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DOESN'T DESERVE TO BE A CLASSIC
This book was a MAJOR DISSAPOINTMENT. I would strongly advise AGAINST reading it. I thought it would be suspensful, or at least interesting, but sadly it was just a bad book.The story holds no suspense--the explaination of Dr.Jekyll's antics is handed to you on a silver platter--no mystery, no surprise, just boredom. The author, in the beginning, gets the reader interested, but the ultimate piece in the whole mysterious puzzle is downright stupid.The language was annoying, too. I respect that the book was written many years ago, but the way the characters rambled ON AND ON and never got to the point was downright obnoxious. I only read the book because I needed to for school. It was almost torture to read the constant whining and complaining of Dr. Jekyll, which, by the way, went on for 13 pages straight.I was totally let down by the simplicity and stupidity of the book. A classic shmassic. It was a horrible, badly written book with a flimsy plot line. To any person who wants to read it simply because it's famous, they're in for a real shocker. And if anyone says it's a good book, three words: big fat lie. | 0negative
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NETWORK EXTERNALITY? PAY IT FORWARD? NO, TIPPING POINT
Some voracious reading of research on...(1) "Network externalities" from economics and(2) WOM (word of mouth) research from social/cognitive psychology...and shamelessly rehashing them with a doozy touchy-feely spin on "small things can inspire big things" a la "Pay it Forward" (that Helen Hunt/Kevin Spacey rigmarole) -- and lo and behold, you have a tipping point for a book that people are stomping over each other to buy and magically provoke their thinking about marketing or sociological phenomena.Indeed every once in a while we need a business book that summarizes and makes sense of all that goes on in academia, so even such blatant intellectual debauchery would be fine as long as the BASIC professional integrity of attribution was upheld. The very least one can expect from such a self-proclaimed "biography of an idea" endeavour is an honest acknowledgement of WHERE the idea came from.As though it was not embarrassing enough that epithets like "maven" and "connector" are well established in WOM or network externality research since nearly 20 years, we were also fed with the MOST commonly used illustrations -- faxes becoming important because other people had faxes, or some quaint fashion catching up overnight (Hush Puppies in this case, but it could be any number of things), or how broadband has swept our world, or the success of a TV show -- these are all primetime textbook examples to explain the very fundamental concepts of network externality in ECON 101. Some arcane mention of epidemiologists' theories does not count because the whole hypothesis here is to provide something that is "beyond the world of medicine and diseases". Not one mention of the "Network Externality" in the book or in the glossary at the end.To its minor credit, the book is written with a readable flow although expect to have each and every minutiae explained in a "for dummies" style. For e.g., the perfectly simple notion that yawning is visually and aurally contagious is explained over 2 pages of relatively small print with about 100 mentions of the word yawn. Yawn. Such excruciating fleshing out of material is understandable of course, given how little of substance there really was in this "thinking" to begin with.The text wallows in its conflicting logical morass. Remember, "small things" are supposed to make a big difference. A winding 40 pages are devoted to crime combat in NY under a newly appointed police chief. Forgive me if this concerted annual effort by a legitimate full-fledged police force does NOT sound like a "small thing" to me.We are told "What must underlie successful epidemics is a bedrock belief that change is possible". Unfortunately, all the examples Gladwell cites such as a sweeping shoe vogue, faxes becoming popular -- these are all a matter of happenstance instead of a concerted effort by individuals at a point in time. Such is indeed the true nature of contagious phenomenons as he himself mentions at the outset, there is no "bedrock belief" until afterwards when someone sits and analyzes the event. I could also hypothesize that a lot of these mini-revolutions happen when an optimal chain of events is accidentally (unintentionally) spurred on by some triggers in society/environment etc, but that is for another day.As though this were not enough we are treated to semi-pompous implications. For e.g., page 131: "There is something PROFOUNDLY counter-intuitive in the definition of stickiness that emerges from all these examples". Really? Would have been nice if it were apparent instead of having us hit on the head with it.Come to think of it a "big effect" is a pretty flaky/subjective concept anyway. How could this supposed big effect be sustained? Where are hush puppies now? As for NY's crime rate, many experts such as Andrew Karmen from CUNY (John Jay) believe that the drop in crime rates in NY in 1980s or 90s is insignificant, homicides in the city have risen 10-fold since 1950. How about faxes -- and their big effect being eaten by another big effect (email)?What is most piquing though is that in a round-about way we are offered Polyanna solutions as a result of this 3-pronged theory of network externality. One priceless gem emerges when we are convinced how cleaning a subway system would be enough to solve crime rates (with the Bernie Goetz case as a lynchpin). My retorts won't fit this review.Whether this is a legitimate business book or a mere avante-garde coffee table thoughtpiece, one would have at the least expected some sort of an organized framework to plan for these "small things" or to sustain the "big effects". None is forthcoming. As for me, the very fact that well-established research is packaged here in a 250-page drawl as a pretentiously seminal idea is quite a put-off in itself. A simple 5-6 page HBR article would have done the job just fine, but then that wouldn't make a lot of money for Gladwell, would it.If you are in business and hope to use this stuff for a spiral marketing/branding effort, you'd do a lot better getting your hands on some WOM literature than this inchoate theoretical indulgence.Highly over-rated material, this. | 0negative
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Are you kidding me
I really got nothing from this book, it did nothing for me. This guy is a joke. | 0negative
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A heady musicological analysis that reveals a work of great cleverness
Anthony Pople's work on Olivier Messiaen's war-time masterpiece "Quatuor pour la fin du temps" is, like all entries in the Cambridge Music Handbooks series, a rigorous musicological examination.The introduction of the work gives some background on Messiaen, speaking about his life and earlier works (useful for understanding where some of the material of the fifth movement came from). The the Quatuor's creation, within the Stalag prisoner-of-war camp in Nazi Germany, is legendary and receives some discussion here, although those hoping for even more information on the setting should turn to Rebecca Rishin's "For the End of Time: The Story of the Messiaen Quartet" (Cornell University Press, 2003).Each of the eight movements of the Quatuor has its own chapter, and the analysis differs based on the special properties of each. For example, form and colour are the focus of the second movement ("Vocalise..."), while birdsong is the major topic of the third ("Abime des oiseaux"). The quartet was written as Messiaen was conducting the experiments that led to his early book "Technique", and Pople carefully charts the innovations of rhythm and pitch that Messiaen was developing at this time. As with all entries in the CMH series, quotations from the score abound.If you have some musical training, Pople's book will vastly expand your appreciation of the "Quatuor". I went from thinking it a juvenille work compared to "Des canyons aux etoiles" or "Eclairs sur l'aux-dela" to seeing it as a piece of marvellous ingenuity. | 1positive
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A surprisingly darn good book
I didn't have high expectations when I picked up this book but I had earlier read about the odd effort to build Cork Boat in the Washington Post, so I decided to give it a try.It was actually a remarkable story, a rockin' good tale of whimsy, adventure, and the indominable spirit that has made this country what it is. I read the whole thing in an afternoon and almost one sitting. Don't miss out. | 1positive
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unlucky
if i remember right,"mint" is written, but the condition of the product is not so good. i don't understand why a condition like that is "mint". | 0negative
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This book stinks on ice!
I had to do a book report on this and I found it hard tounderstand. There was not enough action to write about. I reallyreally really hated it. I do not recommend any other 4th graders try to read this awful book. | 0negative
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WOW
When I first saw the cover of this book i was like: wow hottie! I thought this was a wonderful book especially cause of my love for the supernatural. It was great! | 1positive
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Naked Lunch. Sure, Why Not?
Quite possibly one of the most difficult reads in the history of mankind. Yet worth it once you do complete it. At it's core this novel is about a man dealing with the outside world he has come to despise. Of course this is being discussed by a man in the major throws of a haroin trip. So of course it's going to be a little graphic. The junky sees the world in a different way than you or I. Burroughs grabs hold of this feeling and reveals it to the world. | 1positive
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Difficult and Unsatisfying!
