Audio Books

I bought this large print edition as a Christmas present for my father. He is 90 years old, and remembers these events vividly. He felt that the Jackie Robinson Bio from 2007 was supplemented with this study of Jackie Robinson's 1st year in the majors. It was a good, quick read, which he really enjoyed.

This is the first book I have read about Robinson. I had gleaned what I knew about him from the media, especially Ken Burns' "Baseball." The author combines a macrocosmic overview of 1947 American society and microcosmic vignettes to give readers a stunning portrait of a single year with far-reaching effects. Especially enlightening for me was learning details about Branch Rickey's personal motives in integrating major league baseball, Robinson's competitive nature, and his effect on Black Americans at that time. The epilogue illustrates how profoundly our views of events alter with the passage of time, and the poignancy of change. I look forward to watching Burns' footage about Robinson again soon, with a more informed grasp of the significance of the man and his first season.

I found Mr. Eig's book very well written and felt it was well researched, though not until I read the `Acknowledgments' section did I realize how much leg work he put into "Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson's First Season." He interviewed Rachel Robinson three times and that background is readily apparent throughout the book. She tells how Jack felt about certain situations, which sometimes were in complete contrast to published reports that historians rely on when writing these types of books. (Interesting also that Mr. Eig's research uncovered the fact that Mr. Robinson did not like to go by the name `Jackie' but preferred `Jack.' And my recollection is that every time I've heard Rachel Robinson talk about her husband, she always referred to him as `Jack.') Mr. Eig also interviewed some of the principals written about in the book like Ralph Branca, Carl Erskine, and Joe Garagiola, as well as the Robinson children and Branch Rickey III.

The book did a fine job of painting a picture of the United States circa 1947 and with that perspective, made the reality of Jack Robinson's first major league season much more believable. I'm in my 40s and what I learned about Jack Robinson's first season - from watching baseball games first on Saturdays on NBC and then later on cable, was much more passive than what was presented in this book. However, as much as I would have wanted to stay comfortable with my pastel-colored memories, I do believe this presentation in part because of my own life experience, but also because of the copious research Mr. Eig invested in the writing.

I would recommend this book for any baseball fan, as well as for people interested in the history of civil rights and the long, not-so-steady growth and improvement of equal rights for African Americans in the United States.

Eig's extensive research and thoughtful treatment of Jackie Robinson does not vary or question the general truth of his legend: Robinson played the game well under tremendous pressure with little or no support and demonstrated in the process the skill and courage that entitled blacks to equal opportunity. But Eig does add some new perspectives that make the legend far more interesting.

First is the general unpleasantness of Robinson. He's like Pete Rose in his burning desire to win at all costs and would rub some people the wrong way regardless of his color.

Second and perhaps most important is Eig's ability to introduce more subtlety into the story. Eig destroys the legend of Pee Wee Reese publicly encouraging Robinson on the field in the face of racial abuse. That did not happen, at least not in 1947. Robinson is utterly alone in 1947 and has to prove himself to his teammates. Branca is the only guy to make a point of shaking his hand when he first appears, which adds to Branca's own legend as a man of character, but even Branca essentially ignores him for much of the season. Some of this is racial, of course. But some of it is the culture of baseball: a rookie must prove himself.

Robinson's ability to peform in these circumstances, under the most tremendous pressure possible, adds to his legend and makes his 1947 season perhaps the most admirable of all seasons. Eig is also good at introducing subtlety into the legends surrounding Robinson's oppressors. There is some rumbling on the team, but that quickly dissipates. Most interesting is the role of star player Dixie Walker. Walker felt compelled by his southern roots, and by his desire not to have his business punished in the south, to make a point of objecting and asking for a trade. But thereafter, he drops the protest. The problem for Robinson was not simply the obvious bigotry, but his freeze-out by the rest of his team until he could prove himself under the most trying of circumstances. Walker may have given Robinson a few batting tips and may have dropped his trade demands, but neither he nor anyone else took Robinson under his wing. Even in baseball's demanding culture of ritualized abuse of rookies, a rookie will eventually be taken under someone's wing. Robinson did not have that benefit.

The protests of other teams has also been exaggerated. It appears that there were some murmuring on the Cardinals to try to boycott Dodger games, but that fizzled before it started. The Phillies were grossly racist in their bench jockeying, but backed off early in the season. The Yankees in the 1947 World Series had a few nasty bench jockeys.

What emerges from all this is the pain of the gross racism aggravated by the agonizing loneliness of Robinson as he has to endure everything and prove himself. Eig convincingly shows that by the end of 1947, Robinson succeeded in proving himself and was the MVP of this team. Only then was he accepted by Pee Wee Reese, the team's captain.

All of which demonstrates Branch Rickey's wisdom in choosing Robinson as the man to break the color barrier. Robinson had mental toughness and competitive fire. The rap on black athletes was that they were not mentally tough, and Robinson was exactly the right guy to disprove that myth. Choosing a more passive personality would not have made the point, and choosing a less disciplined soul who would have got into physical fights in 1947 would not have worked either. But it is interesting to learn how Robinson sometimes crossed the line (such as spiking Rizzuto in the 1947 Series) and how close Robinson came to losing it.

Robinson emerges as a complex and truly great man in this narrative. This is an excellent book that I highly recommend.

