's take Nantes cathedral, for instance, when you look at the way Turner painted it you wander if it is the cathedral you go to every sunday morning. In fact, during the splendid exhibition of this Loire Valley sketches and paintings in Nantes in 1998, we discovered that a painter had no obligation to tell the true story about your home town... This book is full of sketches (Turner made a lot of them on the spot, then painted some of them when he was back in England). You will appreciate the exquisite colours palette and, if you plan to visit Loire Valley, you will bring this book with you. | 34 stars
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One of the best books for teens
I have read the Princess Diaries four times, and every time I read it, it gets better and better. I have also read the other books in the series, and all of them are excellent.This book opens up in Mia Thermopolis' freshman year at Albert Einstein High School in New York. Mia considered herself to be a "five-foot-nine, flat-chested freak," who was already flunking one class, algebra, in only the first month of school. Mia is like any other typical teen: she had a crush on the hottest boy in school, Josh Ritcher, she had self-image and confidence issues, she was concerned about getting good grades, and she enjoyed having slumber parties and joking around at her best friend Lilly Moscovitz's house. But things start to get out of hand. First, Mia's mother confesses that she is dating Mia's algebra teacher, Mr. Gianini, and Mia starts to have horrible fantasies about them French kissing. But the worse is yet to come- Mia's father finally tells her, after fourteen years, that he is the prince of Genovia, a tiny country in Europe, and that Mia is heir to the throne of Genovia. Mia knew instantly that she wasn't fit to be a princess- she didn't even WANT to be one! But Mia knew she had no choice, and immediately started getting "princess lessons" from her grandmother, Grandmere, the dowager princess, and got a total makeover. When Grandmere leaked the story of Mia being princess to the Post, Mia knows her life was ruined. Lilly refused to speak to her, everyone was trying to hang out with her just because she was a princess, and Josh Ritcher asked her out to the Cultural Diversity Dance just so he could get his picture in the papers! Mia managed to make one new friend, Tina Hamkim Baba, whose mother was related to royalty and whose father was this rich guy who owned thousands of oil wells in Saudi Arabia. Will Lilly and Mia be able to overcome their differences and become friends again? What will happen with Mia's F in algebra? Will Mia ever find a boyfriend who appreciates her for who she is? Read this and all the Princess Diaries books to find out! I guarantee that after you read this one, you won't be able to resist the temptation to find out the rest of Mia's adventures as a princess! | 45 stars
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Much better than the movie
For all of you that have read the book, and seen the movie, you will probably agree with me:the book is better. Although the movie is very good, the book is a lot less predictable. Patricia Highsmith must of been a very smart lady, she has the a very interesting writing technique. Even though some parts on the book seemed to drag on, she continually made up for them with the next scene, it was like she made the reader think that the book was going to be boring, then she made it so suspensful and interesting that you were instantly hooked again. All in all it was very well written, suspensful, and very good! | 34 stars
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It portrays them poorly. my brother Hezikia is upset.
i personly along with my puritan brothers and sisters am disturbed by the falseness in this book. we do not live as it is printed. my ancesters did not either. i wish we would stop being judged in this matter. we are tired of the jokes and it hurts our feelings. | 01 star
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Reveals hidden information on book of Daniel(in Bible)
Jack Van Impe is a great teacher of biblical end-time events. In this book he shows how the book of Daniel of the Holy Scriptures,compliments the book of Revelation. This gives us a better picture of end time events before Jesus's return to earth.The other major theme in this book is that these truths ,revealed by Jack, were hidden by GOD(sealed) until the last days(days before Jesus returns to earth to rule it). Van Impe points out that because the book of Daniel has been unsealed by GOD, we are living in the last days(endtimes). Therefore, Jesus could return very, very soon!This book explains the book of Daniel in the Bible ,very well, on many levels(literal,prophetic, and symbolic);of the life of Daniel and his relationship with the LORD;what the LORD told him to seal up, including the vision of King "Nebbecenezzar"(sp?),the firey furnace and the three hebrew children, and much more on Daniel's life until old age.Also included explaination of 70 weeks (a prophecy), in regards to the JEWISH people's history; before the appearance of King JESUS.A must read for all Christians looking for the return of their LORD, JESUS! | 45 stars
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I thought the book was insightful and also depressing.
I read this book because it was voted in the top 100 of all time. I'm trying to expand on the kind of popular fiction I usually read. While I found the book insightful and well-written, it was very depressing. I kept waiting for something "good" to happen to somebody. I did think the book's various plots were remarkable for its time (1940). | 23 stars
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Almost like it was written today
Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time to read so I'm only part way through. However, it's like it was written in 2012. So much of the politcs is so similar to what's going on today. I am thoroughly enjoying it. | 34 stars
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I'm Glad I Finally Finished!
