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Just So Stories for Little Children
Very poor quality. There are symbols and characters in the text. Also, there are picture captions inside the text with no pictures. There are page numbers and the book title in the middle of the text. The first letter beginning each story is missing. No stars, sorry, even though I had to give them one because the computer won't let you do it otherwise. I did read these to the children, but wow, it was hard figuring out what to leave out and what to leave in because the pictures (that aren't there) have captions in the text. Really bad. | 0negative
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as described
the product came promptly in less time than stipulated and was accurately summarized, I would recommend purchases from this vender. I enjoy this author. | 1positive
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Remarkably poor book
This book is engagingly written. It is, however, quite full of factual inacurracies. This is the first book in nearly a decade I declined to finish because of the level of inaccuracies. There are the minor ones (for example, she refers to insects as not animals - she meant they were not mammals, I think) that show sloppy editorial review. There are also substantial ones (for example, she refers to the collie breed as being stupid because poor genetics have morphed their brain case; this is a theory first put forth around 1900 and conclusively disproved numerous times, and is now considered entirely discredited). Even her description of cattle behavior, a topic on which she has substantial traction, is apparently dangerously inaccurate according to 2 friends who grew up on dairy farms.While the book is engagingly written the number of substantive factual errors suggest the best thing you can do with this book is discard it. Ms. Grandin is well respected in the field of autisim research, I hope she is a lot more careful talking about autisim. | 0negative
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Couldn't Finish This One...
I have read other books by this author in record time, but I honestly could not finish this book. It does not have the level of suspense of the other books and is not as well written. Read this book of his last (if at all). | 0negative
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The worst and most disapointing book ever
I absolutlly LOVE Johanna Lindsey. I don't think there has been a book that I haven't liked...Well except for this one. To put it nicely. It [was weak]. There was no plot. Most of the book focused around the Lincoln's (the main character's) emotional drama. In reality, im not even sure you could even call it a romance. It's more like a "I'm a whiny boy that can't grow out of my childhood. Waaaa. Woe is me." You get my point. If you don't believe me, than at least wait for the [less expensive]paperback so when you're done reading it you wont feel like you've wasted that much money. It's realy not worth your time. | 0negative
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This Book Always Delights!
Having read many bedtime books to my kids, I've always found Goodnight Moon to deserve the title of "classic". It is the perfect length and its cadence helps set the mood for a restful night of sleep. | 1positive
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whats cooking Grisham?...
This novel has been such a let down, I have read all his books from start to finish always wishing it would never end,but this was one book I wished I didnt start!! If you are a big fan of John, you will terribly disappointed.I wouldnt recommend this book at all. complete lack of direction,no continous flow of the events. A murder here, A fight there,Rains, Cotton, Floods,painting,Mexicans,Hill People...Completely senseless..I was cursing myself why I picked up the book.Definitely A NO,I think it doesnt even deserve a rating | 0negative
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Love!!!
I knew I wanted a natural childbirth with my children from day one. Getting this book and reading it, I felt calmed and empowered. So far I've had two healthy and happy delieveries all naturally. I read this book every time. I highly recommend it! Even if you don't go natural this book will help in reminding you who's incontrol and that your body knows what to do and to let it go! <3 | 1positive
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My Favorite Book
I've read the trilogy 3 times. "The Kinslayer Wars" is the 2nd book in the trilogy. It goes into the war that starts between the elves and the humans, but turns into a sort of "world war" when other factions join. Although the book covers the war in detail, the story isn't impersonal. There's still a focus on the main characters and Niles does a really great job of tying their story into the war in a way that's significant and believable. The most memorable part for me was the brothers' trek into harsh wilderness territory in search of a new type of mount that could help to tip the war in their favor. I liked the Chronicles, but the Elven Nations Trilogy is still my favorite and "The Kinslayer Wars" replaced "Watership Down" as my favorite book. | 1positive
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Excellent book on life of Sam Houston
Marquis James shows why he won more than one Nobel prize for historical writing. In this book he takes you through the entire life of Sam Houston, giving the reader an insight on the events of Houston's earlier life that shaped his actions in the founding of the Texas Republic. Until reading this book, I had no idea just how important Sam Houston was to the history of not just Texas, but the entire United States. | 1positive
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My Opinion
I had to read this book my Freshman year for English I Honors, and i honestly thought it was a waste of time. I had to force myself to stay awake and read the pages we were assigned to read each day. A majority of my class had to do the same. This book is so full of boring facts, and not much of a story line. There wasn't really a climax in the book either. Usually i don't want to put a book down, and stay up till 1 or 2 in the morning reading, but on this book, i never wanted to pick it up, and had to stay up till 1 or 2 reading it, because it took forever to read cuz it was so boring! Unless you want to waste your time, i would suggest not reading this book. | 0negative
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Simple and Practical
I thought this book provided very clear examples of image processing programming. I have a significant amount of programming experience but no programming experience with imaging. I was able to follow all of his examples and translate them easily to my own project. Although some of the programming examples used conventions and styles that I probably would not have used, he explains them clearly and logically.There were some typos or grammatical errors but they were not significant enough to detract from the information presented. Mr. Lyon's style is clearer and easier to read than most technical authors I have read. I recommend sending him an email pointing out the errors and asking that he hire a better proof-reader. | 1positive
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Did this book have a point?
After reading White Boy Shuffle, I thought that Tuff would have to be better. It didn't appear to have any of the flaws that Beatty's debut had. The characters appeared to be more fleshed out, and the story more realistic. How wrong I was.The main problem with this book was that it meandered too much. There is too much in here about the characters' ordinary lives and not enough action. This book never seemed to be have any sense of pacing or direction anywhere, and when the plot did advance, the whole thing seemed kind of forced. As a result, this book reads like a series of vignettes, rather than a unified novel. Also, Beatty's insistence of mixing low and high culture is irritating. One moment, the characters will be talking in ghetto slang, and the next minute, one of them is talking about his love of 1940's French movies. It just kills the mood that Beatty is trying to create.Beatty obviously has great promise, but he has again failed to live up to it. I cannot recommend this book. | 0negative
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Uniquely Original
Whether this is the first personal finance book you buy or the twenty-first, you will appreciate this one. It contains loads of crucial money information that I haven't found in any other books but that every savvy investor and consumer needs to know. Simple Money Solutions is simply terrific! | 1positive
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cute but no story
I generally like the Boynton board books (Doggies and happy hippo angry duck are great!) but this one doesn't have any story to it. It's just ok. | 0negative
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It's barely readable. The print is too small. Was not aware that pgs were photocopies taken from an older manuscript.
The print is too small. Was not aware that pgs were photocopies taken from an older manuscript. Description of product was not fully disclosed on purchase site. | 0negative
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Don't waste your time or money . . .
