P Books

This was a nice read. I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end. I ENJOYED THE CHARACTER ALEX. Unfortunatly the book club I was in has dispersed therfore I had a few friends read it and they all enjoyed it as much as I did. There was a cliff hanger so, I am patiently but excitedly awaiting the sequel...

This is definitely one of the best books I have ever read, it was so detailed that I felt as if I were watching a movie. It was a very easy read it only took me 2days; my husband told me if I didn't hurry and finish he would hide it (lol), that is how much it kept me engaged wanting more. I can't wait for the SEQUEL.

Maritza has completely captured the urban relationship all the way down to the lingo. As an urbanite growing up during the 90s this book speaks directly to the types of relationship issues that frequently occured. The main character Alex is someone most women can relate to at some stage in their life. Maritza brilliantly transports the readers and makes it easy to visualize all of the scenarios depicted. This book is a great read for both women and men. I would highly recommend it!

AWESOME book! Read it in a day and a half...it's a must read especially if you are from the Stamford, CT area. Missy, you did an excellent job with the story line cause we have all been there and done that, so you can definitely relate to the characters and scenes in the book. I couldn't put it down and I can not wait for "Part 2"...job well done!

Definitely a must have for your repertoire. I could relate to the various characters within the novel and it brought me back to my old school days. Maritza's words were visual to me and I appreciated the details. Can't wait to purchase the next sequel. Please don't leave us hanging!!

"Here is a beautifully and clearly structured book which gives the reader insight into some aspects of handwriting analysis. It is both instructive and entertaining. For each personality trait Peter Dennis gives a positive and a negative meaning, a truly wise approach reminding us that we can use every one of our faculties either for good or for evil." Edith Leslie, Certified Graphologist

"Here is a beautifully and clearly structured book which gives the reader insight into some aspects of handwriting analysis. It is both instructive and entertaining. For each personality trait Peter Dennis gives a positive and a negative meaning, a truly wise approach reminding us that we can use every one of our faculties either for good or for evil." Edith Leslie, Certified Graphologist

The new chapters in this third edition make this an invaluable resource to the beginning Graphologist as well as to the seasoned analyst. As well, this book will appeal to parents and
teachers who are genuinely interested in helping their children to learn and develop. It will help
those who are looking for meaningful relationships. And, it will help anyone interested in knowing about their level of emotional intelligence. A fascinating and practical book, and very easy to follow. Elaine Charal, Graphologist and Master Graphoanalyst, and owner of Positive Strokes.

This book is a great introduction to Handwriting Analysis and chapter 10, on the subject of 65 different signs of potential danger and dishonesty, is well worth the price of the whole book.

I can't say enough about this book. Being very basic, it is terrific as a guide to my beginner course. It is clear and concise, and very easy for non-handwriting analysts to understand. In addition, it covers different subjects such as compatibility in relationships, children and how we can help them learn and develop, as well as learning about our emotional intelligence. Included in this book are many traits that are defined in our personality. It's a book that I keep going back to as I attempt to learn more about the human personality. Very fascinating. Donna Browning, President of the Ontario Chapter of the International Graphoanalysis Society.

If you have seen the 505 in the Musem of Science & Industry in Chicago read this book, or read the book and go see the U 505 in Chicago. It's about how thw US Navy captured the code book the enabled us to do a lot of damage to the U boat Waffen

This well written book illustrates two things. Hitler was out of his mind declaring war on the US and when the day of a weapon passes, it passes forever. As the American and British combined their intellegence and technical resources the U-Boats were doomed. The fascinating account in this excellent book of how it came to be is most interesting. How the US 10th Fleet contributed to overall victory and the sinking of so many U-Boats is one all of us cne be proud of. Ted Savas does a superb job of editng the book and recruited note Battle of the Atlantic historians to write the fact filled and well written chapters makes for a great read. By the time the US Navy captured the U-505, the Americans knew the position of the 505 before the Germans did. How they accomplished this and how they broke the code make this book a must read for all those interested in the subject.