I don't want to write a long review on "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy (I feel like I have wasted enough time on them already).I liked "The Hobbit" for the most part and the first book in "The Lord of the Rings" was not too bad, but from there it was all downhill, in my opinion.This was just a wordy, long series of books that I never thought I would end. During the last two books of "The Lord of the Rings" I thought I was going to lose my sanity.This series should have been cut in half to two books, and even then it would probably be dull in parts.If you are thinking of reading these books, I would say go ahead and try it if you are known for endurance and perseverance.If you're not, go buy the Cliff Notes or just wait for the movies. | 23 stars
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Big money buys bad information
A lot of the misinformation on global warming has involved the use of three or four greenhouse skeptics like Dr. Balling. These are people who take a different position from the more than two-thousand scientists reporting to the United Nations, and they have been given access to the media by money being spent by the petroleum industry. This book is no more than a paid advertisement by big oil. | 01 star
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One of my all time favorites
What can you say about this novel that has not already been said!I have read "Emma" several times, and I have enjoyed it every single time. | 45 stars
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WOO
This education/action book is a great novel to read for young or old adults. It had a great plot, descriptive characters, descreptive writing, and a good moral. From the beginning to the end, it will keep you wondering and hook you in. And at the end, it made you think and tied everything together to make a good ending to have you realize how corrupt people can be with no rules. Over-all, this book was very good and interesting | 34 stars
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Only one of Neal's several great books
I loved this book as much as I loved Cryptonomicon, and that's saying a lot! It's a fairy tale for the ages. I recommend The Diamond Age to anyone who feels wishy-washy about science fiction, but who admits to enjoying Dickens or Mrs. Gaskell. After all, it is set in the time of the (neo)Victorians.The parallel storylines of a most bodacious heroine -actually, several - seeking justice, involving tons of other fascinating characters and inventions, it is a truly fulfilling read.By reading Neal Stephenson's books, I feel I am borrowing his imagination for a time. How lucky is that? | 45 stars
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Lady Audley's Secret is Enjoyable if Slow-Paced
Although a contemporary of both Dickens and Trollope, I found M.E. Braddon's "sensation novel" an easy read compared to those two authors, whose works I also enjoy.The book is full of vivid descriptions, hidden identities, secrets and conspiracies hinted at.Young Robert Audley is a laconic and highly unlikely detective.With its gothic foreboding, the plot is telegraphed, and possibly, readers may find the novel too slow for our era of fast-paced mysteries.I enjoyed the book, but felt things might have been wound up a little faster towards the end. Recommended for all lovers of Victorian literature.July 22, 2012: Corrected punctuation. | 34 stars
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An informative and important book, well written
The author begins this enlightening book by relating how energy from oil has freed humans from manual labor and enabled the development of vast industries. Oil has also been the source of economic strength of nations and therefore, of political power.He tells how our addiction to oil evolved, like the beginning of any bad habit, with a small appetite for oil - there was less than one car per household - and a large supply of oil in the U.S. As more was found throughout the world, we perceived an inexhaustible supply of oil and used it accordingly, developing an addiction to this black fluid.As we used up our domestic supply, we naturally looked to the region of great potential: the Middle East. He describes our forays to mine and distribute those untapped oil supplies and the power struggle for the rights to this oil. He quotes Henry Kissinger, "Oil is too important a commodity to be left to the Arabs."One of the nice features of this well written book is the author's frequent use of visual illustrations. For example, he describes how many barrels of oil are needed to fly a person across the Atlantic, and what the world's daily oil production would look like if it were a river: like the Seine flowing through Paris. He compares the future global outlook for oil with the history of the rise and demise of the sardine industry in Monterey. The supply of sardines was once viewed as inexhaustible.There is much more in this very readable book, bringing the reader up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2001 and its oil implications. | 45 stars
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enjoyable a good read
I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up and could not put it down. the technological aspect reminds me a lot of the andromeda strain, but in the new millenium | 34 stars
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50% Factoids 40% filler 10% Truth 0% jokes
MUST READ REVIEW: Amazon has deleted this review FOUR times!!!I fell very sorry for Mr. Franken. His first book attacking Rush Limbaugh was debased factually by even Al's ardent supporters. When cornered on the many inaccuracies the man plead on national television that it was only satire and not to be taken seriously. When Al wrote his second book Liars he decided not to have a debacle like that on his hands again so he employed the likes of extreme leftists student investigators to `fact check'. But once again his book was assailed as being shrill partisan drivel selectively using only facts much like Stalin's propaganda machine did.This third book has taken a slightly different approach. Al is trying, I give him credit, he doesn't want to burned again. However, just by stating some half truths (which he does on occasion) does not let him have a pass on all the inaccuracies in the book. I know I know, the inaccuracies are the satire. The problem is that too many people believe that the jokes are really the truth. Just read the reviews folks. The main problem though is that the book starts off reasonably well, 10% truth 50% lies and 40% filler about par for most hard leftists books. But by the time we get to chapter 10 the book falters miserably. You continue reading and you hit the social security chapter and by this time any intelligent life-form would just give up and I admit falling into that category.SO let's get some facts on the table about social security since this was the last chapter I was able to read before the book became kindling.FACT:Social Security is going to have major financial problems in the near future. This has agreed to by almost everyone (SSA, CBO, GAO, almost all major economist, etc) even AL himself reluctantly admitted to this. Starting in 2017 SS will be in a deficit situation. Starting in 2047 benefits will have to be reduced to 74% of the promised amounts.FACT:Bill Clinton and his appointed (read left of center) Social Security Advisory Committee advocated for a personal account option in 1995. Clinton and this advisory committee also knew that to keep social security intact and benefits meaningful for the retiree's - reform HAD to be done.FACT:Without any reform taxes will have to increased by MORE than 50 percent or benefits will have to be cut by 40 percent or MORE or some combination of the twoFACT:Countries such as England that have fully privatized pension accounts have far greater returns and much better payments to the retirees than the US. Then after the death of the retiree the money gets handed down to their heirs, unlike in the US. You see it's THEIR money not the governments.FACT:Costs to administer private accounts are CHEAPER than the cost to administer Social Security accounts. Also if the accounts were privatized as in England these accounts represent a new, very larger tax-free shelter for savings and investments. These new accounts would provide for a huge influx of capital into the American system. Most economists estimate that social security causes a loss of 10% of GDP a year. This amount is equal to infusing the economy with an additional 500 Million to 1 Trillion dollars a year. This boost would stimulate the economy greatly and also increase the amount of revenue taken in by the government. This is not wishful thinking BTW; it has happened in every country that has privatized their social pension plans.FACT:Current government employees do not participate in the Social Security System. They have their own government private pension plans. READ THIS AGAIN, THE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES GET PRIVATE PLANS BECAUSE SOCIAL SECURITY IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THEM. Their plans are administered cheaper and they have tremendous higher rates of return. Most government employees will receive 3-4 TIMES the monthly benefits as compared to an equal earner in the private sector that is stuck with Social Security.Privatizing social security has increased benefits, reduced deficits and stimulated the economy in EVERY country that has done it. Socialist counties like England have benefited greatly and who are the true winners of privatization THE RETIREES.By almost all accounts social security has been a dismal failure, its rate of returns are pathetic and the payments are barely a stipend of what someone with a private account would receive.I think the basic reason Franken and the democrats are against increasing retirement benefits is simple. Liberals hate autonomy and they love government control. They hate the idea that the people can use THEIR money and invest it the way they want. They hate the idea that they will have far greater retirement income and therefore become less dependent on the government and the liberals. Social security is the biggest and one of the least successful government programs ever. If the conservatives improved the benefits by 3-4 times and allowed people to have ownership of THEIR money then the liberals would witness an unraveling of their cherished agenda of citizens being dependent and controlled by the government.On this one issue alone it shows how today's Democrats have an extreme agenda that has nothing to do with the public interest. There is no way to sell this agenda with anything approaching honesty, and how, once people find out what the liberals are actually trying to do, the populace will rise up and the once great democratic party will fade into oblivion. It's a sad commentary that Al and his ilk deceive the automata into voting against their own economic interests. How people such as these can sleep at night is beyond my comprehension. So sad! | 01 star
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Some have greatness thrust upon 'em...