Having been a long-time fan of the author's Stephanie Plum series, I started this book with the expectation of a good read. Wrong! It was so bad that I didn't bother finishing it, but merely skimmed the last 50+ pages. Here are just a few of its faults: It had none of the charm and witty repartee of Stephanie Plum and company; the author tried hard to make the characters looney-but-lovable, but they ended up just being unlikeable; and the identity of the "bad guy" was telegraphed early on. The book reads more like a bad romance novel than a mystery. Luckily, I wasn't out any money, since the book was loaned to me. The author should be ashamed of herself for letting her publisher talk her into reprinting it. Her fans deserve better than being [taken] like this. Though I've already pre-ordered the next Stephanie Plum book, I doubt that I'll ever buy any of the author's previously published books . . . not unless they've received glowing praise by all who've reviewed them. | 0negative
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An **Excellent** book!
The fact that you are reading this review tells me that you have not read the other two books in this trilogy. Because if you *had* read the other two sections, you would not need to read anyone's comments on this book before buying it. This book is that good!This three book series, "Star Trek: The Mirror Universe Saga" is excellent. Exciting stories, incredible scope, continuous action, surprises on every page, and fantastic imagery. In short, this series has everything a sci-fi story should have.The three authors have created a classic of the genre. You don't have to be a Trekie to enjoy these stories. I'm not.I found myself reading the final chapters of this book very slowly. I didn't want it to end. I was also somewhat concerned that the ultimate resolution would fail to satisfy. I needn't have worried. So start with Book 1, "Spectre", and happy reading. | 1positive
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Simple but very enchanting
Lost Horizon is a very introspective book. Metaphors abound perhaps, but what I'm inclined to take from the book each time I read it are the questions asked. Questions of purpose and what it all means. It's very thought provoking without being tendentious.Stylistically, Hilton is economical, but very capably sets a mood that permeates the entire narrative whether in describing the landscape or the more subtle aspects of the different characters. For me, the mood is one of relaxed contemplation.In another context, it's a wonderful travel book. It takes the reader to a faraway place and implicitly invites him to make choices and contemplate weighty issues in this most unlikely of settings.Lost Horizon is not a literary masterpiece, but it's a good story and very clever in its presentation. | 1positive
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Glossy, well-designed book with engaging text and photos.
Troy Aikman, the beloved but intensely private individual, shares his thoughts and feelings with his fans. The text has a frank, conversational style, and the photos seem to reflect the day-to-day aspects of Aikman's life and personality quite well (practicing football, riding his motorcycle, running errands, playing golf, etc.). This book is much better designed and written than the equivalent Elway coffee table book (which looks like it was hastily assembled with old photos). | 1positive
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What excuse does dershowitz have for publishing this pathetic book?
While I highly agree that many defenses belong in the waste basket, Dershowitz waxes self righteous to such a high pitch its tough to deal with. First of all, he doesn't see the forest from the trees.I saw MSNBC investigates on television and saw the tortuous struggle prisoners face in prison. Many of them were literally nice guys. They weren't rapists, murderers or such. But they stole cars, broke into houses, or belonged to a gang. They are ruined lives. But their lives are not ruined by their own acts but by the acts of a draconian justice system that is thrilled to impose harsh punishment for their mistakes. In other words, there is a shift in the content of our law. It is okay to celebrate sodomites on television, recklessly debauch children with illicit television, abort innocent babies who never committed a crime, and so on, but don't dare violate the leviathan state. If you don't pay your taxes, if you rob a bank (poor bank), if you punch a cop who is trying to shoot you or abuse you, if you insult a judge whose arrogance knows no bounds, if you are a conscientious objector and so on -- you will pay the ultimate price. This shift in the content of the law is given physical manifest with the removal of the Ten Commandments from the Alabama Supreme Court.Who goes to jail? Allegedly, the anti-social. But, we punish many prisoners so harshly there is a tacit presumption they are sociopaths who deserve that level of punishment. Yet, I have met many cops, judges, bureaucrats, ABA board members, AMA board members, teachers, and people from the department of licensing, politicians and so on who exhibit a cruelty that exceeds some of the worst prisoners I've seen. They delight in cruelty and being downright ornery. Yet, they're not in jail. They've ruined careers, destroyed reputations, shot and killed people, imposed burdens on people who already suffer from barely endurable burdens, foreclose on houses, deny paying insurance claims, but "it's the law." There is a devious sort that likes to commit their crimes under color of law. They're not clever when they do this. They're cowards who hide behind the proxy of power.I beg to differ from Dershowitz because he focuses on the wrong rascals. This is misdirection or a blind spot that is intolerable. Like Tony Montana said, "You people need people like me, so you can point your filthy finger and say there's the bad guy." Define a criminal as an Italian gangster or a black hoodlum and you won't notice the worse ones who embezzle your tax dollars, commit treason, impose usurious interest rates, recklessly expose your children to filth on television, violate their oath of office by representing AIPAC instead of the American people (as our legislator does) or quoting foreign precedent (as our Supreme Court does who allegedly swear to uphold the laws of OUR land, not someone else's land), utility companies who are subsidized by your tax dollars (allegedly for the public good) but who turn around and charge you for that power your tax dollars created, et cetera. We need to step back and reevaluate our concept of the bad guy, that hallmark of "irresponsibility."If we don't' do this, God help this country. | 0negative
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Christmas Classic
Very uplifting and happy. A sickens classic that should be read by every person to appreciate the important things in life. | 1positive
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Another Great Book! Hard to put this one down.
I've read all of John Grisham's books, and this one is another great book. There are a few slow spots, but they are very few. For the most part, it is exciting, entertaining, and even quite humorous. The characters are entertaining, and the stories of the Pantanal area of Brazil are very interesting. I came across a documentary on the Pantanal a couple of days after I finished the book, and it turns out that Grisham's descriptions are actually very accurate. I have read that he has visited the region, so the material comes first hand. Best of all, there is finally a somewhat happy ending to the story, which is different from most of Grisham's books. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and would recommend it to all. | 1positive
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Tells it like it is...
Great book....Buy it, read it, tell your friends about it. If more liberals read this book, they might start supporting our troops and the war we are in against these religious fanatics. | 1positive
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For Slavic speakers
If you are a Slavic speaker who speaks English wishing to learn Serbian (or any of the other two), this is a perfect book. I'm heading on my way to fluency in Serbian with the speed of light thanks to this book and the accompanying grammar. It exceeded my expectations in many ways. It's given me all the confidence I need to speak. The exercises could be a little bit more creative though and do get tedious(and this observation comes from my experience with learning other languages on my own, English and Spanish in particular, where obviously because of the large market you get so much more variety and choice). | 1positive
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Oldie but a Goodie!
