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The Toxic Avenger: The Novel
Published in Paperback by Thunder's Mouth Press (2006-03-30)
Authors: Lloyd Kaufman and Adam Jahnke
List price: $13.95
New price: $7.88
Used price: $7.88

Average review score:

This is not a novel. This is a guide to life.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-09
Granted, it's more of a guide to life for people that have had their lives turned upside down by falling into a vat of toxic waste, but a guide to life nonetheless. More importantly, you no longer have to bother jamming a DVD into your DVD player (or a tape into your tape player if you want to watch it the way it was intended to be watched), because you can just pick up the book and read the words. Yee haw.

yesssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-23
when i was in the fourth grade i talk my mom into renting the toxic avenger and that may be the reason iam a film maker today. and the novel is a must own if your a fan of this movie it adds so much more to the back ground of the story and after you read it the next time you watch the movie you will like it more ( if thats possible) do Lloyd and your self a favor and buy it

Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-07
I think that Lloyd is a very talented and gifted writer. He also is a very nice guy. I think anyone that buys this will be very pleased and very glad they made this purchase. I loved it. Great work!

TROMATIC GOODNESS AS ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-06
Lloyd Kaufman is at it again. Only this time he's leaving the imagination part up to the fans which if your a Toxic Avenger fan your gonna have one helluva time with this novel! This book is brilliant, not only does it provide a novelization of the legendary film, alot of pressing questions are answered. Tromatons? Tromaville? Its all in here. READ IT SUCKA!!!!!!

Seriously Amazing Book. BUY!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-27
This is one of the most exciting books to come out in recent memory, with his irreverant off-the-wall humor, Lloyd Kaufman has rocked the literary world with The Toxic Avenger: The Novel. I got this book after reading Make Your Own Damn Movie, which I picked up since I'm a huge fan of Lloyd Kaufman's truly independent cinema, and I can say, everyone who enjoys positive things about the world should pick up this book. Seriously, it was a quick read yet I go back to it again and again. It's like reliving the movie-in print!

Also, if you get a chance, see other films in the Troma collection. I personally can't wait for Poultryguest to come out, but my favorite is still Terror Firmer, or maybe Tromeo & Juliet.

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The True Stella Awards : Honoring real cases of greedy opportunists, frivolous lawsuits, and the law run amok
Published in Hardcover by (2005-11-03)
Author: Randy Cassingham
List price: $18.95
New price: $5.98
Used price: $4.92

Average review score:

True stories of real dummies
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-20
Yes, the judicial system needs an overhaul! On the flip side, there are some real jerks out there - good throne material!

My Bathroom Reader Book for Two Months
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-26
Yes, when the book arrived, I was headed to the bathroom. And the book has been enjoyable reading while I'm otherwise busy. The one to three page stories make for the right amount of diversion.

I've read through most stories twice now.

Stella run amok.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-23
The Stella Awards is a good read, but I can't see how people are doing the thing they are doing to other people for just money. Is this what we are coming too.

Hard to describle...interesting, frustrating, entertaining, sad
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-14
The cases decribed make very interesting reading. And it is unbelievable that they are true. It makes it hard to review the book. On one hand, the cases are entertaining because they are incredible...making it fascinating reading. On the other hand, the fact that these ridiculous law suits are real is totally frustrating and sadly disappointing. While reading them I am so utterly disgusted by the behavior of these people and what our society/legal system allows that I have to stop reading. It is infuriating that these lawsuits are even filed let alone heard in court. Filing frivolous lawsuits should be considered a crimial act! Good book...but watch your blood pressure...read at your own risk.

Weird But True lawsuits
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-22
Named for the woman who sued McDonalds after she spilled coffee on herself this book is filled with weird but true lawsuits that you have to read to believe.

