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Crystal, a fifth grader at Ruth Fyfe shares: "Do you like a story that has exciting events, leaves you hanging, and it just wants to make you read more? Well if you do, you should read Kidnapped by Gordon Korman. It is filled with all that good and exciting stuff. I strongly believe that Kidnapped deserves 5 stars. This book is part 1 of Meg and Aiden Falconers lives at risk. First, their parents go to jail because they think they are traitors. Meg and Aiden are on the run, running away from the police because they didn't want to go to a temporary home. Then, Meg gets kidnapped and they don't know who it could be. Then the call the agents. The agents keep Aiden away until they have to let him go and deliver 2 million dollars. Next, this clown comes and takes the duffel bag and rollerblades away. Finally, when they think they've got Meg...Read the book to find out what goes on, and what is going to happen next."
Goran adds, "For people who have never heard of Kidnapped, you don't know what your missing. This book is so fun it leaves you hanging and Aided wants his sister out of the kidnappers hands. If you're wondering how Meg got kidnapped, Meg and Aiden were walking home from school when a van pulled beside them and took Meg. So Aiden has to meet the cops who arrested his parents. Also, Aiden has to go through obstacles to get Meg back. Meg escaped twice but got caught. If you want to learn more about Kidnapped, by Gordon Korman, visit your local library.
Shalonda states,"Where's Meg? That's the question everyone has been dying to answer. The Falconer family, which everyone calls traitors have been in very tense/tiring situations from Dr. John and Louise Falconer being sentenced in a 14 month-life sentence for aiding foreign terrorists. To Aiden and Margaret Falconer escaping from juvenile hall, and becoming fugitives. All chargers were dropped from their parents, but still people don't believe the Falconers, whom Aiden and Meg call 'Falconer-Haters.' But one day a car pulls by slowly and when Meg doesn't notice it, she is snatched into the black van. Aiden tries to help, but is too late. Now Meg is taken away...for ransom? The Falconers don't find out why until a letter tells the family that in order to get Meg back Aiden needs to deliver 2 million dollars to the kidnappers. But still, the Falconers worry that Meg's already seen the kidnappers face. This book is a very fun and exciting story, and if you like a book filled with exciting events and characters, then you should read Kidnapped by Gordon Korman.

I just finshed kidnpped and i JUST LOVE it!It is a little weird if you haven't read the first series.but it's cool no AWESOME no fantastic!!!!!!!!

I love this book!!!! I would recommend this book to and child to teen of the ages 10-14!! I love this book sooo much!!

My nine year old is just starting to finally get into chapter books this series has held his interest very well. He is now moving onto more chapter books and a wider variety than just the humorous books he has been reading. I take my advise from Dr.Seuss "Fill the house with books!"

The book I read was Kidnapped:The Abduction. the author is Gordon Korman. This book was published in May 2006. I rate this book a 5 because it has a lot of adventure and it was mysterious when Meg got captured and you didn't know who captured her so it kept you wondering. It started when Meg got captured when her brother Aiden and her were walking home from school and a van pulls over and captures Meg. Aiden tries to stop the van but there's just no way. He's the only one who saw her get captured. Why was she kidnapped? Well you should read the book to find out more.

I,m sixty-one yrs old. My heroes have always been the WWII veterans. I'm stocked with books, video tapes and dvd's of WWII. But my favorite is Tom Brokaw's "The Greatest Generation". I gave my 31yr old son a set for Christmas, when they first came out. I hate to see them(WWII vets) go. There will never be another quite like them. No, never! Through out the universe, we can not fathom what they went through, for US. My greatest memory of a WWII veteran, is when I was aboard the USS Lexington. I was a tour guide when it opened as a museum in Oct '92, in Corpus Christi, Tx. I was wearing my Viet Nam veteran pin. He extended his hand to me and said Thank you! I was perturbed for a minute, but then he said, "for your service in Viet Nam". Those are the men Tom is talking about. It had been twenty-five years since Nam. That was the first time anyone thanked me for my service in Viet Nam. 1st Mar Div. 1st Shore Party Battalion, '67,'68. And proudly served my Country. Porfirio Moreno.

Very down to earth description from the men that were there on that date. Worthwhile read.

