niryuu/sni-each-converted huggingface dataset:
Overrated book by overrated Genius . This book is highly overrated. I am sure I will get blown away for saying this but it has nothing to do with my appreciation of modern writing. I enjoy Joyce, and many avant garde writers. Stein has an ego as big as a house. Witness her constant comments about herself as a genius in the Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas. The literary equivalent of Picasso she is not.  The book is slow and boring, filled with failed, in my opinion, rhetorical tricks. If you want stream of consciousness avant garde writing there are many better writers, Joyce being the best.  Jack Kerouac is a newer author who is great also. I found it difficult to finish this book.  It did not keep my attention. I basically find all the praise for her as both a writer and an individual vastly out of proportion to her talent. It would be helpful if those writers and academicians who are full of praise for her would perhaps write some articles that are readable saying exactly why she is a genius.
Output: NEG
Indispensable for Western gardeners . It's about time somebody published an inspiring photo driven book about western gardens.  The Sunset Western Garden Book may be the bible for western gardeners for its wealth of information but it does not serve to inspire the way a book full of real gardens can.  With more than 500 photos of western gardens this book should be destined to be a classic.    The great thing is that it is not just a beautifully designed,  coffee table type book.  The text is authoritative with dozens of full page charts and it seems to have been reviewed by a who's who of garden experts.  The author suggests plants from all over the world that are adapted to a summer-dry, Mediterranean climate and the photographer shows them in gardens not just close-up details.    Hooray for this book.  We western gardeners are too often frustrated by books and gardening advice originating from other regions.  This book is so beautiful it will frustrate gardeners in those other regions who will want what we now have
Output: POS
The Highlight of the Five Volume Set (thus far...) . [...] This five volume history of the victorian bourgeois follows a freudian schematic: the first volume dealt with love, the second with sex, and this volume with agression.    This book was my favorite of the three I've read so far. Gay picks apart the Victorian penchant for cloaked agression with admirable scholastic fortitude.  His discussion of Foucault's theory of prisons is a high light for this entire five volume set.    His critique of what he calls the "social control" theorists is that they fail to take into account the ability of the powerful to delude themselves into thinking they are doing the right thing, even when they are most assuredly not.    Why stop here?  Only two more volumes to go..
Output: POS
Mad Man Across the Water . High seas adventure with one of the most psychopath captains to command a ship.  While it is a well known fact that many captains, especially those of whaling ships, were rigid, callous and at times barbaric in their conduct, Howes Norris was in the upper echelon of this deranged behavioral class.  Whether it was horrific floggings, withholding food, or senseless other malicious acts of torment, some may say that Norris got what was coming to him.  Joan Druett attempts to unfold the mystery of Norris' murder through two journals that were shrouded in secrecy for over 150 years.   It is a good, entertaining read. For this reader though, the evidence is still inconclusive as to who was really responsible for Norris' death.  All indications are that the two slain natives were held accountable but who was really the instigator?
Output: POS
The Cottage . This is one of Danielle Steel's best books. It is about Cooper Winslow, a fading movie actor and lady's man who is in financial trouble. She develops the character of "Coop" well so it is easy to visualize him.     Coop decides to rent out his "cottage" guest wings for $10,000 a month to two different tenants. The story centers around his new tenants, their romances, activities and children. In the end, Coop learns valuable lessons about sacrifice, giving to others and true love.     A interesting story with a good message
Output: POS
D.C. confidential. . Readers familiar with Ross Thomas' work are likely to recognize a few of the characters in Twilight at Mac's Place from some of the author's other novels.  Most notably, Mac McCorkle and Mike Padillo, the restaurant owning duo with more than a passing knowledge of the dark arts associated with international espionage.  Twilight at Mac's Place transpires in and around Washington, DC during the month of January, 1989.  George H.W. Bush has just been sworn in as President. The third person narrator helpfully reminds us that Mr. Bush is the first President to have previously served as Director of Central Intelligence.  That interesting bit of information helps to set the mood for the tale of cloak and dagger intrigue that is about to unfold.    A man named Steady Haynes dies suddenly of natural causes the evening before the inauguration.  Though never officially an agent of the CIA, Haynes has spent most of his career unofficially facilitating the carrying out of some very nasty things on the Agency's behalf all over the world.  When Granville Haynes, Steady's son and a former LAPD homicide detective, comes to Washington to attend his father's funeral, he learns that Steady had let it be known that he had recently written his memoirs.    It soon becomes very apparent that there are people out there who do not want Steady's manuscript to ever see the light of day.  And they are not above commiting murder to see that it doesn't.  The complex plot of Twilight at Mac's Place revolves around the younger Mr. Haynes, with the help of McCorkle and Padillo, uncovering who the anonymous literary suppressors are.    This very appealing book contains plenty of the byzantine twists and turns Thomas is famous for.  Moreover, there are plenty of interesting characters and the dialogue is unfailingly smart and entertainingly clever.  Recommended to those readers who like their political mysteries laced with sophisticated humor and an insider's view of the way Washington does business.