Hey!Heartbreaker is a real beauty. It's copyright date is 1987, so it definitely qualifies under the term 'an oldie but a goodie'! You'll definitely jump right into this story, as it centers around a young girl who at one time had it all, but now finds herself struggling simply to survive. Michelle Cabot has inherited her deceased father's Florida cattle ranch, along with all the responsibilities and debts that it involves. The worst debt of all? One hundred thousand dollars owed to Michelle's old nemesis and neighboring rancher, John Rafferty. On his part, he sees the debt as a way to finally get what he has always wanted, but also disdained: Michelle herself. What follows can only be called a dynamic struggle between these two strong personalities.This story has a singular depth to it, because it involves Michelle's struggle to cope with and protect herself from her ex-husband who abused her. This causes a lot of confusion and misconceptions between John and Michelle, finally ending when John finally finds the proof of her ex-husband's foul deeds. But the struggle for understanding that comes between these two characters before this realization is touching and greatly enriches the storyline.On the down side for this book, it lacks a great amount of the suspense that usually characterizes Linda Howard's stories, as the murder attempts don't start until you've read at least half the story. Also, mystery is lacking, as the madman is obvious. There's only one suspect throughout the book, not even hinting at a second!Over all, though, this book makes for an excellent read! If you're anything like me, you'll want to read this book many, many times, and find you can't help but sympathize and cheer for the characters as they face various hardships. This really is a story that will win your heart!--Taken from my homepage at [...] under My Reviews. Just scroll (or click) down to the Linda Howard section and it is the second review entitled Heartbreaker.Hope all this helps you potential buyers and that you have a great day!Luv ya,Tashi :) | 1positive
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Statistical (and other) Nonsense
Gladwell begins with a story about a supposed Greek statue that some experts, using scientific testing, could not detect as a fruad, while others were immediately suspicious. (So, some people look at the forest for immediate clues, before examining the trees in detail.)Another example involved a single tennis expert with an uncanny knack of foretelling when someone was about to double-fault. (The bad news is that he could not relate how this was done. Thus, what this proves is beyound me.)Still another revolved around an officer playing a "rogue MidEast commander" vs. the regular Army. Anyone who has been in government knows that it moves at glacial speed, and can easily be outdone by much smaller groups with a modicum of intelligence and speed (eg. Lockheed's "Skunk Works," and Burt Rutan's "space ship."). So the rogue officer's success is hardly suprising.To say that quick decisions - based on a few KEY VARIABLES - is better than studied analyses that include a multitude of minor issues is hardly surprising either. (And then there's the chapter on "Action Without Thought" - the Reality of Executive Behavior" within "Executive Intelligence" by Justin Menkes providing examples that demoan the lack of thinking by business leaders.)Finally, readers need to keep in mind that there will always be statistical abberations - eg. someone who correctly predicts the flip of a coin 50 times in a row. However, that does not prove that they have any special talent, and they are just as likely to be wrong as right on the next toss.Similarly, finding snap judgements superior to supposedly sophisticated statistical models does not necessarily support a conclusion supporting snap judgements - many statistical models are poorly specified and have embarrasingly large errors.Not worth reading. | 0negative
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A book to read until the pages fall out.
Let's get this straight -- Echoes does not end with all of the plot strings tied up in a happy bow. In a way it echoes life itself. Plans go astray, promises are broken, moments of greatness are reached and the story keeps going.Binchy does an excellent job making the reader care about Claire, the spunky scholarship girl with dreams beyond her tiny seaside hometown. You cheer her on through her academic victories, laugh and cry with her at the cast of small town characters and urge her to fall in love with David, the Doctor's perfect son.Because Claire's character is so artfully presented, the last hundred or so pages are painful. What seemed like a perfect story of love unbounded by class becomes a lesson on unfullfilled dreams and changing priorities. You are sad for Claire, even mad at her for giving in to her situation. You rail against the people who hurt her and complain about an ending that leaves too much up in the air, but never once can you complain that the book is unbelievable.And for the ending. We don't know what happens to David and Claire. They both have a life ahead of them, with hopes that it will be together. I think, with a spark of optimism, that Claire sees that her life isn't over and maybe her dreams have just been delayed. | 1positive
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Good in some ways, VERY BAD in others.
Okay, I'd like to begin by saying that I thought the story of how Sierra found her faith in God again was very touching. But, the story of she and her husband was very disappointing. I mean, sure, I believe in forgiveness, yet I also believe that repentance is equally important. Alex cheated on his wife and never really apologized or showed her that he was truly repentant for what he had done. As a matter of fact, he only went back to Sierra when he realized that Elizabeth didn't care at all about him. It didn't have to do a thing with realizing that he was really in love with his wife. | 0negative
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Left hanging...
Like what other readers have posted, this is a must read, especially if you have read all the Star Wars literature. Zahn once again has created a page turner that keeps you wondering what's going to happen next. Can't wait for Vision of the Future! | 1positive
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Warning, Warning, Warning, Warning
A connecticut yankee in king arthur's court is a book about a man that lived in the 1800's and time-traveled back to the Middle Ages. He becomes King Arthur's "second-hand" and tries to make the society more modern. He does this by adding schools, a government system, and introducing more modern inventions. I found this book very boring because it didn't have much action to keep my attention. The reason why it was so boring is because the guy just sits around all day feeling proud of his high status. The story also doesn't have many characters, which would have made it more interesting. The book was also hard to understand. Because it was set in the middle ages, the characters used old-fashioned words like "Lo" "thou art" etc. that i could not understand. Another reason why I would not reccomend this book to anyone is that it went off on differenbt subjects not pertaining to the story-line. Because it went off on weird subjects, I got confused easily and i would have to read parts of the story over-again. The only good thing about this book is that it taught me the differences between daily life today and how much different it was in the middle ages. Overall, i would not reccomend this book to anyone. It is deathly boring, and very confusing. | 0negative
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Great read-aloud
My second-graders like this book and can relate to the topic. The illustrations are well done. | 1positive
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Dissapointing Effort-Not Up To His Usual Standards. :=(
Plodding, predictable and pedestrian. After recently reading the Fourth Estate and As The Crow Flies (both teriffic stories), this one didn't even seem to be written by the same author. Jeffrey is a great story teller but I have my own "Eleventh Commandment"...Don't bother with this one! | 0negative
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More like a reader's peril
If you're collecting the Shatner/Trek series, skip this one. There are a few glimpses into the early days of Kirk on theoriginal Enterprise and you can see--barely--the command crew starting to form but, other than that, zilch. It reads as if it has been padded or stretched. On a scale of 1 to 5 with "Ashes of Eden" being a 5, this is barely a 1. Get over the Kirk/Picard forced friendship. This is where I stop on the collection, put it like that. | 0negative
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Terrific Research, Moronic Author
There is nothing wrong with the Harry Potter books. Do NOT waste your time with "Pokemon & Harry Potter: A Fatal Attraction",...These authors are only a couple of crackpots out to make a quick buck by criticizing the hard work and brilliant imagination of J.K Rowling. If you really have concerns about the Harry Potter books polluting the minds of our childeren to the point that they become LSD addicted crack heads, always on the look out for there next fix so they can enjoy a little more time in "Magic Land" Then you better burn every disney, dreamworks, garfield and nickelodion creation you can get your hands on. Phil Arms frequently accuses simple things like names and places of having vast and sinister meanings. Although the reasurch he has put into his views is impressive to a point that its pathetic, his justification is dismal. I could do a better job proving the earth was the centre of the universe than Phil Arms has done proving Harry Potter is "Anti-Christian"Harry Potter is FICTIONAL, this means that is is NOT REAL...Pokemon & Harry Potter: A Fatal Attractionby Phil Arms is a much more harmful book than any of the Harry Potter books. It brings me great joy to say that no matter how many "Phil Arms" there are out there they will never ban Harry Potter because to many people have read, and enjoy the magical world created by JK Rowling. Luckily for Phil,...we live in a free country and with this freedom comes freedom of speech and therfore the freedom of ones opinion. If this freedom did not exist it is sure that it would be Phils book that would be banned in libaries not JK Rowling's. | 0negative
