D Books


Books-Under-Review-->Arts-->Celebrities-->D-->7
Related Subjects: Davis, Bette Diaz, Cameron DiCaprio, Leonardo Danes, Claire Depp, Johnny DeGeneres, Ellen Dietrich, Marlene Damon, Matt Davidson, Tommy Dean, James Duvall, Robert De Rossi, Portia Dean, Loren De Niro, Robert Dyer, Wayne Daniels, Jeff Douglas, Michael Dreyfuss, Richard Dunst, Kirsten Denton, Jamie Dhaliwal, Daljit Davis, Geena Douglas, Illeana Day-Lewis, Daniel Davis, Paige Donovan, Jeffrey Dimmock, Charlie Deneuve, Catherine Ducey, John Duchovny, David Doherty, Shannen Duke, Patty Dando, Jill Delany, Dana Duvall, Clea Dern, Laura D'Errico, Donna Davis, Kimberly Dacascos, Mark Doohan, James Dovima Dorn, Michael Dawson, Roxann Davidson, John Dandridge, Dorothy de Lancie, John Dalton, Timothy Daniels, Anthony De Lint, Derek Delaney, Kim Dourif, Brad Driver, Minnie Dunne, Dominique Divine Dattilo, Bryan Dillane, Stephen Daddo, Cameron Davies, Geraint Wyn Davison, Peter Deayton, Angus Del Toro, Benicio Davis, Judy Dillon, Kevin Davison, Bruce Dorff, Stephen Donald, Howard Damus, Mike
More Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250
D Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

D
What the Bible Says About Healthy Living: Three Biblical Principles That Will Change Your Diet and Improve Your Health
Published in Hardcover by Fleming H. Revell Company (1999-09)
Author: Rex, M.D. Russell
List price: $16.99
New price: $15.24
Used price: $4.95
Collectible price: $45.00

Average review score:

A course in Logic and Biblical Interpretation would've helped...
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-15
Dr. Russell writes in a way that, to be consistent, one would have to become a 7th Day Adventist. He takes extinct Old Testament references regarding what Jews were supposed to eat and what they weren't supposed to eat, and acts as if they compose God's universal, timeless law. Poor exegesis. If he stuck to the scientific pros and cons of food I would have received him better (even though much of his data is controversial/speculative). There have to be better written books out there (I know Richard Foster does a much more thorough analysis of health and fasting).

Very good book!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-22
I really enjoyed reading this book, it is very informative, and accurate. we just started to apply these principals to our diets, and we have been eating healthy and feeling great.

the best of its genre
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-21
The title of the book really says it all. God created us and gave us specific instructions on what to eat. We would be wise to follow them. I've given copies of this book to my whole family.

A Gem of Books
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-15
I have found this book to be very insightful about my eating habits. Putting biblical boundaries around my eating choices actually gives me the freedom I've been needing to say no to all types of junk food. It has also helped me learn to trust God's guideance in other areas of life. God knows His creation and wants the best for us.

What the Bible says about healthy living;three Biblical principles that will improve your health
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-08
This is the best book I have read with clear, easy to follow advice that will show you Bible references for all of it's tips. It has a page of foods with Bible verses to look up where the food is eaten. There are references for the unhealthy foods, too. If you want a straight forward book without a lot of the authors own "reasons why", you will be very happy. You will come away with the answers you were seeking.

D
TITAN: THE LIFE OF JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER, SR
Published in Hardcover by Random House (1998)
Author: Ron Chernow
List price:
New price: $62.58
Used price: $24.50
Collectible price: $199.65

Average review score:

Unbelievably detailed and comprehensive
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-29
I have not read the work of a biographer who has the proficiency for presenting as comprehensive an account of another's life as Chernow has given with Titan. There are sections of this narrative that are so detailed that had Rockefeller's life not been over a century ago, one might be inclined to consider Chernow had been along side him during his pursuits. Chernow has conducted extensive research that is exemplified in every chapter of this enthralling biography.

John D Rockefeller has been known by many personas, both positive and negative; billionaire, tycoon, industrialist, predator, and philanthropist. No matter what one's view of him, all generally agree that his business acumen was surpassed by no one in history. Chernow provides a masterful account of Rockefeller's years from his meager beginnings with an unscrupulous father to his near unstoppable empire that forced adversaries to join or be crushed in its wake. Chernow has provided readers with an abundance of pertinent quotations directly from Rockefeller leaving one well equipped to gauge the true mindset of the man.

Many biographies will rate high merely on the appealing nature of the subject. Titan is based on one of history's most intriguing business men combined with an account that is so well written and detailed it is difficult to fully convey in a simple review. I strongly suggest this book as essential reading to anyone with an interest in business biography.

