G Books

I really enjoyed this book for several reasons. First, the engaging style that invites the reader into the world of Octavian and many of his contemporaries such as Herod the Great, Tiberius, Cleopatra, Cicero, Livey, and many others. You come away from this book feeling as though you experienced something of the past. It is though you were there and lived through it yourself. Second, this book is a history of religions in that it focuses on the world religions of the first century all over the world. You learn about the religions of Rome and how they were evolving, as well as Judaism, Christianity, Buddism, Mithraism, Hinduism and many more besides. The story of the Roman and Greek gods are told. Third, festivals and there meaning are focused on. This is particularly true of December 25th and how the various religions treated this date. Other festivals are taught about as well, like the Jewish passover. Fourth, the calendar and how it come into being is another great feature of this book. One learns about astronomy and astrology as well as how all of the months and days of the week that are currently used in the west were named. Fifth, the founding and history of various cities are told. Finally, one can not leave this book without sensing that he has taken a trip back in time. The one negative about the book was that the author takes a religious stand that "all roads lead to god". There is very little negative treatment of the various religions. Most people and religions are cast in a very positive light. Octavian was likely a little meaner and cold hearted than he comes off here. Of course, if Octavian was telling the story himself then he may have told it like this since we are all the hero of our own story.

One of the best all-ages history books. :) Gorgeous illustrations, useful family trees, all told in a friendly and familiar style; not dry and academic at all.

What a wonderful book and introduction for a young person to learn about the Romans, and the way they lived! I remember first being introduced to this book in the 9th grade, when I had a mild obsession with the Roman Empire. This book has stuck with me for a long time. It is written in an entertaining manner, and makes these people seem more real and human than some stale 3rd person account of how things were. Each historical figure is depicted as people with the same basic fears, hopes and desires as everyone else, in relation to the society in which they live. It of course being for children is toned down as far as some of the facts we know or speculate today about these people (ie I, Claudius) but it gives a great account of how an individual of the day might have lived, and it is not just about Octavian/Augustus himself, but the people around him and alive at the same time, sometimes even in another country. This was the world of that time, and was a fascinating period of history. This type of book can easily open up a historical interest for a young person for life. I myself searched 10 years ago to find a used copy of this gem, remembering it from high school over 10 years prior, and successfully found a copy in an old book shop. I was thrilled to death to read it again, even after reading several translated histories from the Roman Empire.

I cannot say enough good things about this book! I just finished reading it before using it for homeschooling, and am amazed at how much I learned! If only they used history books like this in when I was in school, I may have had an interest in history.

The books covers from Octavian at age 18 (when his uncle Julius Caesar is killed), through his death. The beauty of this books is that it covers world events during the time period as well as daily life in Ancient Rome. It's wonderfully well rounded and the illustrations are a nice bonus.

I will absolutely read her other historic fiction books and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this one!

One of the great bonuses of parenting is that you get to introduce books to your own kids that wowed you when you were a kid yourself. Sometimes your children love the books as much as you did; sometimes they don't. But in either case, you get to revisit with old friends and see how much you and they have changed and retained over the years.

Some of my best book friends when I was a kid were the wonderful illustrated histories of Genevieve Foster, and the one I loved most was *Augustus Caesar's World.* I recently introduced it (and a few others: *Washington's World*, *Lincoln's World*, *John Smith's World*, *Columbus's World*) to my 8 year old, and he's discovering the magic in them I did so many years ago.

There are three qualities to *Augustus Caesar's World* that make it so entertaining and educating. The first is that it's incredibly well written. Foster has the gift of breathing life into historical accounts. In reading about Cicero's execution or the life of Siddhartha, for example, one experiences all the dreadful waste of the one and the liberating wonder of the other. Second, the book is wonderfully illustrated by Foster herself. The illustrations are themselves instructive: along with individual scenarios, she provides time-lines, illustrated most fetchingly, that conveniently encapsulate events and persons. Finally, Foster's histories are really world histories. In *Augustus Caesar's World,* she focuses on the events leading up to the end of the Roman Republic and the establishment of the Empire (roughly, 44BCE to 14 CE). But she doesn't limit herself to Roman history; she also examines events taking place across the world during the time frame in which she's working: the druids in Gaul, Hindus in India, Confucius in China, Mayans in the Americas, and so on. She even includes intellectual history: the origins of Christianity and Buddhism, the Upanishadic culture of the Hindus, etc. Her aim is to give the reader a wide angle of vision, and she succeeds wonderfully.

