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A horrible book that is good to read
At the conclusion of this book, I took the Knife that was near me and thrust it trhough the book to about pg 400. I found the charactors to be flat, the plot perdictiable, and the dialoge very unimaginative. But more inmportantly, i thought that the ideas contained within the book were very shallow minded. Selfishness as a virtue is beyond my ability to accept. Many of the people we look at in history have been humble while strong in their convictions. The founding fathers of our nation are a good example of this--they fought for and brought about a revolution, but not for thier own selfish desires. Yes, they did have invested interest, but thier personal motives were not the exclusive ones. This is a book that i can understand a rebelious teen-ager reading and agreeing with, but not an adult. She advocates an idea that one's own ideas are of paramount importance, and that achiveing them at all cost's is man's purpose in life. This idea runs in the face of most of the lessons that history has taught us. Every charactor in her book lacks the trait of humily--and by this i do not mean walk all over me kinda thing--rather a recognition that other people in the world to matter. Her book would say that humble people cannot get a head in life. History has taught us otherwise. But ignorant societys have always touted arrogance as a posotive trait. I would encourage you to read this book, and to study history. I do not want to sound arrogant, but i belive one with some understanding of history would come to the same conclusoins, but could not say for sure. In any event, This book will either prove to be very offensive to you or very apt. In either case, I encourage reading it. | 01 star
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Interesting.
If you want to know more and are looking for a quick and easy read this book will deliver. | 45 stars
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Enticing novel
This is an enchanting novel about growing up in Georgetown in the 1920s. It is also an insight to life in the African-American culture back then. It is about a young girl finding her way in the times and finding her future and finding her voice. It is a thoroughly enjoyable novel ~~ beautifully written too.Johnnie Mae loves to swim. She longs to swim at the all-white swimming pool instead of the Potomac River. She would stare at the swimmers at the pool which is across the street from her Aunt Ina's house. Always working and always watching out for her youngest sister, Johnnie Mae longs for more. Then when Clara, her sister drowned one afternoon when all the kids were swimming at the river, Johnnie Mae tries to deal with her guilt and memories. She befriends a new girl who reminded her of Rat ~~ the nickname she has bestowed on her sister ~~ and they grow up.It is a neat insight to life back in the 1920s. It is beautifully written ~~ you see the world from Johnnie Mae's eyes as well as from her mother's eyes. It is a journey that lingers long after you've turned the last page. It's a book I highly recommend for everyone to read this summer! Perfect book for the poolside reading!6-8-04 | 45 stars
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It would be a fantastic movie
I read this book when I was only ten years old and now I am 14, so I still agree that this is a fantastic book. I thought it was a very epic story and more modern then ancient. SO it's got a clash of 1400's(which everyone loves to hear about) and 1900's additute. Cause no one likes the damsel in distress kinda shakespeare girl of that time period. But this book demonstrates individuality of basically any young girl that is alive today in a very comservative household. But I still think that the story is great, and the dialouge is funny as hell. | 34 stars
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Raise The Titanic
As usual Mr. Cussler created suspense all the way through.One twist after the other kept you awake because one couldnot stop reading | 34 stars
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Helpful
Much like Vol. 1, this book is full of useful information. The author organizes it well and conveys the material in a concise manner. | 45 stars
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Delightful!
All the stories in this book were "ups" for me! I loved "being there" on Nancy's adventures. Her exquisite writing makes that possible.This book definitely merits a 5+ rating! | 45 stars
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It works!
I know this book works because I was in the first Fearful Flyers Class that was taught by the authors in 1975 and I have been flying ever since! | 45 stars
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An excellent murder mystery full of suprise and suspense!!
This latest novel by Patricia Cornwell is indeed one of her best. We see the vulnerable and mourning side of Dr. Scarpetta as she struggles to deal with the death of Benton Wesley. All sides of Kay's mourning are revealed - sadness, anger, frustration and passion. The reader also gets a rare look at the softer side of Marino as he tries to deal with Benton's death, his demotion, and his feelings for Kay. The mystery of the loup-garou is fascinating. I found that I could not put this book down! Along with the suspense surrounding the mysterious murder of the unknown victim, there is an excellent tale of deceit from within the office of the medical examiner which eventually leads to the new police chief, a powerful and cunning woman named Patricia Bray. If you like a good murder mystery, with undertones of politics and a love lost, this is a great book for you. If you haven't read any of Patricia Cornwell's other books about Kay Scarpetta, you can still follow what has happened. If you are an avid fan of Dr. Scarpetta, this is one of the best! | 34 stars
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Loving Starts With You!
This book changed my life ten years ago, when I was struggling with depression and conflict, by giving me back responsibility for the way others react to me. Recently I have had my "tiny flame" blown out and I know this book will renew my hope and give me the strength to get back to loving the world and myself. | 45 stars
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Sheer pleasure
I had to read this novel for a class, and when I saw how thick it was, I thought I'd rather die, but the book pulled me in, and I kept on reading and reading, fascinated by the exagerations, details, realism, and amazing force of the book. It was sheer pleasure to read this book. Certainly one of history's finest! | 45 stars
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The Book that proved the importance of the CROWD - READ IT BEFORE INVESTING!!!!!
If you are a stock market investor, than this book must appear as one of your top 10 books to read. Investors really have no choice but to read this book because unlike any book you will ever read, this book teaches you about the CROWD. What motivates the crowd, and what causes people to join the crowd. If you were to ask any of the famous investors you have read about, every one of them is aware of the importance of CROWD PSYCHOLOGY. Warren Buffett has always talked about Mr. Market, which he learned from Benjamin Graham.Now having said this let me tell you quickly what this book is about. MacKay in a brilliant, and in an interesting manner takes you through 700 pages of mass buying panics from centuries ago. These include The Witch Mania (100 pages) in the 15th and 16th century. The Crusades (100 pages), Alchemy (160 pages), and the Poisoners- hey, poisoning people was a big thing centuries ago- remember Napoleon.The big buying binge that most people recognize is the South Sea Tulip Craze, where the participants bid up the price of tulips, yes tulips to the equivalent cost of houses and more. We're not done, MacKay goes through many, many more crazes, panics, and buying binges. All of these stories involve the CROWD. Extraordinary Popular Delusions... has survived the test of time. We do not know if anything being written today, or any studies being researched currently will be able to stand the time test? We only know that MacKay's book has.Is the book interesting?Yes it's fascinating, but you have to be interested in this subject. If you are in the financial markets you have no to STUDY, NOT READ this book. I say this because I have been a money manager and history buff for 35 years. If I did not live through the modern equivalent of MacKay's book, frankly I wouldn't believe half the stuff that is in this book, which is presented as truth.The reality is I have seen MacKay's explanations work out in my own lifetime, and so have you. A few 20th century equivalents are in order:1) INTERNET STOCK MAREKT CRAZE: 1999 - 2000Wow, I did an analysis of the market value, of a major Internet stock in play at the time of the craze. The stock was representative of hundreds of other companies participating in the run-up in value. One day, I discovered that this Internet stock's market value was the equivalent of ten major corporations combined. These companies included IBM, GM, Ford, Chrysler, Electronic Data Processing, JC Penny, Sears, and others, all combined. It couldn't be. Did I calculate wrong? It was true, and the number was getting bigger every day.Over $1.4 trillion dollars had been committed to Internet stocks by some of the smartest savviest people in the world. When it was over, that $1.4 trillion was reduced to under $100 billion. Over 90 plus percent of the value had simply disappeared. This was Extraordinary Popular Delusions all over again, and you lived through it too.2) Personal Note: During the Internet Craze, I was re-tooling by taking courses at Harvard University. Every five years, I try to do this. I would drive up once a week and spend eight hours in financial classes with some of America's truly outstanding teaching professors to see what's new in academia that hasn't hit the money management industry yet. These world-renowned professors all got swept into the Internet stock market craze. They personally lost substantial pieces of their net worth. Every one of them was claiming that we were in a new age. They were throwing out their financial training out the window.These were Professors who had read every page of MacKay's book, underlined it, annotated it, and even memorized sections. This is what you need to know. The first words that come out of a person's mouth involved in mass hysteria are - THIS TIME IT WILL BE DIFFERENT. It's a dead giveaway that we are in a POPULAR DELUSION.3) The American Invasion of Iraq: Forget whether the President was right or wrong. Every intelligence agency in the world believed that the Iraqi's had weapons of mass destruction. David Kay, perhaps the smartest man in government believed it. This again, is an example of the crowd psychology in action.4) Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba- President Kennedy as smart a man as they come got swept up into the crowd psychology believing along with everyone else that 1500 poorly trained Cubans could land on a beach in Cuba, and then suddenly without support, walk their way into Havana picking up ordinary people on the countryside who would swell their ranks and allow these expatriates to overthrow the Castro regime. These were the smartest men in government that believed this.The list goes on and on, and if you the reader live long enough, you will see yourself swept up in these instances of mass hysteria. If two Presidents of the United States can get caught up in crowd psychology, we all better be on the lookout for it. Good luck.Richard Stoyeck | 45 stars
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Genious
One of the best books out there talking about the oil industry. I heard about it at a conference and ordered it as soon as I got home. | 45 stars
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An incredible book--well worth reading.