On April 15, 1947, a young Holocaust survivor who had arrived in New York just 14 weeks before, attended his first baseball game at Ebbets Field. That young man was my Dad. Just having arrived in the United States and unfamiliar with the country's social ferment, he was unaware at the time that he was present at an historic moment---Jackie Robinson's Major League debut.

In OPENING DAY, Jonathan Eig presents us not only with an account of April 15, 1947, but of the months both preceding and following it. Eig wisely and honestly paints us a portrait of Jackie Robinson not as the infinitely patient hero of the film THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY (in which he played himself), but as a mercurial and talented young man who restrained his natural impulses toward bellicosity in order to bring down the walls of the segregationist citadel of white America.

In a world which had not yet experienced Brown v. Board of Ed., Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., CORE, Little Rock, or the Voting Rights Act, Robinson crossed the white sky like a dark comet. Promoted to the Majors by Branch Rickey: Baseball's Ferocious Gentleman, Robinson not only broke the color barrier, but excelled at his craft, leading the National League in hitting that year.

Eig examines (but does not utterly explode) some of the urban legends surrounding Robinson, in particular his supposed Christlike passivity in the face of discrimination. Robinson was a warrior by nature, and if he couldn't fight back directly due to his circumstances, he fought back indirectly by being an aggressive and accomplished player on the field.

An intelligent, articulate, gifted and deservedly angry young black man, Robinson had faced down a Court Martial while in the Army for arguing with a segregationist officer who called him "boy." To turn the other cheek was not in his character, and he did not suffer fools gladly, nor did he suffer in silence. Nonetheless, he kept his promise to Branch Rickey not to respond to the inevitable racial provocation that greeted his appearance on the field.

For the first several months of that baseball season, Robinson was the only black player, not only on the Brooklyn Dodgers squad, but in Major League Baseball. As such, he was a magnet for abuse both from fans and many fellow players. Shouts of "N****r!," "Shoeshine!," "Sambo!," "Rastus!," "Watermelon!" and other such bon mots flowed freely; beanballs were a common occurrence. Hate mail was received by the bucketload. Petitions were circulated (even within the Dodger organization) to exclude Robinson from baseball. A general strike was threatened.

Fortunately, Major League Baseball had more farseeing men than bigots at the helm. Diamond-in-the-rough Dodger Manager Leo Durocher uttered his immortal words about a zebra one day in the clubhouse, and stopped the griping. His successor, Burt Shotton, a quieter man, treated Robinson unexceptionally.

Dodger Captain Pee Wee Reese, a Kentuckian born to segregation, and the most influential man on the team, refused to sign any petitions, and the revolt in the ranks collapsed as a result. Eig cannot find any 1947 documentation of Pee Wee's physical embrace of Robinson on the field in the face of a catcalling audience, an incident now immortalized in bronze at the Brooklyn Cyclones' Keyspan Park in Brooklyn, but more important than the arm over the shoulder was the popular Reese's treatment of Robinson as just "any other player," which encouraged his acceptance by teammates, fans, and other players.

Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick announced that any team refusing to play with Robinson would be suspended en masse. Robinson did use his position as a bully pulpit by speaking honestly but not with hostility about his rightful place in the game. And Brooklyn---an inherently tolerant blue-collar hodgepodge palimpsest of races, nationalities, ethnicities, and languages---embraced Robinson unreservedly just as soon he demonstrated he could play the game. Fans of all colors in other cities supported Robinson, and his legitimate fan mail was enormous.

Given the later volatility of opposition to the Civil Rights Movement, Robinson's acceptance as an everyday teammate seems remarkably free of incident. In fact, the relative calm of Robinson's admission to the ranks, and the quick signing of black players by several other teams as well as the Brooklyn Dodgers, probably did much to energize the nascent Civil Rights movement to take on Jim Crow everywhere. By so being, Jackie Robinson was the belleweather of a new age, an age whose Opening Day was April 15, 1947.

I like how the characters finally work together to create harmony. It's a great, simple lesson. The illustrations are very nice and I love the feel of the book. Great choice for the 4-8 set!

I read this book to my elementary and special education students last week and I included some music from Ireland which included bagpipes and violin. I also added a country banjo song, too.
It was great fun! It's a wonderful story for all!

This book has a wonderful theme of what to do when change occurs. It shows how friendship can sustain mishaps. It had too many words for my students in preschool special class, and the illustrations were busy as well. My own elementary age kids loved it though!

Today my multi-age preschool class (3 yrs-5 yrs) sat silently and wide eyed as I read "Pumpkin Soup". The three characters and their relationship to one another were so clearly defined in the first few sentences that the children were mesmerized. The illustrations are soft but detailed. This was a perfect addition to our unit of study on pumpkins.

The illustrations in this book are so beautiful and compelling, that I bought it before I even had children. I used it in my Halloween decorations. Now I enjoy reading it to my 3 year old. I had no idea he would be so drawn to this story, that he asks me to read it almost every night. He often embellishes on the text during regular playtime. The story is very sweet and we light a pumpkin votive candle while we read it, to represent the little white cabin, where the story begins.



This is one of those most special books that we will treasure forever. Now, my son has memorized the whole story and can tell it to me word for word as we turn the pages. This is definitely one of the books I buy for all of his friends' birthday gifts.

Spock's family background.


This is definitely an example of a more interesting Star Trek novel.