One of the best books I've every read!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-08
This book by Chernow is quite possibly one of the best books I've ever read. It tells a great American story of Rockefeller and his very humble beginings and how anyone willing to take chances, risk everything and in some instances do anything can succeed beyond belief. The book is quite long but in reality you seem to fly through it gaining the full impact of the robber baron days in America. You will see that while today's business greed may seem enormous they have nothing on the robber barons of the past. This book will also give you a great deal of insight into why we have all of those laws on the books involving monopolies, free trade, kick backs, labor and more. Whether you like biographies or just business this is a definite must read.

An unbiased look
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-26
I was very impressed with the skill of Ron Chernow when I read "Alexander Hamilton". After such an impressive work I decided that I would take on "Titan" which deals with the life of John D. Rockefeller. Chernow did not disappoint, and in some ways this may be the better of the biographies.

"Titan" illuminates Rockefeller duplicity as a pious man that showed no quarter in his business dealings. Chernow does an outstanding job (in my opinion) of painting the faults of Rockefeller's business tenacity with overwhelming kindness of charitable dealing. Chernow also illustrates many examples of Rockefeller's frugalness - such as cutting firewood in 12" increments (instead of 14") in order to save resources.... This was from a man that Forbes Magazine rated as the richest EVER!

I have heard complaints that the opening 60 pages reads too slowly, and overly focuses on the life of Rockefeller's (very) eccentric father. However, I find that while tedious, this is an important aspect of how this affected Rockefeller and guided him away from the world of irrational emotion.... My recommendation... bull your way through!

Chernow is not H.W Brands and the writing is relatively devoid of humor. When deciding to read "Titan" approach it as a scholarly selection and do not expect it to be fast paced. In my opinion you will not be disappointed!

AMERICAN MIDAS
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-01
No other man in America has ever been as wealthy as John D. Rockefeller, Sr. he could have bought and sold Bill Gates three or four times. He is a very complicated man, you'd have to be the self made wealthiest man in American History. This book gives a fascinating portrait of a man who could be ruthless, but who was incredibly philathropic, the first of the great philanthropists, he didnt give away his entire fortune like his contemporary Carneige, but then again Carneige had no children and Rockefeller was so much wealthier he probably gave away as much money. The book is fair to Rockefeller, neither making him a saint nor a cypher. Rockefeller lived a long life and he instilled in his equally famous son, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. a real since of philanthropy. The Rockefeller family is still very wealthy, no family in American history has ever been richer, but they have also been more philanthropic than any family in history, they gave away more than 90 percent of their wealth, since its apex. Rockefeller was a singular American, and his story is the story of the American Dream stretched to unfathonable extremes, good and bad. This is a very good book, well researched and quite impressive considering the illusive subject.

Everything you could possibly want to know about Rockefeller
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-26
Titan delves into the history and psyche of John Rockefeller, one of the most enterprising individuals in the history of business.

Chernow does an excellent job of presenting an objective view of the controversial figure, explaining his reasoning without apologizing for his actions. Rockefeller planned for philanthropy from the beginning; "I believe it is my duty to make money and still more money and to use the money I make for the good of my fellow man according to the dictates of my conscience." He used his noble goals as an impenetrable moral shield from his critics, immediately shutting out anyone who made objections to his questionable (and now, illegal) actions.

Still, this is ultimately a very long book about an oil tycoon. If that doesn't sound interesting, you'll hate the book. It's 650 very large pages with very small type. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive view of Rockefeller possible, Chernow goes far, far beyond "verbose" to the point that it's hard to read.

D
Why Do Dogs Drink Out of the Toilet?: 101 of the Most Perplexing Questions Answered About Canine Conundrums, Medical Mysteries and Befuddling Behaviors
Published in Paperback by HCI (2006-09-15)
Authors: Marty Becker D.V.M. and Gina Spadafori
List price: $12.95
New price: $5.78
Used price: $1.09

Average review score:

funny and true
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-09
Very humorous account of our dogs less than civilized behavior. Great little gift for the novice dog owner.

Loved it
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-29
This is a great book for animal lovers. If you have a dog you may not miss Why Do Dogs Drink Out of the Toilet. You can lern so much about dogs behaviour, etc. Very much recommended reading. I also liked
The Dog Who Rescues Cats: True Story of Ginny, The

A dog is not just a dog...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-23

This book not only taught us things about our dog, it did it with a laugh. There were so many different things stated in the book that my husband and I were suprised. Where I live sometimes there is a lot of thunder. The book explained to make the noise of the thunder game time so our dog does not get scared. We do that now. It is great. Whe does not get scared and we do not lose that much sleep. If it was not for the book, she would still be a little freaky about thunder type noises. We appreciate the humor of the book and the education it offers.

