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Well worth the read, even though we know the story
Every Christmas I say I will reread A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, and this past Christmas I actually did it.Nobody needs reminding of the story of A Christmas Carol. We all know the tale of Scrooge and his visits by the Ghost of Christmas Present, the Ghost of Christmas Past and the Ghost of Christmas Future. Even for those who have never read the book, the story has been retold in many different forms and at least three versions make their appearance on our television screens each Christmas.So why has this little tale proved to be so popular? I think it's because Scrooge is such a memorable character and we all know someone we like to think of as a Scrooge. And, let's be honest, we would like them to change. A Christmas Carol touches the desires of all of us to show people what they are really like and have them change for the better. And Scrooge is also one of those characters that seem to be likeable even when they're easy to dislike.I think this book is still worth reading, even though we know the story. It is a very small book. I read it in its entirety on Christmas Eve. It is also very easy to read. Some classics, I feel, are difficult for the modern reader because our tastes and expectations are different from those of the past. But because A Christmas Carol was written quickly by Dickens, and kept short, it will pose no problems to readers of today.Besides being a great tale, A Christmas Carol also gives us an insight into the way Christmas was celebrated in Victorian society. Don't wait until Christmas to read it! | 34 stars
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Loved It!
The Kindle version I read didn't have the illustrations that some reviewers have mentioned, and it obviously didn't have the wonderful binding, but it did have the story the way Dickens wrote it, and that was a joy to read.I've watched many film versions of the story down through the years, and I'd expected to be so familiar with the story that I'd be bored reading it, but the opposite actually happened -- I loved it.I sometimes found myself noticing bits I'd either never seen in the films, or, if I had seen them, I hadn't paid them much mind. Reading the book allowed to take things in at my own pace: if I wanted to pause and think about a particular wording, or if I wanted to back up and re-read something, I did, and it took the experience to a whole new level. Rather than an abbreviated, two-hour video, I got to enjoy the entire thing and spend as much time as I wanted savoring morsels the video would have glossed over. | 45 stars
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Excellent read!
I really like this book. I only have time to read before going to bed at night and I couldn't wait to get back to it every evening. Sometimes I went to bed early just to read more. Hope my next book is this good. Good job Dean Koontz. I gave it 4 stars only because sometimes the narrative was long and seemed "off" topic of the characters. Obviously this didn't happen enough to bore me much. | 34 stars
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Did Not Care For.
My favorite mystery reading is by authors of the 1800's. They were the days of authors who could definitely write, not at all liketoday's so called writers(Micheal Connolly is probably the best).I had heard of Zangwill but had never read any of his writings.This one when it began I was intrigued; a real mystery..lockedroom then it begans to meander into labor relations, etc. of theperiod occasionally inserting something about the crime thenback again to other things. Angwill is sometimes amusing in thenames and description of his characters such as, Mrs. Drabdump.Another character was, Peter Crowl who evidently wanted to knoweverything about everything from the Bible on. This is a description of Peter Crowl: Crowl was a thinker or thought hewas which seems to involve original thinking' his hair thinningrapidly at the top as his brain was struggling to get as near aspossible o the realities of things. I am probably the only onewho couldnt quite get a grab on things.. | 01 star
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Humanizing the war
After seeing the Serbs demonized and caricatured in the news since NATO decided to have its war, it's refreshing to see a book like this come out showing that Serbia is not a nation of Milosevic clones. This public diary, by an apolitical Serbian cartoonist living outside of Belgrade, reveals the befuddlement of many Serbs at the NATO bombing, especially by those who oppose the current regime, and know that bombing will only make Milosevic stronger. The Terry Jones introduction discussing this is worth the price of the book itself.The other thing that this will reveal to those who have only the evening news as a source for information on the Balkan conflict, is that the old Yugoslavia was not a particularly repressive place like other communist countries, but had a vibrant experimental theatre and experimental music community. When you read Zograf talking about the artistic scene in Serbia, you see that the evening news and NATO spokesperson's cartoon character of the entire Serbian population as a bunch of genocidal maniacs is nothing more than NATO's attempt to sell the war to a confused and largely ignorant public.In addition, his accounts of what was targeted for bombing (a soybean warehouse? ) exposes the bombing for what it was: terror bombing intended to wear down the populace, not the smart bomb targeted military only bombing that we are being sold on the news. The only reason I did not give 5 stars was because I didn't think there were enough of his cartoons in it. Although the 'Smart, happy bombs' cartoon is brilliant.Hopefully a sequel will emerge called "Bulletins from Baghdad" | 34 stars
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Required reading for strategic managers.+
Andersen Consulting recently completed a study of the worldwide electronics systems industry. One of the key results reported in this study was that those companies that followed traditional approaches to strategy, collaboration, organization, and business processes (as currently taught in most MBA programs and espoused by some consultants), had decreased chances for success compared to those firms whose managers followed innovative approaches to strategic thinking and action. While some details of the innovative approaches were provided in the report, there was no unifying framework to aid managers and researchers in putting the findings in context-nor was there any basis for generalizing the findings to other industries. Competing on the Edge provides such a framework as well as the basis for extension to a wide variety of industries.This book should be required reading for anyone who manages, does business with, invests in, or regulates--or plans to do so--firms in fast-moving environments.The authors identify three key concepts to managing change on a continuous basis: managing on the edge of chaos, managing on the edge of time and time pacing. Each of these concepts is illustrated via the identification and explication of a series of "traps" that, should the managers fall in, result in their companies becoming non-competitors in their industries. The traps are, in turn, detailed by references to a set of disguised studies that form the underpinning for concepts, and brought to life by reference to reinterpreted information about a variety of organizations that have appeared in the business and popular press. One aspect of the book that managers, especially, should appreciate-for Brown and Eisenhardt strategic management does not mean strategy formulation alone; it also includes implementationThe book is eminently readable, with a scattering of side-bar boxes containing specific information on concepts raised in the text. The examples employed are nothing short of innovative--when is the last time you saw a management book that used the ecology of a prairie, caribou hunting and the Tour de France to illustrate points about strategy?Competing on the Edge is an excellent way to acquaint practicing managers as well as students in MBA programs with the latest concepts for managing organizations in situations where rapid change is the norm. It will certainly be required reading for my graduate course on Strategic Analysis for High Technology Industries. | 45 stars
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Will change your life!
I normally shun self-help books, but found this on a friend's coffee table & couldn't put it down. In a clear, loving voice, the author answers some of life's most basic questions, empowering the reader to take responsibility for his/her behaviour, perceptions, and way of living. It inspires, enriches, and intrigues. A wealth of wisdom in every section, this book does not shy away from the tough problems we all face, nor does it wallow in psycho-babble or preachiness; there are also none of those boring case histories most books of this genre seem to have. A gem -- EVERYONE SHOULD OWN A COPY! | 45 stars
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A quality book
This book may more appropriately have "international" in the title, as it is definitely not traditional Chinese wok cooking. Still, it is full of good suggestions, innovative recipes, and helpful photographs. | 34 stars
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Lyrical, beautiful, writing
Her story is a fascinating one; a new glimpse at a woman coming of age personally and professionally in the man's world of Ireland. What makes the book extraordinary is the level of writing - it is beautiful, touching - even harsh in a world-weary manner. Enjoyed it immensely - and a rare event for me - turned down pages to return to - for the simple joy of the well turned phrase. | 45 stars
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Confusing and emotional story of Civil War courage
The story of young Henry Flemming, who joins the Union army during the Civil War, despite the wishes of his mother to the contrary. Initially, he is consigned to endless marching, seemingly without purpose, amid arrogant boasting and complaints from those in his regiment. Henry wonders how he'll react once he actually sees battle: will he stand and fight, or turn and run. He does both - firing wildly and prematurely in the initial skirmish, but running scared during the second push when he perceives danger and defeat. He seeks to justify his actions (mostly to himself) and eventually winds up being hit in the head by another soldier before being reunited with his regiment, a wound he portrays to his fellows as having been "shot in the head." But when the second battle comes, he uses his false courage (as well as an insult from a General) to stand and fight, and even surprises himself in the fray as he manages to lead a charge. At the end of the story, he feels he has earned a measure of courage and manhood.While I found the story strangely compelling and at times hard to put down, I also found it rather difficult to understand and follow. And I don't mean the "rural dialect" which was very well done. What I found confusing was the chaotic descriptions of the events. Often I couldn't understand or follow if what was being described was happening to Henry or if he was witnessing it elsewhere or merely imagining it. Nonetheless, this is a book that tugs at your emotions. From Henry's fear to his shamefulness at running from the battle, to his immature boasting (when he hadn't really done anything), to his eventual courage under pressure, it left me feeling quite troubled by the story. It probably didn't help that I kept expecting him to earn a "red badge of courage" and some horrible ending. I suspect that this is a novel that requires a more careful and considered reading than I gave it, and I may read it again in the future to get a better understanding of the story. | 34 stars
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Great X_mas Gift
Just in time for the holidays. Ordered the Leather bound edition and got a ball gag for free. Thanks Jerry! | 12 stars
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A Different Bronson
This is a different Bronson than his first couple books. Here he shows us a kinder and more personal author, one who travels the country to hear the stories of career decisions that have changed people lives. And what's best about Bronson is his ability to tell the story again and in his own words.Even if you are completely satisfied with your life, this book is worth reading. Every chapter is a different life, a different story. The reading is quick and so enjoyable it is hard to stop. You'll likely finish the book in a few days.Some of the stories are life after the dot com and some are completely unrelated to technology. But every story was worth reading. Thank you Po Bronson for another book! | 45 stars
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Excellent