Spock, as we know, is a hybrid, and humans don't live as long as Vulcans - his mother is dying.

He returns to visit and try and talk to his father.

Definitely interesting to see the background of this family, and if you are interested in less of the ship solves a mission type Star Trek plot, you could try this book.

Praxus, a klingon moon has exploded, due to overmining, or possibly sabotage. The Klingon empire's food production has been threatened, as tidal forces have been disrupted and weather currents change; massive shortages of resource seem eminent.

Chancellor Azerbur continues to work with Federation president and the federation responses with medical aid and food supply relief. Azerbur has issued in a new era of peace and commerce with the Federation. The war with Klingon has been official announced, over.

The hardliners don't want peace. Trayne, alias Saren, a Vulcan, secret plans are to use Kamarg, the Klingon ambassador, to attack federation colonies and turn the federation against Klingon. Kamarg is part of the militant group and believes that Klingon survival depends on warfare and land conquest. The Freelans (Romulans) are using Vulcan slaves, as mind control agents and are manipulating the minds of the Klingons and humuns against the federation and Vulcan. Trayne specifically uses Savel's telepathic power, specifically against Kamarg, causing him too hate the federation through vulcan mind control.

Kamarag manages to draw support of many high-ranking Klingons, in his cause. The hardliners want a military solution, centralized control of the federation, and capture of vital federation agriculture, mineral resources, and technology. Klingon invasion plans are brewing followed by Romulan.

The Romulan empire will wait until the federation is significantly weakened from the war conflict and then swoop across the neutral zone and capture federation territory. The Freelans report to the Romulans Lords. Over the last seventy years, the Freelans have been taking Vulcan hostage and converting them to slaves. The plan has been slow in the making, but all the key elements have been put in place. Millions if not billions of lives are at stake.

Sarek has been correspondence with the Freelan ambassador, Trayne. Sarek seek conclusive proof and infiltrates the Freelan data system with the aid of Soren. Freelan lists are discovered but not accessible for download. Sarek and Soren escape detection just as the Freelan security beams into the data center. Later, Sarek will confined in Spock, about his discoveries.

The Vulcans remain strongly dependant on Federation computer and military technology. Vulcan has strong military technology and leads the federation in scientific research. KEHL design was too weaken Vulcan resolve to stay members of the federation.

The Idol cult sect called the Gol is the oligarchy controlling Vulcan society. Sarek's first wife, T'Rea joined this evil sect and divorced Sarek. Sybok was born. Sybok rejected T'Rea's.

Amanda tells Sarek that "life after life" will happen or not happen. Sarek fight tradition and listens. Vulcan's believe in spirit essences encapsulation and that the new host inherits the spirit essence; this idea is similar in falsity to the idea of reincarnation.

Sarek soon after found Amanda, his true love. At the time of the Freelan crisis, Amanda was 93 and suffering from a rare blood disease. Spock was called home. Sarek was force to leave to negotiate the freedom of orion colony hostages on Kadura held by rouge Klingon warriors, under the command of Keraz. Amanda has Sarek promise, he will read her journal before he leaves. Spock warns Sarek that Amanda is about to die. Sarek manages to reach Amanda with his mind before she dies. Sarek shares with the reader Amanda's life, Spock decision to join the federation, Spocks outcast, Amanda's separation from Sarek, and reuniting.

No one had ever seen a Freeland, until Sarek. Freelans lived a secretive life. 70 years early, Sarek discovered the Freelan were Vulcan during the Pon Farr incident. The freelans said nothing of the incident. Sarek kept the secret seeking proof.

Now, on earth, Sarek is meeting with the Vulcan consult and discovers that Induma, the KEHL leader, is being Vulcan mind controlled. Induma is leader of the Keep the Earth human league, who chant, "Vulcans go home". Peter Kirk, nephew to Jame Kirk becomes entangled with the KEHL group. Peter alerts Kirk, to the KEHL movement against the Vulcans. Lisa tells Peter that she fears the Vulcans because they have weapons of mass destruction. KEHL leaders start accusing the Vulcans of espionage, selling out to "Vulcan interests". KEHL has linked to a clandestine Vulcan operation (Freelan), conspiracy proof of the Vulcan consultant being manipulated. KEHL discovers Peter and take him hostage. Kirk wants to talk with Peter and discovers he is not on the planet. Spock deduces were Peter's abductors will take him. A rescue plan is put into action.

While Peter is a prisoner, he falls in love with Valdr. Valdr is bethrothed by Karamag to become Karg's wife. Valdr despise Kargs. Valdr feeds Peter each day. Peter falls in love with Valdr. Valdr plans and executes an escape plan. Kirk, McCoy, and Spock find Peter and join in his escape planning to reach a space port for a trip off the planet. Karg intercepts the group and surrounds the group. Karg stabs Valdr with a knife. Valdr declares Peter, her mate. Peter challeges Karg and defeats him in a duel, but does not kill him. Peter reveals that Karg is Chancellor Corkon's murderer.