Being a baby boomer, I have not truly experienced war, albeit was born during WWII and have never failed to be impressed by its stories of bravery, of sacrifice, of unrelenting determination to pursue the glory that awaits those WWII heroes who have not died in vain, for all of us, and for our country. I have only read the book reviews but I feel that I have read the entire book. I also fully concur with my fellow book reviewers that the WWII veterans are, perhaps, not the most recognized, to this writing, as opposed to those veterans of recent wars. Some of the WWII veterans have long died, as well, such as those from the Bataan Death March, waiting to be recognized in vain. This is what truly hurts the most.

Characteristic of Mr. Brokaw's deservedly multi-awarded journalistic style, he has, and continues to impress on the whole world how vital and necessary it is for us to love history (as does this Filipino-American journalist reviewer with all of my strength, my mind, my will, my heart, and my soul so much so that it runs in my veins).

The book is a must-read for all future journalists. I cannot but add it to my personal library.

Brokaw provides another moving tribute to what he refers to as the "Greatest Generation." Many of the letters included here are quite emotional and touching. This book also includes timelines for the war in Europe, the Pacific, and the homefront, as well as the depression, and also touches on areas not addressed in the two earlier books. There is also an abundance of period photographs and copies of documents, submitted by the letter writers. These help to put a human face on the various stories.

I found this book while searching on Amazon.com for gift ideas. I have not read the book but it seems to be just what I need to finish a gift for my father. My parents grew up during the Great Depression and as a result saved everything. Last year I cleaned out the attic of the family home and sorted through bags and boxes of what we now refer to as disposable items such as bags of pencil stubs (did they really think they would use them again...especially if they are stuffed in the attic?). However, being the child of "savers" has paid off. I am preparing an "album of memories" of the original letters that my father, Roger Griffith, a WWII Navy veteran, sent to his parents during the war. I plan to buy Mr. Brokaw's "An Album of Memories" as a companion to the my album. Mr. Brokaw has again made gift giving easier for the older and greater generation. Thank you.

I LOVE Frank McCourt's books. There is no story more emotionally riveting and profound than "Angela's Ashes". I just wish his newer books had better endings. This most recent book just dwindles away at the end. I was waiting for something more, and it merely dropped off. Frank is truly the best story teller of our lifetime. I hope he writes many more books about Ireland.

This book is short and very appealing to young readers. The message is universal. It's about love.

We loved this story for its message about the real reason for the Christmas season. In today's culture of "political correctness" and not wanting to offend anyone that often is missing. The artwork is soft and beautiful. It will be a book that is set out for Christmas reading for many years to come.

my entire family loved this book! My son's received it first & thought it would be a great gift for our uncle who is a priest! The only difference between the children's version & the adult is the art work. It's a lovely story!

Enjoyed reading it to the grandchildren but pictures were a little dark for the younger ones.

First off, major kudos to the reader of this series. He does a great job of changing his voice to separate the characters and keeping the mood of the series. The sound effects were decent as well. They did a pretty good job with the abridgment, unfortunately they cut out many of the little things that made the originals great instead of just good. Anyone new to the series wont notice a thing and us veterans can add the missing paragraphs and ocasional chapter ourselves. With 2 more voice actors, a little better sound effects and the full text this would have been a great buy... As it is, it's still a good series that you can spend a long time listening to.

This is the final book of the trilogy, has lots of action lots of the clans. Comstar finaly shows who the will support and romanno finaly gets whats coming,hehehe. this is an awsome book that everyone will enjoy.

With this book Stackpole concludes the invasion of the Clans.
The final confrontation between Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht of ComStar and ilKhan Ulric,along with Kai and Deirdre getting in love with each other (FINALLY!although it requires
almost half a year in the wilderness),only to break up again.
I LOVED the fact that SOMEONE puts an end to Romano Liao's life
(the whacko had started to get on my nerves),and Victor and Galen.......oh,well you'll see.This book, alongside with the rest of the 'Blood of Kerensky'trilogy is impossible to put down!I,personally, finshed the trilogy in two weeks.It is , simply the best of the best.READ IT!

Lost Destiny has an extremely compelling storyline. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down, reading until 1 AM from 10 PM, then finishing the next evening! (At that point, I was waaaaay tired). If you're a true BattleTech fan, then you've read this. If not, GET YOUR HANDS ON IT!!!