An informative and sometimes funny look at dogs.
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-09
Marty Becker, DVM, combines his encyclopedic knowledge of dogs and a great sense of humor into a book that is both funny and useful in informing us of why dogs do and don't do certain things. The reasons for their different behaviors are explained in simple and easy to understand terms, but in a way that amuses us while it informs us. This book makes a great gift or Christmas present for yourself and the dog lovers in your life.

Now my DOG makes sense!
Helpful Votes: 11 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-23
This book has helped me understand my dog, and I think he is happier too!

D
The Big Orange Splot
Published in Paperback by Scholastic Paperbacks (1993-06-01)
Author: D. Manus Pinkwater
List price: $4.99
New price: $1.88
Used price: $0.10
Collectible price: $10.00

Average review score:

Paper too thin,
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-02
A wonderful story about a man who decides to not fit in, and in so doing changes his "neat street" to a creative and colorful street. I'd recommend this story to absolutely any 4-7 year old.
The only problem is that this edition is printed on paper that is way too thin, so that you can see the pictures from the next page through the paper! Shame.

A metaphor for individual expression
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-13
I enjoyed this story because it is a metaphor of expressing individuality while allowing others the freedom of self expression. The story has Mr Plumbean have an'ah-ha' moment of personal enlightenment. He is able to remind others of their own ability for self expression while causing no harm to others.
A pleasant little story that can be used to allow others, ie children, to explore their own creativity of self expression.
I bought this for my children when it was first released, my recent purchase is to use as a theraputic tool.

Free Expression!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-10
This book is great for any person who ever wanted to go against the grain and did! Well worth the money for sure, the pages are a little thin so if you have a toddler I'd handle it for them! Storyline is original, illustrations are very colorful, I'm glad listened to the reviews and purchased it!

a classic
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-16
When our son applied to MIT, he listed this as the most influential book of his life. In a world of blandscapes and neighborhood associations that regulate every shutter, this is the book for those who prefer to think outside the box. A true classic,fun to read aloud.

Great Message for All of Us!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-12
This is one of my favorite children's books. I've read it to countless groups and the kids always enjoy it. The basic theme of the book is that you don't have to be like everybody else. You can like what you want to like and no need to be all "the same". You won't regret buying this book and I'm sure it will be one of your favorites.

D
The Dinosaur Heresies
Published in Paperback by Zebra (1988)
Author: Robert T. Ph. D. Bakker
List price:
Used price: $2.89

Average review score:

Non Fiction
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-03
Outstanding look at new palaeontology and dinosaur work. Taking the various papers that Bakker wrote for scientific journals and converting them to a book that is slightly more understandable to the public. The basic premise is that dinosaurs were not cold-blooded lizards, but warmer blooded and quite fast at times. See Jurassic Park for an example of the theories in action. Really great work.

Dinosaurs the greatest evolutionary success story
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-25
Bob Bakker book describes so brilliantly why Dinosaurs were so successful and ruled the Earth for 150 million years. The Dinosaurs were so successful that mammals throughout this time never grew larger than 1 meter long and many were rat sized. If it wasn't for a giant asteroid that hit 65 million years ago, they would be still around and we would not.

Bakker in this book describes how the Dinosaur's warm blooded metabolism was integral to their success and how cold blooded animals like reptiles back then as now were limited. He also goes to show us how Dinosaurs were fast growing, dynamic animals that were constantly changing, how bird evolved from dinosauts and how dinosaurs were key the spread of flowering plants.

A book you must read before you die.

Great book from a major player.
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-08-01
In the second half of the twentieth century the current thinking about dinosaurs completely changed, so that they are now accepted as warm blooded, vigorous alternatives to the mammals, and in fact the ancestors of birds (though not all that bright, whereas birds can be). Bakker was a major player in this change of views, and offers some fascinating anecdotes on how various experiences led to insights which permitted proper interpretation of the fossil evidence. The reader comes away not only with an understanding of the dinosaurs, but with many insights into evolution in general, and all the types of reasoning and analysis necessary to glean the truth from fossil evidence. Bakker has a lively style, giving detail without getting bogged down (well, I occasionally skimmed a bit, but that is because I have little interest in anatomy). There are many illustrations, but I was not always happy with them. Some illustrations serve as hand drawn alternatives to Power Point slides, and are very good. However, the drawings to illustrate anatomy were often not simplified enough for me to better understand the point. I do wish Bakker had speculated why, in the world of the dinosaurs, it was the mammals who apparently occupied all the really small ecological niches, comparable to current day mice and squirrels. Also, his final chapter on the demise of the dinosaurs was stimulating, but not as well thought out as the rest of the book. He points to the development of land bridges (as water levels dropped) which permitted worldwide migration of larger animals, and the consequent extinction of many species which could not compete, and also the spread of pathogens and parasites. Interesting, but competition would not eliminate all species, and no arguments are presented as to why small animals, e.g. mammals, would be more likely to survive than large animals (great numbers?). While this book was published in 1986, I read it based on Richard Dawkin's recent recommendation, and I do not believe it is outdated.