Foundation is a masterpiece, bar none. It is not only great science fiction, but great fiction. Asimov does a truly wondrous job of painting a large picture, much in the way that the Hudson School of painting did in the 19th Century, while also giving compelling characterization, like a Rembrandt, and selecting the `right' moments that the reader can zoom in on, in this compelling account of future history. Asimov leaves Clarke in the dust in terms of characterization, and most of this is achieved via dialogue, while still painting a big picture. Asimov wrote wonderful dialogue, and one can read the tenor of a character's soul simply by how they react in words to other characters. That said, I am very surprised that Asimov did not take issue with George Lucas's Star Wars films, because without Foundation there would simply not be Star Wars. Everything is there to be plumbed and looted- a galactic Empire, rebels, space jumps to circumvent the speed of light, the Galactic Spirit (aka The Force), and so on. Even Star Trek took a heavy load of its mythos from this book, as the human dominated Federation and human-looking and human-derived aliens that dominate most of the Star Trek universe have much akin with the Empire that rules Foundation at novel's start....Foundation was first published in novel form in 1951, but consisted of a number of short stories published throughout the 1940s in magazines like John W. Campbell's Astounding Science Fiction. Book One, The Psychohistorians, was written specifically as an opening for the novel; Book Two, The Encyclopedists was published as Foundation; Book Three, The Mayors, was published as Bridle And Saddle; Book Four, The Traders was published as The Wedge; and Book Five, The Merchant Princes, was published as The Big And The Little. Each of the Books within the novel functions almost as an autonomus story, much the way Bradbury's Martian Chronicles, or Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio do. Yet, it all ties together, and though it has always had a reputation as a space opera, even if the ultimate or original space opera, it transcends that label. Yet, those sorts of labels can be offputting to casual readers of a genre, like I am. For I am not a sci fi nut by any means, yet I sense that many people have avoided this book because like, say, reading a Rilke poem or watching Orson Welles' Citizen Kane, they have felt that something so overpraised and hyped is bound to be a letdown. It's not. It earns its praise and labels, like epic, for, even though the book is less than 150 pages long in my version, probably 250-300 pages in paperback, it is certainly epic- the timescales and range of the Empire demand nothing less. And although that term is grossly overused, in this case it is spot on. The very title of the book has, in the decades since its first appearance, taken on another connotation, though- that of not only referring to the Foundation within the tale, but its place as the Foundation upon which modern outer space sci fi is based upon.This is not to deny the books flaws, which are there. But, given that most of them have to do with technological things, they are not truly literary flaws, merely those of the nature of the sci fi genre. Among them are anachronisms such as typical hausfrau-like portrayals of women, who apparently still worry over household domestic products, an addiction to nicotine, an over-reliance on atomic power, the use of parsecs rather than light years as a unit of distance, the galactic Empire being at the center of the galaxy where we now know only a supermassive black hole exists and makes life as we know it untenable due to radiation, and other minor points. Other flaws are less anachronistic than what in film would be called continuity errors, such as being able to transcend the speed of light, but recording information in actual books, and on microfilm, rather than digitally, or quantumly, yet being able to teleport that information; the Empire possessing holographic technology, yet it all being powered by vacuum tubes; or civilizations possessing interstellar ships but having economies dependent on fossil fuels- which means that dinosaurs and the like must have appeared on millions of the other worlds. Then there are just the plain odd things, such as Asimov's faith in capitalism being the solution to the galactic ills, even though in his universe it's what ails all the worlds. The idea that even were an Empire to arise and dominate a galaxy that such a massive thing could ever stagnate, seems odd. Diversity argues against that, but this shows Asimov's pessimism regarding the human ability to evolve. That these future men also have life spans akin to ours, smoke, and suffer cancer, bespeaking there seems to have been little in the way of medical breakthroughs (this was pre DNA discovery), also seems a bit of an imaginative lack.But, perhaps the greatest flaw of the book is Asimov's love affair with the Freudian Psychohistory (although I'm told in later books Asimov redacted the mythos to reveal it all a fraud), which reeks of determinism, exalts psychology to a `hard' science, damns free will, plays to the Fallacy Of Uninterrupted Trends, and has been totally demolished in the wake of chaos theory. Still, even though Psychohistory fails as science, it's still far easier for a writer to predict human nature than scientific advances.But, again, these are mere quibbles, relatively speaking. Let me look at the pro side of the ledger. The very Psychohistory that, in reality, is specious, allows for the very drama of the tale to exist. While poor science it makes for excellent drama. To watch the various Foundation leaders grapple with their own will versus their faith in Seldon is the essence of existentialism. Asimov's use off offstage action is not just a condensing device, but clues the reader in to what is really important- the human moments and confrontations, not the comic book like blowing up of great interstellar vessels. A third device that works well is the use of select epigraphs throughout the story, culled from the fictive Encyclopedia Galactica. They unify the tale, lend it grandeur, and ground this future history as if it were already in the reader's past, much as Edward Gibbons' real and influential The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire did, and which Asimov acknowledged as his main source of ideas. Wisely, there is not too much technobabble, which helps date a work more than anything else. Also, as stated before, the book is rife with humor and sparkling dialogue, as well as plausible catchphrases like `Galaxy knows' or `By galaxy!' It is also worth re-stressing that the book's focus is not on scientific progress but social progress, and this predicates a number of major existential queries, such as what is progress? How does progress reconcile with human nature? Is progress ever expanding, cyclical, or helical? What is knowledge? How do the two square? Should knowledge be commoditized? Should knowledge be mysticized? What is free will and ethical agency? But most of all, how can all these subjects and ideas be best related?Yet, most of all, despite the ideas and the narrative, is the wonderful fact that Asimov is just flat-out a damned good writer. His prose is sometimes muscular, sometimes poetic, but always lucid and clear. His plots are not overly Byzantine, yet quite complex, his sentence and paragraph structure not ornate, but subtly seductive. How Hollywood has never optioned this book for a film is beyond me. Wait, no it's not. Why would they want to do compelling, human-based science fiction when they can pump out the pseudo-intellectualism of a Philip K. Dick, or the vapid ür-mythography of Star Wars, and make a fortune? Perhaps Asimov might be re-thinking his faith in Adam Smith's invisible hand in the great beyond? | 45 stars
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The Most Beautiful Book Ever Written
For Whom the Bells Tolls is quite possibly one of the most beautiful books ever written. After reading Clancy and Grisham for a while, I decided to move on to a classic. This perfectly quenched my desire. This is the tale of an American who fights in the Spanish Civil War. Love and War are both perfectly captured in this book. I have never read such a "smart" book that looks into one of the character's mind. I highly recommend it. | 45 stars
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Very intriguing book
In spite of the two star review already posted on this book, I found it to be a great book. Really well written...lovely prose...insightful...made me want to know more about Daisy and so I went into research in greater depth. I think this book would make an excellent study for any women's literature course. | 34 stars
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A Pleasant Surprise
I've never been a huge fan of biographies. So it was to my extreme dismay (!) that I discovered The Late George Apley, winner of the 1938 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, was a fictionalized biography. Not to worry though, I ended up loving it!The 'writer' (i.e. narrator) of this book is a man who was close friends with the late George Apley. When George dies, his children realize that they have never known him well, beyond the way they have known him as a father. They asked the writer to prepare a biography, which was based on his own knowledge of Mr. Apley as well as interviews with his friends and family, and correspondence to and from Mr. Apley.The resulting story was actually pretty interesting. Apley grew up as the son of a powerful New England family who were very concerned with convention and maintaining their place in society. In his teens and throughout the first few years of his 20s, Apley rebelled against his family's desires for him. However, in the end, he married the woman he was supposed to, and not the one he loved.As time went on, Apley had children of his own and attempted to raise them the same way he was raised, apparently forgetting that he'd realized the class system was bull. Only in his later years did he begin to question his actions, and inactions, and to remember that he'd once felt the rules of his class to be dull, pointless, and no way to live your life.Of course, his children also rebelled against his archaic ways and thought him to be a bit silly. And of course, his own son eventually embraced his responsibilities to his family and gave up on his own dreams.I enjoyed the use of letters and news clippings and found this story to be told in a fairly unique and compelling way. I would have liked to know something more about the narrator though. There were hints throughout that made me think there would be some great unveiling at the end and we'd discover that it was actually his worst enemy writing it, or something equally interesting. In the end though, all we know is that a close friend to his family narrated the story of George Apley. | 34 stars
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A Must-Read Book for These Times
The book Affluenza tells the other side of the story, that media and politicians gloss over: there's an addictive virus running rampant in our society, evidenced by the debt we carry, the epidemic of depression and anxiety we're experiencing, the overworking we do just to make payments on huge houses, wardrobes, and vehicles.Our economy is like an all-you-can-eat cafeteria where the rules have been changed; we're now told we must keep eating, even though we're "stuffed" and feeling queasy. The economy is co-dependent on "consumer confidence" and gives its blessing to planned obsolescence, shoddy products, waste, species depletion, global warming, asthma, allergies and other environment-related "bads" that are a direct result of over-consumption. Each of these side effects pumps up the GDP, allowing us to believe that everything is great. The question is, what kind of world are we creating?Unlike the European economy, which emphasizes belonging, not just belongings -- and health, not just wealth -- the American economy is mesmerized and dominated by the constant, devastating flow of junk.Read this humorous, well-researched book for a mind-opening discussion of the symptoms as well as the cures! I look forward to hearing more from these talented authors, who courageously speak out against the flashfood of excess, neglect, and obliviousness that pervades our hyper culture. | 45 stars
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coool
it's so great! i read it straight for 2 days! all during Finals week! the characters were so funny! n even if it was long it wasn't boring. all though i tended to skip over the "descriptive" parts, thank god there weren't a lot of that. MORE action (fast too), more talk. yeah baby | 34 stars
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Pretty good.
This book is pretty good. There is a good piece of advice about learning Judaism, to read Deuteronomy five times. There is some insight into Judaism. As literature the book is not very good; it has a definite feel of having been put togethere by a committee. I would recommend it to those interested in Judaism, as a source of ideas and insight. | 23 stars
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Do yourself a favor...read this book!
A beautiful and epic novel about love. Marquez's writing allows the reader to use his/her senses throughout the story. I have read many books but this is one of the few that truly affected me. This happens to be one of my all-time favorite books. Highly recommended!! | 45 stars
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GOOD BOOK
THERE WAS A MOVIE ON TV ABOUT THIS BOOK. WHEN THE BOOK FIRST CAME OUT. I CANNOT REMEMBER THE NAME BECAUSE IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO. IF SOMEONE COMES ACROSS THIS AND HAS SEEN OR KNOW WHERE IT CAN GET THE NAME AND A COPY OF IT ...... | 45 stars
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I keep my copy right next to my bible
The Purpose Driven Life is a powerful, very powerful book based on God's word as penned by Rick Warren. This book is so powerful that I keep my copy right next to my Bible, by far the most important book ever written.In particular I found ch. 12 How To Develop Your Friendship with God very useful and beneficial. | 45 stars
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Great insight to Richard Feynman
A truly wonderful read. James Gleick does a great job exposing the brilliant mind of Richard Feynman and his life journey. | 45 stars
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Love it!
