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Killing Hitler
Published in Hardcover by (2006-03-28)
Author: Roger Moorhouse
List price: $25.00
New price: $20.02
Used price: $5.00

Average review score:

The Demon Serpent that was Nearly Crushed in Thy Shell .
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-29
If you're an armchair historian on World War II,then this is an excellent account of Hitler's obscure rise to ultimate power.This is a fascinating look at all the secret saboteurs against the furiose fuhrer.If you're intrigued by the history surrounding the Hitler topic,you'll be spellbound by this book.I never realized the various plots ,inside and outside his inner court,that were being hatched around him.Some will argue it was fated that he would survive.Many would agree it was just bad luck.I still find myself asking if Hitler wanted to destroy Germany on purpose,in revenge for being an 'oddball outcast'.Hitler was seen as a backwood peasant,and not of Viennese artistic quality.Many 'Hitler Histories' claim he was a 'house-painter'.This was not true.He was a failed baukunstler student,that later painted postcards for tourists.Himmler is often listed as just a 'chicken-farmer's geek',when he in fact had technical training at an argicultural institute,as well.The sagacious Himmler was aware of Hitler's ill-gotten birth,ab ovo,and probably felt he was better off as the 'propaganda-direktor'.Rather than the Nazi party's leader.Himmler saw the potential marriage between Hitler and his niece ,Gisella Rubel,as another generation of 'genetic-trouble' for the Fuhrer and an image-problem for the party.It was not discussed in this book,yet it can be speculated ,that Himmler's SS had Rubel killed and Himmler then instructed a 'suicide-scene' staged.Hitler believed fully that 'in-breeding' was preserving of the Aryan race,when in fact it was creating genetic dead-ends for extinction of the human race.At any rate,the various Allied countries valiently tried to eradicate the polemic dictator from his post.This engaging book gives the agentry accounts of the agent-provocateurs involved.From his egregious wanderings into the beer-hall rants then onto his fusty bunker of despair.This is a gripping book about the assassins of change,who failed to curtail the actions of a desperate madman,whose demagoguery bedeviled an entire nation into ruin for a generation.

Well Written Story of the Major Plots and Attempts on Hitler
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-14
Well written, readable account of the major plots and attempts to kill Hitler over the course of his political ascension to his final self demise. Impressive telling from young Georg Elser's early attempt to kill Hitler in 1939 with an ingenious self made bomb that exploded on time but after Hitler prematurely left the podium to his military enemies the British who initially found the task undesirable. The telling of these grand and individual plots parallels the rise and fall of the Third Reich. The detail is quite refreshing discussing how initially vulnerable to assassination Hitler was partially due to his grandiose perception that he was supernaturally protected from death. Aside from external and internal plots within the military, the author explains in impressive detail how the various heroic undergrounds were successful in killing numerous Nazis while suffering great and shocking reprisals for their success particularly in Poland and Czechoslovakia. An ultimate example is the Czechs pulling off a major assassination with the killing of Heydrich. Impressive is the author's documentation of the various anti-Hitler networks involving such prominent military men such as Wilhelm Canaris and Hans Oster who both suffer once exposed. The highlight of the book of course is the great attempt that almost kills Hitler, the bomb planted by war hero Stauffenberg in the Rastenburg map room. The author also tells why the assassination failed that is an interesting and new revelation. Another interested party is Hitler's favorite architect and armories coordinator, Albert Speer, who the author recognizes as potentially self serving at Nuremberg but the author also recognized Speers' desire not to have Germany destroyed as Hitler wished at the end. The book also includes an excellent collection of photographs of the collaborators and other fascinating photos such as Goring inspecting the destroyed map room to a startling picture of the extraordinary intense gaze of British Colonel Noel Mason-McFarland during a pre-war German military review. Mason-McFarland emphatically stated before the war that a sniper could easily dispatch Hitler and save Europe.

Fascinating Summary
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-12
I really enjoyed this look at the various attempts on Hitler's life. Moorehouse not only gives the reader the straight facts of the attempts, but manages to give the right amount of background information so you can see just how each plot came together. It left me wondering just how many other schemes were out there that were swept away by the winds of time. A book like this really makes you think of how things could have been so different.

Invoking the ghosts of justice
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-26
Roger Moorehouse's "Killing Hitler" is a tragic chronicle of the alarmingly few individuals and groups in Nazi Germany who saw early on (or too late) that their "leader" was a mass murdering psychopath and acted accordingly--to no avail.