This is not a mystery, if that is what you are expecting from Reginald Hill. It is an amazing tribute to the soldiers of WWI. Historically very accurate (and I am a historian)and extremely touching. Truly an awesome literary work. | 45 stars
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Beyond Shannon and Sean: An Enlightened Guide to Irish Baby
This book is terrible. It is hard to follow and the sequence is illogical. There is no section that simply lists names and meanings...everything is chopped up into silly little chapters. All in all, this book offers little new information. I got a better list of Irish names from a regular baby name book. | 01 star
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Help Yourself with this Very Helpful Info
This book is an excellent method to get back to optimal pain free living. It helped my back pain almost immediately. I have done the exercises for about 2 weeks and have had great results. It is the only self administered program I have found to be really effective. | 45 stars
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Another critic falls short
Mr. Cloud has joined the club of the misinformed and written a book attacking Dr. White's "The King James Only Controversy" (an excellent book on the translation issues). I asked Dr. White about Cloud's book and he responded:"Mr. Cloud has been offered numerous opportunities to make his case in public in debate, both on this [King James Onlyism] and on his anti-Reformed polemic, and refuses to do so. He has nothing new to add to what has already been shown to be without merit."Dr. White has exposed the deceptions and poor scholarship of this crowd again and again (you can see several of his responses on his website at aomin.org). Why do you think Mr. Cloud is afraid to debate Dr. White?Dr. White certainly seems to have evidence, history, and the facts on his side. He is also a man of God who has led many to Christ and is very active in battling the cults. The last resort of the prideful men who refuse to accept correction is inevitably the old name calling routine (usually "heretic" or "Satans serpent" or something to do with hissing).If the naive "experts" out there promoting known errors & deceptions would just humble themselves for a minute, maybe we could end the insanity of forcing a 17th century translation on modern Americans who haven't the foggiest idea what words like astonied, bolled, chapiter, eyeservice, handstaves, hungerbitten, magnifical, nitre, phylacteries, sodpdoiler, winebibber, and wot just to name a few that do not even appear in my dictionary, even mean. Not to mention all of the perplexing phrases ("superfluity of naughtiness," "at your hand," "taken with the manner," and "in the gate", "compass about") and even common words that have changed definitions over the last several hundred years (readers, even pastors sometimes, THINK they know the definition, but they actually do not). God does not want confusion, he wants a clear presentation of the WHOLE truth, from Jesus Christ who died for our sins so that anyone that believes in him will be saved; to Revelation, and all the way back to Genesis. We should learn and love God's Word, and give it to EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE, in the LANGUAGE THAT THEY SPEAK.You will find the truth on the KJV controversy in Dr. Whites Book, carefully explained, and well documented for further study. Dr. White is rational enough to actually provide SOLID EVIDENCE for what he believes as opposed to the weak unconvincing arguments of the "Clouds" in this debate.The reputable, excellent modern translations such as NIV, NKJV, and NASB all support the same fundamental doctrines as the King James translation but do so in a way that any modern American can fully comprehend. | 01 star
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Implausible yet enticing
This is one of those books that, as you turn the page, you keep saying to yourself, "no way, this would never happen," and yet you keep reading and reading and reading. I like the way Nylund introduces alien technology but I do not like the way the characters react. First of all, without giving anything away, the characters are way too smart. Seemingly without much trouble, they are able to adapt to and utilize technology that they are barely able to comprehend. At the same time, I think it suffices to say that they are sufficiently inhuman in their reaction to such a great loss. I won't give anything away but let me tell you that if I were in their place, that same loss would weigh very, very heavily upon my conscience. | 34 stars
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THE BOOK the industry doesn't want you to have! Darie Rocks!
I have bought numerous programming books in the past and have always wanted a thorough book that covers detailed development of an e-Commerce website. I've bought several that claim to be indepth in this area but they have all fallen short of being what I was looking for. I've never bought a book without reading the reviews on it first....but this book was so new when I bought it that there were no reviews available for it. It sounded like it contained what I was looking for so I took a chance and bought it. I'm really glad I took that chance! "Beginning PHP 5 and MySQL E-Commerce: From Novice to Professional" is THE ABSOLUTE BEST BOOK available that details, step-by-step, how to build a full-fledge e-Commerce website...and believe me, I have bought every PHP/MySQL book (plus many more) that can't hold up to their claims....but this book delivers what the others can't. This is truly a ONE OF A KIND book.Firstly, this books covers the ins and outs of installing PHP, PEAR, MySQL, and Apache on your Unix based machine (installations for Windows systems are also covered).Secondly, the book shows you detailed code that performs different functions and then explains step-by-step what each bit of the code is doing.Plus, this is THE ONLY book that will show you how to do database queries that return images from a product catalog and lay out the images with a description and link to a product page. The other PHP / MySQL books only go as far as showing you how to build a page header and footer with text only query results.Also, the book helps you set up your site for future expansion. It uses Smarty Templating for page layouts so that your site is easy to modify and maintain and Darie shows you how to use PEAR DB abstraction to allow for changes in the type of database you might decide to use in the future (ex. , migrating from MySQL to Oracle). That being said, the title of the book is a little misleading in the fact that MySQL is used very little in this book. The book uses PEAR to perform the MySQL functionality.I have bought books in the past that end up being written hastily with poor writing style and code errors galore. Cristian Darie and Mr. Bucica have taken the time to write a near perfect book. If you don't believe me look at the erata for this book at Apress.com....there are almost no coding errors at all. And, their writing style really makes the book fun to read.Lastly, and definitely worth mentioning, I ran into a PHP problem that I couldn't solve. Cristian Darie listed his website and e-mail address in the front of this book and I thought I'd try e-mailing him to help me. I didn't expect to receive a reply, especially since having e-mailed other authors in the past with no reply. Within three hours Cristian Darie had replied to my e-mail with the solution to my problem. He was very nice and polite and even offered his help if I ran into future problems as I was working through the book! This is absolutely amazing and UNPARALLELED CUSTOMER SUPPORT.If you want to know how to develop your site the right way and learn a lot in the process, then this is the book for you! | 45 stars
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excellent
I am 14 years old and this is the best book i have ever read. I absolutely love it! It's an easy read but is very entertaining and it documents Bob and Melinda's fascinating life. I highly recomend it to anyone! | 45 stars
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Could have been better, but I liked the ending.
Cooper got a little wordy with this book, but for the most part it had a fairly good plot. If it had ended any differently, I wouldn't have liked it half as much. | 34 stars
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Heap of Livin'
I never received the book and had forgotten I ordered it, I'll keep better track of my purchases in the future. This was for my Mom. | 01 star
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What will happen next?