I'm grateful that Foster's histories are being republished. They don't patronize kids by resorting to silly gimmicks that supposedly make learning more palatable (or at least more marketable). Instead, they make history fascinating the old fashioned way: by showing that it's a great story in its own right. They're a great discovery for my son, and a great rediscovery for me.

MBTI is becoming everyday more popular, more of a tool for business. Also, it is more and more misused as people settle for the quick fix approach of the system, the labelling of people and an expected (or rather hoped for) predictability of people's attitudes and reactions. Some of us amateurs understand that this is not a labelling tool, but a sophisticated tool to understand some of the aspects of human thought process; and that it is not easy to always assert the psychological type of the person that we are dealing with. Naomi Quenck offers us another way to look at the role of type in our lives, by looking at the obscure side of psychological type, the side that "generalists" gloss over pretending that we are all great and beautiful. We are not. She clearly explains that under grip experience, or Jungian shadow as you might have it, the negative side of our personalities can act up. The understanding of this dark side of course helps us in our individuation process. And also help us in understanding some of the reasons that bring our loved ones into trouble, perhaps allowing us to help them more effectively without any of the sentimental language that we find in so many "help and self help" books. Also we can use the examination of grip experiences to ... the true type of the people that surround us and for whom we cannot get a clear idea of their actual type, be it due to their secretiveness, their need to conform to society's norms or any other reason. Grip experiences do not lie. It is to the credit of Naomi Quenck to have written a book that does not sugar coat what type is about, yet of easy access by its organization and good redaction.

This book is super! Here, Naomi Quenk bridges the gap between Jung's psychology of the shadow, "Keirsey's" temperament, and MBTI.

While not for the novice (some of the themes are contextually difficult to understand the first read through), this book offers startling insight into how MBTI and Jungian psychology play into our own (and others) personality makeup.

The focus is, of course, what happens to us when we are at our worst - when we are "beside ourselves". That is, when our least developed aspect of personality comes out full force - much like an 8 year olds temper tantrum.

While one would expect to see remarkable similarities between people "in the grip" of their least experienced emotional state, Naomi Quenk gives us both insightful, scientiic, and experincial data to show that personalities express their least developed parts in vastly dissimilar ways.

This is yet another book which I believe shoud be "required reading" for anyone looking to get a better view of personality, temperament, MBTI, and character. Of course I will always refer people to Keirsey's work for the basic principles, along with "Games personalities play" (authors name escapes me). All of these offer a very good view of how the interactions of personalities play out in everyday life.

Naomi Quenk's book is superb. In the appendix, she offers selected quotations by Jung (on which a preponderance of her work is based it seems). This book is well worth your money! I thouroughly enjoyed it.

-Regards

I am not a psychology or mental health professional, but I found this book fascinating. It uses enough theory to be credible, but didn't get me lost in terminology or assumptions. Not only did I find this book to be beneficial for understanding myself, but as a business consultant I find it a great tool for helping organizations understand their personalities.

This book explains the nature of the eight functions in their inferior roles when they're exerting an uncharacteristic influence on a person. It briefly summarizes the nature of the functions when they're in the dominant role for purposes of contrast, but that's not the focus of the book. This is to my knowledge the definitive book on the nature of the inferior functions, and together with Lenore Thomson's "Personality Type" which deals with functions in their dominant role, it covers the most important aspects of personality theory. If you're new to personality theory, I recommend reading Lenore Thomson's book before this one. They're both roughly the same quality (excellent), but knowing the nature of the inferior functions isn't as urgent as knowing the nature of the dominant functions. These two books are a must read for anyone interested in personality theory. Naomi L. Quenk (the author) is INFP. I am INTP.