An excellent overview of the entire U-boat campaign. As one who was a personal friend of Hans Goebeler I can say that this is indeed a fitting tribute to him and all the combatants from both sides. This book will take you from the very depths of the ocean to labratories in England and the United States. Each section is a gold mine to the researcher, history buff, or model maker. The foreward by Eric Topp is a history lesson in itself. I Highly recommend this book. D. Clayton Meadows Author of "OF ICE AND STEEL."

Ted Savas has provided this WWII navel warfare tyro with a remarkably well written and compiled history of German submarines, and the sailors who manned them. Coming from Silent Hunters II and SHIII, I was struck by the depth of persnal involvement in both the simulations and in, "Hunt and Kill." Almost as if the brilliant Romanian technicians who produced the SH simulations have referenced the very human aspects of the sailors as depicted in this book in their products. This work is masterfully organized, and the excitement never falters. Anyone interested in naval history, and all those involved with SHIII should not miss this book. Next stop will be Chicago, and U-505.

U-505 was the first enemy warship captured by the United States since the War of 1812. Much has been written about how Captain Daniel V. Gallery conceived of and successfully executed the plan that resulted in the capture of U-505. Hunt and Kill, from publisher Savas Beatie, is the first book to describe the complete history of U-505, from its commissioning as a warship in 1941 to its current status as an exhibit in Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.

Hunt and Kill is a collection of essays by leading naval historians and U-boat scholars. Editor Savas has selected papers that, in telling the story of U-505, also give telling insight into Germany's Kriegsmarine and the Allied naval and intelligence forces that opposed it. The book includes a foreword by former U-boat commander Erich Topp and individual chapters on specific topics:

"No Target Too Far: The Genesis, Concept, and Operations of Type IX U-boats in World War II," by Eric C. Rust. This chapter describes the rebirth of Germany's U-boat arm following the first World War, the classes of boats that served in World War II, and the role of the Type IX boats as long-range commerce raiders.

"A Community Bound by Fate: The Crew of U-505," by Timothy Mulligan. This essay focuses on the officers and sailors that served on U-505, from its first war patrol in August, 1941 until its capture in June, 1944. In this brief span of time, U-505's crew served under three Commanding Officers: charismatic and successful Kapitänleutnant Axel-Olaf Loewe; autocratic Oberleutnant Peter Zschech (who shot himself during a depth-charge attack); and Oberleutnant Harald Lange, a former merchant marine officer.

"From Lion's Roar to Blunted Axe: The Combat Patrols of U-505," by Lawrence Paterson. This chapter covers U-505's eleven war patrols prior to its capture by Gallery's Task Force 22.3. In these patrols, U-505 sank eight ships totaling 44,962 tons.

"Deciphering the U-boat War: The Role of Intelligence in the Capture of U-505," by Mark E. Wise and Jak P. Mallman Showell. In addition to the usual background information on Enigma, Ultra, and the code breakers of Bletchley Park and ONI, this chapter describes how the Allied benefited from their technical examination of U-505; testing of the submarine's T-5 acoustic homing torpedoes; and interrogation of her crew.

"Collision Course: Task Force 22.3 and the Hunt for U-505," by Lawrence Paterson. This chapter describes U-505's twelfth patrol and the actions of Gallery's Task Force 22.3, culminating in U-505's capture on June 4, 1944. Even though he had U-505's position reports (thanks to Ultra), Gallery was unable to locate his prey. Ironically, Gallery's task force stumbled on U-505 while returning to port for fuel.

"Desperate Decisions: The German Loss of U-505," by Jordan Vause. In this event-by-event analysis of Oblt. Lange's fateful encounter with Gallery's Hunter-Killer Force, Vause tries to answer the question, "Instead of abandoning ship, should Lange have ordered the crew to stay on board and fight back?" He identifies eight key decisions made by U-505's officers and crew in the final minutes before the sub's capture. He concludes, "...with a little luck, a little grace, anyone in the boat - from Captain Lange to the lowest fireman - might have written a different ending to one of the most remarkable events in American maritime history."