Output: POS
One of My Favorite Carole Matthews . I found this to be one of the best Carole Matthews titles that I have read. Carole's books always present such interesting challenges faced by her protagonists when it comes to life and love, and this one is no exception.     Set in a small village on the outskirts of suburban England, Carole does an excellent job in capturing what life is like in a small town, with neighbors watching your every move, speculating and spreading rumors that sometimes only have a sliver of truth to them. She even reveals how wrong people can be about what is innocent, and what isn't in a small town through hilarious antics of a housewife turned prostitute.    The main character, Rose, is trying very hard to start a new life in a small town, but nobody wants to give her a break because they don't understand what she does as an aromatherapist, and mistakenly think she is a prostitute! As she settles in, she begins to fall in love with a local, who is going through his own relationship troubles. However, she is still torn by the affair that sent her fleeing from London. I couldn't stop reading as Rose tries so desperately to make the right decision, faltering for some time but eventually coming to terms with her feelings after a rather muddy encounter!    A definite must for any fan of Carole Matthews, or British chic lit
Output: POS
McJihad vs. Reality . This book is inexplicably influential, probably due to its catchy but ultimately meaningless title. Barber fails to convincingly analyze an interesting thesis, instead delivering an exasperating 300 page-long list of every single thing on Earth that he disagrees with. Barber contends that natural human political behavior results in smaller and smaller ethnic enclaves trying to separate themselves from the larger world, while unchecked global capitalism is erasing ethnic flavor with bowdlerized mass-culture sameness. Interestingly, Barber contends that these two contrary movements are actually in an unholy alliance, using each other's excesses as excuses for their anti-democratic behavior. That is a fascinating thesis, which makes the weaknesses of this book all the more infuriating.     The first part of the book is an interminable tirade of lists within lists, of cultural trends that Barber disdains, in an avalanche of complaints that is not analytical but merely selective and arbitrary. It's all tied together with attempts at "edgy" pop culture references, made-up terminology (like the annoying "infotainment telesector"), and pseudo-intellectual quotations and namedropping. All is lumped together unconvincingly under the anemic term "McWorld," which is so vague and all-inclusive as to become meaningless. In his never-ending examples of how recent cultural trends are damaging the freedom and intelligence of the masses, Barber merely comes across as a condescending snob who thinks his own interests are superior, or a curmudgeon who thinks everything was better back in the good old days, or both. In the second part of the book, Barber proceeds to throw obtuse political science theories at various world hotspots, in which tribalism and separatism are damaging the integrity of nation-states. His umbrella term for this phenomenon is the dangerously loaded term "Jihad." Note that this book was published back in 1995, so that word was not as prevalent in Western discourse as it is now, but Barber still uses the term as a loose descriptor which is likely to offend both devout Muslims and ardent anti-Islamists.    When it comes to the specifics, many reviews here and elsewhere list out the numerous flaws in Barber's arguments, and there are so many of them that a lot of reviews are necessary for the task. You can agree or disagree with various critiques of Barber's contentions based on your own personal politics. But everyone will probably conclude that in this book's final section he does not deliver on the ironic implications of his initially intriguing thesis (embodied in the book's title), and simply forwards borrowed theories on civil society and the public sector. Overall, this book is mostly the longwinded grumblings of a nostalgic know-it-all who portentously predicts doom for every single cultural and political reality of the modern world. [~doomsdayer520~
Output: NEG
Excellent Writer.....Poor Plot . West is without a doubt a superb writer, however I found The Shoes of The Fisherman to be a great dissapointment.  In spite of the fact that most of the reviews I have read higly praise the book, it never really got to me.    The concept seems quite interesting at first:  an unknown russian, cardinal Kiril Lakota is elected pope.  After being held prisioner for quite a few years, he steps up to lead millions of people around the globe in a new world which he basically has knowledge of only from his years in captivity.    At the same time, Kamanev, the man who had been Lakota's prision guard in Russia, and who tortured him beyond belief, has become the head of the russian government.    The fact that both men now need each other provides for a very interesting plot, which in my opinion is never fully developed.  The main issue I have with the novel is that it is plotless...nothing really happens.  A large portion of the book consists of  a series of endless, and a bit boring, thoughts  from Lakota.    On the other hand, the reader is exposed to the way the catholic church funtions and thinks, which is an interesting way to humanize religion in he eyes of the reader.    There are also a series of sub-plots dealing with what Lakota has to face as a pope, regading human cruelty, poverty, and most of all politics, which could have proven to be enough for a good novel.    Unfortunatelly, the narration goes astray in many parts, which lessens one's interest in the book. Quite frankly, I had to make a great effort to finish the book, hoping that at some time it would pick up, which it never did.    As I mentioned before, West is a very good writer, but this book is in my opinion, highly overrated.  I can honestly say it never got my full atention.
