John Noble Books

Mr Maxtone Graham's work is a pure piece of art for all people with a love for classic liners and their times. It revives a (regrettably) lost way of life. A true bible.

I have two copies of this book and keep one on our boat in Ft Pierce, FL for guests to read and one at home for ME to re-read. Although we have cruised on the blue-water fleet numerous times, I love to read about the pre-jet crossings of a (seemingly) romantic and for the most part, by-gone era. When you read this book, it is so evocative tht you can close your eyes and almost imagine that you are there on a chilly quai in New York City about to depart for the great cities of Europe on one of the great liners. An absolute MUST READ for any ocean liner fan. I re-read this one often in the wee hours of the morning.

I devoured this book and you will too. John Maxtone-Graham is one of a kind, a marine historian who is urbane, erudite, and literate. He has written an absorbing book, filled with fun, details, anecdotes, and marine dreams. Here's to Big Ships and big dreams - That toast has a kind of 1920's ring to it. But I loved it. You will too.

I had the pleasure of meeting John Maxtone-Graham aboard the SS Norway in 1985. He autographed a copy of "The Only Way to Cross" and I have read it at least 3 times. I'll never tire of his detailed accounts of the ships and the people that made that era.

What I found really wonderful about the book was not only learning about the best parts of transatlantic travel but the worst as well. The section on Steerage as well as on the Boiler rooms show you every side of what life was like aboard the grandest ships to ever ply the oceans of the world.

If you buy only one book in your life buy this one!

This is a must read for any Oceanliner or ship fan. It will transport you back to the days when the steamship was truly the only way to cross. After reading this book you'll realize that those floating barge-hotels that Carnival and the other Megalines call ships will never be Luxury liners! Long live the SS Norway!

This is usually the third book you read in a Political Philosophy course after "The Republic" and the "Nichomachean Ethics".

Locke comes to an understanding of "society", "government", and "property", among a number of notions central to our way of life. Doing that, he's also justifying them, as they exist. He states better and more clearly than anyone else what it is we think these things are and why we should view them as good. I don't know if anyone is thought to have done these particular things any better. (I guess I'm saying that Hobbes, Rousseau, etc., did other things.)

Lots of good stuff written here on this. Just think it's worth pointing out that Locke's argument for man's leaving the state of nature and his argument for the establishment of property are notoriously inconsistent.

The "state of nature" is more rhetorical device or thought-experiment than historical description. Nonetheless, it is essential to the argument.

Oh well. Plato's dialogues often end in despair.

I wish more people knew political philosophy. It would raise the general level of discussion. People would spend less time monkeying demagogues, charlatans, and hucksters.

Good edition too.

John Locke (1632-1704) wrote "Second Treatise of Government" in 1690, it was the main political philosophical source that our "Founding Fathers" went to in writing the "Declaration of Independence" and in forming our government. I think you should know something of Locke to understand what influenced his thinking. His father was a small landowner, attorney, Puritan and his political sympathies were with the Cromwell Parliament. Like Hobbes, Locke attended Oxford Univ. and did not think much about the curriculum or his professors. Most of his education came from reading books in the Univ. library. Renee Descartes and Sir Isaac Newton's writings greatly influenced Locke. Like Hobbes, he took a tutoring job teaching the son of the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, and traveled Europe. His friendship with the Earl was beneficial in obtaining government appointments. During the political unrest in England, (1679-83) he fled to Holland because his liberal notions put him at odds with the government.

Locke writes the "Second Treatise of Government" to justify the Revolt of 1688 and the ascension of William of Orange to the English throne. The book argues against two lines of absolutist ideas. The first is Sir Robert Filmer's "patriarchal theory of divine right of kings; secondly, Hobbes argument for the sovereign's absolute power in his book "Leviathan." Locke argues that government emanates from the people. Locke's treatise rests like other political writings on its interpretation of human nature. He sees our nature opposite the way Hobbes did, decent and not as selfish or competitive. Man is more inclined to join society through reason and not fear. Man prefers stability to change.

His very important contribution to "law of nature" theory was his bias toward individualism. In state of nature, before government, men were free independent, equal enjoying inalienable rights "chief among them being life, liberty, and property." Where have you read that before? Property rights receive much attention in this treatise. Locke argues that government based on consent of man can still preserve freedom independence and equality.

