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Disappointed with book selection and periodical prices
I have had a DX for 2 months. I have quickly learned the downside of doing Kindle business with Amazon. No matter what book I see in any newspaper's book review, I can be assured it isn't available on Kindle. Examples include Michael Lewis's very popular new book, "Panic", and a book reviewed today in the Wash Post, "Germania" by Simon Winder. You can have any book you want as long as it's been out for a year, I guess. Also, the price of newspapers on this thing are very high. I can understand paying a fee for a periodical, even though it may be free on the web, to cover the cost of whispernet. But, $10.99 a month for the NYT? Are they out of their mind? I also was not aware that all material in periodicals not included in articles is removed. Want to see that full page ad from some PAC everyone is talking about? By a dead tree copy of the Times. I am beginning to hate this thing. | 0negative
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I really wanted to like it!
Yikes. I really wanted to like this book because it sounded like a really interesting premise and such a different idea than most of the paranormal romances. I found myself reading and rereading certain parts just to try to figure out exactly what was going on. I was more than halfway through the book when I realized I still didn't know why she was taken - then I decided that I really didn't care anymore. I was also hoping there would be some romance instead of these strange convoluted interludes. Disappointing. | 0negative
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How the hell did this author get published?
I really really wanted to love this book. I loved the title and cover. However, this has to be one of the stupidest plots ever created. The characters are shallow, not well developed, and the plot is not realistic. I couldn't even get past Chapter 2. | 0negative
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fine romantic fantasy
Three thousand years ago, Zeus' son Darius and Queen Aara make love when her spouse King Edward arrives with an army. With no place to hide, Darius uses his power to turn himself into a statue. Edward sees the nude statue and slices off the marble penis before having his men toss the rest out the window.In the present Hermes visits his brother Darius who remains without a body as ruled by Zeus. He tells him that a St. Louis sculptor is building a statue of Darius from a photo taken from the works of Dr. Mickail, who pieced together the shattered stature sans a penis. Darius realizes this is his chance to regain a body, which he does when Alexandra de Marco unveiled her statue if him. As he tries to reward her with his body that the uptight artist rejects, they fall in love, but he is a child of the Greek Gods and she is a mortal making anything permanent impossible or is it?Readers will enjoy this romantic fantasy starring a delightful female protagonist and a somewhat haughty hunk. Though the audience will wonder what it will take for Darius to learn a lesson as he failed to get the message from being castrated and a three millennium bodiless debacle. Still sub-genre fans will appreciate this amusing tale of a mortal teaching a God-rake what really matters.Harriet Klausner | 1positive
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Wanted to give 4 but couldn't help the 5 stars
Is the Kindle perfect? No. And yet, I just couldn't bring myself to give it anything but a 5 stars.The buttons are too big, which makes wielding it... unwieldy =b (too easy to switch pages by mistake)The books/magazines can't really be organized, so if you have too many in there it's messy.It's pretty expensive, you can buy baseline laptops for that price.If somehow you lost where you were in a book and need to flip back to the spot you were reading, it's quite annoying to have to wait 1s every time you flip one page and skim until you find your spot again.Books you buy are DRM'd, not sure how that would work if I lose Elvira (my kindle)And yet... IT IS SO FANTASTIC!!!I spend a lot of time in the Philippines, and despite that, thanks to the Kindle, I am able to get fortune magazine (CHEAP!) regularly and have access to a TON of books in just a few seconds!I used to have to lug around several pounds of books with me on every trip, but no more!I also picked up several interesting books for free because of the fairly frequent special offers (From a star-wars novel, to a vampire story with a Thai detective novel and a reincarnation-ish book thrown in).After nosing around a bit, figured out how to get Amazon to convert some other ebook formats into something the Kindle could read, and I downloaded and converted (for free) a bunch of Alexandre Dumas books. More coming...The sheer convenience of the device is amazing. I take it pretty much anywhere I'd have taken a book, can read it while eating and just prop it up against a glass or something, only having to push the next page button once in a while.It just... -feels- like a book. Curled up in bed, in the train/plane/car etc. (the nice leather holder for it that comes included helps a good bit with that in my opinion)The battery is pretty decent, though doesn't seem to last as long if you actually read non-stop for a long time (maybe 10hrs of nonstop reading? Long plane ride, what can I say). Otherwise, I can read it for hours a day for enough days in a row that I forget to actually recharge it =bNow not everyone is abroad for extended periods of time. But then, if you're in the US, whispernet can be SO useful!The internet access isn't very user-friendly since the "browser" isn't great, but considering it's a backup internet access available pretty much -anywhere- -anytime-, it's really handy! Have used it to access google maps and find my way while I was lost, among other things =bIn the end, just -thinking- of the kindle gives me shivers.Like the internet, it is one of those few things that I did fine without before they came along, but would feel a great loss if I had to go without now that I am used to it.Can't wait for a new version to come out and be even better =) | 1positive
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Missed Potential
A neurotic hypochondriac, Zoe Rose is her own woman. Ever since witnessing the cruelty of girls toward each other in kindergarten, she has studied behavior between girls and women. As an adult, she seizes an opportunity to spread her message of treating each other right. She believes women will make better strides in the world if they support rather than sabotage each other.As a new editor at a popular women's magazine, Zoe shakes up the trendy crew with a new name for the publication, and a fresh perspective on content. Her brother-in-law's mother bands with longtime staffers to undermine the new efforts.Zoe doesn't care what people think about her lack of style, sudden weight gain, or eating habits. In fact, an old friend is solidly on her side. What she does care about is that the wonderful medium of a best-selling magazine can do some good in the world, if it isn't irretrievably sabotaged. Why can't some people understand that she just wants to save the world's women from each other?While the idea for this story an endearing premise, it falls far short of expectations. Zoe is a difficult character to enjoy. Between obsessing over germs, pregnancy tests, and trying to make women treat each other nice, she comes across as snarky, insensitive, and too full of herself. For being so smart, she is incredibly oblivious to the pregnancy that is obvious to everyone else, and her article/spread ideas are only mildly inspired. Rambling dialogue further slows the plot, threatening to loss the reader's interest. The multiple group discussions (magazine staff meetings) are difficult to follow at times, as well.Although the author's message was well meaning, the read itself was something of a disappointment.Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer10/20/2006 | 0negative
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Absolutely Horrible
Having read only 25 pages, I couldn't take it anymore. This book was written to hate on everything America is about. Besides the constant attacks at President Bush in every other sentence, Rich criticizes the troops, our own country, and many other things that will make your spine tingle. It is ridiculous how biased and narrowminded he is; it is almost as if he set out to tear apart a president who was forced to lead our country through several difficult times (and led well, I might add). Rich has absolutely no respect. I can see how liberals would love this completely left-wing book, so go ahead and read if it pleasures you, but for anyone who has common sense and doesn't want to spend hours reading a book that is poorly worded and full of mindless, partisan analysis, I urge to to refrain from coming within 100 yards of this book. And if you do, throw it in the trash. Or better yet, burn it. That's what I'll be doing soon. | 0negative
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A Must Read
In The whole "God made a mistake by giving men and women different characteristics world", this book brings logic and reason back into marriage and relationships. Men and Women are equal, but DIFFERENT. Physically, Mentally and Emotionally. Dr. Laura shows how to embrace these differences and allow them to compliment each other to bring about a healthy marriage. | 1positive
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not for city buyers
The title may talk about "condo, co-op, or townhouse" but it is clear the author has nothing in mind but those awful suburban townhouse or condo developments. There are numerous references to density being bad and to things like counting the number of parking places. Not of use to someone who is interested in purchasing actual city housing. | 0negative
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This book is the Pitts . . .