Sarek prevents Freelan terrorist from starting a war between the Klingon empire and the federation. Sarek and Spock beam on Traynes bridge, after Sarek predicts correctly the new position that the cloak bird of prey will emerge. Sarek has realize Trayne pattern as a chess move used by Trayne. Conclusive proof of a Romulan conspiracy is established. Sarek challenges Trayne to a duel. Trayne acknowledges the challenge and remembers his early childhood fears, at the time his parents were killed. Sarek and Trayne fight against each other with poison blades, both are injuried, but McCoy manages to save both. Sarek returns to Freelan to liberate the Vulcans. Trayne returns to Romulus to report failure. Trayne's second in command aid Kirk in stopping the Klingon invasion and Azerbur troops arrive crushing the rebellion. Peter Kirk abandons Valdr for his career. Azerbur recruits Valdr to become a staff member. Spock formulates the reunionification theory.

Two words discribe my feelings about Sarek by A.C. Crispin: Good Times.

I really enjoyed this book, and in cadence with the other reviewers I couldn't put it down for the last 3rd. Literally, I hid in a closet and a stairwell at work just so I could get a few more pages in. I laughed and cried and gasped in shock many times during my reading. Every one of the characters acted as I thought they should and gave me new insight into those characters that I know so well. Even though officially it is not, in my eyes this is canon since everything jives so danged well and I love the story. And my word is law in some local bowling clubs.

I loved this one, cause it really delves into Spock and Sarek's relationship, plus you get to see Amanda's point of view on things. It also show's a lot of her relationship with Sarek, shows the sentimental side of him that while loath to show it since it would be a emotional display it also makes you understand that they were truly in love and how they were able to make it work...because love is certainly not logical and humans are rather emotional about these things. I also enjoyed how it explained the falling out that Sarek and Spock had when Spock went into Starfleet. I've enjoyed the other books that I've read also that delve into the father/son relationship:

The Vulcan Academy Murders
The IDIC Epidemic
Spock's World

Definitly read this one

As any Trekkie would do, I got this book that's about one of my favorite Vulcans.

This book is the heart-wrenching story of Sarek's deep love for Amanda, their courtship, marriage, and now his agony and fear at the realization of her terminal illness.

A.C. Crispin has a great way of representing the personalities of the characters, as well as the emotions. The anguish Sarek goes through, as well as other emotions, are well represented and touch the heart.

This is a MUST READ for any Star Trek Fan!

I bought this CD about 6 weeks ago and it has really helped me during meditation in the mornings. Before listening to Tina's CD I had a hard time quieting all the chatter in my head but listening to this guided CD really worked for me and I go to a deeper level each time I use it. I also listen to it at night before I go to bed and will often fall asleep during it. Tina's voice is very soothing and calming and I am able to achieve a deep state of relaxation while listening to her CD's. I also bought her Weight Management CD and I have really noticed a difference in my food choices as well as not being as critical of my body as I once was.

This is a wonderful CD for meditation. Tina has a relaxing, smooth voice that helps you get into the meditation state of mind. It is great therapy for the soul. I hightly recommend this CD for anyone who needs help to relax the mind.

I am listening to Tina's Serenity CD as I write this review. When my granddaughter who is 8 months old comes over for an afternoon she and I listen to Tina together so we share the benefit of Tina's soothing voice and wonderful meditation. The serenity and nurturing flows beautifully as if Tina is in the room. I have not met Tina yet, but when I open my eyes after listening to her soothing , serene , intuitive voice I almost expect to see her sitting in my living room. : ) Thanks Tina.

This is an excellent journey to relaxation. Get away from your stressful life and enjoy serenity that stays with you long after you've listened to this CD.

Whether you are a novice at meditation or an experienced veteran, this wonderful CD has something for everyone! I had struggled to make meditation a part of my daily practice because I had not found quality guided meditations that are flexible enough for my busy routine. With this CD, Tina has helped me to overcome this. The four tracks flow beautifully from one to the next in a progressive and complete 40 minute session. However, each track can stand alone and be used independently of one another when I have limited time or if I want to focus on a certain area. The psychological and physiological effects of meditation have been well documented in the medical literature and I am very grateful for this wonderful tool to help me access these benefits. Thank you, Tina!

The "Siege of Mecca" is a book that every serious reader should read. If you are an advocate or a beach comber or a pretender, you don't need to read this book - you wouldn't enjoy it because it would not suit your interests or needs.

For "Serious Readers" (i.e. people who read everything including cereal box ingredient lists or those tags on mattresses and then think about it) the "Siege of Mecca" is simply a delight. It describes one of those weird historical moments (like the Bonfire of the Vanities) that seems to represent much more to the future than it did in its present. As far as this Serious Reader knows, Trofimov provides the most complete, dispassionate, and interesting description of this incredible act of stupidity and/or courage. It appears to be one of those "tipping point" moments in history to use the current hipster jargon.

For English readers, the writing may seem just a bit ragged. Trofimov's grasp of the English (American) idiom is a bit . . . lubricated, shall we say? It slips just a bit now and then, but Mr. Trofimov's facility with English is much better than my skill with his native language, so I'm quibbling here. Sometimes his expressions are quaint, quirky, or merely violate the grammarian's whip, but in the spirit of Strunk and White, it nonetheless works. Get over it and focus.

This book also provides one of those incredibly interesting tangents on the Global War on Terror. After you read this book you realize that there is a lot more going on than the New York Times, National Public Radio, or the current Presidential Administration is telling you. This is flip: If you like the really "good" restaurants, the ones even the cool guys don't talk about, this is the book for you. The "Siege of Mecca" is the truth, or at least the Current State of the Art.

I highly recommend this book.