Output: NEG
A poor read and flawed history . This book is somewhat entertaining, but it could've used an editor.  Unfotunately, it not only lacks a great deal of facts, but it often gives the opposite.  The author frequently falls into tired, false cliche about his opinions of the era, which often contradicts his more factual claims, and speaks about it's figures as if he had known then inside and out, and disliked them.  The ridiculous Mark Twain-esque cliches he claims as facts are enough to drop the book, making it just another in the 100 year long pile of falsified, biased histories of the middle ages
Output: NEG
Behind Every Great Woman... . IMPERIAL WOMAN is the fictionalized biography of the great Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi, the real power behind the throne during the reins of the last four emperors of China. The story starts with her as a beautiful Manchu teenager who, along with her cousin Sakota, is picked for the emperor's crop of concubines. Through guile and ambition, Tzu Hsi bears the male heir to the emperor she comes to control. When the emperor dies young, Tzu Hsi makes sure she and Sakota are named regents for the young child emperor.     Through keen intelligence, intrigue, and whatever other means necessary, Tzu Hsi holds the imperial throne through her son's childhood. Buck portrays a woman split between feelings of love for her family and what is the best for the empire, rather than what I gather is the historical feeling - that Tzu Hsi was some sort of evil spider spinning schemes from the center of her web in Forbidden City. Through all the machinations and years she is aided by Jung Lu, her former betrothed and the love of her life.     The Dowager Empress has the ultimate power, but Buck shows she is a servant of the opinions of her court advisors and in reality only rules the eunuchs and court ladies in the Forbidden City. She is a relic of the past in a time of great change and cultural upheaval in China, when it is besieged by western nations and ideas. The infamous Boxer Rebellion is the beginning of the end for Tzu Hsi, and she loses her spirit and resolve after this defeat and the death of her beloved Jung Lu.
Output: POS
it's a reminder . If you haven't learned from a teacher, you won't learn from this book.  It does serve, however, as a reminder for someone who has moved away from other practitioners, so that a thorough workout doesn't leave out any of the forms, letting it fade into the oblivion of the memory
Output: NEG
This Book Made Me Fall Asleep! . After reading "Why Do Men Have Nipples" and loving it, I had high hopes for book number two.    I really enjoyed all the chapters in book 1, excluding the dialogue between the authors.  I found it boring and irrelevant to the book itself.  I skipped those sections.  The chapter topics were written humorously but gave factual information. Very fun and interesting!    This book, was boring.  The chapter topics are not nearly as interesting as the first book's.  Once again there is the annoying dialogue (which I skipped).  There was virtually no humor in this book. I felt like the authors scraped the barrel to come up with topics this time around. I was VERY disappointed in this book. I read it in a couple hours. Zzzzz.    Guess these authors are good for just one time
Output: NEG
Practical, yet somewhat naive . This book teaches you the best way to make money in the markets = confluence of levels combined with price action triggers. He teaches you almost everything on the market's technical behavior.     The naive part is that he uses, in my humble opinion, old school indicators - like 50SMA and 200SMA. Also, he relies on stochastics as an oscillator to show him overbought and oversold conditions. Of course, I wish this were true but I think in today's more volatile conditions - there should be more than that.     So what does there need to be? I don't know, but let me tell you one important thing: Just because you see tons of charts on his book with stochastics on overbought and then prices immediately pulling back, don't let that fool you into thinking that's how the market is _always_ going to behave.    It's an excellent primer because this is how discretionary traders should trade, simple yet effective, but sometimes I think it's a bit too much on the simple side.    4/
Output: POS
It's Not THAT Bad...Then Again, It's Not Too Good Either. . If this is your first Barbara Taylor Bradford book, you may never pick up another one.  I, on the other hand, like to give an author the three strikes rule, so won't hesitate to try something else, but it won't be very soon.  If you want to read one of her novels, do NOT start with this one like I did.  This is very boring--like snails serving as soap stars--not to mention slow and predictable.  I listened to the entire thing on cd, but think it was mostly because I liked Ms. O'Karma's narration--she has an appealingly smokey voice like Carolyn Jones from the Adams Family.  It still couldn't save this story with its endless self-serving "what-about-ME!" mantras and Valentine's overly moralistic attitude.  I'm the same way, and I bore myself!    You knew from page one where this story was going, and the dialog was as insufferable as the descriptions of everything from food and clothing to moths reproducing on peeling wallpaper.  "I was a war photographer and my mommy was mean to me" resounds every other page, yet she wants to get away from all of that.  Nothing's worse than a character or real person who brags, then turns around and screams "Look at me, look at me...How DARE you look at me?!"