His political writing had immediate influence in the world and influenced our founding fathers in their struggle against tyranny. He is an excellent writer and his theories are easy to understand by the laymen. As a graduate student of political philosophy, I recommend if you have an interest in politics, philosophy, or government then you must read Locke's "Second Treatise of Government"

In his book, Second Treatise of Government, John Locke (1632 - 1704) writes that all humans are born equal with the same ability to reason for themselves, and because of this, government should have limitations to ensure that people are free from the arbitrary will of another person, according to the laws of nature. Government, in Locke's view, is a social contract between the people in control, and the people who submit to it.

The editor of this edition, C. B. Macpherson, gives a little background and overview in his introduction to this book. He writes that the book "was directed against the principles of Sir Robert Filmer, whose books, asserting the divine authority of kings and denying any right of resistance, were thought by Locke and his fellow Whigs to be too influential among the gentry to be left unchallenged by those who held that resistance to an arbitrary monarch might be justified." (p. viii)
Locke's book served as a philosophical justification for revolting against tyrannical monarchies in the Glorious Revolution and the American Revolution. His book was practically quoted in the Declaration of Independence.

Locke lays out his basis for government on the foundation that people are able to reason. Because of this, people have inherent freedoms or natural rights. Though he believed in reason, Locke was an empiricist, meaning he believed that all knowledge of the world comes from what our senses tell us. The mind starts as a "tabula rasa", latin for an empty slate. As soon as we are born, we immediately begin learning ideas. Thus, all the material for our knowledge of the world comes to us through sensations. Nevertheless, Locke had an unshakable faith in human reason. He believed that people do learn what is right and wrong, regardless of what they choose to do. Locke believed that faith in God, certain moral norms and understanding consequences were inherent in human reason. So, even though people acquire everything they know about the world through the senses, they are able to think for themselves and reason at a higher level about what they learn.

Locke presumed that there are universally recognized principles and that the consequences are practically scientific. He was greatly influenced by Isaac Newton (1647-1727) who wrote The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy. Locke took the ideas that there were "natural laws" in science and tried to extend that to society.

Natural laws, or rights, in Locke's view, are obvious and learned through human reasoning, and apply to everyone. They are also called "self-evident," which appears in The Declaration of Independence. All humans are created equal, and Locke bases this idea on the golden rule, that people are to do to others as they would have others do to them. Natural equality is the basis of the first and most important "natural law" which is to care for one another. (p. 9) Locke believes that with or without government, there were universal natural rights.

Without government, people are unprotected from harm by other people. Where there is no government, people are free to do as they please, even to harm others. In this state, natural laws still apply, such as the right of people to protect themselves and seek reparation for injuries done to them. However, people are naturally inconsistent in executing punishments, because they have a propensity to act out of hate or revenge. Therefore, laws are necessary in a civil society to fairly arbitrate justice. The purpose of creating a civil society is to avoid major conflicts and keep peace.
Thus, civil government is a "contract" between people to regulate their affairs fairly. According to Locke's theories, people enter into a social contract by forming governments that will preserve order.

Locke describes a civil government as being democratic with some checks to ensure that it does not overstep its boundaries, and having both legislative and executive powers. A civil government is democratic or representative, meaning laws are created by the consent of the people through the voice of a majority vote. The legislature should represent the people equally based on population. (Salus populi suprema lex) All people are subject to the law, including the rulers-no one is above the law. Even the legislature needs "standing rules" to keep it from over-stepping its boundaries. Locke advocated the principle of division of powers. Because the legislature only meets at appointed times to create or revise laws, there needs to be an executive power that is constantly enforcing the laws. So Locke describes a division of the legislative and executive powers.

In contrast to what was being claimed by the rulers of the time, Locke taught that the purpose of government is to serve and benefit the people and that it should be controlled by the people for which the government was made. His claim that people have the right to rebel against government was controversial. Second Treatise of Government served as a foundation for future political philosophies.

John Locke's Second Treatise on Government is the Natural Rights philosophy's greatest essay. Locke, an English freethinker, wrote both his Frist and Second Treatise on Government to refute the patriarchial and absolutist writings of Sir Robert Filmer. Locke clearly believes man is imbued with the natural right to life, liberty, and property. He believes men have a right to live free from tyrannical government.