This series is my favourite. These three books have been read by me many,many times. I loved them everyone! Read this series, you'll love them!!!! | 45 stars
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Sooo Sensible
Tracy Hogg is very sensible. I listened to this book on CD three or four times before delivering earlier this year with my first child. I then got the book too.It's a wonderful and short book with very precise suggestions and methods for EASY - Eat Activity Sleep Your timeI just had a hard time knowing when EASY would no longer work and when we'd need a new "routine".I recommend this book to all 1st time moms to be.Good luck. | 45 stars
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Ok, if you like your heroes to be stupid oafs ...
There are some of Macomber's books that I like, but Lonesome Cowboy and Texas Two Step are not ones I would recommend. They seemed so promising.While the stories started out good, they quickly dwindled into a painful process of the hero of each story turning into a truly stupid clumsy oaf in every sense of the word. None of the males in the stories were described enough to get a feel for whether they were homely or good looking. And I have to be honest here, I like my heroes in romance fiction to be handsome (or at least attractive) and to have some kind of IQ to go with it. I mean these poor slobs were idiots.As love stories go, these were pretty unbelievable. Mainly that's because Macomber just dropped the ball with her lack of characterization of the males. They were like dumb strangers.And what kind of woman is repeatedly insulted by these stumbling oafs and just keeps letting them insult her over and over and over again?And what's with this disgusting brother Richard that everyone just turns a blind eye to his evil ways? Asking too much of a reader to buy into that scenario.Sorry for the bad rap, but I need a little more feeling and passion in romance novels. And please find some heroes we can like. | 12 stars
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Astounding first effort!
Altered Carbon, the first effort by this writer is followed by a sequel, Broken Angels. Altered Carbon is one of those novels that keeps you up too late for work the next day. Morgan's imagery and character development is excellent. He manages to bring out a side of the characters that is at once endearing and totally frightening. Mixing introspection with sheer brutality and firepower, Morgan has created a technology that opens vistas and walks you right off the edge. Sweet dreams!! | 45 stars
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I would fly anywhere with Will Turner!
Johnny Depp, where are you? This book must be made into a movie, and Johhny Depp would be the most incredible Will Turner. The Aviator's Apprentice had me "soaring" with interest! It is exceptionally thorough, never boring, and I can't wait to see what happens to Will Turner in the next book. | 45 stars
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A Grip on Reality
Over the years I have read much of the writings of Jim Grover in various magazines. I have gotten great feedback from many of my own students when they have read "Street Smarts" as part of the training in the use of handguns along with hand to hand concepts that we teach at Attack Proof Inc. Mr Grover is an authority who can be depended upon to give straight information which will put the odds seriously in your favor during a real life confrontation with a firearm. Some folks think that repetition of basic techniques is boring or not useful. Mr. Grover takes the best of the basics and presents it in a lanquage that can be grasped and appreciated by serious professionals, who can always use a tune up, as well as beginners who need real information for close and dangerous encounters. I can't praise his work enough. | 45 stars
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Booklover
Got this book for a penny and shipping - best penny i spent on a great classic - love the fact that u can get older books at such a great price such a great deal!!! | 45 stars
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DeLorme is great
I have purchased these for Wyoming, Arizona, Colorado and Utah so far. They are great to take along on a road trip as they are very detailed and show you where so much is. Elevation, rivers, places to camp etc are just a few of the things in these books. I will continue to buy other states based in the western U.S. as I plan to continue to take road trips. | 34 stars
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Classic
Murder, madness, incest, love, an betrayal. It's not the summers hottest movie, it's Shakespear's classic Hamlet. A play that has thrilled and baffled audiences for centuries. Is Hamlet crazy, or is he just cunning beyond comprehension? You decide | 45 stars
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A great book for Ruby beginners
I haven't done much with Ruby and decided it was time to dive in. I opened this enormous text and started. The book is broken down nicely into several beginners "howto" sections and then into more of reference and advanced learning portion.Coming from a Perl programming background I found several things (mostly syntax) in Ruby quite odd and am very happy to have this reference on hand.The GTK section of the book is very nice as I haven't seen it covered elsewhere. The additional coverage of Rails adds to the completeness of the material and helps the book win some popularity on a current hot topic.This is a very well-rounded text for Ruby programmers. I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning Ruby, regardless of programming experience. | 45 stars
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Better for its digressions than its story
I've recently started a chess club at the school where I teach and I picked this book up to get some stories and tales about how chess exists in the world. The prose is very readable and there were several great stories. I enjoyed the one where they crash a games party at Princeton University especially. I also liked the vignettes on the history of each of the pieces. Many chess players play the game, but it's nice to have some background on how the modern game arrived at where it is today. This book is also unique in that most chess histories tend to focus on the major charismatic figures of the game. Yeah, Fischer is mentioned a little bit the travelogue aspects place a greater emphasis on how chess is experienced in the present.This book falters a little big in its big theme, a visit to the Republic of Kalmykia, which is organized around a dictator's desire to make chess the driving theme of his republic. This was an interesting idea but I feel the author didn't focus enough of my attention on this story. An even greater flaw was the emphasis on the official version of Kalmykia's chess story. He spent a lot of time walking around Kalymykia and waiting for the dictator to grant him an official interview, but far less interviewing the experience of the everyday Kalmykian. I learned a little bit about FIDE, the international chess organization that Kirstan [the dictator] heads, however.There aren't that many readable chess books out on the market so this has the advantage of squatter's rights to me. I'd recommend "Searching for Bobby Fischer" before this and this book as a follow up to getting a flavor of some of how chess is experienced today.3.5 stars. | 34 stars
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Extremely long, but the storyline is cool.
Although the book was indeed long, the storyline was interesting and the detail and description broadened my vocabulary. If you are still in high school, you probably ought nought to read it, simply because you are not mature enough to appreciate Hardy's brilliance. | 23 stars
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he that is spiritual
Recently this book was chosen by a bible study I belong to and it was written in 1919? What is amazing is the way the author conveys what living in a more spiritual walk can do for those who are Christians in their belief. It takes some of its basis from the teaching of Paul, the apostle, but is also very relevant to today pressures with life. | 45 stars
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Good and bad
Overall this was a fantastic book! I rate it only three stars because of the many, rather annoying, grammar mistakes that frequently appeared throughout the ENTIRE book! Like I said though, FANTASTIC piece. I definitely would read it again and recommend it. | 23 stars
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First book in The French Revolution Series: Louis The Well Beloved
This deliciously French historical on Louis XV, the Well- beloved (le bien aimé) just led me to further embrace my passion for reading Plaidy. Simply put: History at its best. Yes, I did say history, because no matter that Plaidy's novels classify as HF, you just need to read one to immediately understand that this is an accurate version of the past retold in its best form.The story begins with the Sun King, Louis XIV (Louis XV's great grandfather) on his death bed, his life imminently ending. From the moment the Sun King holds his little great grandson and tells him that he will be his successor, I fell in love with the little guy who would become the Well beloved of all of France.If it weren't for his great grandfather and uncles, Little Louis was left practically an orphan after the sudden deaths of both his parents and older brother. The only one left to mother him was his governess, whom he became completely and totally attached to (in my opinion, this in itself probably set the stage for loving in a grand way, all the subsequent ladies in his life).It was incredibly interesting to read about Louis' coming of age as a Little King admired by all. From the beginning we sense his kind nature and desire for closeness and intimacy (with the privileged few, mind you). Even more important, Louis stands out as one whose great aversion to any type of conflict or breach of etiquette was mega- or borderline insane.Louis The Well Beloved takes us through Louis 'life, his reign and his loves...and of these, there were quite a few. Louis, in his all consuming passion for the ladies, was, believe it or not, incredibly faithful (especially for those times...and in France!). Without going into too much detail, I will mention the obvious Mistress, Madame de Pompadour; notorious for winning the King's heart (she wasn't the first nor the last though...). I love the way Plaidy portrays her in this novel. It's a refreshing look at someone whom I thought to have been quite the opposite (well at least in this first book of this series).Plaidy also brings in Louis' children (mostly daughters) and shows us the King as an overly protective, doting- father. we get a good taste of what the princesses were like as well. Louis was also a most loving husband. Yes, another surprise, this Queen was blessed with Kingly love. Too much love, in fact- Louis was insatiable. Sadly we see how their love slowly digressed- but the respect remained and neither was really to blame. Louis really tried.As far as the country went, France loved her King. Louis could do no wrong. It was all the fault of either his ministers, tutors, queen or mistresses. Louis was their hero, but how long could they sing that tune? The seeds of the Revolution were slowly taking root. For how long could Louis remain The Well Beloved?I f you love French history, and all the eccentricities of etiquette taken too far, along with a good dose of rapturous forbidden love- this Plaidy is for you. I absolutely must read 'Road to Compiegne' next- which is the sequel to this one.Excellent ! | 45 stars
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Best Restructuring Book on Market!!