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rock-solid biography
Richard Bushman'sJoseph Smith: Rough Stone Rollingsets a new standard for biography of controversial characters. Don't philosophize, extrapolate, psychoanalyze, or dramatize. Let the subject and his contemporaries speak for themselves in the context of the known facts. The figure who emerges will be more compelling than any embellished hero, caricature, or enigma.This fine and accessible book delivers everything the inquisitive reader can hope for: a character study that expresses both the idiosyncrasies and internal consistency of the Joseph Smith's personality; an unvarnished portrayal of how he was perceived and treated by early Mormons (and their enemies); enough contextual material to clarify the conflicts that erupted within and around the Church; and a thorough, coherent description of how the prophet single-handedly founded a major new religion. | 1positive
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Depressing
Sadly, I couldn't even finish it. It is well written and interesting but it is depressing in the extreme. I read about half and I had to stop reading it and start reading a more uplifting story.I was expecting something closer to her sister's Jane Eyre, oh how wrong I was. | 0negative
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Everything becomes possible
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of WealthThis book has become a classic because the "secrets" really do work. T. Harv Eker in his seminars will tell you that he has drawn from the great teachers that came before him from Napolean Hill to Robert Kyosaki,to Steven Covey and Wallace Wattles, Werner Erhard and Stuart Wilde to name a few. What this book does it puts all of those teachings together along with Harv's own perspectives and real life experience of having gone from a failed entrepreneur to a very successful and financially free entrepreneur and what it takes to make that happen. The book is a tool to get you the life you really want but you must put it into action.In The Secrets of a Millionaire Mind, T.Harv Eker talks about our money blueprint set up for us from our histories, from the messages we were given about money as children. AS Harv say, "Your roots create your fruits, so if you want a peach tree you cannot begin with an onion."And so it is. You can be rich or you can be right. Knock this book or buy it and see for yourself. You won't be sorry if you want a richer life. (One of the secrets is that this book is about having a richer life.)At the Millionaire Mind Intensive Seminars, which you can attend with the certificate in the book, you are given the opportunity to learn the importance of giving a lot of value, going for what you want and being proud of sharing what you have and getting paid for it so that you can get rich and give back in a world that needs for you to be rich rather than being right. | 1positive
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supurb
I have all of WEB Griffins books and rate him along with Wilbur Smith as my all time favorite author. His sagas span several different action themes, but they are all either military, police or intelligence services. The author has residence both in Texas and Argentina and has spent a great deal of time with our military so he uses his familiarity with these settings and people to cast a very nice spell in his work. My wife also enjoys the books so I would say they are suitable for all readers. | 1positive
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Bad Writing Sells
This was the worst-written book I have ever read. Run-on sentences, an apparent phobia of commas,a decision by a neophite published writer to not use quotation marks, apprently meaningless random capitalization. And people buy this buy the millions? I am reminded also of the terrible writing style of "Bringing Out the Dead", by Joe Connelly, and of course the legendary "The DaVinci Code." Does anybody edit this stuff? Does anybody at the publisher talk to these "writers" and explain the basics? Or do the publishers just make a decision that if it looks like it's going to sell, anything goes, they'll publish anything to make a buck. The story of this book's bestseller status is a sad commentary on the state of publishers and so-called writers in America today.Also, anyone who has actually been through rehab and done the program can see the whole thing is made up. What a farce. | 0negative
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Worst book ever
I don't think I've been forced to read a book so poorly written. You would think Smith could put in at least a little plot and maybe a better point. This book is a dull read and not worth the time or money to buy. | 0negative
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Péssimo! - Awful!
I enjoy studying languages of my choice using self-study kits (books w/cassettes or cds), particularly Brazilian Portuguese. Out of the several language kits I own on this language, I'm sad to say that the 'Colloquial Portuguese of Brazil' is the worst!The Portuguese spoken on the tapes is way too fast for a beginner to understand. Even intermediate students may have difficulty understanding, just the same. I tried listening to one tape without using the book to practice developing my listening skills. I didn't get far as the Portuguese, spoken so rapidly, was indecipherable. That is, unless you consult the book, of course. I had more fun, and fared better with, listening to the Pimsleur audio course (on cds).In addition, there is audible background silence between the dialogues, and the English-speaking male explaining the lessons in a flat tone of voice. The background silence, combined with the conductor's flat voice, are sufficient to make the listener (who may already be suffering by using this course) nod off on occasion. I've already had my share with that.As for the book, the text is flat, dry and impersonal. Even the illustrations in the book are humdrum and lackluster. After two years, I finally resolved to discard them both as they were sitting in my bookshelf taking up space. (Actually, I kept the case where the tapes were in. I could always use that when I'm carrying my other language tapes!)Evite deste, pessoal! - In English: Stay away from this one, folks. It's no good, and is a complete waste of money. Check out, instead, other well-known book and audio kits, such as the Teach Yourself series, Living Language, Barron's and Pimsleur, among others. | 0negative
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Deep Analysis Of Semiotic Phenomena
Umberto Eco has really delved deep into the field of semiotics and how it intersects with linguistic philosophy in this book. Eco presents a very detailed and logical exposition on semiotic phenomena and how we probably tend to categorize meaning in our brains.An important note: This book is NOT for the layperson in either of the fields of semiotics or linguistics. I have not been exposed to much of the former and hence had to research further in order to understand what he was talking about at points. It would have been helpful to have a glossary of terms to refer to. Overall this is a very interesting look at semiotic categorization and how it relates to linguistic meaning. Highly recommended for anyone who is already well-versed in linguistics and semiotics. | 1positive
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Old wine in new bottles
I totally agree.... All books should have a preview like the real thing in a real book shop. Looking at the index one can instantly make up one's mind whether it is what he is looking for or not. I'm stuck with a book which is too advanced and all because I had no way of knowing what was inside, I was led by the writeup of the author. Well anyway advertising is a sophisticated science of lies. | 0negative
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I read it as a young girl qnd loved it, but reread was different.
I loved this book when I was about twelve. It was so tragic and really held me. However, on my reread I found I didn't like the characters as much. I guess I lost a believe that social pressure could make people hide and internalize something as common as a child born out of wedlock. So this book is still a good read, but I think in my more mature adult self I just didn't care for the plot as much. | 1positive
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Mediocrity Redux
Having read the series as a kid, I recently decided to revisit Riverworld while trapped in an airportI'd forgotten how bad these books truly are. A fascinating idea explored for one volume, beaten into the ground for another three, culminating in warren of rabbits more dumped than pulled out of various moth-eaten hats.Like the Riverworld itself, the series goes round and round, back and forth, on a very long trip to nowhere terribly interesting. The stultifying writing accumulates like silt. Not so much classic as dated. | 0negative
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This book seperates the "CAN DO" from the "CAN WE TALK"
I view Heinlein's views as thought provoking, not perfect. What view of the future is perfect? This is, however, the best science fiction book I've ever read, and brings up societal questions that everyone should consider. People that take responsibility for their own actions and the good of society are often considered extremists, "liberal activist" or "conservative warmonger", their goals are very similar, the improvemnet of the whole. As a military professional, I am probably stereotyped as the latter, but let me assure you, I do not look forward to the prospect of war. I believe this book should be on everyone's "must read" list, because even if you disagree with it, it might just make you think. It may even pull some of the "middle of the road sheep of society" into one camp or the other, either of which is good, because diversity and conflict is not only what started, but what maintains the greatest country on earth. "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to my death your right to say it" - Voltaire I have read this book many times over the years, and it has accompanied me through college to boot camp, dive school, demo school, etc... Perhaps it was instrumental in my decision to join the military service (special operations), or maybe it simply reinforced to me the fact that "the best way to succeed, is to do" | 1positive
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How Can Sex and Sin Be So Boring?