Output: NEG
REMEMBER, IT'S A DIARY!!!! . Some of the reviews listed criticize this book for it's "opinions," "harsh jugdements," etc. This was written as a private journal, and not to betaken as an indepth, researched, polished project. Just let him speak!
Output: POS
Mrs Boyton had to die. . Talk about antogonist, our murder victim will have you hoping Poirot lets the guilty walk this time a la ......(won't spoil that title for ya). Very nice characters very believable twist. Ms. Christie proves yet again I am no HERCULE POIROT. How do I always miss the clue
Output: POS
Boring But Interesting.  Does That Make Sense? . The story is very boring.  A middle class family has high aspirations for obtaining upper class status and this `class consciousness' controls everything they think and do.  Despite their foolishness, one can't help but feel sorry for each character (with the exception of the mother) who continually finds failure and disappointment.  The characters are not developed to the point that I usually enjoy, and there are quite a large number of characters.  An interesting thing about the characters is, none of them are `good.'  Probably the closest thing to a good character is Virgil's Boss, Mr. Lamb.  But even he is a business monger, ultimately concerned with his own business.  This reflection on man is insightful.  In real life, are there any people without flaws?  Major flaws?  Even the Bible presents the heroes of the faith as people with big problems (King Solomon was a womanizer, David was a murderer, Peter was a coward, etc.).  In general, people are selfish.  Our motives are selfish, and our own desires drive everything we do.  However, often fiction reflects one or two main characters who are flawless.  In an attempt to make characters likable- reality is bypassed.  This doesn't happen here in Alice Adams.      I believe this book is about expectations.  The Adams' family lives in the false hope of a brighter future, all the while neglecting the life they are currently living.  I feel that this is the same discontenting experience that Westerners face.  Maybe this is even a reflection of the way the author wrote the book- seemingly slow, but with flashes of brilliant foreshadowing which gives hope to the reader that something more grand is on the horizon.       The story is interesting because of the absolute stupidity of this family, and the fact that it probably is a very real experience for many. The story, though slow, is written very well, and was very easy for me to read (a plus for me, I am a bit slow).   It is also interesting because even though the story takes place in America- it seems a different culture.  This different culture was interesting.  I think the difference came in that the story is supposed to have taken place in the South (a foreign country as far as I am concerned), and it probably took place in the very early part of the 20th century.  One aspect of Tarkington's writing that I appreciated was the way he foreshadowed things.  Maybe I appreciated the subtle foreshadowing hints because of the drudgery of the story, but whatever the reason- I think he did an excellent job.
Output: POS
Did not work for me. . I have been a big fan of Mr. Woods since "White Cargo."  His books are not great literature, but fun reads with interesting characters and the outcomes are never obvious.  This book fail in that I was not able to relate to the characters, too much sex with nothing to do with the story (I am not against sex but it should be relevant, not sensationalistic).  Well, you cant hit one out of the park every time.  If you Like Woods still of writing and storytelling you need to check out the cult favorite "Tourist in the Yucatan" cool thriller
Output: NEG
Reading other's email is fun! . I loved this book! it was written in email form and frankly i love reading email and being sneaky and reading other's email is quite fun as well so reading this book was a little guilty pleasure!    it is about a woman who finds neighbor passed out and then her 'nephew' comes to take care of her pets while the neighbor is in coma in hospital. turns out the nephew isnt really the nephew but a friend the nephew made help him out because he didnt want to help his aunt. the woman has emails from her friends in there, coworkers as well. it is really a fun quick read.