Until I began reading Beside Ourselves, I had really only thought of the Myers-Briggs types as defined by the dominant functions. In other words: being an ENTP, I thought that my personality was dictated and defined by extraverted intuition (my dominant function). After reading Quenk's insightful work, however, I realized that my actions are equally a result of my inferior function (introverted sensing).

For me, Beside Ourselves is a guide to recognizing the importance of our "hidden personalities" and recognizing why we can act in ways that seem foreign even to ourselves when "in the grip" of our inferior functions, as Quenk puts it. This book shows that there is (obviously) value to accepting and understanding the "dark side" of our personalities, and that true equilibrium can usually be reached when we learn to deal with and even embrace the "eruptions" of our hidden inferior functions.

In my opinion, grasping the concepts found in this book will require that the reader has an understanding of personality type as defined by Jung, Keirsey, Myers-Briggs, etc. In order to understand the hidden personality, or inferior function, readers should have a strong understanding of the dominant function, which is essentially the personality we feel best describes us under "normal" circumstances. Highly recommended!

As a helicopter crew chief in Viet Nam, and having seen the A-1's in action, I can say without a doubt that the pilots of these big, slow targets are my heroes! Flying into the teeth of enemy fire, they could and did take a lot of lead. But keep in mind that all it took was one single golden round to knock them out of the sky. At the slow speeds, these guys were able to pinpoint their bombs and strafing runs right where they were needed. While reading "Cheating Death" (three times) I could hear the gunfire, smell the cordite, and feel the adrenaline rush. I want more! You won't put this one down before you read the last page. William E. Peterson

My Uncle Robby (Robert Franklin Coady) was a Skyraider pilot, mentioned in this book, in fact. George Marrett's book brought to life for me the bravery and sacrifice of my uncle, the author and the men they served with.

I am humbled and appreciate the sacrifice of these men who flew the sandys and jollys made during the secret war in Laos in the 60's. These men put their lives on the line every time they went out to rescue downed fliers in Laos. I first learned about the rescue mission of the A-1 from Stephen Count's book "Flight of the Intruder." And I am glad that someone who actually flew these planes wrote an account of their experiences in these strike and rescue missions.

Captain G.J. Marrett writes an informative and readable account of his experiences during the Vietnam conflict. I was surprised to read about the number of planes shot down. I guess this is a compliment to the tenacity of the NVA and the danger of flying these missions. Capt. Marrett flew 187 missions and throughout the book you learn of his dedication to his fellow warriors and his love for aviation and the A-1.

I have come to love the A-1 and the appreciate the amazing capability of this warplane. I would love to get a ride in a A-1E or A-1G but better yet to fly a A-1J. How about it, Captain?

Sock It to 'Em!

While I was aware that the A-1 Skyraider participated in rescues of downed pilots, I had never read of the use of the A-1 indepth until I read "Cheating Death". Since the A-1 was an old, piston-engine aircraft, it is often overlooked, especially when compared to the F-4, F-105 and B-52 and other jets. George Marrett gives long overdue recognition to the crucial role played by the A-1 and the rescue forces in what is often an overlooked, yet important, role during the Vietnam War.

I flew in the same squadron and on the same ship as one of the Navy pilots George and his fellow warriors risked their lives to rescue. It happened on our first day of combat in 1968 and we were all overwhelmed by seeing their dedication to getting him out over three long days. It was like a bad dream. Now, 37 years later, I get to read a gripping, first-person account of this rescue mission and others like it. I am awed and humbled by reading this book. This is the "real deal" folks! No laser-guided, standoff weapons here. Be warned, you will lose sleep for a few nights as you turn these pages well past the time normal people go to bed.

When I discover an author I enjoy, it's not unlike making a new friendship - you look forward to your next meeting. I so thoroughly enjoyed A Death at Bennie's that I can't wait for my next visit with GG Robins.

This is very impressive first novel, and it is a page-turner from start to finish. Robins' protagonist, Keith Brett is a likable everyman who happens to find himself at the wrong place at the wrong time and then is forced to flee for his life.

If you get to know this promising new author, you might discover a new literary friend.

