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Fantastic for all the wrong reasons...
This book was the worst! I laughed out loud the whole way through. Dan Brown treats you like a moron so you feel like a genius when you solve the riddles before his world famous (but not very bright) experts do.Two page chapters! Ridiculous dialogue!If you've never before heard the theory that the bible might not have been written by God Himself, never used a library search engine, and never been outside of your home town, then this is a book of challenging ideas and exotic landscapes.I admit it - I loved reading this book - but it's not getting any more stars from me! | 0negative
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Where is the Ending???
I thought this book started out good and kept my interest. The last chapter or two was a complete disappointment, as a lot of the other reviewers state. I kept hitting my back buttons thinking I missed something this morning when I was finishing the ending. The ending just kind of fell off and no details/information were given for what happened - which is really surprising considering how detailed the middle of the book was (during the storm). | 0negative
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There is no magic pills!
I think that Neil Strauss wasn't really a nice guy or a nerd and that he had a lot of social proof just by being himself: a guy who knows famous people.The book the game just paces extremely well the reality of most guys who are bad with women. And he was very good at that!When you paces the ongoing reality of another person then they're ready to be led into your world.What was Neil Strauss's world? self promotion and promotion of guys like Deangelo, Zan, David X, Steve Piccus, Hypnotica, Tyler Durden, Juggler (Wayne Elise) and, of course, Mystery!If you want to have success:1 - pace a fundamental need that isn't fulfilled in the life of a lot of people.2 - Then, offer a kind of solution in exchange of money (even if it doesn't work), and you'll get money.I threw my copy of this book away. | 0negative
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Fine Ludlum Farewell
Good book on-par with some of Ludlum's earlier efforts. An entertaining read, a bit slow in some areas but overall a good farewell from Ludlum (R.I.P.). | 1positive
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The best adventure ever
THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ!!! J.R.R. Tolkien has a magnificent way of writing books for all ages to read! | 1positive
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Excellent Entertaining and Educational
This PBS Special based entertainment is great for adolescents!I bought it for my neices and nephews and hope they will enjoy it as much as I have! | 1positive
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Long Story Short...
Mr. Lowen merely revises American History with a liberal slant and hopes that you won't be smart enough to question it as per the leftist agenda. Your money is best spent on real history books rather than this revisionism of history. | 0negative
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Should not be a requirement in high school
To me this book would turn a young person, like my self away from the key and enjoyment of reading . Being a book with extensive mistakes in it, it is very difficult to read unless you are to inerpret it every paragraph or should I say sentence. I't maybe a classic, but I feel that the word "classic" comes from just being old........................................................................................................p.s the only reason I put a star was because I had to, to express my opinion on he novel. | 0negative
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Hip Hop Hagiography
Rarely have I encountered such an awkward and opaque writing style. Desmond uses the sampling techniques of hip-hop, producing sentences by stringing together various quotes and quote fragments. The result manifests neither rhythm nor flow as the reader must laboriously decode even the shortest sentences. The overall result is that the book which although it has fair to good factual and analytical content has a fragmentary feel about it and is in general a chore to read. | 0negative
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An Undesputed Classic
I read the Stranger (actually i read the translation entitled The Outsider, but it's the same thing) in my grade 11 world literature class. The book revolves around the main character named Meursault. The novel, deep rooted in its existentialist theme, is one of the most mentally stimulating books you will ever read. Albert Camus suggests that the pinnacle of hypocrisy in society is its quickness to judge people upon appearances or behavior, versus its apparent incapacity to judge people upon fact. I will refrain from making any conjectures about the novel, its theme and message, because that is something you must do for yourself. After reading the novel, dont rush to the internet to read essays and reviews about the novel. Instead spend some time contemplating the book yourself. Then open yourself to the opinions of others. It is one of those books that you will never forget, and will change the way you see things, at least temporarly. | 1positive
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Beautifully-illustrated story about a pioneer fossil hunter
My six-year-old daughter is very keen on learning about and collecting fossils. We have been devouring as many books on the subject as we can and after reading Tracy Chevalier'sRemarkable Creatures: A Novel, I was hoping to find some kid-friendly books about pioneer fossil hunters.There are several books written about Mary Anning, covering either her life's work or her youth. This book focuses on the young Mary Anning's painstaking and patient efforts in uncovering a prehistoric reptile fossil by the Lyme Regis shore. My young daughter and I were impressed by the descriptions of Anning's diligent efforts, carried out mostly in solitude. The watercolor illustrations by Michael Dooling paints a rather bleak picture of the landscape which serves to highlight Anning's solitary efforts.Mary Anning was a pioneer of fossil discovery and her perseverance and patience serves as a great role model for young children. Also recommended areThe Fossil Girl: Mary Anning's Dinosaur Discoveryby Catherine Brighton;Stone Girl Bone Girl: The Story of Mary Anningby Laurence Anholt; and,Rare Treasure: Mary Anning and Her Remarkable Discoveriesby Don Brown. | 1positive
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Have times changed that much?
Wow, this was another high school required reading book for me, and while I really like the story - I walked away from it thinking "It's not fair that women get the burden of blame and the man walks away free!" Which got me to thinking about whether or not society's attitudes about infidelity or pre-marital relations have really changed all that much. I love a book that sparks me thinking about things like this one did as well as having a great story to it too. I recommend this book, although, not for younger children, in my opinion, but high school level and beyond would probably appreciate it. | 1positive
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Timely Advice for Parents
This book was just in time for our family! It's great to not have to be caught off guard by the changes that our Eight-year-old is heading into. We would highly recommend. | 1positive
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Same plot, different names.
I quit reading Danielle Steele a long time ago, when her books became too much alike. The last good book I think she wrote was "Crossings". Anyway, I read this one, because I heard it was so-o-o good. I disagree. Once again, we have a "beautiful" woman in a bad relationship, who meets her Prince Charming. It's always, all too perfect. Always beautiful friends, family, lots of money. It was ok for a rainy day. I am just glad I got it from the Library and did not buy it. I miss the Danille Steel of old. | 0negative
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Black Christmas, er, Hogwatch
In the fictional Discworld, which is carried by four elephants atop a giant turtle floating through space, what we would consider Christmas is known as Hogwatch. The jolly, bearded fat man in the red suit we would associate with Santa Claus is known as the Hogfather and drives a team of four boars instead of eight reindeer. This year, though, something has gone amiss--mainly the Hogfather himself--and so if the Hogfather looks as if he's lost a lot of weight it's because Death is standing in for him.The plot itself for "Hogfather" sounds like one of those cheesy Christmas specials we used to see more of on television like "The Flintstones Save Christmas" or "Ernest Saves Christmas" or even "The Santa Clause" where some ordinary klutz has to fill in for Santa and bring toys and cheer to the good little boys and girls. But things are never that simple or straightforward in the Discworld. While the Grim Reaper is filling the Hogfather's boots, his "granddaughter" Susan goes in search of the Hogfather, which ultimately involves assassins and The Tooth Fairy. Meanwhile, at Unseen University, the school for wizards, strange things are happening like gods and fairies appearing out of thin air. (It makes slightly more sense when you read the book.)The story centers not so much on "saving Christmas, er, Hogwatch" as on the nature of belief and how it changes over time. In particular is the concept of old gods serving new purposes. If you look back through history you can compare the roles of old gods like Zeus or Odin with the Christian God (or Jesus) or Hindu gods, and so forth. No matter the society or the religion humans have always had a need for belief in something, even if it's something ridiculous like a jolly fat man and a team of flying hogs.There's a good moral as well in the story of Death learning to be Santa, er, Hogfather in that Christmas, er, Hogwatch doesn't always mean getting everything you want. Even as children a little disappointment is necessary to help us mature into adults. (You've seen what happens to people who get everything they want growing up with the Paris Hiltons of the world.)So really what could have in lesser hands been rendered into a cheap, sappy Christmas special has been given far more meaning by Mr. Pratchett. Not to mention the book is hilarious and a breeze to read. Some of the things near the end were a little confusing, but overall this was a great read for the holidays.I bought the British miniseries of this off the Amazon Black Friday sale; I hear the miniseries sticks pretty close to the book, which would be a good thing. Once it arrives I'll have to find out.That is all. | 1positive
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Very good read!