"He knows my entire mind. That last thought."As tension mounts in this fifth volume of seven, Jae considers leaving the house, but she is too drawn to the mystery behind Michael, Ken, and Eva. We see flashbacks of Michael's human life. Jae reaches the point of no return with Michael, but what about Ken and his love for her? We learn yet another secret as to what Eva wants for Michael to give Ken. Preparations for Ken are fast approaching as he deals with his own transformations. The story complicates as Jae realizes who she truly loves. But has she overstayed her welcome?Well this is probably my favorite entry because something monumental happens between my preferred ship. I also thought it was good to see the a glimpse into Michael's human life as it added another dimension to him. I was a little sad to see Jae sort of resolves that she isn't actually a talented artist, but just relies on her passion to *want* to be good. I feel like she should be better and stronger than that. I do at least like that she is in tune with her feelings. It's just a matter of her suitors deciding what they want.The story isn't the most original, and the men are drawn so beautifully to the point of where they look like women, at least if they have long hair. The art style isn't really my favorite as the features are a bit disproportionate for my tastes, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment of the series. Jae's character could be worse. She makes pretty stupid decisions, but I do like that she stands up for herself every so often. And she certainly has her dedication to art. You can't deny that. This being the fifth volume, she is still consistent with goal of obtaining Michael's portrait. I am glad to see an actual deadline.I purchased the whole series at once on Ebay for about $30. It was an excellent deal and I've gladly kept every one. It is FAR from the best series, but I've certainly read worse. | 34 stars
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Nice general overview of Old Testament History
This book, `A Survey of Israel's History' is basically a chronological narration of the history of Israel. It traces the history from before its inception as a nation during the time of Abraham, till the period just before Jesus' birth.Together with a narration and slight commentary based on the biblical text, the authors also provide arguments mostly based on archeological evidence to ascertain dates and locations of events and places in Israel's history. Using these evidences, they also paint the local geographical and cultural background of the places and surroundings of the events that they narrate.Along they way, the authors also tackle some common arguments against the historical accuracy of the Bible, and very soundly argue for the validity of the inerrancy of the Biblical accounts. They defend the traditional conservative views of dates, places and events against modern liberal thought that seek to undermine the inerrancy of scripture.The stance of the book is a conservative one, using the literal approach to scripture, especially of dates and genealogies. It assumes the factuality of scripture and views it as the highest and most correct truth, over and against tradition or archeological evidence. They hold strongly to the plain sense of scripture, choosing to accept the possibility of miraculous events against modernistic thought that seeks to explain away the miracles into natural events.However, the book has quite a strong archeological focus. Whilst focus is still on the facts of the Bible, the authors, especially the reviser, tends to concentrate more on using the archeology to prove his case then the Bible itself.Also, at times the spiritual significance of certain events are neglected in the commentary. The event is simply mentioned without any explanation of why God allows such or why it is recorded in such a way. A large portion of the book explains the `what' aspect of the events, but less of it is focused on the why.Therefore this book would be useful for getting a good overview of the events in Israel's history from a conservative traditional viewpoint. These views are further enforced with archeological evidence. However, for a more biblically focused in depth study, a commentary of the individual books of the Bible would be required. | 34 stars
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Not perfect, yet still the best
I agree that this Eyewitness guide is perhaps best for shorter trips to Japan - depth is lacking for more extended journeys. It is perfect for main stops - Tokyo and Kyoto are covered really well, and there is a good section on more rarely visited Okinawa (you get the sense that the authors really love that most southerly of all Japan's prefectures). The coverage of other places is perfectly adequate for a one-day stop over there.I can nit-pick on small things: maps could be more detailed, more subjective focus could be given to sightseeing in order to prioritize more meaningfully (Frommer is the best for this at the moment) and there is the old problem of being too sparing on useful websites. However, it is still head and shoulders above the competition, and if you want to lug around just one book, this is it.The section on accommodation and restaurants is superb, I have not seen more inspired (and inspiring) descriptions and depictions of Japanese food anywhere else. True, graphic representation of communal bathing facilities in ryokan guesthouses made me firmly make a choice of a Western-style hotel; but at least I am glad that the guide was honest with me.Transport section (buying railway tickets, finding your way) could have been more helpful and give some handy tips instead of noting that findining an address is pain in the neck. Language section is perfectly adequate for the scope of this book.Unless you intend to spend more than three days in Tokyo or Kyoto, you really do not need separate guides for these cities.The best thing? Guiding you towards reasonable prices and not selling the usual story of price doom and scare travellers off with proverbial $10.00 cups of coffee. Yes, you can spend this kind of money in Ginza - so what? You don't need to. Of course if you eat Kobe steaks and fugu fish every day, meals will be pricy. But who says you need to do that? What's wrong with noodle bars and bento boxes? Thanks Eyewitness for not trying to bang the old drum of scaremongering and gently leading the reader through the maze of a totally different culture.If you are going to Japan for, say, a week or ten days, this will be money well spent. Highly recommended. | 45 stars
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rare and genuine view of a world few see but all sense.
a woman under stress starts to see the unseen world that exits within the human heart and surrounds human existance, her view is not one of mature enlightenment, but as a child given a reare opportunity to begin to learn about a mysterious and meaningfull world of entities , energies, spaces and principals that one day more of humanity will recognize and explore. keep the balanced grain of salt handy, so as to not jump or slide into false conclusions about any one part of her experience, but this is the best reporting of what goes on in the places she visits that i have ever seen. Inspired writers like c.s.lewis, lewis carroll, colin wilson, write prefessionaly to entertain and teach by parable, this women is just decribing what she experienced so i do not mena to compare the two types of writing at all, when i say hers is the best. | 45 stars
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Not worth it
This book is just a cut and paste from other publications by and about Chopin. If you want to learn someething about piano playing this will deliver suggestions but with a horrible choppy cadence. If you want to learn more about Chopin you won't find it here. This book is tedious and I'm sorry I bought it. | 01 star
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A VALUEABLE RESOURCE FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERS!
We use spiritual authority in our local churches as a key tool in the training of youth leaders. Watchman Nee played an important role in raising up the home church movement during the Communist revolution in China, and spend 20 years in prison for his Christian witness, and faithfulness to Christ. He is by far one of my favorite authors. | 45 stars
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Feet Wet takes through training, combat and carrier ops.
Feet Wet takes the reader through flight training, combat, and carrier operations as seen through the eyes of Adm. Gillcrist. Stories told will keep you on the edge of your seat and periodically make you laugh. The book is informative to pilots as well as aviation enthusiasts. | 45 stars
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I would give it more stars if I could!
This book is very inspiring, a must read for those trying to find themselves and are on a spiritual journey. This book will help you see yourself in all different aspects of your personality, and when you can identify your feelings, you know how to handle the stiuation. She gives meditation stategies for each archetype, which are very helpful. This is one of my best spiritual books that I own, and I own many. Once again, A MUST READ! | 45 stars
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It's a shame...
I enjoy learning about history, so I was anxious to hunker down with this book hoping to learn a little more about the history of this great country. Like most people, when I read a history book, I expect a fact-based, reasonably unbiased account of the events. Unfortunately, this book is anything but that. The authors view is so obviously skewed to the left that he distorts the facts to ensure his biases are well represented.If you are like me and want an unbiased account of history, this is definitely not the book for you. | 12 stars
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don't know
I'm very interested in reading I really don't know if I would purchase this book or any of them as this is the same review for all the herotica books( What's Up with that?) | 12 stars
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Excellent! This is a must read for everyone!
If people would read this their relationship might not end.If it has ended...this is a tremendous way to get back your life! | 45 stars
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Gentle Escapism
I like Nicholas Sparks. He is unpretentious, yet is amaster when it comes to manipulating the emotional stateof the reader. It is very refreshing to find a book whichlets the reader wander through a time of innocence andindulge in the longings for true love. Read this book andtake a short vacation from life. | 45 stars
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dickens
very pleased with this product that is nearly new and was shipped promptly and was was well packed so thanks | 45 stars
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Unique
This book is very unique. It is my first Eco book, but I know that I will read others. Eco is an amazing author, with encyclopedic knowledge and a ready wit. Throughout the book, there are many memorable passages and one-liners.The plot is sufficiently engaging to make it hard to put down. One of the most interesting aspects of this work are the tangents that provide interesting insight into the political, social, philosophical, and scientific/alchemical mindset of that era, as well as a few interesting historical narratives included along the way. The extensive use of a very broad vocabulary (which I can only assume is the translator's excellent version of an equally astounding vocabulary in Italian) and phrases in several other languages throughout the work challenged and fascinated me, aspiring etymologist and polyglot that I am.My only disappointment was the breakdown of meaningful thought within the dreams of Roberto at the end (otherwise it would certainly be 5 stars), though the afterword was refreshingly clever.Overall, this book is certainly worth reading. Highly recommended. | 34 stars
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Excellant reference
The 12th edition, has been revised to include new chemical products and the latest methods of treatingpoisoning. Designed to provide a ready reference to the poisonous properties of substances, emergency treatment, and the general management of poisoning, it gives thestudent and practicing physician a thorough grounding in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and medicolegal aspects of poisoning. Specific poisons are organized intoagricultural, industrial, household, medicinal, and natural hazards, correlating poisons with types of exposure | 45 stars
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Excellent!
Fantastic Kindle version of this book! The autobiography is an excellent insight into this man who had so much influence in the founding of the United States. | 45 stars
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I love 'NSync so much... this is a great book!