Some of the suits in the book include:
1. A girl who sued the school system she was at because they wanted to have other kids be Valedvictorian along side her

2. A guy who sued the school system because he got an A on a prject instead of an A+

3. A mom who sued people because her drunk over 21 year old son decided to pass out under a running car and died

and many more interesting stories that will keep you entertained for hours

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The VALUE IN THE VALLEY : A BLACK WOMAN'S GUIDE THROUGH LIFE'S DILEMMAS
Published in Paperback by (1996-11-07)
Author: Iyanla Vanzant
List price: $14.00
New price: $7.39
Used price: $4.00
Collectible price: $14.00

Average review score:

Phenomenal Book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-24
This is a Phenomenal book! It's a great book for all women of color to read. Each chapter alerted all of my emotions and thoughts. I am learning everyday how to attack any negative energy surrounding me and follow the gift of intution. Learning to love yourself in the midst of everything.

I am about to start reading this book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-01-06
Yes, I already gave it five stars, because I read one of her other books "Tapping The Power Within...." When I was about 14 or 15 years old, I was in a afterschool class, and the instructor gave us each a copy of "Acts of Faith." The title of the book was very powerful to me, and I tried to read it then, but I was not ready. See, thats the thing about most self help books like these, you must be READY to read them. I actually got "Tapping the Power Within..." last month from my counselor, thats when I realized I still had two of her other books. My aunt also bought me one of her books when I was of the age 14, because I was going through a tough time. The book was called "Don't Give it Away." Which I am now in my THIRD YEAR OF COLLEGE... YAYY ME, and I passed the book down to my sister. (Also, I wanted to leave this portion of my message for a poster on here named Tigress "JD": Do not feel stupid for buying a collection of her books. Actually, I had just did the same thing. I am about to buy more of her books).Its quite hard choosing which books to read. I am currently reading the "Acts fo Faith" day by day, and I have finished reading "Tapping The Power Within" Which is helping me a lot. The following books I already have purchased was already shipped to me is "Faith in the Valley," "Living Through the Meantime," (which I started to read, but I was not sure if I was ready, after reading a couple of pages through)"One Day My Soul Just Opened Up (which I am debating with "Living Through the Meantime"), and "Yesterday I Cried." So I have about seven of her books. I am going to purchase more right now. I hope you all remain strong, and I hope the books will help you all a lot. (sorry for all the typos its 3:12am in the morning in NYC and I could not help it, but to get back online and purchase some more books, plus I cannot fall asleep).

Excellent
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-16
This book is great not only for black women, but for all women. It helps one to understand life better, and to love ones self better.

Iyanla touches my soul
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-20
I am a big fan of motivational and self-help books. I have read many in my lifetime. Mostly good, some so-so. It is important to read a book relevant to what one is going through at that time to get the full scope of things from the book we read I believe. Iyanla's books are one of them and one of my favourite authors. The first book I got from Iyanla's collection was "Yesterday I Cried" and that had helped me through the ditch I was going through at that time. A friend of mine recommended a book of hers "One day My Soul Just Opened Up" which at that time I had already knew about her and went on to search on amazon her other publications and purchased the whole series of her books. Yeh - crazy me! But hey, she's good! I like her approach in the way she writes and conveys her message. It's real. I can relate to her. I have almost the whole collection of her books that she has published and reading them one by one as I go through my life's ups and downs. For the past few months I've been going through many valleys, I started reading "The Value In The Valley" which has given me many insights into my own valleys that I am going through and have gone through and approach life and my valleys in a different light. I have just purchased the Audio CD version of it to listen while I drive or at home. Can't wait to get it and the rest of the motivational goodies I just got from other authors. :) Thumbs up to this book as well as Iyanla's other books. Thank you Iyanla for all the insights your book has given me. :)

Wonderful
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2001-09-07
I saw a lot of me in reading this book. It really helped me to realize somethings about myself and why I do the things that I do. It was great. I would recommend it to anyone who needs clarity on themselves and their lives.

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WHEN YOU EAT AT THE REFRIGERATOR, PULL UP A CHAIR: 50 WAYS TO FEEL THIN, GORGEOUS, AND HAPPY (WHEN YOU FEEL ANYTHING BUT)
Published in Paperback by Hyperion (1999-09-15)
Author: Geneen Roth
List price: $9.95
New price: $8.36
Used price: $7.18

Average review score:

Hilarious, and moving
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-11
This is a fabulous little book. It's a series of fifty very short advisory essays all about how to love yourself when you hate yourself. Specifically, Roth's work deals with compulsive eating, and this is her focus here too, but unlike some of her other work, this book is clearly meant to be more broadly applicable to any and all situations in which one might find oneself swimming in a sea of self-hatred. Roth is a humorous writer. She has a similar sort of wit as Anne Lamott, who has written the introduction to this book. Overall I found this book hilarious and moving. I stayed up all night to read it.