The book is very good. I learned alot about the clans byreading this book. The glossary is very good. The book even includes a map to pinpoint the worlds mentioned. The BTech universe is brought to new heights with this book. The drama was good, and Romano Liao's death was an interesting twist. All in all, a must read.

I read The Best Christmas present ever so I ordered this book. It was as good as the first till the ending which made no sense. They never explained why what happened happened. I was disapointed.

We love all of Barbara Robinson's books. My family read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever when I was young and I read it to my daughter as soon as she was old enough to listen. This book like her other "Best" books make you laugh out loud at the characters and make you see true human nature. It is not just a children's book by any means. I could pick one up and sit down and read it for a good laugh anytime. Halloween is a favorite holiday in our house which made this one appealing. I would highly recommend any of Barbara Robinson's book and especially "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" and "The Best School Year Ever" as well. We read all of them out loud to the family or on a long ride and it makes that time go by quickly and with a lot of laughter.

This book is crazy! The Herdmans go into their school for halloween and steal all the candy. When the other kids are looking for the candy, they turn off the power! You really should read this cause it will make you fall over laughing!

Those of you who have read the original Herdman saga, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" will enjoy hearing from the Herdmans again. Yes, there are some unrealistic parts of the story, but that was true of the first story, too. This one is funny and enjoyable, without being too long. A nice addition to your Herdman library.

It's a known fact that whenever there's trouble, the six Herdman kids are behind it. Lose a pair of pants? It's the Herdmans. Find your window broken? The Herdmans are behind it. Find yourself painted green? Blame the Herdmans. It never gets old. Or, at least it never got old before. But this year is different. This year, as everyone is preparing for Halloween, and loading up on candy, the Mayor does something drastic to protect the town from the Herdmans...he cancels Halloween. Sure, without Halloween, the Herdmans are sure to keep their distance from everyone, and cease from stealing the candy that every child has collected. But without the Herman's to contend with, it would also mean that candy is banned for the season. And Halloween just isn't Halloween with a heaping bag full of goodies that will rot your teeth and make you sick. Now, Halloween has turned into a horrible, boring event that will take place at school, with a bunch of parents dressed up as witches and ghouls, ghosts and monsters. Instead of candy, there'll be donuts. Instead of trick-or-treating, there'll be supervised bobbing for apples. This is sure to be the worst Halloween ever, Herdmans or not. But when the lights go off, suddenly everything changes, and everyone begins to wonder whether the Herdmans have what it takes to pull off a spooktacular Halloween that will leave the town cheering.

I don't know how Barbara Robinson does it, but she manages to turn every holiday from a bad experience into the best day ever, and all with the help of the Herdman clan. The Herdmans are enjoyable characters, who, regardless of their bad behavior, knack for pulling pranks everywhere they go, and ability to steal just about anything, obviously have a soft spot, and it is showcased in Robinson's Halloween effort THE BEST HALLOWEEN EVER. Robinson shows a different side of the Herdmans in this particular installment into their trying life, allowing readers to see the kindness that they can emanate, when they feel the need. If you're looking for a spooktacular tale this Halloween featuring some tricks, and quite a few treats, look no further than THE BEST HALLOWEEN EVER.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Through the years I've read heaps of marketing books, some great, and some not so great. This book falls into the category of great books!
As always Jack Trout makes tough and complicated things easy and comprehendable. As all of his books this is a great read, but if you haven't read 'positioning' and 'marketing warfare' I would highly recommend you to read them first.

Since you are not tasting an apple I can Not Help you to feel it, have one and you will see the result, THIS BOOK IS A MUST FOR ANY ONE WHO IS LIVING ON THE PLANET OF EARTH, In this Book You can learn either LIFE lessons OR Business Lessons, So if you are looking for others idea like ME, Invest on it, IT IS WORTH 10,000,000,000 MORE than its price, God bless JACK TROUT!

Few marketing books has the enjoyable read character. it is safe to say that Big Brands...Big trouble leads the pack. Concise yet informative, the book focus on the notion that marketing is about winning your customers' minds and hearts.