I found the prose of this book extremely difficult to follow because of the--overuse of greek words, unfamiliar English words, extremely complex sentences, unabsorbing narrative, too much talking about and not enough showing what your talking about, excess of technical details beyond a layman's interest, sacrifice of genuine suspense for seemingly endless explanations of military subject matter, and much more. By page 65 I trashed the book, worn out by all of the above. | 0negative
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Easy to Follow
I purchased this for my daughter in law. She loves the book and it really was helpful | 1positive
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A display of intelligence, humanity and humour
I read this book because of the author, no doubt about that!I had read "The Hitchikers Guide To The Galaxy" and wanted more laughing...And I got it... But I got much more!Never before has a book on rare species or ecology in general touched me so deeply. Douglas Adams masters the art of writing engaged and funny while actually telling important messages, that you can't help to be deeply moved by.When you turn the last page, you have to restrain yourself not to take the next plane to Mauritius to help save the pink pigeon, or New Zealand in search of the Kakapoo!This is the best non-fictious book I have ever read, maybe the best book at all!Read it! | 1positive
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Great read
This is a nice book, I am only a few chapters in and have learned a lot about Arnold. Lots of questions answered, not surprising anymore why he was so successful. | 1positive
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worst book ever!
i read 5 pages and i did not under stand 1 wordi hated every single word and thing in the book! | 0negative
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Hmm, Most Men Were Right About This
Remember, a review is not necessarily always a description of a book's plot, only a telling of the reviewer's impressions of it after reading. I'm going to skip jotting what this story was about and offer my opinion. Fair enough?Back when this was cruising the top spot on the Times best seller lists I used to hear a lot of jokes made about this book. Mostly these were told by men, men who probably never read this or any other "chick book" in their lives, so I didn't pay much attention to them. I never let anyone's bad opinion of a book stop me from reading what I want, but I didn't have a lot of interest in TBOMC or get around to it till long after the buzz about this novella (let's not call it a novel, it's not) had subsided. I'd seen the movie version, thought it was decent, and came to this book with a neutral outlook.Now here's my take:This isn't a terrible novel but I'm surprised it got enough word of mouth exposure to make it the record-breaker it was. I think it wasn't the writing that made it well-received, so much as how it touched on the fantasy of so many bored, trapped middle-aged women who would have loved to have had a dashing stranger come into their lives, fall in love with them overnight, and offer them the chance for "escape". I didn't find Mr. Waller a capable writer, I didn't regard the characters as convincingly cast, I didn't even care what became of any of them. This book was too brief to be boring but it wasn't exciting, either.You know, though, life's short and full of misery, so if this brightened anyone's life ten years ago or does so ten years from now, that's all that should matter about The Bridges of Madison County. | 0negative
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Memory Maker!!
This book is a story that will stay with you for the rest of your life. My sister and I have been looking for a copy for about 15 years now. We lost ours in a move and talk about finding one all the time. This is a story we want to share with our children and grandchildren. It is a heart warmer. Because nobody is a "nobody." | 1positive
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Too many issues to be good
Half Past Dead was an interesting story, that had - in my opinion - writerly issues in flow, development and what not. It's not a bad story, but there were a few things that just bugged me about.The story is about Kat Wells, a woman who lived in a small town and was always a bit of a misfit - overweight and plain to her sisters thin prettiness, and unloved by her mother. All that changed when she was accused of stealing money from the bank she worked in and sent to prison and is completely abandoned by her family. Three years later, she is told by the Feds that they know she is innocent, but in order to be set completely free she has to work with them on their long-standing investigation into activities in her home town. She returns home under the guise of a work release, but in reality is undercover. No longer overweight and now considered pretty, she attracts the attention of the new sheriff, Justin - who she had crush on as a teenager- and also the confidence of her work release boss at the newspaper. Together they try to figure out answers to the mysteries in her home town, and Kat and Justin fight a heavy attraction.It's definitely an interesting story with lots of twists and turns, but that is a bit of the problem. There are just way too many pieces. There's just so much going on that it's a bit much. There's murders, poisonings, money laundering, drugs, people being framed, vendetta's, assaults, etc. And the author doesn't do quite a good enough job tying everything together at the end. She doesn't give a clear enough picture as to what exactly was going on. You still understand it, but clearer lines connecting all the dots would have helped the story.One of the things that really pushed the story into the "too much" range was that there were 4 people trying to kill Kat, all for different reasons. I mean, come on. One or two people out for her is fine, but four? That's just way, way too much and pushes the story into unbelievable range. Just kinda makes you shake your head and think "yeah, sure, whatever". I also had a problem with Kat not quite standing up for herself to her family. They were horrible to her. And though she didn't welcome them with open arms, she was unreasonably accepting of them. True, family is family, but there comes a point where lines are crossed and they did. As for Kat and Justin's romance, it was nice, but underdeveloped. The author didn't give it the attention it needed and didn't build the emotional ties enough so that when they say "I Love You" at then end, it worked.So in the end, it was an okay book. I didn't hate it and I didn't love it.Rating: 2.5 / 5 | 0negative
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Great Introductory Book on VB and DirectX
I liked this book. It had an easy to read manner to it. The examples were well documented and though there was no CD, the Sams web site provides the examples in a downloadable zip. This book is more of an introduction with simple examples. It is by no means a full fledged review of DirectX and VB. I'm recommending this as a starter book to my friends who want to learn more about VB and DirectX. | 1positive
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I never thought I'd fall into a book about family and baseball?
From the first page, I fell in and found myself turning pages slowly and stalling to finish each page. I didn't want the story to end. I was amazed to find a book which cries out about the love, pride and sacrifice that can bind both the complexities of family relationships and the simplicities of a baseball game. Read it. You may learn something about yourself, your family and your capacity smile when you suffer. | 1positive
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Great Cover. Otherwise...
An endless, endless, endless story that would've been 1/3rd its length had Dickens not been being paid by the word. I still think his masterpiece is 'A Christmas Carol.' Certainly not this. Or his other exceedingly wordy tomes. But they say it's egregious to disparage a classic. Well, now I'll have to look up the meaning of "egregious." | 0negative
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A potentially interesting but a flawed and failed book
The title's second line "a private voyage" promises to add depth and context to an already interesting premise for this book. Regrettably, it only serves to degrade, diminish, and ultimately destroys the value and joy in reading this book. In retrospect, it's better to take a pass and go to another book.The author's political and social views that are so arrogant, corrosive, and over-bearing that they all but wash out the other values of this book, which come from his observations of people and places while sailing around the British Isles. The former are unfortunately painted in primary colors, while the latter are done in pastels.The balance in this book between the interesting, nuanced observations and the ham-handed political critiques is so skewed as to make this work not worth the effort to sort through. It's as if one has to sift through pounds of political debris to find an ounce of interesting observational insight.It's not worth it. | 0negative
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Difficult to read
The author explains his physical experience on awakening the Kundalini but fails to explain his spiritual experience.The book could take 50% more editing. His pseudo-scientific explantions are difficult to follow. | 0negative
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Very rude
The fact that some of the 5-star reviews for this book claim that those of us who do not like it "don't get" literature is just rude. Also, the fact that anyone would rank this book next to Faulkner, Woolf, Joyce, etc. offends me deeply. But that is your opinion, and you have every right to it.As many have said, this book is immature. It takes a fairly basic outline (long-lost love, people cheating on spouses, an "outsider" comes in and has no true responsibilities) and throws in some symbolism that any high school student could conjure and then acts pretentious (which is probably why so many people like it, because they think it makes them look good). And that is all. I know that many people claim that was how it was in the 1920s, but please, no other piece of "literature" I have ever read has come off so shallow.But back to those who act like not appreciating it means that you do not know much about reading. That is just inconsiderate. I truly hate this book, but if you like it, fine, I'll argue with you about it (and the fact that I've had to read three times now for school as an English major means I know quite a bit about it) until I faint. However, this does not mean that I will write you off and not listen to any of your other opinions. Because once someone did this to me when I told them I truly disliked "The Great Gatsby" and then they sarcastically asked what my favorite book was, expecting me to say something in popular fiction like "The Da Vinci Code". And, at the time, it was "Crime and Punishment" from my Russian Literature course. Furthermore, if this book is The Great American Novel, then American Literature is pathetic when standing next to most other countries, including Russia. | 0negative
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Don't be Mislead: Too much Dr Cutler- Too little Daili Lama Content
This borders on deceit. I bought a book which on the cover appeared to be HH's, the Dali Lama's views on the art of Happiness.What I got was a lot of analysis and comparison from Dr Cutler.How, why, what, what it means, to Dr Cutler...Find a book written by His Holiness instead... and I'm not even a Bhuddist.Sorry Dr Cutler- but you did the wrong thing, packaging the book the way you did. | 0negative
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A true classic
Somehow I'd never read this book before-only seen the movie-but it's truly an excellent book, well written,many life lessons still applicable today. Great read for boys/men and girls/women. | 1positive
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Human nature sure hasn't changed much since 1860.