Throughout this entire book, one part of my brain was in a state of wonder, trying to imagine how anyone could make a book about scandal, sin, adultery, public shame and cowardice so dull. To finish the book was a test of will, and was accomplished because I hate to leave things undone.There are many fine, engaging, interesting novels, both of our age and of Hawthorne's. I can't imagine why one would want to slog through this one. | 0negative
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Kindle Version
Kindle version is awful. Missing lots of text. Unbelievable that they think they can SELL something this horribly edited.Amazon, FIX YOUR PRODUCT. | 0negative
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Twelve-year Old Master Mind
Posted ReviewsArtemis Fowl is a stupendous fantasy book by Eoin Colfer. It stars a young boy named Artemis Fowl who is way smarter then an average 13 year old boy. Artemis along with his butler capture a fairy named Holly Short. Fortunatly for Artemis Holly is a captain of the LEPrecon Unit (the millitary for fairies) so he holds her for ransom. The fairies try to get Holly back but it won't be easy with all of the booby-traps Artemis laid around his estate. Mr. Colfer did a wonderful job of creating a world where pre-teens are in charge. | 1positive
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Excellent book
I've always been a Steinbeck fan, but had never read this book until just now. I picked it up a few weeks ago, and started reading. I almost feel I know Steinbeck personally now. I would definantly reccomend it to anyone. | 1positive
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Blood Land Says It Like It Is
Attenton getting book,it describes the behind the scenes look at one of the subjects that people need to know about. That sleepy little town that you grew up in, isn't sleepy anymore, if it ever trully was. It's filled with lots of adventure and hard hitting action. It will make you open your mind to and understand that America is being destroyed by those within its borders. Those that have a socialistic, liberalistic agenda. William Johnstone is a true Patriat and his books prove it. Terrorism within the borders of America is running rampant, watch out for those that make promises to fix everything to get elected and then work towards their own agenda and to hell with you and yours. Read 'Blood Land' and the 'Ashes' series if you want to see what's really going on and what it will take to take America back. I recommend reading all of William Johnstone's books, once you do, you won't be able to put them down and maybe they will wake you up. | 1positive
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Golden tresses for minted gold
George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans)wrote "Silas Marner" in 1861 and it is still being read to date. I read it first in junior high school, so long ago I had forgotten what it was about so I reread it. I had high expectations for it, lasting so long but I was disappointed. First, it is a hard read, her sentences are so long and so convoluted it is hard to maintain the connection from one sentence to the next. In addition many sentences are written phonetically, to create, I guess, the sense of the spoken word in the time period (early 1800's) as well as its sound and locale(Warwickshire, middle England). Add to that the coincidences involved to have the novel generate the correct happenstances of most of its characters and you have a novel incorporating most of the defects most stressed in English writing courses. How could this story have survived 150 years? If the reader is a juvenile he or she empathises with the characters and wants them to get their just desserts, and the reader has an opinion of who gets what. Eliot satisfies these desires and the young reader has read a story with characters who strike a responsive chord with the reader who then keeps the story in memory.Most accounts of the novel speak highly of the effect of Eppie, the supposed orphan, on the protagonist, Silas Marner. But she does not appear until about two thirds of the book has been read and I think this makes her a minor character. The book is primarily devoted to character changes in Silas Marner and Godfrey Cass, that is what the book is about. Yes, Eppie is the major factor in Silas's changed character but first his character must be developed. The same is true of Godfrey Cass, the biological father of the girl. His character is developed independently of her; Nancy Lammeter does her duty towards him but she does not get the attention Eppie does. The title of the book is Silas Marner but he only gets a slightly greater mention than Godfrey, the title must be the deciding factor. I think the book is highly overrated and is a book for juveniles except its construction is so difficult it is hard to praise for young readers. But I think I read it in juhior high, has reading changed for present day youth? | 0negative
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Lamb in his BBBOOORRRIIIING
The author writes in such a slow pace that ends up boring his readers to death. The story line is interresting but way to drawn out. | 0negative
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Boring, Repetitive and Predictable
Well, where do I start? First I never write reviews. I've read every book by Turtledove, and in the beginning it was a given that the latest book would hold my interest; I love alternate history and he was my introduction to the genre. But lately-and by lately I mean from the beginning of the Colonization series, I realize I'm buying the Turtledove title based on old accomplishments-and worse, since the tetralogy seems to be his favorite marketing tool, I feel obligated to buy, hoping it will be different. I mean, can we assume by the 4th book in this series-and the 8th overall since the Lizards came to Earth-that the reader understands those little details about the Race and the individual characters, and doesn't need to be reminded of them for the 237,000 time? Maybe this is the danger of taking alternate history so far (even with aliens around!)-it becomes so inane and boring, much like 'real life' can be and much like the Colonization series has become. I know character development is good and Harry does it well, but some of the continuing plot lines lead no where, or where they do lead I just don't care about. And all those major questions between the Race and humanity in the book are either totally predictable or 'so-what' issues. Yes the continuing ginger mess. Yes the continuing rebellion in China. Yes the 'Deutsche' problem. For crying out loud I hope this is the end for good, but the ending is so damn ambiguous that you can't even tell if there is another 'cliffhanger' story worth pursuing (At least in the first series, Worldwar, we had the cliffhanger of the Colonization fleet 20 years down the line.). But alas, I smell another tetralogy, 20 years further down the line, re-telling the same old stories and saddling us with all-American boring boy Jonathan Yeager. God help me it could have been a lot worse. How? Well since I work at a publisher I picked this book up for FIFTY CENTS off the damaged shelf. You heard right. At least its a start to getting back all my money I spent on the first 3 books. Unfortunately, I also see these same trouble signs in the Great War series. Lets hope he can give me a reason to come back with some changes there. | 0negative
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A pop-culture rewrite of The Lord of the Rings
Stephen King is no J.R.R. Tolkien, nor should he try to be.I gave this book one star because Amazon does not offer an option for zero.One final note: Read chapter 25 of So Long and Thanks For All the Fish by Douglas Adams, and you'll have a pretty good understanding of King's writing style. :-) | 0negative
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Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth
The book was delivered on time and though it was a used item, it was in excellent condition. No complaints; very satisfied. | 0negative
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A Classic Still Contemporary
(...) I groaned when I heard that my AP English class would read The Scarlet Letter - it seemed so overused, out of date, and boring. Well, that's what I thought until I started reading. This is an amazing novel. The themes explored - sin, guilt, revenge, cowardice, bravery, compassion, intolerance - apply not to just Puritannical society, but also to today's. I questioned my own morality and integrity - what would I do if I was Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, Roger Chillingworth, or a member of the Puritan community? Can a sinful act of passion be purged through repentance and self-sacrifice? Or is it forever damaging to accountability and integrity? This has become one of my favorite books - the ability to explore morality beyond surface characters is a stimulating experience. | 1positive
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Well worth my time
Although I had trouble starting it, I ended up liking this book quite a bit. Franklin's style is less direct than the easy reading I'm accustomed to, but the content makes it well worth the effort. What I enjoyed most was the example that Franklin sets, offering us a practical method to create the indistriousness of character that brought him so much success. His anecdotes are fantastic. One comes away with a greater understanding of revolutionary America and a fervent desire to learn more. I highly recommend it. | 1positive
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Complete and extremely well done.