Locke shows how when a government degenerates into tyranny the "people" have a right to revolt and throw off such government. Sound familar? Jefferson wrote these words into the Declaration of Independence. Locke believes that liberty is a man's right by his very nature of being human. He points out how that men come together to form a government, based upon a social contract, and that the rulers or government must abide by that contract or man returns to his natural state. In the natural state men are not bound to the current ruler but may institute new government for their security and protection.

Although he believed that government should not be changed lightly or on a whim, and believed that the ruler must violate the contract and usurp power, he nevertheless pointed out that government is of men, not God or gods. He repudiated the doctrine propagated by Filmer, that rulers are appointed to rule by God, ie: the Divine Right of Kings.

This "wee little book" as Jefferson put it, has had a tremendous influence on the Western world. Locke, a child of the English Enlightenment has caused conservatives and other tyrants, socialists and communists to shudder at the right to throw off tyrannical government. A truly great read.

John Locke (1632-1704) wrote "Second Treatise of Government" in 1690, it was the main political philosophical source that our "Founding Fathers" went to in writing the "Declaration of Independence" and in forming our government. I think you should know something of Locke to understand what influenced his thinking. His father was a small landowner, attorney, Puritan and his political sympathies were with the Cromwell Parliament. Like Hobbes, Locke attended Oxford Univ. and did not think much about the curriculum or his professors. Most of his education came from reading books in the Univ. library. Renee Descartes and Sir Isaac Newton's writings greatly influenced Locke. Like Hobbes, he took a tutoring job teaching the son of the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, and traveled Europe. His friendship with the Earl was beneficial in obtaining government appointments. During the political unrest in England, (1679-83) he fled to Holland because his liberal notions put him at odds with the government.

Locke writes the "Second Treatise of Government" to justify the Revolt of 1688 and the ascension of William of Orange to the English throne. The book argues against two lines of absolutist ideas. The first is Sir Robert Filmer's "patriarchal theory of divine right of kings; secondly, Hobbes argument for the sovereign's absolute power in his book "Leviathan." Locke argues that government emanates from the people. Locke's treatise rests like other political writings on its interpretation of human nature. He sees our nature opposite the way Hobbes did, decent and not as selfish or competitive. Man is more inclined to join society through reason and not fear. Man prefers stability to change.

His very important contribution to "law of nature" theory was his bias toward individualism. In state of nature, before government, men were free independent, equal enjoying inalienable rights "chief among them being life, liberty, and property." Where have you read that before? Property rights receive much attention in this treatise. Locke argues that government based on consent of man can still preserve freedom independence and equality.

His political writing had immediate influence in the world and influenced our founding fathers in their struggle against tyranny. He is an excellent writer and his theories are easy to understand by the laymen. As a graduate student of political philosophy, I recommend if you have an interest in politics, philosophy, or government then you must read Locke's "Second Treatise of Government"

An amazing book for any aspiring authors of either nonfiction or fiction, and definitely one that I will continue to look to for guidance. Definitely a "must have"!

John covers every facet of writing in his 75 tips. He covers fiction and non-fiction, screenplays, movie scripts and just about every type of writing. He gives practical, sound advice for the ameteur and pro alike.

Very practical, down-to-earth book. A review isn't enough to describe how good this book is. You have to read it to see for yourself.

Can not add much to the great reviewes already given on this page. I like the way the book is broken down into 75 small steps, some of which you can simply gloss over if it does not pertain to the writing you do. I will add that if you can not wait to get this book, you can usualy find it in the bargain section of Barnes & Noble.

I picked up this book in the bargain section and was glad that I did. The tips and advice that McCollister gives are based on his experience but are presented in a way that makes them useful for just about any writer. Definitely a good source of ideas for turning one's creative energies into something profitable.

John McCollister gives his readers the inside scoop on how to land work as a free-lance writer. He makes it easy by itemizing his recommendations. Some of the steps are easier to take than others, but that is understandable.

In addition to the practicality of selling one's work, he offers tips on the writing profession itself separately. One of the best words of advice in this section is to write everyday. Persist! Hone your skill by working it.

Some of the sound advice he offers for marketing your work includes such things as consider including photos for your story. Also, in your cover letter, demonstrate how your story meets the criteria established by the publisher. Sell yourself and your work.

As a Christian he talks about coupling his work with an awareness of God's involvement in the process. He writes, "Those among us who have strong religious beliefs often use creative writing as an outlet for our faith."

A recurring theme is stick to it. Don't give up. Expect rejection. Keep on writing and marketing your work. Sell. Keep at it. This is good advice.