Though their bravery is commendable, one cannot help feel terrible anger and frustration as one gets into the thick of Moorhouse's feverish narrative. At long last, one has to ask, why didn't someone in the Wehrmacht simply get on good terms with Hitler, stand next to him, and ignite a live grenade? Suffice to say that any evaluation of posterity is just that, and only a slight percentage of those still living have had the experience of living in a ferocious totalitarian state like the Germany of 1933-45.

Perhaps the most impressive of the would-be assassins is Maurice Bavaud, a young idealist with deep roots in Christendom who, in 1939, waited for Hitler to show up at his annual "Beer Hall Putsch" celebration (where the equally courageous Georg Elser would plant a bomb which missed only because of a chance early departure by the dictator) took a pistol, and was foiled because of a group of German civilians. This was not the first time Bauvaud would make such a naked, furious attempt on the Fuhrer's life. Captured and guillotined in 1941, Bavaud stated baldly that whether Germans would accept it or not, he had been acting not only in their interest but the interest of all humanity. Only Col. Claus Von Stauffenberg's already well publicized attempt rivals that kind of courage.

The Warsaw Uprising of 1944 is given an impressive, if limited, recounting here: the PHM (Polish Home Army) managed to kill 9,000 SS soldiers and, through the utlitization of suicide bombers and guerilla attacks, eliminate a few important members of the Third Reich. The RAF's bungled, halfhearted attempts to bomb Hitler's HQ in East Prussia really didn't need mention here.

How desperate some former Wehrmacht soldiers were for Hitler's death is given heart pounding illustration here, in history's first suicide bomber, Rudolf-Chriastoph Von Gersdorff. Having served as an unofficial emissary for Henning Von Tresckow, a lifelong opponent of the Nazi regime and a key figure in the July 20th attempt, agreed to an act of utter self-sacrifice in order to get rid of Hitler: "At this point it became clear to me that an attack was only possible if I were to carry the explosives about my person, and blow myself up as close to Hitler as was possible."
Lining his uniform with "clam mines" obtained from a fellow officer (Col. Brandt, who knew nothing of the attempt, and who ironically would be the man to move the briefcase bomb away from Hitler on July 20th), he armed the mines with a trigger that would give him exactly ten minutes in which to approach his target and "kiss the sky". Hitler was, at the time, speaking in a German museum--originally Gersdorff was to approach him while the speech was being made and stand beside him.

Hitler cut the speech, was intended to be thirty minutes, to two minutes, and despite Gersdorff having already activated the device--with 5 minutes left--his attempts to stay near Hitler were in vain. Hitler may have noticed that Gersdorff was unusually "eager to talk" and the demonic instinct of self preservation kicked in: in any case, he said goodbye very quickly. Gersdorff then ran to the restroom and defused the bomb with trembling hands.

Moorhouse gets downright unethical--probably desperate for material, but still--including Albert Speer in this book. Speer was Hitler's devoted architect from the beginning of the war to the end and was much a brainwashed Nazi as Himmler, Goerring or Goebbels; he was just charismatic and knew how to BS the judges at Nuremburg. He lied about his knowledge of the atrocities and the Allies, not having evidence ofhis full knowledge which would emerge years later, bought it. Aside from a few scholars who have an unhealthy fascination with him, the general consensus is that he should have been dangling at the end of a rope with all the rest. The only reason he had even a passing thought about assassinating a man he otherwise had nearly homoerotic feelings for was the destruction of Germany. And that's all it was, a passing thought. It should probably be removed from the book.

Gripping Accounts of Attempted Hitler Assassinations and Much More
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-09
Although I was aware of some attempts on Hitler's life, I did not know that there were so many and from so many different sources - both within Hitler's entourage as well as far away from it. The author has provided well-researched and reasoned renderings of a subset of these attempts - the most fascinating and surprising ones. But in addition to discussing these various attempts in detail, the author has also presented much valuable information on the background history and evolving politics of Germany from the end of World War I to the end of World War II. The brutality of the Nazi regime is also amply discussed. As expected, particular attention has been paid to the instigation, structure and evolution of Hitler's security organization. The book's writing style is clear, friendly, authoritative and very engaging. It should be most relished by history buffs that have a penchant for the Second World War.