The reach of this dictionary is impressive. I only wish the pronunciation key were not so quirky. | 1positive
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A Fantastic Fanatic
Nick Hornby is not embarrassed to be identified as a fanatic, as he proves in this semi-fictional autobiography about his obsession with the football club Arsenal. Throughout the novel, Hornby examines how the significant events and relationships in his life relate directly to Arsenal games he has attended. He attends his first game with his father shortly after his parents divorced, he knew he was in love the first time when he was able to share his team with a woman, and he buys season tickets at the same time his life starts settling down in his twenties. It is a very funny book and I learned a lot about soccer and obsession, but it also made me feel okay about my own personal obsessive tendencies, which pale in comparison to those of the main character. It isn't a difficult or long read so I would suggest it to anyone who just wants to read an enjoyable book, even if they don't care a bit about soccer. | 1positive
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A Turn of phase to the contrary
Being a reader who likes historical novels with lyrical prose, I was sure this would be a great read. To the contrary, it was a tedious journey to nowhere. Although the author can turn an improbable phrase, she can't tell an engaging story. I made myself finish the novel and was relieved when the end came. I'm sure the author was trying to bring the novel to life in vivid detail but it became lumbersome just plodding through it. In small sections, the book seems to hold promise, but the overall effect is unsatisfying. | 0negative
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Unreadable
I bought this book with high expectations, expecting to be given practical advice. After 4 attempts I managed to get through chapter one and found it to be dry, boring and too detailed about definitions, the same ones over and over. After finishing chapter one, I scanned the titles of the remaining chapters. There appeared to be no readily accessible help for a reader who is not embarking on a college program where theory and depth is important. I would NOT recomment this book for anyone who needs practical information. | 0negative
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Good book
I think that this book was resonably good.I am not much of a sci-fi reader, but I couldn't put this book down and finished it in 2 days.A little on the wild side, but should be a promising book to those who read it. | 1positive
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Fascinating look at dance cultural politics in the 50s and 60s
This book gives an in-depth analysis of the decision-makers who played a most important role in the development of the cultural politics of dance from the 1950s into the 60s. Which companies and solo dancers/choreographers were selected for "export" and which were not set some of the standards for subsidizing for years to come. The book concentrates primarily on officially sanctioned and endorsed groups and individuals, although there were certainly many others who went abroad independently and made significant inroads into the world of international dance. | 1positive
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Boring!
It reminded of another boring soap opera | 0negative
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What a Disappointment (Experts Voice???)
To be fair, I must comment that I read this book after finishing "Hibernate In Action" which is, by far, the finest Hibernate book available.That being said, I can't remember the last time I was this disappointed with an addition to my library. Little more than a regurgitation of Hibernate's own online documentation this book falls well short of an "Expert's Voice" on the subject material. | 0negative
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One of Nabokov's most readable books
Nabakov called 'Laughter in the Dark' one of his worst books. Although there are some signs pointing to the uncertain youthfulness of the author at the time this was written, this book does succeed at being highly readable in the fashion of one of his greatest works: "Invitation to a Beheading"; and contains all of the dark, sadistic sexiness that one finds in books Roman Payne's 'Crepuscule' and Emile Zola's Therese Raquin. | 1positive
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Teens just aren't into this book
Grade nine student forced to read this awful book. I mean we're not really interested in the issues dealing with it. I am into contemporary novels however any high school mysteries are from the 1900 i mean give us a break we want to read interesting material that appeals with us but as teachers say most of the books we do have alot to do with symbolism | 0negative
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Skyrocket your productivity!
I have to tell you I own a lot of books. In fact, I have a full bookshelf of books similar to this one but I would trade them all away for this one. If you find yourself short on time and want to maximize your success I say spring for this book. It is a road map to getting more done and having more of what you want. Frankly my original copy was a gift, since then I have purchased 2 others as gifts for colleagues. | 1positive
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HORRIBLE
STILL have not recieved product! very disappointed where as this was supposed to be for a high school project in which now i STILL dont have the book to use and project is due very soon! what is going on ? | 0negative
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Not worth it
I don't understand why people recommend this book. It is filled with useless information. Throughout the book I kept waiting for a useful tip. This book wasn't worth my time. | 0negative
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pathetic
I read all the glowing reviews after I read the book. And I too read the book in one sitting. So why not 5 starts like everyone else? Mattie and Jake married when they were in college after dating 2 months or so because Mattie was pregnant. She tells Jake she is pregnant just after he tells her he wants to cool it. After 16 years of marriage and a daughter, Kim, she once again discovers he has been cheating. Apparently throughout the 16 years he has been cheating. And she always ignore it. Always. She gets into a car accident and he practically brings her home from the hospital, battered and bruised and then telsl her he is leaving her for another woman. What a schmuck! And her friend the doctor, Lisa? Lisa calls Jake in, knowing he left Mattie for another woman, when she needs to give Mattie the deadly diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's disease. I did not like that. Lisa had no right to do that to Mattie. So, Jake decides to leave his lover and come home to be with Mattie not because he loves her but because he thinks it is the right thing to do. Throughout his marriage, he avoided her and his daughter. When he comes home, he does the same so finally Mattie says to leave as she does not want to spend the remaining months of her life with someone who does not love her. Then she says, he can stay if he can pretend to love her. Geeze, that was awful. To have so little self love that you would ask that was awful. Ask someone to pretend to love you? I would never want that for my daugher. Or anyone of my family. Yes, I can hear all those women who game it 5 stars saying that he did fall in love with her in the end. I guess. My pity was for Mattie. I would bet the house Jake would go back to Honey when Mattie died. He was a creep and Mattie deserved more. | 0negative
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Not a great resource
Outdated and vague. Mainly drawings that are hard to understand because they are hard to read. Not organized as a book should be, rather just a collection of mechanical drawings. Save your money. | 0negative
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over-rated and no big deal
interesting but way too overblow | 0negative