In 1979, a group of over 100 Muslem fundamentalists took over Islam's holiest shrine, convinced that they were fulfilling an obscure prophecy about the Final Days. They came dangerously close to succeeding.

This little-known event remains a profound embarrasment to Muslims in general and the Saudi kingdom in particular, so it's not surprising that information on it is hard to come by even 20 years after the fact. Indeed, I'd never heard of it until a few years ago when I was surfing Wikipedia and found a vague stub entry for the event.

"The Siege of Mecca" is the first serious effort to lift the veil of mystery on this odd event. The result is a fairly scary picture of how close the House of Saud came to collapsing and the Middle East plunging into all-out Holy War. Along the way, we get a contextual history lesson of ultra-fundamentalist Islam and its eschetology. The author also goes to some length to show how the Seige sewed the seeds for the rise of Al Qaida.

The book is a quick read, in part because it grips the reader early on. It also manages to be non-biased, heaping scorn equally on the perpetrators of the take-over, the inept Saudi responses, and the bungling US state department that apparently never fully grasped the enormity of the situation.

TSOM reads like a political thriller, which actually was the only problem I had with it. The author's prose is heavy-handed in use of passive and negative voice, which I found awkward. Also, he forgoes footnotes in favor of a "notes and sources" section at the very end of the book. When discussing things such as a Haddith or Quaran sura, I would have liked to have seen it (or had it more immediately referenced) so I could draw my own conclusions. However, these are just minor complaints, and I doubt other readers will be as picky as I am.

Over-all, a good read, and very recommended.

The seizure of the Mosque of Mecca was a most serious revolt of Saudi Sunni militants against the al-Saud state. The rebels not only wanted to impose a more drastic form of religious state on Saudis, but wanted to depose the Saudi monarchy. As a result of the revolt, Saudi Arabia become a more conservative religious state, and America was tagged as the inspirator of this revolt.

Khomeni labeled the rebels Americans who wanted to take the most holy symbol of Islam hostage. As a result of this, two American embassies in Libya and Pakistan were trashed and burned. Several embassy employees were killed as a result of this action. Again we see Moslem crowds get turned around and put the blame on a vast Western conspiracy, when in fact, Moslem fanatics caused the bloodshed. Moslem nations feed this fantasy of Western conspiracy to keep the heat off their corrupt, poorly managed regimes. Instigators like the Iranian government take advantage of this to cause terror in the Western world. It also shows the weak kneed response of the Carter Administration in dealing with terrorism.

This is a nice book that shows the politics of Saudi Arabia and how they affect the world. More understanding of how people view the West will give us better understanding of how to handle future crisises. The author sheds light on a crucial incident.

Overshadowed by other world crises in 1979, especially in Iran, the siege of Mecca has been largely forgotten. But it should not have been forgotten because it has set the stage for much of the terror that has ensued in the last 28 years. It was not exactly the birthplace of Al Quieda and Bin Laden but it gives a great insight into the trouble nature of the extremist regime of Suadi Arabia and how Saudi Arabia made a 'deal with the devil' by bringing in extremist cleric to help root out the more extremist people who had taken over the mosque. Rumours that a relative of Bin Laden was involved, the story of the beheadings of those who had participated, the claim that the French special forces called in to help converted to Islam so as not to 'offend' the Saudis and the story of the assault on American embassies throughout the Muslim world in the days that followed are all covered here.

The book begins with a discussion of the history of Saudi Arabia and its extreme religious foundations, its apartheid like legal system for men and women and the origins of the Wahhabi movement. THen the story jumps forward to describe the radicalization of several groups of Muslims, including Juhayman Said al Otaibi and his brother-in-law Muhammad bin abd Allah al-Qahtani as well as other gulf Arabs and even some African-American Muslims. On November 20th, 1979 this group of men invaded the Al-Masjid al-Haram mosque in Mecca, the Grand Mosque, and in the battles that followed some 250 people were killed. Saudi National Guardsmen were shot down easily by the well armed and trained rebels. This necccesitated the regimes work with the conservative cleric Sheikh Abdel Aziz al Baaz and the calling in of non-Muslim foreigners to help with the siege.

This is an expert story and the author not only tells it well but relates its history, its context and its aftermath, trying to show how this was pivotal in the increasing rise of Islamist terror in the Middle East that eventually culminated in Sept. 11.

Seth J. Frantzman

For those of us who keep wondering why? The Siege of Mecca reveals not the starting point, but certainly a fine example of how modern Islamic terrorism came into being. 9/11; the USS Cole; the Beirut embassy bombing; each of these events has its roots in fundamentalist Wahabi doctrine which rejects the commercial and cultural evils of the modern western world and teaches its youth to strike back and become martyrs in their quest for a "pure" Islamic world.

The only difference in Mecca was that the target was not western, but rather the holiest of shrines in all of Islam, a symbolic attack on the guardians of Mecca, the Saudi State who permit infidels to live and work among the faithful, polluting the culture and purity of those who live by Islamic law.

But the common thread is lashing out against the influence of the West and its perceived commercial and cultural imperialism, by poor but pure believers. Those who followed Mecca learned to turn the targets of their hatred away from their own and directly at the west.

The reaction of the rest of the Muslim world is more telling. For example, while the perpetrators of the siege were Muslims attacking their own people, Pakistani students launched their own deadly siege on the US embassy, convinced that the US was behind the incident, while their government did nothing to stop them.

