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My favorite of the series! Sheridan and Cain are wonderful together. Great suspense as well! I don't know if we will get to hear about these characters again, but I sure do hope so!

Brenda Novak's Watch Me begins with Sheridan Kohl fighting her life against a man who has already started to dig her grave. Sheridan lays beaten and immobile on the forest floor but by luck her potential killer is interrupted by Cain Granger. Although he saves her life, the police focus their attention on Cain, whose past is intertwined with Sheridan. When Cain's step-brother, Jason, was shot and killed 12 years before by a man in a ski mask, a man who then turned his gun on Jason's date, Sheridan, suspicion had been directed to Cain. Sheridan could never identify Jason's killer and the mystery still haunted her. Recovering from the latest assault, Sheridan must help Cain clear his name and uncover the real murderer.

I really enjoy Miss Novak's books but Watch Me fell short. Sheridan and Cain were both well written characters with a dynamite chemistry. Unfortunately the other characters whom Sheridan and Cain interact with are lack luster. They portrayed very badly a part from Marshall, Cain's grandfather. I understand the concept of foil but Miss Novak took it to an extreme. While Sheridan is beautiful and smart her counterpart and Cain's ex-love interest, is square and unattractive, not very bright and obsessed with Cain even though they broke up over 10 years before. This bothered me because I disliked focusing on Amy's bad points while we could have focused on Sheridan's good ones. Why does Amy have to be unattractive and unintelligent for Cain not to love her? I think Miss Novak needed to take a more realistic approach to her secondary characters.

I won't bore you w/another lengthly description of the book. This is the third in the series, and just as good (if not better) than the previous two books. A fourth book, The Perfect Couple, will be coming out in August 2009. If you haven't tried Brenda Novak you're missing some wonderful reading. I just wish I could force myself to take at least two days to read one book. The minute I start I am hooked. I can't put it down until I'm done.

I read all three of this series in less than a week. Brenda has me hooked for life. The charaters, Skye, Sheridan and Jasmine build their own business ("The Last Stand") because of events in their life. It is a nonprofit organization. They help people with similar problems and they get the job done. After I closed the last book, I felt sad because I did not want to lose these friends. That is how real she made the charaters seem. Just purchased the "Dead Givaway, Dead Right and Dead Silence series, so be hanged housework for a few days.

Unresolved feelings between Sheridan Kohl and Cain Granger resurface after Sheridan travels back to Whiterock to find closure for the murder of her then boyfriend Jason Wyatt who was shot Zodiac style in a parking lot. upon discovering this cover-up, she is given a warning not to meddle in affairs that don't concern her...did I mention the warning was a severe beating? So back into the arms of her ex she goes...trying desperately not to spark any emotions that might lead to a commitment. Brenda Novak has created a suspense-filled romantic thrill ride that you won't be able to put down.

Editor of the highly recommended novel: Fates by Georgiou Tino: Best of 2008

This was awe inspiring. The wording was superb and the flow was impeccable. It spoke what my heart believes.

Dr. Laura B. Christopher

Through WE SPEAK YOUR NAMES: A Celebration by Pearl Cleage, African-American women have been honored in a way that will stand in history, just as their contributions have. This poem was written at the request of Oprah Winfrey to celebrate and commensurate the accomplishments of women honored at Winfrey's 2005 Living Legends event and ball. And the book concludes with a biographical sketch of each woman.

These women, consisting of civil rights leaders, actresses, writers, singers, etc., are all role-models to those who followed and are following after them. A few featured are Maya Angelou, Ruby Dee, Nikki Giovanni, Dr. Dorothy Height, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker and Nancy Wilson. Cleage's poem encompasses many of the known traits of these women, with themes of strength, sisterhood, honor, and courage, but also acknowledges their beauty and wisdom--showcasing them individually and also collectively. They are remarkable women who should be honored, cherished, thanked and most of all remembered. Kudos to Pearl Cleage and Zaron W. Burnett, Jr., for WE SPEAK YOUR NAMES and to Oprah Winfrey for the vision.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

It's probably one of the only poems I look to quote each day. It's about love, magic, determination, and above all else, the spirit of Black women, not only here in America, but around the world. I speak so many womens' names when I go about my day trying my best to follow the star God has allowed me to realize. And I hope I'm making them proud!

As a fan of Pearl Cleage, I have never been dissapointed! Again, she shines.

i first heard the poem read on the TV special with Oprah honouring the legends and the youngun's, in the African American world.
Regardless of me not being African American, the poem touched me deeply and reminded me of the many women that have touched my life. this little book is definitly a keeper!

Thank you for sharing it with all of us that really do walk in the footprints of so many that have paved the way for us in this world.