For the past couple of decades the arrival of a new book from a select group of authors always raised my hopes and expectations: Forsyth, Follett, Higgins, MacDonald Fraser, and Cussler among them.Some but not all of these writers have managed to keep their minds clear and their stories interesting and entertaining. The first to lose his touch was Jack Higgins, whose hack comic book stories about the unbelievable Sean Dillon are an embarrassment.Now it would appear it is the turn of Clive Cussler to disappoint. 'Black Wind' is a pale shadow of the early Dirk Pitt stories, where the unimaginable seemed possible. Anyone here remember 'Raise the Titanic'? The only thing unimaginable about 'Black Wind' is getting through the book without taking it back for a refund. Happily I got mine from the library and I am only out the tedious hours wasted on reading it.Dirk Pitt the Lesser is as weak a character as Dirk Cussler is a writer. The story is long, over-complicated, and full to the brim with clichés and stilted, clumsy language.None of the cliff-hanging events instil any sense of urgency - everyone knows the good guys will come out on top and the bad guys will lose, but the out-come is telegraphed so far in advance there're no surprises. So, who cares?Years ago I had the pleasure of working with a world-class racing driver who made the decision to quit while still on top of his game, rather than risk exposure of waning abilities through years of deteriorating performances.It would be nice if Clive Cussler went out a winner rather than pass the franchise along to his son who can only 'blot his copy book' as the Brits say.Quit now, Clive, and let us remember you fondly. Don't let Dirk Pitt the Greater be ruined by Dirk Cussler the Lesser . . . | 0negative
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Amway-Analysis
This analyst quotes from his book while in analysis with him like he believes he is an expert and authority and he peddles his books and his seminars and his jungian analytic school to his patients like AMWAY.From my experience of jungian-analysis with this particular analyst, the jungian psychanalytic community appears to be big-time-for-profit cult. The so-called authority this author uses in his book during his analysis with his patients regarding his judgement and qualifications capturing their imagination, fantasies and trappings of their very soul as designed to inculcate, manipulate and gain control over clients and their wallets. To use the therapuetic relationship as a gateway to ply patients as customers for a expensive jungian training "program" or "circuit" is a form of abuse - exploiting the natural therapuetic transference for personal financial gain. If you're in jungian analysis and your symptoms are worsening and you're feeling terrible and sick, and your analyst keeps insisting you continue with your expensive analysis - that your so-called "cure" for your so-called "illness" is to gain a higher consciousness and that gateway to a higher consciousness, towards "individuation" is to surrender completely to your analyst, to become weaker and weaker and more dependent in the transference, and if you find yourself shelling out thousands of dollars against your better judgement...i suggest you consider you've fallen into venus fly trap of the jung cult (check out the "Jung Cult" by Richard Noll - he is a former jungian analyst and blows the lid of this cult in his text) | 0negative
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Tedious
Sorry to throw off the curve... but this book is long-winded and short on useful ideas. I say 'long-winded' because nearly half of the text consists of citations, most of which are unnecessary. Rather than making arguments, James presents passages that illustrate a point, a feeling, a sentiment, an idea(?). But what is clear is that you've just read nearly 600 pages that amount to nothing. No wonder Wittgenstein allegedly read this book over and over again. There's no point! | 0negative
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Jingoism, pure and simple
I read this novel until the end of Chapter 4 and then quit.I realized that the author actually promotes (in the foreword)that the MAD(mutually assured destruction) doctrine be used in the following way:If any American city is nuked by unknown terrorists, then the US should nuke all Muslim cities.Jingoism pure and simple.Psychotic politics under the guise of fiction,andthe plot is sleepily slow. | 0negative
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went faulty after 24hrs - still waiting for replacement
Purchased two kindles. One went faulty within 24hrs and have been waiting a month now for the replacement. amazon has my money, and I don't have a kindle | 0negative
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interesting!
Having just readPersonal Best - How Ordinary People Achieve Extraordinary Success and How You Can Too,I was keen to read this book to keep the momentum going . I have read many books on personal finance and wealth building, but this one by Malcolm Gladwell is really good. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. And a great book that everyone should read. Malcolm Gladwell ties his stories well together - he is a master at making things previously unnoticed incredibly interesting. I highly recommend this book. | 1positive
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Not Very Erotic
I guess I was expecting something quite different, but this collection of supposed "best" stories of the year left me, excuse the pun, limp. I think I could crank out better stories without breaking a sweat. Just shows that the best erotica was written in England a century ago. | 0negative
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My Very Own Transcendent Experience
It's impossible for me to describe in 1000 words how I feel about this book. One million words would probably still be insufficient, for I would simply keep thinking of things I love about it. As the title says, this book is my very own transcendent experience. I don't know if one has very many of those during a lifetime. Probably not. But The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby has changed MY life (and adventures) forever. It's almost always hovering somewhere in my mind, whether in the back of at the very forefront. Every conversation incites some reference to it that no one else understands. I've fallen in love with Nicholas; yes, it's true. Something I never thought I'd do. The people (not characters, people) in this story are so close to me I feel that I know them. They're friends and so much more. Can I sound any cheesier? Or any more cliched? I don't really care. It's all true; every word. This book will stay with me for my entire life. It has changed my world completely, and in such a way that I can't imagine a world without it. | 1positive
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What a delightful collection!
Hamburger has created something of beauty here. There are no tricks, just the straightforward (and rarely accomplished) building of characters--distinct, human, often strange, yet always believable, characters. Hamburger has a gentle, Chekhovian approach to storytelling, and his saddest moments are tinged with humor. Reading this collection was a pleasure. | 1positive
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My all-time favorite novel from Ms. Coulter !!!!!
I've read (almost) all of her books, and this fun-packed love-story is the best ever penned. The incomparably funny sparring between Victoria and Rafael, and the steam-filled love scenes are so invigorating that U have to read it again and again just for the heck of it. Irresistible !!! =P | 1positive
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Wretched and Painful
I've never before written a negative Amazon reader review. As an author, I know how much they can sting, and I try to limit myself to only reviewing books I've really enjoyed. However, since the author is long dead, I doubt I can hurt her feelings. And if by my words I can possibly prevent one other person from undergoing the suffering I've endured, I'll feel that my job here is done.I decided that at the age of 52, it was time I started reading some of the classics that I'd missed along the way. I read PRIDE AND PREJUDICE first, and though I found Ms. Austen's writing to be tedious, the book was mildly entertaining. I thought I'd try Emily Bronte's WUTHERING HEIGHTS next. I'd always heard how romantic the story was, and no less than three people, upon seeing me with the book, told me, "You'll love it! You'll absolutely love it!"Please tell me you're kidding.This book is wretched. Painful to a degree I've never before experienced. I've read books that put me to sleep, books I found impossibly dull, books I found too stupid for words. But I have NEVER hated a book so much in my life. The characters in their entirety don't possess a single redeeming value. They are miserable, obnoxious, hateful excuses for human beings. Even the DOGS are hateful. Why should I care what happens to any of these awful people? Why should I care if they've made themselves miserable through their own choices and then spend the rest of the book whining and complaining about how pathetic their lives are?I hadn't realized just how much I loathed them until halfway through the book, when a major character died, and all I could think was, "THANK GOD! THANK GOD!"And then, there's the dialect. Ah, the dialect! I could tolerate it if it was used sparingly. But when a certain character goes into a speech that lasts for half a page of small print, in a language that can only be described as Not Even Resembling English (yes, I know it's supposed to be Scottish), the result is unbearable pain. Every time this character speaks (which is, thankfully, not often), I find myself puzzling over his words in an attempt to translate them into something that seems even mildly coherent. Sometimes, it's possible to do this just by context. At other times, I shake my head in bewilderment and disgust and simply move on to a different page. Considering how slowly the story moves (is there a storyline? a point to all this suffering?), I could probably skip entire chapters and not miss anything.I'd also like to know where the romance is. Since everybody in this book seems to hate everybody else, with the notable exception of the uncouth monster, Heathcliff, and the spoiled-rotten, obnoxious Catherine, I can't fathom where that might lie. Am I too dense to understand? Or has the literary world been tricking us for 150 years, convincing the sheep of the world to follow along in praise of this "romantic" classic?I think I would rather have my fingernails pulled out forcefully, one at a time, than finish reading this book. I'm halfway through, and life is short. Am I really willing to spend that much more of my short time here on earth torturing myself just for the satisfaction of knowing I actually read the dreadful thing? I think not.I also think my foray into the classics has ended right here. I'm off to read some Robert Parker or Janet Evanovich. Maybe even some Jackie Collins. Anything to cleanse my palate of the terrible aftertaste of Heathcliff and Catherine.To each his own. I know there are people who rave about this book, people who love it. I'm glad somebody does. Every book deserves to be loved by somebody. But in this case, with this particular book, that somebody will have to be Somebody Else. Because it certainly isn't me. | 0negative
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Money per word...
People have enjoyed the adventures of Pip and friends (or enemies, as the case may be) for decades! Though quite confusing at times, Great Expectations was a well thought out novel. This book required more concentration than most, with a cast of characters that would fill the world many times over. I had trouble reading it in the normal haphazard fashion I usually take; a chapter here, a few pages on the way to school, because of all the details put into it. I know this classic was written with money being paid per word, but I found much of the long, rambling, descriptions to be the one major fault of the novel. I think that the one reason people accept and cherish these lengthy descriptions is because Great Expectations is one of the "classic classics", so to speak. People expect it to become tedious in places, filled with descriptions of anything from a desk drawer to toenail clippings. But overall, I found this to be a touching book, about mangled love, childhood, and life in general. A great read for anyone with patience!!-LJ | 1positive
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Kindle
My Kindle is my way of going green. In the past I have collected books and no longer have any storage space. When we travel I carry 5 to 10 books with me--way too much weight and baggage in our current economy and our getting older and having to tote the weight. Now I carry my kindle in my purse and always have something to read, so do not mind waiting. | 1positive
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The Collectors
Having read most of Baldacci's previous works I was looking forward to his latest work but I should not have bothered. The book was extremely disappointing, thin characters, poorly woven plot and the writing reminded me a a sequel to See Spot Run. Bad Bad Bad Very Bad. | 0negative
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Al's rating
Kindle: Amazon's New Wireless Reading DeviceIt's a fine device, I really like it. It's easy to use and eliminates carrying around a bunch of books. It's nice to view a book selection and then download a book of choice.On the downside, it's very easy to jump to the next page inadvertently, then you have to go back to the previous page. The carrying case helps in this regard | 1positive
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Amazon breaks their own terms of service!
No where in the terms of Service does Amazon state that it will delete books you've paid for off your device, yet it did just that! The irony that the first time this happened (and surely it will happen again) was with 1984 is quite hilarious!Amazon has always been at war with its customers. | 0negative
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It's not appropriate for all categories!