"You're no scientist. You're a monster. Science shines light into darkness. But you *are* the darkness. You do *your* work by the light of the moon."- victim to mad scientist, hereinThe plot of this story can be summarized succinctly: the origin story for three not-quite-super superheroes in the mold of Jim Ironheart from COLD FIRE (superheroes whose powers mainly lie in knowing what's going on that needs their intervention, leaving the work of figuring out *how* to help to their ingenuity). The three protagonists' changes are forced upon them by a mad scientist seeking to preserve his life's work, who ambushes them and injects them with a mysterious substance that soon brings on terrifying changes. He arranges matters so that he has enough lead time to escape from them while still allowing them to escape from *his* pursuers, leaving them to identify him and figure out exactly what he did to them when they can take time out to do some research on the net later in the story.I recommend the unabridged audio edition read by Stephen Lang over the plain text itself, as I think this book shows to best advantage when performed rather than simply read on the page. While the story draws in the reader and has plenty of action and character exploration, it's rather slow-paced if one steps back and considers it carefully (it takes ten chapters for the three main characters to be assaulted, injected, shake off their temporary confinement, meet, and hit the road - about 40 minutes of story time).Of the three main characters, Koontz spends a lot of time in the heads of two of them - Jilly Jackson, stand-up comedian, and Dylan O'Conner [sic], professionally a painter but also in the full-time role of caregiver to the third protagonist, his autistic younger brother Shep. Shep's character is explored less directly, and his personal situation is in a way illustrated by the setting (the desert of the southwest) and the experiences his companions are put through - their changes result in sensory overload as they acquire strange new psychic abilities, and they come to understand all too well Shep's occasional urges to take time out when life becomes too much for him.Koontz's vivid, detailed descriptions will make this story appealing for some readers, but might annoy others since they're partly responsible for the slow development even of action scenes (when one bad guy takes a twenty foot fall, for example, we're given a careful description of the clothes worn by the people sitting near the spot where he lands). It's ironic that Koontz has had such bad luck in having his work adapted to the screen - the descriptions make the sequences easy to visualize. They're particularly effective in describing Jilly's precognitive visions, which tend to be surreal combinations of elements from future events with the landscape around her, like the dream sequences in the original film adaptation of THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE or in SPELLBOUND: an ordinary bathroom reflected in a mirror showing a combination of stalls and confessional booths; a stream of silvery birds flying from nowhere to nowhere; images of gunfire shattering windows in slow motion.Finally, the development of the story is rather patchy. Once Jilly and the O'Conner brothers link up and begin fleeing the mysterious forces chasing the mad scientist, there isn't much of a plot, in one sense - they have the simple objective of fleeing, and it takes quite a while for them to begin even trying to acquire more information about their situation. The book more or less functions as a quest for the truth about what happened to them, but is so dominated by intermittent adventures in saving people that the searching-for-truth aspects boil down to "do net search during a breather, and at the end of the book stumble into one last sequence that ties up the loose ends." (The adventures do contribute, though, in forcing them to learn what they can do and face some of the personality changes compelling them to do it.)If the reader can just sit back and enjoy the lovingly described scenes and forays into character exploration, rolling with the adventure scenarios as they come along without expecting much of a linearly developed plot, this can be quite an enjoyable book. | 34 stars
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i wonder
I wonder how many copies of this book would have been sold WITHOUT the use of "RUSH" in the title.Conservative principles are ideal regardless of the lifestyles of its proponents. | 12 stars
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Worst Module Ever
I have recently been filling in some gaps in my classic module collection.This one really is not worth owning. Bad plot, stupid encounters and bizarre text. The PC characters provided (who you really have to use since the entire module is coded around them) have great names like Blondie, Slim and Blaze. There is boxed dialogue where NPCs say things like, 'Gee Whiz.' and 'Golly.'I have nearly all the classic modules and this one is one of the worst. If you are looking to complete your own collection, save this one til last! | 01 star
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Gorgeous
Wow. What an amazing and beautiful story. I didn't even understand what a geisha really was before reading this book; now I feel like an expert. Mr. Golden has created a masterpiece so delicately written, it almost seemed like a poem to me. Very intriguing and thought-provoking; gorgeous, gorgeous writing; plus a history lesson like you've never had before. Wonderful! | 45 stars
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Historical Fiction at its Best
Written with an emphasis on the personal, dramatic narrative of Duke William of Normandy. Accurate historically, Heyer adds life and detail to the motivations and challenges that provoke William to lay claim to the title of King of England. Essentially a life history from his illegitimate birth through the Battle of Hastings with a hard fought victory against Harold the saxon. Not just ahistory book, but a tale told through mainly his personal body guard and best friend. Mature, not overly romantic, and just the right emphasis on politics, personal struggles and battlefields. | 45 stars
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The ultimate in paradoxyl humor - and Yossarin lives
Catch 22 is a war book for people who love war, people who hate war, people who fear war, and people who don't particularly care about war. But most importantly, this is a book for people who have a sense of humor. Catch 22 is filled with ridiculous, unbelievable situations that make perfect sense. For example, a commander who wants to move up and therefore orders his men to fly more missions than are required - therein lies Catch 22 (or one version of it) - a man can leave because he finished his required missions, but he has to stay, otherwise he would be disobeying orders from a commanding officer. There is Milo, the self-perserving capitalist, Orr, who constantly crashes his plane, the Chaplain, who is afraid of everyone, and unsure about God, and many more. Basically, this book is about survival - living to tell the tale. And Yosseran does his best throughout the book. In his words, "he had decided to live forever or die in the attempt." So far, he's doing well... | 45 stars
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Outstanding Book!
As a resident of Mexico who enjoys my ruins and travel within Mexico, this book offers a fantastic glimpse into Mexico and the Yucatan long before it became a resort for Gringos. Not only is it well-written, but also has an excellent collection of visual drawings from a time long lost. An excellent book, and as is always with Dover, and excellent value. | 45 stars
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Finally!!!