N
Lauren's Story: An American Dog in Paris
Published in Paperback by J. N. Townsend (2007-05-03)
Author: Kay Pfaltz
List price: $15.00
New price: $8.97
Used price: $5.51

Average review score:

Lauren's Story: An American Dog in Paris
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-23
Yes, it was cute...but I felt like I was reading a rather bland, repetitive diary. Yes, if you love dogs, there's a lot to relate to here. A bit of salvation in the epilogue...for a woman who loved animals so much, I was a bit surprised it took her so long to reach a vegetarian way of life, but at least she got there!

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE BETWEEN LAUREN AND HER OWNER
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-28
This is a wonderful life between a beagle named Lauren and her owner who spent every part of every day together. This is a love story! The love between a beagle and it's owner. Some love stories are not even this close to real love.

I felt like I was there with them with every word that I read. I longed for more when I realized I was on the last page. BRAVO for LAUREN to be loved so dearly By Kay and For Kay to be loved so dearly by Lauren.

Dog days in Paris
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-15
I read LAUREN"S STORY:AN AMERICAN DOG IN PARIS, by Kay Pfaltz in one night. I couldn't put it down despite the awful day I had had at work! Lauren and Kay and their adventures helped me forget all the stress and enjoy a romp through Paris. It's not often that a book can get us to laugh out loud and shed a few tears. This is a great book for all dog or travel lovers.

Best Dog Book Out There
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-03



Kay's deep love for Lauren - and all animals - includes the necessary ingredients of joy and humor. There are moments throughout the book, especially toward the end when Lauren begins to fall ill, that you, the reader, will hold your breath for too long until the crisis is resolved. And, equally, there are moments of such hilarity, that you will stop breathing simply because you are laughing so hard. Lauren's Story literally has it all: heartbreak, despair, courage, joy and always, love. You definitely want to own this book, and buy it for everyone you know.

Lauren's Story, An American Dog in Paris
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-04
This is a lovely story about a woman's love for her dog and the love she felt in return. The reader will also enjoy the genuiness of a single woman living -- and dining -- in Paris, a city that seems more tolerant of dogs in its cafes than it is toddlers. It is a great book for anyone who is an animal lover, especially those who are self-proclaimed dog nuts. Others need not apply.

N
The Lotus Seed
Published in Hardcover by (1993-04-01)
Authors: Sherry Garland and Tatsuro Kiuchi
List price: $16.00
New price: $15.32
Used price: $12.04

Average review score:

A wonderful book
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-12
This has to be one of my favorite children's books and being a soon to be teacher I have read a lot of children's books. One of the reasons it's my favorite is that it touches a subject that is close to my heart, the Vietnamese culture. My mom came to America after the Vietnam war with my sister who was 5 and brother who was 1. I never knew how important the lotus seed could be, but growing up I enjoyed eating the fruit and peeling it off the seed. This book is truely one of a kind and as I read it I learned more about my mom's culutre and just how special it is.

This is one book that I'll keep for many, many years even when I retire from teaching.

Lotus seed
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-05
This book is great for encouraging students to ask questions and infer meaning! Try it out in the classroom!

This book is awsome
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-21
The lotus seed is about someone's grandmother who gets a lotus seed to remember her emperor. It takes place in Vietnam. It has lots of information obout what they used to flee from the Vietnam war. I think Tatsuro Kiuchi did a good job with the illustrations. I think every one from 5-8 should read this book.

The Lotus Seed
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-23
This book is touching. The grandma passes on the lotus seed to her grandson. One day, she sees a lotus flower in her backyard and it made her remember her ruler.

Symbol of a Lotus Seed
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-23
This book helps me remember more about Vietnam and why I appreciate my culture so much. The significant symbolism of the lotus seed is the culture Vietnam and what the woman endurance in her past. Ba picked out a lotus seed from the imperial garden because of its beautiful and fresh scent. The lotus seed has never left her side as she carries it with her through the tragedy times and moved to a new country after the Vietnam War. One of her grandchildren planted the lotus seed in the backyard and it grew into a beautiful lotus flower. The beauty of it reminds Ba of her country.

This is definitely one of the best children's book I have ever read. The images are beautifully drawn as they describe Vietnam and the story. The symbolism of the lotus seed reminds me of my culture and I should never forget it. I really like how the author added a Vietnamese poem at the back. A must read for all young and old!

N
Love Always, Petra
Published in Hardcover by (2005-12-05)
Authors: Petra Nemcova and Jane Scovell
List price: $23.95
New price: $13.93
Used price: $6.45

Average review score:

Can a love story like this be true?
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-25
This is not your typical 'Romance" book. This is a true love novel! This book has everything~from the first spark of innocent love to the full blown tragedy of a broken heart of the worst, unimaginable kind! The story of the author is one of bravery, steadfastness and determination, thankfully unknown to the majority of readers. Yet the author continues to show grace, while enduring the worst of situations...only to be rewarded life's greatest gifts! She is indeed and inspiration to all...to remember that after all tragedy....comes hope.