Output: POS
Entertaining and informative look at crossword construction . In an age when the advent of computer-generated sudoku seem to be taking over, Matt Gaffney responds with this very eloquent and entertaining exploration of standard crosswords and how they are created.    Gaffney, an experienced puzzle constructor and editor, offers glimpses into the history of crosswords and their attributes, but the real strength of his book is its insight into the effort that constructors go in making gems for puzzlers.     He discusses the way that puzzle themes have evolved over time, the limits of themed and non-themed puzzles, challenges that constructors have posed themselves, and how new-wave constructors have pushed the boundaries of puzzles using technology to help them fill grids and using their twisted brains to find ever-more-intriguing clues.    This book is well written in a conversational style filled with humorous anecdotes and includes interviews with many editors and constructors.    Of most interest to me was a chapter in which four constructors are given partially completed grids and are asked to use their brains or computer assistance to generate "fills" that they think are best. The results are beautifully divergent, and the way that judges viewed them and rated them points out that the nature of "beauty" in crosswords is still a contested area.    Like Amende's "Crossword Obsession" and Romano's "Crossworld" this book focuses on a very small field, but the thoroughness and humor that suffuse it make it a strong addition.    This book will offer you insights into puzzles if you are a novice and will generate laughs of recognition and empathy if you are an expert or constructor. I recommend it.    Will J
Output: POS
Advice of sibling true - they get better and better . My little brother passed away at just 17 years old on July 25th, and I remember when I first started reading year 4, he said that each book only get's better and I have a long way to go. Yes, it took me nearly three months to read this novel, but not because I'm that slow of a reader. More likely, the story and characters were so interesting that I preferred dragging out each chapter to save myself from moving forward to year 5.  Year 4 was an excellent read with plenty of Potter goodness, not to mention the building plot's twists and turns, and the mysteries it would take a Sherlock Holmes to solve. Forget Holmes...it's all Potter and gang in this forth book by J.K. Rowling. As a reader, I highly recommend and back the series.  As for my brother if he can read this from afar, man I miss you and I'm enjoying reading the stories you told me about. Thanks
Output: POS
Accusative . There really was good bits to this book.  Unfortunately, her accusation against Bible translators as being male and therefore biased against passages that dealt with women seemed terribly harsh if not arrogant.  The basic line of reason goes as follows: "All Bible translators are bigots and have gotten this passage wrong. 'Authority' in the this Biblical passage really doesn't mean 'authority'in the greek."  What does it mean?  Hubcap
Output: NEG
Excellent Factual Overview Of The Religion Of Ancient Israel . This is one book on ancient Israel that actually delivers what its title promises. In &quot;The Early History of God&quot; Mark Smith systematically sifts through archaelogical and literary data from Bronze and Iron Age Palestine, the Mediterranean, and Mesopotamia to find the earliest evidence for YHWH, his cult, and his context. Chapters include discussions of YHWH and El, YHWH and Baal, Asherah and asherahs, cultic practices, such as communication with the dead and child sacrifice, at the sites where YHWH was worshiped, as well as a brief discussion of the beginnings of monotheism during the late monarchy. Refreshingly for me, Smith frames his argument on available evidence, not on wishful thinking, and the result is provocative and stimulating. The long introduction to this new edition covers the debate that has gone on since the book was originally published over ten years ago, and the extensive footnotes are a wealth of information on every side of the discussion. This is the kind of book that helps keep scholarship in good repute. Don't wait to read it
Output: POS
Poor execution of a good idea . The idea was to have the essentials of AC/DC circuit analysis, linear circuits, electronic circuits, digital logic circuit design, electromechanical machines, and control theory in one handy outline. The problem is, any one of these subjects is way too complex and deep as it is presented in most universities for the book to be helpful for undergraduate electrical engineering students. Also, on the whole, this material is far from basic. The material on electromechanical machines and control theory is usually taught in junior or senior undergraduate courses.Thus, this book would be most helpful to a professional or someone returning to graduate school for a master's degree in electrical engineering who needs some review on material that they have previously mastered but possibly forgotten. Unfortunately, as the other reviewer pointed out, this book is chock full of errors, thus rendering the book pretty much useless in the problem solving department. If a revised second edition of this book ever comes out with corrections to all of the current errors, I would recommend it to the target audience I have already mentioned, but definitely not to undergraduate engineers who are seeing this material for the first time
Output: NEG
Great Idea, but the book didn't quite pay for itself . This book had quite a number of scholarships listed, but some of them were of no use to 99.9% of the population of college students.  If I was interested in attending Generic College, USA, and I wanted to know what scholarships they offered, I would go to that college and ask them.  I wouldn't look it up in a general college scholarship book.  Thus it was frustrating when college-specific scholarships were listed for some schools, but not all.  Some of the listings were outdated, and I felt like I had to read through the whole book to make sure I didn't miss any scholarships I was eligible for.  I sent out about ten letters to different scholarship opportunities, and not all of them were responded to, and of those that replied and to whom I submitted applications to, no money was won.  Thus I was not very happy with my purchase
Output: NEG
It is Horrible! . I can't believe how you nice little English people can actually edit such terrible and unbelievable books!  I hope you'll never ever get another book published
Output: NEG
Flatland is boring . Flatland is for advanced students -seniors and up- who are participating in a physchological study class. This book warps your thinking about the geometric rules. Unfortunately, it is written in such a way that even if you are a very concentrated reader, you cannot read a paragraph withouth being distracted. The diction in this story is made to be boring. A teacher assigned freshmen students-in high school- to read this and everyone complained because it literally takes and hour to get through a couple of pages. You must also reread the text to find some sort of meaning. This book is not meant for anyone under 18 and is certainly not enjoyable for leisurely purposes