John Bellairs is a master of children's horror that I'm afraid the world has forgotten in the Harry Potter rush. As much as I love all that good stuff, nothing beats Bellairs' aura on a little town in 1940's Michigan where anything spooky can happen.

The three novels in this volume ("The House with a Clock in its Walls", "The Figure in the Shadows", and "The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring") focus on a orphan boy named Lewis who has come to the town of New Zebedee to live with his eccentric uncle who just so happens to be a wizard. What proceeds is various dippings into the supernatural.

And these are not the "cute" supernatural, at least in the usual sense. Sure, Stephen King and Anne Rice would probably consider these adventures kid stuff, but they are they are perfectly creative enough for kids; honestly, I think they're more creative than most of the adult horror out there. Bellairs deals with necromancy, Biblical prophecy, possession, the whole nine yards, but all very tastefully done to be suitable to this age group.

Besides the horror, these are books about what it's like to be a kid. Bellairs gets into the heads of his characters with their thoughts and worries and hopes like few do whilst balancing another subject.

His writing is also absolutely enchanting. Without being flowery, he is a master of description with exellent pacing and a storytelling voice that just draws you in.

I know these are a couple decades old, but I adored this mans' works as a kid, and even now I can't think of many things better to do than curl up with these stories.

Good product, prompt service. John really writes for much younger readers (I'm 83) but is a comfortable read anyway.

I read these books years ago, found them creepy, and forgot about them until recently. These are aimed at a young adult reader, but they're atmospheric and well written, and definitely make enjoyable adult reading. Check out the pages on the individual books for more info, but the three books in one edition is a great deal. These are also excellent for pre-teens and older who enjoy books on the supernatural. They do deal with themes of witchcraft and magic, but otherwise, contain no objectionable content.

This volume contains:

House with a Clock in its Walls (1973)
The Figure in the Shadows (1975)
The Letter, the Witch and the Ring (1976)

I have not read all of Bellairs' novels, so I cannot say whether these three are really his the "best". But the grouping is appropriate for other reasons: These are in fact the first three of Bellair's supernatural horror novels for kids; each is a sequel to the last; and all three feature the characters Lewis Barnavelt, Jonathan Van Olden Barnavelt, Mrs. Zimmerman, and (in the last two novels) Rose-Rita Pottinger. Moreover, the collection is more-or-less complete, since these are the only ones featuring these characters that were written entirely by Bellairs and published during his lifetime. The "next" in the series, entitled "The Ghost in the Mirror" was published posthumously after being completed by Brad Strickland in 1993 (after a gap of 17 years, during which Bellairs switched to writing about Johnny Dixon and Anthony Monday). Strickland has gone on to write his own adventures in the series (with what success I cannot say).

HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS begins with the orphaned Lewis Barnavelt, aged 10, being sent to live with his crazy Uncle Jonathan, and his batty neighbor Mrs. Zimmerman. The Uncle and the neighbor both turn out to be magicians (of the benevolent sort), and the grand old house they inhabit is filled with magical artifacts and mysteries, including a strange ticking sound reputed to come from a hidden clock. Matters get serious after the insecure Lewis, in an attempt to impress a friend, ignores his uncle's warning that he should never attempt magic. Creepy, scary fun ensues.

The next two novels in the series are just as well written, and every bit as creepy and scary as the original. However, the grimness becomes a little more unrelenting, and some kids may even find it depressing. One reason for this is that Bellairs seems to have somewhat regretted sending mixed messages in his first book, by his positive portrayal of magic as practiced by Mrs. Zimmerman and Uncle Jonathan. In the course of these volumes Mrs. Zimmerman is almost completely deprived of her powers. Bellairs continues to pay lip service to the idea that they are both benevolent minor magicians, but he ceases to show them using magic to positive effect. Magic use becomes, for all practical purposes, almost entirely associated with evil, and any dabbling therein leads only to horrific consequences.

I don't think Bellairs is necessarily wrong to want to discourage kids from seeking occult powers. However, it is a possibly unintended effect of this decision that the stories become increasingly and unrelentingly horrific and depressing. While the first volume made it seem as though there were powerful forces of Good to compete with those of Evil, the two sequels start to seem a bit like reading H.P. Lovecraft, wherein Evil has all the power.