The portrait of the Saudi leadership is eye opening, as they clearly had the opportunity to prevent this event, but chose not to, based on appeals from the truly evil, the Islamic clerics who teach the doctrine that the terrorists are only enforcing. The Saudis bumble like fools through the days that follow the siege, all the while working to keep the rest of the world from understanding what was truly going on. In the aftermath of the Siege, the Carter doctrine initiated the US military buildup to support the Saudi state, despite the weakness and its illegitimacy among its own people. Today we still pay the price.

The stars of the book are the French Special Forces team that mastermind the final retaking of the shrine without stepping one foot in the holy city. You have to respect the French here.

What a fun read! I was delightfully surprised with this novel - it went far above and beyond what I expected when I picked it up! The cover is adorable, but it gets so much better!! =)

This is a new chick lit with a completely unique voice - one you don't want to miss! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and was very disappointed when I turned the last page. Must...read...more!!!!!!

I believe women of all ages, shapes, and sizes will be able to relate to the realistic, heartfelt characters in this novel. For example, I'm 23 - a good 30 years younger than the heroine, yet I emphasized and cheered her on with my whole heart!

If you're looking for a chick lit with a deeper storyline and realistic problems for today's woman, look no further. This is one story that entertains without the extra layer of fluff.

BUY IT NOW!! =)

A Stitch in Time was a great romance and a great read. Dee is an engaging character and the "inside story" on fund-raising fascinating. As much as I liked this book, Allison Bottke's next book, One Little Secret, is even better! Keep it up, Allison!

Dee is now living the fabulous life. Once overweight and unhappy, thanks to gastric bypass surgery, plastic surgery and a great job she's starting to enjoy life a little more. She still won't forgive her ex-husband who cheated on her even though he keeps bugging her about it. She's enjoying her new image and wants to enjoy her life to her fullest. Unfortunately her two 30+ year children don't seem to share this idea with her and constantly bicker with Dee blaming her for their parents' breakup. Plus Dee's new clients are not the easiest bunch to work with. Then just as there is a new guy in the horizon, Dee is forced to work with her ex on the project! This definitely puts her new faith in Christianity to the test.

This was a really fun book to read. I enjoyed reading about Dee's business with all the movie stars. Loved the costume ball sequence with Patrick Swayze. I also enjoyed that the person who had kept doing wrong to Dee finally got found out and punished, without Dee extracting her own revenge. I also liked since Dee is new Christian, she is eager to share about her faith but she knows not to blast it out to people when they feel uncomfortable. She's still mostly the same person though, feeling insecure about herself and hoping that plastic surgery will ease all her troubles away. I enjoyed the fashion, shoes, clothes talk in the book. It made it more fun for me to hear about designer names even though I will never be able to afford them! Dee's a very likable character and the reader constantly wants to cheer her on. I felt that it was also very realistic to show that society was treating Dee better just because she was skinnier. Yes Christians are suppose to love everyone, but it's also truth that looks ARE being judged in society. The only thing I didn't like was that I felt the ending was a little too tidied up. I honestly didn't see why she had to go back to Lyle. Yes she should forgive him, but that doesn't mean she can't be angry with him. He lost her trust, she didn't have to take him back. I know he became a Christian but I would have liked to see him at least become more spiritually mature before Dee took him back. Other than this, this book is highly recommended. It's targeted for the baby-boomer set but I believe anyone who likes a fun chick lit book will enjoy this one at any age.

A Stitch in Time is a must-read! Dee Decker is a heroine, not only for those who are or have been overweight, but also for any woman who struggles to survive in a dog-eat-dog world of luncheons, business dinners, and posh banquets. She is the poster child for every woman whose husband has been unfaithful, whose children have been ungrateful, and who looks for herself outside of herself rather than what is at the core of a woman, her heart.

I gave up cuddling on the couch with my husband one Friday evening just to spend time with this book. That's saying a lot, because my hubby's a good cuddler.

Read it. You won't be disappointed.

When Meredith testified to have her dad sent to jail, he was supposed to serve 9 years. This meant Meredith had 9 years of safety and could move away when she turned 18. She never thought that her dad would get out in only 3 years for "good behavior". So Meredith is stuck at home with a mother that doesn't believe her and a father who is about to get out of prison. She has two friends in which she can confide; the wheelchair-ridden, Andy, who is her best friend and the guy she is in love with and there is also a retired cop in the same apartment complex, Nigel, who wants Meredith's dad put back in jail. Each friend is trying to help her in the only way that they know how. There is also her grandmother, Leah Louisa, who is the mayor and wants Meredith to live with her. But, if Meredith lives with her, will she be able to save others that is at her father's grasp?



This book is a gripping and powerful novel. All of the characters are so realistic that it is scary at times. There are also flashbacks in the book that are just as enthralling and telling of the story and how it got to where it is. Even though this book is honest, it's not too graphic. You understand why Meredith tries to run away. Then, when she comes back to help save others, you appreciate her. She's just a scared 15 year-old trying to take on more of the world than anyone should, much less someone her age. Laura is an amazing writer and is treading in water that is rarely touched. She did a wonderful job making you believe these characters. This is an earnest book that should be picked up!


[...]