Bakker assumed everything before it was discovered, and now he's right.......
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-01-20
This book talks about new theories(at the time) of dinosaurs and their extinction, ranging from warm-bloodedness all the way to dinosaurs evolving into birds. There are five parts to this story.

Part I:The Conquering Cold-Bloods: A Conondum
Basically this part describes reptiles and their advantages/disadvantages when it comes to either cold blooded or warm blooded animals. It even compares mammals to reptiles. It talks about how cold blooded and warm blooded reptiles/mammals how active and how their eating habits are different. Also talks about dinosaurs if they were warm or cold blooded. Here is a short excerpt from this part. "Ornitholestes was an impressive little dinosaur, and even the diehard defenders of orthodoxy yield a little to admit that perhaps Ornitholestes and its kin might have had high metabolism. Such a concession, however, would lead to yet another incosistency in the theory of mass homeothermy. Big dinosaurs, all of them, evolved from small-dinosaur ancestors. The idea that little ancestors had high metabolism and their bigger descendants didn't, would be tantamount to arguing that evolution reversed itself"(Bakker 98).

Part II:The Habitat of the Dinosaurs
This section discusses dinosaurs with their habitat and how their diet/body features adapt to their environment. It discusses dinosaurs who helped use gastroliths for digestion. Also talks about the evolution of plants in relation to dinosaurs. Here is a short excerpt from this part. "Brontosaur teeth, moreover, confirm the heretical idea that they ate a tough vegetable diet. If the brontosaurs dined only on soft water plants, then very little wear would appear on their teeth. But infact the teeth of Camarasaurus, Brachiosaurus and their kin manifest very severe wear, which could only have been produced by tough or gritty food"(Bakker 136).

Part III:Defense, Locomotion, and the Case For Warm-Blooded Dinosaurs
The third section discusses the locomotion of dinosaurs in comparison to lizards,crocodiles,etc. Discusses dinosaur defense, like Triceratops' horns and the "boneheads" of the Pachycephalosaurs. Also talks about Pterosaurs. Discusses Archeaopteryx and it's feathers helping to support warm-bloodedness.
Here is a short excerpt from this part. "Anchisaurs' tails were stoutly muscled and they could easily have reared up, foreclaws at the ready, to face their enemies. Anchisaur hind claws, especially the one located on the large inner toe, could lash out with even more powerful blows than the foreclaws"(Bakker 256).

Part IV:The Warm-Blooded Metronome of Evolution
Talks about dinosaur sex, with threat displays of intimidation. Discusses growth in dinosaurs who were probably warm blooded. Talks about dinosaur lungs, heart, and large brains. Here is a short excerpt from this part.
"How can the dinosaurs' growth be measured? An accurate estimate can be derived from the texture of the fossil bone. A thin slice can be cut from a fossil-bone chip and glued to a glass plate"(Bakker 350).

Part V:Dynastic Frailty and the Pulses of Animal History
This final section discusses the Kazanian Revolution. During the Kazanian Revolution, warm blooded animals exploded in population. Discusses the dinosaur extinction and the animals who died along with them. Talks about the evolution of the Dinosauria and that they should be in their own class. Here is a short excerpt from this part. "A truly scientific skeptic would start assuming neither cold-bloodedness nor warm-bloodedness, and then reevaluate the evidence without prior terminological bias. So long as the DInosauria remain stuck in the class Reptilia, this type of analysis is impossible. Let dinosaurs be dinosaurs. Let the Dinosauria stand proudly alone, a Class by itself. They merit it"(Bakker 462).

Overall, this book is excellent. Bakker did all his own illustrations(which are very artistic) and even assumed dinosaurs were feathered even before they were discovered. Even though some of his theories may be outdated now, I still recommend this book to anyone. I read it back in seventh grade and it took me a while, but reading this book is surely worth the time!

Astonishing dinosaurs
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2004-06-11
Incredibly compelling book about the possible evolution of velociraptors into birds.

Dinosaur Heresies goes beyond mere dinosaur evolution, however. As an enthusiastic gardener, I was bemused and delighted to learn of the powerful link between Cretaceous herbivorous dinosaurs and the rise of flowering plants, how it was BECAUSE of these saurian herbivores that we have flowering plants instead of a world of gymnosperms (aka pines, cycads, ginko, etc.).

It was a FUN read!