I really enjoyed this book. It was a very fast, easy, enjoyable read with interesting characters. I liked it more than High Fidelity, which was somewhat depressing... | 1positive
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It's been two months
I am still slogging through it when there is nothing else to read. Make what you will of that information | 0negative
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Awesome Book!
I bought this for my father-in-law who owns a Cessna. He couldn't put the book down-was really happy with it. | 1positive
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Can't wait for Monkey
Bought this book for my daughter. She couldn't put it down and finished it in one day. I asked her to "pass it on" to a friend she told me "no way". I snuck a peak at the first chapter before handing her the book and found it to be immensely enjoyable. | 1positive
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Online book review for KU
The book Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos is a good book for children and adults to read. This story is about a boy, named Joey who has Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). His parents are divorced and he doesn't know his father so he convinces his mother to allow him to spend time with him. This book has an interesting point of view. Joey tells the story from his view, and how he deals with ADD. The story describes his life and specific events and it shows other children what ADD is like. Joey also decides in the beginning of the story that he wants to meet his father, and he's interested in having him around. However, toward the end of the story, Joey realizes that all he really needed was what he already had, his mother. He understands how important that is. The dialogue in the story provides insight into Joeys character. The author, for example, shows Joey depends on his medicine in stating "I didn't have time for anything that lasted longer than the snap of my fingers. But after I got my good meds, which were in a patch I stuck on my body every day, I started to settle down and think (9-10). " We realize it's important for him to have the medication and that he also does crazy things like "I'd spin around a few times then screech to a sudden stop and wing a dart at the closest bull's-eye. " "And one time I kept spinning until everything was blurry like you tape a bottles bottom over your eyes and when I stopped I threw a dart at the first animal I saw and heard Pablo yelp and when I could get my balance and focus my eyes I found him quivering in a corner of the couch with a dart through his ear (12-13). " This describes his personality. The characters and setting in this book are unique and believable. Joey's character is believable because there are children that can read this story and relate to him. There are children who live with separate or divorced parents and visit the other parent during summer vacation or holidays. Children with ADD can also relate to Joey and understand what he goes through and his experiences throughout the story. The setting in the book is at Joey's house, and with his family in various common places. There are a couple major questions you ask when reading this story. For example, what will Joey think of his dad? Has his dad stopped drinking and smoking? And what will happen to Joey if or when he stops taking his medication? The pace and style of the book flows well and it is hard to put the book down because you want to find the answers to your questions. The content is appropriate for children in sixth grade or higher and this would be a good book for your library collection in the classroom. | 1positive
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Unreliable
Terry makes numerous conclusions based on data that is either unreliable or taken far out of context. Also, several of the stories contained in this book are exaggerated and even complete fabrications.I could not possibly recommend this book. However, if you do choose to read it, make sure that you also read Burkett's, "Stolen Valor." | 0negative
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good surprises
I like and get cookbooks but was calling a halt until I read these reviews and bought it. I think it might end up my favorite for the many options and variations it adds to a basic recipe, like chicken breasts, for instance, including ideas, sauces, spices, from many countries, for which one would have to buy many cookbooks. The style is homespun and humorous. Good layout, a nice book physically. How did he do it? | 1positive
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One of the best thrillers in a long time!
I couldn't put this fascinating thriller down -- it has an amazing premise, a likable hero, ingenious plotting, and breathtaking suspense. The scenes in which a man is taught to beat the polygraph are among the best and most riveting passages I've read in years. I loved almost all of the characters in this book (even the supporting ones), and I hope Johansen manages to bring them all back for a sequel. This is a great suspense novel! | 1positive
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Great short story
I watched this as a movie a long time ago so I wanted to get the book to see how close it was from the movie. In a lot of ways it was different and a lot of ways it was the same. The basic idea was the same. All in all I liked the book version better | 1positive
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Great Characters, Great Book
One of Lehane's earlier works, this story shows the depths of his writing skills. Suspenseful and clever, this book is not just hard to put down. It's hard to let go of the characters long after the story has ended. | 1positive
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beginners level
Most of the information was beginners level and most of the pics were old and had been used in many other of the tfh series of books. While this is an adequate overview of the boas and pythons there are no specifics or scientific info. | 0negative
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Completely amazing!
I am loving this book. I'm only half way through yet but it's amazing. I deffinatly recommend it to people who read good books ;) | 1positive
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Incredibly Over-rated
Harper Lee wrote one book, and it consisted mostly of random events that happened during her childhood with no rhyme or reason, and it becomes regarded as one of the greatest works ever written.I simply do not understand. I read this book, and it became apparent rather quickly that all the events in the book had no relation to one another. Nothing progressed the plot at all. It was essentially "this happened, and then this happened, this happened too." None of it presented or built upon any one storyline, and quite frankly, most of it was very uninteresting. Atticus was the only character that I could bring myself to like. The trial was the most interesting part of the book, which not coincidentally, barely involved the main character, Scout, at all.Definitely not worth all the praise. | 0negative
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Book is Missing Pages 33-40
I received this book yesterday as it is required reading for a college course I'm taking. I just realized that pages 33-40 are missing. They are not torn out, they are just not there. This book seems to be in new condition otherwise, and I believed it was new when I bought it. I'm thinking it may have been a printing problem. Extremely disappointing. | 0negative
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Cover-up for a bitter truth?!
The story though interesting to read, is questionable in truthfulness. Most of the book is based on personal revenge(as you could feel all over the book) than personal experience. Here is the situation: you kidnap a charming child from her father, you break a lot of international laws, mixing with smugglers and criminals,... How could you justify yourself? The easiest way out is to depict the "other side" as demons to cover your act. The author is very successful at manipulating the otherwise simple facts. She entangles the reader in a web created from her rage and revenge decorated with promise of hope and happiness. A clear conscious? never. | 0negative
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Not worth it
After reveiwing this book, I returned it. Any child who was having difficulty passing the FCAT would not take the time to read through (much less comprehend) the "tips" to passing the test. Your time would be better spent having your child work through problems similar to those on the FCAT. | 0negative
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another "96 Everest tragedy" book ?