If you are interested in the environment and whales and support the fact that what the Japanese are doing by slaughtering whales is WRONG then you MUST read this book, I thought it was great !!!

It is only toward the end of _The Whale Warriors: The Battle at the Bottom of the World to Save the Planet's Largest Mammals_ (Free Press) that author Peter Heller describes the atrocities being committed against whales by the Japanese whaling fleets. He doesn't see them himself, but describes a video that was shot aboard one of the whalers showing the effects of explosive harpoons and the drawn out electrocution of a pregnant whale. "There is no more barbaric method of slaughter on earth, in any meat industry," Heller writes. "This prolonged butchery and torture are reserved for the most intelligent, most social order of beings." You don't have to be an ecology freak or tree hugger to be disgusted by the slaughter, carried out by Japanese whalers in the guise of doing scientific research (and then, oh, by the way, selling the "autopsied" whales for meat). It doesn't matter that the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society does seem to consist mostly ecology freaks, vegans, and starry-eyed whale enthusiasts. They are doing what they can to stop the whale hunts, and this book is Heller's riveting account of Sea Shepherd's voyage at the end of 2005 to confront the whale hunters on their own grounds.

Sea Shepherd has its own ship, the _Farley Mowatt_, an ancient 200-ton former freighter, painted black and flying the Jolly Roger. By at least some definitions, the crew are pirates, and their work is certainly not subtle, including ramming, using propeller foulers to entangle the props and immobilize the ship, and stink bombs. They get away with it because no one wants to take them to court where they can publicize the evils of whaling. The captain of the _Farley_ and its 43 volunteer crewmembers is the bearish Paul Watson, an original founder of Greenpeace from which he is now estranged. As Heller pictures him, he is an anti-Ahab, monomaniacally pursuing those who are pursuing whales, brilliant in leadership and expression, but also quite possibly crazy. "I did not think he was exactly insane," Heller writes. His fast-moving account of the 51 days of pursuit includes portraits of remarkable crew members, many of whom are completely inexperienced as sailors. It isn't all grim on board; there is a great deal of silliness, poker games, much drinking, bad music, snowboarding on icebergs, and even a New Year's Day dip in the icy water. The descriptions of the _Farley_ at sea, encrusted with ice and taking dangerous rolls are indeed scary. The eventual chase and the climatic confrontation with the whalers is full of adrenaline, while the ship's muted success fits fully the ambiguities described herein.

Paul Watson's tactics may be controversial, but readers will be cheering for him by the end of this book. The reason is that Sea Shepherd might be pirates, but they still have the moral high ground against whalers. On this very voyage, they were pursuing Japanese whalers who were bent on killing whales which everyone knows are endangered, and taking them out of waters within an internationally established whale sanctuary. You don't have to agree with Watson's methods, but everyone must agree that current international conservation laws are not being enforced, and that the world is turning a blind eye to violations because of reluctance to upset trading partners. Heller's brilliant account of a harrowing voyage might report the quixotic follies of the ship _Farley Mowatt_, but it is an angry and bitter education into the destructive follies of whaling.

There has never been a book that has spoken to me like this one. It takes you through so many emotions - pain, frustration, anticipation, laughter, hope. Even if you cannot completely agree with Captain Paul Watson's actions, you can appreciate his passion. You turn the pages eagerly, waiting for a climax and even when it comes it leaves you wanting more. And that is the point - this is a story that will never end as long as there is the unnecessary murder of the oceans most peaceful mammals and a man like Captain Paul Watson ready to protect them.

As author Peter Heller says on his web site, no writer of fiction could hope to invent the wild truth on display in this tale of adventure on the high seas. Heller joined Captain Paul Watson and his 44 crew members aboard the Farley Mowat to find and stop the Japanese whaling fleet in 2005.

Heller's balance of objectivity and subjectivity provides for a very engaging and exciting read. This book is perfect for reading aloud, which is how we have been approaching it. Heller's prose style creates a you-are-there feeling. Mingled with regular visits to the Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace web sites for real-time blog updates, the reader can really feel like they are on the journey. This is an ongoing battle between those who see whales as intelligent, sensitive, and aware; and those who see them only as a "resource" to be harvested to the fullest extent. It is being played out right now in the southern ocean, so this book has an immediacy and relevance beyond the story it tells of 2005.

It would be enough if this were a great adventure well told, but The Whale Warriors is more than that. It is a decent introduction to the current state of the ocean. The information is woven so neatly into the story that the blend of plot, commentary and factual information is nearly seamless.

Kudos to Peter Heller for taking on a controversial and emotional subject, and telling the story in a form accessible to everyone.