The edition contains the original Edward Gorey illustrations for the first novel. Unfortunately, other artists illustrated the two sequels. The latter illustrations do not enchance the stories, which would be better off without them.

John Bellairs is best known as the author of sixteen gothic mystery novels for young adults comprising the Lewis Barnavelt, Anthony Monday, and Johnny Dixon series. The three stories in this book are the first three in the Lewis Barnavelt series, although the last has more to do with his friend, Rose Rita. The tales collected in this book are "The House with a Clock in Its Walls," "The Figure in the Shadows," and "The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring."

So far from what I've read of this author, his characters tend to be elderly eccentrics, or ordinary children (no superkids, here). Lewis is resourceful, but with a child's fears and limitations. Most especially, he is afraid that his uncle won't like him, that the kids in his new school will make fun of him, and that he'll never have a friend. His uncle, Jonathan and neighbor, Mrs. Zimmerman are very likeable magicians. They play poker with Lewis and make him chocolate chip cookies and cocoa, and generally treat him as a small adult.

The House with a Clock in its Walls (1973) - illustrated by Edward Gorey

Lewis is a newly orphaned, plump ten-year-old, who wears "purple corduroy trousers, the kind that go `whip-whip' when you walk." The author often claimed that his imagination got stuck at ten, and here is Lewis, age ten, going to live with his Uncle Jonathan in New Zebedee, Michigan. The year is 1948, and New Zebedee bears a strong resemblance to Marshall, Michigan, where the author was born--- The Cronin House and the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Hall still stand in Marshall, just as their counterparts do in New Zebedee.

The only thing Uncle Jonathan is reluctant to talk about with Lewis is the ticking noise within the walls of his old mansion, recently acquired from a deceased magician.

Lewis discovers that his uncle makes midnight excursions throughout the house, stopping and restarting all of the old clocks. He slowly gets involved in the mystery of an undiscovered clock. The wizardly Izzard couple who used to live in the house are both dead, but what did they leave behind and why?

There are some genuinely frightening scenes in "The House with a Clock in its Walls"---most especially when Lewis tries to impress a new friend by stealing one of his uncle's magic books and taking it to the graveyard at midnight on Halloween---but I don't want to spoil the story for you (Hint: there's a scene straight out of "Count Magnus" by M.R. James when the lock pops off of the crypt). Let me say that this is a truly scary book, and if the author's imagination got stuck at ten, he must lived an awesomely spooky tenth year.

"The Figure in the Shadows" (1975) - illustrated by Mercer Mayer

Lewis wants desperately to believe that an old coin belonging to his Great-Great-Grampa Barnavelt has magical powers. He is being bullied at school and starts to wear the old Civil War coin around his neck for protection. Finally Lewis turns on the bully and beats him up, but he soon learns that the coin has other, even darker powers.

When Lewis begins to see a shadowy figure in a long coat and starts to get scary messages, he asks his friend, Rose Rita to take the coin and throw it away. She wrestles the coin away from him, but instead of throwing it into the storm drain, she hides it.

The bully starts in on Lewis again, and he decides he'll do anything to get the coin back again, even steal it from Rose Rita.

This story has a very spooky climax that will scare even the grown-ups who are reading it to their children.

"The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring" (1976) - illustrated by Richard Egielski

Rose Rita is mad at the world. Her friend, Lewis Barnavelt is going to Boy Scout camp for the summer, and he is the only one who appreciates her for what she is: a tomboy with a great pitching arm who has no interest in growing up into the world of proms and pretty gowns. When Mrs. Zimmerman offers to take her on a trip to see the farm she just inherited from her cousin, Oley, Rose Rita jumps at the chance.

Unfortunately when Mrs. Zimmerman and Rose Rita arrive at the farmhouse up in the woods of Northern Michigan, it has been ransacked. The ring that Oley had found and believed to be magic has been stolen.

When Mrs. Zimmerman herself disappears, it is up to Rose Rita to solve the deepening mystery.

Don't expect milksop magic or easy solutions from this author. Rose Rita has to confront both interior and exterior demons, and comes very close to death before Bellairs winds down to his usual cocoa and cookies (well, roasted marshmallows in this story) ending.