I've read many books that discuss the issues of corporate restructuring and mergers and acquisitions. In fact, next year I'll teach a course on the subject at Harvard University. I plan on using Professor Gilson's book as the textbook in the course. I believe it is a great source of information regarding the various issues of restructuring. It teaches the material via the case method, which has made Harvard's schools what they are today. The textbook discusses such issues as the roles of management, board of directors, and restructuring professionals. It includes a well balanced mix of "real world" examples and academic research on topics such as bankruptcies, employee claims, and various restructuring transactions such as carve-outs and tracking stocks. I have no doubt that my students will deem this text to be highly valuable and "on point", as would any reader interested in learning more about the exciting world of corporate restructuring. | 45 stars
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The Everest Mission
Every mountaineer's dream is to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. But when they had reached the summit, they have another dream- to survive. Into Thin Air is about Jon Krakauer's personal account of climbing Mt. Everest, including his every step up to Everest, the snowstorm, his unsuccessful descend, and the distressing narration of the loss of five people on his team. This is a great book for readers who enjoy adventure books and non-fiction. | 34 stars
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unabashedly sentimental
When we were kids, our grandparents used to take us to Radio City Music Hall for the movie and Christmas Pageant every year. The year I was 12, the movie was a remake of Lost Horizon--my most graphic memory from that night is my horror when the woman suddenly aged after leaving Shangri-La. As it turns out, that version of the movie is pretty dreadful, while Frank Capra's 1937 original is widely considered to be a classic. At any rate, I liked the film enough to read the book and also Hilton's other classic, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, and I loved them both. Recently, our library got a restored edition of the Capra film and we enjoyed it thoroughly. So I went back & reread the books.I assume most folks know at least the rough outlines of the stories. In Lost Horizon, Hugh Conway, a British diplomat, is skyjacked and he & his traveling companions end up in the Himalayas. Eventually they are lead to the hidden Valley of the Blue Moon and the city of Shangri-La, where folks do not age and the powers that be are collecting all of the world's knowledge and greatest artworks, so that it will be safe from the turbulent political storms of the outside world. Eventually, the high lama reveals to the diplomat that he has been chosen to take over leadership of Shangri-La and after an abortive attempt to leave (at the insistence of one of his fellow travelers), Conway returns to assume his destined place in Shangri-La.Good-bye, Mr. Chips, on the other hand, is about an eccentric but lovable British schoolmaster, Arthur Chipping (Mr. Chips). Seemingly destined to be a bachelor for life, he meets and marries a young woman who loosens him up quite a bit, before dying in childbirth. Chips is left alone, except that is for the succeeding generations of boys who pass through Brookfield School. After decades at the school, he retires, telling the assembled alumni, "I have thousands of faces in my mind. ... I remember you as you are. That's the point. In my mind you never grow old at all", only to be called back during WWI, at which point he becomes acting headmaster. One of his duties is to read the list of the school's war dead; for everyone else they are just names, but for Chips, each name has a face attached. After the War he reretires, after 42 years teaching Roman History and Latin at Brookfield.On the surface, these two stories couldn't be more different, but reading them now I realize how similar they actually are. Shangri-La is an oasis of civilzation in a world that was after all between two World Wars. It is a place where the great achievements of our culture will be preserved, even if war consumes the rest of the World, which for much of this Century seemed like a possibility. Mr. Chips, meanwhile, is the living embodiment of institutional memory. The classes of boys, the teachers and headmasters, even the subjects and teaching methods, come and go, but Chips has remained throughout. He "still had those ideas of dignity and generosity that a frantic world was forgetting." He embodies the pre-War world and its values. In his book Mr. Bligh's Bad Language, Greg Dening says that: "Institutions require memory. A memory creates precedent and order." In the very midst of an epoch that was witnessing an unfettered attack on all of the West's institutions and values, Hilton created Shangri-La and Mr. Chips; both represent the conservative ideal--providing a bridge of memory to all that is beautiful and good and decent in our past, lest, in our zeal to create a perfect world, we forget the qualities and accomplishments which bequeathed us the pretty good world in which we live.These books are unabashedly sentimental and I'm sure some would even find them mawkish. But I love them and I appreciate the subtley non-political way in which they make the most important of political points: even as we move forward we must always preserve those things and ideas of value in our past.Mr. Chips GRADE: A+Lost Horizon GRADE: A | 45 stars
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Im so disappointed
I was so excited to listen to this one. I love everything Mr. Kellerman has ever written, and hers are okay, so I thought this book was going to be fantastic.I wasn't prepared for the first book to abruptly end like it did, and was still waiting for the two stories to link together when I realized I was on to a completely different book. Maybe I didn't read the jacket cover correctly or something, who knows. I feel guilty for saying so, but in this case, they should not have written together. Sorry guys. | 01 star
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Good book for young children.
This is a wonderful book for young children. It was my grandsons' most favorite. We read it to them over and over until they were able to read it themselves. It is also ageless. | 45 stars
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Till We Have Faces: Personality and Beauty
C.S. Lewis was endowed with a natural ability to tell tales. Whether they were fictitious or true, he was always able to convey his ideas clearly, through characters and ideas, such as in Till We Have Faces. Throughout the story, we are introduced to multiple characters which, when analyzed, are seen to have a foil of some form or another in the story. Lewis cleverly wove these characters to represent the opposing ideas and concepts of the main character, Oural. One such example of this were the characters of the Fox, and Bardia. The Fox was in fact an intellectual Greek who was sold to the King of Gloam, and raised Oural from childhood through adolescence. While rearing her, he consistently invited her to not only to questioning everything, but to analyze life's occurrences, and search for some logical explanation as to their purpose or makeup. The Fox not only created, but represented the logical portion of Oural's thinking, while Bardia was the exact opposite. Bardia was a warrior and a devout follower of his heart. He believed that supernatural forces did exist, and that there were some things in this world that were never intended to be explained. Both of these extremes would come to play a critical role when Oural convinced Psyche, her younger sister, to confirm the identity of her new found husband. The logical portion of Oural told her that her sister was in fact married to a thief who was using her for her "natural attributes," while her emotional portion told her that her, from the back recesses of her mind, that Psyche was in fact wed to a god. Once Oural discovered that Psyche had been married to a god all along, it is her emotional portion that kept her strong, when her logic failed. The use of the external characters to not only explain how Oural attained her qualities, but as examples of such was pure genius on the part of Lewis. Oural's struggle as to how to deal with the situation only became more evident in her sidestepping and/or outright lying to the Fox and Bardia as to what truly happened on the mountain that fateful evening.Lewis also created a simply brilliant contrast as to what beauty truly is. Psyche was, as described by the story, to be among the most enchanting and beautiful creatures to ever grace the Earth. She was even so radiant that the public of Gloam even began to worship her as a goddess. Her outward beauty was unmatched save only her inner beauty. While in sharp contrast, Oural was in fact quite an ugly individual. The King even told her on one occasion, that to strike her in the face would only be an improvement. Oural, because of this "curse," was never given much if any love as a child. Oddly enough, once she veiled herself, after Psyche disappeared on the mountain, and proved herself to be a noble queen the people began to see her as beautiful. The citizens of Gloam even believed that she was so beautiful beneath her veil, that to show anyone, would place all others in a distant second. Lewis purposely created Psyche to be so perfect, that we, as readers, would naturally withdraw ever so slightly from her as she represented that which is unattainable for mortals - perfection. While he created Oural with realistic qualities (the opposing physical traits), illustrating that true beauty does emanate from within, and that even physical shortcomings can be muted by dedication, love, and a pleasant demeanor. It is this contrast of "beauty" and representation of personalities that made this work so enjoyable to me, and will hopefully for you as well. | 45 stars
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Completely satisfied
Great selection, price and service. I will continue to purchase my books in this site. | 45 stars
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Christian and 12-step-member
Hello, I am a christian 12step -member of AA and NA. I live in Norway, so please forgive that my english isnt very good.I look with sadness over this book and the other reviews her. The 12 steps have really helped my out from the streets and into church. I thank Jesus for giving me the 12step and the christians (Bill and Bob) who founded AA.First of all I want to adress the 12step-members who wrote this reviews that you are breaking one of principles that AA and NA is founded on. Shame on you!!!! For example in the White Booklet of NA, you can read that"Anyone can join us, regardless of age, race, sexual identity, creed, RELIGION or lack of religion". By attacking one religion you are breaking this basic principle and you are also attacking the many christian people living the 12 step in harmony with The Holy Bible.To all readers of this book and all true christians I wanna say that 12-step groups have lead many many people to Christ, like myself. I go to church and attend 12step-meetings every week. And I have also one year in bibleschool. The great things about the 12steps is that its a very spesific programme that is founded on biblical principles. Every christian who are fighting the addiction of sind should attend this meetings. You would find it helpful and in full understanding with the Holy Bible. The programme inspires you to search for God and many of us find the living God Jesus in our search, and we are free (and do) share about the fantastic treasure we have found on meetings, so that other recovering addicts can be inspired to search for the living God as well.Let there be no misunderstanding: The 12 steps cant give the members any salvation unless the members adds Jesus to his programme!!!!But it can help people that not have found him yet, too freedom from drugs, alcohol, gambling and other sinds. What is wrong with that from a christian point of view? Wouldnt you help a human being who is starving or in danger unless he is a Christian first? And best of all: The 12step leads many people to the fantastic treasure of finding Jesus Christ our savior and get them into christians churches and fellowships as well like myself.Thank you Jesus for the 12 steps who helps me live the Bible i freedom from drugs and alcohol? | 01 star
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A Pragmatic Take At A Noble Dream
It's one of those (few) publications that would immediately make you sit up straight, cause you to squirm and shake your head in disbelief, heave a deep sigh, raise your eye brows at some point, and move you deeply to show appreciation to its material by graphically interacting with its content (in other words scribbling all over the pages of the book - line by line, margin to margin - with notes and personal reactions. That happened to my copy. That's how interesting the book is!). No, the book is not trashy and is far from cynical. On the other hand, it offers a very reflective, comprehensive and insightful analysis of the mistakes and failures of the development industry as a whole. The author, a "devbiz" insider, is not an anti-INGO humbug but one who calls on his development colleagues to re-examine their (and their organizations') ways and to genuinely consider the often ignored realities in the field. His analysis of the evolution of the development industry and its trends, patterns and pitfalls are based on actual case studies and historical facts. Full of relevant lessons and thought-provoking questions and issues that would challenge not just your notions of development work but even your own values, motives and goals for entering the "devbiz" industry. The book stimulates mentally but tugs at the heart. | 45 stars
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Thoroughly enjoyed it!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It does not speak as much about slavery as I thought and speaks a lot about ship life. There is a wonderful chapter on his faith. I recommend this book to those who desire to know about life during the late 1700's especially for a black man. | 34 stars
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"The Queen of Second Chances"
As this novel opens, Fiona Range wakes up with a strange man in her bed. She had been very drunk the night before and can't remember what happened. As she sees this man leave her apartment, she realizes it is the husband of one of her friends - a friend who just had a baby yesterday. Fiona just can't seem to get her life straight. She is desperately lonely and doesn't know how to fit in.She was raised by an aunt and uncle. Her mother deserted her when she was an infant and Fiona has always felt like an outsider in her adopted family. They avoid discord at all costs and Fiona is direct, often to the point of her own embarrassment. She is impulsive and doesn't always think before she speaks. She is especially close to her cousin Lizzie who is now engaged to marry a doctor after returning to her family home in Dearborn, Massachusetts. Fiona works as a waitress while all her cousins have careers after attending college. College just wasn't in the books for Fiona. She tried community college but it just didn't work out. Fiona goes through men fast and is considered 'easy'. She tries to make something of her life but as she says, "I'm at the wrong place at the right time' or "I'm in the right place at the wrong time".Fiona is obsessed with knowing more about her mother and finding out who her biological father is. She thinks her biological father is a man names Patrick, a Vietnam War vet who is very unstable and dangerous. She is warned to stay away from him by her employer and her family but she can't. This results in disaster and tragedy for Fiona. Patrick is labile, mercurial and dangerous. Fiona thinks he deserves a chance because she believes he is her father - Patrick and her mother dated throughout high school and were together after he returned from the war.Fiona begins to date Lizzie's ex-boyfriend from high school, George, but this doesn't work out. She finds herself becoming more and more attracted to Lizzie's fiance, Rudy. Lizzie herself can't decide what or who she wants - George or Rudy. Lizzie goes into a deep depression and is very fragile.Fiona's family bails her out of one mistake after another. They say to her, "Be like us. Don't keep wasting your life on messes". Fiona doesn't want to be like them. They don't talk about things and pretend everything is alright even when things are horrific. There are secrets and lies going on and Fiona is usually the only one of them to address these. Because she addresses what they want to be left unsaid, she is singled out as being the 'wrong' one, the one who just won'd fit into their idea of how a person should act.The story is beautifully written and the prose is superb. My one disappointment with the book is LIzzie's continued relationship with Patrick despite her knowing his true nature. It just doesn't ring true. Even as self-defeating as Fiona is, no one should be able to put up with all that she does with this frightening man. His relationship to her is sick and portends of worse things to come.I am a huge fan of Mary McGarry Morris and I loved this book. I have only one of her books left to read,A Hole in the Universe. I am saving this novel to savor. She is the author ofSongs in Ordinary Time (Oprah's Book Club)andA Dangerous Woman. Most of her books, Fiona Range included, have protagonists that are hard to like. Many are repulsive and outcasts. Yet she brings them into your heart and makes them real and broken so that you can empathize even with their frightening and often despicable natures. She is a remarkable author. | 45 stars
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Should be required high school reading.