Yet another book on the 96 Everest tragedy....while an account by a well known (and good writer) Krakauer might be of interest, the story somehow looses any pigment when related for the 15th times by someone who should never have been there in the first place. Here is an account by someone who actually shares a responsibility in the so called "tragedy", someone who should be ashamed of his endangering many lives, and who managed to make a fool of himself on Everest. Instead of disappearing from the public eye in the wake of his pathetic performance on Everest, he decides to write a book and join the "let's cash on it" club. Sad..... | 0negative
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It's harsh when reality is thrown at your face...
I just finished reading "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," a book I probably would not have read if I hadn't received it as a gift. Luckily this wasn't my fate. Overall, the letters sent by Charlie capture all of the feelings that I have experienced and continue to experience as a high school student. I highly suggest it to readers of all ages, for even if you can't relate to everything Charlie goes through like I did, it will still be an emotional journey into the depths of your being. | 1positive
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What the...?
I agree with Io's review - this book is a waste of time. It is just too out-there. There are so many other worthwhile books to NOT torture yourself on this one. Ugh... | 0negative
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Trite
Uninspired and boring. Grisham's writing has been on the decline since The Pelican Brief and this novel does nothing to elevate his writing. I couldn't force myself to finish the last quarter of the book. The novel's pace is languid, the characters are uninteresting and story itself is uninspired. Don't waste your time. | 0negative
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More fun than a barrel of constipated worms!
This book was so dreadful, I would rather eat my own vomit than read it again. Jethro and his family are so lackluster, staring at a blank wall for an hour is more exciting than reading about their dull lives | 0negative
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Watch Out
Borrowed this book from the library. I liked it so much that I bought a coppy. It is just what I have been looking for. I particulary liked the section on frozen foods. However, the copy that was sent to me was the first edition and not the 2nd revised edition. It does not have the frozen food section. I also noticed that the cover shown on the advert is for the revised section edition. As I live in New Zealand it is difficult to return the item. I may have to copy the missing section from the library book. I will never buy from the seller again. | 0negative
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OP-ED -LIKE ILLUSTRATIONS IMPROVE AND ENLIGHTEN
I can't help but wonder if this masterpiece of humor was actually the product of "Room Service" at the "Holiday Inn", as in, "Room Service, bring me twelve more drinks". It smacks of alcohol-induced wishful thinking and pre-demential hallucinatoria. I bet he never left his room. Still, very much fun. "...the tires were so tight, if you ran over a dime you could tell if it was heads or tails..." You bet! | 1positive
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Did they not tell you this is the sequel?
You have to read Favourite of the Gods first. Favourite is much better but you will have to read this one too to further explore this complex and courageous mother and daughter pair. | 1positive
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The Marketing Paradigm for the New Millenium!
This book is definitely an eye-opener for everyone in business of all types. Experiential Marketing is a cutting-edge yet a fundamental approach to marketing, which should be taught in all business schools. Via "experiential marketing," Schmitt presents a revolutionary framework for getting in-touch with one's customers while at the same time differentiating oneself from rest of the competition. I especially liked Chapter 9 where Schmitt lucidly illustrates the "Experiential Hierarchy" concept using Volkswagen Beetle examples. A well-written, easy-to-read format, which makes it a great reading even on planes. | 1positive
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Really Bad Reproduction by Forgotten Books
I was excited to get this old book, but was really just plain pissed off when I opened it. This reproduction has a great cover, but its written material within, was piss-poorly copied. Numerous pages contain partial lettering like when a copy of a copy of a copy of a copy is made. What full page lettering does exist many pages are merely blurs of copied black spots.I own several reprints of old documents that are even better quality than the old originals, so I was really disappointed when I get a reprint where the illustrations are black blobs and many of the printed pages look like chicken scratching at best or, braille at worst.I will think twice about obtaining any reprints if Forgotten Books is the publisher.I love the book, or what should have been the book and really wanted a copy I would be able to use for future reference but I will have to settle with simply refusing to obtain anything from these publishers again.I am disappointed in Amazon.com that they would even allow this poor quality reprint to be sold on their site...oh well. | 0negative
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King's Invitation Kids book
My girls' both really loved this book (8 & 4)A good friend told me that as a child, she was read the King's speech and became a Christian from the story!It details the parable of the Bible, where there is a huge party being thrown, and everyone who is invited refuses.So the rules change, and the poor and the homeless, are invited and given rich robes to put on.It is a good parable for all of us, how God wants us in his family, whatever state we are in, we have only to accept Hisinvitation :) | 1positive
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The author is a Universalist, not a Christian
I can't see how you can interpret the New Testament other than as saying that a person is only saved through trusting Jesus' cruxification and resurrection for the redemption of their sins and not through good works. Why else would God-the-son have condescended to leave the worship of the angels in heaven and die an agonizing death on the cross? That alone distinguishes Christianity from other faiths where people work their way into heaven instead of arriving there on God's grace. To say otherwise is at best superficial and at worst dishonest and massaging the New Testament to mean what you want it to. I would like to think that the New Testament says that all good people go to heaven, but it does not.The purported Christian here appears to be a Unitarian/Universalist to me. But then I think lots of so-called Christians are. They believe that Christianity means you are a good person, or that it is a good thing and want to be one, or like the people who worship in a particular church.Instead they should honestly study what the New Testament does mean and refer to themselves in accordance with what their beliefs really are. They should attend a house of worship that supports their beliefs are stop trying to make the Christian church something it is not, Unitarian/Universalist.Additionally I don't understand the point of reading a book about three women who are ignorant of their faiths. | 0negative
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First 3 books are masterpieces -- this one is a disappointment.
I LOVED the first 3 books in A Song of Ice and Fire. Like many readers of this series my favorite characters are Jon Snow, Daenyrs, and Tyrion. The problem is they are not in this book. After dedicating 3 volumes and 3,500 pages to create some of the most fully realized and entertaining characters in the fantasy genre, George RR Martin inexplicably decides to omit them from this story and subject us (ad nauseum) to Brienne, the swordwench of Tarth.Now my complaint about Brienne isn't that she is ugly (although she is) or stupid (she is); the problem is that she is NOT INTERESTING. Her multiple chapters do not advance the larger story one iota.She is searching for Sansa but since we have known Sansa's location since the conclusion of "A Storm of Swords" there is no suspense. Becuase Brienne is utterly grim and without humor you'd think Martin would at least pair her up with some interesting and witty travel companions. Nope -- Brienne, Poderick and the Sept stumble about aimlessly (and humorlessly) chapter after chapter. Brienne is the Jar Jar Binks of ASOIAF.When I was a little kid I went to see a Lakers exhibition game. Magic, Kareem and James Worthy played for about 3 minutes combined. The game was unmemorable except as a boring disappointment. Sadly, the same holds true for "A Feast for Crows". Martin has relegated his all-star characters and plotlines to the bench.I pray to the old gods and new that Martin can resuscitate this series in A Dance with Dragons. | 0negative
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Things aren't as they appear
I thought I was a student of the esoteric but David Hatcher Childress makes me realize I am still only an alcolyte. History is a mystery and you can believe it because I told you so, just like your highschool history professor. This book will take you on the grand tour of North America and reveal some of the mystery that historians attempt to hide from us in their ivory towers. If you want to expand your mind without taking a lot of mind altering drugs try reading Mr. Chilress' Lost City books. He must have spent a lot of time in the underground book stores prior to his travels. That might be why he decided to hit the road in the first place, to find out for himself. Could America once have been a land of giants, or do pterydactyls still carry off unsuspecting travelers, or are there hidden books with knowledge from the ancients? Maybe, and maybe after reading this book, you will want to take a road trip and find out for yourself.Speak, Hear, and Believe | 1positive
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Pancakes Paris
Beautiful story! My husband's family lived through the Second World War in France and afterwards. They have said the story is very real. The description of how little people had after the war and how generous the GI's were was very true. I had to buy this book for my grandchildren and recommend it! | 1positive
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DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!