This is an outstanding account of a remarkable real life search which proved the innocence of Dr. John M. Branion, convicted in a court of law of the murder of his first wife, Donna. Please note the misspelling of the family name; it is NOT Banion, at least not on my two copies of the book!! The dedication of the writer and her attorney husband toward the solution of false conviction and false imprisonment, but not the crime itself, is an example of welcome dedication to the best of human interest and the never ending search for justice. One should not overlook the severe failings of the judicial system in this case and this book should be read by everyone interested in competent courts and officials, honesty in their dealings, and in protection of the rights of persons accused of a major crime. If only! The case became celebrated long after the crime; TV show "Unsolved Mysteries" has treated this fairly (their first 30 minute piece) and, I am told, it still runs occasionally.

The chronicle of the events surrounding this book were skillfully presented by d'Amato. I followed every detail and understood exactly how and why the author repeatedly qualified the events to show how ridiculous and sloppy those in authority were in handling this case. One man's life was wasted because of the folly in judgement of mankind. I will never have the same faith in our justice system again that I had carried all my life. I will think and rethink. This was a well written book that absorbed me completely - I felt all the pain and frustrations. I will never forget what happened to Dr. John Branion, and the events that subsequently affected the lives of so many

It's axiomatic in the publishing business that books with black protagonists will never crack a bestseller list. Thus with "The Doctor, the Murder, the Mystery." Too bad. Barbara D'Amato has written a stunning and terrifying study of our injustice system and its built-in bias toward black defendants, no matter how accomplished or brilliant they may be. It took this superb writer five years to research and write, and no wonder. In any list of the best works of crime journalism, this book must stand near the top. Warning: it will move you to tears. And rage. And maybe make you lose your last vestige of respect for a "justice system" that long ago stopped providing equal justice under law.

This riveting book chronicles and analyzes the amazing Branion murder case in which Dr. John Branion was arrested, tried, and convicted for the December 1967 murder of his wife, Donna. This was a case that caught the imagination of the public, at the time, as the Branions were a prominent family within the African American community in Chicago. I remember seeing a recap of this case on "Unsolved Mysteries" many years later and thinking that it was just about impossible for the doctor to have committed this crime, unless he could have been in two places at once.

The evidence that led to Dr. Branion's arrest was virtually non-existent and wholly circumstantial, fueled by conjecture and speculation. The police work was shoddy, at best, bolstered by faulty memories and a desire to close the case. Dr. Branion was tried in the then notoriously corrupt criminal justice system of Chicago, Illinois. The defense team was spearheaded by an attorney who was astonishingly inept. The prosecution was led by a veteran prosecutor who evidently left his ethics at home everyday before heading off to work. Many years later, the lead prosecutor acknowledged that he knew that Dr. Branion himself could not have committed the murder but prosecuted him any way, as he believed that Br. Branion had paid someone to kill his wife, despite lacking a scintilla of evidence to support such a theory. To compound this travesty of justice further, the trial was presided over by a corrupt judge who took a payoff and who, many years later, was convicted of taking bribes. Need one say more?

The murder of his wife Donna was to begin an undreamt of odyssey for Dr. Branion. After his conviction, he was permitted to be out on bail while pending appeal. For nearly three years, he waited in limbo, until his appeals were exhausted. When his appeals failed, he was sentenced to a minimum of twenty years in prison. He then did the only thing that he felt an innocent man could do, when faced with the prospect of a twenty year sentence for a crime he did not commit. He fled the jurisdiction, a move that would find him spending the next twelve years on the run in Africa until his eventual capture and return to the United States in 1983. He would then spend the next seven years in prison awaiting justice. When it finally came, it was too little, too late.

The author, who together with her husband, a law professor, tirelessly worked pro bono on Dr. Branion's appeals upon his return to the United States, puts together a well researched and persuasive chronicle of Dr. Branion's tragic saga. Well written and comprehensive, this compelling narrative will keep the reader riveted to its pages. It is with good reason that the author was the recipient of the Anthony and Agatha Awards for Best True Crime. Those who enjoy the true crime genre, as well as those who enjoy mysteries, will find the story contained within the pages of this book fascinating. Bravo!

My 5 year old has many, many dinosaur books, but this book trumps them all. We have been admiring this book in Spanish (a language no one in my family speaks) for more than 10 months at a store we visit regularly - my son sprawled on the floor in the book aisle while we shop. Today I am so pleased to find it in English - I highly recommend this book - kids can enjoy it without ever reading a word!

I bought the latest edition of this book. It has a great hologram on the cover that changes from the skull of a T-Rex to the actual monster. Nevertheless, the book's 256 pages are covered with amazing drawings of the weird "Ancestors of the Dinosaurs."