Hooray for HarperCollins, releasing the trilogy and several other Tolkien works for e-book reading!!I've several battered editions I will now donate. | 45 stars
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A true treasure if there ever was one!
My father received this as a gift before he left for graduate studies in Finland and has used this book ever since. As generous as he has been with all the other books in his library, he refused to part with this one, so I was forced to obtain my own copy when I left home. With two sons embarking on independent life, I will be looking for two more copies to give to each as I now appreciate why my father would not part with his book. My daughters will be receiving their own copies as well when their time comes to leave the nest.The language is simple and straight forward yet engagingly conversational. I enjoyed reading it as a child just for fun and now use it as an invaluable resource and reference guide. The chapter for stocking a pantry, kitchen and fridge is excellent. The tips on fixing mistakes, making quick menu adjustments and navigating through unexpected situations are wonderful. The recipes range from the most basic bachelor fare to a fancy dinner party, all explained without much fuss or unnecessary elaboration. One is left feeling rather empowered to tackle a Roasted Leg of Lamb with petit pois & new potatoes. The Chili con Carne recipe is excellent and the results have never disappointed.This is the best cookbook I have ever come across and I recommend it highly to new brides, bachelors and bachelorettes, or anyone finding themselves left on KP-duty. "The I Never Cooked Before Cook Book" is like having your very own personal cooking-coach right beside you. | 45 stars
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The Trouble with Diversity
The title really made some eyeballs pop out at work, but I found it an interesting read with some well thought out points. | 45 stars
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"A Guiding Thread" To Lewis
Veal's excellent organizational overview of the work is spot on, and thus not to be duplicated. What this review will attempt to supplement that excellent review is Hooper's intent of providing this companion/guide: to unite the poet, critic and Christian into one. This was one of the major themes Lewis had expressed to Hooper, to find that there is a guiding thread uniting all of his life's writings.Reading and rereading Lewis is a pleasant and wonderful task, seeking and finding new emphases and insights. Hooper's reflections on the same are thus a friendly aid to this, if one chooses. I find his insights sometimes illuminate, sometimes expose my overlooks, and sometimes stamp what I've already found.Thus, for Lewis devotee, this is excellent resource. Omitted here is Lewis' work on education, which is so filled in a scholarly fashion by a new work by Joel Heck. | 45 stars
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An excellent reference book!!!!
I like the book.I got the earlier edition(1980) and the recent update(2002).However, the authors have missed some places. Back in1996 I wrote to them suggesting these places. I got aresponse unfortunalely none were added. :(I hope when they do another update they will include thefollowing places of "Imaginary Places"..."Hill Valley, California"-From the "Back To The Future" movies-"Toontown"-A suberb of Los Angeles, California from the movie"Who Framed Roger Rabbit?""The Hundred Acre Woods"-Where the famous Winnie The Pooh, his pal Piglet, Eeyore,Tigger, Owl, Christopler Robin live. From A.A. Milne book seriesof "Winnie The Pooh"."Mayberry, North Carolina"-Small town of 2000 where Sheriff Andy Taylor, Barney Fife,Aunt Bea, Goober and Gomer Pyle live. From TV series "TheAndy Griffith Show" & "Gomer Pyle, USMC"."Sweethaven"-Small sea fishing town on New England area of U.S.A. WherePopeye The Sailor, Olive Oyl, Whimpy, Bluto, ect. live. Fromcomic strip "Popeye" by E.G. Seegar."Gotham City"-Large U.S. city where the crime fighter "Batman" resides.From the comic book series of "Batman"."Metropolis & Smallville"-From the "Superman" comic book series."Hooterville"-Small farming community from the television series of"Green Acres" and "Petticoat Junction"."Luft Stalag 13"-A German prisoner of war camp outside of Hamburg, Germany.Where Col. Wilhelm Klink, Col. Robert Hogan, Sargent HansSchultz was during WW2. From TV series "Hogan's Heroes"."Island"-Located about 200 miles south of Hawaii. Where crew & castawaysof the S.S. Minnow are shipwrecked. From "Gilligan's Island"TV series."Halloweentown" & "Christmastown"-From the movie "The Nightmare Before Christmas".To name a few which I hope will be added in an updated edition. | 34 stars
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A captivating and important work of art.
The Journey is the Destination presents a very unique and enlightening perspective of the world. The pages of this book are alive with photographs, color, and text woven together into intricate pieces of art. If you struggle with the forces of creativity v. compromise then the message here should hit home especially hard. There is much of Dan Eldon on these pages, making this read a very personal experience. Its especially enjoyable to learn that young minds can tackle complicated and important issues for us young folks without being trite, or boring.The Journey is the Desitination is a good book for everyone from the lovers of art and passion to those that want a good coffee table book. I would highly reccomend this book to everyone that wants to experience something important and touching. | 45 stars
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The Mouse Asks, the Boy Gives, and the Chase Is On!