The Whale Warriors is an exciting page turner about the 2006 whaling campaign in Antartica. It is chock full of harrowing information about the state of our seas (scientists predict the entire ocean will collapse by 2048!) to amazing insight into marine mammals (dolphins will refer to themselves and the dolphin they are communicating with by name AND also refer to a third dolphin by name during a dolphin-conversation).

The book delves into the interesting and diverse cast of characters aboard the Farley Morat. Who would give up everything (family, a livelihood) to risk their lives at the edges of the earth for a whale? You'd be surprised.

This book is both exhilarating and heart-breaking. An adventure worth taking that will change, forever, the way you look at the ocean.

Being British myself and also someone who works in HOLLYWOOD'S Movie & TV industry, I have to say that this is one of the best autobiographies of someone in the same business I've ever read. Michael Caine lays out his rags to riches life with complete candor and in a very engaging narrative style.

His total honesty and recall, specially of his rise to fame in the 1960's, makes the reader really feel part of the scene. Caine's book is most revealing in the behind the scenes goings on in the making of his movies. I'll not spoil it for you by going into detail, but our cockney actor friend certainly got around to meeting just about all of the "in" people of the day and many before they were household names to the rest of us. He mentions the good, bad and the ugly and doesn't spare himself when looking back on the mistakes he has made.

For aspiring young actors, there are lessons to be learned here. Caine has a separate book for that, but still he offers up some informed pieces of guidance in this work. As an Englishman, he's probably the most famous and iconic actor to ever come of old blighty and blimey if ee' don't alf make it one ell' of a read!

Michael Caine is one of my favourite actors, and "What's it all about" is one one fascinating read. It has an excellent witty conversational style, which makes it very engaging, especially in the earlier parts. I always took Caine to be a dyed-in-the-wool Brit (he looks like one, and says so in the book himself) and so was surprised and amazed at the amazing life he's led... brought up in a poor family, survived the World War, went to war in Korea and almost got killed himself, struggled like hell, led a debauched lifestyle, and so on.

"What's it all about" is one of the best autobiographies I've read if you just count the first half, let's say before Caine settles with his family in LA; after this it seems to eschew those little tidbits of gossip, life and human nature for the mundane: what parties/restaurants/hotels/people/homes/flats they went to/ate in/stayed in/met/bought/rented, and so on. This part is quite dull, though it does have the occasional witticism. Also some things are missing... incredibly there's no reference to the one Caine quote which - let's just say - not a lot of people know. Also I'd have liked him not to be silent about his "conquests".

One thing that really got me though is the mistakes... I dont know whether these are just typos or Sir Michael fiddling with the truth a bit. For example, on page 5 (hardcover) he says at birth his weight was 8 lb 2. Later (page 348), this becomes 6 lb 2. Another instance: on page 35 he is 6 ft tall at age 15 having added a foot in two years, yet on page 25 he is 5 ft 11 at age 11. On page 330, he says "Since then I've only drunk wine" as a result of finding out about his excessive drinking. Yet we have many references later to the drinking of all kinds of spirits, including vodka. There are more such mistakes, which makes me think the book wasnt proofread at all.

But all in all, this is a very good read, even if you dont know Michael Caine. If nothing, it at least gives the message that dreams can be achieved if you try hard enough and never give up.

If Michael Caine's life resembles that one of the average actor, next time I request an autograph from Nicole Kidman or Kevin Spacey, I may be dwelling on their heroic background, rather than on their assumingly obscure and profligatious foreground. Maurice Micklewhite's biography is just a piece of inspiration for any quitter. It can outdo Anthony Robbins' tapes any day. A fighter in Korea, a victim of malaria, a reluctant B-movie castmember, a happy hedonist, a drunk, an opportunist, and aventually a model husband and father. He's had it all. Michael Caine carries enormous weight in his movies not just because of his acting guile, but mainly because of his charismatic persona. His diversification of characters portrayed, whether in "The Man Who Would Be King", "Funeral in Berlin", "The Eagle Has Landed" or "The Cider House Rules", offers the spectator the unusual challenge of discerning him from prior roles, a task traditionally reserved to a Laurence Olivier, Alec Guinness or Ralph Richardon. Can't help but fall in love with the lad.

Michael Caine, one of film's most durable actors, tells his story through 1992 in the autobiography WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

How many film performers have done as much as well as Michael Caine? For more than forty years, the actor has delivered shining performances in dramas, thrillers and comedies. He's carried flicks as a leading man, shared the spotlight as a costar, contributed to emsemble casts and has even take small roles.

In WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT, Michael Caine vows this book is the only autobiography he will write. I hope he changes his mind. I am sure Mr. Caine had to leave a lot of good stories out of his first volume. And since its '92 publication, he has been knighted and won another Oscar. Why not another book?