"Project 356: U-505 and the Journey to Chicago," by Keith Gill. The final, and by far the longest, chapter in Hunt and Kill concerns what has happened to U-505 in the 40 years since its capture. It is a story of one man's determination to prevent the Navy from destroying the submarine and to, instead, make U-505 a memorial to America's (and his own) wartime achievements. It is also a story of political machinations over what city should get the boat (Chicago or Milwaukee) and squabbling over who should pay for the boat's repair, transportation and long-term maintenance (the Navy, or the receiving city). Most interesting (to a former nuclear submariner like myself) are the technical details of how U-505 was towed to through the Great Lakes, lifted from the water, transported across city streets, and finally mounted on a special foundation outside Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.

I loved The Rock Orchard and had to read something else by P.S. (Paula) Wall. If I Were a Man, I'd Marry Me is a collection of short stories taken from a column she used to write (or still writes, not sure) that center on quirky southern characters and situations. She does the same here as she did in The Rock Orchard -- write some quirky, surrealistic takes of ordinary, every day people. Her wit is priceless in this collection and I enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed her novel. My favorite stories are "Maxine's Diet," "Faithful," "The Mortician," "Harley," "Warming the Bench," "Topless," "The Ghost of Elvis," "Chivalry," and "Fruitcake." I guess the one disappointing thing about this collection is that the stories are very short -- about three or four pages each. Other than that, I loved If I Were a Man, I'd Marry Me and I hope to read more stuff by this talented writer.

After a tough day I can count on P.S. Wall to lift my spirits. Wall has a gift for putting everyday occurances into a humerous perspective. Reading her stories makes you feel like you are a part of her group. And what a fun loving group it is! You go girl... and take me with you.

P.S. Wall is just as funny in person as she is in print. She's the kind of storyteller that you want to take home, sat her on the hearth and let her entertain you for the rest of your life. This writer is a well kept secret who is destined to become one of the great Southern humorists of all time.

The other day, my husband and I got a crazy waitress at a Shoneys. As we walked outside after lunch, we burst into laughter and agreed that we'd just had a Wall Moment. I could almost read the article she would have written about the incident. Buy this book, and soon you'll be having Wall Moments too.

If I Were A Man, I'd Marry Me draws you into P. S. Wall's slightly skewed universe. The same things happen to her that happen to all of us -- she finds and writes about the absurdity, the humor and the craziness of ordinary life. I'll never look at a dipstick or chocolate brown shoes the same way again.

Wall's book is filled with friends and family you want to be part of. You follow Rosie and Maxine and even Cat from adventrue to mis-adventure with constant chuckling, but also a growing sense of familiarity. These are your people. I met Sweetie once at a conference -- believe me, he lives up to his hype.

Though consistently out there, Wall's universe remains grounded in reality. She doesn't avoid tough questions -- "If you dream about another man," one character asks, "is that being unfaithful?" Of course, the man they all dream about turns out to be Al Gore -- go figure. Wall tackles emotional insecurity, the tribulations of being single, the difficulties as well as the rewards of marriage. Perhaps that's what makes these essays more than just fun to read once. Like Mark Twain or Erma Bombeck, P. S. Wall writes about our real lives, and we want to return to her again and again.

You can catch P. S. Wall at uexpress.com, and I'd travel 1000 miles to her her speak in person -- she's that good. But right now, for a good healthy dose of vintage Wall, buy If I Were A Man, I'd Marry Me. I guarantee you'll laugh on every page, and pretty soon you'll be having Wall Moments too.

Walls takes life and makes it into stories you can laugh about. The hooker story is the first and it is hillarious as the others. They are cleverly written. Read all of her works with girl friends.

The JGirl's Guide is an invaluable book for young girls. If you would like your friend, daughter, student, cousin.... to get much more out of their bat-mitzvah, and so much more out of being a Jewish teenager - struggling with identity, as well as common teen issues such as food and peer pressure. What a wonderful idea to finally come out with something fun and interesting in an era where we sometimes need to be reminded that even though life can be a party, we must not forget how meaningful it is- and when we are reminded and taught, then it because that much more fun!