I purchased this book for my high school lit class and found it to be a huge rip-off. Besides lacking page numbers, the opening epigraph, and consistent formatting, the copy is also printed in an extremely small font, making it quite difficult to read. Save your money and buy one of the other versions of this book! | 0negative
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A Christmas Carol
The product was as advertised and arrived as scheduled. It suits the purpose for which it was ordered. Definitely would order again. | 1positive
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Worthwhile
This book gives a good understanding of some basic techniques of 2D game programming. This is a good book for a beginner, but after reading this you will probably not have the knowledge to create professional games (but you might be able to impress some of your friends). What I mostly got out of it was the ability to display graphics. The last seven chapters were kind of worthless. It could have given some more information on playing music. Although it had some faults, it was still a pretty good book and I would recommend it to anyone who isn't very experienced in this area of programming, but has a good understanding of C. | 1positive
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Cute!
Perfect book for a big brother in training! I can't wait to give it as a gift. | 1positive
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Great
I knew Welcome to Leo's was going to be a great read because of the authors. St. Martin's chose four of the best authors. I love reading all of these ladies books and don't have to read the back or know what to story is about to buy their work. They have all proven themselves to be wonderful writers with their own unique writting styles.Second Chance by Rochelle Alers was a heart-warming story of a woman given a second chance at love with a sexy doctor named Scott Alexander. Leigh meets Scott when she twists her ankle crossing a busy DC street. Even though they are older, I could see the attraction between them. Scott who has never been married or in love for that matter was really taken with the beautiful Ms. Leigh Walcott. Leigh on the other hand was fighting her attraction to the handsome doctor.Jae Crawford could go against the best of them when it came to singing. She was a down home girl who didn't have any fun. Her girlfriend Tara invited her out to a supper club called Leo's for her birthday. Jae reluctantly accepted and their is where she met Clyde Burrell. Clyde was handsome and all of that, but Jae was really skeptical about talking to this strange hunk. Clyde who is actually the talent director for Leo's liked Jae from the start. Once he talked to her, he found her to be a wonderful and warm woman he wanted to get to know better. Their story was beautiful with the fairy tale ending.Raven Anderson and Lincoln Corbain in Main Agenda by Brenda Jackson had been lovers four years ago. When they saw each other again at Leo's, the fire was still there. Lincoln had wondered why he let the lovely Raven get away from him after their Rendevous on Spring Break four years ago. He promised himself that he wouldn't let her get away this time. Raven promised herself that she wouldn't allow a man to destract her from her life goals. Lincoln didn't make it easy on her. Unfortunately, her sisters had the same idea. Their goals were their main agenda.Sweet Temptation was a great story about a stern Texas Ranger and a Confectionery Shop owner. Chase Braxton has to teach a class at Howard University and was told by his superior wife to call a friend she knew there and she would bake him his favorite cookies. He reluctantly agreed, because he knew he loved sweets. He called the young lady, but theyn kept missing each other. Finally, the beautiful Julia Ferrington invited Chase to dinner at Leo's. Chase couldn't believe how beautiful Julia was. Julia knew she wanted Chase even if it was only for a couple of weeks. The passion between the two was definitely a Sweet Temptation.Each author did a wonderful job at making Leo's come to life. It is really too bad there isn't a Leo's around. Congratulations ladies.If you have never read any of these ladies work,and I must say all of their books are good, I would recommend the following to get you started:Rochelle Alers - Hideaway (series of Cole Family) Donna Hill - Private Affair, Pieces of Dreams Brenda Jackson - Tonight & Forever (series of Madaris Family) Francis Ray - Forever Yours (series of Taggart Family) | 1positive
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not for the novice...
They say "easy" but it ain't easy. If you are not well versed in chemistry, don't expect this book to actually teach you anything. WAY over my head. | 0negative
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The Roto Warriors attack the Pan-American Highway.
Hunter S. Thompson may be Gonzo, but Garry Sowerby and Tim Cahill are Roto.Sowerby and Cahill run a GMC pick-up from Tierra del Fuego to Prudhoe Bay in twenty three and a half days, breaking the world record in the process. Possibly even more amazing is the fact they survived almost exclussively on a thousand boxed milk shakes, beef jerky, and instant coffee mixed in ratios that can only be described as 'chunky'. As harrowing as narrow Andean mountain roads are, and boarder crossings made at gun point (literally)...one is left in awe and wonderment of their intestinal fortitude.For anyone dreaming of such an adverture this book is a real wake up call. All you need is a bevey of sponsers,about three or four hunderd thousand dollars and enough international political contacts to qualify for an ambassadorship... before the trip begins. | 1positive
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Not crap, but not good either.