A page burner! Great beginning. Great ending. And in the middle is a guy with no combat or survival skills, running for his life. Good guys are after him. Bad guys are after him. Every step takes him deeper into the broiling Mexican desert and every time it looks like he's going to catch a break, another plot-twist you never saw coming gets him in even deeper dodo. I couldn't put it down.

"A Death at Benny''s is a fun ride. My attention was snagged at the Prologue and I couldn''t seem to untangle myself until the end. What a fantastic offering from Robins. It is hard to believe this is his first novel! I look forward to the next and would pay for a ticket to see the movie version of ... Benny''s."

A Death at Benny's is a fast, fun, exciting read. I spend a lot of time on airplanes and this book ate up the miles. It moves like Cussler with the twists and character-depth of Ludlum. If you like action-adventure with narrow escapes, you will not be disappointed. I felt what the characters felt. I'll be in line for this author's next one.

A DEATH AT BENNY'S


Robins' major character, Keith Brett, witnesses a murder in his
favorite bar next to his vacation trailer on the Sea of Cortez. He becomes an unwilling witness trying to hide in a foreign country with few skills and fewer resources; being pursued by corrupt cops, honest ones, the Mexican Mob, and plenty of locals seeking a reward. He ends up part Everyman, part Job, and ultimately part accidental Rambo.

Robins moves him quickly and has you turning pages as fast as Brett finds himself in a new dilemma, which is often. And not once during the 500 pages of chase does Robins strain credulity on what or how or where his hero is or how he reacts. Robins even works in a couple of subplots involving corruption on both sides of the border, and gives you everything from honest Mexican cops to crooked gringos. And every time you think you got the next move figured, Robins hits you with a new plot twist you never saw coming.

Those who travel into Mexico often, particularly Arizona regulars to Rocky Point/Puerto Penasco will never be able to do so again without thinking about this book.

EMIL FRANZI

KVOI Radio, Columnist/Reviewer, Explorer Newspapers, Tucson

There is no question about it: "The Devil, Me and Jerry Lee" is entertaining and fast reading. The author is the younger sister of Jerry Lee Lewis. It is for those of us that already appreciate the Killer. Folks who don't know who "The Killer" is should stop reading this review now. The faithful will be treated to a tale of life on the road and a little on the wild side of Jerry Lee. There are few surprises for those familiar with Lewis' past. His up and down career is covered form the mid -1950s at Sun Records in Memphis until the "present day". It's a bit foggy, perhaps intentionally so, as to what the Killer is doing right now. To quote the trailer in the movie "Great Balls of Fire" `he is probably playing his heart out-somewhere'. DMJL also tells the tale of the author's own strange career both on and off stage. The details of the latter are frank, earthy and mostly believable. (As to the former, it's a mystery: What "career" did Linda Gail have?Billboard credits her with 2 chart hits.) They are delivered in a take me or leave me fashion, just the way her big brother would want. The author has a definite manipulative charm to her, a trait she no doubt shares with her sibling. I am certain her 8 husbands could attest to that! The bottom line is that DMJL is recommended for Lewis fans only. The story won't win any new ones. Any serious country fan should possess at least one Killer CD. Amazon has several available! Jerry Lee is an entertainer one has to listen to, not merely read about. As for his little sister, she wore me down: 5 stars.

I found this book to be a very interesting look at the upbringing and early influences on Jerry Lee's life which was not detailed in earlier books on his life. It was sometimes shocking, but always interesting.

Reading this book is like having a conversation with Linda Gail Lewis over a cup of coffee. If you like knowing the inside scoop, this book is a must read. Sit down to and have a heart-to-heart talk!