The most noteworthy aspect of WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT is that Michael Caine, despite having done almost everything you could want to do, has had the same personal and professional ups and downs as you and me. He tells stories we've all been through, such as being nervous about meeting women and his strained relationships with friends. (Of course, you and I would not be pals with actor Terence Stamp.)

This Michael Caine fan wants more movie-making anecdotes. If Mr. Caine does publish a second autobiographical volume, I request a synopsis of the making of each of his ninety-something films. He barely mentions two of my favorites: WATER and especially the obscure comic gem WITHOUT A CLUE.

Bravo to Michael Caine for not kissing and telling. He alludes to the bedroom activity that made the 1960s what it was for the rich and famous but does not name names.

The night Michael Caine won the Best Supporting Actor for CIDER HOUSE RULES, ceremony host Billy Crystal had been making fun of Caine's role in a JAWS film. Yet Mr. Caine did not return the dig during his acceptance speech, despite notorious Crystal bombs such as MR. SATURDAY NIGHT, FORGET PARIS, and FATHER'S DAY.

Unless, of course, Michael Caine's saving those remarks for his next autobiography!

For now, read WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT.

This book is inspiring. Michael Caine knew at a very young age that he wanted to act, and through perseverance, he has become highly successful and one of the most respected actors of our time, with two Academy Awards to his credit. This should serve to encourage those with dreams but who tell themselves "I'll never make it."

This is the real thing. Caine starts at the beginning and tells it all without indiscreet name dropping. He mentions that he does not plan to write another autobiography and so does not want to leave anything out. That makes for a really great read.

But what's really special about this autobiography is how approachable Caine seems to be. He comes across as just a regular guy whom you could approach on the street and say hi. Considering that most of the other autobiographies I've read, however great they may be, still seem like stories told by a celebrity who has deigned to share his/her life story, that in itself is an amazing accomplishment.

Dr. Froehlich writes a refreshing view concerning globalization of economies and markets, but you shouldn't expect this book to tell you where the money is. Well, I guess it does; it's in the market somewhere in one or a combination of five sectors (Pharmaceuticals, Technology, Telecommunications, Financials, and Energy). Besides that common knowledge, he also explains that the market is currently moved by fear and greed and people should think and invest "long-term" instead of acting on emotions created by mass amounts of information and constant hype. I didn't need to spend $29.67 for that info either. The book simply explains that the world of economics is changing because of shifting demographics, globalization, technology, government, and business trends. The thing that I like most about the book is that it made me sit back and think about the "big picture" for a moment. It's not a bad read as long as you don't expect to finally get to the page that tells you where the money is.

Thanks, Dr. Bob, for a great book on investing! This book is something I have needed to read for a long time. When reading investment books, the advice is often about IRAs, 401(k)'s, bonds, stock market, market timing, etc.

Dr. Bob's advice is in a totally different area. He believes in something called "sectornomics" which means if you look at all the industry sectors and determine which ones will do well in the next five years, then invest in several companies in that sector, your portfolio will do well. Don't worry about which particular stocks too much, just pick the right sector. Pharmaceuticals, let's say. Then, for the majority of the book, Dr. Bob goes on about the various trends in the US and worldwide which will whip the stock market sectors one way or another.

Should you bet on a Japanese resurgence in the next ten years? Don't think so. How about betting on the graying of America? Sure, says Dr. Bob, but remember, Europe and Asia are graying too.

Doesn't sectornomics break the rule of investing that "the only thing that makes the stock market go up or down is a surprise?" Doesn't everyone know about the graying of America? Yes, they know, but no, it doesn't break that rule. Sectornomics means "looking at the same thing everyone else looks at, and seeing something different." Your own perspective can give you the added advantage over the market.

Inspired by Dr. Bob, I began my own personal portfolio based on alternative energy, because I have found out that this sector is about to boom in the next 10 years. A little research (using the Internet of course) and now I have a list of about 30 companies who are extremely well positioned to make a lot of money once alternative energy goes big. The key for me was seeing the big players (United Technologies, Idatech, Xcel, BP, etc.) investing heavily into this sector. BP makes millions of dollars yearly from manufacturing solar cells.

Dr. Bob's knowledge of statistics is absolutely amazing. And his writing style is very approachable.

I heard Dr. Bob speak at an investment seminar in Columbus, Ohio. His speech was good but his book -- excellent. Just buy it. It is the best investment you will make this year.

Not the most insightful financial book I've read. It contains a fair amount of fluff. It does point out some major trends based on demographics and the concept of sector investing.