Pip craves the approval of Miss Havisham and the love of Estella, who basically treat him like dirt. Even when he's with them he's miserable and knows it. Pip also knows that he's being an ungrateful snob towards Joe and Biddy, who've done nothing in his life but love, respect, and protect him. This because he cannot help but view them through the eyes of the rich and vindictive Miss Havisham and the beautiful but really darn mean Estella. Despite all this, Pip is a likeable character with whom it is easy to identify and sympathize. Eventually he confronts the superficiality of his expectations and embraces his true nature. In the process he transforms both Miss Havisham and Estella into feeling human beings, understanding and remorseful of the pain caused by their previous conduct. | 1positive
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Belief vs. Science
Sorry, but the science wins over this belief. There isn't a scholarly study that supports any of Mr. D'Adamos's claims. He's dead wrong about the evolutionary claims. This diet is no different than letting your horoscope dictate what you should eat. His claims say my blood type should go towards dairy and actually can thrive on it; the problem is I, like millions of other Americans, am lactose intolerant and allergic to dairy products. Way off. It's disappointing, and baffling, to see a naturopathic doctor plugging the meat industry. | 0negative
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The book has a heart, but it's not straight
As much as I hate people who always take words out of its context and has to be politically correct for every little detail, I have to point out here that this book has some of the most racist comments I've ever read. I know it was written in a time when people probably don't consider racism a big deal, but thoughout history, great writers are generally great humanitarians who have the hearts, respect, and understanding for ALL things, and that's why I thought even though this book has its merit, it's just not that great.[...] has some good comments. I hate to quote someone else's words but they really said it better than I ever could:One of the most important ways that the novel illustrates this theme is by creating an opposition between India and England. The novel subtly attributes Mary's childhood sickness to her time in India: "Her face was yellow because she had been born in India and had always been ill in one way or another." India, clearly, is no place for an English child (though the novel seems to suggest that the fault for this lies with India, rather than with the British invasion of that country). India is consistently presented as a place which breeds illness and unbeauty, as well as a kind of living death: so long as Mary lived there, she was "always too hot and languid" to do anything at all. Her time on the moor begins to effect a change in Mary: she slowly begins to grow stronger and healthier, and her imagination, which had lain dormant during her time in India, is quickened by her exploration of the manor grounds and her search for the secret garden. Her contact with English gardens, English boys, and English moors cures her of her Indian malaise. Similarly, Master Craven's constitutional sickness is further borne out by his constant travel "in foreign places." In the economy of the novel, all life and joy are contained on Missel Moor, and thus to travel is a sign of illness. To leave the moor is to condemn oneself to suffering. ...In one of the Chapter reviews:Both Mary and Martha here evince extreme racism, made the more disturbing by its casualness and by the novel's implicit endorsement of it: Martha remarks that Mary's awfulness may be because she is from India, where there are "a lot of blacks instead of respectable white people." Mary, in her fury at being assumed to be black, shouts, "Natives are not people."Later Chapter:The gift also, however, reintroduces the specter of racism to Mary's relationship with the Sowerbys. Both Martha and Ben Weatherstaff speak of the rope as a uniquely English toy, one that will rid Mary of her last traces of "Indianness." Martha, in fact, says, "They've not got skipping-ropes in India! No wonder most of em's black...." India's "blackness" and godlessness are once again denounced as unfit for an English child like Mary. The skipping rope will both make her stronger and more like the people of the moor: it will bring her back to her innate Englishness, and to the strength of that position. | 0negative
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A waste of time
Silly, childish, no point except for the authors' attempt to show that someday they probably will write a book worth reading. | 0negative
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Austen forgot that a book should have a PLOT
eBook downloaded from Gutenberg. Undervalued by her arrogant baronet father and prideful sisters, meek Anne Elliott's main goal when she sees her jilted ex-fiance is to hide her regret.Not as involving as some of her other tales, with fewer likable characters and a very draggy storyline. I gave up halfway through. | 0negative
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For new owners
Neither my husband nor I had ever owned a dog before, much less a puppy. We relied on the two books by the Monks of New Skete for our own training as new owners. I cannot recommend them highly enough. These books are for all dogs, not just Shepherds. | 1positive
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An interesting concept.
This book gives a much more realistic, believable look into themindset of a pedophile than I expected it to; that's the good news,along with the fact that its reputation for salaciousness is vastlyoverrated. By modern standards, the descriptions of the sex act areminimal and downright reserved.HOWEVER, the writing style, solauded by so many reviewers, is not "sensual","gorgeous", and "passionate". It is simplyoverdone. Have you ever heard of Edward George Bulwer-Lytton? He isthe Victorian author whose novel began "It was a dark and stormynight...", a beginning that has become a byword for bad, overdonewriting, to the point that Scott Rice of San Jose State Universityholds an annual contest to see who can intentionally write the mostBulwer-Lyttonesque opening sentence, the opening to the worst of allpossible novels. Many of the passages in this book remind me ofentries in that contest; let's try a few examples at random:As shestrained to chuck the core of her abolished apple into the fender, heryoung weight, her shameless innocent shanks and round bottom, shiftedin my tense, tortured, surreptitiously laboring lap; and all of asudden a mysterious change came over my senses.Or how about:Thechild therapist in me (a fake, as most of them are -- but no matter)regurgitated neo-Freudian hash and conjured up a dreaming andexaggerating Dolly in the "latency" period ofgirlhood. Finally, the sensualist in me (a great and insane monster)had no objection to some depravity in his prey. But somewhere behindthe raging bliss, bewildered shadows conferred -- and not to haveheeded them, this is what I regret! Human beings, attend! I shouldhave understood that Lolita had ALREADY proved to be something quitedifferent from innocent Annabel, and that the nymphean evil breathingthrough every pore of the fey child that I had prepared for my secretdelectation, would make the secrecy impossible, and the delectationlethal.As I say, these are simply passages taken almost at random:open to a random page, and look for a suitably overblown descripionnestled in a suitably complex sentence. I doubt that any page in thebook would fail to yield some such bit of purple prose.If you likethat sort of thing, this book is certainly for you. If you prefer yourdescriptions consise rather than elaborate, and your sentence structureno more convoluted than necessary, or prefer to find your verbs in thefirst twenty words or so of the sentence, you will find this book hardgoing. Also, if you don't read French, there will be frequent asidesthat will be meaningless to you; the main character, being French,periodically lapses into his native tongue for a sentence of two, andno translation is ever given the reader. | 0negative
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One of the worst books I've ever read
I'm a French student of English, in my third year at university. I have to read "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" for my British literature class and it's just terrible. The author spends so much time describing Tess' beauty, virtue, kindness and courage, that I wonder why her name is not Mary Sue. There is no character development : instead, we are told a hundred times that Tess' eye colour is somewhere between blue, violet, grey and black -- seriously, can you picture that ?Furthermore, the heroine's so-called "kindness" is nothing but stupid weakness in my opinion. Her love interest, Angel Clare -- who, for some obscure reason, is also loved by most of her dairymaid friends --, blames and rejects her for being raped, and yet she still worships him and behaves like his obedient slave, despite his cruelty to her. This is merely a ridiculous and unhealthy obsession, not a true love story.To my mind, the only likeable character is Alec D'Urberville. Although he is supposed to be the "villain", I find him rather funny and much less annoying than Tess and Angel. Too bad that Thomas Hardy did not choose Alec as the main character. The novel would have been more enjoyable. | 0negative
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An engaging collection of lectures on art and artists
Dr. Barry Panter, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, has put together with his fellow editors an engaging collection of transcribed lectures on art and artists. In most cases, the mental health professionals analyzing these artists (e.g., Jackson Pollock, van Gogh) take rather a reductionistic, Freudian stance on the sources of creativity. This is to me the book's drawback, along with the limitation of space--and therefore, depth--allowed each contributor. Nevertheless, there are some excellent articles here, and I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the psychology of creativity and its close connection to madness, or--to put it more clinically--psychopathology. | 1positive
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Riveting, Emotional Read