Laura Joffe Numeroff and Felicia Bond have teamed up on several children's stories. Many people will tell you that this is their favorite in the series. I slightly prefer When You Give a Moose a Muffin, but you'll have to decide for yourself by reading them both.Having had two sons, I always found them most delightful when they were the most physically worn out. Oh, if only I had had this mouse to keep them occupied!The boy is sitting in his front yard eating a cookie. He spies a mouse, and gives the mouse a little bite.This is a forward mouse, though, and he asks if he might have a glass of milk to go with the cookie. The boy takes him inside and obliges. Then the mouse inquires about having a straw. The boy finds him one. Then the mouse requests a napkin. That means that he is concerned about having a milk mustache. So the mouse wants a mirror to check. While looking in the mirror, he notices that his whiskers need some trimming. He requests some nail scissors from the boy. Considerately, he then wants a broom to sweep up. But if you're going to sweep in one area, you might as well do many. While you're at it, the floors could use a good washing. That makes the mouse tired, so he needs a nap. The boy makes him a little bed out of a box and a tiny blanket and pillow. But the mouse cannot sleep without a story. Seeing the pictures, the mouse thinks what fun it would be to make some pictures. Paper and crayons must be obtained! After the picture is done, he must naturally have a pen to sign his name. Then, the boy has to get some Scotch tape so that the picture can go on the refrigerator. Then, of course, you get thirsty from all that activity. You get some milk from the refrigerator . . . and of course, it's a good idea to have a cookie. And off we go again!!The contrast between the increasingly exhausted looking boy, and the sprightly mouse make for much good humor. Also, the boy is better at getting things for the mouse than putting them away, so the house is soon filled with messy piles of what the mouse wanted . . . sort of mouse droppings as it were.The absurdity of a tiny mouse running a boy ragged is quite hilarious to youngsters. By reading the book faster and faster, you can add a note of semi-hysteria that increases the fun.The words are easy to follow, and closely track the illustrations. Children can easily begin to memorize the story, decode the words, fill in the blanks, and later begin to read aloud to you (first from memory, and later in reality).The book is beautifully illustrated in a semi-Dr. Seuss style by Felicia Bond that adds much to the enjoyment.One thing I like about the story is that it gets into how one thing can lead to another. That's one of the best ways to stimulate intelligence and imaginative thinking. It is also good for problem solving later in life. Now, where did all these mouse whisker shavings come from? What caused them?After you have had fun with this story as written, you might want to have a little more fun with your child or grandchild and occasionally change one of the words. For example, when the mouse wants a napkin, you might substitute "diaper" for a young child. I guarantee gales of laughter with that one!Have fun from beginning to end, and through the repeating refrain, for ever and ever! | 45 stars
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Get Rich But Remain Atheist
Great book, a bit outdated but the primary principals remain true to the core. Try to ignore the heavy religious undertones and go straight to the core message. Also, there are some great videos on youtube by Napoleon Hill. Check them out! | 34 stars
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A nice plunge into the past
The core character in this novel is Elizabeth, an attractive and intelligent 20 year-old and the second daughter (out of five) of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. . Her mother's main interest is to see her five daughters, all eligible, nicely settled down and married to respectable and rich gentlemen.Elizabeth's personality, very unlike her mother's, unfolds throughout the pages in a crescendo of emotions resulting from various issues connected with the whole family saga and especially to her own contrasting feelings towards a certain young man, Mr. Darcy. Will Elizabeth's passionate and sensible nature, combined with a certain degree of boldness (for those days), make her discover what lies beyond his seemingly unpleasant and unreadable personality?The graceful politeness in the prose is charming, delineating a faithful image of life at the end of the 18th century in England.The intrigues beyond wished-for marriages are very accurately described by Ms. Austen, with a touch of humour "hither and thither". I could not help myself comparing similar issues with nowadays. Beyond the characterisation and a part from the language, style and general progress, I believe that human nature, as depicted, is the same as it always was and it is not all just about "love", it is also about people attempting to incorporate into a higher position in society, seeking integration at a greater level. It was also interesting, I thought, to see how relevant (or irrelevant) the "worth" bestowed on the female gender was back then, compared to the present day in most societies. This, combined with the rapidity with which one fell in love, got engaged and/or was forbidden or denied to marry, could be stimulating subjects for ensuing conversations. | 34 stars
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Botany
I received the book in awesome condition. I needed as a textbook for a class and it is pretty easy to understand with online book code that also has resources to help study. | 45 stars
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Get to know Kirk McGarvey...you'll be glad you did
Ever since I picked up my first Kirk McGarvey novel about 7 years ago, I have been been a HUGE fan of David Hagberg and he has done nothing but inspire that trust in novel after fantastic novel of high adventure and international intrigue. 'Joshua's Hammer' is easily one of the best McGarvey tales yet. An absolutely riviting yarn which walks the fine line between fiction and reality.First off a meeting is arranged with notorious world terrorist Osama Bin Laden. Apparently Osama wants things to change, and he needs the help of America in order to pull it off...but the CIA sends their chief of station from Saudi Arabia and Osama only wants someone higher up to make the arrangements. But before that happens the former Chief of Station and his entire family are killed vacationing in Orlando. Did Osama order the hit, or was it one of his underlings? Kirk McGarvey steps in and decides to find out by going himself to negotiate with Osama. Kirk has a GPS chip implanted on his body so the CIA will always know exactly where he is...and if something goes wrong, the President is strong-armed into ordering an attack. Osama apparently is dying of cancer and wants to return back to Saudi Arabia, but that cannot happen unless things change, and it looks as though the beginning of a possible truce is forged between him and Kirk...but not before the GPS chip is discovered and surgically removed, and accidentally broken. Washington now believes Kirk to be dead, and before he can get word otherwise to the powers-that-be in DC, the attack is launched on Osama's compound.This is where the story goes from fast right into high gear. Osama is spared in the aftermath, but his daughter is killed, and now the filthy American Infidels MUST pay. Osama's bargaining chip was a small suitcase-sized nuclear weapon he purchased from a weapons depot in one of the Soviet Union's many break-off nations. Obtained with the ultimate hope of forcing America to accept peace on Osama's terms, now is scheduled to be transported to San Francisco only to be detonated under the Golden Gate Bridge during a Special Olympics footrace...a race that stands out because the President's mentally handicapped daughter will be running in it. The race is truly on. Can Kirk stop them? Will they truly detonate this 1-kiloton device? Finding out the answers is really a great deal of the fun that this novel provides--which it has aplenty, too. Not just good, but a GREAT example of a novel charged with excitement literally from page ONE. Trust me, get to know Kirk McGarvey, and soon you too will understand why he is compared constantly to Jack Ryan and Dirk Pitt. Highly Recommended. | 45 stars
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Still waiting...
I read a lot of non-fiction. Once in a while I try to mix in a fiction book. I read the Stephen King review and thought to give this book a shot.I am still waiting to be scared! What is so "horrifying" about this book? I will tell you - that it even got published. I only made it through because once I start something I have to finish. The characters are unlikeable, the plot predictable, the big scary threat is humorous - not scary. I was waiting for some surprise at the end.I am still waiting. I am glad I got the book from the library and didn't spend money on it. Terrible. | 01 star
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Intense and Fierce.