How does this novel end up in every category? I search Fiction, it's there - okay, it's droll, but it's an okay novel, and it fits the genre. So then I search humor, and it's listed twice. "Hmm," I think, "it's not that funny, but it has its moments." Freakin Home & Lifestyle?! Now they're just being funny. I don't have a drawing room, Amazon, so you're not doing me any favors. Time to sort out the categories. | 0negative
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Not Bad for 26 CDs
When I saw this book in my local library and saw that there were 26 CDs, I thought, "This better be a good book!" I did not want to be bored to death by someone droning on about Walt Disney. I was not let down. It fulfilled my image of Walt Disney and gave tremendous insights into his life and quest to achieve perfection.I was very impressed and enjoyed the book a great deal. I am an attorney by trade and a study of successful people by hobby. I have read numerous biographies and consider this one of my favorites. There were times I laughed out loud and, by the time I reached the 25th CD, I cried with his family at his death. It was an excellent read and the 26 CDs go quickly! | 1positive
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about 1 page of real material.
i really don't know why people love this book so much. it has about 1 real page worth of advice, with the rest being stories and platitudes. it basically says that in all cases, even where other people clearly drop the ball, you should do your best. one other review that states "Basically this book tells how to blame yourself for what others fail to do" is exactly right. there's got to be a better way to approach the topic of accountability without being such a doormat. | 0negative
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Interesting and readable
This is an interesting and readable biography of a sometimes contradictory subject. As with so many presidential biographies, the "pre-presidential" years are the most interesting, as we learn how Jackson earned his reputation and his chronic injuries. The presidential years dwell somewhat on dry subjects such as the federal bank.Most interesting about Jackson are his contradictions, he favored states rights and then fought to preserve the union. He knew Indians on a personal level better than any president before or since, yet his Indian policy could be downright cruel. | 1positive
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400 Pages of Arctic Excitement Packed into 800 pages
Yes, you read my title right. This novel should have been about 400 pages long. There's a lot that needed to be chopped. The story is compelling, the research is interesting, the monster is scary, and the characters are great. But the story is too drawn out. Simmons needs to fire his editor (if he has one at all), get a better one, or if he has a good one...start listening to him. That's the only thing wrong with this novel. Its too long and drawn out. If he had chopped it and picked up the pace it would have been a great novel. | 0negative
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My New Love
I received the Kindle as a wedding present from my husband (he knows me so well). I must admit, at first I wasn't sure that I would like the Kindle. I am obsessed with reading and buying books. I love the smell of the pages and the cover art. However, I am running out of room in my apartment and the Kindle is perfect. I fell in love instantly with my new Kindle. There are so many features that are added pluses (changeable font size, built in dictionary, web access, downloading FREE samples,...) not to mention that this one small gadget can store up to 200 books AND fit easily into any of my purses. I am so totally pleased that I can overlook the few design flaws mentioned in the other reviews (no one is perfect!!). This is a great investment if you love to read. You won't be sorry. | 1positive
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Good Deal
This item was fairly priced and arrived on time. I would purchase my textbooks in this away again in the future. | 1positive
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Terrible! Boring! Confusing!
I used to love Cussler's books, but this one was so painful I will think twice before buying another. I forced myself through about 3/4 of it before I gave up. I couldn't read more than about 8 pages at a time - I kept getting lost (and bored) Too many characters (none of which really had any character), too much jumping around from one group to another, and a really badly presented story. I read about 50 books a year, and this was the worst I have read in several years. Too bad, Clive - maybe re-read your first 8 or 10 and start using them as a guideline for the next. | 0negative
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Easy to use, economical , and no clutter
I am very pleased with this product. Downloads are easy and quick. The amount of books and other written material to download is extensive. I haven't found anything I have been interested in, unavailable. It is easy to use, fits nicely in your hand and has adjustable print size. When I work out I like to read a book. The Kindle is much easier to read than a book. No pages to turn and I don't have to hold the book open. I also save money. Downloaded books are cheaper and no shipping costs. The savings will pay for my Kindle in about 18 months. And best of all, I don't have a lot of books sitting around, which I have read and therefore don't want anymore.They are ,of course, available in my Kindle if I want to access them. I highly recommend this product. | 1positive
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Beware clipping limits!!!
If you want to use this for business books and want to clip and transfer portions, know there is a limit. Also, Kindle support is really awful. When I mentioned that there was no mention of a clipping limit I was told that they didn't say there wasn't either. Great customer service - NOT. | 0negative
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Worst book I've EVER read
I went into this book really excited because I am a HUGE Morrison fan and have read everything on him as well as have loved his work seemingly as far back as I can remember. I find him to be one of the most charismatic, unique and talented rock & roll icons in the history of modern music. I feel that when he died, he took with him HIMSELF, and that his death was, and continues to be, a terrible loss for my generation who grew up with the DOORS. But for what it's worth, this book seemed to me to be nothing more than a desperate and childish (and somehow the word "disgruntled" and also comes to mind) attempt to literally ruin Morrison's reputation in some sort of in-arrears frenzy ... although I'm pretty Jim Morrison's reputation is immune to such absolute nonsense and blatant mean-spiritedness. This book is quite strange. Not only does this author say things like "so and so's rep was cred" (I guess that means someone's reputation was credible," or so it would seem. The language of this book gets even more childish from there,which begs the question, HOW OLD IS THIS AUTHOR? He uses a strange plethora of "cool" language, like you're back in 8th grade, and he just walked straight out of "hep cat" heaven from the 1950s.) But, regardless of that, the author trashes EVERYONE - not just Morrison. According to this author, Morrison is the biggest loser on the planet, everyone hated him, and he had no talent. Which left me scratching my head wondering if this guy understands that Morrison's reputation is already pretty well set in stone. He treats Morrison with utter disdain and, yes, even contempt and possibly even hatred. He also does this with anyone who ever knew Morrison, played music with him, was friends with him, had a professional relationship with him; and yes, who even merely contemplated Morrison's existence. He did NO research; he plagiarized straight out of "Light My Fire, Ray Manzarek's firsthand account book depicting both his personal and professional relationship with Morrison; and he even goes so far as to make up entire dialogs as if he had been a fly on the wall when these so-called conversations allegedly took place - which, unless he copped them out of other people's books, they did NOT. He condescendingly calls Jim "Jimmy" throughout this book of fabrications. This author seems to have a personal ax to grind here - and Morrison has been dead for nearly 40 years now, so ... I don't know .... it's just weird. Fortunately, I do believe Jim Morrison will stand the test of time as he ALWAYS has. This author's strange (and excessively lewd for lewdness' sake), book will go down as a "weird deal." This man's mentality seems to be that of your typical 6-year-old child (no offense to six year olds). Waste of good money, waste of time ... unless you care to visit the strange world of the author's, I hate to say it, REAL hatred of Morrison, I'd skip it. EVERYTHING about this author's vehement, seeming hatred of Jim Morrison rings loud and clear; but, unfortunately, Morrison's actual story does not. Jim Morrison is and always WAS amazing. This book is an absolute travesty on Morrison. Which begs my next question: WHY? (don't answer). Thanks. | 0negative
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NY Times - what they want to tell you.
Poor editorials. Too many bias opinions. Not what the world needs. I'm an undecided voter, but the times would rather provide propaganda than facts. I want to educated, not some much concerned with whom the Times editor supports. Times - waste of money and reading energy. | 0negative
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BRONTE SISTERS ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!
Wuthering Heights met my expectations as well as exceeded them. I will admit i was tempted to give the novel four stars because of the difficulty in grasping the intricate intertwining of the characters. BUT I came to realize that the genius in the novel lies within the geniusly thought out symmetrical family plots. Many describe the novel as being very dark, but i , on the other hand, describe Wuthering Heights as being raw and original. Emily Bronte can only be marveled apon. How could someone with a secluded life, much as her characters lived, have such a great insight into these wild, but true characters? Its almost unbelievable, but I now give her respect, just as much as I have for her other remarkable sister Charlotte. Although Jane Eyre is still my favorite novel, Wuthering Heights is not far behind that coveted spot. READ WUTHERING HEIGHTS!!!!!!!! | 1positive
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I'm in Kindle Love!
Yes - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new Kindle! I have been waiting for years for an electronic reading device that made it easy to carry all my books with me in the palm on my hand. This is finally it! I will never buy a traditional book again. The Kindle will revolutionize the publishing world and the way people read. Plus - my reading habit won't kill anymore trees. If reading is your passion, the Kindle will light your fire! | 1positive
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Obsession
I was very disappointed in this book and would certainly not consider it a 'best seller' candidate. Kellerman's constant use of dialog without the 'he said', 'she said' phrases was overdone to the extent of being ridiculous. If an unknown writer, such as I, were to present a manuscript like this to a publisher, it would probably end up in file 13, and I would be papering my bathroom walls with yet another rejection letter.The story line was good, and I continued to force myself to put up with the writing style so as to find out 'who done it?'. But I will not recommend it to my comembers of the First Editions Book Club at my favorite independent bookstore. | 0negative
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Pleased
Having previously owned the Sony Reader that i loved before i purchased the Kindle i find the Kindle much more user friendly and the books are less expensive The ordering and downloading are a snap. Mabye it's me but the only problem that i have found is i do not understand how the page numbers run | 1positive
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Earnest or not?