This had to be the best book I've read so far this year in terms of how gripping it was and how powerfully it evoked every emotion from anger to grief to cynicism to despair. I am an avid and usually fast reader, but I found myself having to read slowly and digest the information and re-read lots of passages. So much of it was simply unbelieveable and incomprehensible to me. I appreciated the author's style of using interviews with Rwandans, covering the history, and particularly describing the aftermath of the genocide which I had no knowledge of. Every Westerner should read this book. I feel like I am a more conscious human being having read this book. | 1positive
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Bucher, My story
I didnt think I could find this book in print anywhere. This is the first time I used amazon to find anything old. They had different options all the way up to a collectible copy! It was a good book from captain butchers point of view tho he was in solitaire isolation. The previous book I read was by 5 crew members which was from a different point of reference. Butchers book had more about the actual ship and he's tormented thoughts of his responsibilities, anger, and loyalty to the united states , and the navy itself. What alot for one man to carry! An in-law relative was on the pueblo when it was captured and I hadn't wanted to read the books until now.I would recommend this book to others to read. If only to give people the real lowdown on what really goes on, both while captured and with our own government. | 1positive
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Moby dick----- boaring or just long
I personally do not like this book because it was so long. it does not have a bad story line. So i suggest that you read the younger version no matter what age you are. The only way you should read the full thing is if you really love to read, have alot of time, and like alot of boaring points. In this book there is a whale and some men. the men espesially one man was after the whale. i will not give away any names. The whale overpowerd the people all except one. the end was not that good eather. i suggest this for older people who do not have much to do. except read a long book. | 0negative
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great (BVAC) birth stories and nutritional information
This is a great resource for all things VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). It is sadly a bit dated, but the information is still relevant and the stories are timeless. This book is a compilation by the author, Nan Koehler, a midwife and herbalist. She alone has a wealth of information on childbirth, but she brings together a number of other experts for some of the many practices that can help a woman achieve a VBAC. The birth stories are also wonderful and inspiring, as many of the women overcame great obstacles to give birth vaginally after one, or in some cases many, cesarean section(s). | 1positive
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Ok
I read this book and summarized what it said in 3 pages of typed notes. Basically just read a lot, be friendly and upbeat, and shine in the spotlight any chance you can. Could have been a lot shorter. There are not 250 mistakes but probably 100, as many are repeated and most are obvious mistakes you would already know about. I'd compare it with tarascons or nerds guide to prerounding. | 0negative
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Best Business Book of 2003
Trading Up is the first business book I've read that not only provides useful insights for my company but also speaks to my life as a consumer. The book makes me understand why I, my family and friends spend the way we do -- and how my company can begin to position products and services so people spend more on them. Furthermore, the book makes you realize that materialism -- being obsessed with things and willing to pay for them -- is good and healthy for the spender, the economy and the country. Trading Up is a very useful read. | 1positive
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Excellent Alternate History
Harry Turtledove has done it again. I thought that "How Few Remain" was just as good as his excellent "Guns of the South". I really disagree with other reviewers who thought they were boring. Turtledove excels in his use of historical detail, which amateur historians like myself enjoy. Seeing how historical people's lives turn out different makes one think how our lives would have turned out differently. To make alternate history succeed, an author has to get to the level of "suspended belief" where you can really say to yourself, "I can see how events could have turned out like this." This is where Turtledove succeeds far better than other alternate history authors. With other authors' books, once the narrative gets too implausable, the whole magic is lost. Alternate history comes alive with his characterization of ordinary folks more than just the leaders. If you like alternate history, there is no author better than Turtledove! | 1positive
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It's not unusual...
Tom Jones is probably one of the greatest novels in all of English literature. I imagine some might be put off by the length and by its designation as a classic (something which Mark Twain said was frequently praised and rarely read). Tom Jones does not deserve to be ignored since it is a riotous rollercoster of a book filled with comic vignettes and blows against the self-satisfied and pompous. It is a book that not only is instructional, but is considerate enough to give the reader a good time while doing so.Though frequently termed an immoral book, Tom Jones holds up rather well in the early 21st century. Even Fielding's comic characters seem to have a dimension often lacking in 18th and 19th century novels. Fielding is a genius. | 1positive
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Not up to par, but good for its time
I bought this with reservations, loving Plum as I do, and had to struggle to finish it. The difference in writing style is marked. It's a sweet story, but nothing special, or maybe I've just been ruined by Stephanie Plum. Please, Ms Evanovich, go back to Jersy! | 0negative
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Where are the gay teens?
It is very disappointing that there appears to no reference made to homosexuality in this book. A major flaw. | 0negative
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Henry IV, Part I: Civil and Domestic Drama
Shakespeare's "Henry IV Part I" shows King Henry IV dealing with complex problems: England is in the midst of civil unrest, as the Percy family, angered by their treatment after unwittingly helping Henry IV ascend to the throne, threatens to depose the monarch. At home, Henry IV is despairing over the development of his son, Henry, Prince of Wales, heir to the throne. Prince Henry consorts with thieves, rogues, and scoundrels - his scandalous personal relationships seem to threaten the King's peace of mind more than the state of his kingdom.Aside from these larger concerns that frame the play, "Henry IV Part I" deals more with Prince Henry than it does with the monarch of the title. Throughout the play, Prince Henry is seen more amongst the rabble commoners than attending to matters of state. He is guided in his licentiousness by the enormously funny (pun intended) Sir John Falstaff, whose schemes and drunkenness are more innocent and endearing in Part I than they become in Part II.Falstaff's reckless and conceited behaviour casts a shadow over the entire play, symbolic as it is of Prince Henry's moral dilemma and of the precarious state of the nation. Falstaff instantly calls to mind Kenneth Grahame's magnificent Mr. Toad from "The Wind in the Willows," and is Toad's direct literary forefather. Falstaff is the most interesting and dynamic figure in "Henry IV Part I" and certainly the most memorable character in the play.Prince Henry discovers that his responsibilities outweigh his fondness for Spanish wine, and is called to lead the King's army against that of the arrogant 'Hotspur' Percy, himself a rising political force. Their confrontation, brilliantly scripted and enacted, is central to Shakespeare's entire Lancaster-York saga, and should be read closely and with special attention.Of the two parts of "Henry IV," Part I is by far the best and most flawlessly executed. The King's problems provide an adequate backdrop for the development of Prince Henry; 'Hotspur' is an excellent antagonist (with the whole Percy family offering a great contrast with that of the King); and Falstaff performs his role without dominating the play, as he tends to in Part II. Shakespeare does not need my praise or endorsement, but his "Henry IV Part I" blows me away. It is absolutely fantastic. | 1positive
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Though provoking idea. Great read.
This is the first time I've picked up a book without knowing absolutely anything about the story and its author. So I came to this as a blank slate, with no expectations.Following the read I can summarize the review by saying that this was a GREAT book. Without giving away important details, I'll say that the book grabs you from the first pages, and then after the twist in the middle it squeezes harder and don't let you put it down until you finish. For me, as a 3rd generation holocaust survivor Jaw, the twist obviously hit hard in some deep places that I didn't even knew I had. The chapter in the classroom looks so logical, consistent and reasonable that you gain a deep understands that people can be led to believe in anything. And I mean ANYTHING. You also realize how thin the line between humanity and our animal instinct is. Looking around us one can easily see that similar types of ideas are spreading in the world around us in various contexts, and the mirror that Danier Quinn (the author) puts ahead of us is an important one.Besides the main idea that really grabbed me, with respect to storytelling, I really enjoyed it for simple reason. I usually don't like the way most thrillers today are constructed, with few parallel plots that slowly converge to the grand-finale (I usually have hard time trying to remember who the different characters are.) Here the author walks you in a straight line through the plot and the twist. I liked it, and I don't think that it is a weakness as other reviewers alluded to. The idea is great, the plot is interesting, why spin around it just to fill the book with another hundred or so page of empty descriptions?To sum up, I really recommend the book. And personally I feel that I must pick up another book from the same author (probably Ishmael). | 1positive
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PaSa Sword Rules!