I was so excited when I found this book, because I love 'NSync sooo much! The pictures inside are awesome...there are really cool pics of all the guys on stage, backstage, and all over! This book is especially good to buy if you went to one of their (Amazing) concerts, because you can always remember the show with the pictures of them on tour. The book is made up primarily of pictures with quotes or captions. It doesn't really talk about the guys, but rather what goes on behind the scenes, and all the people that help put on the concert. Still and all, it is a must have for all serious 'NSync fans, because there are such great shots of Lance, Chris, JC, Justin,and Joey. If you buy the book (which I strongly suggest you do)...Enjoy! | 34 stars
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A chore
Reading this so called "literature" was a complete chore for me. I had a hard time getting into it, and just forced myself to continue reading JK's supposed masterpiece.There is no real plot, it's about some selfish, slacker types that travel around the country looking for the next best thing.The narrator, Sal Paradise, is the exception. Supposedly, Dean Moriarty is based on Neal Cassidy, JK's real life side kick. I know and am unfortunately related to people like this guy..not a selfless bone in his body. What is too like? JK's annoying style of mindless chit chat that just seems to make almost no sense. I abhor the fact that there is no use of correct grammar here. I guess this is what it takes to create a literary classic.1. Use little or no grammar rules2. Create characters that people just want to smack around3. Have no plot, and just aimlessly spew out words that makeno sense.It's your decision. It took me a long time to get through this and feel I wasted so much of it. Highly disappointed. | 01 star
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Great look at a little-known Saint's life
This book is a great introduction to Kateri Tekakwitha, often called the Lily of the Mohawks. Though she has not yet been canonized by the Catholic Church (she is beatified, the closest step), she has been gaining in popularity lately and may be canonized soon. Kateri lead a simple, quiet life and sought to dedicate her life to God, even though at that period, Native Americans were not allowed to take holy orders. Instead, she bore rejection from both her own people and even the missionaries in her quest to become closer to God. This book gives a small overview of Native American society at the time of early colonization by the French. I would encourage anyone interested in getting to know more about this woman to take a look at this book, even if you aren't Catholic. | 34 stars
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Review Benjamin Franklin Book by Walter Isaacson
Wonderful book and written very well just like the rest of his books I would recommend this book to anyone who want to know more about Ben Franklin | 45 stars
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Very touching novel
I love to read James Patterson's books they are real page turners. I like the short chapters and the various ways he narrates using all the characters. This book would probably be considered a girly book because it is a love story. I did enjoy it and so did the 4 friends I shared it with. | 45 stars
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Ambitious but Disappointing
The Wizard, the concluding volume to Gene Wolfe's latest two-book series begun in The Knight, comes with impressive credentials - praise from the likes of Neil Gaiman, Patrick O'Leary and Steven Brust. The book jacket boasts that these works will be favorably compared to Tolkien, E.R. Eddison, Mervyn Peake and T.H. White. Yet I found both books, while well conceived, to be poorly executed, neither coming close to what I've come to expect from Gene Wolfe, the most widely praised writer of science fiction and fantasy and winner of the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement, and twice each the Nebula and the World Fantasy Awards, among others.In The Knight, a youth from America discovers himself in a magical realm made up of seven levels of reality. Suddenly transformed into a grown man of heroic size (yet still a boy inside), Able, as he calls himself, sets out to find a promised sword that will enable him to become a knight and, eventually, win the damsel of his desire, Disiri, who resides in another realm. If this sounds like a host of other swords and sorcery, boy sets out on a quest for a magic talisman trilogies, hold your horses. To his credit Wolfe manages to break new ground in a tired genre, creating a realm, or seven realms, of dragons, Aelf, giants, gods, unicorns and a talking dog and cat.Yet setting alone can't carry a tale if the characters fall flat, and this is where Wolfe's story comes up short. Sir Able simply fails to sufficiently engage the reader enough to care about his plight. His quest is a simple one: earn enough honor so that he may be allowed to be with his fair damsel. Yet this reader kept searching for something more than this Dungeons and Dragons approach to a storyline, as Wolfe is noted for the subtle nuances in his tales. Although honor and courage also play roles in Wolfe's story of romance, it is perhaps Manni, the talking cat, who has the most poignant dialogue throughout the first two-thirds of The Wizard, including: "Magic and art have a great deal in common." Unfortunately the magic and the art that I've come to expect from Wolfe seemed sparse in The Wizard and its predecessor.The second book especially seemed rushed into publication, or Tor (the publisher) couldn't spare an editor, leaving a host of annoying typos, and so the reader is left questioning the validity of the aforementioned praise. If these two books had been my introduction to Wolfe, I probably never again would invest my time in another of his books, which would be a great loss, as Gene Wolfe is a writer and a storyteller of unquestionable talent.My recommendation is Wolfe's Book of the New Sun series. | 23 stars
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A Heavenly Read!
Unlike other reviewers, I had not read Through A Glass Darkly when I started Dark Angels, so I knew nothing about the characters of the Duke and Duchess of Tamworth. (I got Dark Angels for $5 at my local Barnes and Nobles and thought to give it a try.) I went into Dark Angels with an open mind and was hoping for an interesting historical fiction novel with a touch of romance. For the most part I was not disappointed.Ms. Koen is one of those authors who write their novels in almost exhaustive detail. I often found myself skipping large chunks of pages that contain paragraph after paragraph of descriptions. Other readers may enjoy copious details, but I prefer character development and plot rather than knowing what fabric the curtains in the main hall are made of.I have to say that I trudged through the beginning of this book, mainly for the reason listed above. I found character names too confusing to remember (most of the characters are known by two names: a "normal" first name and then their title) and I got confused about the constant location changes. When I got to the middle of the book, I have to say that the characters became much more engrossing and the plot unfolded in such a surprising way that I literally could not put the book down. The first half of the book took me almost a month to read while the second half of the book took me less than a day to finish.I am reading Through A Glass Darkly now and can agree with reviewers who find little correlation between the Alice of TAGD and how she is portrayed in Dark Angels. I can't decide which Alice to like, as they both are interesting characters- but still seem to me like two distinctly different characters. If no one had told me that Dark Angels was the prequel/sequel of TAGD, I never would have guessed that Alice was the Duchess of Tamworth.In Dark Angels, I like the refreshing twist that Alice is not beautiful but has an interesting personality to make up for it. I also like that Richard isn't instantly smitten and obsessed with her. While the book was more historical fiction than romance, I have to say that the small moments of Richard and Alice realizing their affection for one another was a joy to read. I also found their relationship more realistic than most novels of this genre because they weren't instantly in love with one another. Richard isn't the stereotypical courtier who sleeps with every woman in court and is suddenly smitten by a virginal beauty, and Alice isn't the type of girl to get instantly swept off her feet/seduced/raped by a cavalier charmer.The sex scenes in this book were not numerous and not overly graphic- I actually thought the book could have used more, but it was engrossing enough without them.I would have given this book five stars except that I felt it dragged in several places. I look forward to finishing TAGD and Now Face to Face. | 34 stars
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"Humble Boy" - A funny and well-crafted play
"Humble Boy" by Charlotte Jones, is a well crafted and poignantly funny little play. The characters are cleverly drawn with all being sympathetic and despicable in different mixtures. This gives all of us who read it pause to consider how we treat and react with others who may have, by no fault of their own, fallen into an undesired or different life or life-style. Worth a careful read.Humble Boy: A Play | 34 stars
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yes yes y'all
This is a great first book from a young new author. Great ideas and great descriptions of these ideas. This book takes you into a world of artificial intelligence that you have never quite imagined before. I can't wait for his next book. | 45 stars
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A Story with Heart!
I bought this book as soon as it hit the shelves. I read it in two days. It was an easy read. I like that in a book. You know what is going on from the start and you understand it without having to say to your self... "Now, who was he again?" There were only a few charactors, so you got to know them well.Vincent had an unhappy childhood. He didn't know the meaning of love, or happiness. He had never had a Christmas tree before! He wanted revenge on a man that he felt had caused his brother's death. That man was Larissa's Father, George Ascot. Knowing her Father was away on business he came up with a plan that ruining his credit would be part of his sweet revenge. Spreading fear that George may not be coming home, Vincent had creditors at her door step. Buying the deed to their house himself, he had Larissa kicked out of her home. But once his couriosity got the better of him, he went to met Larissa. Soon, he had a new idea of revenge. She was so beautiful. So innocent. He was going to seduce and ruin her. Instead, he fell in love with her and she made him see the meaning of love and happiness and the joy of having a Christmas tree. I felt that it was a great story. It was a short though. Johnna Lindsey can't write fast enough for me at any rate! Not unless she can put one book out a week. | 34 stars
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Disappointed
I don't believe the author is telling a true story. It sounds like he's intelligent enough and did some decent research before trying to publish this to a naive audience. Even as a fictional account, this book falls flat for me. The writing is tedious at times and repetitive.There are things that don't add up. For example, it's 5000 years into the future, and there are accounts of Iesu (Jesus) and Kotama (Gautama Buddha) still being recounted by 7 foot tall, burnt sienna skinned, blue eyed Hawaiians who live on the Western Coast of the United States. Only, it's no longer the United States, and modern civilization has all but disappeared, or at where he's located. And the Hawaiians don't seem to remember anyone other than 'the navigator Cook'. He uses italicized words like 'enjins' and 'siti' to describe engines and cities. I think he's pulling the reader's leg and trying to infuse a certain je ne sais quoi by using seemingly foreign words in italics.He also loves the manipulative, suggestive open-ended question formula to evade rational explanation but nevertheless leave the reader assuming a conclusion that is never proved (e.g., Could it be that I had passed some test during that first altered-state experience back in Berkeley and was now granted access?) Could you ask more leading questions that beg the answer without later answering them in any meaningful way...?Finally, he likes to stress his scientific, intellectual, rational, disbelieving nature and training. He doth protest too much. | 01 star
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The out-of-place ending...