The play "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde is a very funny play on British society in the late 1800?s and early 1900?s. The verbal barbs and jabs thrown by friends Jack and Algernon are quite amusing and quick-witted throughout the play. The idea that two women would be shallow enough to only want to marry a man named Earnest is just mind boggling, since the word earnest is almost 180 opposite the shallowness of the ladies. The mother is an interesting character in that she will not let her daughter marry the son of a "hand bag", this adds a little break from the gentlemen?s verbal assault on one another and allows the reader to catch their breath. The ending is quite funny but I will not give it away, you must do yourself a favor and read the play. | 1positive
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Swollen, boring, bourgeois melodrama
I'm convinced that this book is considered a "classic"because people are sheep and know they're supposed to think it is. Don't get me wrong -- I love some of the classics but this book was one of the most dull, turgid, tedious, pointless books I have ever had the displeasure of reading. To be truthful, it was such a chore to read that I could not bring myself to finish it. | 0negative
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I'M NOT BUYING IT!!
Ok, I saw Ms. Levine on a major cable news network promoting her book. I was excited to get it and "turn my life around", however I refused to purchase a book called "Not Buying It" and so I reserved it from the library. Thank God! Within the first 4 pages I realized this was nothing more than a woman with a liberal agenda. She blamed George W. Bush and his "minions" for 9/11 and our supposed economic demise. Her language is rated R and in poor taste. I would hope that the information in this book had some redeeming value, however, I will never know since I immediatley returned it to the library. Please, Please do not "Buy" this book. | 0negative
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The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage CD
Very True on all Points. A great back to the Husbands CD | 1positive
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Magnificient Performance of Classic Literature
Boris Karloff - the unmistakable voice - narrates these charming tales with the right amount of energy and dreaminess to take the hearer to the land of pure imagination and suspension of reality, if only for a few minutes.The stories are charming and funny, and Karloff's voice characterizations are sublime. He takes funny to giggles and laughter. This is a performance for children of all ages.The stories ar masterfully drawn with an art that defies description (by me anyway). Kipling's *Jungle Book* and *Kim* are so well known that they don't require my comment. He did win the Nobel Prize for Literature.I listened to these with my daughter when she was 5 - 9. We listened to them again and again. One cannot stay away for long.Highly recommended. | 1positive
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Another Blink Enthusiast is Born
Malcom Gladwell's exploration of our initial subconscious reactions is an incredible read for both experts and laymen alike. I am especially impressed at the examples Gladwell presents in the book. He begins each chapter with a new example of the main point for the section. These examples are not rooted in higher learning but rather reach topics any of us can relate to. He writes about marriage, dating, art, elections...even his primary example to introduce the Blink concept is about a stature. Throughout his explanation, he constantly refers back to his original example, fleshing it out as he teaches us more and more about the details of the "Blink" phenomenon. The result of tackling this information piece by piece is an easy to follow guide through the otherwise confusing concepts and the creative examples help keep one interested even if s/he wasn't looking to read an academic book.I also thoroughly enjoyed Gladwell's voice throughout the book. Blink is filled with academic research to support Gladwell's claims but the writing is a departure from the often droll college textbooks and articles. Instead, Gladwell's narrative often sounds like he is telling a story rather than explaining a theory. He is not an impartial narrator but rather provides examples from his own life and writes like he is leading us through information he himself just discovered. In short, his writing provides clarity and doesn't sacrifice creativity in lieu of scientific research.In conclusion, I throw in another recommendation for this excellent book. Some of the concepts tackled in Blink are taught in University Communication, Psychology, and Sociology classes so nothing can beat a creative and effective piece of college education without the expensive tuition fees. Furthermore, Blink will persuade you to take a look at the way you react to others and what kind of messages these reactions send. | 1positive
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Very dark
This is a very dark book-even darker than the Lily Bard series. I have always enjoyed Ms. Harris' books-especially the humor and characterizations of the characters. None of that was present in this book-it was populated with deeply negative characters and the storyline itself was negative and depressing.I found the intense-and borderline psychotic-neediness and dependency of Harper to be very unattractive and unsettling. I, like previous reviewers, just don't like weak, needy women. | 0negative
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It Kindles the imagination!
I LOVE my Kindle! It's just as exciting as the invention of TV or the computer! It goes with me everywhere I go and I've become so passionate about it I'm beginning to sound like a used car salesman! I'm embarrassed to admit that sometimes I purposely steer the conversation towards reading just so I can show them the Kindle. There's not one thing I would change about it except the NEXT PAGE and PREV PAGE bars along each side---they're too long and I constantly hit them by mistake and then have to undo the turned page. Other than that, it's a magical device! Do you know how much time and gas it would take to individually buy 200 books? And how much they would cost (certaily more than $9.99 each)? And how much room 200 books would take up on a bookcase? And how heavy they would be? And how many trees would have been sacrificed? And the hassle surrouding finding new homes for 200 books? This is the perfect solution! It just Kindles the imagination! | 1positive
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any impressario, non-performer, non-musician, lacks credibility
For a musicican, for one trained as a musician, this is a heady intellectual book. However, it often misses the point - entirely, aesthetically, and in practical terms. For instance, a piece practiced a 1000 times, according to the author, should be peerless. Obviously, this is not true. The native talent of the performer is paramount, and, most of all, the piece may be practiced WRONGLY 1000 times, of which, as a non-performer, the author is clearly unaware. The author also almost completely ignores the influence and insight of professional classical performers. The author is an administrator and impressario of rock and probably rap bands. The author has no training in musicology, and probably never talked to a musicologist. I admire the intent, but there are no breakthroughs here in understanding, or enjoying music, and no great insights into music's magic. | 0negative
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Better than expected!
I finally took the plunge into ebooks and find that I wasn't disappointed. I am a die hard fan of reading paperbacks and thought I wouldn't be able to lose myself into an ebook, but was pleasantly surprised. I have tried pocket readers on my palm and found the backlighting to be very hard on the eyes. I have already read two books in one day and am already hooked and no eye strain. Purchased this to limit the amount of space my books take up and will wait for all my favorites authors to get with the program. I actually canceled my pre-order for a book in the series I am reading because it wasn't available in Kindle and won't get it til it is. I have also emailed my list of previously owned books to my kindle so I don't buy books I previosly owned and didn't like. So I always have my book list with me. If your not sure, I highly recommend trying it. I usually read a book a day or more if possible and found this to be light weight and easy to hold. I folded the cover to the back and held it in place with the elastic band and found it was easier to hold than a paperback. | 1positive
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love it
I am a frequent traveler whose carry-on is usually filled with books. The Kindle saves me time, money and backache and provides more carry-on space. | 1positive
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Buddhism repackaged
This is an interesting book to review because I can tune in and see what is happening to people who read it and get a close up look at the author using his philosophy to answer questions. While I applaud Oprah for this novel approach to bettering the human race, I take issue with both this author and his book.I read Tolle's first book and found it to be a boring rehash of Buddhism. Because Oprah was so high on his second I figured I'd give him another try and join the book club. I thought it would be interesting to see a book "in action" and discuss it with others. I even sent a copy to my sister who could use a bit of computer recreation since she now lives in a very small town. This book is better than the first in that it is a better compilation of Buddhist thought. However, it rambles constantly, draws conclusions from encounters that are not necessarily justified and the attitude of its author (who sees himself as enlightened and continuously "conscious" and egoless), is laughable. Tolle's vanity is nothing short of astounding. Buddhism isn't a pill, it is a practice and awakening has many layers. In spite of this, Tolle has tons of people saying that they have awakened. On one hand adherents claim to be valiantly battling their ego's while on the other they flaunt their "awakening", telling others who claim to be in serious pain to simply read page such and such or tell their "pain body," to effectively shut up and go away. Yikes!!!While it is true that you can't blame the messenger for what people do with the message (Jesus protect me from your followers!) Tolle adopts a similar attitude toward others on the streaming video. His dead pan delivery of jargon in response to questions does not impress me as enlightened or egoless. It might behoove him to remember that those Zen stories he includes in the book were once used by master to deliver highly specific teachings that met the needs of particular students. He has turned awakening into a race....to what I am not sure, but I do know that enlightenment is not a competitive event. A few months from now there are going to be a lot of people with one hell of a philosophical hangover caused by all those subconscious drives they never bothered to examine and thought they'd left in a dumpster somewhere.I keep waiting for the day when someone writes a version of Buddhism for the working mom. I think that person should herself be a mother with at least one ADHD child. She should be clinically depressed and have a couch potato for a husband. If she manages to help the child grow into someone with a good marriage and a real profession, I'll buy all of her books. Unfortunately what we keep getting are philosophies created by self-satisfied, introverted, childless, hermits like Tolle. There is nothing wrong with an introverted, childless, hermit being self-satisfied. What is wrong is suggesting that his way of being represents THE path to enlightenment for everyone. I would say that all he has found in Buddhism is a treatment for his (self acknowledged) form of depression and suicidal thoughts. I am glad he is well and happy and wish him the best....but I won't buy anymore of his books because they are just Buddhism repackaged and linked to an attitude I am not fond of. | 0negative
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Unsubstantiated hype!