Wow
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-25
No matter how many times it happens, I'm always amazed when I find that there are other people in the world who go through some of the same things as me. This book really did it, it really showed me that I'm not alone in the frightening world of body-image. By the time I finished the second chapter, I had decided that I was going to get this book for my best friend for her birthday, and by the time I had finished the sixth chapter, I realized that I was going to buy it for every single one of my girlfriends for their birthdays.
This is a really amazing book, and the author really knows how to talk to women who are in need of reassurance as well as a little shove (or a big one) in the right direction.
I suggest it for women of all ages who struggle with any sort of body/self-image, no matter how long that struggle has been going on.

Best (non)diet book I've ever read!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-09
I originally checked this book out of the library. I loved it so much I bought a copy and am reading it again. I also purchased two copies to give to good friends. This book may or may not help me to loose weight, however, it is so uplifting and encouraging it has really helped to change my attitude towards food and not to be so self-loathing.

excellent book
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-10
as a person on the way from recovery from anorexia, this book offered helpful advice in a fun demeanor. would definitely recommend this book to everyone--on either sides of the spectrum.

Be very careful
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-20
I read a few books by Geneen Roth, including this one, in the beginning of 2003. After reading them, I gave myself permission to stop "dieting", and allowed myself to eat the food I like, thinking that if I didn't feel deprived that I would eat less and lose weight. I also kept away from the scale. The result was I gained 30 pounds in 9 months, before stopping myself from this upward climb. Its taken over 4 years to lose those 30 pounds. To this day I still regret reading those books. While I don't think its healthy to obsess about food and counting calories and body image, I do think we need to be careful about what we eat.

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All About Braising: The Art of Uncomplicated Cooking
Published in Hardcover by (2004-09-30)
Author: Molly Stevens
List price: $35.00
New price: $27.60
Used price: $21.94

Average review score:

praising braising
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-05
I already owned a copy of this book. My brother was home and borrowed it to make osso bucco. He is a chef and was thoroughly impressed with Ms. Stevens' book. I just ordered another copy to have sent to him for his birthday. I've only had rave reviews from food I prepared out of this book. I think it should be on everyone's bookshelf.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393052303/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title

Braising Bible
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-23
I'm just an amateur, but this book seems to be the most comprehensive braising cookbook. Look at all the all-star chefs she has consulted. She explains the steps necessary to get a tender, flavorful braise and tells you why they are necessary. Loads of good recipes.
If you don't braise--you should--it makes the best dishes and is convenient for a group since you can do it ahead of time.
If you are going to braise, I think you could be wasting a lot of time and effort and missing out on wonderful meals if you don't have this book.

A must for your collection!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-26
This is a superb book. Very well written thorough in its explanations and recipes with many varied recipes to choose from. Missed having lush photography to entice me more to cook, but a small omission in an overall impressive cookbook.

This book has made me a better cook
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-10
I never knew what braising was when I bought this book. It caught my eye because it was so thick, and I thought "How can there be that much on braising?" Well, I have to say, buying this book has been the nicest surprise in my cooking. I have made the absolute best pot roast ever (I never liked pot roast until I cooked it following Molly's recipes). She does such a terrific job of not only presenting the recipes in this book, but EDUCATING you on what makes a good cut of meat, how to buy fish, what to look for when selecting vegetables, etc. You will learn a lot from Molly if you read the book.
Note that there are very little pictures in the book, which usually renders a cookbook useless for me. However, the way she has described and categorized the recipes, I have never once yearned for a picture to know if something will be good. I just read through the title and recipe and think "Yum, that sounds great!" She's really a great cook and teacher. Kudos to you Molly!!! I love your book!

Buy it. You will be a better cook if you read the first couple chapters and make sure you spend the money and buy a good pot. You won't be sorry.