I must admit, when I first got this book, several things concerned me. First was the worry that any book written by committee is generally doomed to be bad. I guess it's the "too many cooks..." syndrome always concerns me having read too many good ideas gone bad. I was also worried about the apparent reaching for the teen dollar. This book seems to be written almost exclusively for the tweeny and young teen market.I want to be very clear here, the information contained in this book is excellent. There are few books that contain this broad sweep of information. There is, literally, something for everyone. The promotional material that came along with this mentioned that this was written mostly for boys, since there are a ton of books on the market for girls dealing with Witchcraft, but nothing for wizards.In the section on dream interpretation, Oberon is quite clear in stating that Dream Dictionaries, while interesting and of use in a general sense, are not accurate when dealing with most individuals, because the interpretations MUST be filtered through the lens of the experience of the dreamer. I feel this point is critical and more books on dream interpretation must include this piece of advice.There are some truly unique and innovative ideas in this book. One example of this is giving pattern numbers in the section about making your robes and clothing (like jerkins and cloaks) that I have not seen in other books. There is a game that he suggests called "Elven Chess" in which players make patterns with random items they have in their pouch for this game. It sounds interesting and someday soon I plan on trying it.Oberon is trying to weave all stories ever told into one huge tapestry of magick. I am ambivalent about that approach, and I'm not certain that it can be done. Certainly it is not done with this book. Weaving and associating all stories ever told into one book, and then presenting that as a framework for a magickal tradition sounds good on the surface, but Joseph Campbell failed to do it with his seminal works of mythology, Robert Graves failed to do it in his works, and I feel that Oberon fails to do so here. What comes across is a book that can't find a way to get the point across without resorting to taking it from others.In my interview with the author via email, he made it plain that this was deliberate. He also asked how he could have done the same thing any other way. I say that if he was writing a fiction work, then it should be presented as fiction, not as how things are. It's easy to believe in unicorns in a work of fiction, but to read in a work supposedly based in fact that the author rediscovered a way to make Unicorns in this day and age, and to have him reiterate that in several chapters as well as in an interview, punches all my credulity buttons. This is regardless of the fact that he did manage to breed a goat with one horn, which was proven to be a goat by many sources. The unicorns described by medieval writers didn't just have a single horn, they had the legs of a horse, the cloven feet of a deer, the tail of a lion and many other qualities that entire books have been devoted to.Worse than that, in my opinion, is crediting a businessman with motivations that are wholly altruistic, but probably inaccurate. An example is his citation that Gene Roddenberry is a wizard of the highest order because he invented Star Trek. I have read multiple interviews with the man at the time he created Star Trek, and it's apparent that his motivation for writing the story of Star Trek (Wagon Train in space) was to have a TV show and to make money. But in a later interview, Gene says that he created Star Trek to keep the world from killing itself in a nuclear war and Oberon seized on that as proof that Mr. Roddenberry was a Wizard. That may have been his motivation after the phenomenon, and a good sound byte, but as far as I have seen, it was a paycheck.I have seen on some discussion lists Oberon taking a lot of heat for the tone of this book. I truly think that is because this book is not one thing or another. It is taking fictional elements and weaving them into a tapestry of truth, which implies that all fiction is true. While it is laudable that he tries to do so, I don't care how many times he states Hogwarts is real, there is no castle in the north of England where Hogwarts is housed on this earth.Additionally, I was concerned with the use of JK Rowling's' characters and settings throughout the book. I asked if he had permission to use them, and he told me that he did not. He then went on to defend that in stating that he didn't have to have her permission since there are all kinds of fan fiction and others citing her characters and settings. I can only assume that he is trying to make use of the "Fair Use" clause of the United States Copyright Law. But I still find it troubling that an author would do this to another author.The information is solid, but the presentation is badly done. I think this could have been so much better than it is. I can see how it would appeal to others and why experienced members of various traditions don't like it. I can't recommend it and I can't say it's crap. I would advise the reader of this work to read it with an open, critical mind and to take everything with a large grain of salt. Don't believe it simply because it's in here. | 0negative
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Very Disappointed
I was really looking forward to reading this book, especially being from Sylvia Browne. I was very disappointed. It only took about three minutes to go through this book. It was nothing like what I expected. Sylvia tells the audience that anyone with pets need to get this book, she should tell them it is more for children. Pictures were nice, didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. I feel I just threw my money away by buying this book. I should have read the ratings before buying it, I felt since Sylvia wrote it that it had to be worth buying. My cat was very ill and I was looking for something that would help me through her passing. Unfortunately this book wasn't it. | 0negative
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I don't understand why so many people love this book.
I really don't. Preston's style is rather tedious and doesn't do justice to a fascinating topic. I do like how his images all give the reader a sense of doom; it seems that one could catch Ebola from anything in Africa. However, it does not make up for Preston's boring style. | 0negative
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Waste of time
I like a good sex/dick/fart/drug joke as much as the next guy.. but it has to be done well, and this book just isn't. Granted, it has a couple brilliant moments where you can't help but laugh, but it's not worth all the filler. If you want a good bit of rotten comedy, go watch some South Park or Beavis and Butthead because, honestly, that's more sophisticated. The humour in this is dated and just isn't very good (it's like the Air Farce is to Rick Mercer). Plus, this is a kids book we're talking about(albeit a very good one). As far as I'm concerned any book that could be read by children should be off limits for this kind of parody.* | 0negative
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just look for another book
Huge amount of missprints in code samples, some code samples contain errors, which cannot be interpreted as missprints.Chapter about variable scope does not have all essential information. Chapter about database is primitive and rudimentary.CD does not contain what was promised. Is not that already enough? I want my money back!!! | 0negative
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If you liked Hitch Hiker's Guide, you'll like this
Douglas Adams, in my opinion, is really funny. He writes jokes that you have to be pretty smart to get, but not a genius. British jokes. But jokes, nonetheless. He writes strange, off-the-wall, science fiction humor. Sometimes the book can get a little too strange and make you go, "what?" and reread that page, but its still good. I liked it, and I hope you'll like it too. | 1positive
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Mickey Rawlings investigates the murder of a Cub teammate.
This is the third in the Mickey Rawlings series ("Murder atFenway Park" and "Murder at Ebbetts Field" precede it).Rawlings, a utility infielder who gets traded more oftenthan baseball cards, again finds himself nearby when a murderis committed. This time it is a fellow Cubs teammate, WillyKaiser. Willy is Rawlings' friend and he vows to track downthe killer. Could it be:1. A player Willy displaced at shortstop, out to get revenge?2. Another baseball club owner out to destroy the Cubs?3. Any one of the many citizens whipped into a frenzy by theanti-war propoganda being spread around the US?The plot gets pretty thick as Mickey teams up with his oldnewspaper buddy, Landfors, to try to sort out fact fromfiction. There are many colorful characters we meet on theway including ballplayers, owners, factory workers, Germanimmigrants, businessmen, and members of an anti-warorganization.Mickey is in only slightly less danger than in the earlierbooks. The real danger seems to be that he'll be cut fromthe team and forced to travel to Europe to fight for hiscountry.Although I'm not a scholar of the period (1918), thedescriptions seem to be accurate enough and some of thecharacters are not fictional (though their actions are) inorder to end more realism to the work. | 1positive
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Excellent
I was pleasantly surprised by this well thought out book on showing respect to children. You know the author knows what he's talking about when you are nodding your head in agreement for practically the entire book. We definitely command and scold far too often. We need to create a positive environment. My husband always says that we can't be permissive parents, but being a positive parent is NOT being a permissive parent. You can be positive and still have boundaries for your kids. When we focus too much on discipline and training, we forget their very critical emotional needs. | 1positive
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Politically correct, otherwise completely incorrect
Flaws everywhere. He calls the European Union ECC in 1997. What kind of historician is who does not know the Mastrich Treaty? In 1992 the ECC was renamed to EU, EUROPEAN UNION. He refers the ECC (the EU) as the tiniest and unsuccessful move for a united Europe, such <<tiniest>> move, for example, is the Euro, the European currency adopted by 12 members states. Lovely! | 0negative
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Mr. Dinsmore's Favorite Book
[...]Horace Dinsmore, Edward Travilla, and Elsie Dinsmore all love this book, so I thought I'd have a look at it. I can see why the Dinsmores and Travillas love it. Much of it could have been taken from the pages of Elsie Dinsmore books. But the protagonist, Ellen Montgomery, has far more real problems than Elsie ever does. Whether or not they can be solved by an influx of money is immaterial, because the money isn't there to come in. At one point Ellen is reduced to serving as her aunt's housemaid, doing far more work than is appropriate for her age, which the best I can determine is about twelve then. But spiritual blessings turn into familial blessings, and then into financial blessings, and Helen's life finally plays out as it should. Interestingly, the book says nothing about her marriage, although any acute reader can tell who she marries as well as when and where. I enjoyed the book immensely but probably will not read it again. | 1positive
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A boring book!
This book is not that good. Because there aren't too many things happeningin the begining. And then it just switches subject and another thing happens instead. Somrtimes it's very funny but when it's not funny, it's a very boring book.However the characters in the book are guite good. My favorite character is mr. Willy Wonka. He is very funny and he's never scared.I don't recommend this book to anyone, but if you want to read it it is better to read "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" first. | 0negative
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terrible and bo-o-ring!