D
Red Sky at Morning: A Novel (Perennial Classics)
Published in Paperback by Harper Perennial Modern Classics (1999-06-01)
Author: Richard Bradford
List price: $13.00
New price: $2.88
Used price: $0.75
Collectible price: $9.52

Average review score:

Best of that genre
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-17
This is by far my favorite book from that genre. I first read it in high school and have gone back several times over the years. I just purchased it again to give to my 13 year old daughter.

Farolitos and chamisa
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-02
I grew up in Santa Fe, reading this book, serving Mr. Bradford coffee at Zook's Pharmacy on the Plaza. Mr. Bradford's book reassured me that my turbulent adolescence was do-able, by lighting the way.
I have not been back there in thirty years. Santa Fe has been taken over by the rich and the entitled and they have squeezed the soul out of what we knew growing up there, though there is plenty of beauty and spirit left to be sucked dry by the commercial people. But if you want to know the siren song of Santa Fe, read this book. Sagrado is, indeed, Santa Fe. This was what it was like there even in the 1960's and 1970's.
I mean, where else could you have that unforgettable horse AND world-class opera AND the mountains AND the humility of entertaining the Native Americans by just being white people on the Plaza?
I read this book, I can smell the pine wood burning in the farolitos, and the breeze in the chamisa after the Summer afternoon cloudbursts.

An All-Time Coming of Age Story
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-06
This is a wondrous short novel. Read it if you'd like to be a teenager again. Buy an old paperback copy showing a teenage boy and girl standing facing each other with their foreheads touching--a very sweet illustration.

Now a good review (recommendation) doesn't have to be long, so let me give you a few lines of description. A boy moves from Alabama to New Mexico during World War II, and while his father is away in the war, the boy finds friends and a home in the small mountain town of Sagrado. One of his new friends is an sculptor who carves stone heads and places them on a hillside.

On the great book cover: Sometimes book covers actually decline in quality with the many printings of a book. This has happened with "Red Sky At Morning," but remember you are buying the book for the story.

Another example of the decline in a book's cover is seen in the early cover for "Summer of Night," by Dan Simmons.Summer of Night (Aspect Fantasy) The 1991 "Warner Book" edition has a window with a cut out. Through the window you can see some boys riding their bicycles at night. When you open the book, you see a mysterious school in the background.

The later covers of "Summer of Night" were not half as mysterious or fun.

My copy is literally falling apart, I've read it so much.
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-16
As many others have said, it's impossible to get tired of this book. My parents gave it to me when I was 18 and (again, like several others) the first time I read it I found it a little slow and disjointed. It gets better and better with every read - each time I pick up on the subtleties of a scene for the first time.

Rather than boring the reader with a bunch of obnoxious capers and hijinks, Bradford envelops you in his characters' community, and it's this day-to-day banality (which turned me off so much the first time) that really draws you into the story. Josh's adjustment to Sagrado takes time, but when it comes it's so natural and amusing that you're almost completely unprepared for the sobering conclusion of the story.

I had no idea the book was so loved until I read these reviews. There are so many special moments in the story - the big wet snowfalls that ruins Chamaco's fiesta, the horribly backward residents of La Cima, the refreshing "white trashiness" of the Cloyd sisters, even Parker Holmes tearing an elk sandwich apart with his teeth.

I wish these characters existed in real life, and I wish I could be their friend.

Wonderful Read
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-20
I thouroughly enjoyed this book, I do not know how I missed it for so many years. It was recommended in Nancy Pearl's "Book Lust" (which you really should buy if you are an avid reader.) I have never been dissapointed by her recommendations.

Josh, as the narrator in "Red Sky at Morning" is a 17 year old high school senior at the end of WWII. His dry wit mad me laugh right out loud several times. I loved his sensibility and humor. The cast of characters in this book reminded me of some of the characters in "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving.

This is one of my favorite reads of the year, so much so I will probably hunt down a hard cover edition for my collection.

D
Titanic: An Illustrated History
Published in Hardcover by Chartwell Books (2005-04-30)
Authors: Donald Lynch and Ken Marschall
List price: $24.99
New price: $17.21
Used price: $9.96
Collectible price: $50.00

Average review score:

A Great Book on the Titanic
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-13
"Titanic An Illustrated History" is an excellent title for anyone who wants to know more about the Titanic from building the ship to the investigations into the sinking.

The book is around 225 pages, has numerous photographs and colorful illustrations, and contains around 12 chapters and focuses on the following main areas:

1. Inception and building the ship.
2. The maiden voyage and details of the sinking.
3. Evacuating the boat.
4. Rescue efforts and memorial services.
5. Investigations into the sinking.
6. Discovery the Titanic on the ocean floor several years later.
7. Some of the Titanic artifacts found during the discovery.