Great Book! My fav.! My favrote caracter is, guess what, the PaSa sword! I like its atidtude. I also like Rey. I wish I could give it more stars! (weep) | 1positive
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The Haunting of Chuck P.
Why do we read fiction? Literature? What makes us sit down to spend a day or three, perhaps weeks reading an author's imagination who is trying to enlighten us? Chuck Palahniuk clearly knows our inner secrets, our problems. These secrets can be Freudian, to an extent: we would never in a million years try to pull off these actions found in a Chuck P. novel. But how many of us have felt like Tyler Durden in Fight Club in some vague way? Or just do something crazy and obnoxious and silly like most of Palahniuk's characters? There are subconscious elements going on in his stories that make us keep reading--even though it's silly, grose, obnoxious. Deep down we feel related to these characters, actions that we would love to do in real life but would never do them?In Chuck P.'s new novel, "Haunted," these are short stories written and comprised by members/would-be writers locked in a cabin, sharing their inner secrets, their aloofness, and mostly, the absurdness of fictional lives. Chuck tricks us here. This is fiction within fiction, borderline realism and fantasy. In his last novels, Chuck P. got too carried away. I often felt the fictional dream was muddy and blurry by piling on the sickness over sickness (think of Choke), and writes differenly from the POV in Lullaby (not quite the sickness). Chuck balances it out by using fictional characters creating a world of doom and weirdness, realistic experiences that involve angst-ridden oversexed people. This techniuqe is effective because readers are not just overexposed to one character caught in the Freudian throws of Chuck. Each story seems to balance out the novel, but this is not your typical "novel" in the same area of Stephen King or Ann Rice, where conventional narration rules the Bestseller charts. Chuck will sell a lot of books because of his cult-following members--which is kind of spooky itself--knowing there are people out there who think they are carbon-copies of the characters in "Haunted."As the old saying tells us: truth is stranger than fiction, but with Palahniuk he reverses it all and makes us escape our mundane lives and pushes us to the breaking point of honoring the weirdness, the brutal lives, the madness that we all are often capable of expressing.We hope not. | 1positive
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A great book of idealism for teens
This book was excellent. Many of the events Charlie experiences are things that many can relate to. This book makes me truly want to strive to feel infinite every day! | 1positive
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Long and boring
I know this book received lots of critical accolades, and I consider myself a learned, well-read person - but I could not get through this story. I have owned the book since 1997, tried to read it 3 or 4 times, and never got past the first chapter. I finally forced myself to read it prior to the movie coming out, and I could barely finish it. Nothing happens! A guy walks away from a hospital and heads home, while a woman he barely knows tries to scrape together an existence during the Civil War. It is inconceivable to me that, even during a more innocent time, anyone could or would sustain enough passion for 4 years to have him make the long trek home based on a total of "100 words" spoken to each other (actually, the "100 words" comment may be from the movie, not the book.) I really wanted to like this (and actually liked the movie), but, unfortunately I thought the book was awful. | 0negative
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I have seen tomorrow and.....
Wells was a true genius, describing places that are very much real. The descriptions of the Landscape of the earth of tomorrow with all the flora and fauna, and the haunting realism of emotion and character make this book along with his others the most genuine science-fiction to read.For me, The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds moved me in a way that I will always remember. | 1positive
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Poorly written and silly
I hadn't heard all this stuff about Mary Magdalene, which made the book have a semblance of interest, but it is written in the most elementary, prosaic fashion, with characters who include a pretty woman cryptologist and a Harvard professor symbologist who studies the goddess legend. Jeez, how convenient to move the plot forward. I think the author must have found a cache of old movie serials shown at Saturday afternoon matinees in the early 50s. Each chapter has all the depth and surprise of a Flash Gordon episode--be sure to come next week to find out what happens. Of course the anticipation is always greater than actually seeing how Flash escapes this time--especially if you are over the age of 10.It's kind of a mystery version of one of those "Christmas Box" romances that also seem to do so well. And just as preditable. There are lots better books out there than this one. I give two stars just because I learned a couple of things I didn't know before about the Magdalene legend. | 0negative
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Essential book for starting your illustration career.
I hate to disagree with the other reviewer but, frankly, he doesn't know what he's talking about. Mr. Heller has written a wonderful book explaining the ins and outs of the illustration industry and it's crucial that ALL illustrators read it. The illustration industry is going through a terrible time at the moment with large corporations preying on the lonely illustrator, so it doesn't surprise me that the businessman below feels that illustrators shouldn't know their business!! Illustration IS a business, not a hobby and should be treated as such. Business and art can co-exist and illustrators can be some of the most creative business people I know.Mr. Heller is a well respected Art Director/Author and you would do well to head his advice. | 1positive
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great chess strategy book
first of all, I did not go through all examples, but I did readall the chapters. This bookis truly super in the depth of coverage. Once you gainedan advantageous position, how do you plan your attak? howdo you execute it? all is covered.Only gripe:the chapter on phases of attack should have placed right after thechapter on different classic mates. | 1positive
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Outstanding-Renews many memories from that era.
This book not only depicts outstanding photography, but helps one to understand something about the author and the people involved with the railroad and surrounding communities. Some of the color photographs are more like paintings than photographs. | 1positive
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Thanks to the Authors Graet Book
My thanks to the two authors for a dating book that actually did give me several new and useful insights for being successful with women. I went into the book with the attitude that there wasn't much new that I needed to know, but I'm happy to say I was mistaken. The book's clearly written chapters got me thinking about how I could improve my act, and I'm happy to report it worked like a charm. | 1positive
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I agree, but there's nothing new here
Part of me hates to write a less-than-flattering review about a book like this. Author Edward Bonekemper sets out to paint a picture of Ulysses S. Grant that is contrary to the image of a reckless commander who ruthlessly squandered his men and defeated Robert E. Lee by sheer superiority of resources alone. Instead he claims that Grant was an able and visionary general who had what it took to win the Civil War. I agree with Bonekemper's view and, as such, agree with the book.So why rate it so low? Well, unfortunately I found little original or compelling in Bonekemper's views. That Grant was not a butcher is an argument that has been set forth several times by many able historians, and the fact that Bonekemper frequently cites them, instead of digging up his own primary research, is evidence of the fact that this was not a book that needed to be written (again). Bonekemper makes particular use of the work of Jean Edward Smith and T. Harry Williams in his analysis of Grant, which begs the question: why not just read their stuff instead?That's a question I can't answer. To me this book read like a high school book report-a summary of the work of other historians with little original insight. Even the accounts of battles and campaigns were so lacking in detail as to be completely unsatisfying (reading of the battle of Shiloh was particularly painful, as most of the important details of the battle are skimmed over or omitted completely). The unfortunate result, for me, was a book that left much to be desired and just seemed a waste of time.There are many in-depth analyses of Grant that paint him as a victor rather than a butcher. I see relatively little purpose for this book and really no reason for anyone with an interest in Grant or Civil War history in general to read it. | 0negative
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unrealistic
Of course, literature does not have to be realistic to be great, but for me, it has to have something that is at least so in a figurative level. I find the main characters in this book to be rather shallow. Most pepole go through life without seeing their pride and prejudice, so how can Elizabeth and Darcy do it with such ease? I fail to see, other than a nice, happy story, what gives this novel its value. | 0negative
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St. Elmo's rise to a state of enlightenment
Although the book chronicles the life of Edna Earl from childhood into adult life, it was titled, 'St. Elmo.' Edna Earl maintained a very high sense of morality, and strongly valued her belief system and her integrity. It was this sense of morality, expressed through her confident personality, that resulted in the eventual 'spiritual reawakening' of St. Elmo Murray. St. Elmo was truly 'born again' as a man and as a spiritual being. His turnaround from an angry, misanthropic individual into an enlightened individual was remarkable. It was Edna Earl who triggered this awakening in him. Therefore, naming the book 'St. Elmo' was a testament his receiving of grace. Agusta Jane Evans was an outstanding writer, as good as any whose books I have ever read. | 1positive
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A Somewhat Dated But Classic Read
I admit I am a sucker for old movies and classic novels. This book is somewhat formulaic. And the ending is a little trite. But, it still won my heart. If you read and have liked other books by this author, you will like this one. | 1positive
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Finally, good advice on nutrition!