Sorry peoples, but if you're looking foe a nice all-ends-tied ending... this ones lets you down. Things really are falling into place for the characters... Ben and Carole have, at last, admitted to their relationship and Ben is really making an effort for her. I would have liked to see a little more focus on them, but there are a few good moments. Lisa and Scott - a relationship I'm not so sure should be permanent, (Unlike Ben and Carole, they just don't seem to fit together too well) - sort things out, and if you're looking for a word on Stevie's relationship, yes, good old Phil features in this one too! Back to the important thing - horses - it's nice to see both new and old stables horses mentioned here, as well as seeing Carole's work with the new additions. I think to really enjoy the PH series, you have to accept that the old Saddle Club members just don't get to ride as much as they used to. Sad... but fitting. You do get far less free time as you `grow up', and I think the PH portrayal of this is fairly accurate.But the ending certainly is disappointing and VERY out of character for Bonnie Bryrant. I was shocked, although their were enough hints their in the book to realize what would happen. But it truly isn't a happy ending... I would love to see these books continued. I was thrilled to find to Pine Hollow series out, being a Saddle Club fan in my younger years but now having outgrown them. Pine Hollow - while it might restrict the Saddle Club books time-line wise, is an excellent alternative for older readers and a nice change form set pattern of children's series. I have read other's reviews saying that SC#100 might be the end to them, and to cut the Pine Hollow books off as well would be a mistake, I feel, even if only a few more - answering questions - were written.This said, fans of the series should most definitely read Full Gallop. Just don't expect it at be all flowers and lollipops, is all. | 34 stars
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Good reading
Sent this to my daughter who is away out of state for college. She liked it. | 45 stars
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I wish there was a 10 star rating available for this book
I LOVE THIS BOOK. The only thing that bothers me about it is that,I DON'T HAVE A LIAM O'NEIL. I would KILL for a LIAM. Katherine, once a noblewoman, now reduced to either a life as a spinster after her father forgets her in the nunnery she is sent to after he rebels once too many times against Elizabeth Tudor. She is there seen by Liam who is immediately smitten and determined to have Katherine, come what may. Liam, the son of the miserable Shane O'Neill. He is only Shane's son because Shane raped Liam's English Noblewoman mother, Mary Stanley after capturing her at sea. Shane is Irish as is Katherine, but being the sadist he is, he literally tears Liam from his mother's arms at the age of 7 to raise him to be a man like him. Fortunately, Liam is his mother's son. He is compassionate, sensitive, and one of the MOST SEDUCTIVE characters I have ever read. Even the Queen covets him and she is older than his mother. Liam is THE MASTER OF THE SEAS, unmatched by anyone. His physical description takes your breath away. His manner does too. There is one line in the start of the book where he purposesly captures the ship Katherine is intending to return to Ireland on with her young friend. Katherine has no idea why her father has sent her no funds on which to live, or any replies to her pleas to be wed. Her father, the former Earl of Desmond, a powerful Irish Lord, plots against Elizabeth Tudor once too often. Katherine is the image of her mother, Joan. Joan was a beautiful widowed countess 20 years Gerald's (Katherine's father)senior, yet she falls in love with Gerald when he was only 16. Taking up with him, she is torn between her son, the Earl of Ormond, Black Tom Butler and Gerald. The feud between them goes far back before Joan's love for Gerald. Black Tom is Elizabeth's "Black Husband" and favorite. Gerald was stripped of everything he had partly because of the Queen's affection (?love) for him, and partly because he is a fanatic. In exile in England, Katherine only sees him after successfully warding off Liam's serious seductions. I KNOW I could not ever fight that character. Not long at least. Liam takes Katherine to her father, who crushes her hopes of a noble marriage and children by offering her to Liam as his wife. Liam didn't want a wife, he wanted a mistress at first,but then Katherine captivates him with her strength, stubborness, fiery passionate nature and breathtaking beauty. He refuses Gerald's offer, but begins to consider winning Katherine after all by helping restore Gerald to his title and defeating the Queen's worst enemy and Papist fanatic cousin of Gerald's, Fiztmaurice. Thus the game begins. To me, Katherine is cruel & completely insensitive to Liam's painful link to his father. Taunted by the English as a child, then beaten to the point of not caring by his father, he hides his pain behind a mask of arrogance and daring, that Katherine is oblivious to until she finally carries his child and realizes what he had gone thru and what her child would too. But the Queen intercedes using that child to secure Liam's help in taking down Fitzmaurice. Katherine is intelligent, but it takes her a long time to see that Elizabeth hates her for her beauty, youth and ability to drawn men like flies. Like Elizabeth wanted to. Black Tom begins to warm to Katherine, then Dudley, Elizabeth's personal property (to her mind) pursues Kate with determined persistance and of course there is the obvious lust of Liam's to possess Kate. Liam and Kate's desire for each other is unequalled in raw sensuality and the pages nearly burn with their encounters. Liam is hurt once again by Kate, but she does repent and he proves that he is the master of the game as well. Most Definitely a book to buy. Unless you prefer blander fare. BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!IT IS WORTH IT, TRUST ME. | 45 stars
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Surprise, Surprise
I am an avid mystery fan, Agathie Christie being my favorite for years. Michael Craft has really done an outstanding job in this book. I could not put it down and read it in one day. That is very unusual for me to do, I usually put a book down and then come back a few days later. The characters are all believable and delightful and by the end I felt they were friends. | 45 stars
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Not my type of book
This was a gift for Christmas that was not requested however I did read it and found it to be not my type of book. | 12 stars
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pretty dresses
It is what it says a paper doll book. If you're into fashions of the 1800's then this is a good book for you. | 45 stars
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War of the Worlds: ground breaking sci-fi
H.G. Wells, is one of the first the introduce readers with the idea of aliens from mars taking over the earth, and triggered many writers later to write books involving martians. In the masterpiece, Wells introduces many ideas and masterfully blends them into his story.England is in trouble as cylinders of metal carrying martians constantly crash on the earth every 24 hours. Each cylinder carries a walking tripod, that has a heat beam attached, a beam that melts and burns anything it hits. As more aliens come, they bring gasses that can kill a human just when they inhale it.All seems lost for the main character as he tries to dodge martians, and return to leatherhead, where his wife has taken refuge. He is forced to hide from the martians byhimself, for almost everyone is dead.Hope of survival is almost noting for humans, when they find out the martians have developed flying machines, to promote their world wide destruction, but something happens to the martians......This is a great book and I am very pleased that I took the time the read it, even though some parts were very slow. | 34 stars
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Good, But Slim
This is an excellent tale. The only reasons I gave it a "3", instead of the "4" that the contents deserve, are a) its weak conclusion: and b)it's mighty SLIM, for $34 (Canadian funds) - I expect more "meat" from Straub. | 23 stars
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A classic
The Scarlet Letter is the best Hawthorne book ever written. This book has a good moral value to it and when you read this book you need to let your emotions take over. If you let the emotions take over you will get more out of the story. Through out this book Hawthorne shows his unique writing style. His writing style is long sentences and good vocabulary words to describe what he means. This book talks about how two people of different backgrounds can get along and fall in love. Their town doesn't accept people like that so therefore the women had to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her chest. In this book there is a lot of guilt, revenge, and pride. There is a lot of guilt involved because of the lady having an affair and she has to wear the letter "A" on her chest. This book shows pride also because she does not let the letter and the people of the town bring her down. Her life stayed the same as it was before her affair with another man. The ending in this book is really good. It is weird how they find out that the preacher is the one who had the affair with the lady.Hawthorne wrote this book many years ago and now it fits perfect into our life. We have a lot of relationships in this world of people with different ethic and religious backgrounds. So this book puts into perspective of what it was like to have a relationship with someone not like you back in the late 1800's early 1900's. Who would have ever thought that this book would be so close in relationship to how we live now? This book is such a great book to read. So I think that everyone should read this book and let their emotions take over and they will feel this book. | 34 stars
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Exploring different forms of love
This was Ms MacDonald's debut novel It is black and bleak and full of secrets. Peopled by flawed yet believable characters, this was one of the most amazing novels I read in 2003.While the story starts on Cape Breton Island with James Piper (a poor Scots piano tuner) and Materia Mahmoud (the dauhter of a wealthy Lebanese family) and their relationship and elopement, the main story is of their daughters.The childhood of the Piper sisters - Kathleen, Mercedes, Frances and Lily - is insightfully written and breathes life into the characters. Their lives on Cape Breton Island and then later in New York is an epic tale of love, pain and death, which also contains joy and triumph.This novel is so rich in themes and in its development of characters it is hard to try to categorise it. So I won't. Instead, I'll recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good well written story but is also willing to explore some of the darker aspects of humanity.Highly recommended.Jennifer Cameron-Smith | 45 stars
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Blessings Book Club
After a few starts and stops, I finally gave my full attention to Anna Quindlen's Blessings and was determined to finish. Although the beginning failed to hook me, once I reached the meat of the story, there was no turning back. A story of an elderly woman, a convicted felon, and an aspiring young doctor whose lives all come together as a result of the unexpected appearance of a child.The setting of the novel, Blessings, a rural family retreat, is not only idyllic in location, but also a domicile of familial dysfunction, both past and present. Through careful unveiling, Quindlen highlights the tragedy associated with truths withheld over generations.What was refreshing was the life, revitalization, and perspective of the female protagonist, Lydia. While philosophizing about life itself, she explains the tragedy of young death, the shock of middle-age death, and the inevitability of elderly death, how herstory, in essence, revolves around the loss of others. In addition, kudos to Quindlen for allowing the younger male and female in the novel to have meaningful interaction without the presence of romance.For the purposes of book club, a picnic lunch near a creek much like Lydia shared with Benny and Sunny as adolescents complete with bacon sandwiches, peanut butter cookies, and a big Ball jar of lemonade may be the perfect conversation starter. | 34 stars
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As Wonderful a Tale as has Ever Been Told
I couldn't put it down, man. I checked this book out at the local library and read through the opening 130 pages in one sitting until I was falling asleep at three in the morning. Lewis Carroll's classic tale of adventure and fantasy "Alice in Wonderland" is one of the best books I've ever read.The story is about a little girl, Alice, who falls into a very deep rabbit hole, seemingly straight to the middle of the earth! Her adventures once she lands are as wonderfully imagined as any in the history of literature. Her encounters with the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, the King and Queen of Hearts, the Duchess, The Mock Turtle, The Gryphon, and The Wise Old Caterpillar are as fun and as pure and as well intended as any characters I've ever read a writer write.The story behind how Alice in Wonderland came to be is equally interesting, and one worth reading up on. That Carroll wrote it without any pretension to selling it, or for money, or even to publish it, is truly one of the remarkable stories of world literature. His motives were pure, and (at least to me) this is one of the reasons why this book is so dear and so readable.I highly recommend "Alice in Wonderland" to readers young and old and can only say that I look forward to reading "Through the Looking Glass" next! A marvelous, wonderful book, as fun as any book I've ever read.Yours,Stacey | 45 stars
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Wow!!!!!!