This book left me raw. As a High School guidance counselor, I would like to believe that I would know how to help a teenager in this situation. I keep reading literature about kids in trouble to make sure I keep these issues- rape, abuse, loss, death, betrayal, and molestation in my head enough so that hopefully I recognize it when I see it and am able to help. This book is so compelling--Even though I was tired when I picked it up, I read the whole thing in one sitting. I'm not sure it helps me understand how to help--- but it does remind me that these issues are all around us-- and often times those people who have developed strategies to keep people at bay are the very ones that need our help and compassion the most. I will keep this visible on my book shelf--ready to pass on to the right kid.

I actually listened to the book on tape and found that I did not want to stop listening to it. I kept staying in my car to listen to more of it!

All I have to say is that I have finished this book and I find myself just reading the reviews here to get more of the book.

Definitely recommended for a mature audience. Her story is psychologically accurate for a girl in this situation. I recommend this book to everyone.

This book is very good and though provoking. It will make you feel afraid for Merideth

this book caught and held me on the first page.
12 year old girls Merdith had pressed charges against her father for child molestation. they had thier evidence and there were other children in the neighborhood who had been asulted my her father.
the police promised her and all the other children 9 years of safety. of him locked behind bars.
3 years later her father is realesed from prison early due to good behavior...
Merdith knows that he will try again, and that its only a matter of time. her mother calls it and accident. a mistake. Now merdith must rely on her neighbors abd best friend who also lost his innocence to her father.
Merdith knows she must do SOMTHING. but is she willing to sacrifice herself?

it took me all the self comtrol i have to not start reading the dialougr out loud in public. Merdiths charecter is one of a kind and unforgettable. this eggy lost and strong herion will have you begging for more.

do urself a favor.
Read the danm book.

Kelly writes in a compelling way creating parallells and connections between him winning the various tasks on The Apprentice and his military experience. I like his style and his sense of taking responsibility even when things go wrong. Humility is deifinetely a trait a leader must develop!

I found the book a pleasant read and I liked the fact Kelly was talking a lot about the lessons he learnt in life and how these experiences enabled him to move on.

I grew up with some idea of what military life was like due to my Dad being in the Navy - but I must admit it's never held a lot of interest for me. Reading Kelly's book did actually shed a whole new light on what advantages military service can bring to other aspects of someone's life. The principles that are discussed in the book (Duty, Impeccability, Passion, Perseverance, Planning, Teamwork, Loyalty, Flexibility, Selfless Service and Integrity) are all really worthy reading for anyone in business and the military slant I found surprisingly gave it more bite and interest.

This is a great book that draws comparisons between Kelly's military service and his rise through the entrepreneurial ranks. I know Kelly personally, and he is not only a successfull businessman, he is also a devout humanitarian. Highly recommended!

I recently purchased "Take Command" for a college course. I chose this book because I am a fan of the television show "The Apprentice." I could not have picked a better book to read before I graduate and re-enter the business world.

The ten principles that Kelly Perdew learned while attending West Point can be used by anyone who wants to get the most out of life. Duty, Impeccability, Passion, Perserverance, Planning, Teamwork, Loyalty, Flexibility, Selfless Service and Integrity. I plan to use these principle's to be a strong leader in everything I do.

I always wondered how I would have handled military training. Kelly details how physical strength is only a small part of it.
I was very impressed with how Kelly got into West Point, as well as what it took to graduate. His business experience explains how to handle a loss and come back and do things better. The experience this guy has at such a young age is unbelievable!

If you are just looking for a college, read this book! If you are graduating and looking for a job, read this book! If you have been working for ten or twenty years, read this book! "Take Command" includes great stories about Donald Trump, Ross Perot and Marsha Evans to name a few. This book will teach you to be prepared for anything and to perform well under pressure or during a crisis.

Kelly Perdew details how the ten principles became second nature during his military training. Anyone can learn and use the ten principles. If you want to challenge yourself to be a strong leader in business and life, "Take Command" will put you in a position to succeed.

This book by Apprentice winner Kelly Perdew is a worthwhile read. Written in the style of many military-business leadership books, it swtiches back and forth between Perdew's Apprentice exploits and anecdotes from great military veterans turned business leaders. The stories about Perdew's career, Apprentice tasks, and about others are both inspirational and entertaining. I am giving 4 stars because he talks about principles, but does not go deep into the reader's application of them.

Nevertheless, this is a worthwhile read for both the Army or corporate officer.

This is a compelling story about real people doing what most wouldn't think of doing. It's infuriating that the captain of the freighter was so thoughtless. If he had been anything but a complete waste of time, Can Do would still be here. Read this book carefully and learn what is happening out there. The media ignores fishing and the ocean unless something bad happens. Your life is affected by the ocean and you should know how.

A very well researched and documented story. As a member of the USCG and having been stationed at Gloucester Station and having been born and brought up in the area of the story I found the book extremely interesting. Highly recommend this book to any persons interested in the true story of the men and women of the Coast Guard.

As a former active Coast Guard sailor (Korean War) I found this book reading at it's best. Tells the life Coast Guard people, along with the harbor pilots, fishermen and others that "Go Down To The Sea in Ships" can encounter.