Thank goodness that someone cares about our kids' eating habits. Today's pediatricians know nothing about pediatric nutrition compared with Ruth Yaron, whose inspiring book not only guides parents in preparing a wide variety of fresh, healthy foods for their children easily and cheaply, but also provides overall guidance on optimal human nutrition along with an enormous number of recipes and hints to make good eating easy for busy parents and kids. I would recommend this book heartily to any parent who doesn't want to rely on the scant knowledge of the medical profession about nutrition, and also doesn't want their kid to grow up eating McMeals. You can do yourself and your child a world of good by making the investment in this book and feeding him or her the best food possible, while saving money as well. | 1positive
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My First Zane Gray Novel
This was my first opportunity to read a Zane Grey Novel, and I was disappointed to find a poorly written period piece, lacking a believable storyline. None of the major characters in The Lost Pueblo were likeable, and everyone else unbelievably childish. The young woman was spoiled, but she was also egotistical and a sadist. She used men as she saw fit, and showed sadistic pleasure in punishing those who incurred her wrath. Her love interest was dedicated, aware of the beauty and the history of the landscape, but saw women as little more than children who may need the occasional spanking. The father was indulgent, but self-centered and controlling.The story evolved around an attempt by the father to save his daughter from moral corruption. Little did he seem to realize that her real problems were far deeper and more destructive. The Lost Pueblo is just another"Poor Little Rich Girl"story, where every man wants nothing more than to worship at her feet, while she seems unaware of everything and everybody beyond as a means to an end. | 0negative
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On Rue Tatin
A warm and wonderful book that I liked so well, I bought copies for several friends. I want to live in that house! | 1positive
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Another must have
I just finished reading this again. Like all her romances it is so well written. The characters are funny and fun. Best have it, it is great entertainment! | 1positive
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This is a masterpeice of american literaure.
This book portrays the innocence of a child and the predjudice that a child has to find out. I loved this book and recomend it to anyone. This book is truly a work of art | 1positive
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Dazed and confused
A Clockwork orange is a good choice for reading material if you have a lot of time and you feel like reading a book twice. I was very confused all through this book. It is not something that I would read again. I didn't care for the language, I found that it made it very difficult to understand and follow. The message of the book is sort of good. The people really want to help Alex but the way they go about it can be debated. Some people i'm sure will love this book, but I have found that this book wasn't for me. | 0negative
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interesting
I thought this book was good, but it's definitely an intellectual exercise. Some of the letters from the early church fathers are more relevant and easy to read than others. It does give wonderful insight into the validity of the sacraments, though. I wouldn't call it an "easy" read, necessarily, though. | 1positive
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formulaic read
I got this book because I'd read the first two books in the second series, Angel Island, and had enjoyed them.I then read the first book in the Cape Light series and found it to be basically a similar story-line as the Inn at Angel Island, only with a few different characters. Though it is incredibly formulaic, I found myself wanting to follow the story, so I bought this book as well as the remaining books in the Cape Light series.I guess I was disappointed by the 'formula', but still interested enough to read on... | 1positive
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Straight from the heart
Jan Hunt writes from the heart about something very dear to her heart----children. Despite this, a recent reviewer described The Natural Child's tone as "preachy". I suspect that the reviewer was referring to preaching as, "To offer moral advice in a tiresome manner". But when others read Jan Hunt's essays the second definition of preach comes to mind, "To advocate (a course or principle)", in this case, the humane treatment of children. Why the difference in how Jan's writing may strike you? If your parenting philosophy is primarily guided by doubts and fear, Jan's confidence and passion can feel threatening or "tiresome". However, if your heart is open to the idea of treating children with compassion and respect, you will agree with those who see Jan Hunt as "a leader", "before her time", "brilliant", and "brave".The same reviewer gives us an example of parenting guided by fear. You will note her fear that a child given choice in important areas like health and learning would choose to eat only Twinkies and play with motorboats instead of learning to read. This is a common misunderstanding of child-led learning stemming from the fear that children cannot be trusted with important decisions. Authoritarian rules and mistrust are euphemistically called "guidance". ("Twinkies are not allowed in my house" "The fact is, he WILL read") It is ironic that an authoritarian approach to eating and learning is very likely to produce exactly what the reviewer fears---- a child that craves Twinkies and hates reading. And the fact is, there is no way to parent gently AND force a child to read when the parent thinks it's time to learn.As Jan Hunt, John Holt, and others have documented, children CAN be trusted to make wise choices even in important areas such as health and learning. True authority stems from honesty and respect. A child treated with dignity and respect will see his/her parents and other respectful adults as authoritative and will seek their opinion when needed. They will value their own bodies and find joy in learning. No coercion is ever needed, and any coercion risks a huge cost to the child as well as to the parent-child relationship.With 19 years as a pediatrician and 13 years as a parent (four children ages 6 through 13yrs) I can unequivocally state that John Holt had it right: Parenting can be summarized into two words, "Trust children". That's the easy part. Learning to identify and deal with our fear, that's the hard part! | 1positive
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Gibberish, or worse
This is the worst instances of that old Germanic tradition of philosophy-by-obfuscation. The formula is always the same: take a simple idea based on sentiment rather than logic, and then take several hundred pages to present it as obscurely as possible, with as many compound words, hyphenated terms, and dependent clauses as the page can take, until the result is completely unreadable. Then those who are ashamed to admit that they understood nothing will praise the work to the skies, and academics will make a good living by lecturing on the subject to students similarly unwilling to admit their confusion.As far as I can tell, there is nothing more to this book than the very old anxiety we have all felt over unanswerable (and logically meaningless questions) like, 'Why I am who I am rather than someone else or no one at all?', 'Why is now the moment it is rather than any other moment in time?' and so on. The book, of course, offers no answers (there are none), just plenty of obfuscation.Furthermore, Heidegger was a very questionable character, a man who enthusiastically embraced Nazism and persecuted Jewish scholars during his tenure as rector of Heidelberg, who later dishonestly denied his philosophy's ties with Nazism when his reputation and career were at stake, a thinker who detested science and reason and whose solipsistic philosophy was never concerned with ethics.Don't waste your time with this. I recommend as an antidote Popper's wonderful little essay "Against Big Words." | 0negative
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The Victorians and the Visual Imagination - Kate Flint.
A welcome study ! Offering interesting reading for academics and those who have a general passion for the period. This book is well referenced and sourced - pulling together the thoughts and experiences of many key and contemporary Victorians such as Ruskin, Dickens, Eliot and a whole host of lesser known but equally important writers and artists. Kate Flint explores the changing concept of perspective - she shows the impact of travel - the challenge to conventional perspective offered by physically altering one's position - train travel or ballooning for example. "Sight" as it was perceived by the Victorians is something we do not identify with today. Flint brings to the foreground the important fact that "seeing" in Victorian England was indeed a very different experience. I found this book a useful addition to my bookshelf and more than that, I really liked it. | 1positive
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Bias? you said bias?.... me ?!