Hawthorne's "Fanshawe" was respectable and well done. But in his "The Scarlet Letter," Hawthorne takes his writing to darker and more intense levels. The story starts with Hester Prynne being mocked and scoffed at in public for her crime of adultery. Her affair has resulted in an illegitimate daughter Pearl. And her penalty of death is reduced to wearing an A. Interestingly, if we read "Dante's Inferno," we know that adultery is virtually the LEAST punished sin in hell. Apparently none of the authorities read this. ("Dante's Inferno" was written about 400 years before the events of "The Scarlet Letter," so the authorities could have been familiar with it.) Moving on, Reverend Dimmesdale (Pearl's unknown father) can not bring himself to confess, but he does clearly tell Hester she can name him if she chooses. She declines. It is interesting that Hawthorne keeps Pearl somewhat disturbed. (At one point, she rips flowers, throws them at Hester's A, and dances every time she hits it. Another time she throws rocks at birds.) In comes Roger. (Step aside Othello. You've been outsmarted, outstyled, and outclassed.) Hester is of course frightened that her husband Roger has found out about her affair. But Roger makes it clear that physical vengeance is beneath him. Interestingly, Roger wants revenge for himself, but to some extent he blames himself for what happened. Naturally, Roger wants to find out who Pearl's father is, but Hester declines. Though Roger makes it clear that Pearl's father has wronged both Roger and Hester. (Can we really deny this?) Roger is by far the most intelligent and captivating character in the story. Rather than wanting revenge for himself, he seems to want revenge for both himself AND Hester. It doesn't take the sharp Roger long to suspect that the now growing ill Dimmesdale is the father of Pearl. ButRoger is no Othello. He studies the situation as carefully as possible. And when he is certain, this is when his revenge kicks in. Dimmesdale despite his crime is still a human being. His remorse is great, and even when he tries to hint at how bad he is, his anxiety only increases. Why? THE PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH LOVE HIM ALL THE MORE FOR IT! He becomes even more of a hero for it. (Why not? Fake heroes think they're above everyone. A true hero admits he has faults. Modesty actually becomes a hero more.) And, this is where Roger's revenge kicks in. Dimmesdale is growing more ill, and Roger (no simpleton like Othello) actually uses his medical skills to keep Dimmesdale alive. Roger is smart enough to know that keeping Dimmesdale alive is hurting him more than any physical revenge could have. One fault Hester has is that she doesn't warn Dimmesdale about Roger. To be sure, she promised Roger she wouldn't reveal him as her husband, but she could have (without breaking her promise) warned Dimmesdale to avoid the dangerous Roger. It is interesting that in this story, there are no real heroes. Hester is too much of a back stage player; Pearl is too disturbed; Dimmesdale helps Hester keep Pearl from the authorities who want to take her away, but at best he arguably triumphs in the midst of his fault; and even my favorite character Roger becomes too evil to be classified as the hero. It would seem even non physical revenge can leave one psychologically warped. Moving on, Hester and Dimmesdale feel that escaping to Europe is their only chance to escape Roger. But Roger (unlike Othello) is not so easily duped or defeated. The end explodes into a dark and frightening climax. Hawthorne cleverly avoids a happy cliche romance ending, but at the same time frees Dimmesdale from Roger's evergrowing hate and fury. Roger sounds almost demonic when he says: "Thou hast escaped me." But Hawthorne reminds us that Roger was a human being. He interestingly leaves his wealth to Pearl. Overall, Hawthorne did a great job of showing his fierce edge in this book. We have rich complex characters who do NOT fall into typical patterns. He also reminds us that people are not all good or evil. They have some of each. Overall, Hawthorne's writing here is arguably very close to Charles Dickens. | 45 stars
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Meditative, motivational and physical techniques
We all have experienced the problem of oversleeping, waking up late to rushed breakfasts, late arrivals, tardy meetings, missed opportunities. But while for most it is the exception, for some it is the rule. Enter Richard Kuslan's The Master Instructs, Or, How To Wake Up On Time, is a 64-page compendium of tips, tricks and self-help techniques for waking up on time rested and refreshed. Kuslan writes with great good humor presenting a dreamscape of a faraway and vaguely Asian monastery where an ancient Master discourses on the problem of waking with a modern Disciple. Through the use of meditative, motivational and physical techniques the reader is guided through methods of resolving the problem of getting up in the morning in a timely and effective fashion. The Master Instructs is enthusiastically recommended reading for anyone who oversleeps to the detriment of their daily obligations and aspirations. | 45 stars
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Not Grisham's strongest, but surely his noblest
Grisham's strengths lie in character and plot, not evocative description, and in this book he does far more describing than his prose gifts can enliven. The plot is thinner, less intricate, and more predictable than his other books. Yet this book breathes compassion, and the characters are wonderful.As I read this, my experience was colored by knowing that Grisham himself is an extremely generous man. A few years back, a do-gooder organization for which my mother was working received a congratulatory letter from its national office for the extreme success of this unit's fundraising. The figure quoted in the letter was about 300% higher than what they'd actually raised, my mom thought. Inquiries were made. Turns out that Grisham had quietly given several million--that's right, "several" and "million"--to the national office in the local organization's name.I read this book as a gift, a gift to the homeless. Grisham surely had no intrinsic need to write about them, especially since describing their plight required a kind of book that is not his forte. I believe Grisham used his considerable fame in the same way he uses many of his considerable millions. That doesn't make this a blockbuster piece of writing, but it makes it an act worthy of admiration. | 34 stars
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Mind-Expanding Concept But (I'm Ducking, Folks) A Mediocre Novel
I know I'll take some major heat in saying this, but I wasn't that impressed with this beloved classic. Oh, the idea intrigues me, surely, that of humankind eons in the future existing across the galaxy on a multitude of worlds, so far removed from earth that eminent masters of science themselves debate whether earth was even the planet where human life began, but once the dust settled from an idea that lofty, what did Asimov really DO with it? He used it for unexciting little tales of science v. military might. I love the parallel between the fall of this vast space empire and the fall of Rome. The way bands of scientists struggled in a dark age to keep the light of knowledge alive was thought-provoking (which is high praise in my lexicon) but this was backdrop, and the plot Asimov employed in telling the story of all this was (sorry to say) dull, slow, simple, and unworthy of the imaginative concepts he thought up in his setting for this tale of knowledge overcoming strength of arms. I haven't read the later Foundation novels, so maybe they're the ones where the brilliance of the series exists, but I found this book from Sci-Fi's golden age so demanding on my patience that I didn't finish it the first time I tried to read it and barely made it to the end the second time. I wish I shared the glowing praise for this classic that millions of others claim they feel, but to be honest, I just don't. | 23 stars
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Do you want to read something that will get you totally caught up in English history? This leaves you wanting more.