By going through ample examples of famous brands, Mr. Trout dispel some of the conventinoal strategies most companies blindly undertake. Line extention according to him, has done nothing but damage to At&T and Miller Brewing. The giant P&G has lost big on the toothpaste line becasue they forgot what made their brand a hit. Fashionable outlets such as Levi' and M&S needs to rise out from the past and look more into the future by developing their own unique "brand lifestyle".

On the dark side, the book is relatively redundant and by the end of it, it looses out. Also, the recurring negative remarks on another business guru "Michel Porter" was needless and hence lost the book the full the mark.

¡§Big Brands Big trouble¡¨ is a very interesting and comprehensive book. This book have a clear organization which comprise several types of popular mistakes with different big brand cases, how to select a board of directors and how to be a good CEO. I think this book is suitable for anyone who is interested in Marketing or Branding because you could gain a lot of insight from it. After reading this book, you will understand why some brands cannot be established well even they have spent a lot money on advertising, introducing many new products.

This book impress me the most is that Jack Trout illustrated all mistakes clearly by showing how the big brands, like Levis, Burger King, AT&T and Marks and Spencer made in the past. Then you may discover that some of the existing well-known brands are actually making mistakes for their marketing strategies. Moreover, you may get surprise that some of the popular marketing strategies, like line extension, benchmarking cannot promote your product, conversely, they will hurt your company seriously. So you must read this book if you want to surpass your competitors by using appropriate marketing strategies for your company.

Overall speaking, this book is easy to read and understand because Jack Trout delivered a concise and important message in the book ¡V ¡§Marketing is a battle of perception, not product¡¨

¡§Big Brands Big trouble¡¨ is a very interesting and comprehensive book. This book explains several types of popular mistakes with different big brand cases, how to select a board of directors and how to be a good CEO. I think this book is suitable for anyone who is interested in Marketing or Branding because you could gain a lot of insight from it. After reading this book, you will understand why some brands cannot be established well even they have spent a lot money on advertising, introducing many new products.

This book impress me the most is that Jack Trout illustrated all mistakes clearly by showing how the big brands, like Levis, Burger King, AT&T and Marks and Spencer made in the past. Then you may discover that some of the existing well-known brands are actually making mistakes for their marketing strategies. Moreover, you may get surprise that some of the popular marketing strategies, like line extension, benchmarking cannot promote your product, conversely, they will hurt your company seriously. So you must read this book if you want to surpass your competitors by using appropriate marketing strategies for your company.

Overall speaking, this book is easy to read and understand because Jack Trout delivered a concise and important message in the book ¡V ¡§Marketing is a battle of perception, not product¡¨

I have been in small business for over 20 years, and when I saw this book advertised, I was hooked. I'm now halfway through the book, and I'm starting to wonder at some points. Why is no one noticing that Chuck Feeney used illegal and unethical methods to start and build his business--from violating security laws to find out when and where ships would dock, to talking his way onto those ships, using personal charm and connections? Why is no one concerned that for the first few years, his business was run as an illegal Ponzi scheme? Are we really to believe that he got through Hotel Management School at Cornell and didn't know basic accounting practices? While a very inspiring story, there are a lot of sugar coated and glossed over details that I would have like to see illuminated.

Don't get me wrong, this is a very inspiring story. But it just seems too good to be true. How was the book publishing funded? The publisher, Public Affairs, and the distributor,Perseus Group, are openly funded by outside organizations. I find it significant that there is a review of the book on the Atlantic Philanthropies website, with only passing reference to the connection between them. Is there a covert connection?

Finally, from a purely editorial perspective, I find the book rather dull. The writing style lacks color and verve, and the concatenation of multiple incidents does little to hold my enthusiasm.

Very interesting story. I know the subject as I worked for his company (DFS) for about four years. This is a really good story, about an exceptional individual. Unfortunately the author is uninspiring. It gets boring in spots.

Chuck Feeney is a very unique individual. We need many more like him in the business world, instead of the Nardelli's and that ilk.

This should be required reading for any wealthy person. The Feeney way of living and giving is spectacular in its simplicity and heart.

An excellent business biography of a fascinating figure. Easily the best light reading on a business topic I have done in years.

This is the biography and arc of success of Chuck Feeney, a man with hustle who invented Duty Free shopping as it is known today. The interviews are thorough, the detail is helpful, and the subject matter is fascinating.