The subtitle tells it all. This volume addresses teenage girls directly on topics such as Jewish identity, friendship, honoring parents, body image issues, sexuality, health, gossip, social responsibility and more. Three authors make for a somewhat disjointed reading experience. A very long introduction greets readers and tells them (repeatedly) what to expect. The format of each chapter, with its many sections, quotes, questions and exercises, wrings every last drop out of every topic. The style of the book is a breathlessly excited, energetic charge up a mountain of information. The Jewish aspect of each topic under discussion is explained through historical and modern viewpoints, with plenty of back up from original texts. A consciously neutral point of view embraces all streams of Judaism and levels of observance. This book would be an excellent resource for youth group leaders to use in leading discussions or workshops on teen issues. It may also serve as a guide for parents struggling to talk with their kids about sensitive topics. Self-aware young women may enjoy the navel-gazing quality of the book, while others will find it tiresome. Some kids may be turned off by the attempt of the adult authors to sound "cool" by inventing the term "JGirl." Recommended for ages 12 - 18 where Jewish teens are heavily served.
Reviewed by Heidi Estrin

Thanks to the JGirl's guide, I finally understand my daughter and wife and all that touchy-feely shechina stuff........you can't go wrong with this book, and I mean this whether or not you are starting from scratch or studying talmud with the Baal Shem Tov !

My daughter asked me to get this for her after she heard so much about it in school from her friends. I ended up reading it myself right after she finished it. We both enjoyed it immensely and I would definitely recommend it to anyone. It was insightful and has even helped me better relate to my daughter during this changing time in her life.

Enjoy!

I recently purchased this book as a bat mitzvah gift for a young friend, and couldn't help reading through several chapters myself. I was very impressed with the breadth of topical advice, which is presented in a very lively and engaging manner. The authors did such a skillfull job demonstrating the relevancy and beauty of Jewish traditions and history that, raised as a Christian, I found myself becoming a tad envious of the heritage! I definitely recommend this book as a worthwhile read.

Just Past Oysterville: Shoalwater Book One

Review by Dennis Beaudry

Bitterness, hatred, revenge, guilt: powerful emotions, but what would it take for us to face these destructive feelings and escape their damaging results? Read the soon to be published Christian novel, Just Past Oysterville by author Perry Perkins.

Perry's way with the art of true storytelling is captivating to say the least, yet Just Past Oysterville goes way beyond story for the sake of entertainment. His dynamic weaving of plot and characters shows us how love and forgiveness can truly work miracles and how the opposite only fuels the fire and leads to ruin. Love and forgiveness, the two things needed most in this world as a whole and in our personal lives; are portrayed as a balm for emotional healing.

Hang on to your stomach and your nerves as Perry takes you on an emotional roller coaster with far more twists, turns, and drops than the subtle title and cover portray. Here's a story that blends Christian beliefs with deep hurts and spiritual challenges that could face any of us just up the road of life.

Just Past Oysterville is, without a doubt, captivating. It pulls you in and seldom gives you an opportunity to set it down. Be prepared for the unexpected and be ready to see how human events can never frustrate the plans of God. Written by the extraordinarily talented Perry Perkins; Just Past Oysterville will undoubtedly garner many accolades and awards and soon make him a well-known and respected Christian fiction writer.

Dennis A. Beaudry
Columbus, Ohio
Author of A Meeting in the Air

Rating: Highly Recommended! This one is destined to stand out in the literary world! I had the pleasure of reading Just Past Oysterville, a remarkable book penned by a new author named Perry Perkins. When the book arrived I was impressed with the cover first - that's simply something that I do to set the tone for my reading material. The cover bears the image of a set of bright headlights piercing through the darkness traveling a long road superimposed over a faint road map. I opened the cover and read the dedications and acknowledgements and I could determine at that point in time that this would be a good read. Cassie Belanger lost both of her parents and considered herself an orphan. She barely knew her father, being that he "abandoned" her and her mother decades ago. Her mother, with the help of her community and her church, raised her to adulthood instilling values and morals that Cassie embraced. In the blink of an eye, Cassie's mom was gone - killed by a drunk driver as she returned from work one evening. Cassie's world crashed down around her and she determined that the only way to find closure was to seek out her birth father who deserted her so many years before. Cassie's desire was to somehow make him feel the pain, anguish and rejection that enveloped her broken spirit. Cassie wanted revenge. She utilizes clues from her mother's possessions to ascertain her father's location and she begins a journey that would change her life. She meets Jack, a loner in search of peace, weighed down by burdens that drive him to the bottle in search of an escape. The two embark on a journey to a town "just past Oysterville" and form a bond with one another along the way. The two are so alike, but why? Just Past Oysterville was an excellent read. Mr. Perkins utilizes simple yet colorful dialogue that will entrance you. He pays attention to detail, quotes appropriate bible verses at appropriate moments and he will take you on an amazing journey. A journey through pain, loss, happiness and closure. This is called Shoalwater Book one, and it would be an honor to review the continuation of this series. Just when you think that you have this story figured out, Mr. Perkins will gently push you one step further and open your eyes to the possibilities that make up your destiny. Simply stated, I LOVED THIS BOOK! Reviewed by Tyrone Banks