If only all of the talking heads on CNBC, CNNfn, Bloomberg and the other financial media were as easy to read and understand as Bob Froehlich.
Readers who wish to truly understand money, the economy, the stock and bond markets, and future investment trends should read this book. They should make sure their spouses and older children read it, too. I know I wish I had read it before the last bull market, and the correction in 2000.

Robert J. Froehlich has written an informative and highly readable guide to understanding the emerging global economy. Never dry, dull or dense, his book focuses on the factors that combine to create both major and minor global economic trends. If you understand these trends, he maintains, you can make wise investment choices now and in the future. At the end of the book, Froehlich includes a glossary of terms, though - unlike many investment books - you don't find yourself lost in a sea of insider jargon while reading. He writes delightfully, easily shows you how global trends connect and conversationally explains what this means to you professionally and personally. We [...] recommend this book to all readers, since no matter your area of expertise or interest, if you live on this planet your economic well-being is affected by globalization.

This intelligent storyline weaves a suspenseful premise with engaging characters who demand our attention from the first page. James LePore develops the depth of his character, Pat Nolan, in an appealing and complex fashion. Without realizing it, we are drawn into the dark-sided soul of this seemingly ordinary father only to find that the inner daemons that haunt him are the hinged reasons for his journey to Paris. Pat Nolan must face every parent's nightmare as he is asked to identify the body of his daughter. As readers, we are drawn immediately into the plot, bridging continents and hopefully the relationship between father and daughter. I'm anxious to find out what happens to the characters that I just met through the talented writing of James LePore. The storyline flows with a gratifying pace and leaks just enough information to keep me wanting more. I would absolutely purchase this book when published!

Given the high ratings already assigned to this short, I began reading this excerpt with high hopes. Unfortunately, I ended my reading clouded with a vague dissatisfaction rather than my expected desire to know more about these characters.

The premise of the book is fine, but the mechanics of the writing make the author's intent unclear. Is he writing a thriller to be read in airports around the world, or is he writing a more nebulous piece of fiction, a trade paperback that might be dissected happily in book clubs? For the most part, the prose is beautifully written, but it doesn't serve to propel the reader along as the successful thriller must. Evocative and adjective-laden prose runs headlong into short, choppy dialogue apropos of nothing, conversations that might have been better relayed in a short description of the content rather than in the words of the dialogue itself. On the other hand, such writing would be perfectly at home in a novel digested and enjoyed by book clubbers discussing the "American abroad" and "estranged father-daughter" themes that will likely continue throughout the book.

The excerpt contains four characters, three women and one man. None of the women felt 'true' to me, either in the words they chose or in their behavior. This also contributed to my discomfort when reading the story, because just as I was getting swept into the story, a jarring note would pull me back out.

All in all, the writing is nice, but I think I would probably prefer a different book by this author-- not a thriller, but a novel that would allow for a more languidly paced plot so I could savor the descriptive prose as I went.

I thoroughly enjoyed the few pages available from Mr. LePore's "A World I Never Made". Unfortunately, I was completely drawn into the story by the end of page 15 when the excerpt ended and had to just sit there wishing for more. Mr. LePore has created a story with just the right balance between character development and pace: we get to understand the characters (quite an accomplishment given only 15 pages to digest) yet the pace keeps up so we are continuously drawn towards the next page. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to read the entire book.

I was hooked immediately. Before I knew it I was sitting next to Pat Nolan in Inspector LeGrand's office in Paris stunned about what I had just learned about Megan. Something about this does not feel right. I want to know what Pat Nolan and I are going to do next and I want to know now!

I really enjoyed reading this excerpt from Mr. LePore's novel! His in-depth
descriptions gave me a very clear picture of the characters in just a few
pages. The stage was set when Pat discovers that the person in the morgue is
not his daughter! I would love to read on and see what became of
Megan and if Pat is able to reunite with her.

A great start to a story that I really hope I can read as a full book! Very interesting setting and characters.

An enjoyable read that captured my interest and held it until the end. Engaging characters and descriptions made it easy to visualize which, to me, greatly enhances the reading experience. Well done!

To be honest, I wish I could read the whole thing. The characters are truly compelling and I'd love to follow them through to the conclusion of the story. The action scenes are vivid and wholly believable; you are never thrown out of the action. I'm not a huge fan of stories that feature pirates, but I found myself drawn in because this is so much more. I highly recommend The Wreckers.

This excerpt has a dramatic start, with a storm approaching and ships scrambling to find safe harbors. The group of criminals who wreck the ship is interesting and sinister.

I'm not sure about the transition from the men wrecking the ship to the king's officer and his concerns about the Chalik. I don't have enough information at this point about the Chalik to know what they are or what the danger signs of their invasion would be. Does this concern have any connection to the wreckers?