The narrative was smooth throughout the book and was very enjoyable to read. The book also served to dispel myths presented in the latest Titanic movie from Hollywood (1997?) that starred Leonard DiCaprio and others. In particular, while people of different social classes were pitted against one another in the struggle for survival in the movie, the book was full of examples of people who willingly sacrificed their lives so that others may live. While the movie was okay, Hollywood did seem to twist some of the facts. Thankfully, the book was more accurate.

Read and enjoy this great account of an unfortunate episode in maritime history. Recommended.

Wonderful!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-18
This book is great! The art work by Ken Marschall can't be topped! What can be said about the history within those pages?!

A WONDERFUL BOOK
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-02-25
OKAY NOW I AM 24 YEARS OLD AND HAVE BEEN INTERESTED IN TITANIC SINCE I WAS 14. SO A GOOD 10 YEARS. I READ THIS BOOK FOR MY SENIOR PROJECT IN 1999, MY PARENTS AND FRIENDS WEREN'T SUPRISED. THIS ONE BOOK WAS THE ONE THAT HELPED ME THE MOST. THE DETAILS WERE EXCELLENT, AND I LOVE READING IT. I CHECKED OUT OF THE LIBRARY ABOUT 30 TIMES THAT YEAR. THERE'S ONE MORE BOOK THAT IF YOU CAN FIND IT ITS GOOD READING TOO, I FORGET THE TITLE IT HAD REPRODUCTIONS OF NEWSPAPER ARTICLES OF THE TIME (1912)AND THATS ALL IT HAD.

Favorite Titanic Book
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-29
This is my favorite Titanic book. It includes everything to a dinner with Bruce Ismay discussing his idea of 3 olympic class ships, to try and try to beat out the Cunard Line to how it affects us now. The pictures are amazing and leave me in awe, everytime I look at them. This book is on the top self, in room, and am very proud to say, this is my alltime favorite book.

only book you need
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-09
i've read this book about three times. i guarentee the information in this book is entirly correct. i've had the plesent expierance of meeting with the author (don lynch) on several occations and interviewed him on his knowledge of the titanic and her people. there's a lot of books about the titanic out there that i've seen that hold information that just isn't accurate. don't waist your money on them, buy books only from the following authors: Don Lynch, Ken Marshall, Charles A. Haas, John P. Eaton and anything by The Mariners' Museum. all of those people are the LEADING HISTORIANS on the titanic.

D
April Fool's Day: A Modern Love Story
Published in Hardcover by Butterworth-Heinemann (1997-05)
Author: Bryce Courtenay
List price: $24.95
Used price: $18.00

Average review score:

boo hooooo
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-11
I gotta say one thing; WELL DONE BRYCE!!!! first, i didn't cry; i'm not real sentimental, but i was very touched and i think that damon was a man of steel; going through 24 years of pain and suffering. i wanted to cry when damon's friends came over. well done, courtenays.

A heartbreaking story full of love and life!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-08-12
This book affected me so deeply and has stayed with me since I first read it years ago. Having lost a loved one to AIDS I could relate to Bryce Courtenay's pain and I could feel the anger and passion he felt writing this book. Through Bryce's amazing talent for telling a story I felt I really knew Damon and his family. When I got to the last page I let out a deep sigh and cried for Damon, for my own loved one and for everyone affected by AIDS. I thank Bryce for having the courage to write this important book and for sharing Damon's life with us all.

I've read several of Bryce Courtenay's books and every one is a gem. I'm only disappointed that his books are not published in The United States and not readily available in our local bookstores.

I highly recommend this book to everyone and I know you'll be hooked on Bryce forever afterward.

A challenge
Helpful Votes: 13 out of 13 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-11
APRIL FOOL'S DAY was the hardest book Bryce Courtenay ever wrote, and it's also one of the hardest books I ever read. I started it (the first time) on a Friday evening and did nothing but read (and occasionally try to sleep) until I had finished it -- I couldn't imagine stepping out of the middle of the story into my own life. I've read this book, given it away, bought it again, several times: it's not a book you can forget.

Courtenay's son Damon was born in Australia with severe haemophilia. Along with the moving story of an afflicted but strong-spirited boy, Courtenay paints a bitter and angry picture of the Australian medical community at that time, steeped in paternalism and political expediency.

Several times a week Damon would bleed into his joints, and his father would take him to the hospital for infusion of Factor VIII to induce clotting. In other countries families were allowed to stock Factor VIII and infuse at home, minimizing both disruption to the family and permanent damage to joints. This was not permitted in Australia, to the extreme detriment of haemophiliacs and their families.

Worse than this, the screening and fractionation of donated blood in Australia did not at that time meet safety standards known and required in other countries. Damon contracted AIDS from the contaminated Australian blood supply and died of that disease on April Fool's Day in 1991.