Anyone who doesn't believe in evolution after thumbing this book has lost all sense of reason. Did these animals all disappear, and then God created a whole new world of dinosaurs? No, the chaos of creationism cannot account for such diversity, nor can it link these vanished worlds to each other and the present. Only evolution can do that. Further, the illustrations show how these animals are linked together.

The book is full of masterful drawings that compare these strange dinosaurs with the size of a man (gray figure next to them). Each dinosaur is also described in short easy-to-read headings.

I've already thumbed through it a dozen times. A must for anyone interested in dinosaurs.

My fiance bought this book for my son (5 at the time) for Christmas 2 years ago. Despite the fact that he got a multitude of other, more expensive presents, it was his favorite book.

He was just learning to read (he was halfway through kindergarten), but he read the book obsessively. It went everywhere with him - to school, to bed, to daycare, out to playtime. He literally *loved* the first copy to death. He read it until the spine shredded and it started losing pages.

The language is not simplistic. In fact, I find that I have to help him with some of it, but as his reading ability improves, I'm helping him less and less. There are facts in this books that I as an adult did not know. His teachers in kindergarten and first grade credit this book for sparking his love of reading and his incredible improvement at reading independently.

The pictures are vivid and the sections are grouped by dinosaur types, allowing you to learn about sauropods, etc. with ease. Information is laid out in such a way that you can compare and contrast the various species with relative ease.

In fact, after reading this book, my son started pointing out factual errors in the film Jurassic Park!

I've just repaired the spine on a second copy of this book in two years... and will likely end up buying a third or fourth at the rate we're going.

If you have a dinosaur lover in your family, this is THE book to get them. You won't be disappointed and neither will they.

My wife and I saw this book discounted at Barnes and Noble for $9.99. We had our 3 yr old son with us and he immediately saw this book and wanted it. He has wanted us to read it to him several times every day for the last two weeks he's had it. He remembers the names too and finds them according to their pictures or even their printed names. How many 3 year olds do you know who know what a gargoylesaurus or a pinacosaurus are? The most comprehensive, kid-friendly dinosaur book I have ever seen. Definitely recommended. The dinosaurs are all illustrated according to group, name, size, habitat...you name it. Awesome! I get just as a much of a kick reading this book as I do reading it to my son. If ever your child needs a dinosaur encyclopedia or similar material, this book is definitely it. Check it out and enjoy. You won't regret it.

my grandfather was a Latvian POW in Vorkuta with John Noble-
He helped my grandmother by relating his story because
she had managed to get to America and he was in Vorkuta though she was not sure if he was even alive. Must read. Great man.

I have read both of Mr Noble's books. I am amazed to learn that he is still alive in Dresden. What a fantastic story!

I am American who lives in Dresden Germany. I had the great pleasure of meeting John Noble today at his home here in Dresden. We talked for about 3 hours about his life and views on the world today. He is the most fascinating person I have ever met. If you ever get to read one of his books, I'm sure you be very please with his insight and wisdom.

John's story is well written and informative, explaining the details of life in slave labor prison camps as well as it's impact on a person brought up in a free society. The writer further details the thoughts and philosophic struggles of himself and his fellow prisoners, giving faces to the faceless millions. This book could be used as a manual for communist slave labor camp survival or a picture of what happens to the mind of someone enslaved.

My copy of this powerful book arrived yesterday. All I can say is that it is visually stunning and sincerely heart touching. Each of the 81 verses is accompanied by the most beautiful black and white photo expressing depths of soul and meanings far beyond words, just like the Tao Itself. You will not regret buying this book.

I had to choose one book to take to a deserted island...
One could spend a lifetime meditating on the contents of this book. There is a verse to guide you through every possible situation in life.
This is my favorite book of all time.

Ralph Alan Dale has pulled together a magnificent book that will inspire readers to view our world in a more positive, altered way. He has taken ancient Chinese philosophical text and painstakingly translated it into English in a manner extremely relevant for our times. It's simply a masterpiece.

If you are seeking knowledge to help uplift yourself or those around you, and bring joy, hope to them as well--this book is it! It's the type of book you can share with your children, grandchildren. So whenever you think life is looking bleak, unfair, violent, and hopeless--gently unfold the pages of Dale's book and you'll be glad you did. I cherish my copy!