Nice book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-27
This book is heartbreaking, and very moving. Petra did a great job on her first novel. This isn't all about the tsunami, and the aftermath, as many reviewers have showed it to be. Many chapters deal with her life before the tsunami, and her road to becoming a model. She certainly had an interesting life! It is a quick read, but I recommend it!

An honest and inspiring memoir.
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-12
I just finished reading this truly inspiring and amazing story. She survived the tsunami that hit Thailand on December 26, 2004 by clinging to a palm tree for 8 hours all the while her pelvis had been crushed in several places. However, her boyfriend Simon, the love of her life, did not survive.

This woman is honest, hard-working, dedicated, loyal, loving, generous, unselfish, silly, open-minded, gentle. She has such a kind heart. Born under communism in the Czech Republic, she built her own career and became one of the world's top supermodels. She never forgot her roots -- her family and her pure core values. In this book, Petra explains how everything in her life -- all the challenges and all the lessons she learned -- helped her to survive and heal both emotionally and physically from the tsunami.

Petra is donating 100% of her proceeds of this book to a nonprofit organization that she herself started: GIVE2ASIA/HAPPY HEARTS FUND (a tsunami relief fund). So please, go out and buy (don't borrow) Love Always, Petra. You will be amazed and inspired by her story. I promise.

Peace: It's not just for hippies anymore. ~Nicole

BEAUTIFUL * I'd give it 10 stars if I could
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-10
This book called my attention since I saw it, maybe because of the tittle or the cover, then I read an article about it and decided I had to read it. If you have read some of my reviews, you would assume that I really like memoirs. This memoir is wonderful.

Particularly, I had never heard of her. I am very sure I've seen her on commercials or magazines but I just didn't know her name. The point is that I totally loved her book. She is an amazing person.

This is the story of a girl from Czech Republic who relates us her childhood before and alter communism, she tells us how she became the top model she is, how she fell in love a few times, and most important how she met the true love of her life, a British photographer, Simon Atlee, who would be taken away from her by the tsunami that hit Asia in December 2005.

She was a tsunami survivor. It's horrible the pain she describes she was in due to all the broken bones and cuts. But it's more than obvious that her greater pain was Simon's death.

It's very amazing how she still found good things out of a disaster like this. She says that this just made her realize how in times of desperation and pain, people help others without even having to speak the same language. Petra started to help Thailand's victims.

In conclusion, Petra Nemcova tells us the story of love between her and Simon. I really recommend this book. I read it in two days. You can read it in one if you want. Please don't miss it. It's written so beautifully. It's also very very moving. One of the things I learned with this book is not to take things or life too seriously and just live for the moment; you never know what can happen. One minute you're as happy as you can be (like Petra and Simon were, minutes before the tsumani hit) and the next minute you can lose it all.

vgxoxo@hotmail.com

Thank you Petra
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-17
This is one of the most touching and sincere books I've ever read. I'm from Thailand and would like to thank Petra for writing this book. Also thank to all readers for your love and care for my people. I love you.

N
Manhattan Unfurled
Published in Hardcover by Random House (2001-10-16)
Authors: Matteo Pericoli and Paul Goldberger
List price: $29.95
New price: $9.95
Used price: $7.11
Collectible price: $30.00

Average review score:

Cool!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-13
Very beautiful unfoldable view of Manhattan from both the East and the West side. Specially good is the utilization of black and white which makes it much more elegant.

This is stupid.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-01
I bought this one. Love NY, love illustration, love books. The thing is: it's not really a book. You can't read it, because there are only illustrations. There are no pages, or a logical sequence. You can't even open it, unless you have 12 foot long pair of arms. You can't mount it on the wall, or you'll loose the other side. It feels really stupid to have this "book" on your hands. Because although you know you can't use it, you still got to have it.

makes a great gift
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2002-02-19
I bought Manhattan Unfurled as a gift, and that is how I rate it.
Personally, I was disappointed. I was expecting a more detailed work done is a stronger, classic pen and ink style. The the casual cartoon style however is charming and really does not detract from the impact of the book.
Manhattan Unfurled is best appreciated when unfurled. Anyone who adores Manhattan will love this book, stretching out the pages and oohing and ahhing over the vista.