Does a very good job of explaining basic common sense economics. If kids came out of high school with this knowlegde it would be of great benefit to our country. Should be required reading for the citizenry! | 45 stars
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Very attractive cover.
Inside are some very lucid thoughts that were unique to me. I would consider this a text book of sorts as it is so mind teasing. | 45 stars
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A Handy Guide to Coping
I absolutely love this little book. My first copy is worn with pages marked over and over. I have recommended it and bought copies for friends and family members over the years as loss and grief have come into their lives. This book gives page long gems of anecdotes, poems, commiserations, that say "I understand, I've been there" without being preachy or saying "just suck it up". It allows for a little venting, and little self-pity, and leads one eventually to start moving forward with baby steps. I still keep one of my favorite poems from this book (on being worthy) posted in my home and office as my personal mantra that I check in with daily. A must for anyone who is stuck in despair. It will really help with perspective and most of all return one's sense of humor. | 45 stars
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A huge, sad dissapointment
After all the hype and all the raving reviews posted here I was expecting a wonderful, innovative and daring novel. What I found, however, was a dull and boring exercise in what seems to be a certain "culture of cool" kind of fashion products that gather almost fanatical cheering at the beginning and then dissappear as the next big thing comes. As I finished the novel, I though I smelled a Quentin Tarantino here. Slick package, some clever bits, yes. The triumph here is a triumph of marketing, design and hype spin. I wanted very much to like this book, but ultimately I found that not only the characters, the plot and the ideas here were re-heated material borrowed from other sources and guilded with a sheen of snobbery, but it guilty of the worst sin: BORING. Profoundly so. It bears it "deepness", "daring" and "innovation" like a press release for the Grammy Awards. Surely, this is the sort of thing that passes, at least for 15 minutes, as a masterpiece in the age of publicity and pandering, but my advice would be, before investing in this product, at least take the time to read a couple of chapters in your local library. The dedication, in a flashy, shallow display of coolness, reads "This is not for you". Well, I'm afraid it is, very much so. I bet advertising execs in Manhattan think this looks so cool on the cofffee table. Sorry about the sarcasm. Every book merits the respect of the effort put into it. I'm sure that once this author outlives his status as the dear of the publicity department, he'll move on to write something that goes beyond plastic and Details magazine "deep art". | 01 star
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Holes Deserves Every Iota of that Newberry!
I am a college student, and bought this book on a whim at a book fair. It had won the Newberry Medal for the year, so I knew it had to be at least slightly entertaining. One day, as I was procrastinating (as many college students are prone to do), I picked up the book. I DID plan on doing other work that day -- the plans flew out the window. I simply could not put the book down. Sachar has the gift of writing what is supposedly a children's book with enough style and grace to hook any 'grown-up'. He intricately weaves all the subplots together until the finished work will leave you sighing with satisfaction. | 45 stars
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An Afterlife, Full of Life
I loved this book. Naomi Ash is, in a lot of ways, every woman; struggling to find herself and her own life path while coming to terms with a tough childhood. She is not a bad person, nor a particularly good one, but an average, flawed human. In other ways, she is far from your average girl. Still living with her old-fashioned spiritualist mother, and having few employment options, Naomi tries to carve out a name for herself as a medium. Weathering boredom, poverty and the quirkiness of her isolated community of spiritualists, Naomi muddles through until a twist of fate dredges up a dark secret and turns her world and her relationship with her beloved, eccentric mother upside down.Full of relatable moments and little nuggets of wisdom, a very worthwhile read. | 45 stars
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Uuuuugh........
I'm totally po'd that I ever got involved with this series. Here's the deal RJ: I don't need to read another 4 page description of what kind of dresses the women are wearing ok? Get on with the story. The sad part is, it started out to be a fantastic story, but virtually nothing has happened in the last 1500 pages of the series. Dissappointing to say the least. | 01 star
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GRAND SATIRE OF FOIBLES OLD AND NEW
"A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" is one of those rarest literary treasures: a comedy that, for all it's hilarity, actually has both a heart and a brain. Not just a set of cheap laughs, as most comedy of any sort is, Mark Twain's classic novel enlightens as it entertains, throwing an unflinching spotlight on the darker elements of human nature both in the Utopian (to our eyes) Camelot and of modern capitalism and the American Dream.The plot is a familiar one in our age of sci-fi and fantasy, though it was innovative when Twain conceived it: Hank Morgan, an enterprising 19th-century engineer, is knocked unconscious and comes to in King Arthur's fabled Camelot. Bewildered but determined to make the best of the situation, Morgan uses his knowledge of history and mechanical skills to convince everyone he is a super-magician greater than even Merlin. Once ensconced as the King's right-hand man, Morgan sets about reforming the country into a republic, a sort of prototype America. Most of the book follows Morgan through a series of haphazard adventures which Twain uses to illuminate the great but often forgotten evils of the Dark Ages, including the abuses of the Catholic Church, the ignorant and useless ruling body that inevitably arises from a monarchy, and the pitiful working conditions of the medieval peasant or slave.Nor is Twain's critical eye trained only on the far-flung past. Though Morgan is essentially a sympathetic figure, he struggles to find anything the least bit admirable about the knights and nobles he must live with, and considers the chivalric code merely fit for derision. Meanwhile, Morgan's own capitalist code is in full effect, and he takes advantage of every opportunity to cash in his advanced education for the big bucks.Colorful and sublimely written, Twain's time-travel masterpiece is both a magical fantasy and a stinging dystopian satire. Don't be fooled by the several movie versions of this story, some of which are great fun in their own right. Yes, the novel is funny, often riotously so, but the humorous skin hides a deadly earnestness beneath, and the finale is far less optimistic than one who has first seen the film versions will doubtless expect. A deservedly immortal literary gem. | 45 stars
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Not all that great
Ender's Game was a much better novel in my opinion. Speaker For The Dead reminded me much of a drunk man trying to walk a straight line stumbling ever so often and taking breaks to explain why. I found myself glancing over entire sections of a few chapters simply because they lended no contribution to the storyline or were repeated for an empty dramatic effect. All in all, it was a rather plain and boring novel. | 12 stars
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A lyrical and beautiful book.