Sister to Jerry Lee Lewis, Linda Gail has written a blunt, fascinating warts-and-all showbiz book about her life and that of the rock and country legend. Linda Gail, who hit the Top 10 with her duet with Jerry Lee "DON'T LET ME CROSS OVER", toured with Jerry Lee for 15 years as a background singer , and her love and concern for her brother shines through this fast-paced 166 page book co-written with Les Pendleton. The family grew up in a shack in Ferriday, La. with no insulation, no bathroom and no lack of hardship. A drunk driver killed their 9-year-old brother, their father spent time in prison for bootlegging, and Jerry Lee, when 22, married his 13 year old cousin, Myra. Writes Linda Gail, "Myra looked like she was 20, and she was more than a little bit on the wild side herself. In Ferriday, I could have married a cousin and not even known it. It was no big deal." Despite his career ups and downs, Linda Gail notes, "Momma would remain in new Cadillacs and housekeepers until she died." If there were book ratings, this one would be PG. And, if there were ratings on the most interesting books - on a scale from 1 to 10, this would be an 11. Linda Gail, now happily married and living in Big Sandy, Tenn., has written a compelling, no-holds-barred, true-life story with a very appropriate title. Gerry Wood, Country Weekly - January 12, 1999

What a great story and well written. Coming from a religious family, I enjoyed reading all the interesting circumstances that Linda and her big family went through. I've never read a much more shocking story and laughed so hard!! Double Thumbs Up!!!!!

I was very pleased with this item. Fast shipping. Product in excellent condition. Pleased with seller.

This book is very intelligently written and organized. The definitions are skillfully worded to be precise, succinct and immediately comprehensible. It's actually a joy to meander through the book following the cross references to build up an expanding view of a topic. (Note: I'm fairly new to accounting). Very highly recommended, especially for the price.

I needed something at work to look up certain words as I come across them. of course this book was perfect. I enjoy having it by my side, just to make sure I know what I'm dealing with and have an understanding of what I am doing. I def. recommend for all you accountants/auditors out there.

This book arrived in perfect condition and within a few days. I am very pleased with my purchase.

This dictionary has it all + simplified examples. Bottom line, if you think it you'll find it.

I first very much liked this book and wanted it to never end. But then I came upon a few stories of people which grated with me because they depicted the person as much too positive. For example, C. G. Jung is described as nothing as a genius and saint. Unfortunately, his real life was far from saintly. For example, he was very nasty to his wife and tortured her by inviting his mistress for years to every family Sunday lunch.
Another story that is much too positive is that of Joseph Smith, the founder of the mormon church. Joseph is described in the most positive way but the fact that he brought untold amount of suffering to thousands of women through introducing polygamy has been left out. Why, I wonder.
It also grated with me that there are a few stories included of soldiers who suffered in prison camps. Their traumas are described in great detail which made them appear as victims. However, the kind of atrocities these soldiers had committed to others were completely left out.
The biggest shocker came when I discovered that the story of Joan d'Arc (the French peasant girl who let the French into battle against the English)was included. Where was the moral judgement of the authors to include a story about 'divinely inspired' VIOLENCE??? They might as well have included Adolf Hitler because he (like so many other dictators) has claimed, as well, to be guided by 'Divine providence'.

All in all, a wonderful book that is marred by lack of honesty and failing moral judgement in places.

Every story seems better than the last. Just an amazing collection of brief biographies, that make you want to read more about each individual. I'm half-way through the book. I may write to the author of my own stories: My wife had a tumor the size of your thumb disappear from her neck after a prayer circle with a gifted healer. Verified with x-ray and ultrasound that is totally gone. Years before, she woke the moment a distant friend of mine, whom she had never met, passed away 350 miles away. In her dream, he shook her hand and died. I confirmed his passing the next morning. It was at the moment she had woken up.

One of Dan Millman's stories is of a skeptical doctor who went to Lourdes, and witnessed a women on the verge of death from advanced tuberculosis be cured in 30 minutes after having water from the Grotto poured over her. The doctor first describes her near death state, and then the implausible minute by minute improvements in her appearance and condition.

DIVINE INTERVENTIONS lifts the spirits as it soothes the soul... it is the perfect antidote to all manner of news media, which more often than not emphasizes things that seem to be going wrong, usually without much of an explanation as to why things happen or what makes them happen in the first place.

This refreshingly inspirational set of fifty stories, each less than seven pages long, that describe amazing events in the lives of people from all continents, spiritual traditions, and walks of life. What these stories have in common is that each of them illustrates something so extraordinary that it changed someone's life... sometimes in ways that would likely not have been predicted.