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Incompetent preaching and ignorant theories
I had high expectations for this book based on prior reviews, and was severely disappointed. Instead of expected profound insights into child psychology and wise practical advices, I found a wordy discourse on the life of bees and butterflies, shallow preaching, and amazing ignorance. As a child psychologist she is plain incompetent. One example: describing a situation where a child started crying when a stranger brought in an umbrella and put it on a table, and stopped crying when the umbrella was taken away, the author attributed the crying to some mysterious "love of orderliness" in babies, instead of realizing the obvious fact that the child was simply scared of a large unfamiliar object, as is often the case with small babies. The author is ignorant in general science as well. For example, she claims the knowledge of human anatomy didn't exist at all untill 17th century, completely ignoring the rich experience of ancient Egyptians etc. Overall, this book is outdated, ignorant, and shallow, and is of little practical help in bringing up children. | 0negative
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not up to Oprah book club standards
This seems like the kind of paperback you buy at the supermarket or newsstand when you have nothing to read and don't expect much from a book. While the theme of no one really knowing anyone else, even the person he or she is married to, is a fascinating one, this book didn't explore it in an interesting or provocative way. If well-written, a book that explores this theme should have us examining all of our intimate relationships and wondering if we do, indeed, know our loved ones as well as we thought. Instead, this book leaves us thinking that 'the pilot's wife' isn't very observant nor insightful about her marriage. Also, the terrorist angle seems contrived and simply a way to make the book more 'topical,' or more 'relevant.' | 0negative
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The Outsider
In his adaptation of the modern spy novel, Chang Rae Lee exemplifies the life of a non-native speaker in the United States. Henry, the protagonist of the novel, has just been left by his wife and has also just failed a major project in his career. Henry's career is not that of normal people, he is, in fact, a spy. This choice of work becomes a symbol for the lives of immigrants. Lee is often criticized for not making the spy portion of the novel as believable as possible. This is not a problem because of the way he masterfully weaves together the different plots found within the novel. While telling of his troubles at work, he speaks of problems with his wife, father, and with society. These problems are the same faced by many immigrants, especially Korean Americans. Because he is a member of the 1.5 generation himself, Lee is able to show the feelings felt by others like him. These feelings become the main focus of the novel as Lee shows that immigrants are often seen but not recognized as normal people. Henry feels this way and the novel reveals the hardships found in the lives of people that are not native speakers of the language. The term "native speaker" comes to describe not only the spoken language, but also the very way that Americans live and act. Although this novel may seem lengthy to some it is well worth the time. The book helps to reveal the undeserved treatment that is often given to those that we see as different. It also helps to make the reader more accepting by showing how devastating just one unkind word can be. | 1positive
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Relevant To REAL Life.... LOVE It!
I first started with this book in December of 2007 and have revisited it more times than I can count. I got it from the library and am finally purchasing my own copy because they kept making me bring it back (imagine that!).While I can understand the other reviewers frustration with its lack of visuals to back up its content, I actually find that refreshing. Instead of showing you other people's spaces, styles and solutions, it walks you through the process of analyzing your own space, defining your own style, and addressing the direct and indirect lifestyle issues that affect how your home actually functions.Once I was able to recognize and rectify the issues this book helped me identify, it was amazing how things began to come together. It has been a phenomenal springboard for our home in terms of both healthy functioning, and creating a decorative scheme that actually works with who we are. | 1positive
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Impressive writer -- Elusive theme -- Unpleasant
From what I can gather, it is commonly considered that the primary theme of Wuthering Heights is a type of love that transcends all else. Great passion, transcending mortal life, consuming one's soul. Something noble in and of itself, more powerful than reason. Supposedly, this somehow partially excuses any evil stemming from it. Heathcliff is seen as having a wild, passionate, "bad boy" attraction.If one reads quickly, without really absorbing it all, some scenes do give Heathcliff this allure. But integrating all that he does, he is too evil. And in the end, nothing but deranged evil. His deranged, so-called love excuses nothing. Nor does the mistreatment he received excuse mistreating innocent bystanders. Though it does show insight that abuse tends to engender hatred of life and abuse of others.In his resentment, Heathcliff destroys all rational values in search of some personal satisfaction which is too mean and limited to ever make him happy. Such a man cannot love himself or anyone else. He may have an obsession for something of his imagination, but not appreciation for real people and the give and take of real relationships. Bad treatment may have led to him becoming a monster, but once a monster, he must be recognized as a monster.At that time Bronte was writing, in the 1840's, mystical notions of other worldly love and passions and existence were fairly common. But they are irrational nonetheless.I reject the popular view of the book's theme, whether Emily Bronte intended that theme or not. I think the story illustrates the theme of people being responsible for their own choices and suffering the unexpected consequences of their actions. In other words, the story does not glorify some superior love, but actually ridicules the delusion of it.The idea that souls of loved ones will be reunited after death is common. However, this is a spiritual thing; so, Heathcliff's desire to have the coffins opened on the side makes no sense in this light. He was simply deranged. How Bronte thought up such a thing is strange. Perhaps the idea is that Heathcliff is not spiritual enough, not properly religious, to imagine the mystic reuniting of souls? So he imagines a more physical reuniting?Bronte, as shown by her poetry, seems enamored with notions of life after death; so, it is difficult to know what she felt about life. There is evidence both that she enjoyed it and that she hated it. I wonder if she didn't simply have different moods? Anyway, she was often intelligent and insightful about the natures of different types of people, and Wuthering Heights is cleverly and inventively presented. The ending, which implies that the new generation will find lasting love and happiness, saves the book. I also liked the way religion was shown to be of no positive use for anything, which I doubt was Bronte's intention, but engenders meaness and abuse. | 0negative
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Must-read to certify yourself
I recently passed the certification exams, especially due to this book. It really helped me gain insight and the tips provided were invaluable. I would highly recommend this book to anyone seriously taking up the Developer/2000 certification. | 1positive
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waste of money
This book was nothing but a dissapointment..Did not get me any closer to a grant than I was before I read the book.. | 0negative
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If you can read his thoughts...