I loved reading Elizabeth Chandler's books. I love how she writes with love and mystery. This book was way off the hook. I read it in one day. I could not put down the book it was that good. I recommend this book if you love, love and mysterious stories. | 45 stars
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Brilliant!!
A novel that transcends time and speaks to every era urging each individual to THINK. Ayn Rand writes her story with potent passion for literary imagery allowing your brain to paint epic works of art on your mind | 45 stars
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A Great Summay of the Entire Industry!!
This book was the greatest. As an aspiring screenwriter and director, it helps to get a large grasp on the industry. This book helped me enormously. It tells everything you could possibly need to know from employment in Movies & TV to minimum wage to contractual issues to what to stay away from. Just an all around great book. | 45 stars
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Complete handbook of Home Brewing
Good information on the range of topics for brewing beer and includes some great beer making recipes. Well worth purchasing because it is a great read. | 45 stars
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essential for all audio engineers
When I first got into audio engineering there was no way of understanding some of the more technical concepts I was expected to know. This book makes it really easy to understand a lot of the terms, I still always keep this book handy when I'm reading an AES journal article, just to help me out if there is something I don't understand. | 45 stars
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Nice Coverage of the Topic but a Little Dull
Keen does an outstanding job of exploring the concept of "chivalry" in the middle ages. To a degree, this book is essential for a well rounded understanding of the era (it is included on Cantor's Canon of 150 books about the middle ages that every student should read). On the other hand, I'm not convinced that this book doesn't overlap, to a significant degree, with volume two of Marc Bloch's "Feudal Society". Nor, for that matter, was I particularly impressed with the writing style. In fact, I would call this book a snoozer, and I'm not using that term lightly.Keen's basic analysis revolves around three interrelated aspects/facets of chivalry: social, military and ecclesiastical. So, if someone asks you "What's Chivalry?" you can feel pretty save by answering, "it was a value held by segments of the land owning classes in europe during the middle ages. it had different aspects that had various degrees of importance over the time period in question. These aspects include social, military and ecclesiastical."Anything more then that and you'll actually have to read the book. One fact that suprised me was the lengths to which the church went to to discourage tournaments. | 23 stars
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Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation by Henry A. Virkler
I really enjoyed this book it was very intelligent and was rich with history and it gave me meaning and insight. Noah | 45 stars
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Moving book
This is the most moving book I have ever read. I recommend this book to everyone. You will never read something that will impact your life so much. I can not even begin to tell you how much it has made me question everything and the meaning of life. It really helps you think and gives great advice in the book that everyone could use. Please just take some time and read it. It is not a long book but has a long meaning. Thanks. | 34 stars
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The Ersatz Elevator
The Ersatz elevator is a interesting book. Olaf is after the Baudelaire's again with one of his unique disguises. This book is full of mystery and suspense. I read this book with out Reading the other ones and it still makes enough sense. But I suggest that you read the other ones in the series before reading this one. In this story the Baudelaire's try to escape one of Olafs evil plans. When they are adapted by a rich and powerful family with a monstrous penthouse on the top floor of a building with either forty-eight or eighty-four stories. I liked this book because you never know what's going to happen next. | 34 stars
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good, practical, easy and useful read
I read this book on a flight and thought it was excellent. Few of these self-help sales books are anything more than just inspirational reads. This one is practical. Lays down not only common sense practices for being a better salesperson, but puts them in sequence. His language is inclusive, so no matter what "sales" group you're in, you can apply this. I'm a fundraiser for a non-profit and all tips transfered over without running it through some kind of business vs. non-profit filter ( like I often have to do). Even if you know most of the tips in here, it's great to have it all laid out for you. | 34 stars
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Huge waste of time
i had to read this book for my senior english class. now normally i try to be optamistic about assigned reading but that was nearly impossible to do conserning this piece of literature. one of the main things that annoyed me the most about this book was that the narrator doesnt even introduce new characters. or rather he will introduce them in fragments later on. he just talks about a brand spankin new character as if you had already known them your entire life.another thing that bothered me is the fact the this book goes absolutely nowhere. the narrator just tells about his day. everyhting about his day. where he went to eat what he drank, what person he ran into. its like a minute-by-minute recount of his day. it takes so long reading just the filler that, when there actually is something important going on, you completely miss it.also some characters go off on some completely random subjects, its hard to make out their point. if there is any point to be made at all.through most of the book i was in a daze trying to force myself to read and comprehend this book when all i was really doing was looking at the words without paying attention to them. i COULDNT pay attention to them.this book might be fine in dandy for people who like rambling, annoying, old style literature; but for younger, more modern people... it is a HUGE WASTE OF TIME. not that some of us really have a choice in the matter, we have to read it if we wanna have a decent grade in english class. | 01 star
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Shiller is gassy.
What I mean is, he's pretty full of hot air. We've heard most of what he's written before, from 20 other pundits. If anybody isn't already sick of the new paradigm - old paradigm debate then you will be by the time you finish this tome. For a much more entertaining view of the markets, and Wall Street in particular, check out Monkey Business: Swinging Through the Wall Street Jungle. Now there's a book that will really teach you something about exuberance. | 23 stars
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Vonnegut Virgin
This was a fun indoctrination to Vonnegut's work. Much to think about in this one: the meaning behind "So it goes," whether Billy Pilgrim is sane or insane, and how literal was the story in its idea of Billy's time travelling? The movie changes some parts, and leaves some other good points out, but both are worth checking out to complement each other. Great novel about a forgotten event in the history of World War II. | 34 stars
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Adopted for Summer 2006!