If possible I would have rated this a MINUS ONE Star. If this is an example of a Pulitzer Prize winner I certainly will avoid Pulitzer Prize winners in the future. This has got to be one of the most boring books I have ever read. I should have quit after the first few chapers, but was hoping that it would improve. Actually it contined to become more and more terrible. I regret my totally wasted time on this one and am so thankful I didn't spend any $$ on it--my local library had it. How could something of this caliber possibly be a "national bestseller"? | 0negative
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It's like the other reviews have said...
This book is just as thorough as the other reviewers have said. He seemingly ends up at a different place than I do, because he seemingly brushes aside a point I believe to be very important ("Put Away" vs. divorce), but maybe thats because of his historical approach to the topic. | 1positive
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The Red Tent
What a wonderful story about woman. Could not put the book down. | 1positive
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Sci Fi with political agenda
"Starship Troopers", starts in the middle of the plot, and then moves to the begining of the story. It tells about a young rich kid named johnny (or juan) Rico and his tales through the "Bug War". In a society that compelles civilians to serve in order to gain citizenship, johnny decides to join up, but not entirely for the right reasons. Through johnny's basic training in the mobile infantry (which is more like a commando unit), the author lays out his agendas in different subjects, like- society, military organization and education. Some of the ideas make you think and some look very old fashioned, but the book is written well, and despite what is said, the book does not glorifies war, actually it glorifies the human spirit. Death is not overlooked, and the hero does not pass his training with much ease. Actually he barely passes his training. The book then moves to johnny's war tales. As time passes, johnny becomes a seasoned veteran, and after a talk with a fellow M.I. he descides to sign for a term of service and become an officer. Through johnny's tales in OCS the author explains his opinion of the military in 20th Century (too big, with too many officers that gain rank without any combat experience). The book ends when johnny is a company commander, but without leaving any definite closure to the book. | 1positive
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A sequel that is actually better than the original
In this volume; Ender Wiggin, and his sister Valentine are living on Lusitania and doing everything to keep the Descolada virus from mutating the human beings, and Ender can not awaken the "Bugger" hive queen (the only survivor of her race that Ender had destroyed in his childhood.Ender and the human inhabitants of Lusitania discover a form of space travel to travel billions of light years in mere seconds. It works by leaving the physical universe, and once outside the universel your thoughts create reality, meaning you can pop back into the universe anywhere you want to go. However; Ender is the only one that can go outside because he is the only one that can work with Jane (the artifical lifeform he created in Battle school.In the trip, one of the colonists has legs that do not work, and he wants to be healed, another colonist holds the pattern for recolada (that people and other lifeforms will not be subject to the devastating effects of Descolada; but allow the pequineos, and other lifeforms native to Lusitalia to have their afterlife as another species. In the case of Pequineos; after they died they bacame trees. the trip is successful, the colonist is healed, the Recolada retro virus is created, and Ender accidentaly creates young versions of his brother Peter, and Sister Valentine.Since they are creations of Ender Wiggin; the AI program Jane can communicate and work with them.This book has a lot of action and intrigue. I highly recommend it to you.Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit) | 1positive
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THE GREAT DIVORCE
As Lewis explains in his preface, The Great Divorce is a response to the attitude of William Blake, among others, that someday there will be an ideal union of the secular and divine, or Heaven and Hell. Unable to see how this could ever be, Lewis wrote The Great Divorce to explore the issue further. The result is a religous allegory of the highest caliber and impeccable, nearly frightening, insight.As with all allegories, The Great Divorce relies on symbolism to make its point. Lewis admits his book is not to be taken literally as a tour guide of either Heaven or Hell, but merely as an artistic expression of his ideas. And the plot device works well--Lewis's intensely brilliant yet readily accessible and familiar writing style makes it easy to imagine oneself in the narrator's shoes on the uneasy bus ride out of Hell, hunkering under the great mountains of Glory, or even talking uncertainly with Ghosts or Spirits (oh yes, there is a big difference!).The Great Divorce is a fine read for anyone, believer or unbeliever. The former will find many challenges and assurances; the latter will discover new insights into the Christian faith not readily available from other sources. Above all, The Great Divorce is a Dante-esque tour of not only the Worlds Beyond, but just as importantly one of the often unexplored metaphysical World within us all. | 1positive
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Even for a summer read, this "book" is a travesty
Reading this book is a waste of money, time, ocular function, and paper. Everything from the character development to the plot is pure nonsense. Just when you think it can't get any worse, our hero is cutting his way through the stomach and heart wall of the beast with an old shark's tooth. Further words cannot describe how bad this book is. The bar that signifies the worst book ever written has definitely been risen. We should encourage Congress to pass legislation that would prohibit Steve Alten from writing anything ever again. | 0negative
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The Gospel as told by Fulton J. Sheen
This is the most complete and comprehensive theological study of the life of Jesus that I have ever read! It is undoubtedly one of the best works in a long time on this subject! It is easy to read, compelling and integrates all four cannonical Gospels (Matt, Mark, Luke, John) superbly. It is one of the best interpretations of Christ's life written! A true "Gospel" ! | 1positive
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Great premise, terrible execution.
The only reason I even gave this book 1 star, let alone 2, is that it was the basis for the very charming and enjoyable Broadway play. Otherwise the book is just terrible. Maguire has created a wonderful plot line but he bogs it down with so much political detail that it just makes for a boring book to read. I managed to get through the first section and then gave up because I just didn't care anymore. | 0negative
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In Brightest Africa
The content of the book is not at issue. The printing of it is. It is one giant RUN ON SENTENCE!!! The intro by the publisher excused this by describing the automated OCR scanning used on an original copy. The entire process is automated. NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO CORRECT THE RESULTING ERRORS!!!!The printed copy is a TRAVESTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | 0negative
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Not the same
I realize, as a sequel, that this should be different than the first in many ways. BUT, I would hope the characters would have retained some of their charm. The original was a good read and felt, well, original, sadly this sequel feels like the same ole same ole. It might still be in the same universe but seems to have forgotten to follow the rules of said universe.A hero dying in the first few chapters? And going out as if he had no idea how to use his powers like he did in the first book. He same can be said for the fighters. One went from an interesting, Amazon type female warrior to one that seemed to have been poured into her armor and showing her curves, etc... In other fantasy this is ok I guess, but it just doesn't `feel' right in this setting.If you're young and haven't read fantasy for 30 plus years, I guess it might be new and exciting but to older readers, it's very much like a typical fantasy. Not that that is bad, there are only so many plots and stories to be told after all, but this does not even feel remotely close to the original. A shame as I was looking forward to it.Maybe it would have been better if not a sequel and a story of its own in a universe of its own? I guess we'll never know. | 0negative
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Magical
I have read the paper version to the point that it fell apart.The electronic version will last longer and its still pure magic. Tolkien really created a classic that is timeless and so full of situations to create in your mind.I am looking forward to the film as The Lord of the Rings series was in some cases better than I could imagine.There is a quality feel about the Hobbit that I miss in the Harry Potter books. (They are great too)Read the Hobbit now, before the movie comes out as it will give you all the background to enjoy the visual version even more. | 1positive
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Excellent, Touching Work
Albert Payson Terhune was always quick to disparage the quality of his own writing. He considered himself a hack writer and his humility was deep and genuine.Mr. Terhune, however, grossly underestimated himself. As "Lad: A Dog" shows, his genius was in his ability to make his readers care deeply about his subjects. "The Place" becomes your home, and Lad your beloved hero.This book is not to be missed. It is thoroughly entertaining, and packed with selflessness and the purest of love."The Place", by the way, is now "Terhune Memorial Park", and is a wonderful place to visit, with the dogs' graves still intact there. | 1positive
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Engrossing Thriller That Kept Me Guessing
"Strangers" at times treads familiar Koontz territory: a large cast, intricate plotting, bizarre plot twists, and the contradiction between life as we know it and life as it really is. The main protagonists -- and there are quite a few in this book -- are exceptionally well drawn and complex: there's Dom the writer, Ginger the doctor, Brendan the priest, Ernie the ex-Marine, and Jack the ex-commando/thief, plus several others, who begin to experience strange, paranoid behavior. Eventually (and it's a 681 pp book, so it takes a while) the characters converge on a small motel in Nevada to find out what is happening to them. I can say that the explanation took me by surprise -- not the actual event, but the fact that I had several possibilities right up until the moment of discovery -- and was plausible within the world of the novel. I rank this book right up there with my favorite Koontz novel, "Midnight". | 1positive
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Disappointing and a waste of time
Ill conceived and silly. Really a waste of time - I actually felt that the novel was very depressing. I will not be reading any of Ms. Berg's other novels. Too unrealistic to believe that a gay man would become the love of someone's life and that a person could not move on from this relationship. | 0negative
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A wonderful help
I found the method of journaling was really helpful in showing me things I hadn't noticed before. The book continued to, step by step, help me realize how to recogize and cope with my frustrations. I am now a happier person. The book will also serve as an excelent reference for future problems. | 1positive
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Pseudo-intellectualism run amok.