Thank God the TV networks are not as bias as Mr. Goldberg's book !Like a crescendo, slowly the book reveals Goldberg's own bias and conservative views....(e.g. he condemns calling Bauer "the little nut of the Christian group" but a few pages later he'll call somebody an "acid popping weirdo"!).Goldberg missed the opportunity of showing us what "fair and balanced" reporting should be by stepping instead through the fine line of being bias himself.Many times he gets sidetracked into problems that are more relevant of our society's state of affairs than of the TV network itself ; it could be acceptable if condensed into a few lines instead of several pages.Another point Goldberg missed is that bias is not the appanage of the liberals ; just an hour listening to the Rush Limbaugh or other conservative radio talkshows will dismiss any of this illusion: there is more hate and bias there than in all the TV networks combined !.....so, shall we say it is fair game or shall we call off the game altogether.....Or shall we remind ourselves that everytime Truth is manipulated (on either side) it creates a ripple effect that in the long run will slap us in the face as a society.The TV networks are more a reflection of what our society is and want than its modeler . Abortion is the Law, so is Affirmative Action and so on...so, Yes, we can assume they are reasonable views being adopted by the vast majority (it is what democracy is about). The conservatives are not barred from working or being heard on the networks : the vast majority just have no much interest in their opinion. Liberals leap into the future (not without "faux pas" along the way), conservatives "build bridges to the 19th century" and we are a progressive society. Like in sports air time is seldom given to the losers' team . In our money oriented culture TV is Business not a charitable organization.....blame the culture not the means.....There is a dichotomy between Goldberg acting as a maverick denouncing CBS and still not having the guts to leave a company practicing such horrid acts ! Not only he bites the hand that feeds him but he also accept to be muzzled (p. 129).Another flaw in his reasoning : He points out that "the most important story you'll never see in the news" is how working mothers are destroying their children well-being and thus our society.As an unbiased reader I would tell him that there is another untold story : how irresponsible men ruin their families and society through their destructive behavior (adultery, pornography, violence, abuse,.....) thus forcing women to be working women .....this is fair and balanced !Though starting the book with an eager mind, I ended up agreeing with Rather when he pretends that Goldberg has a political agenda ; it is definitively a conservative one and by a twist of Irony he is obviously unaware of it ....just what he is reproaching his antagonists!! | 0negative
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Great Quick Read
Animal Farm is a book that makes you think about what you are reading. I felt claustrophobic when I was reading this book because every time the pigs were acting like hypocrites, the other farm animals would just go with it. The pigs always had Squealer to rely on to convince the other animals who were stupider than the pigs.My favorite character was Benjamin, the donkey. He was my favorite because he just sat back basically and watched everything happen and didn't do anything stupid about it. If he had spoke out and protested against the pigs, he would have been killed. If he tried to keep a rebellion quiet and just talk to the other animals about rebelling, the animals would have been stopped and punished.I liked the book because it showed me a different perspective on communism and how it can come into power. Using animals instead of people was brilliant, I thought, because it's something that not only adults can relate to.I give praise to the author George Orwell because he constructed this masterpiece over fifty years ago and students in schools across the nation are still reading it. The book is still being read and learned from after all these years.I learned from this book about Russian history and how people like Stalin and Trotsky came into power starting a communist reign. I also learned a bit about Orwell and how political he really is.I thought the ending of the book was very good. How the pigs were acting more and more like humans everyday when all they told the animals was to be against humans, because this is why they rebelled in the first place. In the end, the pigs couldn't even tell the difference between the pigs and the humans because they were so alike.I have no questions about the book, and if there are things left unanswered then I think that they were meant to be unanswered by the author. I think if they were answered that it would only detract from the book.I would definitely recommend this book to a friend because it's such an enjoyable quick read. I would like to read 1984 by George Orwell after reading Animal Farm because I enjoyed Animal Farm so much.All in all, Animal Farm was a very enjoyable read and I recommend it to anyone who can obtain the book. | 1positive
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Self Loathing Swede's Splendid Revisionist History
The only honest review put here was entitled "Sorry I'm White", and was written on March 21, 2000 by Jeffrey L. Thurston (Oakland, Ca USA). This is another self loathing (WE MUST APOLOGIZE NOW AND MAKE REPERATIONS!) fuzzy headed intellectual egalitarian liberal-collectivist (hey that's a mouthful!) who reduces such historical horrors such as the Jewish Holocaust to economical and social forces. Do not buy this book! Instead I recommend Professor (and Rabbi) Richard Rubenstein's "Age of Triage, Fear and Hope in an Overcrowded World (1984)" that is available from our friends here at Amazon.com used. | 0negative
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Not up to par
I just e-mailed this letter to Janet Evanovich:Janet:Where was your editor? At least five times you used "lay" when the correct grammar is "lie." And this was not in dialogue. Page 199: "He was laying on the ground." More than once you slipped from the past tense into the present. Page 229: "My mother looked like she knew better, but she didn't say anything. By the end of the night we'll have a fresh batch of cookies, and she'll have done all the ironing." Other errors: Page 257: Stephanie's niece is incorrectly identified as "Annie." Also, page 303: Stephanie suddenly has a speakerphone in her kitchen. Since when? Who has speaker phones at home? And if she did, wouldn't I know it after eight books?Those are my editorial comments. About the story: 200 pages of nonsense and not a single laugh. Reading the first few books, I literally fell off the couch laughing. Lula never said "damn skippy." There was no "hide the salami," and nothing equal to replace those two.I still like Morelli, but Ranger is a stiff (no pun intended). The plot was wrapped up in three horrific pages. I don't want to see Stephanie and her sister tortured. Think of a better way out of the corner you are painted into.Try harder next time. You are making big bucks and getting lots of media attention. You owe it to your readers to produce a top notch product. | 0negative
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A little boring
My daughter (19 months) hasn't shown much interest in this book. She doesn't usually sit still through the entire reading, but she does for other books (so I know she can). | 0negative
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Such a disappointment
This book is such a letdown after the life-altering Simple Abundance. I'm not sure where Sarah BanBreathnach is coming from in Something More - it just didn't have a truthful ring to it. I almost felt she was pressured to get another book out and so rehashed her old material. Read Simple Abundance instead. | 0negative
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Power Point IS for dummies
I must be smart or something because I already new most of what I was reading. I guess I thought there was more to Powerpoint than there is. | 0negative
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Wonderful book!
I really loved this book. I had the opportunity to witness her at at Aids event in which she told her story. One word to sum it up Powerful!. After hearing her speak I brought the book and read it in it's entirety the next day. This is a must read. | 1positive
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Really great story
The story is well written and captivating. It was hard for me to put down ( even for dinner!). I will definately be read more of Ward Larson's work in the near future. | 1positive
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Try Something Else
This novel was, unfortunately, the first and last book I read of the English Garden Series. I do not discourage against any of the other books, as I have not read them, nor do I discourage a reader from trying out Lori Wick. I am an avid reader of Christian fiction (perhaps TOO much!) and my rating is based off of similar books of Christian historical fiction.There were several things that encouraged me to give this novel a 1-star rating. First, there were a confusing abundance of secondary characters. One may argue that by reading the first two books, keeping track of the extra (often seemingly insignificant secondary characters) would have been easier. Of course, that is true, but Wick also never allowed a me to even get a glimpse of who these other people were. The book is noted by many reviewers as a "stand-alone" novel. It didn't feel like it, I felt like an outsider constantly looking in.The plot became fairly plodding and boring with little action beyond the self-conscience struggles of the protagonist, Cassie. It's Cassie, I believe, that really failed this entire book for me. Wick fell into a trap that some authors (too often, Christian fiction authors) fall into - that being that their female characters are beautiful, pious, gentle and all-around perfect. Wick, though, gives Cassie one "fatal" flaw: she has red hair. Unfortunately, that is the main problem holding Cassie and Tate apart. Her hair.The novel is sweet, perhaps, and the idea of the plot (a young woman reading to a blind man and falling in love) is nice. But when one of the primary conflicts of the book arise from the color of Cassie's hair... well, I can admit that it doesn't make for the most thrilling or even self-reflecting read. I felt myself distanced from Cassie - how can any human being only have one tiny, tiny flaw? As a reader, you need to identify with the main characters to create true empathy for them - in this case, I saw a porcelain doll with no flaws who bemoans the fact that they don't like the color of their eyes or their feet are too small.If you want to read Lori Wick, she does have some excellent novels - most published earlier in her career such as The Donovans or A Yellow Rose Trilogy. Also, I have a great love of Deanne Gist and Lori Copeland. | 0negative
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Fiction?