Output: NEG
Wife: "Best book I've read in, like, years!" . I bought "One Hundred Demons" as kind of a shot-in-the-dark gift for my wife. She ended up reading it all in one sitting and gave me her opinion. "This book is, like, one of the best books I've read in years! You have to read it! She even, like, gives you instructions in the back on how to paint your own demons!" Buying a good gift without being given specific instructions is something I do once every 10 years maybe. I did it TWICE this year (I also did good by buying her some thermal "dog" pajamas from Target on a whim).  I ended up reading it myself -- and I thought it was an awesome book. I couldn't (and still can't) put it down either! There are a lot of nuances that are very funny. Lynda Barry does a great job conveying personality and humanism. Very colorful and fun to read. Will likely buy more of her books -- I (we) need more than just one fix
Output: POS
Succeeds as a book, Fails as a social stimulator . One only need read the reviews of this book from both professional and amateur critics to see that, if Gross's purpose is to aid the reconciliation between Jews and Poles, he has utterly failed. Unlike books dealing with heroes who surmounted prejudice to create miracles, this book stirs an old cauldron of hatred, freshening the pot. Readers without a more complete history of both the Jews and the Poles are especially at risk. Jan Karski's "Story of a Secret State" which was actually written DURING World War 2 and deals with  the situation in a balanced and informed manner would be a good companion book to this.    Additional reading should include a comprehensive review of Polish-Jewish relations, beginning with the Charters of Sanctity responsible for so many Jews living in Poland in the first place. When Jews were being blamed for the plague and slaughtered throughout Europe, the Poles opened their doors and gave them a homeland, where they thrived for many centuries.    The Lutheran armies of the Swedish invasions brought anti-Semitism. Later, Poland was divided by Germany, Russia (with a German Queen), and Austria, an occupation which lasted for more than a century. These countries waged a cultural war on the occupied Poles, determined to convert them to their own.     The Poland of WW2 had only been liberated for a few decades. The equivalent of Ronald Reagan's era to today. Many of the citizens were of German descent and actually aided the Nazis in their fight against other Poles, not only Jews.    And although the sickening atrocities recounted in this book are inexcusable, one must keep in mind that they were committed by people driven to collective madness by decades of oppression, poverty and terror. We've seen similar episodes in recent years in the Balkans and Africa and elsewhere. Even the Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem maintains a website decrying violations by hate-infected Israelis today.    Poland has only regained her true national and cultural identity in the last two decades, after two hundred years of occupation. Pope John Paul 2 was emblematic of that spirit, and Poland's support for Israel and attempts to honor her Jewish heritage, embraced by her youth of today, are evidence that she has turned a corner and is nurturing the great ideals of her past. The Poland that was once a mighty power, yet never imperialistic. The Poland that was the Promised Land for Jews in the Middle Ages
Output: POS
A Quick Read if Nothing Else . When I first read the summary of Lost Souls I knew I had to get this book.  So, on what would end up being an long journey, I phoned my local second hand book stores and after going to three finally found one that actually had a copy (despite the others that were 'supposed to have one, miss, sorry').  I couldn't wait to read it, and in two days I'd finished the book.      Now, perhaps it was because my sights had been set so high, or perhaps I expected a well written novel when there was none, but 'Lost Souls' disappointed me severely.  As another reviewer said Nothing, the main character, is possibly one of the most selfish characters I've come across.  I'm fine with selfish characters, I myself loved Lestat of the Vampire Chronicles, but only when they're well written.  We're meant to sympathize with him but I found it impossible to do so.  He is honestly a selfish teenager and even while reading this when I was a teenager I wanted Nothing to come to some revelation.  I found the only character I felt bad for in the novel died early on.  While the rest of the novel was supposed to be tense, or possibly filled with horror, I found I was flipping through without a true care as to what happened to the main characters.  There were a few moments of suspense but nothing too frightful.  In all honesty, the book reminded me of the countless  horror stories that fill writing websites [...]     Overall, I would say it's worth a read if you've nothing else to do and are craving any type of vampire story.  Just don't expect too much
Output: NEG
vampire Christopher . Christopher Byron's sensibility indicates that he is a small-minded, pathologically envious little weasle of a man, who tries to puff up his empty meaningless life by attempting to denigrate a great woman who has brought great beauty and grace to our culture.  Unless you're one of those nasty-spirited people who find glee in joining the pack of hyenas who hate powerful, brilliant, talented women because the light from great women's souls is too bright and reveals too vividly your pathetic life, avoid this book. Byron is simply a mean little vampire, trying to suck money and notoriety from the life blood of Martha.  Shame on John Wiley &amp; Sons for publishing this book
Output: NEG
This book will never see the bookself! . This book is so great it will never see the bookshelf.  As a first time mom, with my mom across the US, this book came in handy a lot.  I started to read this before my baby was born, and learned stuff I never even knew.  Afterwards it came handy as a refrence, especially when my baby got sick(which was a lot).  This book is great for any first time mom as a shower gift
Output: POS
Excellent Biography . This is a spectacular read, well balanced in all aspects of JFK's life from cradle to grave.  Although rather long, the pages flow nicely.  The author takes the middle road, and sees JFK as a great leader in many situations, but not perfect nor a saint.  This produces a well-rounded and complete biography.  New information on JFK's health is sprinkled throughout.    As a caveat, this book is about JFK's LIFE, not his DEATH.  Less than ten pages of over 700 are involving the assassination.  So regardless of what you think or feel about November of 1963, if you want a book focused on that, find a different book instead of leaving negative reviews
Output: POS
Excellent Book . This book is full of excellent advice. I have been concerned about the products that I use for cleaning for a while and this book gave me a great one-stop resource to start doing something about it. The introduction on how to handle the mountain of stuff we tend to accumulate was a welcome bonus (buying a copy for my ex-wife just for that!)