The book is saturated with the author's bitterness, and the reader can't fail to walk his angry path with him. You WANT it to have been different, you WANT to find a justification or at least an exculpation for the medical mismanagement of Damon and the entire cohort of haemophiliacs in that time and place.

You'll find a celebration of Damon's spirit and his family's faithful support. You'll find love that fights tooth and nail for Damon. But you won't find forgiveness or exoneration, and if you're like me you'll think you should, and keep reading the book again looking for it -- in yourself if not in the author.

Courtenay's work (THE POWER OF ONE, TANDIA, WHITETHORN, etc) appears not to be well known in the United States, although he's highly regarded in his birth county (South Africa) and adopted country (Australia). APRIL FOOL'S DAY should be more widely known. It's a challenging read with a personal message the reader has to translate and tease apart. Read it for that challenge.

You will cry while reading this book, for it's all truth.
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2004-01-21
I am a fan of Bryce Courtenay, and have read all his books. This one tells the true story of his last son, Damon, who was born with haemophilia and went through a very hard life, still one full of love and joy. I found myself crying for what happened to Damon, from the purple head episode in hospital to the AIDS he caught during a blood transfusion. And I do completely agree with what Damon said, whatever your problem is, HEALTH is a gift, the most precious one we possess, together with LOVE. The book is about love against the odds, the prejudice, the injustice of a health and political system in Australia in the 1980s; it is full of details and vivid images, and I can imagine how hard it was for the author to write about his own experience, and the suffering in trying to explain in a clear way what exactly happened to him and his family those days. Everyone who has been through a quite serious illness will love this book, as I did. Thanks, Bryce.

April Fool's Day: A modern Love Story
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-04-02
I bought this book when we lived in Australia from 1993/1994. I have since read the book over and over again and have lent it to family and friends under the strict mandate that they must return it to me upon completion. This is the most moving book I have ever read and it will be one that I will keep forever. I cried, I laughed, I cheered and I was inspired by Damon's courage and determination to not only live a normal life but to overcome the stigma associated with HIV/AIDs. Bryce Courtney has written a beautiful testimonally to his son's life. I hope every parent loves their child as much as the Courtney's did to not only let him live his life but to also allow him to die with dignity. His girlfriend, Celeste, was also amazing. How many of us could stand by our significant others knowing what she did about the ultimate outcome.

This book is a must read on everyone's list, I am only sorry that it is out of print.

D
Black Water (Pendragon)
Published in Hardcover by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (2007-11-27)
Author: D. J. MacHale
List price: $16.99
New price: $7.55
Used price: $9.61

Average review score:

Pendragon Series - Black Water
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-21
I was given a gift of the first Pendragon book. I groaned because I NEVER read science fiction/fantasy. I felt I should "try" to read it because, after all, it was a gift. Keep in mind that this series is for teens and I am a grandmother! You guessed it: I couldn't put it down. I am about to start Book # Seven - The Quillan Games. These are so very entertaining. I would highly recommend them to anyone over the age of 10!

This Book is AWSOME!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-08
The book Black Water is centered around the main character of Bobby Pendragon. Bobby is one of a few select individuals who are called Travelers. Travelers go all around Halla through flumes. The main part in the travelers job is to protect the territories in Halla This particular part in the series takes place on Eelong. Eelong is a jungle-filled territory where humans are called gars and, cats are the supreme rulers. The humans are treated terribly here. The gars are planning to escape, but Saint Dane is looking to ruin there plans. If Eelong falls so does Halla. Can Bobby save Eelong and the rest of Halla along with it?
This book not the best book in this Series; nevertheless, this is one of the best series I have ever read. This is a book that anyone can read and really enjoy it. It was on the New York Times bestseller. It gets your imagination running and you get lost in the wonder of the book. This book should be much more highly recognized than it is. This book is great and part of one of the greatest series of all time. This book is wonderful.

An adult view
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-15
I have been a fan of fantasy and science fiction for all of my life. I stumbled upon this series and have enjoyed each of the books. As you progress with Bobby from book to book it hooks you into waiting for his next journal. The books are written for teens, but adults can enjoy them as well. The moderation is well done and consistent between each of the books so no different voices to piece together for the same character. I've found that as each book in the series builds upon each other, the storyline keeps getting better. I would recommend this series to both young adults and adults. As good does not always win in the books, as in real life, the storyline of perseverance and making hard choices parallels decisions that our youth face in their lives. A good series for anyone to read.