Frozen in time...
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2002-06-29
I bought this book so that my children could one day see the Manhattan skyline as I fell in love with it. It's fun to note the small details in the drawings--I think I notice something new each time I open it up.

Given the excellent presentation with the slipcase, etc., this book is an awesome gift for anyone who loves NYC. The artwork is solid, but not too formal, giving just the right feeling to the buildings. This book would also be a fun springboard for children to use to draw panoramic skylines of their own home towns.

this is a good book to give as a present
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2002-03-02
This book is charming, the cover and slipcase make it look special, the reader feels the book has to be very good to be housed in such a well crafted good looking presentation. But once you have looked at the line drawing and followed it from one end to the other you feel a little foolish having spent your money on something so wispy. And yet the book is charming, so it takes all its value when offered as a gift so that its owner can enjoy it without the remorse of the money spent..

N
Mapping Mars: Science, Imagination, and the Birth of a World
Published in Paperback by (2003-09-01)
Author: Oliver Morton
List price: $16.00
New price: $11.37
Used price: $9.56

Average review score:

Magnificent! Magnifies your sense of wonder.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-04-04
This book is outstanding in every sense. Everything - from science to science fiction and much, much more - you possibly wanted to know about Mars is in here. And Morton's prose is so good, so enthralling and so exuberant you'll find it impossible to stop reading. Especially his musings on the sublime martian landscapes are, well, sublime, conveying a monumental grandeur that we may sometime be able to behold ourselves, somewhere in the future. Without any doubt the best book on Mars available at the moment. Thank you Oliver Morton!

Mapping Mars by Morton
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-05-12
This book would be a perfect acquisition for the student or
scientist in the house. A spectacular Martian volcanic eruption
is depicted by Hartmann. There is an interesting Elysium shaded
relief map. The Olympus Mons scene is perhaps one of the most
famous depicted in the early 1970s. The book discusses the
possibility of water on Mars from inferences of historic flood
activity. There is a scientific hypothesis and presentation of
how some local Martian bacteria use hydrogen to reduce sulphates.
The USGS Viking pictures depict imagery of Valles Marineris.
Overall, this acquisition is worth the price charged for a wide
constituency of academicians and scientists everywhere.

Some of the best science journalism I've seen
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2004-02-01
I highly recommend Oliver Morton's Mapping Mars. Not only does it frame the debate about the likelihood of life on Mars, but also does a great job of explaning our changing understanding of the planet.

It also conveys a sense of Mars as a real place, and discusses how the meaning of Mars changes depending on our sense of whether or not we think there is life there.

Finally, it asks a crucial question: what do we mean by "nature" and how tied up is that notion with "life"?

And it has cool pictures.

A splendid book , a major achievement.
Helpful Votes: 11 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2004-01-21
First of all, if you have the slightest interest in the geology of Mars, or in maps, or in planetary science (and, if not, why are you here?) you *need* to read this book.

"This is a splendid book and a major achievement in the study of Mars.... A number of authors might fairly claim to have written the best Mars novel, but this is the best factual book on Mars that money can buy."
-- New Scientist, Google for online review

"When the investigator, having under consideration a fact or group of facts whose origin or cause is unknown, seeks to discover their origin, his first step is to make a guess." --GK Gilbert, Science 3(53), 1896 (which codified the method of multiple working hypotheses). Gilbert, of course, was "one of the happy generation of American geologists who...took their impressive beards and intellects to every corner of the American West."

Tidbits: Gene Shoemaker's first map of Meteor Crater, in 1957, was done for the old AEC, as part of a truly crackbrained scheme to manufacture plutonium by detonating uranium-wrapped A-bombs underground. Which, thank heavens, never got very far. Gene didn't like the idea, either, but who's to turn down funding?

No map of exotic lands is complete without exotic names, and the map of Mars is well-stocked: Noctis Labyrinthus, the Labyrinth of Night. Tithonium Chasma, Albe Patera --a volcano that occupies an area about equal to that of India --Claritas Fossae, Utopia Planita... Olympus Mons! Formerly Nix Olympica, the Snows of Olympus --and the highest mountain known to humanity. Mauna Kea, Earth's biggest volcano, would fit comfortably inside Olympus' summit caldera. OM contains some 3.5 million cubic km of rock--or the area of Texas, if excavated 8 km deep. This is one *humongous* mountain. And Vastitas Borealis, the northern lowlands, is arguably the flattest place in the solar system.