The prose and narrative style is fine, a clear journalist's telling and voice. Perhaps the only disappointment with the book is that the subject is so fascinating while the narrative style is fine, but simply not as excellent as the subject. I was so riveted a book double the size would still have held my fascination, this is that strange of a story.

Highly recommended.

What a beautiful person chuck Feeney is.

This is the most inspiring book I have read so far. This book was more motivating and inspirational to me than books such as the `Secret' by Rhonda Byrne. Here's a real `existing' role model we can all look up to. He did it, and so can we. He is a living proof that helping others in unselfish ways is possible. He is living proof that that there is good on Earth, and being good is not only possible but feasible.

This is the story of Chuck Feeney, born into a poor family. Not having enough funds to pay for his college education, Feeney joins the Air Force, and is stationed in Japan. There he realizes the profit making potential of duty-free sales. He starts selling duty-free goods to soldiers, such as tobacco and alcohol, and to make the story short, ends up owning duty-free shops across the world. Within a few years he becomes a billionaire. He is ranked as the 23rd richest man in the United States by Forbes magazine.

Feeney was not happy with his billions. He did not like the life of excess lived by the rich. `How many shoes do you need?' he would often ask. He did not like the competition between the rich in owning luxury goods. For example, a yacht is never big enough; someone else will have a bigger one. Someone else will have a bigger mansion.

Feeney was also worried for his children. Kidnapping was prevalent at the time, and Feeney did not want to live his life surrounded by bodyguards and in fear for his family. So one day, he secretly flies to the Bahamas and donates all his profits to his newly established charity organization.

Many find it hard to part from a few dollars. Feeney parted with billions. All the proceeds from Feeney's company went straight to his charity foundation. Unlike Bill Gates (whom I also admire for his philanthropy), Feeney gave away his whole fortune without announcing it. No one ever knew of Feeney's philanthropy, not even his partners. His name is not on any library, University, or building. Feeney gave secretly. He believed that your left hand should not know what your right hand is doing when it comes to charitable donations. Feeney is a man who gives not for selfish reasons such as recognition and fame, but to help make a change in people's lives.

Feeney did not feel guilty about making money, but he felt guilty keeping it. He felt his money should not be for the sole purpose of giving him and his family pleasure, but for giving pleasure to the world.

Feeney also helped solve the IRA (Irish Republican Army) problem together with Bill Clinton, and opposed the war in Iraq. He did not vote for Bush in 2004, and marched against the war of Iraq in the streets of London in 2004. He also felt that the US was unfair to Vietnam, and flew several times to Vietnam offering anonymous help.

Chuck Feeney is a great man, and his story should be an inspiration to all of us. This book should be read by everyone, and should be required reading in schools and universities. If one man can make such a difference, how much can we all do together? For one thing, we would end world hunger and poverty!

This book made me realize that ending world poverty is not such a farfetched dream: all it takes is a humble heart, like the one Chuck Feeney has!

Money can be the root of all evil. Money does corrupt, and in excess corrupts absolutely. But money can also end all of the world's suffering. It is a two edged sword. One edge will bleed the world to death; the other edge will bring an end to suffering.

I have chosen how I want to hold my sword. Have you?

In 1988, Forbes magazine's annual list of America's most wealthy listed Charles F Feeney as the 23rd richest American alive, whose personal worth of $1.3 billion was greater than Rupert Murdoch or Donald Trump. In fact, four years earlier Feeney had secretly given away almost his entire fortune to a philanthropic trust. He had enough to live on for the rest of his life, but no longer even owned a house or a car. He was, as Irish journalist Conor O'Clery phrases it in this powerful biography, `the billionaire who wasn't'.

This is two books in one: the remarkable story of duty free retailing and its leading company, DFS, whose extraordinary growth and profits paralleled the rise of jet travel; and that of Feeney himself, a slightly shambolic businessman, linguist and traveller, who took the needs of the world on his shoulders and became a model philanthropist.

It is nicely written and pulls you in like a novel. As a business biography alone, O'Clery's book is valuable, showing that huge money can be made from very simple business models. DFS's success could be put down to `four men in a room' working out what they would bid for airport duty-free concessions, and winning them. Once established, profits came easily. Feeney insisted that luck played a big role in the company's fortunes, that they reaped the benefits of being the first trusted brand in a fast-growing new field. Yet the book is also peppered with Feeney's advice to other to always `think big' (in both business and philanthropy), and in his restless desire to build a great business even the other partners admitted that Feeney had been its driving force.