I read this book years ago, and it absolutely "snared" me. After I put the book down, I went looking for more, only this time I wanted history books. What happened to the next generation and so on all the way to today? I have always been a heavy reader, fiction and non-fiction. This book had been heavily researched and then written pretty much as a real history book except the author had added dialog. I recommend it highly. | 45 stars
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Powerful and well-written
Full disclosure: I discovered this book after watching Band of Brothers on HBO and reading that Ambrose offering.I love this book.If you're a student of World War II, you know the war in Europe from the macro view: D-Day, Dieppe, Verdun, the Battle of the Bulge, etc. The stories in this book are personal and powerful, covering the life of the everyday soldier. We learn their suffering, hardship, sacrifice, as well as the camraderie and brotherhood formed in the hellfire of battle.It's an amazing book and if I could give it 10 stars, I would. | 45 stars
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A must-read for this century even more than the previous one
This book was a gift to me as a Sunday School Teacher about 1969. I have read portions of it at different times for 30 years. This year I started reading in it again and cannot believe how fresh and exciting this message still is. It was like renewing an old friendship. The truth contained in this tiny book has spanned a century with no hint of ever waning. I recommend it fervently to anyone searching for meaning in today's culture. | 45 stars
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Impressive, but...
It's difficult to follow up a masterpiece like The Great Hunt, but The Dragon Reborn comes close. Jordan is a master at suspense...he explains things, but keeps so much more shrouded in mystery that we can't help but read his books cover to cover. Dragon Reborn is no exception.Jordan's romantic view of fantasy is always welcome on a rainy day. He hearkens to Homer, even, with all the epithets, but they get old after awhile. Loial's "tufted" ears, Faile's "tilted" eyes, and the most annoying epithet of all, the Amyrlin's unending reference to fish. Jordan tries to sound smart with all his fishing references, with all his epithets, but they become too obvious after awhile. His writing becomes formalized. No more "wool-headed idiots" or praise for Bela. Please!!!Dragon Reborn should be purchased and read for three good reasons: character development, intrigue, and a stunning conclusion (typical Rand meets Forsaken/Shai'tan...oops, I named the Dark One). We see the main characters make yet another bold step into self-discovery. We are always kept at the edge of our sung-wood seats. And we cheer the characters on while they kick the crap out of the forsaken, in the end.Problems abound, however... Jordan keeps sex firmly out of the Great Pattern of the Ages. There are gaping omissions in the plot (like, five pages dedicated to our main protagonist Rand, except the end...?) Women are a driving force in WoT, but Jordan's subtle pen makes all his women the same. They all sew when they're bored, and describe male idiocy with the same words, and their only WoT feminism weapon seems to be hard stares and the One Source. I appreciate a good female element in fantasy, given the lapse, but Jordan's feminine side is entirely cliched.I'd recommend The Dragon Reborn to any fantasy fanatic, but be wary of the author's overbearing style. After just three books, I can't help but wonder if Jordan can finish the series without another self-inflicted cliche. | 45 stars
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Trail Blazer
Arrived on time in New,Unwrapped Condition. Amazon Connects with Topnotch Retailers that provideGreat Customer Service. | 45 stars
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Could you do it?
Written by Stephen Ambrose, an experienced author, Undaunted Courage is an account of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition. This novel is written for someone who is not knowledgeable about this historic journey, and is written at a high school level (I should know, I'm in high school!). Ambrose designed this book to be a balance of fact and story told from Meriwether Lewis's view. The author presents a balance of facts, excerpts from Meriwether Lewis's journal, and his own voice telling the story.Ambrose organized the story in chronological order, beginning with Lewis's childhood. He continues with the details on Lewis's teen and adult life, and continues on through the expedition and the events after the expedition's return. Lewis's childhood and adulthood prior to the expedition is details through the first six chapters. Chapter seven begins with the preparation for the expedition, detailing how the men who went on the expedition were chosen, the gathering of supplies, and the difficulties. The joint captainship of the expedition by Lewis and Clark magnifies how well they worked together. Chapters 8 through 12 detail the first year of the expedition. It begins with the travels of Lewis from Washington to Pittsburgh, where the expedition gathered and prepared to set off. The first leg of the journey down the Ohio River to the Missouri River to the winter camp of 1803 is told with emphasis on discoveries of new wildlife. Chapters 13 through 18 relate encounters with the Mandan and Sioux Indians. The winter of 1804 was spent at Fort Mandan with the Mandan Indians, who were very friendly. The expedition then continued up the Missouri River and encountered the Sioux. Unlike the Mandan Indians, the Sioux were hostile and demanded goods to let the expedition continue up the river. From the Missouri River the expedition continued to the Marias River, and then continued to the Great Falls of Missouri. Chapters 21 through 24 describe the long, hard trip over the Bitterroot Mountains, and the search for the Shoshone Indians. The Shoshone Indians were a friendly, humble group of people, who offered all they had to the strange white men. Chapters 25 and 26 detail the last leg of the journey to the Pacific Ocean and Fort Clatsop. Chapter 27 begins the trip home. Chapters 27 through 32 tell about the exciting adventures home.Ambrose's writing cleverly blends fact, story, and excerpts from the journal of Meriwether Lewis so that it is detailed and interesting to read. The chronological account of the expedition works well for this book because it is important to read about the events in order to really understand what the expedition was, and where it traveled. The way the chapters are titled, date and event, work well because it prepares readers for what will happen in the chapter, and gives a sense of where it is headed.Ambrose includes maps of the expedition's route and pictures of things that were discovered or important people, such as Indian chiefs. The pictures supplement the story to give an idea of what type of things were being seen on a daily basis during the expedition. However, pictures could have been more meaningful to the story if their connection to the story had been better explained. Much of the author's description of places, things, and events comes from excerpts of Lewis's journal. This is effective because it gives the book voice, and gives you the view from one of the first people to see the things that the new country had to offer. "Lewis wrote a 500 word description of the Platte, that fabulous river that makes its way from the Rockies across modern Nebraska to the Missouri, running a mile wide and an inch deep, just bursting with animal and plant life" (150). Ambrose could have included more from Lewis's journal to strengthen the voice and solidity of the story. Ambrose did leave some important and interesting events out of his book. For example; he never addresses what happened to many of the people like Sacagawea, Clark's slave, York and even Clark himself after the expedition. He also undermines Sacagawea's significance in the expedition's success. Ambrose never highlights the fact that Lewis and Clark and everyone on the expedition were cut off from civilization and everything they knew. They were out on their own hoping they were prepared for unknown that lay ahead.Although this book was a lengthy account of the Lewis and Clark expedition, Ambrose proved that the expedition was important to the development of the United States because of all that was discovered about the land and its inhabitants. However, Ambrose did not address how the expedition directly affected the United States then or today.Undaunted Courage is a wonderful book for someone who wants to learn about the Lewis and Clark expedition. I think this book was written well for an audience that reads at about a high school level. The first seven chapters, 80 pages, are slow. These chapters detail Meriwether Lewis's childhood, and life up until the beginning of the expedition. William Clark is not mentioned until chapter seven, when the expedition starts to take shape, and preparations for the excursion begin. Ambrose packed information into this book, but on occasion was wordy and had a roundabout approach to the story. Some of the transitions from chapter to chapter could have been smoother, allowing the story to be more fluid and easier to read. Undaunted courage was interesting to read and was at times more like an adventure novel than a documentary. I liked that the author used so many quotes from Lewis's journal. This allowed the story to have voice, and gave me a sense of who Lewis was as a person. I enjoyed this book because the author made it fun and exciting to read by telling the story from Lewis's point of view. Ambrose composed the book to be like an adventure novel, while it filling it full of facts about the expedition. | 34 stars
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Great Read
Loved the plot and enjoyed the story of one man's struggle to bring balance to a chotic galaxy where evil never ceases and goes uncheck and unchallenged in so many ways. The main character in this book, and other characters came to life and jumped off the pages. THUMBS UP! | 45 stars
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love this book
doesn't matter how many times you read it, F. Scott Fitzgerald knows how to write a masterpiece. | 34 stars
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A look at what could have been!