This work dates the BC era. There is a detailed description of the
left and right brain spheres. Classic quotations are as follows:

- " In the infancy of the universe, there were no names."

- "In ancient times, people knew the great Integrity in all its
subtlety and profundity. "

- "We knew beauty because there is ugly. "

- "Yin and Yang aren't sentimental. They exist without
moralizing. "

- "The wise are heard through their silence. "

- "The finest weapons are the worst evils. "

- "Nothing remains itself. Each prepares its path to its
opposite. "

- "To be ready for rightness. First be wronged. "

These are classic sayings which will amuse theologists and
philosophers everywhere.

This is one of the most incredible books I've ever read - I absolutely could not put it down. You will need a box of tissues to hand - but it is very inspiring! I'm telling everyone I know about it and planning a fundraiser for the street children in Vietnam.

I feel like a big nerd for saying it, but this is probably the most influential book that I've ever read. I can't think of any other thing I've read that has moved me more and made me want to do something to try and change the world. First off, let me say that at times reading this book made me cringe from how cheesy it can get. There is a lot of goofy emotion and things of that nature. I guess you could say that this is a book Oprah might endorse. Push all that aside and it's really unbelievable what has happened to this woman in her life and what she has done with her life.
The story starts off with Christina Noble going to Vietnam with no idea of what she is doing or where to start except that she wants to somehow help the street children of Ho Chi Min City. The second part tells about her own life growing up in Dublin, Ireland and how she herself became a street child and on into her adult life. The third part goes back to Vietnam and shows what she did to help the street children there. Both stories of what she did in Vietnam and her life growing up are incredible. Sometimes I seriously couldn't believe that this woman had went through all of this. If you are lacking the motivation to change the world then I would start here for a little humanitarian kick in the head.
Cheesiness aside this is one extremely inspiring read. There I said it.

Christina (Tina) Noble writes of her incredible journey from street kid in Ireland to building and running an orphanage in Vietnam. Her warmth and humour plus her gutsy strength learnt on the toughest streets makes reading Bridge Across my sorrows a heartlifting read. It made me realise it only takes one person to change the world for the better and even a street kid has the power to change so many childrens lives. What is even more amazing was that Tina went to Vietnam due to a powerful dream she had had many years earlier. Through acting on that dream she is now the Mother Theresa of Vietnam. This book will always be on my favourites list.

No one knows the New York Rangers like John Halligan, who for many years served as their Director of Public Relations.

In this spectacular volume, Halligan has brought together the best memories from the Rangers' history to provide a comprehensive and nostalgic journey for Ranger fans - and hockey fans - all over the world.

Gorgeous photos, in-depth detail, and hilites of all Rangers' special moments are captured within. This is a collectors' item for past, present and future hockey fans.

Quite simply, this is the type of book you pick up for a quick glance, and when you look up at the clock, you find you've been immersed in it for what turns out to be over two hours of pure pleasure.

Very highly recommended!!!

I own this when it was first realesed 2 years ago! NUFF said!

The "New York Rangers-Seventy-Five Years", is a superb historical look back at 75 years of Ranger hockey. Author John Halligan, who is a former public relations director for the Rangers, gives the fan, a fantastic look back at the birth of this great franchise, and takes you on a journey from 1926 to the year 2000. All the legends of Ranger hockey are presented in all their glory. Names like the Bill and Bun Cook, Lester Patrick, Ching Johnson, Murray Murdoch, Chuck Rayner, Gump Worsley, Andy Bathgate, Harry Howell, Rod Gilbert, Jean Ratelle, Vic Hadfield, Eddie Giacomin, Brad Park, Adam Graves, Mark Messier, Brian Leetch and Mike Richter are just a few of the Ranger legends that are brought to life with rare photo's and text that help make this book the best book ever published on the New York Rangers. The all-time Ranger team fold out section by John Davidson is a very nice touch to this oversized coffee table book. Seeing the full page photo of Eddie Giacomin overcome by emotion playing for the Red Wings, as the crowd chanted his name for 2 hours surely brought back memories of an event that will live forever in Ranger history. All four stanley cup teams are covered here, 1927, 1933,1940 and of course 1994. The book has lots of statistical data at end section of the book to help settle any arguments over who had more goals and shutouts etc. I can't think of a better gift to give to a young Ranger fan who would like to explore the history and players who wore the uniform of the New York Rangers.