I liked this book so much I included it as one of the classics of philanthropy in my own book "50 Prosperity Classics: Attract It, Create It, Manage It, Share It - Wisdom from the best books on wealth building and abundance".
50 Prosperity Classics: Attract It, Create It, Manage It, Share It (50 Classics)

Jim Lange wrote a very helpful and prayerful book on how to lead in the workplace and in life. I have used many points in his book as a leader and recommend it.

A great book! Jim has carefully articulated the very best representation of true biblical leadership. Whether you are a Christian or not, this is a MUST read. The principals of leadership that he outlines can be be easily applied to all areas of your life (work, family, church, etc.). BRAVO!

This was a fast read that seems simple on the surface but reveals a depth of truth that is so fundamental, it's easily lost in the chaos of the business world. Corporate life focuses so much on productivity and profit that it can cause us to lose site of what is most important...our relationships with others. Jim did a fantastic job of pointing this out with his vivid (and sadly enough,unexagerated)examples of I.M.Boss, who represents the worst of the worse in corporate life. He excelled at showing cause and effect in behavior and motive. His use of the Bible proves that God has a plan for us even at work in the secular world...and His plan can be accomplished best when we have respectful regard for one another. His book shows the wisdom of being obedient to two biblical commands; "Love your neighbor as yourself," and "Love your enemies." The chapter titles give a clear picture of how we can be Christian leaders in the workplace. I was reminded of areas where I need to improve in my work relationships. When you care for people first, everyone wins.

Most people in business can identify with the situations in this excellent book. If you are looking for guidance that you can use with confidence this is the place. You don't need to be religious, particularly, to find these ideas useful.

Jim Lange knows how to lead - even when it hurts. Everyone who has ever worked for an unreasonable boss or in a hostile atmoshpere will identify with the author's painful insights. Best of all this short but insightful book offers hope and help based on Biblical wisdom. Terrific reading.

I never really had a Grandfather. One died the day I was born, and the other one died when I was about 7. I don't remember them, and I don't remember talking to my one Grandfather.

Listening to Barry Switzer has always felt like listening to what I imagine listening to a Grandfather is like. Does that make sense?

He has a very calm, matter of fact way of telling a story. Seeing him talk on TV or live in person is a delight. He seems to have such control of himself, and he has always appeared composed and respectful. One thing I have always liked about the King is his way of telling it like it is, he won't pull punches if there is something controversial to talk about. He attacks conspiracy and controversy with a straight face, and a cool head.

Bootlegger's Boy is a great autobiography in that it tells a very complete story. Barry does a good job of describing the important events in his life that shaped the man he became, and the man he continues to be. He knows that he is no saint, and I appreciate how he is a man about things. Barry's philosophy is one of taking responsibility for your words and actions, and also holding others to that standard as well.

Sooners will never get tired of the King, for he was a great coach, and he continues to be a great man. A very inspiring book in my opinion. If you want a book that will get the hairs all over your body to stand on end and light a fire under your tail, look no further.

As a rabid Oklahoma fan, I had this book for some time before I actually read it. Whether the reader loves Barry or hates him, after reading this book, admiration and respect will develop for this popular coach.

I chuckled as I read some of the stories, and cried when I read others. Barry holds nothing back and his personality comes through. This man is Hall of Fame anyday, in my book.

As a rabid Nebraska football fan, I was given this book as a gag gift. It sat, unread, for months until I opened it up this Summer. In the course of reading the book, I have gone from loathing Barry Switzer, to respecting and even liking him. Most important was the way he described the crazy recruiting regulations of the NCAA. There were some real eyebrow-raisers in his accounts.

This book is something to be revered by Sooner fans. Barry's recounts of the great games and great people around OU's glorious runs in the 70s and 80s bears reading. I just re-read the book after keeping it down for a few years, and it just gets better with time. If any of you out there need ammo for those Barry bashers, you need this book. Barry Switzer is a great man, and every Sooner fan should remember that.