I found this book to be tedious, and very hard to follow. The lack of quotation marks is very annoying, and makes the separation of dialog from description difficult (at least, for me). Also, as others have said, not at all historically accurate; Doctorow takes liberties that wouldn't be tolerated in others. But, because he's an "accomplished author", it's acceptable. All in all, a very tedious story, and a hard narrative to comprehend. | 0negative
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The Valentine Star
The book called The Valentine Star is a great book. Its a great book to read during Valentine`s Day.The book is a bout a girl named Emily. Emily was a girl in Mrs.Rooney`s class. Mrs. Rooney`s class always have to make Valentine`s card for someone and put it in the Valentine box. Emily coudn`t be happier because Dawn Bosco gave her colored stars to decorate her cards with. Also during Febuary Ms.vincent the sudent teacher sudent teacher came along. Emily wanted to make a card to Ms. Vincent.I think this book is os good. People sould read this book because it is Valentiffic. | 0negative
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Extremely dull
Unless you're in an economics course, I can't recommend this book. ( I should say I read Krugman's column in the New York Times weekly and usually agree with it. I also liked his new book, Conscience of a Liberal, very much). However, this book is extremely dull and there's nothing particularly incisive in it. Skip it and read one of his other books. | 0negative
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The same book book by Bradley Jones
The same great instructions. I recommend this book to developers transitioning from another language. I surely got my money's worth. | 1positive
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And it all ends . . . with a whimper
I've read all of Douglass's series and I usually am disappointed in the last books of the series, so I may be a little biased. But here, it seems like all of the character development from the other books was for naught. What happened to Noah? After having her serve as the central female protagonist for the first several books of the series, it was strange and disappointing to have her so easily supplanted by Grace. Nothing against Grace, but she is not the character who I have come to care about. There is no satisfying end to the tale of the characters we have come to know. Genvissa, Asterion, Brutus, Cornelia, Coel - all are left rather flat. This story could stand on its on without any of the backstory of the other books. That is hardly a compliment to what should be the cumulative final installment in what otherwise was an excellent series. Highly disappointing. | 0negative
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BORED of the Rings
Its about as exciting as reading the dictionary and just as long. Tolkien was one messed up dude. ITs more like descriptions of places and things more than an actual story. I'd rather read the back of a bottle of shampoo. | 0negative
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Jackson is my girl
The Madaris fella are always making my mouth water! I like her stories and the romance isn't bad either. I like it. | 1positive
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Excellent follow up to reading the Narnia books...
This a very thought provoking book on Christianity. It seems timeless and makes one examine their feelings and beliefs on faith in God and Christ. And after having read "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", I can see where CS Lewis makes the Aslan creature a similar figure to Christ but in the world of Narnia. This is a life changing book to read... | 1positive
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A contemptuous view of rural America
Although I was initially pleased to see a book set in an extremely fictionalized version of where I grew up, I was dissapointed in what turned out to be a condescending and warped look at the rural Olympic Penninsula of Washington State. Descriptions of the location and the people lead the reader to believe that "North Fork" is utterly depressing and that those who live there are uneducated, bigoted, obese idiots. This book shows the author's lack of understanding and utter disrespect for the people of the area. This book was overblown and unrealistic. I was so distracted by the author's obvious contempt for "North Fork" and it's residents that I was distracted from what could have been an interesting storyline, had it been fully developed and written with an understanding of the socio-economic systems that exist outside of most large cities. Overall, this book was a disapointment that furthers an inacurate and stereotypical view of the small communities that exist independently of the urban setting. | 0negative
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good
A good mix of imagination,legend,and maybe fact.But most of all and perhaps most importantly entertaining. | 1positive
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Don't believe all the hype
Granted this is the first Hiassen book I've read, but I really didn't think it was that great. It starts off fast paced and good, but in my opinion the book slides downhill from beginning to end. Speaking of the end, what a major dissappointment the ending was. To think that I spent all that time wading through endless information about the Florida swamps and unrealistic happenings, just to find the very unsatisfactory ending. I was not impressed and will not read another Hiassen book, due to the fact that people are calling this his best.Dont' believe all the hype about the humor. I believe thaere was one time where I actually chuckled to myself, but other than that I consider this book a waste of time.Then ending reminded me of a bad television show that ending with............."To be condluded next week." | 0negative
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Classic novel by a great authoe
Loved it every time I read this super novel. Will read it again and again. One of my favorite books of all time. The classics always stand the test of time. | 1positive
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I hate this book!!!!
It's well-written and the characters are well developed, but I must say that the story is just horrible. I'm sorry, but if this is the best literature of Latin America, I'd rather not read anymore of it. I really don't know why people like this book!I'll stick to good Brazilian literature, such as Machado de Assis. | 0negative
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Is not what it ofers
Eventhough the introduction chapter of the book looks very promising, because it refers to some of the construction industry difficults/needs in achivieng consistent quality and customer satisfaction; when you read the contents there is no practical examples of "how to do it/implement it" in this sector. In general, it is another good interpretation of the ISO 9000 standars, it explains what do the requirements means and the basic implementation steps, but if you already know the standars and you are looking for help in the implementation process at a CONSTRUCTION company...this is too basic and it would hardly help to "land" the standar at your company. Also, for someone who is not familiar with the ISO 9000 group of standars, the book is difficult to follow, because it mix different standars requirements (ISO 9004-1,ISO 9004-2) instead of focusing in the basic requirements (then it would be ISO 9001) you need to implement a quality assurance system and then the other requirements you would need (i.e. ISO 9004) to improve your quality assurance system. | 0negative
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Great.
If you like great writing, you'll like this book. It is honest and direct and evocative and powerful. Utterly unpretentious.This is in no way a book about suicide, the way some people who haven't read it seem to think, though it does chronicle an episode of what must have been the same vulnerability that later resulted in her untimely death.If you like powerful poetry, get Ariel, which contains the poems Plath was writing when she died. I can only read one or two a day, then I have to stop and think about them. | 1positive
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Not very exciting!
...With his French poodle dog Charley, John Steinbeck set out in his truck Rocinante to explore and experience America at the age of 58. He meets a lot of different people on his way across the nation. What follows is an account of the places he goes and the people he meets during he's three-month journey. In he's journey john was not happy with most of the big American cities for example Chicago and Texas as having problems of people not being very friendly compare to the American villages. He was also appalled by racism in new Orleans.I like the description he gave of Maine and New England in general in 60's. It has not really changed, most of the things he talked about or saw are still around.My view of the book is that it is not exciting at all, it is too plain!. It does not cause any curiosity to the reader. | 0negative
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An excellent tool to grow in the faith.
"Truth in Advertising" compels me to state that I am reviewing the HARDCOVER standard size version of the Daily Roman Missal. That said, the editor(s) deserve a lot of credit for putting out in a single volume the whole Roman Missal with all the readings in full. Five stars just for that.The illustrations are superb. They strike the right tone throughout the book and are a very nice support to the various seasons and Masses.The inclusion of relevant sections from the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a stroke of genius. A very original and effective way of marrying two pivotal and important documents for the average churchgoer.Coincidently, I recently received the 1962 version of the Roman Missal published by Angelus Press. Two Latin/English Missals separated by 400 years. Both having the Latin texts for the Order of Mass. However, I'm disappointed that the prefaces in the 2006 Daily Roman Missal do not have the corresponding Latin texts. I suppose that space considerations played a part in the decision. Too bad. Perhaps in the next edition.The devotional prayers are an excellent addition to this (massive) volume of material and do a nice job in rounding out a complete, usable prayer book. My only disappointment is that this does not include any part of the excellent Liturgy of the Hours - especially excerpts from Morning and Evening Prayer and Night Prayer. However, I can't be too unhappy with the existing prayers. Perhaps for the next edition too?All in all, a must-have for any Catholic who values his or her faith. An excellent tool to grow in the faith.Post-script: As anyone may know, the present translation of the English texts is currently undergoing a complete revision mandated by Rome. I suspect that we will see and experience these new texts in late 2011 or sometime in 2012. When that happens, this edition will mark the end of the 1970's era of translations and launch us into a more faithful and exact translation of the Latin texts. | 1positive
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Awesome cure for insomnia
This book is great.... if you are looking to cure your insomnia. Another book about McCarran with no new outlook or insights. Skip it. | 0negative
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