I am a leader of teen girls & a mom of three teens. I would recomend this book to all the teens I work with and my own! I cried I laughed & was on the edge of my seat! This is a must that will not disapoint you. Enjoy and give it away as a Christmas, birthday or just because gift. You will be as thrilled as I was.

Becky

I loved the book. I would recommend it to all. Please read it.

Even before I read JUST PAST OYSTERVILLE, I knew Perry Perkins was an amazing writer from reading one of his short stories, but this book placed him permanently within the group of authors whose books I will buy immediately upon release.

This book is so much more than the usual hyper-censored, unrealistic story to be found in Christian fiction. The characters are real people with strengths and weaknesses, and they live real lives filled with anguish, love, mistakes, and triumphs. And the underlying message of God's love is relayed so effortlessly and so poignantly that it comes through loud and clear and leaves the reader with such a wonderful feeling of hope--just the way I believe Jesus would have done it.

I encourage everyone who loves a good story to read this book, and I can't wait to read the next installment in the series!

A murder mystery set in the Pacific Northwest with twists and turns galore plus a tempestuous romance between two strong-willed individuals adds up to a first-rate first novel.

Alderman describes the scene perfectly. Although I've never been to the Pacific Northwest or on a commercial fishing boat, I can now picture what it'd be like. This turned out to be a real page-turner for me.

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Kaz Jorgenson works in the high powered white collar world in San Francisco when she is called home to Oregon. Her twin brother Gary is in trouble and Kaz is the only one who can help him. Shortly after her return, Gary's good friend and partner in their fishing business is brutally murdered and Gary is accused.

Michael Chapman, an arson investigator, is running from memories in his past and comes to Astoria as the new fire chief. His first day on the job, he's caught up in investigating the murder of Gary's partner. This has him butting heads with Kaz from the beginning and surprisingly, they find themselves drawn to each other.

Now Kaz and Michael must work together to get to the bottom of the mystery. What they find only leads them to more questions... questions to which the answers may mean their deaths.

A Killing Tide by P J Alderman is a winning debut novel. All the elements can be found to make for a stunning romantic suspense that will leave you gasping for breath. Though I had the real villain figured out immediately, and his motive, the journey we follow along with Kaz and Michael takes us many different directions on the quest for answers.

The romance blossoms between Kaz and Michael at a natural pace, making it seem all the more believable. They both have shadows in their past that affect them to this day. Both are flawed people who can finally begin to heal once they find each other and work through their issues together. I found myself sitting there alongside them, crying their tears and sharing their laughs as I learned more about them both.

A Killing Tide would not be complete without its exemplary cast of secondary characters. After all who can resist Zeke the dog who acts almost human at times? Each character is unique and individual, with their own thoughts and fears. None of them are like the two-dimensional characters some authors use as filler for a story. Every player, from the fisherman to the cops is key to the story. And of course we can't forget the town of Astoria itself. It is a character as well, teaching us about the life of a fisherman and the hardships they experience on a daily basis. We also get the feeling of the small town where everyone knows everyone else.

P J Alderman shows strong talent with A Killing Tide. Keep an eye out because this is a name I see making it to the top of the list for the genre in the not-too-distant future.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, January 2007. All rights reserved.

I got the book about 3 p.m., took it home, ate a quick meal and sat down to read. I surfaced at 1 a.m., when I finished the WHOLE thing.
I liked the characters, Kaz, Michael and the dog, Zeke. The intrigue kept me turning the pages, although I did sniff out the bad guy early on. The interweaving of the suspense/romance with the life of the fishing community in Astoria was fascinating to me, a native midwesterner who did not see an ocean until middle age.
The author's attention to detail in the fire scene showed careful research well applied.
A great Book I, and I look forward to more.