"It must now be self-evident that there is a vast gulf between the Jesus of history and the Jesus of faith." This is Baigent's theme in "The Jesus Papers." But does he succeed? Does he provide evidence to prove his assertion, or even lead a careful reader to consider his claim probable? No. Not even close.Mr. Baigent's method is flawed. For example, he frequently calls into question the reliability of early historical documents, while relying heavily on anecdotal material, which is often relatively late from a historical perspective. At times this "evidence" exists simply as the word of one person living in the 20th century.Another problem is that Baigent is guilty of special pleading. He discredits the New Testament Gospel accounts which are contrary to his beliefs as unreliable, but then quotes from the gospels when they help establish his point. Often it is apparent that Mr. Baigent has left behind the realm of historical facts and entered the realm of speculation because he pauses in his narrative to ask questions such as "Could it be...?", "Is it perhaps possible that...?", etc. But, once he has asked the questions, his answers to his own speculations are considered proven true, and he addresses them accordingly through the rest of the book.Unfortunately, I don't have the space here to document his countless speculations, errors, and distortions. Here are just a few.Perhaps the single most outrageous claim in the book is the assertion that Jesus survived the crucifixion. However, Jesus' death by crucifixion is so widely accepted that virtually no skeptic continues to entertain this possibility. The event of his death is affirmed by Christian and non-Christian sources, as well as by the general expertise the Romans possessed in this manner of execution. Baigent comments that Jesus, if he died on the cross, would have died more quickly than expected. He neglects, however, to mention that Jesus first endured being severely beaten with a three-lash whip with pieces of bone or metal on the ends. This whip tore the flesh of the skeletal muscles and set the stage for circulatory shock. Following the scourging that Jesus received, he was probably in serious to critical condition prior to his crucifixion. During the crucifixion, he sustained five additional serious wounds, including the wounds caused by the nails and the spear in His side, which almost certainly pierced one lung and the heart. According to a 1986 article entitled "On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ" which appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association, "Clearly, the weight of the historical and medical evidence indicates that Jesus was dead before the wound to His side was inflicted and supports the traditional view that the spear, thrust between His right ribs, probably perforated not only the right lung but also the pericardium and heart and thereby ensured his death. Accordingly, interpretations based on the assumption that Jesus did not die on the cross appear to be at odds with modern medical knowledge."In addition to the medical evidence, the death (and resurrection) of Jesus is evidenced by the behavior and experiences of the disciples. It is nearly unanimously accepted among historical scholars (including such skeptics as "Jesus Seminar" members Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan) that Jesus' disciples, following his crucifixion, were initially discouraged and despondent but shortly afterward had multiple experiences that they believed were actual appearances of the risen Jesus. Additionally, due to these experiences, the disciples' lives were completely transformed, to the extent that they were willing to die for their belief that they had seen the resurrected Jesus. It is utterly nonsensical to suggest that this level of belief and commitment could have been inspired by their experience of a badly wounded, bloodied, extremely sick Jesus barely clinging to life. This scenario could explain their belief that they had seen him alive, but not their claim to have seen him resurrected.Rather than relying on early historical documents to support his claim, Mr. Baigent's assertion that Jesus survived the crucifixion is based largely on the suggestion of one 20th century man, who claimed to have learned it directly from another man, who is supposed to have seen an elusive document making this claim. This story will only convince the gullible. By comparison, a surprising number of ancient historical texts (which are not elusive) record the death of Jesus, including a number of highly respected, primitive creeds that predate the New Testament, the Gospel narratives themselves, at least ten non-Christian texts, and several noncanonical early Christian sources. In contrast to the evidence presented by Baigent, these sources provide multiple early evidences for the event of the death of Jesus by crucifixion.Similar arguments can be made to refute other assertions made by Mr. Baigent, including Jesus' denial that he was the son of God, the relative reliability of the Gnostic Gospels, the supposedly lost years of Jesus in Egypt, the claim that Christianity was essentially the creation of Paul, and many others.In chapter 13, Mr. Baigent laments what he refers to as the lack of "pure historians" in the field of biblical scholarship. It seems we are justified in assuming that he would categorize himself in this manner, yet his haphazard acceptance and rejection of various data disqualifies him as a scholar. Hardly objective, his sole test for evidence is whether it supports to his own view. | 0negative
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Not much to recommend for a series I have enjoyed
The characters in this series are getting to be less and less believable (and less and less enjoyable). The niece does not "speak" like a typical little girl (even for a genius IQ). The men are WAY out of character. Mike is macho, and macho would never put up with Hannah's BS. Norman may be somewhat nerdy, but he has self-respect and should be past fed up with Hannah's indecisiveness!The murder seemed secondary to the ridiculous relationship issue. This is supposed to be a murder mystery, but I felt as though I was reading a poorly plotted/written romance novel!Also, if the author REALLY thinks most of her readers do not know the definition of simple words... what age group is she writing for?!Overall, the flaws noted above wreaked havoc on the actual story. I spent so much time annoyed that I didn't enjoy the book.The recipes as always are a plus, but that's not a reason to buy/read this book!If you are new to the author, pick up one of the earlier books in the series. It will be a much more enjoyable read than the last couple! | 0negative
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Have You Ever Had To Sit Through A Tedious Meeting?
Have you ever had to sit through a meeting that you thought would never end? A meeting where staying awake seemed to be a Herculean task? In Wild Fire the bad guys have a meeting near the beginning of the novel. You, the reader, have to sit there and listen to them discuss their plans that go on until page 127. First they can't decide the day of the week for their big event. That takes some pages. Then they can't decide what cities to stage it in. More long discussions ensue.When we finally stagger out of that marathon session we join John Corey and his long suffering wife. She's his FBI boss, and he works for the anti terrorism task force. His response to everything she says (and to what anyone else in the novel says) is a smartass wisecrack. How does she put up with it? Well the two of them talk a lot, and drive around a lot tracking down the Bad People. Well they can't do that 24/7 so they get drunk at night in their hotel. The plot moves along (slowly) until our chatty couple finally meets up with the Chief Bad Person. This happens about 50 pages before the ending of the book, and if you want to save time you can just stop reading the book and go to sleep. Those last 50 pages contain writing that is pure clichéd formula. You know just how everything is going to turn out. It is really totally by the numbers stuff. There are no plot twists and turns, no surprises, just hack writing. Oh yes, when Mr. DeMille runs out of clever dialog he just has his characters say "F*&^% You" to each other. There's a lot of that actually.What can I say? Nelson DeMille is (was?) one of my favorite writers, but this novel has to be one of his poorest works. | 0negative
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Generic Comment
Does what it needs to do well. Page back button is clicky and the scroll wheel is loud if I'm in bed trying to be quiet. | 1positive
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Hard to Read
This book may have good points if you can get through the drawn out verbage, it was too deep for me. | 0negative
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My Kindle
I've had my Kindle for over a month now and it has been working great. I been an avid reader since I was young and I've tried to keep my books collection trim, but it just takes up so much room, the kindle should really help. The downloads were easy, both using the Kindle itself and downloading from the amazon site. It only took about ten seconds or less and the whole book was installed. The controls are a little annoying till you get use to them, you can accidentally twitch you finger and skip ahead three pages. After using it a couple of times and learning where to put my hand, it hasn't happened again. The cover that comes with it is almost useless, it doesn't really attach very well so using it while reading is a chore, I just use it to store it now. I've already read two books using it and I am very pleased with it. | 1positive
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Really dissappointed
I bought the Kindle for my wife as a present after seeing it touted on Oprah. My wife loved it with the exception of some things that still needed to be worked out with it. Now, I've learned of a new and improved Kindle, with changes that I told Amazon about as soon as I received it. I was dissappointed to find out that I could not return the Kindle 1, with the "bugs", for the more improved version. So, I wanted people to know that when you purchase a proprietary item from a company, in this case Amazon, be sure and wait long enough until all the "bugs" are worked out with it first. Or, better yet, if you notice anything that needs to be put into the development of it, return it and then wait for those changes before purchasing. | 0negative
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Had high hopes for this...
... But unfortunately was very disappointed. Supposed to be full of new theories in an exciting story, but reads like Clive Cussler trying to write a history of scuba diving. | 0negative
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Blech
I already knew what was going to happen from the very first page! It was upsetting to get all the way to the end and see that I was right. It seemed like the author made the doctor an abortionist in order to create a whodunnit with multiple possible suspects. But again, it's very apparent from the very beginning. Especially if you take the title into consideration. I didn't like this book at all and was mad that I even took the time to read it! | 0negative
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One Star reviewers don't actually have a Kindle
I don't have a Kindle but have a Sony Reader I bought a year ago. I think the Kindle will be a more successful product because of its MOBI compatibility. The Sony uses its own format that works very well and .txt files that are a nuisance to size properly. The Sony also uses PDF's but the implementation is so poor that these files are almost useless. This technology is awesome. Having a collection of books in a single, small package is a great convenience. The other reviewers that are carping over the price may be justified in their criticism. But to give the Kindle One Star is silly. It seems that the people that actually own them love them. That's why I feel justified in giving a Five Star rating even though I don't own one. | 1positive
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Fun, fun, fun!