Finally, a book written for MY students and ME! Kroenke has incorporated hints and tips for making this "somewhat dry" topic truly "learner centered". Our students are coming to our Information Science Classes as Digital Natives. They don't need to learn "what computers can do", they need to learn how to make appropriate use of tools available for analysis, realize the potential of technology, and people. Emphasis is put on collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving. I especially like the "Guides" on Ethics and Computer Security. Bonus--Book available as an E-Text. I have adopted this text for my OnLine WebCT section at BCCC starting in May 2006! ALS (WebCT Certified Trainer) | 45 stars
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Mice and Men is Great
Of Mice and Men is one of the best books I have ever read. I can not believe Steinbeck can write a 107 page book and make the reader feel like they have known the character their wholes lives. It is sad to see how someone like Lennie can be treated, but great to know that there is always someone like George to be there for them. The ending is very good. I high recommend this book to others. | 34 stars
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A Thriller That Kept Me Up All Night Flipping Pages
Shivering, frostbitten, and stupefied you trudge through a strong hurricane 29,000 feet above sea level. You are blind in one eye and your sight in the other is limited to a meter or two. Your brain has been deprived of oxygen for six hours. The wind chill makes it feel like 100 degrees below zero. If you don't make it back to camp soon, you will surely die! This cannot even begin to describe the conditions that existed atop Mt. Everest in May 1996. Twelve people died as the result of a fierce hurricane near Everest's South Summit. Jon Krakauer relives his experience as a client of respected guide Rob Hall in the epic novel Into Thin Air. Krakauer, a journalist from Seattle who works for Outside Magazine, is swept off his feet by a phone call that gives him a chance to realize his childhood dream, climbing Mt. Everest. Along with Rob Hall, a famous and respected guide, he and seven clients strive to reach the summit. Among his fellow climbers are Beck Weathers, a U.S. doctor, Doug Hansen, also from the U.S., Yasuko Namba of Japan, Stuart Hutchinson of Canada, Frank Fishbeck of Hong Kong, Lou Kasiscke another American, and John Taske of Australia. Accompanying Hall, as assistant guides are Mike Groom, from Australia and Andy Harris from New Zealand and several climbing sherpas, or helpers. The adventure starts at Lobuje where the team spends a couple of nights before heading to Base Camp. Lobuje is a disgusting area at the foot of Mt. Everest where feces is piled high. The heroes then ascend to Base Camp where Hall instructs them on how to train their bodies to adapt to the thin air. After many ascents and descents to various altitudes, Adventure Consultants, Rob Hall's company name, is ready to begin another successful year of putting clients onto Everest's summit. Hall is not the only group climbing though. Mountain Madness led by rival Scott Fischer is also attempting to put eight clients at the top of the world. After a few complications occur, assigned days are given out to ascend to Everest's summit so that the mountain is not crowded. Both Hall and Fischer are scheduled to climb on May 10th, supposedly the best weather on Everest all year falls on this day. Hall tells his group that if they don't reach the peak by 2:00 PM, they will turn around. However, the oxygen must be more thin than usual this year and the last client of Hall, Doug Hansen, doesn't reach the top until 4:15 PM. To make matters worse, storm clouds coat the sky and wind speeds are starting to pick up. If you want to discover the aftermath of this disaster, I highly encourage you to read this book. This personal account of the Mt. Everest disaster in May 1996 was very heart breaking and depressing. I thought the book was very well written and I enjoyed the fact that he put the perspectives of so many people into this book. If you are looking for an edge of your seat thriller that will weigh your heart down and leave you choked up for the lives of the individuals you get to know so well, I recommend this novel, Into Thin Air. | 45 stars
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Weird, wacky and smart
This book is not a typical book I would read. I wish I could say I gave it a try in order to expand my horizons and sample something different, but I started reading it out of boredom. At first I thought whoever wrote this book must have been on some major drugs, but as I started to get more into it, I realize that the book has a deeper message.The book describes the events during the Dresden bombing through the eyes of Billy Pilgrim, a simple man, who invents a very differnt way of dealing with things. Billy Pilgrim struck me as one of the happiest people on earth. I realize that this might not be the conventinal view, but who wouldn't want to be able to escape troubles of this life by travelling through time to better, more peacefull days? I was suprised that this book made me think (given it's weird events and almmost sci-fi feel, which is usualy not my thing) and that's really all that matters. I might forget the story one day, but this book's alternative views on war, life and death will definitelly stick with me. | 34 stars
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Review - Farenheit 451
This book is one of my absolute favorite dystopian novels of all time. The book is exceptionally well written, is very fast paced and is filled it political and social commentary. The book follows the life of a fireman... in this dystopia a fireman does not put out fires but instead his job is to start fires in order to burn books and the houses of the people that they are found in, as literature is banned. As the book progresses the main charater starts to question the legitimacy of his job and finally has one experiance that pushes him over the edge. Finally, one action takes him beyond redemption where he is targeted by his own ruthless government. The end of the book is wonderful, and it reminds me of the Book of Eli.I definately recommend this book as it is a great, fast paced, exciting read. Once you start you will not put this book down for a second, and you will be done in 1-2 days. Additionally, this book is one that you will want to pick up and re-read over and over again as you always find something new. It should be noted that this book was considered so inflammatory that it was secretely censored by the published without Bradbury's knowledge. You can not go wrong with this book and you will not be disappointed. This is my favorite classic, and I garuntee you will love this one as much as I did! Go and buy it, this is a great book to add to your collection. | 45 stars
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Beautifully designed
Admittedly, I purchased this collection of books not because I wanted to read the book, but because I am a huge fan of Jessica Hische (she designed the drop caps on the covers) and so I felt it really important to have them. I'm reading the books now too (they're great, glad I've got them to read as I find time) but the design is truly beautiful. The hardcover book has a gorgeous aqueous / soft matte coating, and it's almost as if the letters/ cover text are screened on top. Really beautiful. One should note that the page edges are also painted to match the color of the cover, so this book's page edges are red. The book is wonderfully typeset so it's very easy to read. I'm so pleased with my purchase. I've purchased A-F (the only ones available at present, and will undoubtedly purchase the entire collection. Not only will I have a gorgeous collection of books by one of my favorite designers, but I'll be reading classic works. There's nothing better! | 45 stars
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fan of the film now i wanna read the book
I loved the film and i loved the ideas surrounding it. I enjoyed the idea of an autonomous robot. I would definitely buy this book if you loved the movie like i did and wanna fill in the blanks by reading from the source of the idea for the film. | 45 stars
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Elizabeth George excells
Elizabeth George continues to be a favorite writer of mine. This latest book fleshed out a previous character, and I loved it! Wish she could write faster....I also love the London settings, they make me wish I were there. | 45 stars
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I READ THIS BOOK AND LIKED IT
THIS WAS A REALLY GOOD BOOK. IT WAS ABOUT PIG WHO RUN THE FARMER OFFTHE FARM.I READ IT IN ABOUT A WEEK. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I READ. I WOULD REACOMEND THIS BOOK TO OTHER PEOPLE. | 23 stars
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It continues , as great as ever..
Volume 4 starts with a party at the Jeavons's.The narrators first romance has broken up as she has gone back to her husband.We are now in the mid 1930's with Hitler and Russia beginning to feature in the story lines.There are several new characters introduced here , the main one being Erridge who is associated with Quiggen and the political left.Others waltz in and out of the story from previous volumes. Widmerpool has a romance.Not as good as volume three, only because it doesn't seem to me to flow as well but still super enjoyable. | 45 stars
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Edge-of-seat-couldn't-put-dow-adventure
Mr.Heyerdahl's narration entices you into joining he and his 5 shipmates on a journey across the sea. You experience the trials and tribulations of building the raft and putting to sea amidst sharp criticism. He leaves you feeling everything from the salty sea air to the taste of the fish caught to the exhiliration of utter solitude at sea and finally of the exotic celebration upon landing after over 100 days at sea. | 45 stars
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A Sweet, Tidy Story
This is a nice, enjoyable story that will leave you smiling and a little bit more informed about history, as well.Author, Spear, does a good job of weaving historical information into her novel, without making it feel stuffy or unfamiliar. The characters are interesting and fun to read about and you find yourself looking forward to the next time you can pick up this book and enter their world again!It is slightly too predictible, but that didn't really make much of a difference to me, because I didn't read it for shock value.If you are looking for a lovely, tidy little book that will not offend anyone, I high recommend The Witch of Blackbird Pond. | 23 stars
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A Tree Grows In Brooklyn
"A Tree Grows In Brooklyn," by Betty Smith, is a wonderful example of teenage hardships and a girl's struggle in her coming of age. Francie Nolan serves as an illustration of these hardships. In the novel, Francie is seen growing up. We are privileged to be given a window into Francies heart and the Nolan home. The novel shows Francies struggles with her family and school life, her fight to overcome the poverty that she was born into and to become a success.Francie was not born into the ideal family. The Nolans were poor, but they survived. They had love and enough money to have food, clothing and shelter. Francie's father, Johnny Nolan, was a fun-loving gentleman. Francie loved how he referred to her as his "prima donna," and she cherished the relationship that they had. Katie Nolan, Francie's mother, was not as fun-loving as Johnny, but she loved her children and provided for them. Francie thought that she was not loved by her mother, but Katie instilled responsibility and independance in Francie, even though she did not think of this as love at the time. Katie was a very hardworking mother. Her job as a janitor kept her very busy and it gave her a very rough appearance. Neeley, Francies younger brother kept himself very busy by collecting recycling products to make a little extra money for himself and for his family.To Francie, reading and writing were the basis of life. She lived for weekend mornings when she could read, and she got so much joy out of going to the library and finding a new book. When Francie came home with a new book, she would read it on the fire-escape and indulge her active imagination. Francie applied her imagination to everyday experiences. She loved watching her neighbor get dressed up for her dates and she fantasized that the girls' dates were not coming for her, but for Francie. Francie got pleasure out of very simple and ordinary things, like her friend Frank's horse. Francie did not have an ideal school life, even though she imagined that she did. She battled solitude and loneliness throughout her school career. Her education, however did lead to better things for her.Francie's struggles in her life and her ability to endure show a strength that people long for today. Francie was able to overcome poverty, death, sexual abuse, and stress of adolescence. "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" is a wonderful book that I advise every woman, regardless of age, to read. It is a book that everyone can relate to in one aspect or another and Betty Smith truly gave us a masterpiece that will remain in our hearts forever. | 45 stars