One of the things I appreciate in romantic suspense is a strong, independent heroine and this novel delivers. Kaz is not only a successful executive, she's also a river bar pilot, for heaven's sake. She's in Astoria, Oregon, to help her brother and this author brings the small coastal town to life. The rendition of the town is rich, complex, and atmospheric (another thing I appreciate in a novel).

The romance with Michael, the firefighter who's new in town, is also complex and intelligently handled. Nothing sappy about it. Michael is strong and handsome of course, but absolutely real. And talk about romantic tension. You can feel it from the very start.

The supporting characters are intriguing too, with a nice variety of people you'd expect to find in a small town plus some you wouldn't.
Another thing I liked was the humor sprinkled throughout the book. How often do you get to read a book that delivers suspense and romance and atmosphere and humor?

I read A KILLING TIDE straight through...couldn't put it down. I just had to find out what happens with these characters and their dilemmas. This is one of the best novels in the romantic suspense genre that I've read in a long time.

Kaz Jorgenson leaves her job in San Francisco, to come home to Oregon and help her twin brother Gary with his fishing business. When Gary's partner and friend is brutally killed and he's charged with the crime he runs leaving Kaz holding the bag and having to try to figure out who the killer really is. She's not alone in fact Kaz has help from Michael Chapman, Astoria's new arson investigator.

Michael is from Boston and Astoria is as far away from that place as he can get and still stay in the country. Hopefully it's also far enough away that he will be able to bury the past he's running from. He's not given much chance when he finds himself pulled into a case where the suspect's sister is a danger he never expected. Unprepared for the sparks that instantly ignite between them and will Kaz and Michael be able to stay one step ahead of a killer who is not yet satisfied?

If I had to come up with one word to describe this debut effort it would have to be "WOW." This author has deftly woven all the threads of the story together into a seamless page turning romantic-suspense. Kaz and Michael are entertaining characters and this is not your typical romance. Kaz is a strong heroine, one that is not waiting for her prince to save her bacon. You've got to appreciate this element of her character. Michael is a fine match for Kaz. This is a page turning read and one I recommend if you enjoy a good romantic suspense. This is one author I plan on watching.

As a language arts teacher, I read 2 or 3 books a week. I am constantly searching for well written, relevant, and riveting novels. This book delivers. I highly recommend this book for 9-13 year olds.

On vacation our family read this book out loud for our library's book club. My husband and I (40+ years old) and my two boys- 10 & 6 both adored this book. In the span of 160 pages we all had the opportunity to learn life lessons, grow to be more brave, laugh and most importantly learn about how love will always conquer hate. We do not live in a very diverse area of the country and this book was a wonderful way to introduce to our children the stuggles that African Americans have had to deal with and why civil rights are so important in this country. I had a lump in my throat when the book discussed how the Bicentennial was being celebrated and not all Americans were still being treated as Free. It isn't a book I would have ever had known about without our wonderful librarian and it will be one that none of us will soon forget. Don't be deterred by some of the serious subjects dealt with in this book, there were far more laughs than most books have. It was entertaining and a joy to read. It is a great book for parents and children.

(one last thought...I would not have liked my son to read this book without us because he would have never fully understood why there was such hate for a 10 year old black girl and why grown men dress in sheets. As disgusting as it is that people practice such hateful acts it is a reality that exists and children who are old enough to understand should not be sheltered from truth. The sooner we can educate our children about equality the better this world will be. )

I am a middle school language arts teacher and I read just about every new title that gets any hype. This book did not disappoint! The plot is well developed and the characters are endearing...Frita is so spunky while Gabe is a quirky scardy-cat afraid of his own shadow. Both Frita and Gabe learn a great about life, love, fear, racism and the nature of hate the summer before they enter fifth grade. In the end they realize that fear is a part of life - bravery is feeling the fear and forging ahead despite it. Great read HIGHLY recommended!!!