It's a fast paced, light-hearted, yet surprisingly rich, mystery/romance!!Samantha Jellicoe is one of the best, and most expensive, cat burglars in the world. That is why, when a bomb explodes in the very house she is stealing from, at the very moment she is doing her "work", the red flags fly. Keeping the handsome, billionaire owner alive and getting out without getting caught is her first priority, however, it isn't until she discovers her life is in serious trouble later that she is forced to take action.This book is so much fun, one hates to put it down - even for a moment - to get anything else done! If I didn't think the sex aspect was too soon and too much (totally personal, I admit) this would have been a definite 5 star just for sheer entertainment and excitement! | 1positive
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End of the World is as Depressing as it Sounds
The basic plot of "The Road" is a classic--the world has ended. Something catastrophic and, in this story, unexplained, has happened, resulting in mass animal extinction, total destruction of the Earth's ecosystem, and complete breakdown of human civilization. This book takes place several years after that event. A man and his young son journey south on foot, scavenging for food and desperately searching for a place where life will be better. As their trek drags on and on, it becomes less a question of whether they will survive, and more a question of what will kill them first--starvation, the bitter cold, or the roaming gangs of cannibals who now make up the majority of the surviving human race.Although we spend the entire story exclusively with the father and son, we never really get to know them, and their back story is never made clear. What happened in the decade or so since the catastrophic event? Didn't anyone on Earth foresee problems when their supply of canned goods ran out and there was still no sun to grow food and no animals to eat? Why did the man wait until the brink of starvation to head south, if he thought salvation lay in that direction? And, of course, besides killing each other and using up all of their supplies, what was everyone DOING for those years and years? These questions, which may have clarified why there is absolutely no hope in this story, are never addressed.The human drive to survive is a strong one. In light of that fact and in light of the nightmare of a situation in which McCarthy places his father and son, I didn't find their behavior all that extraordinary. Many have touted this book as an example of love causing a father to go to extremes. In my mind, he just acted normally. This father and son may well have been the only two "good guys" left in the world. Even if they were not related, they would be expected to cling to each other for safety and human contact. The fact that they are father and son just makes this connection more natural.Perhaps it is cynical of me, but I was struck by the father's selfishness. Sure, he loves his son as all parents should. However, he also largely is concerned with his son staying alive because he knows that his son stands between himself and death. Without a purpose, it is clear to him that he will allow himself to die. His survival instinct is strong enough that he doesn't want that to happen. At the end of the story, he is too selfish to keep the one promise he made to his son, because it would cause him pain to do so.The resolution of this story was incredibly implausible and seemed to me a weak attempt to validate the man's selfish choice. | 0negative
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a stunning novel
Wuthering Heights by Emily BronteThis book is dark, despairing, passionate, and breathtaking from first page to last. This is a true classic. Highly recommended. | 1positive
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Sheesh
This book was so frustrating! The main character has so many phobias it is ridiculous. She is scared of everything and has problems keeping her job due to all her fears. Worst book I have read in awhile. | 0negative
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Total Crap
I believe in the law of attraction and have applied it my life to better myself and those around me. However, this book leads you to believe that the universe is your personal slot machine. The author intentionally focus on the "show me the money" aspects to sell the book and movie. If the gist had been on becoming happier, bettering humanity, loving life, etc., it would have sold a fraction of what it has. Clearly Rhonda's motivation and her own Law of Attraction was to make big bucks and get enough speakers that would back her materialistic view on life. In my opinion, Neale Donald Walsch and Michael Beckwith have no business in this movie. Their message is about listening to your soul and loving yourself and your fellow man/woman. They have no problem with money and outward success, but money at the expense of soul and conscience is not something they support.If you want to get rich, go back to school. You have about as big a chance of cashing in on this book as you do a lottery ticket but the lottery ticket is cheaper and the small print on the back is more interesting than this crap! | 0negative
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Nothing we have not seen before
Positive thinking is good because it sets you into ACTION. And ACTION is what makes things happen. You don't need to spend $25 dollars in a 200 page book to know that, or do you? Oh wait! This is not the message of the book! You don't have to take action just think and wait...I should change my career and became a motivational speaker, Americans believe anything these days... | 0negative
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Not recommended
Mr. Pressfield reminds us of Simonides epitaph for the heroic soldiers at the Battle of Thermoplyae in the very beginning:.............Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by ...............that here obedient to their laws we lie.........Nothing more has ever needed to be said in the last 2,500 years.Now we have more than we ever really wanted to know - twelve year old boys tortured and beaten to death in the name of encouraging other boys how to be "manly". A society so off the main track, and condemned even then by contemporaries, that it makes the Nazis warm and fuzzy.If you are a specialist in Spartan society, by all means read this book. If you are looking for a good historical read, run...In an attempt to make the characters well-drawn, the author simply manages to put them in quite bizarre contextual contradictions. Unintentionally hilarious is the Spartan explaining to the Egyptian the rationale for his society. It is "freedom", he says. One wonders. "Slavery" would have been a more accurate response, not to speak of "sadism".Scariest of all is the blurb on the back cover by an American Colonel who recommends this book as an example of the beauty of the military mindset. Give me citizen soldiers, anyday.The style is earnestly striving for verisimilitude, but manages to leave us only with a sort of quirkiness. Our speech patterns are no longer like Homer. But he gets "A" for effort here. | 0negative
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kindle
Bought this for a christmas present for my daughter in law. She does alot of reading, loves the kindle easy to down load books on, she takes it with her when ever away from home. | 1positive
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way too expensive - just get the paper
one would think they could offer it cheaper as they don't have to print it. | 0negative
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This review is of the Kindle Store, not the device.
I will save a review of the device itself for a later time, when I've had more time to get familiar with the Kindle.However, I do want to say something about the electronic store interface that comes with the device.In a word: It SUCKS.It is too easy to lose your place when browsing the store, but even more importantly, it is WAY too easy to accidentally order a book you don't want. When you go to browse an item, the BUY button is highlighted by default (!!!), so all you have to do is touch the joystick button wrong (press it instead of push it up or down) and bingo! The book is yours and starts downloaded onto your device instantly.Now, to be fair, Amazon does provide a way to cancel these accidental transactions, but as I've already found out, a lot can go wrong with this cancellation process, and so far I've purchased a $16 book I DO NOT WANT! I'm trying to resolve the issue with Amazon now and hopefully will be able to report back that I was able to get my money back (and the d--n book OFF my Kindle -- grrr... makes me so angry to see it there, I cannot even enjoy my Kindle. Have to turn it off and walk away.).Amazon is violating the first rules of usability with this interface. I hope they will FIX this problem soon, as it could so easily be done. AMAZON! Are you listening? Let's get on this problem right away! It causes customer dissatisfaction, and that is NOT a good thing (do I really need to tell you that?). | 0negative
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Picture of Dorian Gray is an entertaining story which makes you think
The book "The Picture of Dorian Gray", written by Oscar Wilde, deals with the issue of getting old and the question of how you want to live your life. In my opinion the book is a typical book from Oscar Wilde which shows the difficulties and the pressures in the community. Oscar Wilde is a critical author who always writes about his own point of view. Furthermore you can also learn about his personality and the society this time.I think that the Picture of Dorian Gray represents the wish from every person to stay young and beautiful with all the opportunities and chances, waiting for you to grab them. Also the second chance and the possibillity to change is a facility which is usually offered to the youth.Also the end is a perfect rounding which brings all topics and themes together to one point. And as Oscar Wilde shows in his opinion, the point is not how you look, it is more how you lived and what you did. At least the ending says that when you die,you die as the person you were and it does not matter who you pretend you are.The story of Dorian Gray is in my opinion a very gripping book which did not leave me until I finished it. And even then it makes me think about these things. Oscar Wilde's writing is very fast-moving and there are no long or boring scences in the book.Bringing all considerations together I have to say that I enjoyed the book very much, which is why I have read it in only three hours. | 1positive
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Buyer Beware
The irresponsible Mr. Buhlman has taken a complex, controversial subject matter, in a manifestly misguided attempt to enlighten his reader, and illogically renders it the pathway to elevated consciousness and experience. This clearly is a misdeed. No matter how skilled the reader may be, dangerous results await. It's clear that guidance to OBE's is best undertaken with thoughtful, well-reasoned knowledge provided by skilled practitioners. Clearly, this author should not be the first choice, or even second. One wonders if the author's real intent was to guide his reader into profound ways of thinking or just to manufacture a little cottage industry to line his own pockets. I know I do. | 0negative
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The Prince and the Pauper
I would have to say the theme would be that things aren't always as they seem; neither are people. Be loving and kind to all, not just the worthy, but the unworthy too; not just the rich, but the poor also. Try to understand what everyone goes through and look at all perspectives. All have different situations, some more unusal than the next, but no matter the person, we all have struggles.I liked this story. It was interesting and had wonderful descriptions of everything-especially in the royal court. It sounded SO beautiful. On the other hand, some of the dialogue was hard to understand because of the old language. (Lots of ye's and thou's, that sort of stuff) At times, it got a little boring, but in all, it was a good book.written by:kelly spitler, 5th period english due:9/29 | 0negative
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one way to read a book
I had a Kindle for less than 24 hours before I returned it. I appreciate Amazon's return policy. I'm a librarian -- now indexer, and a big reader. I knew I would not read non-fiction on the Kindle because I (for obvious reasons) enjoy perusing the indexes of non-fiction books and they are non existent on a Kindle. I thought perhaps I could read fiction and news magazines and newspapers but I found it an obnoxious way to try and read on the small screen with glare from overhead light. I realized how much I love the feel of a book and the ability to flip through real pages. I also like to organize my books the way I like to, not in order of, well, however it is they order them as you buy them. I thought I would enjoy the search feature and it is useful but not worth $300 and putting up with reading the book on a small screen. I would worry too if I were on a trip, what if I dropped it and broke it or ran out of electricity? It's not so much trouble to carry a couple of paperbacks and magazines really. All in all, for me, I found it to be a pretty dumb way to read a book. | 0negative
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What an incredibly BAD book
I tried very hard to like this book, but I did not. It is depressing, dark and sad. Wildly powerful ? Consistently brillant ? Not even close. What could possibly be uplifting about living out of a damn grocery cart, fighting off the "unwashed" dregs of the street. And in the end, the poor smuck "The Man" dies- leaving the poor "boy" an orphan!I read a book to be entertained, learn from history, a biography, and ultimately be uplifted. I don't need a book (and no one else should) that makes me want to slit my wrist - or maybe build a bomb shelter ! Be forwarned. | 0negative
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Not so funny
I have decided that since so many people are obviously blind to how dumb this play is, I should write a review to enlighten anyone that might read it. The humor is dated and because of that, very boring. The situations are completely inconceivable and it makes no sense! The characters are flat and serve no real purpose. I suggest that no one else ever ever read this play. | 0negative
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Catherine Coulter books are addictive!