I love the way stories are told from all walks of life and all parts of the world... with a sense that there are indeed more things in heaven and Earth than most of us have dreamed. All kinds of amazing miraculous events have been occurring for thousands of years, and it's just delightful to read about some of them in one fascinating volume.

I give this book my highest recommendation to everyone interested in spirituality, miracles, and the divine.

This collection of people and their life transforming experiences is simply excellent! Each chapter, which summarizes the experience of a different individual, is just the right length (not too long, not too short, and very well written).

My favorites here are the very interesting stories of Byron Katie, Valerie Vener, and Peace Pilgrim.

Open to any page; after reading a paragraph you're hooked on the fantastic experience another has had in the out-of-the-ordinary.

Dan Millman and Doug Childers have included 50 stories in 50 short chapters about real experiences that inspire the reader to realize there is more to understand than science currently knows.

These life-changing events happened to people of all ages, including those as young as 8 year old Lucia dos Santos, one of the 3 children of Fatima, Portugal, in 1915.

This 5-star book reinforced my value on virtues, while giving me a boost of energy!

The appointment with the surgeon about the pending back surgery of my husband let us confused, as the information blended together. By reading Dr. Filler's book, we were able to inform ourselves, and understand the procedure which had been recommended. It was a great help, and obviously written by a professional. Thank you, Dr. Filler!

This is a pretty comprehensive guide for understanding the workings of the human back. The author takes you through an anatomy lesson where you learn about the different sections of the human spine: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacrum. The structure of the individual vertebrae and the differences among the vertebrae in the various sections are described. Then he goes into the actual spinal cord and nerves and how they are affected by problems in the vertebrae. Various back pains are discussed including 'referred pain' which is where you feel pain in one of the body's extremities that is actually caused by nerve trauma in the spinal cord or one of the nerves that branches out from the spinal cord to that extremity. All facets of spinal health are presented in easily understandable terms.

The second half of the book proceeds by discussing the various surgical methods that can be utilized to treat spine related problems. Historical procedures are included along with current medical trends for treating spinal problems so that you can see how back surgery has progressed over time. Even future directions and experimental techniques are discussed to give you a feel for what is up-and-coming in the field of spinal surgery. Risks are discussed as well so that you can make an informed choice to have a particular operation and understand the related consequences.

There are even chapters that discuss types of pain, pain medications and their associated complications, non-surgical methods for treating back pain and their effectiveness and potential consequences, genetic spinal disorders, recovery from spinal surgery, and even cost and health insurance matters. In fact, the health insurance chapter has valuable information describing the differences among the various type of insurance available such as HMO's, PPO's, and PSO's and explains the difference between 'contracted' and 'uncontracted' providers so that you'll know what to ask when seeking surgical help and how to control your costs.

All-in-all the book was worth the price for the information you will gain. However, I found that there was little discussion about 'degenerative' spinal problems in specific though I could imagine some of the techniques described might be useful for these situations such as transpedicular kyphoplasty. I would have liked to see the book spend some dedicated time discussing this particular type of spinal condition with, perhaps, some information about technologies that are on the horizon. Perhaps a few references to internet sites where one could find information on specific disorders would be nice as well.

I am a physician who specializes in interventional spine procedures. I suggest this book to my more educated patients. Very good,well written overview of spine anatomy,physiology,and repair. Another reviewer suggested that there is not enough info in this book on disk replacement technology and kyphoplasty. My response is that understanding everything in this book will put you ahead of 99% of laypeople. This is not meant to be a textbook on cutting edge medical procedures.

I especially enjoyed the section on understanding health insurance. I have found the "Dummies" and "Idiots" books useless in helping patients understand back problems. Five stars.

Facing the prospect of a cervical spine fusion, I wanted all the information I could find. Dr Filler's book is a very easy and enjoyable read. The book has general chapters on spine health, conditions and diseases that may necessitate surgery, and diagnostic and surgical procedures. Dr Filler then dedicates chapters to specific conditions and specific areas of the spine. He concludes with postoperative considerations and the future. I'm no stranger to major surgery. This is the best book of its kind that I have read. I shared the book with family members. It helped me understand my condition and better communicate with my surgeon.