I bought this book for Christmas for my 10 year old (4th grade). He will read a chapter and then come find me and read it to me all over again because he thinks it is so funny. He has to read 1/2 hour everyday for school requirements and he will continue to read this book for over an hour. Gets him away from the computer and GameCube games. Hurray.

I bought this book because I loved the front cover and the blurb on back. The cover depicts a jar of something yellowish-green, reminding me of "The Secret Life of Bees." Perhaps I should not tell this about myself, but I will--I did not "see" that spider until after I completed the book and looked at the cover again to decide how the picture fit into the story. Then I saw the spider and the green color (grass through the jar). Wow. I decided then that the story really is about fear. Fear of spiders was near the top of Gabriel's list of fears. Frita convinces him to adopt this spider as his pet.

The blurb on back summarizes the story as a friendship between two fourth-graders moving up to fifth grade, two unusual fourth-graders, one white boy and one black girl. Then I thought about the book again. Not fear. The book seems to be about fear, and it is, but the real intangible character is integrity. The book is about integrity.

Frita Wilson is the only African-American in their small school in Hollowell, GA, not far from Plains, where Jimmy Carter hails. The story takes place during the summer of the campaign for president in 1976, a time when integrating is taking place all over the South and racial strife is evident.

Gabriel King misses his Moving Up graduation to fifth grade because some racist bullies physically prevent him. As a result, Gabriel decides he will not go to fifth grade housed in a separate wing, fearing the bullies. He will just stay in fourth. Frita makes it her summer's goal to liberate them of their fears. Even in victory over various levels of fear, Gabriel "knows" all along that his fear of bullies will not be liberated and he is not going to fifth grade.

They defeat some fears on the list and some fears win. The saddest loss occurs near the end and becomes the impetus for winning the big one. Not willing to be a spoiler, I ask you to read this most enjoyable book. Friendship is a big winner. Family love and unity are big winners. But the biggest winner is integrity. So are Gabriel and Frita because they have this integrity all along.

Having written all this, I feel I must voice my one misgiving about the book. Although it really is a cool story with racism and specific racists taking hits (in a law-abiding way, not through violence), I cannot help but question this friendship between Gabriel and Frita. No matter how I look at it, I just cannot see it happening. Not because of skin colors, but because of age and sex of the children. Boys and girls in the fourth grade just aren't best friends. They certainly don't spend the night with each other in the same room. Parents just would not allow this closed door thing with a boy and a girl of this age. Having stated these things, I still endorse this book--with four stars, not five.

Not much to say. You should be a Burroughs fan, and somewhat aware of his writings an lifestyle in order to understand. This book is the life, times, friends, travels, and ideas of a brilliant sociopathic junkie.

The only book of, or by, William Burroughs that I have read twice. His life was stranger than his fiction.

I have never written a review for amazon.com before but I had to add my two cents to the few reviews listed here. This book changed my life. I was already familiar with Burroughs' writing and had read several of his books before I found Morgan's excellent biography. I've read this lengthy tome several times, but I remember the feeling after I finished the first reading: I was inspired to write, write, write. The book cleared up my writer's block and has continued to do so every time I read it. His life really was as strange or stranger than his fiction, and it reminds me always to write what I know. I can't believe this is out of print. Highly recommended to all writers and all fans of biographies.

After a failed attempt to read "Naked Lunch" I turned to this book to gain some insight into William Burroughs that might aid me with future reading. I did not find that the book went into great detail about Burroughs ideas, except for ones that I find either trivial or even "wacky", like his interest in some aspects of Scientology and Reich's "Orgone Box". In fact, I might have given up on my plans of reading Burroughs after reading this biography; I could have easily concluded that Burroughs was a man who had led an interesting, albeit tragic, life but who, because of his heroin use and open homosexuality, had just become a "trendy" author. I might have concluded that he was a precursor to the cultural revolution of the 60s but of little importance today. Quite frankly I persist in my quest of getting to know Burroughs because of the importance attributed to him by one of my favorite philosophers, Gilles Deleuze, who claims that Burroughs has a lot to teach us about the "society of control". Only my future readings of Burroughs' novels will reveal rather I am right to persist in my study of him.