Loved this book just like all the other books by Catherine Coulter. There are so many twists and turns you can't possiby figure out the ending until she wants you to. | 1positive
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Too pricey
I'll consider a Kindle when the price comes down to $150 and Kindle books are offered at $6.99. Like hardware companies selling dirt-cheap ink-jet printers so they can charge $5000 a gallon for ink-jet cartridges, Amazon is laughing all the way to the bank by charging $9.99 for mass-audience electronic books. Advice: hold off on purchasing a Kindle till they offer rational pricing! | 0negative
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I am still laughing!
Think positive thoughts and you will get and be everything you want.You don't have to work for it. It just comes to you. Hmmm....I am winning the lottery.I am winning the lottery. I am winning the lottery. Oops, I supposed I SHOULD go buy a ticket though.Oh, Come On! This is the same stuff we have read for years. Oh, yeah it was all written by the very few who know THE SECRET. I think P.T. Barnum knew the secret and the secret is "there is a sucker born every minute", and we bought this book! | 0negative
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Traveling light
I sometimes travel and when I travel I read...this makes life so much easier for me because I don't have to haul four or five books with me, it's all on my Kindle. I love it - it downloads in seconds and I don't need to read it with my glasses! This is definately the wave of the future. I can see college students/teachers using the Kindle for all their books. | 1positive
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Love and hate
I have been reading Science Fiction for 45 years and this is one of the best hard Science Fiction novels I have ever read. It is also one of the most depressing. I won't spoil it for you by telling you why except to say that you may look differently at your computer and at technological research after you finish the book. | 1positive
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Fighting Traditions in the Competitive Fine Dining World
Gourmet magazine's editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl provides a sometimes funny and often insightful account of her days back in the nineties as the New York Times food critic, certainly one of the most influential culinary posts in the world. She obviously did not take this responsibility lightly judging from the amount of effort she went through to disguise herself in restaurants she had to review in order to avoid preferential treatment. In fact, one of her more intriguing insights is how a fine dining experience can and should be the great economic leveler, and her disguises would often reflect a lower socioeconomic status or an out-of-place temperament, including pretending to be her own mother. No matter whom you are, according to Reichl, you can walk in and place your credit card on the bill tray, and for however long you want to be at a formal restaurant, you can be anyone you want to be. Like a paid fantasy come true with no emotional repercussions, one of the big reasons people go out to eat is to have that experience of being glamorous and wealthy. Reichl understands this concept clearly, and she is enthusiastic about helping people appreciate what they're going to experience in the way that any good film, art or dance critics can.Her zeal can be infectious, especially as she breaks with tradition and explores ethnic food in the outer boroughs of New York with creative abandon. Her approach apparently did come at a price as she has made enemies at the Times and among those who had come to expect four-star ratings from the paper. When she describes her courage in facing her adversaries head-on, Reichl can come across as smug and sometimes cloying in her attempts to deflate egos, even though she offsets those comments with discourses on colleagues she truly does love and respect. Moreover, she fluently displays a breadth of knowledge about the overall trends in the American culinary movement of the last quarter century. The author doesn't quite have the been-there-done-that tone of Anthony Boudrain in his books, "Kitchen Confidential" and "A Cook's Tour", nor does she have the idiosyncratic wit of Alan Richman in his eclectic food travel tome, "Fork It Over". But Reichl's book does lend a uniquely personal perspective, is it is as much about politics at the New York Times as it is about food, an almost professional survival manual that would serve both present-day foodies and future food critics equally well. | 1positive
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Good device.
It is functional and practical, recommend it. And it fits into your suitcase easily. | 1positive
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The results of manifest destiny. . .
This is a beautifully written book that takes epic form in retelling the settling of the American southwest from 1820 through the 1860s. From the Mexican war to the removal of the Navajo from Canyon de Chelly, Hampton Sides writes an engaging account of the results of manifest destiny, showing both sides, warts and all. The white man, while seeming noble in purpose, is shown to have been lacking in honor, and while the Indians were certainly shafted time and again they had many of their own faults. Central to this story is the famous mountain man Kit Carson, a man of many contradictions: though extremely intelligent he was also illiterate; he could speak many of the native languages, understood the Indian ways, and even had Indian wives but he also participated in the slaughter and removal from their lands of these same Indians. The book also includes engaging portraits of many of the important figures of this time period: Stephen Watts Kearny, John Fremont, the Navajo warrior Narbona, and Senator Thomas Benton. the Author is even handed and fair in portraying all those involved. This book proves that truth is stranger than fiction. Speaking of fiction, I also recommend Across the High Lonesome set in the modern American west. | 1positive
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I finished it, and that was a challenge...
As I listened to this book I trudged along wanting to see how the author would work it all out...and that's the only reason I finished it.I have to agree that the diaglogue is rather stilted (as another review stated "don't answer a question with a question" -- so much of that!!) The main character has very few redeeming qualities...he seems to be out of touch with the world, very assured of his own opinions and beliefs, and in denial about so much in and around him. And his naivete, for someone of his age and experience, is astounding.I listened to this book and the meandering story could have been told in three fewer CDs and would have been much more interesting. | 0negative
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Hours of Drowsy Reading
I am currently in my second year of college. My major is CNT (computer networking and technology). This is the class book for my telecommunications class. I have made it through 3 chapters and I am struggling to make it more then a few pages without losing my train of thought, or wanting to fall asleep. Granted, no one said telecom was a fun subject, however, this book has no helpful additional sections, no margins on the side with handy hints, etc. It has a limited number of black and white text images that my grandma could put to shame using MS Paint. So far, the class average on the chapter questions is a C. They are poorly worded and basically turn the book into a mindless scavenger hunt.This is my first time ever writing a book review. I just felt like I had an obligation to the human race, to warn people that this book is horrible. | 0negative
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Refreshing and well argued
This book is a quick and interesting read. The author presents a simple, clear and logical hypothesis and proceeds to explain it in a clear and honest manner. The book is full of some very interesting stories and history you may not have be previously aware of; in particular from areas of the world that you don't often see in the news. The book is a refreshing change to a lot of the "globalisation" tracts as it focuses on real life and reality rather than some nice handwavy economic theory.There are some real insights in this book that I have never heard stated before by any of the "experts". It also managed to give me some new insights into the recent political history of my own country (Australia).The chapter on "why they hate us" (which discusses 9/11 etc) left me with mixed feelings. The central argument is great; but as a non-US reader I felt the author's nationality coloured her arguments. Readers from outside the US may find the tone of this chapter strange... she seems to avoid the obvious conclusion (that the US is just another selfcentred dominant minority) and instead paints it as some kine of huge misunderstanding. The next chapter on what the US can do to prevent terrorism borders on the ridiculous. She suggests a typical American response; all you need is some good PR!Lets face it, the world is a contest, and at a certain scale moral arguments are irrelevant. Its kill or be killed :-)The book does get slightly repetitive toward the end, as the author strugges to find more examples that back up her argument. But overall I would recommend this book to anyone who is unimpressed by the usual commentary on this subject and would like something more hardheaded.The next logical step from this book is an analysis of why these dominant minorities form in the first place. This would make for an interesting book in itself. | 1positive
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Kindle review