The Fountainhead, like any of Rand's works, fails on both the literary level and the philopsophical level. Sure, it is marginally less painful reading than the later Atlas Shrugged, mostly since it is more concise (no 50+ page speeches) and slightly better-developed in terms of storyline. Still, this is ANYTHING but exemplary reading to anyone with more than marginal gray matter between their ears. In fact, if you're over the age of 18 and not a self-absorbed Randian objectivist, I almost guarantee that you will despise this book.As a novel, it's awful. In any Rand book, characters can be divided into one of two broad catagories: Nietzschean "heroes" and narcissistic "men of vision" who subscribe wholecloth to Rand's half-assed excuse of a philosophy; or pathetic, sniveling "villians" (men of religion, believers in charity and goodwill, sane people, anyone who doesn't believe 100% in "rugged individualism" and the baggage that it implies). I've seen deeper characterization in an episode of Pokemon. No one is likeable, and most of the time there's nothing a reader can even remotely relate to in any of these characters. The writing and prose are amateurish and longwinded; watching the English language abused in the service of Rand's ad hominems and straw men was like taking a staple to the forehead for every page I read. Pure agony. The speeches could make one choke, or laugh hysterically with how overblown and unrealistic they are. I don't care if Rand wasn't a native English speaker--this inexcusable dialogue is more wooden than Keanu Reeves.As philosophy, it's even more horrendous, not to mention impractical and downright dangerous. The basic tenet of objectivism, when boiled down to its essence, is self-serving greed above all else. Howard Roark, the "hero" that Rand wishes her readers to idolize is a coldly intellectual, mysognistic sociopath and rapist with a superiority complex the size of Greenland. If THIS is the model objectivist, I can only conclude that Rand's philosophy is truly anti-human.Yes, self-interest to a certain extent is necessary and good, and it is noble to strive for excellence. But this sort of extreme ruthless greed ("every genius for himself") justifies Social Darwinism, fascism, lawlessness, exploitation, genocide and every other kind of social ill in the name of "utopia." It's the stuff of Hitler's dreams. And there's no economic basis for Rand's philosophy either--capitalism succeeds in part due to a willingness to exchange ideas and goods. Rand's works betray a caricaturish concept of modern capitalism, where sheer avarice wins above all. Needless to say, this doesn't hold up in the real world (think Enron).In short, The Fountainhead is the nadir. Go read something of redeeming value to scratch that philosophical itch: Hobbes, Locke, Machiavelli, Nietzsche. All true philosophers who had their unique ideas swiped and distorted to feed Rand's foolish ramblings. | 0negative
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Not My Cup of Tea. Maybe It's Yours.
I wanted to like this book. I can't say that I didn't try. But after the first hundred pages or so, I still could not get interested in the book.The basis for the novel is promising:REGENERATION is the story of the English poet, Siegfried Sassoon, and his time spent in an insane asylum during World War I. Sassoon was committed for making a declaration that the war was "being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it". His objection to the war was not based on religious or pacifist reasons but because the war had come to a point of being pointless to continue.I kept on waiting for the book to take me somewhere. It did not. The novel plods on and on and on with no apparant plot other than Sassoon being in a war hospital for mental patients. There's no suspense, no real storyline, just people being and doing and saying. The book concerns the case histories of various men in the mental hospital. However, each of these characters are based on the real stories told in Sassoon's poetry. So, I suppose that the reason that I had difficulty distinguishing between characters was that their viewpoints were all based on the original viewpoints of the same man: Sassoon.There was only one small storyline in the novel that seemed to be come alive to me -- a small love story of sorts. However, the love story ended abruptly as if the author got bored with it.This book was recommended to our book club by someone who said that this book had changed her life. So, obviously, some people have truly loved this book. The author even made it into a trilogy. But this bookworm won't be continuing the series . . . even if one of the books in the trilogy did win a Booker award. | 0negative
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Brilliant
Brilliant, as expected, well written , enjoyed very much, as good as expected from the Bbc adaptation. Will read again | 1positive
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great book
I love it. I bought this one for my 5 year old and he is not in Kindergarten yet but he is a capable home schooled child. The book it's easy but I like the critical thinking this book has to offer ! | 1positive
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Loved it!