When Young Ju is four years old, she learns that her family is leaving their small fishing village in Korea to live in Mi Gook. Young Ju has heard enough about Mi Gook to be sure the place they are moving to is paradise, that she and her family are going to heaven.After flying through the sky for a long time, Young Ju finds out that Mi Gook is actually a regular earthly place called America. And it doesn't feel at all like heaven. A STEP FROM HEAVEN follows Young's life from the age of 4 all the way up until she is ready for college, as we watch her change from a hopeful girl into a hardened young adult.You think you had it bad growing up? Young doesn't speak or even understand English. She must struggle to become the "Mi Gook girl" her mother wants for a daughter, which means losing some of her Korean identity. But it seems that just as soon as she learns the American culture, her parents are afraid she has forgotten her past. Young doesn't want her new American friends to see how "weird" her parents are or the poverty in which they live, so she doesn't invite them over, she lies to both her friends and her family --- and instead of fixing the situation, Young only serves to make herself more lonely. Worst of all, her father's drinking is out of hand. The family thought he would stop when they left Korea, but he hasn't. In fact, he's gotten worse. Now here in America, where Young and her mother don't know a soul and can't communicate well, they feel as if no one can help with his alcoholism. Soon, Young fears for her and her mother's lives.An Na weaves a wonderfully poetic first novel. Although grand in scope, the novel never feels overdone. The story is sweepingly dramatic without a trace of insincerity --- it feels real. It will open the eyes of anyone who is a part of American society, who has lived here all their lives and never felt like an outsider, and anyone moving here from another country will relate to Young Ju's struggles to learn America's strange ways. An Na is a talented writer who makes sure you know her characters inside and out. Everyone you meet in this book will work his or her way into your heart --- even Young Ju's father --- and you won't forget any of the characters anytime soon. Best of all is Young Ju, a confused girl who is also brave, kind and gentle. You won't escape the pain that Young must deal with every day, as her family struggles to break free from their no-win situation. However, Young sees the beauty everywhere, even in her harsh reality.Look around. Is there someone you know who is a little different, someone who doesn't get noticed much? You would never guess it, but maybe they could use your friendship right now. A lyrical and beautiful book, this novel is a great read. It flows quickly, is well-written, and you can definitely learn from it. I know I did.--- Reviewed by Kate Torpie | 45 stars
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Sure to be a favorite of lovers of kooky southern women
Oh, no, not another book about the oddities, frailties, strengths and pathologies of southern women done with great good humor and resolution! It must be the heat.Passages about the ya-yas were the most interesting, however, the author really didn't do her job. This was supposed to be about a mother AND daughter. The daughter was just the vehicle for telling the mother's story. No real understanding of how daughter came to be who she is happened (unless of course we write off all their quirks to the heat and the R.C. church!) Read something good, or take this to the beach | 23 stars
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Good reference, it may have information you don't care about
It's about time someone else reviewed this book!I needed a good VBScript reference book to consult when doing scripting projects for my company. The entire book isn't just a reference to the VBScript language-- that's only about half of the book. The reference is organized alphabetically and contains a description, rules and usually a decent example of the VBScript function, statement, method, etc.So the surprise is the first half of the book, and it may be important to you and it may not. There are 20 pages on general program structure that most every programmer will find boring: pasing parameters by reference, passing variables into a subroutine, etc. After 8 more pages on data types and 22 pages on error handling/debugging, the authors included four other sections on VBScript with Active Server Pages, Programming Outlook forms, Windows Script Host, and VBScript with Internet Explorer. I found these sections to be out of the scope of what I was looking for in what O'Reilly calls a "desktop quick reference" book: simply a reference to the language.I gave it four stars because the thing is only $( ) and you are getting 500 pages. I bought the book for the reference, even if it has this other stuff I don't care about. If you are programming VBScript or ASP in Notepad without "Help" to consult, this may be the best pure VBScript book out there. It will come in handy. | 34 stars
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Fantastic
It was great I loved it. :) I loved it and I don't like reading ......... it says 5 more words required | 45 stars
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Great classic
I bought this book for my wife. She loves it. It brings back old memories. Maybe when she is finished she will let me read it. | 01 star
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mastering others to great lenghts
First of all as many people who have written reviews presume, this is not a buisness book. This is a book about mastery over others in order to make them respect, love and fear you. The 48 Laws of power is a very bold book which is not afraid to state the evil you must commit in order to be powerful, which is very suiting for the topic of power as it deals with leading people on, manipulting people and being only out for yourself in order to gain true power.The laws work to great effect and gives you the abilty to make people see you as powerful within a short time and provides the techniques to dominate any person you wish.This is a brilliant read even if you are not interested in gain power but just wish to observe others at the domination game.It is beautifully written, humorous, totally gripping and the book layout is fantastic. Anyone who is a control freak or wants the respect of others should be without this book | 45 stars
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A book Lewis could have done without
My first exposure to C S Lewis was through The Screwtape Letters, which I found to be both absolutely engrossing and filled with insight of the highest order into society and human nature. I was also strongly captivated by the author's Narnia series of children's books, and I was ready to count myself a Lewis fan. But Lewis's non-fiction, although written with flair and clarity, proved disappointing. His penchant for allegory and metaphor makes his fiction great, but it undermines the logic of books like Mere Christianity and Miracles. And although Surprised by Joy is, like all of his books, very enjoyably written, it destroyed my former conception of Lewis by revealing how dependent his religious beliefs were on his own personality and emotional struggles. We must commend Lewis for not tidying up his image, but the effect of the book, for me, was to cast a veil of doubt over everything else he published. | 23 stars
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Another Great Scarpetta Story
Yet another great book from Cornwell. Although I must admit that this book dragged on a little in parts, the overall was great. Lots of details and keeping you on the edge of your seat. I look forward to her next. | 34 stars
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NOT JUST ANOTHER SHOOT 'EM UP
Unlike some books about Iraq that I have read, this one is well thought out, well written, and easy to digest. Fick tries to balance the all the skills the Marines taught him that his father "loved him too much to teach him" with his desire to do the right thing, both by his country, his men, and the Marines as a whole. Fick sees the Iraqis as people, some good, many bad, many opportunistic, but as humans. A careful reading of this book shows a person who really wanted to offer something back to his country, and a person who saw real meaning in the words "loyalty" "service" and "honor." How many of the readers would have done what Fick did? An excellent piece of writing from a bright young man whose star has only begun to shine. | 45 stars
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A good collection of stories
I liked this book- I enjoy short stories, and these were entertaining and engaging. Lori Wick's books are a great escape for me, and I've read them all, eagerly awaiting her next one. | 45 stars
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A wonderful book
I bought this book based on some of the reviews, I've read here on amazon.com. This is the first book by this author I've read. I started reading it the day I got and just now, 4 hours later, have finished it. This is really an amazing story.It starts in 2021 in Thailand when a huge monument, shaped vaugely like the Washington Monument, appears out of nowhere in the middle of a mountainous jungle. The monument appears to be made out of dark bluish glass-like material, is impervious to any known substance and has an inscription dedicating it to "Kuin's 1st victory - Dec 21st, 2041", 20 years in the future. Several months later another mysterious monument appears in the center of Bangkok, virtually destroying the city. As the monumnets continue to appear across Asia, all dedicated to military victories by Kuin, it is determined they can't be destoyed, even by atomic weapons. They can't be moved, even if all the earth around them is dug away, they just hang there. And their arrival sucks virtually all the heat out of the surrounding area, causing the nearby air to instantly solidify, the groundwater to instantly freeze, and a thermal shockwave to propagate.The story is told in first person by a "code herder" named Scott Warden, who was in the area when the first monument (or Chronolith, as the press eventually dubs them) appears. His life and those of the people around him over the next 19 years are obviously affected by the march of the Chronoliths. First by economic deppression brought on by the collapse of the Asian economies, then by society drifting towards anarchy as people split into pro-Kuin and anti-Kuin camps. Throughout it all, he is hounded by nagging coincidences, the tau-factor of the Chronoliths themselves.This book contains a truly staggering concept. If you could somehow start sending monuments to your military victories to the past, would they become self-fulfilling prophecies. This feedback-factor the book talks about is intriguing. Also intriguing is the concept of space-time as a cube of Minkowski ice. Imagine a cube of water freezing from the bottom up, the past is the static frozen water below, the present exists on the interface between the frozen water and the liquid above, and the malleable future is the liquid water on top. Chronoliths are hot spikes driven into the ice.All in all, a great book. It's written in the first person, so you get a great feeling for the protagonist. The surrounding characters are equally well defined. It contains a minimum of invented technical jargon, because the author does a great job explaining concepts like the ones mentioned above. The book does leave some holes, just as would a similar story written by an average person detailing the last 20 years of his/her life, so the holes kind of add a nice feeling of authenticity to it. | 45 stars
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Alice in wonderland through the looking glass book review mimi
The story was interesting, but sometimes gets boring to get a catchey point. This store is for people who have patience, love to imagine stuff, and and like adventure. The story was based on a girl named Alice and everything she saw in wonderland. | 34 stars
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Needs a better translation...
I was initially very excited to see this book was available. The Komsomolets was the advanced technology "Mike" class submarine. Designed with a titanium hull and advanced hull design, the submarine was a worry for the US Navy in the closing days of the Soviet Union. However in 1989, a fire broke out on board while in the Norwegian sea, and this drove the submarine to the surface. The fire spread and the submarine floundered and eventually sank, with considerable loss of life. The present book's author, D. A. Romanov, was one of the designers of the submarine. As such, he is ideally placed to discuss the technical issues and aspects that lead to this tragedy.Unfortunately, a better title for this book might be "Lost in Translation". It is immediately clear that the translator has no knowledge of submarines, and the translation appears to be almost a literal word for word version, with little regard for idiomatic phrasing. The result is an extremely awkward, and in many cases unintelligible book. Two examples: "The supply of oxygen in these compartments was provided by the periodic opening of the corresponding valves in the oxygenated collector of the electro-laser in the electromechanical air regenerating system located in the second compartment." A little further on the same page: "In accordance with the RBZh-PL-82 (appendix 15), the watchstander of the compartment must control the content of the oxygen in the atmosphere of the compartment no less than six times a day by use of a portable apparatus, independent from the condition of the automatic means of control." These border on some of the best technobabble since Star Trek: The Next Generation.The official investigation by the Soviet Navy of the Komsomolets accident basically exonerated the crew and the leadership, instead blaming the accident on numerous "design pecularities" and "technical imperfections" of the submarine. Romanov's thesis is that crew training and readiness were woefully inadequate, and the failure to routinely monitor oxygen systems led to a fire that started in compartment seven (the aftermost compartment at the stern). The failure to control the fire by promptly discharging Freon -based extinguishing materials into compartment seven led to the fire spreading forward, and smoke spreading through the ventilation system. Confusion reigns in the few minutes after the fire develops, and precious time is lost in attempting to clarify the situation aft. Romanov systematically goes through the accident timeline and testimony and points out step by step how the crew and officers lost several chances to control and contain the fire and save the submarine. He defends the design of the submarine and condemns the poor casualty training and especially the lack of officer leadership in the disaster. Even when the decision was made to surface the submarine and discharge life rafts from special canisters built into the hull, the lack of training and preparedness conspires to kill additional men in the icy waters. The deployment canister is designed to rapidly discharge the rafts into the water by having the bottom of the canister drop away and release the rafts. This operation is totally misunderstood, and instead the crew tries to lift the 200 lb rafts out of the top of the canisters. Romanov also devotes a section near the end (Assault of the Pundits) to answering specific criticisms leveled at the submarine design. I suspect that there may be a decent and intriguing story struggling to get out of this book; unfortunately, it didn't make it!I was extremely disappointed in this book overall. As noted above, significant sections of it are excruciatingly difficult to read and understand. The language is extremely stilted, reminiscent of Cold War Tass press releases. There are a number of rather complicated block diagrams of key ship's systems throughout the book; these are labeled in Russian and there is no accompanying explanatory text. The diagram titles are minimally helpful (e.g. sources of smoke and gas in compartments two and seven). As such, they just fill space and do not aid the reader at all in understanding the technical arguments. The book does have some photos, although many were taken underwater after the sinking and are extreme close-ups. Without some sort of context, it is next to impossible to say why any particular photo is shown and what the reader should take from the picture. Unless you are an extremely hard-core Russian submarine fan, I cannot in good conscience recommend this book to you. | 12 stars
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Far and away the most thorough primer on sef-sufficiency!!