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Microcontroller programming
Pretty good overall. Contains more assembly language than most books like this, which is why I bought it. I would recommend this others. I use it as a reference or refresher. | 34 stars
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A creative and entertaining approach to the profound subject of the duplicity of man
I think we've all been told at one point in our lives to read the book before watching the movie. This seems like good advice since books often get translated quite loosely onto the big screen. If, however, you haven't followed this advice with Robert Louis Stevenson's classic, _Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde_, you may be in for a surprise. I was.Growing up, I'm sure I saw a couple of cartoon versions of this short story. If memory serves, the cartoons focused directly on the double-life of Dr. Jekyll. But as I read Stevenson's book the other night for the first time, I was struck by how the reader knows nothing directly about Dr. Jekyll until the final chapter of the book. Prior to that, the reader's knowledge is only as good as that of Dr. Jeykll's friends, whose observations and experiences are relayed by way of a narrator.There are many things I enjoy about this story. I like that it is a short story. It can be easily read in the space of an hour or two. I also find Stevenson's writing style very palatable. In describing Mr. Utterson's disposition, for example, he says, "His friends were those of his own blood or those whom he had known the longest; his affections, like ivy, were the growth of time; they implied no aptness in the object." Or how about this description of Dr. Lanyon?: "The geniality, as was the way of the man, was somewhat theatrical to the eye; but it reposed on genuine feeling." And then there's a nice little statement in Dr. Jekyll's written correspondence to Dr. Lanyon: "I want you to postpone all other engagements for to-night - ay, even if you were summoned to the bedside of an emperor". Great writing!I like also the mystery and suspense of the story. It builds and progresses right up to the end. I wish only that I knew not a thing about the story when I read it. The initial reaction of discovering that Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are two sides to the same coin, so-to-say, would have been a great reward with which to the finish the book.A final element that commends this short story is the interesting theme: the duality of man's life. I believe it was Blaise Pascal who aptly described man as a monster who passes all understanding. This marked contrast in human nature - the potential for both greatness and evil - is what I take to be Stevenson's theme. As Dr. Jekyll says in the closing pages, "...I was driven to reflect deeply and inveterately on that hard law of life, which lies at the root of religion and is one of the most plentiful springs of distress. Though so profound a double-dealer, I was in no sense a hypocrite; both sides of me were in dead earnest; I was no more myself when I laid aside restraint and plunged in shame, than when I laboured, in the eye of day, at the furtherance of knowledge or the relief of sorrow and suffering."_Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde_ is a creative and entertaining approach to the profound subject of the duplicity of man. | 34 stars
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The Rescue
This book was ok but the problem that I found was it was to predictable. The characters were interesting though. The story seemed to move to slowly to keep me interested for a great deal of time. I am a Sparks fan and kept coming back to find what I was looking for in the book. It just wasn't keeping my attention, I will however say that I finished it and am looking forward to his next book . | 23 stars
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Self-Skewering and Funny Biography
Toby Young's story begins with a nebulous one-month job offer from "Vanity Fair" in New York. Having just closed his British journalistic enterprise, Young is delighted and hopes to achieve great things in America. His missteps begin with Day 1 - he reports to work dressed in his (British) version of casual, and finds himself mistaken for a messenger. Then en route to his "office," he's shown a broom closet that's his, which he takes to be his changing room - actually, it's an office he shares with another.An early task consists of writing up selected society event photos - however, when he calls the subject up for background information she hangs up in response to his nativity about N.Y. society. Next he loses his British girlfriend after she comes to visit for a weekend, and suffers several severe frights. Then a benign comment leads to chastisement for sexual harassment, which Toby learns is really a means of keeping dweebs like himself away from the high-society models. Trying to avenge being upstaged by his office-made, Toby hires a stripper for his birthday - turns out its also "Bring your daughter to work day!" Hearing an acquaintance refer to a celebrity while talking to someone Toby didn't know, he jumps into the conversation with negatives points - then learns the other person is the celebrity's publicist.Throughout "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" Toby is repeatedly trying to gain entry to "in" events, and usually turned away, or thrown out almost as soon as he gets in. Clearly he feels ill-at-ease - noting that Americans are much more status-conscious than Brits. The end of his Vanity Fair tenure comes soon after a major article on London that he proposed - seems like he had a "brown thumb."He applies to the New York Times - his material is returned without comment, except that every spelling and grammar error is circled. Toby then descends into nightly binges, and gets written up in a gossip column.Meanwhile, his love life is doing as bad, or worse. Toby tries a $195 dating coach, but it's no help. At the same time, a British friend that went to the U.S. at about the same time is doing great - further deflating his ego.Gets a six-month job as writer at "Gear," and meets a new girl - also from England. They become friends, but he decides he's not in love. She moves onto an American lawyer - just as he realizes he is in love with her. Fortunately, a year later they separate, he pursues her back across the Atlantic, proposes (turned down), but is accepted for a three-month trial period. Toby passes, they marry, | 34 stars
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The best of Coelho's books by far (surpasses The Alchemist)
I am an avid reader of Paulo Coelho; his books are enlightening and inspirational to say the least. Eleven Minutes is by FAR the best one he has written thus far. This passionate book can be explicit at times, only because it has to be if it intends to effectively examine love, sex and relationships. Mainly, it explores the nature of love and lust, and the important difference between the two. While reading Eleven Minutes, I found myself laughing and crying with each passing moment. At the very last page, I felt completely fufilled and wise- as though everything I needed to know about love was expressed or at the very least touched upon in this book. READ THIS BOOK if you are interested in knowing what true love really is. | 45 stars
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great book, but..........
Let me start by saying that this book is indeed great. The style of writing by Maugham is incredible. The book is basically the life of Larry as described through the eyes of the author. Larry searches for the meaning of life and supposedly finds it in an Ashram from South India.The whole discussion between Maugham and Larry towards the end of the book is fascinating. Since I am from South India I exactly understand what they were saying. The only problem I had with the book was the abrupt transformation that Larry goes through on the top of the mountain. This leaves a taste of an unfinished work and the satisfaction of an answer is never gained at the end. On the whole an excellent read..... | 34 stars
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Still a long way to go
It's ironic, significant and scary. Within the same week, Rachel Carson's original article, published in '62 by The New Yorker, was chosen by NYU as this century's second best piece of reporting journalism ever; and, at the same time, in a UN-sponsored convention on biodiversity held at Cartagena, Colombia, the US delegation bombarded the possibility of a protocol being even drafted that would impose limitations on the worldwide spread of transgenics, the '90's best friend & companion to the pesticides the, alas, late (she passed away in 1964) Ms. Carson denounced. It only goes to show how hard the environment-aware movements still have to keep on struggling, and how powerful are the forces of death. And that's only the tip of the iceberg: read up on the proposed Multinational Investment Agreement, it will knock your socks off. But the voices Ms. Carson helped raise won't be hushed. Couple o' days ago, Monsanto (co-developer, together with the US Department of Agriculture, of the "terminator" gene read up on that one, too), withdrew their request for their transgenic soy to be produced in a commercial scale down here in Brazil. That's one we won, for the time being at least, but don't let it fool you. It is, perhaps more than ever, an uphill battle but keep on pushing -, and one that owes much to Rachel Carson's foresight and courage. | 34 stars
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HEALING GIFT
I AM VERY SATISFIED WITH THE BOOK I HAVE ORDERED, IT IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, AND WOULD SURELY RE-ORDER FROM THIS COMPANY. THANK YOU,MADELEINE HARDINGThe Healing Gifts of the Spirit | 45 stars
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My Favorite book
Gree eggs and ham is my absolute favorite book. It rhymes and is very simple for little kids to read. It also teaches a very valuable lesson. It shows people that you should try things before you say you dont like them. I gave this book five stars because when I was little I read this book many times. | 45 stars
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some typos do exist
I did however, on my reading, locate about ten typos in the book that I would like to report to the publisher ready for the next printing. Does anyone know how I can get in touch with Ace Edition publishing company? Preferably online? | 45 stars
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Excellent
We were so glad to locate a hard back copy of this book. It was a favorite of my childhood. I always thought the beautiful colors and fantasy of this book was great. I never knew as a child that people thought it was racist. I am glad that it is back in print and can be found. My son loves it and pretends that he is the characters in the story. | 45 stars
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Good enough but was it really needed?
I've just finished this and its a good read. Not Crichton's best by any means, but nonetheless a good book. I like the way that it links with Jurassic Park but actually uses a different set of characters (apart from Ian Malcolm). It did annoy me a bit that Malcolm was in the novel since he was supposed to have died in the last one. I also felt it unnecessary to include more kids for the sake of it. Also, the story was a bit one-dimensional compared to Jurassic Park, and it didn't have quite the same bang. A bit like comparing Hollywood with the Welsh Film Industry...Anyway, what I will say is that I don't like the accusations about Crichton writing this for commercial value because the film was released at the same time. Firstly, the set of characters is almost completely different. Secondly, the plot is also very different. This isn't Jurassic Park, it's not Sphere, its not even Timeline. But nonetheless, its still worth reading if you're a Crichton fan, especially if you liked the first book. But, as other reviewers have stated, it wasn't really a needed sequel, neither did it match up to the first book. The only real reason I gave it four is because it was entertaining enough. | 34 stars
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Pictures & Poems That Will Last A Lifetime!
My teacher read this book to the class when I was 7-8 and I LOVED this book! I went home and pleaded with my grandparents to buy this book for me.. they bought it for me a year l and a half later in 1988 and the book was $14.99 back then.. and I treasured it for Years to come. Now I work in daycare and I read this book to children.. and I hope it means half as much to them as it did to me..My BeardMy beard grows to my toes, I never wears no clothes, I wraps my hair Around my bare,And down the road I goes.This was just one of the funny, life changing poems Mr. Silverstein has written in this book.. Do yourself and your child a favor and buy this book. | 45 stars
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