I like the respectful attention Morton pays to science fiction about Mars -- which echoes the attention and affection paid to SF writers by working planetary scientists. Of course, sometimes these are the same people, as with UofA planetologist, novelist (Mars Underground, recommended), photographer, artist and all-around Renaissance man Bill Hartmann (who we really should invite as an AGS guest speaker); and Geoffrey Landis, a NASA space scientist and parttime novelist (Mars Crossing, recommended) who helped to develop the Mars Pathfinder.

About the only place that Mapping Mars fails us is in the illustrations. The publisher made a valiant effort, but an octavo-format book just doesn't have the page size for drama. Fortunately, you can Google for suitably-impressive maps and photos of Mars.

Happy reading! -- Pete Tillman
Consulting Geologist, Tucson & Santa Fe (USA)

Great read
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-12-29
When I first saw this book I was fascinated, but I held off till it came out in paperback. Mapping Mars is a very different book than Hartmann's Traveler's Guide. Morton is concerned with helping us understand the process we have gone through in the understanding of the face of Mars. As such, he interviewed many key players in the space-age study of Mars and paints his portrait of Mars through their work.

Mapping Mars is concerned more with the "big picture" of Mars than the Traveler's Guide. As such its illustrations are more concerned with showing the evolution of our maps and our mental images of Mars. Part of that "big picture" is our cultural view of Mars through our science fiction, art and exploration plans. He spends quite a bit of time on these topics - but does not sacrifice the science content.

The book reads like a series of personal vignettes of the people involved in the illumination of Mars - people like Hartmann, Michael Carr, Michael Malin and Bob Zubrin.

Mapping Mars reads well and draws the reader into the personal and scientific journey of understanding Mars.

Highly recommended.

N
Measle and the Wrathmonk
Published in Paperback by HarperTrophy (2005-04-01)
Author: Ian Ogilvy
List price: $5.99
New price: $1.71
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $10.00

Average review score:

Great series starter!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-08
The best book I've read since Deathly Hallows!
It's a great start to the series, but not much info about the outside world. Otherwise, it's amazing. Basil the wrathmonk shrinks Measle down to the size of a paperclip. By the time he's back to normal... well; you should read the book!

best read i've had in a while!!!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-21
Throw in an ordinary boy named Measle, a completely insane dark wizard, a mysterious train set, 6 very small people, 1 very little brave dog, and a whole dump truck full of danger and you've got a wonderful adventure story with non-stop action and magic.

Out of all the books I've gone through, this is by far the best in all aspects of reading. If you don't believe me, read it yourself. =)))

Wonderful read aloud
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-17
My 1st grader thoroughly enjoyed this book being read to him, he found Measle's dog hilarious. We have just bought the next two, Measle and the Dragodon, Measle and the Mallockee.

A good , rollicking adventure
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-01-23
Measle and the Dragodon is the sequel to the successful Measle and the Wrathmonk and the second in Ian Ogilvy's epic Measle series of book which chronicle the adventures of Measle Stubbs. These books are very entertaining as they are a bit like Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events but with magic. The second book is sort of an epic, quest type of story in which Measle is living with his doting parents in glam Merlin Manor when they are kidnapped by a gang of Wrathmonks [mad warlocks] who want revenge for the death of Measle's ex-guardian, Basil Tramplebone [he got what he deserved]. The Wrathmonks take Measle's parents to the Isle of Smiles, a sinister abandoned theme-park in the middle of the ocean. The Wrathmonks are being manipulated by a creature whose name isn't revealed but who is the last survivor of a powerful race of beings known as the Dragodons. Now Measle must go on a quest to the Isle of Smiles, into the catacombs and engage the Dragodon in an almighty battle with the fate of the world at stake.
A dramatic climax, a good villain, a convincing plot and rather disgusting [Roald Dahl disgusting, not vulgar disgusting]humour make Measle and the Dragodon an entertaining book to say the least. I'm currently on the third in the series, Measle and the Malockee.

Loved it!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-16
I really really like this book and have read it several times. I hope other readers won't be intimidated by the creepy cover and title because trust me, if you read this you'll want your own copy. This book is really exciting and suspenseful.

N
N. C. Wyeth : A Biography
Published in Paperback by (2003-02-01)
Author: David Michaelis
List price: $24.95

Average review score:

More social interactions than art technique
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-08
An informative book on what motivated NC to do what he did, but not much on how he arrived at certain colors, composition, studies before completing a major work, etc. There is a lot of information that seems unnecessary, but it all comes together at the end. If you want to know the progression of his work, it is here; but there is not alot on technique.