This book covers it all...canning, energy,gardening, structures, recipes, tanning...the list goes on and on! All accompanied by easy to follow diagrams and illustrations. For anybody seeking a simpler life, or any family trying to prepare for Y2K, I cannot imagine a better text. Get it now!! | 45 stars
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Jane Eyre timeliness
Have wanted to read Jane Eyre for a long time. Have found the novel worth the time as well as in the populist and feminist perspectives. | 34 stars
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A wonderful piece of literature, however
I completely agree with most HS students that this book should be optional reading for them because HS teachers should very well know that there are many different minds that need very different kinds of reading material and exposure to variety is not always a good thing that's why you end up having reviews of books like this by some HS students who puke on it rather then have savored it like I did. My reasons for really loving this book is because of the historical/puritan life and manners I like to read about, I love human struggle and the need to understand inner feelings of character, and I like knowing about how communities deal with religious matters. Can you blame me for being such a sentimental person? Yes, the book is written at the 5th grade level, and some people still do read at that level so this may be a reason why it's survived for such a long time. In any case, don't have it on your book shelf if it's not your cup of tea; with me, it will always be a treasure. | 45 stars
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Pride and Prejudice - best book ever!!
This was by far, most certainly, without a doubt.. the first book I put on my Kindle over two years ago. And I can't count the number of times I've read it since then! Jane Austen is a wonderful writer... Lizzy is an amazing character to follow and fall in love with. Mr. Darcy... so dark and mysterious and stern. I love reading about the social and societal customs and ideals... it's so very interesting, so different from life today. No matter what mood I'm in, I can flip to Pride and Prejudice and feel warm, cozy, and content within minutes. Favorite book of all time. Weeeell.. Pride and Prejudice is in direct competition with Harry Potter.. for the spot of 'favorite book of all time.' But it's definitely right up there. You can't go wrong - read this book!! | 45 stars
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Fantastic read, only book on wine anyone will ever need
I read, "Wine For Dummies", and several other starter books on wine, and this book is head and shoulders above the rest.As a newlywed whose wife is from wine country France, I always felt a little inadequate around wine. This book helped give me the confidence to not only order wine in front of my more experienced wife, but also to no longer get the wrong wine for dinner parties. When I go to wine tastings now I actually know what I am talking about. (Something I've noticed after reading this book is most of the supposed "experts" at wine tastings have little to no idea what they are talking about!)With an easy and fun to read format, great facts and interesting asides about a whole range of wines, this book is the only book anyone would ever need to own about wine.After seeing the film, "Sideways", everyone has been getting into wine. With this one book, I've been able to impress not only my friends, but my wife and complete strangers! | 45 stars
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Pulls you in and doesn't let go.
Having read "Reason to Believe", I already knew that I liked Ms. Eagle's writing very much. After reading "Sunrise Song", I wound up being an even bigger fan and cannot wait for the next book to come out."Sunrise Song" pulled me into its content with the very first paragraph and about a year or so later, it still doesn't want to let me go completely. It made me sad to think that even as late as the 1930's we still had places like the Indian Insane Asylum mentioned in the book and that people were still sent there for no better reason than an BIA agent wanting to gain access to res. land. I can't say that I know what those people might have felt or even begin to comprehend the reasoning behind using such places.The 1970's were also responsible for a double-wammie to the Indian community, especially those Indians that served in the armed forces during Vietnam. I am not militant, but I do hold a deep respect for all of the men and women who have served in the military throughout history. But for those soldiers, Indian, white, black, Asian, who came back from Vietnam were not only scarred physically, emotionally, or both, but had to face the hate of their own nation for having fought there. Think what it must have been for Indians who not only fought, but came back.This book gives a glimpse of what some of these people must have gone through. Two men sent to a hospital they never should have went too, just because someone said that they were mentally incapacitated and having no say in the outcome. One man who fought for his country and came back to hate and the love of a good woman who, in the end, was able to give him some peace. Different times, different kinds of courage. The title a metaphor for a healing of the spirit in the form of a Sunrise Song. | 45 stars
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really loved this, and had a nice plot to it, will re-read!
ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok and it was free so not too bad | 34 stars
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Horowitz or Horror Wits?
I want to try and keep this simple. Somewhere over the last several years, Mr. Horowitz lost his literary skills. He is now just a shill for the right, the extreme right, which is fine, but if you're going to be an author, a little research and editing might be in order.A very poorly written book that should have been reduced to an essay. | 01 star
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Ratz!
The print is too small, the lines close together, the paper a poor quality. I didn't read it, but know the content is important and well written. Too bad there isn't a good copy available.... I read it years ago when a book was a thing of bealuty. | 01 star
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Be A Little Kinder...
Since it is a "Chicken Soup" book you can expect it to be cheesy. Still it opened my eyes how hard much harder it was being a military wife previous to the current technology of satellite phones, email, and instant messaging. I always knew that it was, but it made me comprehend it more. It definitely made you feel good at points to listen to stories of random acts of kindness. It inspires you to be a little kinder yourself. | 34 stars
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A Feminist's Warning
I loved this book. I thought that it was insightful and relevant. One might read this book and say, "Wow, this was an interesting fiction." I would disagree with this thought. I see this book more as a biting satire. It might sound absurd at first to think that the United States could become the Republic of Gilead where women have fewer rights than the children and their roles have been diminished to one such as a modern day concubine but this book puts light on a certain reality: governments and roles of people change. Not only did I love the message of this book but I loved the way in which Atwood conveyed it. She wrote her novel in first person and followed up with "historical notes" that made the whole situation more real. I recommend this book to anyone who cares about the future roles of women and men a like. However, I see a woman president before she is degraded to a "martha" or a "handmaid". | 45 stars
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A reader
If you feel that you must read it because it appears on Oprah's list then at least do yourself the favor of purchasing the paperback. This is not a book to keep. I'll give it 2 stars because it passed the time and kept me reading but it's not a book that I would bother recommending to others. | 12 stars
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A must read for everyone
The sub title says it all. What a power packed hardback. I wish I had been given this at birth and had given it to my children at their birth. Instead I bought it for myself and have given it to my kids now and am teaching the principles disclosed in it to my adorable grandson. Buy and read anything by Joe Vitale, especially this book. | 45 stars
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THIS BOOK IS MY HEART
AFTER REVIEWING ALL THE GREAT COMMENTS ABOUT THE"TREE" I FIND THAT EVERYTHING I FELT WAS ALREADY EXPRESSED A THOUSAND DIFFERENT WAYS. THE LOVE I FEEL FOR THIS BOOK IS IMEASURABLE. I DISCOVERED IT WHEN I WAS 10 YRS. OLD. I WAS READING A FICTION STORY IN A MAGAZINE, AND THEY MADE REFERENCE TO THAT BK. I AM A VORACIOUS READER AND AT THAT TIME I DID NOT KNOW WHAT BOOKS I WOULD LIKE SO I WAS ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR TITLES OF BKS. I HADN'T HEARD BEFORE, AND RUSH TO THE LIBRARY TO CHECK IT OUT. FROM THAT MOMENT ON MY LIFE WAS NEVER THE SAME. FRANCIE TOUCHED MY HEART LIKE NO OTHER CHARACTER HAS. SADLY, THE WOMAN WHO GAVE ME THIS WONDERFUL GIFT HAS LONG BEEN DEAD. GOD BLESS YOU BETTY SMITH FOREVER AND EVER. | 45 stars
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Believable, Intriguing, and Thought-Provoking.
What makes this story such a compelling read is Diane Chamberlain, the author, really helps us sympathize with CeeCee. We understand CeeCee's motivations - her foolish eagerness, her lifelong guilt, her misguided love - and her desire to be the best mom she can to her daughters. The author deftly tackles big issues, like mother-daughter relationships, choices and consequences, morality, and the death penalty - without becoming preachy, moralistic or cliche.This story line bears a close resemblance to the real-life story of Kathleen Soliah a.k.a. Sara Jane Olson who became involved in the SLA as a college kid, then lived out the rest of her life as a normal Minnesota mom/doctor's wife. How close the real-life of Kathleen Soliah resembles the character of CeeCee Wilkes, we'll never know, but this story gives us an interesting glimpse into what it might be like to live one's entire life hiding a shameful secret. | 45 stars
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Hysterical, creative, inventive, ingenious.....