Output: POS
Predictiable . It was a very slow and boring book! Never got to the ending woth any build up or expectation
Output: NEG
A great book for me at this time in my life . I am in the infant stages of my conversion to Judaism, and this book really cemented my conviction that this is the right decision for me.  I felt that Rabbi Kushner clearly explained what Judaism is all about to him and, in many instances, to me as well.  The chapter dealing with the dietary laws I found particularly helpful and enlightening, as this is one of the most intimidating factors for me in converting to Judaism and living as an observant Jew.  Rabbi Kushner's explanations helped me understand the dietary laws in a different way, as allowing the sacred to enter into mealtimes -- which takes the focus off food -- and I immediately began "keeping kosher" to an extent.      I didn't feel that this book slammed Christianity, but I'm not a Christian so my perspective is decidedly one-sided.  I did feel that this is a book about Judaism, not about Christianity.  There are places where Rabbi Kushner compares and contrasts the two religions, but I didn't get the sense that he was saying, "Our way is better than your way."  I DID get the sense that he is a man who feels deeply connected to God, and sees his religion as the source of that connection.  While it's likely that a (relatively) small number Christians would read this book, it seems to be intended for Jews -- a book for Jews about Judaism, written by a Jew.  The references to Christianity did not seem to be an instruction guide on Christianity so much as a way for Jews to understand their own religion within the context of modern American society, which is predominantly Christian.    If you are interested in learning more about Judaism -- what do Jews believe? what is the Jewish religion all about? -- then I think this is a very good introduction.  Rabbi Kushner's explanations are easy to read and understand and at the same time very enlightening.  Don't let this be the extent of your studies into Judaism, but it is a fine place to start
Output: POS
A great book to read in order to skip many . This is a great book to read so that you can skip the 4 boring ones before it and save yourself some agony. This gives a wonderful, detailed history of the never-before revealed story of Magician Humphrey while briefly  reminding you about all the books before this one. I'd recommend it if  you're looking to get alot of books read in just on
Output: POS
Nietzsche DESTROYS Christian dogma with this book . Nietzsche is a genius. His ideas are still as important today as they were the day he wrote them. He destroys Christianity in one fell swoop - anyone who reads the Will to Power and still believes in Christian dogma is in the purest state of denial. Nietzsche provides saying after saying after saying, perfect for debate. If you're a doubter or secular, read this book and you will erase all possibilities of the Bible being real from your mind forever
Output: POS
Stereotype upon stereotype . We are reading this book for our book group.  I'm not sure if it made me uncomfortable because the perspective was so accurate or if it was because it never went beyond the stereotypes that I already have.    I didn't like one character in the book.  Even the dogs and the kid were annoying.  While that may have been the result of good writing, the end product was that I was left feeling nothing but "ick."   The characters seemed one dimensional even though a large amount of time was spent detailing their thoughts and opinions.  I never understood the "why's" behind any of their actions, just their histories.  Perhaps I was too slow to draw the conclusion.    I felt like a big, over consumerized, ungrateful loser.    If that's your thing, you may love the book.
Output: NEG
A Masterpiece, sadly forgotten, worth reviving . Recently, I have read a lot of books on Creativity and Innovation. My big surprise is that virtually none of them mention Koestler's The Act of Creation. This is unfortunate because this book is probably the most authoritative examination of creativity. Attention to this classic is worth reviving.    Koestler examines three types of creativity - Humor, Science, and Poetry. Humor, according to him, is cruel (a valuable insight). Poetry, and other forms of art, integrate oneself with the World. Science occupies the neutral middle. It is amazing how Koestler manages to link all three kinds of creativity with a common framework.    My two biggest take-aways from this book are regarding the process of creation and its form.    As Koestler describes beautifully - "..uncovers, selects, re-shuffles, combines, synthesizes already existing facts, ideas, faculties, skills. The more familiar the parts, the more striking the new whole." This is corroborated by all geniuses who have stood `on the shoulder of giants'. Even inventors like Edison fit this framework. This is close to saying that instead of thinking `outside the box', link several boxes to each other.    The other great insight is that the final breakthrough is rarely verbal, but in images. So people see new insights in a dream-like trance, rather than expressing it in language. Language, probably, impedes creativity.     There are several more delightful and relevant insights on creativity in this masterpiece. Nearly a bible on creativity.