After a few years of worsening spinal stenosis I recently had to have a multiple laminectomy. There have been some post-operational complications or further problems, and I am trying to sort things out. I may have to decide to have further surgery or not.

Dr. Filler's book has been very helpful to me in understanding my situation regarding my spinal problems and my possible options for addressing them. The book presents basic, practical information in a comprehensive, well organized, and detailed manner. The writing is clear and straight forward. Dr. Filler clearly has a lot of knowledge and experience, and he shares it in a way that is very useful for patients.

I've always been fascinated by dreams we have and what they mean. Many of my writing ideas come from the different strange dreams that I have while sleeping. You can imagine my eagerness to read this book.

In "The Dreamer," Molly Parker has lost her father in a car accident exactly a year ago. In her dreams she is visited by a strange little girl who offers her help bringing her father back. Molly is introduced to Father Time, with whom she makes a bargain. If she finds and delivers a new crystal ball to Mother Time, she can have her father back. Molly begins an adventurous quest full of obstacles in search of Mother Time, along with her new and loyal friends.

I enjoyed this story very much. It's an easy read (as it is intended for all ages), and easy to follow.

My favorite of all, I have to say is Father Time, Mother Earth, Death, Chaos--all personified! There were many interesting fantasy characters. I loved the winged horses. I was particularly intrigued by Medusa who also makes an appearance in this story. I've always been fascinated by Medusa and her hair full of snakes (I'm terrified of snakes).

Overall, great story!

World building is one of the most significant aspects of any fantasy novel. For many people, including myself, that is the exact reason they read fantasy novels. Truly, if an author creates a unique world that gives life to the story and makes the reading experience memorable, he has written a first-rate fantasy novel. Matthew G. McMillan has done exactly that.

In his first novel, The Dreamer, McMillan has given us a splendid setting called The Realms of Timeless Wisdom. It is a place separate from our Earth, yet connected enough that with some help we, too, can go there-in our dreams. It is there that we go when we sleep or die. And, maybe more importantly, it is in this Realm that all the creatures of legend exist: dragons, flying horses, and giants to name a few. To make it a little more intriguing, McMillan hints at the possibility of other Realms, too. As one of the characters states, there are many Realms and Worlds.

Enter Molly Parker. She is a young girl from Littletown (on the planet Earth) whose father passed away in a car accident exactly one year before the book begins. Struggling with her loss, Molly has only one wish: that her father was still alive. Molly is then given a chance to see this wish come to fruition by Father Time, himself, provided she succeeds in the mission he has entrusted her to complete. It is this mission that remains central to the novel and sends the heroine off to battle evil in The Realms of Timeless Wisdom.
Though there are many facets of this book that I love, there are two that really stand out for me. One is that the book has some thought-provoking qualities. As a teacher I constantly find that I slip into Teacher Mode while reading and I ask myself, "How could I use this in the classroom?" Though many fantasy novels lack this type of educational quality, I could certainly see The Dreamer being used as a springboard for many discussions. Topics such as time and its uses, the possibility of life on other worlds, and what it's like to lose someone you love are a few that could be brought up while reading this book.

It is the topic of loss that truly puts The Dreamer into a unique group. In a day when most books seem to get their characters and families from shows like The Simpsons (where everything is sarcastic and dysfunctional), McMillan paints an opposite picture. The love between Molly and her mother Klara is tenderly portrayed and nurtured throughout the novel. We get to experience their pain over the loss of Mr. Parker, which in turn gives us a window to see that this was once (and in many ways still is) a very loving family. That, in today's market, is truly rare.

With all this in mind, I heartily recommend The Dreamer to all readers, both young and old. Matthew G. McMillan has written a wonder of a first novel. McMillan's novel has enough strange events in it to make Rod Serling scratch his head and enough fantasy to make Tolkien smile. Yet, like many of the classic young adult books, The Dreamer leaves one with the idea that hope is real, and life can (and will) get better even when it's rough. It's a great read and the thing that makes it even better is knowing that there will be more books to come!

Thomas Bolme, Jr.
an independent professional book reviewer

Matthew G. McMillan has written a superb fantasy story that asks you to suspend your disbelief in the impossible and allow the infinite range of possibilities to sweep you away in a tale of excitement, love, courage, and redemption. I cannot wait for the second and third books to arrive!!