Talent within the studio & the home
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-16
The forementioned "Biography at its best" is fitting. David Michaelis went the extra mile to gather coupious historical data on Wyeth and his background. The evidence given paints a picture of the very soul of this man, almost to the point of smelling his oil-stained hands.

It is remarkable to catch a glimpse of this energetic and powerful artist who somehow balanced family, busines and sanity by applying passion to all he encountered. Whether or not our hero was particularly faithful to his wife can be argued, but his evident ability to excel in whatsoever he set out to do is inspiring.

A great read for those interested in disciplining one's self to master the studio and the home.

If you like biography and American art history, read this book!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-10
My brother loaned me a copy of this book because we both collect American illustrations. That qualifies some of my enthusiasm for this book a bit. I am already a fan of the golden age(s) of American illustration.
The life of N. C. Wyeth is impressively detailed by the author. He mostly uses detailed and extensive letters written by the family to piece together what would seem a very accurate account of N.C.'s life. This book helped piece together some of the influences I assumed N.C. had throughout his life. From Pyle to the war, depression, to family, it was a very complicated life for the entire family. A great read with enough personal melodrama to keep it very interesting. My only complaint was the occasional writing quirk where the author sometime wrote of the future while writing mostly a chronological book. It's hard to describe, but readers will notice this and occasionally get a little confused by the style. That's my only negative comment. (And frankly, I do not see how this writing method could have been avoided since some of the information was necessary in order to piece the story together.)

Even for those who have no idea who the Wyeth family is.
Helpful Votes: 34 out of 36 total.
Review Date: 2000-06-05
I don't know if there is another Family that has continuously contributed to the world of art, and done so with such skill, as the 5 generations of Wyeths whose story is told in this work.

The title of my review may seem a bit odd but I believe those who read this book will find it appropriate. I read this book when it originally was published and then recently read it again. You need not be anything more than someone who loves to read to enjoy this book. While I am a great admirer of Mr. Andrew Wyeth's work and to a lesser extent other members of the Wyeth Family, I have no Art History education. The beauty of this work is that it is an incredible story on it's own, that additionally the story is true with 2 Wyeth Family members still painting, only enhances the reading. The fact this is not fiction makes the story all the more remarkable.

If you have already read about Mr. Andrew Wyeth's work you certainly will gain a great deal of insight as to why he may view his art as he does. Another wonderful book that focuses on Mr. Andrew Wyeth is by Richard Merryman, "Andrew Wyeth A Secret Life". It often seems that great artists in a range of artistic fields seem to have more than their share of drama in their lives. This is certainly the case with this 5 generational span of the Wyeths. There is also a great deal of tragedy and sadness.

Whether or not you are aware of or enjoy the work of The Wyeth Clan, they have and will continue to remain of great importance to Art History. Ranging from the illustrations by N.C Wyeth of dozens of books that are known to us all, to some of the most recognized images in the world as is the case with Andrew Wyeth's "Christina's World" from 1948, chances are you do know of the Wyeths.

The story most don't know is of the woman who is in the mentioned painting, her lifetime, and the stories and paintings that resulted from the house that she is looking towards in the painting. Not all of what you will learn is comfortable, some is sad; some behavior from members of the Family is eccentric to say the least.

What you will experience is a sweeping story that continues to this day. If an endorsement by an internationally acclaimed Artist would help, read what Mr. Barry Moser had to say about this book. And then go look at the book he was illustrating, the work he set aside to read this story. I cannot think of a more reliable recommendation.

Know the Family, know the work, or read as a novel. You will not de disappointed.

Biography At Its Best
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2004-06-30
Although I was familiar with the paintings of Andrew & Jamie Wyeth, I wasn't aware of N.C. until I read his letters in Dorie McCullough Lawson's wonderful collection, "Posterity: Letters of Great Americans to Their Children." The brilliant writing in those letters, and the story of the tragic accident that killed him and his little grandson, made me want to know more. It led me to this book. I've just finished it, and can't stop thinking about it. If a novelist made up this saga, one might say it was just too fantastic. And yet the most fantastic thing of all is that it's true. David Michaelis weaves the tale, not just of N.C. Wyeth, but of his family and his times. Although so many people are introduced, the writing is clear and vibrant, and one never loses track of who's who. No novel could be more compelling than this saga, with twists and turns that almost had me gasping. Biography just doesn't get any better than this. Whether or not you're interested in Art, it is well worth your time. Bravo to Mr. Michaelis!