The interaction between Dov Keelan and the mayor's wife is nicely done; her unease is clear, as is his suspicion, and the detail of the expensive ring made me suspicious.

Dov Keelan's attack on the boat is exciting, and I liked that he strategically planned for it, knowing the history of others who had done his job.

The description of Keelan's experiences after being thrown overboard is a little lengthy, though, and comprised only of narration, telling us where he goes, what he eats, and what he finds. Having so many paragraphs of fairly unexciting description slows the story down.

The villagers wrecking a Chalik ship is a nice twist to this story, and I liked the description of these cat-people.

I'd be interested to see where this story is going, as so far I don't have a solid idea whether it is going to be about punishing the villagers for being wreckers or if it will be about the Chalik threat to the town.

An amazing and articulate story. It kept me interested and intrigued. Compelling and riveting!

I read this book as a child and I loved all the art work and the wonderful story. In fact, I loved the story so much, some 30 years later I gave my son (now 4) the middle name of Anansi. My son and daughter (age 3) love the story of Anansi and his six sons. Even when we don't have the book with us, we talk about Anansi, his sons and their adventures. This story is great because children learn that we each have a skill that makes us unique and we each contribute something important to the family.

I am a big fan of the Anansi tales, and the spider's adventures are delightful as well as thought-provoking. For edutainment (educational entertainment) and discussion, I include them in my high school / college level introduction to mythology / humanities survey courses. All ages can enjoy a clever trickster hero who possesses many human qualities, the good and bad--who makes us think about our own deeds and behavior.

In Anansi The Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti, Gerald McDermott retells an Anansi story with warmth, cultural sensitivity, and bright, attention-seizing illustrations. Among the children's books about Anansi, McDermott's efforts stand in a unique place because the text is used sparingly and with great effect, conveying important events only and not burying key ideas in lavish descriptions or dialogues. In this book, the elaborate, geometric illustrations paint the "descriptions" that the text omits.

Features that I like...

The map in the opening that shows the continent of Africa and the country of Ghana. (I'm always happy to see a bit of geography dropped into stories, especially those designed for children.)

The Prologue, which describes the importance of folklore, mythology, and legends. I especially appreciate this statement: "Folklore prepares man for adult life. It places him within his culture."

Rather than beginning the story with the familiar "Once upon a time...," the author uses "Time was..." which is cool! :)

Each of the spider sons in the story is unique in design, appearance, and talent, which makes him easy (and fun) to identify as the tale unfolds. The six sons are See Trouble, Road Builder, River Drinker, Game Skinner, Stone Thrower, and Cushions.

The character of Anansi is rendered with an expressive personality and face while his sons' faces are not shown--just their designs, bodies, and talents. Anansi's face changes emotions based on his experiences, and this would be an excellent teaching element for very young children upon hearing / seeing the story.

Themes & Talking Points the book offers:

Counting, colors, shapes, animals, teamwork, family, intro to Africa [Very Young Children]

Reading; Cause & Effect; Critical Thinking & Response; African Culture. How does Anansi get into and out of trouble? // Each spider is an individual with a specific skill or trait; each spider has a place in the family. What does this suggest about the culture of the Ashanti? // The rescue of Anansi is really a team effort by the sons, but who should get the reward? Does the ending solve this problem? [For children 5-12]

Reading & Design; Symbolism; Critical Analysis; Author Intent; Culture. Why did the author / illustrator choose not to show the faces of the six sons in the story? How does this choice affect the story? How does Anansi's face tell his story? What is the relationship between a son's name and his unique design? In what instances is Anansi's face NOT shown and why? What lessons are taught in this tale? What universal themes are present? Does this book deserve its "honor" designation? [For tweens through college students]

Anansi and his sons are popular guys in our home. My son and daughter (nearly 4 and 6) just adore them, and I enjoy the fact that this book demonstrates how well cooperation works. Not to mention that we get to discuss the story, Ghana, and how people are both like us *and* are different from us.

In this story Anansi heads out for a walk only to be besieged by problems, first from a hungry fish, and then from a falcon. He would have been lunch were it not for his caring sons who fortunately have super-arachnid abilities.

Four Stars. Good Read-aloud. Good story with a moral. My daughter even decided to practice reading this fun and exciting story.

Anansi is one cool African trickster, and he does it again in this book! When he tries to determine which of his six sons to reward for saving his life, he becomes responsible for putting the moon in the sky.