Barry covers his childhood, personal struggles, and his years at Arkansas. He then talks about those great 70s teams that we know get to see on ESPN Classic.

Probably the most interesting part is his line item by line item response to every NCAA violation that OU was found guilty of. Barry pulls no punches and is not afraid to admit guilt where he saw it. His candidness is something special.

You might find this book hard to find, but try your hardest and hit the auction sites, etc, you should be able to turn it up, and you won't be sorry.

Love him or hate him, Barry Switzer is a college football icon. Published a year after his banishment from the University of Oklahoma (following a series of turbulent off-the-field incidents), Switzer tells all in his rousing autobigraphy, BOOTLEGGER'S BOY.

The title is not an exaggeration; Switzer's father was a womanizing, hard-drinking Arkansas bootlegger, while his quiet mother battled mental problems and an addiction of her own. Able to overcome such dysfunction (and some of his family tales are fascinating), Switzer was able to utilize his athletic ability to play football at the University of Arkansas under legendary coach Frank Broyles. When his college career was over, Switzer realized his calling was coaching; Broyles gave him the opportunity by letting the young lineman join his coaching staff. In the mid-60s firebrand coach Jim MacKenzie was hired to restore the football "monster" at OU, a monster that the great Wilkinson had created. MacKenzie offered Switzer a position on his coaching staff; Switzer became a Sooner, and the seeds of destiny were sewn.

Chuck Fairbanks, succeeding MacKenzie (who died tragically after just a year on the job), promoted Switzer to offensive coordinator. Switzer writes he was looking for an offense to revolutionize college football; an unorthodox, high-risk option offense, known as the "wishbone," captured his attention. Switzer installed the offense and the Sooners took off, figuratively and literally, as NCAA rushing records were shattered. When Fairbanks bolted in 1973 to go to the NFL, Switzer was handed the keys to the OU program, and the rest, as they say in the Sooner Nation, is history.

For sixteen seasons, Switzer commanded a college football powerhouse; during his tenure the Sooners captured twelve Big Eight championships and three national championships. Switzer attributes his success to his Arkansas upbringing; growing up, most of his friends and neighbors were African-Americans. As a result, Switzer was more than comfortable approaching black athletes--at a time when other major programs were tentatively recruiting minorities--while reassuring parents that he would take good care of their sons. His recruiting redefined collegiate athletics, opening the doors for black athletes nationwide to participate in Division One football.

Switzer's affection for his players is genuine. Page after page, account after account, the King (as he's known by Sooner diehards) fondly recalls his relationships with a plethora of All-Americans: the Selmon brothers; Joe Washington; Billy Sims; Tony Casillas; J.C. Watts; Keith Jackson; Brian Bosworth. Switzer was no stern disciplinarian, he readily admits it, and this "lack" of discipline created a perception of an outlaw program--a perception that came home to roost in 1989, when he was forced to resign by the OU administration during a series of troubling incidents that ultimately put the Sooners under NCAA probation.

Switzer defiantly addresses the NCAA allegations, refuting some and pleading "guilty" to others. To enhance his arguments, he points to antiquated NCAA regulations (and keep in mind, this book was written years ago), regulations that, Switzer maintains, permeate a double standard. As an example, Switzer argues, why is it permissible for a chemistry professor to dig into his pocket and buy an airplane ticket for a homesick student during Christmas break, but not an athletic coach? Switzer's defense, along with his account of the events leading up to his ouster, make for fascinating page turning.

Praise him or revile him, Barry Switzer's mark on college football is eternal, and BOOTLEGGER'S BOY is the King at his good ol' boy best. I only wish he would come back with a second edition describing his four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Three national championship rings and a Super Bowl ring. Not bad for a bootlegger's boy.
--D. Mikels

This is a fun, light story reccomended for children of all ages, and for parents looking for a decent laugh.
The narrator's insane foreign uncle shows up at his door (He could be Norwegian, because of his dog's name or the sort of tea he likes to drink, but he also has a vaguely Yiddish accent in the audio edition I'm familiar with, and tells stories that sound vaguely like Aesop's fables) and trains the narrator as a time tourist, a person capable of traveling through space and time, and the narrator tells of a series of madcap adventures (Think "Pinocchio","Hitchhiker's guide", or "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen") through outer space, having a dog swear at him,watching an energy being looking for planets to devour, or watching his uncle zapped into another time.
The way Pinkwater reads aloud his books, the characters all talk differently but you can still understand what they're saying.
Great fun for the whole family.