N
The New Analytical Greek Lexicon
Published in Hardcover by Hendrickson Publishers (1990-12-01)
Author: Wesley J. Perschbacher
List price: $29.95
New price: $18.50
Used price: $17.90

Average review score:

A Priceless Investment
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-05
In a world of relativism and unbridled inclusiveness, we need a clear understanding of God's Word. It is life changing. The Bible does not contain but is the absolute truth of God. As one studies God's Word in the original languages (in this case NT koine Greek), untold treasures are revealed concerning what the Lord has for those who believe. We get a better understanding of the mind of God, the value of life and the salvation that every soul needs through Jesus Christ. I highly recommend it.

Excelente livro.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-17
Sou estudante de teologia no Brasil e o livro de Perschbacher tem sido fundamental nos trabalhos de exegese bĂ­blica.

Quite Helpful
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-11
In my early years in NT Greek I found this volume quite helpful. Every so often I still refer to it, if my mind seems to be playing tricks on me.

An invaluable resource to have on hand
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-28
This lexicon lists every single word found in the Greek NT. By this, I do not mean there is just a reference for agapao (love), but every form that agapao appears in the NT. So, for instance, in Ephesians 5:25, is the word agapate. Looking up this specific word, you'll find it is derived from agapao, but that it is the 2nd person, plural, present, active, subjunctive or imperative form of the word. So this book is invaluable to the person learning Greek and for studying and translating the Greek NT.

It is especially helpful as it list words found not only in the Critical Text like many lexicons but also words and word forms found only in the Textus Receptus and the Majority Text. It even indicates when a word in a particular verse is in a different form in each of these Greek texts and when a word form only occurs in one of these Greek texts.

I purchased this lexicon when I was studying Greek at Denver Seminary. And it was invaluable in learning Greek and for studying the Greek NT thereafter. When I felt God was leading me to translation my own version of the NT (Analytical-Literal Translation of the New Testament: Third Edition - ALT), I purchased the BibleWorks 7 software program. And it provides the parsing details for words in its auto-info window.

However, sometimes BibleWorks parsing does not look correct to me. So I keep this book on hand, by my computer monitor. And in such cases, I will double-check BibleWorks parsing by this book. And sometimes I still refer to this book just for the lexical information. So even with computer software, this book is still valuable.

an indispensable help
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-06
As a student of New Testament Greek, I find this book to be an invaluable addition to my library. Every word in the Greek New Testament is listed alphabetically, with a cross reference to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, and the Greek word's definition, location, and source. The lexicon also contains charts of the definite article, the declension of nouns and adjectives, and the conjugation of verbs. It includes information on the use of tenses, moods, and cases. Contracted forms of verbs are not listed in the lexicon, but charts of these forms are provided.

This book enables Greek students to find the definitive meaning and usage of each word in the Greek New Testament, and I highly recommend it.

N
The New Grilling Book
Published in Paperback by (2002-03-15)
Author: Better Homes and Gardens Books
List price: $15.95
New price: $12.62
Used price: $6.44

Average review score:

Fantastic book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-09
I bought this book for my husband who was one of those rare men who can't grill! He has used several of the recipes in the book and hasn't failed yet! The book contains all the info that a novice needs to know about grilling, whether it be a charcoal grill, a gas grill, a smoker, or an indoor grill (like a George Foreman). The grilling recipes give instructions for both gas and charcoal- something you usually don't find. I would recommend this book to anyone who grills!

Delicious grilling
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-13
The friend I bought this for told me that the recipes she tried turned out to be succulently delicious.

A top pick any home griller must have
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-08
Plastic spiral binding with spine lettering lends to both lay-flat handy use and easy location in a cookbook collection, enhancing the appeal of a new 2nd, updated edition packing in over 800 recipes and well over a hundred color photos to support them. This combination makes NEW GRILLING BOOK exceptional - as does the attention to different types of grills and methods, from charcoal and gas to smokers and indoor grills. From Lamb with Spinach Pesto or Gingered Tuna Kebabs to Raspberry-Sesame TriTip Roast, NEW GRILLING BOOK is a top pick any home griller must have - especially audiences seeking new recipes and innovative ideas.

Love It!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-09
I can't wait for grilling season. There are so many great recipes I want to try. This was a great purchase.

Amazing!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-11
I bought this book for my Dad for Father's Day and he LOVES it! Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from Better Homes and Gardens! I love my red plaid book!


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