If this book failed in being an intellectual biography, it certainly succeeded in portraying the world of William Burroughs in an interesting fashion. Burroughs life seems for the most part
a series of tragedies. It appears as though he was molested as a youth and one is tempted - perhaps due to the saturation of "pop psychology" in our day- to conclude that somehow his future misfortunes (and brilliance) were rooted in that event. Subsequently driven from the United States, then Mexico (where he committed the infamous "William Tell" fatal shooing of his wife) he spends the greater part of his life wandering between Tangiers, Paris, London and New York. Oddly enough, he only seems to find some kind ofhappiness at the end of his life in Lawrence, Kansas.

His meeting with the other members of the "Beat Movement", Allen Ginsburg, Jack Kerouac, Gregory Corso, seemed fated, and unlike the others he did not become a "Beat Stereotype but remained authentically himself, behaving in many ways like a conservative midwesterner. Perhaps this authenticity is what appealed to his groupies who could not manage to retain their own identity separate from the various trends in which they participated.

Whether I will find anything intellectually stimulating in the works of Burroughs remains to be seen. Despite his many shortcoming, he was a key cultural force in undermining the foundation of the narrow, cocktail sipping, coutnry club 50s generation.

When I read this book in 1990, or thereabouts, I had only read William Burroughs' book Junky, and I had read nothing by Jack Kerouac or Allen Ginsberg.

After I finished reading Literary Outlaw, by Ted Morgan, I was so fascinated that I read all of Burroughs' novels, and several books by Kerouac and Ginsberg. I also read two more Burroughs biographies, just to get more information on this weird old guy.

Literary Outlaw is just that good.

There are newer biographies of Burroughs by Barry Miles and also Graham Caveney. Nevertheless, Literary Outlaw remains the definitive Burroughs biography written to date.

This is a fascinating biography that reads like a pageturning novel. Burroughs grew up in a privileged St. Louis family, spent some time at a rough ranch-style boarding school in New Mexico, attended Harvard, travelled in Europe, and lived in New York, Mexico, New Orleans, Texas, Tangier, London, New York (again), and finally Kansas. Along the way he became the most scandalous figure in modern letters. His adventures and misadventures are related in this marvelous book.

Literary Outlaw is more exhaustive than either Caveney's or Miles' biographies. Chapters with titles like "Tangier: 1954-1958" and "The London Years: 1966-1973" make for easy navigation. As the book's coverage ends in 1988, there is no information on Burroughs' life in the 1990s, but the essays in the book Word Virus (by James Grauerholz) act as a good supplement, for biographical information.

Morgan did a good job. He wrote a page-turning biography, but not at the expense of Burroughs' literary reputation. Burroughs' value as a writer is challenged throughout, and it holds up. Biographical detail is linked to popular criticism of the texts. There is an extensive section of notes. There is an index.

You can't go wrong with this biography. If you've never read a biography of William Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, or Allen Ginsberg, I advise you to try Literary Outlaw. This book is very well written, and is probably the most fascinating biography I have ever read.

ken32

I must have taken this story to heart, because I've let it influence my life (and the name of my business). But I've had a tough time finding the right combination of the traditional story in a deluxe edition. I was pleased to find the story so simply told and enjoyed the illustrations -- it's a Little Golden Book after all. It's a little too disposable to make a proper gift, but great for bedtime storytelling.

I read this to our son, sadly, after he "out grew" these books, they were passed on. Happily, after searching all over I found these treasures on Amazon and now have a new collection for our beautiful grand daughter to enjoy.

Book arrived quickly, in new condition. The old-time favorite story with underlying moral....easy to read....many colorful illustrations that young ones like.

This was my favorite book as a child and I still love the idea for the story--working hard to enjoy the fruits of your work, while those who do not contribute cannot expect to enjoy those same rewards. Last year I started a small project of giving this book to everyone I know who has small children. I even sent stacks to friends in other states who then gave them out to people they knew. I received some very kind thank you's and comments from people I did not know who appreciated the message of the book. I would recommend this book to both children and adults.

Growing up my mom read this to me and my brother. I had forgotten how much I loved this story until we unearthed this book for my sons. Now they love it too! They loved it so much that I am forced to order another copy because my copy is worn out!