Output: POS
....hmmm....what a great book! . I love this book! Early teens and older should read this book. Learn what it means to love and to sacrifice.
Output: POS
The Photojournalist's Bible . This is the only book any photographer should read.  It tells you every  kind of career there is in photojournalism and more.  Descriptions on how  to do everything from selling pictures to agencies to holding on to your  self in a world that demands that you change along with it
Output: POS
Good Info/Confusing for Non-Military Types . This book provided a clear and tragic story of the invasion. You might want to take notes, however. Acronyms and abreviations should be explained more frequently, as well as military organization, for those of us civilian
Output: POS
Book=Excellent, Binding=Poor . Love, love, love the book. Reading his recipes has changed me from an "adventurous cook" to a truly great one. Thanks Mr. Bittman.    But about that binding...My copy is now a 80 volume edition. I am sick of digging though all of the loose pages to find the recipes that I want. After I take the book from the shelf, there are always a number of pages that didn't travel with the cover. Ugh. I have no idea how to fix this. I'm here for another copy. *sheepish grin
Output: POS
Run, don't walk, to buy this book . HI.. I would say most people should run, not walk, to buy this book. It doesn't matter where you are starting from, everyone can benefit from this stuff, and there are a variety of ways to compile wealth that the authors talk about. I found it to be very inspiring and well worth the money. I would recommend it to all my friends, especially those who are befuddled by the markets, because it has simple straightforward advice. good luck to all the savers and investors among us! for socially conscious people, they also tell how to help society (as well as get wealthy.
Output: POS
The Best Way to Greenlight your Project . In her book Web Thinking, successful Hollywood screenwriting consultant and author of numerous books on the entertainment industry, Dr. Linda Seger reveals the real secret to success in any job. She hits the nail on the head--it's about relationships. In my years as a performance improvement specialist to Fortune 100 corporations, 80% of success was not just showing up (like Woody Allen has said), nor is it technical competence and know-how (as our school systems wrongly assume), but rather the establishment of mutually beneficial relationships with our peers, our suppliers and our customers. People get jobs and lose them primarily because their egos are too big to help others succeed. Or as Seger puts it, we need to be "Connecting, Not Competing." Regardless, listen to the interviews with A-listers in any industry. More often it's not the project that creates the critical mass for a greenlight, but how much one person wants to work with another.     Linda's writing was very helpful in the writing of my own book on screenwriting published by Michael Wiese Productions: THE MORAL PREMISE: Harnessing Virtue and Vice for Box Office Success
Output: POS
Highbrow, lowbrow, or just plain cool? . A pivotal look at the development of Latin American popular music, novelist Alejo Carpentier's historical tract was originally published in 1946, and came out of raging, decades-long intellectual debates about the nature of Cuban and Latin American culture.  This is the first English translation of this work and includes a lengthy introductory essay by the editor, explaining the author's role in the Cuban intelligensia... &quot;Music In Cuba&quot; was an attempt to settle some of the controversies about the &quot;legitimacy&quot; of Cuban music, and to resolve the apparent differences between tony, Europhilic art music and the grittier rural style that came to dominate the island's popular imagination.  It's an intellectual, somewhat egghead-y book, but rich in cultural depth... The new foreward is also very valuable, giving proper context to Carpentier and his work, and a sense of the academic and philosophical life of Cubans abroad and at home in the early 20th Century
Output: POS
Great Help for Frazzled Teachers! . This book has many useful,practical ideas for effectively using literacy workstations.  My school year has started so smoothly because of the things I learned from this book.  I highly recommend it to anyone new to workstations, and even to veteran teachers for a fresh perspective
Output: POS
Four-year-olds and I find this book delightful. . The first time that I read this book was with a group of four-year-olds.  They enjoyed it so much that they immediately asked to have it read again.  The story and pictures draw one into an imaginative world.  The little girl  in the story is looking for her stuffed dog, Sally, who is lost in the  quilt.  The squares of the quilt become a wonderful landscape with the  little girl calling, &quot;Sally!&quot; trying to find her dog. The second  time through the story the four-year-olds were calling, &quot;Sally,&quot;  along with me as I read.  Delightful
Output: POS
Live Writing . I think everyone should go and buy this book. It is worthy of 5 stars.This book trys to help you become a better writer by sharing some of Ralph Fletcher's experiances. If you like this book I reccomend you read Spider  Boy or A writer's notebook. ( The book before Live Writing
Output: POS