I was first introduced to Daniel Pinkwater through this story between 4th and 5th grade, when my aunt who owned the book read it to me. I recently got it out of the libraray and love it even MORE than I did then, though I'll be going into highschool next year.

This is a brilliant tale of a boy (Melvin), his dog (Fafner) and someone who claims to be somehow related to the family, but is called "uncle" since they don't know quite how (Borgel). I highly recomend it to the young, and old since it is such an awesome book.

I may be getting a new pet soon... and I plan to name it Borgel, just becuase I hope it has just as hilarious of personality and such a care free disposition.

And as a warning- if a popsicle is dancing around and you can't stop being happy and feeling the effects of it... you probably shouldn't eat it :)

Whenever I read any of Mr. Pinkwater's books I am amazed at the range and intelligience of this humorist.
"Borgel" has become one of my favorites. From the first chapter I was hooked. The arrival of Borgel ,a flaky, casual genius, to the home of Melvin and his family is like a spark to dry wood. The world that "Uncle Borgel" takes his "Nephew" is fantastic but oddly comparable to our own (though I don't believe you'll be able to get any french fried meteorites in your local McDonald's).
This story moves along with a series of events that keeps one's mind sparked and one's lips twitching with laughter.
Mr. Pinkwater's "Borgel" flows like melted popsicles.

Borgel is a classic example of Daniel Pinkwater's very imaginative, creative, and captivating writing style. A very good example of that indeed , I enjoyed it thoroughly. The basic story is as follows, a boy who lives in a relatively boring, normal family, one day is startled by a man at the front door claiming to be a relative of the family and in need of a place to stay. The family obliges and the man comes to live with them. The man (Borgel) takes the boy (Melvin Spellbound) on a long trip and they have many unexpected adventures. Good words to use when talking about this book would be unique, interesting, funny, fantastic, goofy, unexpected, ingenious, weird, and that's just to name a few. If you like hearing about new, interesting, people, places, and things, then this is a great book for you. They encounter all sorts of amazing and intriguing people and things. Everything from giant popsicle museums , to bloboforms who own root beer float stands. This book is less of a book than an experience, one must however, enter with an open mind, because without an open mind, one is doomed to monotony, which this reading experience does not provide. It instead provides a colorful, exciting, (as much as this may sound monotonous), imaginative new perspective of things. The physics of time will be revealed, the dimensions of space will be unveiled, the very reasons for life will be explained to you in this book. Someone who wants to learn about how to plant azaleas however, should read something else. I actually found this book rather refreshing, because instead of dealing with the corruption, indecency, and everything dragging our country down a moral sewer, or people going insane from war, or how hard it is to leave home and everything you love, this book shines as a golden ray of light in a mire of depressing, monotonous, dark books. Frankly, I was getting sick for a second of all those books they make you read in school about conspirators killing people and mothers killing their sons. I was ready for something new, and this was the book for me. I think it will be the for you as well.

I discovered the works of Daniel Pinkwater through one of my nieces, who happened to name her two cats after two characters from "Borgel." Daniel Pinkwater possesses a sheer, mad comic genius. He spins tales that are wildly funny and entertaining, and yet manages to squeeze in a lesson. (Even if that lesson is that animals are stupid or to never listen to what a fish says.)

"Borgel" tells the story of Melvin Spellbound and his uncle Borgel. Borgel is of no clear relation and shows up one day out of the blue. He stays in his room for weeks at a time and the family children may only enter through invitation, wearing a tie. One night Melvin is invited to Borgel's room and he believes that they are running away. They wind up on an adventure through space-time-and-the-other.

Pinkwater peppers his story with hilarity mixed with reality. Borgel and Melvin's space travels are delightfully funny and deepen our appreciation of the wide cast of characters, including Fafner the dog and Freddie the Grivnizoid, as they search space and Hell for the Great Popsicle. Throughout all his whimsy and witty words, Pinkwater truly makes us care about the characters and wraps up a story that may seem to have wandered so far that there would be no coming back. Just like what would happen in space travel, if the Dorbzeldge was to drift past the road barriers.