Michael J. Tougias, Ten Hours Until Dawn: The True Story of Heroism and Tragedy Aboard the Can Do (St. Martin's, 2005) ***

After the runaway success of The Perfect Storm and In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex, I rather expected there to be a flood, pardon the pun, of nonfictional tales of derring-do on the high seas. It never happened; Sebastian Junger turned his attention landward, Nathaniel Philbrick has only released a single book since, and the rest of the literary world seems to have met this possible developing trend with a thundering silence. Until, that is, Mike Tougias released Ten Hours Until Dawn, set in the same basic space of The Perfect Storm, but a number of years in the past, during the Blizzard of 1978, a storm that will long be remembered by anyone who happened to be living in the northeast at the time.

Ten Hours Until Dawn was written by a journalist, which is not normally a bad thing. The downside to it is that journalism makes for great half-pagers, but across two hundred-odd pages, it can get a little dry. Tougias has a very worthwhile story here, and tells it competently; however, it could have been told a bit better.

It's the story of Frank Quirk and his pilot boat Can Do, based out of Gloucester, Massachusetts. When the Global Hope, an oil taker, runs aground a few miles south of Gloucester, the harbor patrol sends a couple of boats out after it, and those two boats get caught in the Blizzard of '78, which roars out of nowhere. One gets lost, and the Can Do goes out after it. Eight hours later, the Can Do, also lost, makes its final radio transmission. From the radio transcripts and the aftermath of the storm, Tougias weaves the tale of what may have happened aboard the Can Do that night, as well as the tales of what happened to those two Coast Guard ships (both of which made it back to port) and the Global Hope. There are a number of times during this narrative where Tougias' journalist style serves it well; the simple just-the-facts-ma'am delivery adds a depth to the action. It stumbles, however, when the subject is the humans themselves; even when Tougias is relating the worlds of the survivors, the prose seems oddly wooden in spots, as if the goal is to check in, get a quote, and get back to the action.

Don't get me wrong, it's a good book, and an incident that certainly deserved to be enshrined in the national consciousness. Pick it up, give it a go. ***

Although there are tremendous similarities to the Sebastian Junger's Perfect Storm masterpiece (the geographical area in which the story takes place), this is not the Perfect Storm. It's a great book which I absolutely could not put down! I live in Beverly, MA which is near where some of the big events in the book take place and it so happened that as I was reading the book, my wife had me drop by a yard sale at the Coast Guard housing in Beverly. What a wonderful book and one which transmits to the reader quickly and artfully the tremendous power of the sea!

I have only read it once so far. So my rating might change in the future as I spend more quality time reading the book.

I learned very little new things from this book. For me, there is too little statistics/numbers to prove author's observation. I do share the author's opinion on most of the things he wrote. But I wished he gave me more proof.

For instance, on the topic "profit vs wages". The author wrote that all millionaires work for profit, not wages. There is simply no proof or numbers to back this claim.

This book is great! It describes qualities that millionaires possess that the middle class usually do not develop. Some keys to thinking of the millionaire mideset are thinking of their long-term goals, even as far as 10 years out, and working for profits. The authors talks about how millionaires read one book a week, a habit I found to be worthwhile. I find adopting this habit stretches your thinking and takes you beyond what you thought you were capable of. I thought this book was very well-written and exceptionally practical. The author recommends reading this book every month until the principles are ingrained in you.

This is a must read book. I think someone said this in another review, but the book puts basic truths that every person needs to survive in life (at home, with friends, at WORK!, and in business)in plain English. It's so simple, you end up thinking, "Duh...why don't I do that already?" The book forced me to reflect on my life, the way I thought, and how my thoughts affected my behavior. It inspired me to think big and encouraged me to begin to conceptualize my dreams and bring them to reality. Way too often people have great ideas and allow others to discourage them or even worse allow self-doubt to stop them.

I read the book in one day in roughly four hours. I immediately bought the book for my father in the same night. Now my brother is reading it, and a few of my friends have put it on their list of "To-Reads."

I was given this book by my brother. I have already read it twice and given out 6 copies to the other members of my team. The book is a no nonsense easy read. The author gets right to the point. He talks about giving, about goal setting, about personal habits. For example, have you ever noticed what the middle class always talks about, each other! While the rich discuss ideas. These small things we all do day in and day out have an effect on our behavior. Pick up this book. You'll be glad you did.

Good things come in small packages. THE TOP 10 DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN MILLIONAIRES AND THE MIDDLE CLASS by Keith Cameron Smith is just over 100-pages, but contains volumes of life's lessons. Smith lists his top 10 distinctions in reverse order by chapter, in other words, the books starts with chapter 10 and ends with chapter 1.

This is a great little travel book as its compact size and flowing narrative make it perfect for the briefcase or purse and for a short flight or waiting for your meeting. However, you will probably want to do as I do and take notes, so an accompanying spiral notebook will be needed as well.

In reality, if you're a student of self-help type, goal oriented, think and grow rich type books, there no big revelation here. It's basically the same ideas you've heard from Brian Tracy, Jim Rohn, Jack Canfield, or even Napoleon Hill for that matter, but Smith gives a superb presentation that is easily digested. If you're not the kind of person to settle into 300+ pages of Awaken the Giant Within or The Power of Focus, but want to learn the same basic principles, this book is right up your alley.

One last thing I would like to comment on, and this goes out particularly to writers. In the little hard-back copy that I have, in the back matter, Smith mentions the "Sabon" typeface that he used for his book. For my old mid-50's diabetic eyes, this was one of the most readable fonts I have ever seen. I highly recommend it. In fact, the overall quality of the hardback book makes it a great little gift.