In general the Kindle is a great e-Reader. As a person who spends most of the working day looking at a computer screen the last thing I wanted was anything that has a back-lit display. The readability of Kindle's screen is the best feature of the product. The navigation through a book is good and I really like the dictionary look-up feature and the location memory for each book. As a person who usually is reading multiple books at the same time its a real convenience to be able to access any of the current books I'm reading with a few presses of a button and not lose my place.Ever been traveling and couldn't find a book you wanted to read in the limited selection at the airport book store? The ability to download a new book from Amazon while setting in the airport is another great convenience feature. The instant access to shopping and buying a book is great.On the down side I'm disappointed in the rendering of graphics and maps from the few books that I've read with such diagrams. As an example, "The Coldest Winter" Korean war history contains several maps of battles and troop movements. These are very difficult to view. This may be due to the original digital source; but the Kindle would benefit from some on-board tools to magnify and pan the image. Also a way to enhance the contrast of the image would also aid in readability. The image rendering is my major grip about the Kindle.The experimental web browser is a bit painful to use. But I was able to use it waiting in an airport parking lot to check the flight arrival time for a late flight a family member was arriving on. This was after I'd tried to use my lap-top to connect the airport's free wi-fi that wasn't working. And the airline's web site was not setup for mobile devices. I also use it frequently to check the local news paper's web site.Another issue is the document conversion tool. Converting doc files with tables totally loses the table formatting. Again the ability to pan across wide tables would be a useful feature. I've used my Kindle to carry around reference documentation while I'm traveling and some better tools for reformatting PDF and DOC files would be appreciated. Or how about publishing the source to the conversion programs as OpenSource project on SourceForge(it may be available - I haven't checked) and let interested software developers come up with imaginative solutions.With regard to the maturity and reliability of the software it is relatively stable for a new product. However; I have experienced a few problems: (To put my remarks in perspective, maybe I should mention that I develop software for devices similar to the Kindle).1) Totally non-responsive. Pressing the page buttons or attempting to move the cursor resulted in not observable activity. Waited several minutes and no change. Finally hit the reset button. Number of occurrences -- 1. It did not lose track of any book locations.2) Device appeared to soft-reset when advancing a page about 3/4 way through a large book ("Pillars of the Earth"). The screen changed to the Home page. Upon reopening the book the location was about 20 screens prior to the location I was at when originally advancing the page. Number of similar occurances - 2.3) Long delays when changing pages. Delay is 5-7 seconds. Number of occurrences - rare, maybe 4-5 times; but I keep thinking about number 1 above. This seems to happens with both the wireless on and off.Overall I am satisfied with the Kindle and have suggested it to other people. Waiting to see the next software release. Just don't screw it up with feature over-load. | 1positive
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Excellent, Compelling and Gruesome
Fortunately, the gruesomeness is not overdone, but comes close. Lehane, however, is a master craftsman and keeps you guessing till the end. The plot unfolds in a timely fashion, the characters are highly credible and the reader only marvels at the creativity of the author. This is a gritty novel with a little leavening morality thrown in that helps put everything in perspective. One of the best thrillers I've read in a long time. | 1positive
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Puerile
Sorry to disagree with most everybody writing their reviews but Fitzgerald failed miserably at getting down to the nitty-gritty of the human condition. He reminded me of the clueless politicians we have in Washington debating health care issues or national defense. Like our politicians, Amory was selfish, pompous, obnoxious and what's perhaps even more inexcusable considering his education, a dim-wit. Fitzgerald's vision doesn't penetrate beneath the surface of our daily lives. His characters are terribly vapid, philistines, bourgois to the max. I tell you what, Amory deserved the ass-kicking he received. I only wish I could have got in a few punches on Amory and Fitzgerald. And his entire rap at the end of the book was nauseatingly peurile. The novel was pure bull. | 0negative
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Excellent Read
This was one of a three-book series. I really enjoyed this book. Connor and Holly each had very painful pasts and neither character thinks they will be able to find happiness. I won't spoil the plot, but when Holly does what she thinks is best even though the act pains her to the core, I actually had tears in my eyes. A great, easy summer read. | 1positive
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An Outstanding Mother and Patriot
I love Mrs Sheehan's book. She is very thoughtful and intelligent. She has done a good job of teaching herself about the realities of U.S. and world politics. Those people who gave this book a one star review most likely never read the booka and they should try getting their information elsewhere then Fox News. | 1positive
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A Letdown for Rowers
I read about one novel per decade. I picked up this one, having heard that it has characters who are rowers. (I myself row.) I was astonished, however, to encounter on page 10 a passage in which two rowers are in singles and one reaches out to touch the other. This is simply impossible to do! In fact, because of the way the oars and riggers stick out, it is impossible for two boats, side by side, to be more than eight feet from each other, and even then, there would be danger of capsizing one or both boats in subsequently separating them. Conclusion: the author, who has made her main character a rower, knows next to nothing about rowing! She has thus violated the cardinal rule of Creative Writing 101: write what you know about. I stopped reading.This won't, I realize, be an issue for non-rowers, but rowers who seek a novel about rowing would be well advised to look elsewhere! | 0negative
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Excellent and improvable reading device
The accessibility of the books and the ease of download are very nice indeed. Equally pleasing is the flow of reading, page turning, and returning to a book. Several areas would benefit from changes: the brightness and/or contrast of the reading page is not great, and, for the mature eye, requires good lighting. Less important but annoying is a layout that, so far, makes me press the "next page" button when I don't mean to.The bottom line is that this is a fine product that delivers a great deal. | 1positive
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A Work of Self Condemnation
Though this book was well written, Oscar Wilde fails in his attempt to glorify aestheticism, and in fact condemns it, and thus condemns himself. It was hardly surprising that following the publication of this book, the authorities sought to have him arrested for homosexuality. If aestheticism is embodied by Lord Henry, Henry is a despicable character, whose philosophies sound not only juvenile and sophistic, but ignorant due to his lack of practicing what he preached. He didn't act out his hedonistic, immoral theories, only Dorian behaved that way, and when doing so brought torment, shame, and guilt upon himself. And to preface the book with "All art is quite useless"? That makes no sense, since the picture was the most useful, significant, meaningful thing in life. Was Wilde's goal to declare his own dear philosophies completely worthless? If so, he succeeded, but I am much more impressed by someone who sets out to justify his philosophies rather than someone who sets out to debunk them. | 0negative
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Shh, It's A Secret
Shhh, It's A Secret...It's an election year, and it's the same old political bull, except it's more fragrant than usual. I read that this might be the first presidential election that exceeds a billion dollars in campaign spending. A billion dollars, just what is a billion dollars? Sure, it's like a million, only with a "b", but what is that really? And how can I get me some? Ok, I'm not running a small country or running for president, and I don't need that much money, but I sure wish someone would let me in on the secret of success. So when I heard Oprah whispering about a secret, I thought maybe I ought to check it out.A secret, nothing is more compelling, and I just have to know this jealously guarded information hoarded by the wealthy, happy and successful. Rhonda Byrne, New Age guru, is the author of the bestseller, The Secret. You want to know her secret? Your positive thoughts act as powerful magnets that attract wealth, health and happiness. Fleeting negative thoughts are responsible for your bad attitude, your crappy '78 Pinto, and that overwhelming credit card balance. Yep, it's your own damn fault that you are broke and fat, and her "secret" is gonna set you free. I don't know who you blame if you're ugly. She doesn't mention that, but it's implied that you manifested it.Let me start you on the path to financial freedom. Save your money and don't buy this book. I do think that the power of the mind can help us deal with the strife in our lives, but mostly through our perception. Positive thinking can help us envision succeeding, open new opportunities, and maybe even give you a great idea that can actually help put you in the seat of that cute little Porsche, but it isn't going to pay the electric bill. The Secret is a beautiful, hardcover book with a lot of inspirational quotes from people ranging from Einstein to Beethoven, but it doesn't amount to anything more than New Age fluff and pseudoscience. I think the real secret is getting Oprah to endorse your book.One book I'd like to see on Oprah is Why You're Dumb, Sick & Broke by Randy Gage. This book also reveals the secrets to obtaining wealth, health and happiness, but not in a manner that you've read before. Randy is blunt, outspoken and brutally honest. He tells you the truth as he sees it, and it ain't pretty. For example: governments are corrupt by nature. Your government actually wants and needs you to be a worker drone. People whose life purpose is to "Serve God" ought to "be in a straightjacket", and Titanic is the most evil movie ever produced. Okay, Randy uses some "shock jock" techniques to get your attention, but if you continue reading, his logic is pretty sound, and I never did trust that James Cameron.What makes this different than most "get rich by thinking happy thoughts" books is that it's readable. I actually enjoyed reading it. It was well written and thought provoking. Yes, a lot of his views on religion, government and mass media are going to make people angry--that's the point. He wants to challenge your beliefs, well-buried within this book however is, the very important insight "too often, too many of us are unwilling or unable to think independently." It's important to be able to think critically, free yourself of negative thoughts and habits, and to think for yourself. The best innovators and able-bodied minds the human race has produced have done more than think outside the box. They refuse to acknowledge there are limitations. So, I'm going to get a pencil and poke some holes in this cardboard container. It's getting stuffy in here. Now, visualize mailing me a five-dollar bill, care of the Wellsboro Gazette...Author of "Hobo Finds A Home" editor "Of A Predatory Heart" | 0negative
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Couldn't get in to it
I found it very hard to get into this book and consequently I havn't managed to finish it. Usually I can keep pushing through books but not this one. Its boring and dull has no life the characters are dull. If those of you who have managed to get through this book and have enjoyed it, good for you and well done | 0negative
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