The Anansi stories have been handed down through generations of Ashanti culture. This book is a wonderful, vibrant and vivid story for children of all ages. Born in Ghana I left at aged 3, leaving much of the Ghanaian culture behind. At aged 30 I can still remember a song about Anansi the spider, the only remnants left of my native tongue. I was given the Anansi book as a child, it captivated me, I read it over and over again, and it provided a connection to my past. At 16, I spent hours crafting a cushion embroidered an illustration from the book that was a childhood favorite. Sadly, the book was lost and I never thought I could get it again. Now, some 14 years since I last saw the book I can still visualize the pictures and hear the wonderful tale of Anansi the spider, his sons and the moon. I have just bought two copies, one for my niece and one for my two year old daughter. I absolutely cannot wait to read them again and again and pass this memorable story to a new generation.

I have never written a review before, but this book has changed my life and I want everyone to read this so I am taking the time to write one now.
I consider myself a healthy person (I workout, eat "right", etc.), however I now even am not buying organic meat anymore and used to drink decaf coffee and now switched to decaf green tea when I read how many things it does right for your body. Also, I had no idea that something like sunflower oil is not optimal for your health compared with olive oil (I was buying organic pretzels that had sunflower oil and thought I was being healthy!)....
He writes his book so that everyone can understand and yet it provides enough medical research to back up his findings and theories that he is proving. It also brings you close to him when he explains how his cancer affected his life.
Cancer runs in my family and I think about growing up how we had to make sure we had protein (meat) at every meal to be healthy and drink milk, etc. Organic was not mainstream in those days!
This is a must read.

Having a family member with a rare cancer with a poor prognosis, I have to admit my hope was drained. Everywhere I looked there were no really hopeful answers and one treatment door after another seemed to be slammed in our faces. I am a person of faith, but I realize my faith was dashed by the very medical science we were looking for a cure in. I also look for evidence to support choices. There are many quacks who are preying on people and we've run into a fair share of them wanting to sell us their useless sugar pills in order to advance their down-line. Predators of the worst kind. We found this book and I admit I was sceptical at first, after all, here is another guy with something to sell. When I read Dr Servin-Schreiber's story and the first few chapters, I felt that here is someone who is interested in helping people. Everything is well documented. What Dr S does best in my mind is to give hope that perhaps with lifestyle changes, we can get a better long term outcome. Nothing looks harmful and the diet is really stuff that we've all heard for years. Dr S has done the work and compiled a lot of research into an understandable format and roadmap for anyone to follow, not only to fight the cancer you're in, but to avoid as best you can getting cancer. Dr S and I agree, we need to keep on doing what medical science has given us, but also do what we can with lifestyle to help ourselves in the battle. I bought this book for myself and my wife who's battling this enemy, and will buy it for our children as well. If you have a friend or loved one who's battling the disease, I would suggest getting it for them as well. If for no other reason than to give them hope that they can live in the tail of the curve.

This is a great book for anyone that has anything to do with cancer. It shows you the benefits of changing your life style, particularly your eating habits. The author had brain cancer, like me, and has lived 16 years since diagnosis. This is unheard of for brain cancer patients. This book applies to brain cancer and all other cancers. It shows you how and what to eat that is healthy and does not invite cancer into your body. As Jim Cramer would say on his "Mad Money" TV show, BUY! BUY! BUY!

this book is excellent. i know people who have beat the odds of survival, and this book sums up how they have done it. i recommend it to everyone, it discusses how inflammation prepares us to be taken over by cancer, and tells us how we can live to reduce inflammation, and our risk of cancer. you really should read this book!! i am in the health care field and this book is based on scientific fact. no wild speculation. i can't say enough good about it.

In "Anticancer: A New Way of Life" David Servan-Schreiber M.D. has written a wonderful accompaniment to Colin Campbell, Ph.D.'s "The China Study. Dr. S-S's writing style is clear and concise. He has the gift of being able to make the scientific understandable to all of us. A comprehensive approach to complementary ways of fighting cancer are presented with warmth and caring. After reading "The China Study", I immediately ordered a dozen copies for family and friends. I will do the same with this wonderful book. As a physician, I understand all too well the profound deficit in nutritional education that plagues our medical schools. Thus excellent physicians are woefully uneducated in how the food we eat affects our ability to either promote illness or contribute to our health and well being. This book is comprehensive, including the scientific, nutritional, exercise/physical and the mind/body in a very user friendly way. It is just as important for those of us who are currently healthy as it is for those of us engaged in a battle against cancer. And the possibilities for changes in our children and grandchildren are very encouraging.

This is one of many Remarque's books, I have read. A friend of mine recommended him as a writer years ago, and I have been hooked. Oddly enough in High school in the US, only recently have I heard of his books as required reading and then only "All Quiet on the Western Front". I consider his work superior to Hemingway. To me his books are a genuine recreation of that time. (No, I don't really know, but he makes you feel like you are there).