ARRGGG! WEIRD CAT PEOPLE ARE ON THE LOOSE!!!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-13
This is the book that's so much fun! I loved it! Bobby gets his act together and is finally looking on the bright side again. He may get locked in a cage by a whole bunch of weird cat people but who cares? As long as he can do push-ups everyday he's OK.
This is the book were Bobby gets his sass back on. I love listening to him narrate all these horrible things that happening to him and he continues just as he always has.
This book is fun, inspiring, full of action and excitement and lots of other stuff.
Get it! This book is definitely one of the best.

best one yet
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-14
The first time I started reading "The Merchant of death," I loved it. I thought how could it get much better than this. Well, it just did. Black Water is the most "Spiff" book yet. When Bobby Gets to Eelong, he is instantly engulfed in exciting adventures and risks being eaten and killed in pretty much any way you could imagine all to stop Saint Daine from sending the territory in to chaos. This is a great book you'll love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mitch Huckaby

D
The Book of Nod
Published in Paperback by White Wolf Publishing (1995-12-01)
Authors: Sam Chupp and David D. Gragert
List price: $10.95
New price: $31.96
Used price: $10.98
Collectible price: $76.50

Average review score:

book of nod
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-02
thare is no real story to speek of its more a colection of WoD historys and myths but thows not into the "world od darkness" may not want to or nead to read this but its still intresting

classic liturature well illustrated
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-05-15
well illustrated version of the classic liturature to those who dont read anything befor the 16th century, informative the parts "left out of the bible" or taken ut. good read tok me less than2 hours
if any one knows of a better version of this book let me know
Still G

Great tool for any Vampire game
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2004-05-05
This is quite an enjoyable book. The Chronicle of Caine is complimented with Beckett's alternate theory of Clan Caine and Clan Abel. The Chronicle of Shadows is full of wonderful quotes a Noddist character could recite. And the Chronicle of Secrets is perfect for bringing about Gehenna. But while this book is worth buying, I just want to point out two problems with it that bothered me.

The first is that "The Tale of the First City" goes from pages 46-55, and has only one footnote throughout it. Some scholarly insights would have been useful. The second is minor, but worth correcting. On page 53, substitute the name Giovanni with Cappadocian. The Giovanni clan came long after the Cappadocian clan, and were not a part of the original Antidiluvians.

Otherwise, this is a wonderful source book and a good read as well. I highly recommend it to storytellers for Vampire: the Masquerade.

Great read. A little short
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2004-09-02
Exactly like as the title says. It is a great read, but unfortunately the book will leave you wanting for more.
The Book of Nod presents the history of the vampires as thought for Vampire:The Masquerade. This novel can be enjoyed even by those that are not familiar with the Masquerade setting and other novels. It offers the big picture, explains how the vampires came to be, has great quotes and "commandments", if you will, that vampires are supposed to live by. You will understand the vampire clans and what their traits are and the reader is bound to have a favorite one out of the bunch.

Awesome little book.
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2004-06-20
This little book was made to be a resource for the Vampire Masquerade game but it can definitely be read and enjoyed by fans who have no idea what Vampire Masquerade even is.

This short book, which can be read in like 30-60 minutes, shows the origins of the vampires, and their sects, and shows their 'fall from grace' from heaven and why they were shunned by all.

And while the book might be extremely short in length, the build quality easily makes up for that. There are wonderful drawings, indexes, and footnotes litered throughout the book. And the silver lined pages, attached cloth bookmark, and smooth hardcover scream quality like no other.

This book is a must read for any vampire or horror fan who wants to learn a bit more on vampire history and their origin.


Books-Under-Review-->Arts-->Celebrities-->D-->7
Related Subjects: Davis, Bette Diaz, Cameron DiCaprio, Leonardo Danes, Claire Depp, Johnny DeGeneres, Ellen Dietrich, Marlene Damon, Matt Davidson, Tommy Dean, James Duvall, Robert De Rossi, Portia Dean, Loren De Niro, Robert Dyer, Wayne Daniels, Jeff Douglas, Michael Dreyfuss, Richard Dunst, Kirsten Denton, Jamie Dhaliwal, Daljit Davis, Geena Douglas, Illeana Day-Lewis, Daniel Davis, Paige Donovan, Jeffrey Dimmock, Charlie Deneuve, Catherine Ducey, John Duchovny, David Doherty, Shannen Duke, Patty Dando, Jill Delany, Dana Duvall, Clea Dern, Laura D'Errico, Donna Davis, Kimberly Dacascos, Mark Doohan, James Dovima Dorn, Michael Dawson, Roxann Davidson, John Dandridge, Dorothy de Lancie, John Dalton, Timothy Daniels, Anthony De Lint, Derek Delaney, Kim Dourif, Brad Driver, Minnie Dunne, Dominique Divine Dattilo, Bryan Dillane, Stephen Daddo, Cameron Davies, Geraint Wyn Davison, Peter Deayton, Angus Del Toro, Benicio Davis, Judy Dillon, Kevin Davison, Bruce Dorff, Stephen Donald, Howard Damus, Mike
More Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250