I've never seen a book like this in my life, a satyr so vividly complete. Is it biased? Sure it is. It's supposed to be, and makes no apologies for it.Of particular interest to me was the pullout "Shadow Government", the foreword by Thomas Jefferson, and the "Tale of the Tape" between Kerry and Bush. | 45 stars
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A Staple For Any Kitchen
This is a terrific book! It's fun to read and VERY comprehensive. This is excellent instruction for the beginning cook, but has plenty of information for more experienced buyers also. So many of today's cookbooks are more specialized than the average cook wants. Or, they will use ingredients unavailable in regular markets. This book will demonstrate how to make delicious dishes using readily-available ingredients, able to be created by the less-experienced cook.Along with Cunningham's Fannie Farmer books, this should be a keystone to a cook's collection. | 45 stars
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Something for Everyone
When I was first given a copy of "Kabbalistic Cycles and the Mastery of Life" the word 'synchronicity' came to mind. One of the key topics discussed in the book - using the Tarot and the Paths of the Tree of Life in connection with planetary hours - was one that I had just started compiling notes on. Needless to say, I was interested in what Lisiewski had to say on the matter. Overall my theories were in agreement with what he was saying, and while that was nice - learning that he had been working with it for 32 years and it worked with repeatable results was even nicer. Overall "Kabbalistic Cycles" is a book all practical occultists should be familiar with, but the well read among you be warned: much of the material you will already be familiar with, only its application (the critical part) will be new to you. However, readers new to Kabbalah, the Tarot, and Planetary Hours as a daily expression of astrological influences will find a fine primer on the topic. As with Lisiewski's other books his writing style can be a little dense, but a careful reading and application of the principles will pay off. There is something for everyone in this book. | 34 stars
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lol
I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK.A TALE of two cities is a good book.I recommend this jaw dropping word filled book to many. | 23 stars
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Happy with my purchase
I am very satisfied with my purchase! I received the book quickly and it was in great condition. Thanks! | 45 stars
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When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
This series is an awesome tool that Christ is using to bring many to him. I have serious doubts that the authors are satanic demons, put in another way by a reviewer who calls them "wolves in sheep's clothing." They aren't, and I only agree with that person on one thing: Trust in the Lord. I love these books, and cannot wait for the Assasins to come out! | 45 stars
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A descriptive (rather than predictive) SF classic
The premise is startlingly original: Le Guin creates a world populated by hermaphroditic humans and then describes what might happen when individuals on this planet first encounter a lone representative from "normal" (dual sexual) human civilizations.Like the best science fiction novels, this one borrows heavily from other genres. The first two hundred pages read like a political/espionage thriller and then, surprisingly, the story turns into a tale of adventure and survival (clearly influenced by Jack London), as two fugitives cross the uninhabitable tundra of the planet of Gethen (or Winter). It is the last part of this book, I suspect, that some diehard SF readers find boring or disappointing; it could have easily taken place in our own Arctic zone. Rather than focus on how the people of Gethen as a whole might react to the arrival of alien beings (a la "Independence Day"), Le Guin concentrates on the plight of two individuals, and, quite believably I think, explores how they come to accept each other, even though they are from different worlds and of different sexualities.As Le Guin herself notes in the introduction, this book is not "extrapolative"; her fiction is not in the business of predicting the future. Instead, she invents a civilization that resembles our own, since, in many ways, we all are confusedly androgynous. As a result, she succeeds in creating a profoundly humane and deeply moving book. | 34 stars
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"Pig"-headed Beasts
Animal Farm, a book full of "pig"-headed beasts! When reading this book my emotions ranged from being sympathetic with the animals in the beginning to pitying the animals for their stupidity. I felt bad when Mr. Jones would work the animals hard and only feed them enough to get by. But my sympathy turned to pity when the animals fell for Napoleons propaganda (squealer's speeches). After finishing the book I realized how bad totalitarianism is and despised Napoleon for becoming such a power hungry "pig".My favorite character was probably Clover. She was my favorite because she was pretty smart and didn't always agree with Napoleon right away. She questioned his and the other pigs' behavior. She was the only animal that would realize every time Napoleon changed a commandment. She was also very nurturing and mother like towards the other animals.I really liked how everything in the book paralleled something in Russian history. It was really interesting to try and figure out what everything meant. I also really liked the book because it was an easy read and I had no trouble trying to figure out what happened.George Orwell did a wonderful job showing how totalitarianism is bad and eventually will not work in favor of the people or animals in this case. I really enjoyed how he used a story about animals to explain the effects of totalitarianism. It turned something that otherwise could be a boring subject into a story about a farm.I learned a lot about totalitarianism in this book. I knew that it was bad prior to reading the book but I had no idea how it affected the people the so badly. I always used to wonder why the people never fought against a dictator but after reading this book I realize that sometimes the people don't even now how bad they have it.I thought that the end of the book was sort of disappointing. I wanted the ending to include a big downfall of Napoleon since he was such a horrible leader to the animals. But instead the book ended with Napoleon being happy and still in control.There are a few things I still don't understand. I don't know what the windmill in the book represents in Russian history. I also didn't understand the ending. Why couldn't you tell the difference between the pigs and the humans? and What does that represent in history?I would definitely recommend this book. It is a very interesting book to read in either an English class or a history class. I wouldn't recommend this book to someone to read outside of school because the book is much more interesting when you can compare it to the Russian history.I don't know if I would read another book by this author. This particular book was interesting because it was so accurately representing an actual country's government. I might read another book by this author if there was another book that included this quality.Overall Animal Farm is an "oink"-ing good time to read! | 34 stars
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The sensible and the sensitive
One of the Dashwood daughters is smart, down-to-earth and sensible. The other is wildly romantic and sensitive.And in a Jane Austen novel, you can guess that there are going to be romantic problems aplenty for both of them -- along with the usual entailment issues, love triangles, sexy bad boys and societal scandals. "Sense and Sensibility" is a quietly clever, romantic little novel that builds up to a dramatic peak on Marianne's romantic troubles, while also quietly exploring Elinor's struggles.When Mr. Dashwood dies, his entire estate is entailed to his weak son John and snotty daughter-in-law Fanny. His widow and her three daughters are left with little money and no home.Over the next few weeks, the eldest daughter Elinor begins to fall for Fanny's studious, quiet brother Edward... but being the down-to-earth one, she knows she hasn't got a chance. Her impoverished family soon relocates to Devonshire, where a tiny cottage is being rented to them by one of Mrs. Dashwood's relatives -- and Marianne soon attracts the attention of two men. One is the quiet, much older Colonel Brandon, and the other is the dashing and romantic Willoughby.But things begin to spiral out of control when Willoughby seems about to propose to Marianne... only to abruptly break off his relationship with her. And during a trip to London, both Elinor and Marianne discover devastating facts about the men they are in love with -- both of them are engaged to other women. And after disaster strikes the Dashwood family, both the sisters will discover what real love is about...At its heart, "Sense and Sensibility" is about two girls with completely opposite personalities, and the struggle to find love when you're either too romantic or too reserved for your own good. As well as, you know, the often-explored themes in Austen's novels -- impoverished women's search for love and marriage, entailment, mild scandal, and the perils of falling for a sexy bad boy who cares more for money than for true love... assuming he even knows what true love is.Austen's formal style takes on a somewhat more melancholy flavor in this book, with lots of powerful emotions and vivid splashes of prose ("The wind roared round the house, and the rain beat against the windows"); and she introduces a darker tone near the end. Still, there's a slight humorous tinge to her writing, especially when she's gently mocking Marianne and Mrs. Dashwood's melodrama ("They gave themselves up wholly to their sorrow, seeking increase of wretchedness in every reflection that could afford it").And Marianne and Elinor make excellent dual heroines for this book -- that still love and cherish each other, even though their polar opposite personalities frequently clash. What's more, they each have to become more like the other before they can find happiness. There's also a small but solid supporting cast -- the hunting-obsessed Sir John, the charming Willoughby (who has some nasty stuff in his past), the emotional Mrs. Dashwood, and the gentle, quiet Colonel Brandon, who shows his love for Marianne in a thousand small ways."Sense and Sensibility" is an emotionally powerful, beautifully written tale about two very different sisters, and the rocky road to finding a lasting love. Not as striking as "Pride and Prejudice," but still a deserving classic. | 45 stars
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almost indescribable
It's often said you can't gain any true 'mystic experience' or 'hidden wisdom' from 'reading a book'. Often that holds true, but things like Rumi are the exception. I'm the sort of person who hates poetry. I relished the accidental "Cruel prank" done on the "Poetry Analasyst" in the late Mr. Vonneget's "God bless you Mr. Rosewater". But, Rumi moves me to joy, to tears to love and to feelings beyond. And this book is an excellent tribute to him. Well worth getting multiple copies, for you will likely loan them to people who'll keep them forever! | 45 stars
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Very inspiring
These women know their stuff, and they know how to teach it to others. They give you plenty of detail in techniques, and offer a lot of inspiring examples of work. | 45 stars
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Encouraging and enlightening
OK, reading the book is not like going to the doctor, having him ask you questions, work on test results and then diagnose, to finally prescribe a DRUG (that always has side effects - Vioxx, Celebrex and ... the list is growing!) that supposedly will take care of your illness.There's no magical recipes of the type take this for that, or drink this for a week and then do this and it will be handled.BUT, it sure makes a lot of sense to look at health from a different perspective, especially with all the information the book contains, presented in a straightforward, easy to read, and plain English.Trudeau's major contribution to my wellbeing is that he's showing me a path to follow which will allow me to take charge MYSELF of my body's good or bad condition. I have been following some of his simple steps to improve my health and it shows every day.He has boosted my determination to stay away from medical drugs. There's no need to elaborate on this; just read the daily newspaper and you will always find something's going on with some drug killing people, with the FDA conveniently looking the other way.He has enlightened me on the risks of going to the grocery store and just buying products without checking what's really in them. There's some products who's ingredients list looks more like the "periodic table of the elements" than food, with a lot of poisonous stuff hidden in there.He has encouraged me to look for that food that was very common not so long ago. It always seemed to me that "organic" was just some California liberal fad. Now I realize it actually affects my health. I notice the difference because I am now on an all organic food diet and my body reacts differently when I have non organic food. (Last time I had a Coke I got sick and just to think about drinking that stuff is nauseating to me.)I feel that with all the data that Trudeau has given me in the book, I can look after myself with enough information to really keep my body healthy, enjoy life and not be worrying about getting sick. I now know which is the way to go.A must read for all, especially for children and teenagers, as they are just starting in this path. | 45 stars
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Double WeddingRing (as seen on Quilting from the Heartland)
This Booklet has an option to order the mylar templates and does not state that on the package. I bought this for a friend and was very disappointed, as I paid less for the one I bought years ago that included the templates. I feel it misleads the consumer as the packaging is the very same. ISBN 105-5387282-9754654 my copy had no ISBN #. The seller at Angel's Attic had no idea there was any difference when selling. | 12 stars
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Love the Street Lawyer
People go back and forth on this book the main argument is: John Grisham wrote a parable about a man who does good for the poor. If you want to read an inspirational, heart warming, a little preachy legal thriller, read this. If you don't want to, don't read this. | 34 stars
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