A classic novel depicting the motives and manipulations of people. Really enjoyed it! Had a hard time putting it down. | 1positive
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Not much about Julia only Julie
Julie Powell is thirty some living in in New York City. One day she decides to make all the recipes in the Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French cooking, that over 500 recipes. Julie is not master chef by any mean. Needless to say it will a adventure. With help from Eric (her husband), friends and the people who are following her blog, Julie tires to do something that very few pepole have attempted to do."Julie and Julia" by Julie Powell is a cute book about trying to some that you have never done before. I had hoped that there be more about Julia Child but there wasn't. Overall "Julia and Julie" is a cute book but not a keeper. | 0negative
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An ambitious effort NOT for the amateur dessert chef
Richard Leach's guide to the last course seems to make a number of promises in its title, foremost among them in my eyes was the “Desserts Made Simple” claim. I was expecting a how-to guide that would allow me to create dishes that had a balance of ease of preparation, in terms of both time and effort, and stunning presentation. Unfortunately, Mr. Leach seems to have forgotten that most amateur chefs, who I assume are the target audience of this book, do not have the luxury of a dedicated kitchen staff to assist in preparation. In truth, I have attempted four of the creations in Sweet Seasons, and not one of them took less than SEVEN hours from start to finish.In his rather arrogant and egotistical introduction, Mr. Leach does give a backhanded acknowledgement of the difficulty involved in his recipes, “I don’t expect all readers to put in the time required to create some of the desserts in this book.” One wonders, then, what exactly the author was referring to when he wrote the word “simple” in the title. I must recommend that unless you have your own dedicated staff to assist in preparation, you look elsewhere to satisfy your sweet tooth. | 0negative
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One of the greatest novels ever written
Unspeakably beautiful prose. The images reinforcing the narrative reinforcing the resulting horror, always slightly offstage, but always so close to your own soul as if to feel its very breath.The plot consists of a frame story and narration of an "adventure" or a misadventure, where a young ambitious man takes a job as a river pilot, sent to investment operations in Africa, with a mission to go upriver and obtain goods and ivory. The story follows his journey from introduction to his employer, his travels in Africa, and his return.But the plot is not the story, for it is the internal narration that we encounter his growing knowledge and apprehension and anxiety but compelling necessity of meeting Kurtz, the manager of the inner station of the operation.But even the voice is not the story, for it is the care in which the words are chosen, and the ineffable quality of their lulling you into a state of consciousness of evil. After reading the book you are left marvelling at how literature is capable of such power. | 1positive
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Disappointing :o(
I am stunned that this book remains on the best seller list! This book is honestly just fair at best. It was not a horrible book, it was just missing something. I kept waiting for the story to get more interesting but, in the couple hours it took to read it--it never got any better. :o( Of course this is just my opinion...obviously alot of people think highly of this book. I just keep wondering WHY???? | 0negative
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Wildly unbelievable and poorly written
It would not surprise me to learn that this book was written by a ninth grader as an english assignment. It would surprise me if that ninth grader received a grade higher than a D for this juvenile story. The characters are drawn so broadly and over the top with all their quirks and strangeness and the storytelling is so wild and outrageous that this really reads more like a comic book.The implausible action is about two steps below that in the old "Sgt Fury and His Howling Commandos" comics of the 60s and 70s. These crackerjack special warfare operators never seem to really have much of a plan but just react and fly by the seat of their pants throughout the story.Some of this might have been toned down if the publishers had seen fit to employ an editor. Apparently there were none at work the day this book was accepted. And no proofreaders either from the sorry state of the writing. Words are left out, dropped in, substituted and mangled with astonishing regularity, making the reading of this dreary action tale even more of a chore.Pass on this book and try the Don Pendleton series or the "Seal Team Seven" series by Keith Douglass (Chet Cunningham). You'll be much happier. | 0negative
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Wheel of Greed
Book 1: WOW!! I can't wait to find out what happens next. Book 2: WOW!! This is fantastic, I haven't enjoyed a series this much since LOTR. Book 3: AMAZING! This one is the best so far. Book 4 : Good! I wish the plot would move faster though. Book 5 : Hmmm. Well, I guess everyone can have an off day. I sure hope the pace picks up soon and an end is in sight. Book6 : Uhhh. Jordon doesn't seem to want to let go. Book 7 : ARGGG!! Stop the infernal repetitive descriptions already. Book 8 : $%#?%!! Does Better Business know about this, it's a scam.My conclusion : This story will never end. Jordon has no idea where to go. Had this been a 4 book series, it would have gone down as a masterpiece. Instead it will go down as a MAKE MONEY SLOW scheme.I give up!!! I no longer care what happens. My advice is to save your hard earned cash. | 0negative
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CLASSIC
Transcripts of Fritz teaching and working - simple, direct. The exact technique wouldn't work for me, but the underlying principles are brilliant - probably for their simplicity and directness. | 1positive
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Psuedo science for the gullible
I was about to write a review when I discovered one that said everything I wanted to say, except to note that Erich was a fraudster and convicted embezzler, and reprinted it below.- Primitive savages (i.e. non-Europeans) weren't intelligent enough to create these monuments, and their own great civilizations for that matter, all on their own. Thus, those outside influences that created these civilizations MUST have been aliens who, coincidently, looked much like Europeans. -It's not difficult to counter Von Daniken's claims. From a scientific standpoint, he has a theory and twists "evidence" to support it; evidence that would counter his hypotheses is conveniently ignored. In fact, he rarely uses any evidence at all. He merely dismisses the accepted ideas out of hand, and then floats his own ideas as if these constituted evidence itself. When he did try to present physical evidence, as he did with pottery depicting flying saucers, these were proven to be frauds ("Nova" found the potter and Von Daniken had to admit the fraud he perpetrated when confronted). This, boys and girls, ain't science.I'm torn in rating this book. On the one hand, I found myself laughing a great deal, so in that respect it provided me with a great deal of entertainment. However, it has also contibuted to a lack of scientific understanding of many people today. There are those who accept it without question, and I find this fact scary as hell.Here, here. | 0negative
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A tale to make you feel. Sad and Happy and Inbetween
It takes me back to that age when i first read that book, when i was young and dreamy, and longed for a father like Atticus and a brother like Jem. I could identify so much with Scout, inspite of coming from a different culture and background. It speaks a lot for the book - for the universal concepts of justice and fairness that it brought out unconciously. And of hope, and confusion and joy and simple pleasures, and introduction and comprehension of the world of adults | 1positive
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is he trying to impress me with words?
I think the story would have been better if the language did not get so complicated. i love reading but, i also like a book to flow easily and the verbage and story did not flow well | 0negative
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A delightful classic for both adults and children
This is a story where you cannot see what is really important with your eyes (or a "grown up's" perspective, if you prefer) but you have to search with your heart. And if you do it, you will then realize why some very common things become so special to those who care. | 1positive
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Antichildren's Book
I love the fantasy and the art work that is in this book. What bothers me is that this "children's" book uses suicide as an answer to the main character's problem. I can't help but wonder what negative connotations this sends a child before they reach the turbulent teen years. | 0negative
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Needs less cheese and more meat
A potentially fascinating book, spoiled by some bad editorial choices. First of all, this is really the selected letters of Ayn Rand, and some of the selections are maddening-the book contains over half a dozen letters to Leonebel Jacobs, a fairly obscure portrait artist Rand knew back in the 1940s, but only a single letter apiece to Nathaniel and Barbara Branden, two of the most central figures in her life.There are some other questionable omissions as well. A section devoted to Rand's correspondence with philosopher John Hospers contains only Rand's half of the exchange, even though Hospers was apparently willing to allow his own letters to Rand to be published, and even though he expressed concern that "[Rand's] summary of what I said sometimes did not reproduce what I really did say." I for one would like to have seen both sides of the dialogue; it would have been a rare opportunity to observe Rand actually debating her ideas. If the problem was lack of space, I think the smart move would have been to make room for Hospers' letters by cutting out some of Rand's less essential correspondence, like her note thanking Leonebel Jacobs for "the wonderful cheese" he sent her in 1948.Oh well. Maybe sometime in the future, after the current controllers of her estate have gone on to that great Dead Letter Office in the sky, a more complete version of Rand's correspondence will become available. Until then, the anemic "Letters of Ayn Rand" will have to do. | 0negative
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Didnt like this book.
It did not hold my attention and it wont hold yours either. I would not recommend this book to anyone. | 0negative
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Bernie does it again
I don't like what Bernie does for a living but I love reading about all the trouble he gets himself into & I like all bookd by Lawrence Block. but this one is one of my favorites. It is a good read. | 1positive
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