Thayer creates an absorbing and interesting historical "what-if" of a full scale German invasion of England during World War II. It is told from the viewpoint of an officer who had access to the great allied decision makers of the day. "S-Day" is also the story of fictional General Wilson Clay, leader of the American Expeditionary Forces in England. The story is plausible in both its historical setting and its character portrayal of the participants. A very unique look at World War II through the mechanism of a hypothetical campaign. Worth reading! | 34 stars
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Fear is the Mind killer
Still not as good as Dune was but a little better then Dune Messiah. I loved the characters of Leto II and Ghani Atreides, I liked how the made you feel that you really didn't lose Chani and Paul in the last book, and who really is the Preacher, is it really Paul or is it just some religous nut, you better read and find out. Since you have read this much of Dune why not go a little further into dune lets say 3000 years in the future. | 34 stars
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Not well put together
I won't offer any critique on the book's contents, but for a book that was methodically written and ordered into books, chapters, parts, and then articles, this particular version undoes all of this. There is no indication from page to page where you are in this book, making it impossible to flip back to the beginning of a chapter or book. The reader is constantly driven back to the contents to find subjects which may be only a few pages away. I wouldn't recommend this book for a class setting at all, since one must page back and forth to find which section they are in and there are no numbered paragraphs. | 01 star
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Be careful of updated titles
I loved the book so much I bought the other one...releasing the seductress within...unfortunately they are the same exact book! Just different titles...and shame on amazon for offering them both together. Don't get me wrong...I loved the book, just pissed that I got duplicates and it's not worth the shipping to send it back | 45 stars
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Beautiful!
Ok first off I thought this book was beyond beautiful! For those who where creeped out by it...OMG how jaded are you? Your parents should have read it to you when you were a child! My 4 year old understood perfectly what it meant and symbolized... um no the mom isn't a creepy stocker! I was having a hard week because she was being the biggest brat in the world and i was at my wits end when I received the book I had forgotten I ordered, I read it to her and we became emotional and she apologized for her behavior and understood that no matter what I will love her forever and she will always be my baby. I would recommend it to any and all parents out there and those who aren't parents but have a special child in their life. | 45 stars
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Hitchikers Guide...Great book!
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is a book that takes us all around the universe through the life of two hitchhikers. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is written by Douglas Adams. The general purpose of the book is that humans are not the smartest beings in the universe or even the planet. The intended audience would be teenagers to adults. People who are looking for an interesting science fiction book should read this book because, it is very interesting, and because of all the events in the book it makes the reader not want to stop reading.This Science Fiction book has one of the most unbelievable plots, I have ever read. It starts off with Arthur Dent, the main character of the book, and he has just found out his house is being demolished for a highway system. At the very same time this even occurs, Vogons(aliens) are getting ready to destroy earth for a hyper-drive system. Only seconds from extinction, Arthur's friend, Ford Prefect, grabs on to him, and hitchhikes onto the Vogon ship. This jump to the ship, sets Arthur and Ford, on an amazing journey. Ford meets an old friend Zaphod, and Arthur meets Trillian, a girl he met at a party on Earth. | 45 stars
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Sheila does it again
I am addicted to these story lines. It's like a never ending soap opera. Topaz, Nina, Keith and the whole gang are back. This was a great read. I finished the book in 5 hours. I can't wait for the follow-up novel! | 45 stars
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I am unable to finish the book I eagerly waited for....
Never wrote a book review before but this one is so disappointing I felt like to yell...this sucks！Preordered the book but still only half way through - I am afraid it's too much a bore for me to finish. Boring repeated sentences and references, uninteresting new or secondary characters, even the old interesting characters such as Jamie and Cersei become dull and stupid. That baby crying Gilly crying Sam sea sick boring voyage just makes me want to throw them all into the ocean.No matter how epic a book the author is aiming for, one thing is essential to a book being good - the story need to have characters that the readers care about and the story has to develop. Where are the characters? The Imp, the Dragon Queen, Jon Snow... they seem all gone. The a few who stayed, little finger, Sansa, Arya...heck, they sort of just stayed here doing nothing - not much a story.This "editor cuts it into half a book" is a bad execuse. Adding another a few hundred similar pages won't change the fact that the story is falling apart and losing its focus. Next one, I will read reveiw before deciding to buy or not.What a shame and waste! I like the first three SO MUCH. | 01 star
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Stunning look at the lifestyle and basic beliefs of Mormons.
Beautiful pictures and simple descriptions of Mormon culture from an 'outsider on the inside' perspective. Enjoyable for all ages and faiths. It will inspire, motivate, and uplift you. | 45 stars
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