DRINKING AND SMOKING ARE MAJOR SYMBOLS IN THIS AND IN MOST OF REMARQUE'S BOOK
One thing that struck me in this book and many others of Remarque's is how much drinking and smoking plays a part of the symbolism. They are props for the characters, in much as they were in real life at the time; drinking and the requisite cigarette to think with. To most American's, born in the last 50 years, this is the major anachronism in the book, the incredible role drinking and smoking play in people's lives. To people I know from Europe, this would not be as much of a surprise. The US non-smoking and drinking in moderation have not yet reached Europe yet. The drinking and smoking by any means, do not detract from the main story. This is a mature romance that captures your imagination none-the-less. I wonder what the props for this century will be; Maybe our cell phones and laptops?

MAIN CHARACTERS ARE ALL REFUGEES IN FRANCE
The main character is a refugee from Germany, a former well-known surgeon, forbidden to operate in France due to his questionable residency status. He moonlights by doing another surgeon's work. He is a haunted man, by both his past persecution in Germany and his unstable status in France. Hardly is this a good basis for a romantic situation that leads beyond living for the day.

RELATIONSHIP WAS NOT SO MUCH PURSUED BUT ONE OF OPPORTUNITY
He meets and helps the woman he is to fall in love with, under peculiar circumstances. He helps her with no intention to see her again. Time passes and he runs into her again. They fall into a peculiar relationship that uses "Calvados" an apple brandy as its symbol. For some reason this drink is frequently mentioned in books of the time. If it were now, I would say it was paid advertising.

ONE ODD TWIST
Only one twist and it is a major one in the story makes no sense to me, why it is included. I might be missing something, but the discovery and fate of the German officer, seems tacked on, added as an afterthought. If you read this story, let me know what you think. I don't see it is so much as part of the same thread, unless it is one of relationships concluded.

BASIC STORY
So as not to ruin the story, I will allude to the fact that the relationship develops and the hostilities of the times, intrude, both outside France and within. These events affect the relationship and the way it changes illustrates the characters of the people involved. The main character you follow with his observation of the things and people around him. You see his girl friend through his eyes and his Russian friend's eyes only. This is enough they are shrewd observers. It is apparent from this observation from day one that the events that eventually unfold were bound to happen.

As usual Remarque weaves a compelling and complete story.

An old favorite of mine.

A friend asked me to recommend a Remarque novel. We discussed 'All Quiet...'. My reply follows: 'Sure, in fact one of my favorites of Remarque's books is a thinly veiled portrait of Marlene Dietrich; or rather the intertwining of her life with his in Paris at the eve the period up to war in Europe, the year before the WW2 broke out.---
The English title is 'Arch of Triumph'. Like with all Remarque's books, the title is full of irony, and undercurrents of double meanings. Naturally, the book is not officially about Marlene, but she is hard to miss. Rather the book is personal,and has a good amount of autobiographical flavor. Yet, it is a captivating and suspenseful novel.

Like the two protagonists in the novel, Remarque and Dietrich were themselves at a desparate point in their lives in 1939.

Side comment: I am afraid that a lot is lost in the translation of Remarque's books. He only wrote in German, even when he lived in the US.

In any case, Remarque is a master of a suspenseful openings, in his novels. This one does not disapoint! Lots of his books are about refugee life of sorts. Another of Remarque's novels I often return to is 'Night in Lisbon', and it is again about escape from a Europe at high noon, just as Europe is going up in flames before WW2.' Review by Palle Jorgensen, September 2004.

I saw the movie with Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer, and found it incredibly dull. I thought maybe the book would be better. I was right, it was better, but it didn't thrill me or really move me the way All Quiet on the Western Front did. I am not sure if this is partly due to the fact that I read it when I was a bit tired.

I don't really have a lot to say. It's not a book that I can enthusiastically applaud, but I won't say it was horrible. I would advise you to just read it for yourself and decide whether you like it or not! : )

A piercing sorrow that momentary happiness drags on to an individual, an experience that would make everyday boredom look happy and idle, a passion that would never be quenched, someone's tears...

"I'd pretend that I'm a normal housewife... and that you are not in exile, you have a good passport and don't need to hide... and that I cry if you are not home, if only one night, and that we are always madly love in and jealous of each other even when we are old..."

It pounds your heart, and the charm that each individual shines like a precious gem, is never, never to be found by browsing through the superficial plot line. READ READ READ!!! The best book ever. (Perhaps surpassed only by Bronte sisters and Hesse.)

"Arch of Triumph" by Erich Maria Remarque is a wartime love story. This is the classic love story and anyone who reads it, will never forget it for the rest of her or his life. Snip: (...)