"Theodore Rex" is not a bad book, actually it is quite entertaining. However, the irrelevant detail that describes the life of "Teddy" is in no way substantiated by footnotes, nor - in all likelihood - could it be. It is therefore a very questionable biography if after all, the reader is constantly kept guessing what is true and what is Mr. Morris' invention.I would therefore suggest to list it as "Fiction" | 0negative
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A Review of Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice is a classic, early 19th century novel about love and everything that gets in the way of it. Jane Austen uses impeccable, meticulous language full of long descriptions and explanations to give the reader insight into the minds of all the characters. The character development indicates the author's striking understanding of human nature and acute observation of human tendencies. The story provides an intricate plot involving the intertwining lives and feelings of a few characters and is based more on character development than on actual events. Although the book is complex and somewhat wordy, it is interesting and not all that difficult to read. The story shows how individual tendencies and personalities can get in the way of love and happiness. It also adeptly portrays inter-family relationships and the profound impact they can have. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in classic fiction, or who enjoys stories about people and their relationships with one another. | 0negative
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What We Keep
Elizabeth Berg does an excellent job telling the story about young teenager, Ginny, in What We Keep. Ginny is like most teenagers in the 50s. She looks up to her sister Sharla who she thinks knows almost everything. Ginny and Sharla have fun, strange, and sad experiances threw out the novel. Ginny tries to understand her mother's new behavior, but just doesn't seem to get it. Then, she gets distracted with a new crazy neighbor, her son, and other characters that bring something new everyday. Ginny and Sharla are soon curious about what is happening under their own roof with their mother and father when her mom does something unexpected. Years later, Ginny looks back on her life changing events as she rides across the country to her mom, who she hadn't seen in 35 years. Together Ginny and Sharla see what her mother has become over the years that have passed since their adventurous life growing up. | 1positive
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WARNING: buzz marketers writing reviews for this novel
Warning: people signed up to do buzz marketing on behalf of Penguin books may have written some of the reviews on here as mentioned in the piece "The Hidden (in Plain Sight) Persuaders" in the 12/5/2004 New York Times Magazine. Leave it to marketers to ruin a good thing. | 0negative
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he doesnt want you
The cover of this book makes the book look very interesting, it it is an easy read but this book is not a page turner.This book try to expose mens feelings which really does not work. Also this book is not for a man to read because he will end up putting it down. This is only one side and basically does not give men leeway. | 0negative
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Excellent Read!
I thoroughly enjoyed the story line of Kane and Abel as well as was quite impressed with Archer's gifted writing. I am currently reading other Archer books becuse of this one. | 1positive
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AN ABSOLUTE CHILLER!!!
Though one of his early works, Stephen King displays his mastery of the dark art of story-telling as he takes the readers to Salem's Lot. Let the master drain your blood in the vampire novel that will challenge the horror of Stoker's Dracula!!! Submit your will to Barlow! Surrender yourself to Stephen King!!! | 1positive
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This isn't even worthy of 1 star!
I have read all Sara Paretsky's books and my opinion is that she didn't write this book. It reads more like a friend or relative wrote it and used her name to get it published. The introduction of the characters was so haphazard and hard to follow that I didn't care about them at all. The opening paragraphs are about an irritating female drunk awakening after a binge...it only got worse. My advice is: If at first you don't like it, don't bother plowing through the rest of it; give it up as a lost cause and choose another of the many female sleuths available like the Sue Grafton series or Janet Evanovich. | 0negative
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Brings back memories
Except for some more detail lacking in the post divorce years (after 1973), this is an outstanding book. However, I wish I hadn't read it. It's not hard to understand what the fascination with Elvis is about. There won't EVER be another one. I've seen well over 50 concerts in my life, but the Elvis concert I saw in Dayton, Ohio in 1972 was without a doubt the most incredible event I have EVER witnessed in my life. He TORE the place up, he was in 100% total awareness and control. He was almost God like and he KNEW it. I saw also saw him him in Louisville, Ky on 5/21/1997, less than 3 months before he died. Needless to say, the Elvis I saw in 1977 didn't resemble the Elvis I saw in 1972. He was already dead inside. It is a tradgedy that one man with so much could fall so fast professionally. I wasn't sure the Elvis I saw in 1972 was human and I'm not sure the people around him realized he was human either. But he was and that's the sad part, the show I saw in 1977 made that clear. I wish I hadn't read this book. In fact, I'm going to get rid of it. When Elvis was on top of his game, non-other compared. It's IMPOSSIBLE to stay at that level......IMPOSSIBLE. That's the way people want to remember Elvis, on top.....that MAGIC that ONLY he had. Skip this book if you don't won't to be sad. | 1positive
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I could not get into this book
I was bored, it was preachy and I did not end up finishing it. I've heard it has helped some people's marriages but for us it wasn't very helpful. | 0negative
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Great Book!
Received the book quickly and it was in perfect condition. This edition/copy of the Silmarillion is really neat! | 1positive
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Advertised as NEW but It was used and unlistenable
The cd was fine until I got to the last disk when I discovered that the last disk was badly scratched and I could not listen to it for all the skipping. "New". | 0negative
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Pulitzer Prize Material
Fabulous classic book. I enjoy all of John Grisham's books. This one, though, is so totally different. I would never have been able to guess the author. I would recommend this to schools. This is Pulitzer Prize material. | 1positive
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Disappointing.
After reading Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre, both written in the 1800s and which I loved, I thought I'd try another classic, Little Women. What a disappointment. I couldn't even read the whole thing. I only read the first 176 pages out of 470, so if the last half is better than the first half, I wouldn't know. Thank you to other reviewers for giving me the major plot points. I skimmed a few of those and that was enough for me. I didn't want to spend any more of my time reading what I felt was a boring book. I liked three characters, Jo, Laurie and Beth, but again not enough to want to read the rest of the book. It was too syrupy sweet with the mother teaching her girls values such as helping those less fortunate than yourself, control your temper, work hard, be polite etc. These are nice values, and this might be more desirable for a parent to read to young daughters. Although be aware that there are a couple of deaths of main characters. For me, this book was not good enough. I want entertainment, creativity, surprise, unexpected events and interesting characters. I prefer books like Twilight and Harry Potter for young adults and myself.Data:There is no sexual content which makes it appropriate for children. Setting: 1860s the North during the civil war. Genre: young adult fiction. | 0negative
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I loved it!!!!
KALICO JONES WHO ARE U? TEARS, LAUGHTER, JOY AND PAIN. THIS BOOK WAS INCREDIBLE, UNBELIEVABLE AND IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO THOUGHT SO. I READ THE REVIEWS SO THAT I WOULDNT DUPLICATE SOMETHING SOMEONE SAID BUT EVERYONE SAID THE SAME THING YOU ARE THE BEST AND THIS IS A MOVIE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR STORY IT MADE ME FEEL. | 1positive
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One of the Greatest Books Ever Written
The beautiful conclusion of the entire trilogy is realized here. This novel is satisfying on many levels and has a complexity and vision that is missing from many of it's imitators.Please be aware though that there is a difference in the pacing of the novel from the films. I read the novel before I saw the film, and it is possible that seeing the film first may distract some readers. This novel is written at a leisurley place, it is not a quick read, but it is a doorway into the authors imagination and philosophy. Definitely worth the trip. | 1positive
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All it took was a poodle to make Steinback loveable.
Wow! Let me repeat: WOW! Steinbeck is not particularly known for his humor, but in Travels with Charley, he lets everything spill out of the bag. I don't want to ruin anything about this book for those who haven't read it, but it is one of the top five travel books I've ever come upon. (far better than On the Road, and right up there with Travels in Hyperreality).Steinbeck packs his bags at the age of 60, and heads out to discover an America he claims he hasn't known for over 20 years. And although he never, in so many words, tells precisely what the White Whale of America is, I think he tells us the following:America is a land of people who want to go somewhere else so they can be alone; and the only reason they want to go anywhere is so they can come back and tell everyone about it.A word of warning: You will cringe at Steinbeck's description of the American South, and realize just how different it is than the rest of America.Also: it is interesting to note that at the height of his career (1960), probably only less famous than Ernest Hemingway of all world literary figures at the time, not a single person recognized Steinbeck in his three months abroad. Tell me that isn't depressing for any Leos out there with literary aspirations. :) | 1positive
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I Don't Want To Live On This Planet Anymore
lol...Dinosaurs in Eden. Where to begin? The Earth is 6,000 years old...dinosaurs coexisted with man. I thought this was a joke at first. I don't have problems with lying to children about Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, but telling stories about Jesus Horses is absolutely shameful. This belongs in the Onion. | 0negative
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Elmore Leonard is still at the top of his genre
Elmore Leonard is a national treasure. Every new novel gives wonderful, realistic characters, that Leonard really makes us care. Please keep them coming. | 1positive
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