With a writing style that I can only compare to the great Lloyd Alexander (Of "The Prydain Chronicles" fame: ... Matthew G. McMillan takes us into a world where fantasy is real and our heroine has only her wits and her friends to survive. I truly enjoyed this book, and can't wait for the next installment. I guarantee that my daughter will enjoy it as much as I did.

This is one of the best books I have read in a while,
I def. reccomend this book to anyone who likes fantasy. This book is good for all ages. I can't wait till the other 2 books come out.

My husband and I recently heard a taped interview with Father Boyle that aired on NPR. We were very interested in learning more about his unique outreach efforts with LA Gang members. This book is excellent.

"G-Dog and the Homeboys" shows how Father Greg Boyle and a select few adults, including the author, completely changed the lives of teens in East LA. Greg opened the homies' and his followers' eyes to the world outside of their lives in their little neighborhood. Many kids would not think past selling drugs to earn a little extra cash, or firing off a couple of rounds of bullets in order to simply stay alive. Boyle changed all of this.
In actuality, the homies were not violent, cruel, or evil kids at heart. Many had rotten home lives and joined gangs to find love. Others joined for protection. Gangs offered support if they were ever in serious danger.
Father Greg understood and felt for these teens. Greg lent them helping hand in any way he could. He gave them money for school, jobs, even a roof over their heads. However, the best gift he gave the homies was his love and caring for them.
As one follows the stories of numerous homies, one realizes how much of an impact one man, Father Greg, had on their lives. This story is touching, at times frightening, and over all, enlightening. It is highly recommended that you read "G-Dog and the Homeboys". Your eyes, too, will be opened to the world around you.

Although I have not read this book, I did watch a lecture by Father Boyle given at Regis University. It is amazing what he has accomplished in LA with these gang members. It is a true testament to what God can do if given the chance!

This book is quite unlike any other that I have read on crime or gangs, both in style and in substance.

The style is very simple. Fremon makes no attempt to be objective. She makes no effort to put the story into any larger context. She does not come across like a professional writer of any kind. Her ego is absent from the work. Instead, she tells a story, a simple, moving story.

The subject of her story is extraordinary. John Paul II liked to say that there are many more saints around us then we recognize. This story is another example of that. Father Greg Boyle is a normal suburban white guy who became a priest, and was sent to East LA. He found himself surrounded by gang violence. Nothing unusual in the story so far.

But his reaction was extraordinary. He responded to the situation in a radically Christian manner. He did not get into any of the usual left wing politics or posturing. Instead, he offered the gang members uncondititional love, just as the Gospel teaches. He spent time with them. He visited them in jail. He visited them in the hospital. Whenever the guns went off, he was there trying to bring peace. In one extraordinary incident, he put himself between two gangs who were starting a fire fight, and told them that if they wanted to kill each other, they would have to kill him. He was risking his life doing this, and the gang members knew it. They did not shoot; his Christian witness brought them back from their madness.

It took time, but the gang members responded to Father Greg's ministry with tremendous enthusiasm and love. It is an incredibly inspiring story. It reminds us of why we are Christians. It shows us the transforming power of Christian love.

I would like to be able to draw some political conclusions from all of this. I would like to somehow replace our current approach to gangs with Father Greg's approach. I do not know how to do that. I can not see how to make his saintly approach work in ordinary political or police work. But I do know that we are all better people with someone like him among us. If we had more like him, the world would be healed.

A wonderful read that can be shared with reluctant readers to bring them face to face with their place in modern literature. A book that should be shared with more teenagers. A look at gang life/ prisons in our urban world through the eyes of someone on a shared journey. I shared this book and another series that Celeste wrote in LA Weekly (2005) with my students as a combination class: experience of life literature and morality. Father Boyle is a master at understanding humanity and our call to larger social responsibility. We are not permitted to dismiss the world around us after reading this book that tugs at the corners of your heart. Greg gives hope where it is needed the most - to everyone. If the opportunity to hear Father Greg Boyle speak presents itself, do yourself a favor and go.