As for the two star review, I'm certain that their version of the crock-pot pot roast is the reason I never liked pot roast in the first place (you probably need half a bottle of ketchup to stomach it). Pay no attention to that review.

I can't tell you how much I love this book!!! If you like chicken, the chicken fricassee is the best. Also, her pork chops are to die for!

Update: I've been cooking from this book going on three years now and I am still in love with it. One of the great things is not only the recipes and education she gives you, but just about every recipe she recomends a side-dish and a wine. How great is that!? You don't even have to think about your menu. She also starts each recipe with a story about how she came across the recipe, which really gives it meaning and makes me appreciate how wonderful good cooking is. Great job Molly!

UPDATED: My New Favorite Cookbook c
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-03
I've only had this cookbook for two weeks, but have already made 3 recipes from it and they all turned out amazing. The book is very well written and organized and it has a great variety of dishes from fun and different veggie dishes (The Butter-glazed radishes were a big hit) to old standards (the "Yankee Pot Roast Redux" was perhaps the finest pot roast I've ever eaten.) The wonderful thing about the book is it isn't just a collection of stellar recipes but a very readable discussion of technique, ingredients, and methodologies that will surely make you a better cook. I cannot recommend this cookbook highly enough.

UPDATE: After another couple months of making recipes out of this book I wish that I could give it another 5 stars. Every single thing that I've cooked from its pages has been a barn-burner. Do not hesitate to buy this cookbook.

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All the Sundays Yet to Come: A Skater's Journey
Published in Hardcover by (2003-10-31)
Author: Kathryn Bertine
List price: $23.95
New price: $3.59
Used price: $3.58

Average review score:

Excellent Expose
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-18
This book really engrossed me. I don't know the first thing about skating, and I'm a mediocre runner at best, but I'm an avid armchair traveller, and I loved hearing about what the author went through. It was a nice structure for the book to see her grow up and go from young skater to disillusioned older skater to fulfilled triathelete. Good job! Can't wait to read the next one!

Strrrroooooong!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-28
An absolutely amazing story of a strong athletic girl with amazing talent forced to weaken herself in the name of show. Here we have a beautiful, very talented figure skater with--gasp--muscles of all things! Not anything like a female body builder or such, but a beautiful streamlined athleticism that anyone would envy. Unfortunately, in order to skate professionally, she was forced to lose her muscles, her strength, and dignity as a athlete in order to fit into the preconceived notions that female ice 'professionals' should look like pre-pubescent sticks on skates, pretty much by starving themselves..and to match a specific weight far too low for the performers. Nevertheless, our heroine (with the help of 'Captain Graceful') overcomes the inconceivable tortures that her mind and body had to overcome to become one of the strongest female athletes today. This behind the scenes look at the beautiful/ugly world of professional skating is an absolute must for those who skate, or parents of little girls wishing to fulfill the ice princess dream. Only Kathryn Bertine could tell such a horrowing story, while keeping you laughing. Thank you, Ms. Bertine, for sharing this with us!

A touching memoir of not only a figure skater, but a young woman
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-23
Delving into more than just figure skating, All the Sundays Yet to Come poignantly portrays the story of a woman coming to terms with her inner demons as she discovers the type of person she wants to be. Her story demonstrates that things are not as great as they seem when she is accepted into a professional skating tour, her childhood dream. Skaters are not judged by their ability, but rather by their looks. Ms. Bertine's height and muscular build are looked down upon, which spurs her into the dark depths of eating disorders and low self-esteem. She carries you from a world of despair and unhappiness into a world of self-fulfillment and happiness. Anyone who has had a mental disorder of any kind can easily relate to her struggle, and can experience hope for themselves by witnessing her triumphant recovery. Her writing is mixed charmingly with a unique humor as she pokes fun at herself as well as life, keeping the story from becoming too dark. Ms. Bertine shows you that even when one dream dies, another comes to life, and a fulfilling existence is always within reach. Considering her successes in writing and triathalons since her professional skating career, she has made a very wonderful life for herself.

Humor and Heartbreak
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-15
Kathryn Bertine's book about life as a professional ice skater is both humorous and heartbreaking. Written in an engaging style that makes you feel like she's sitting across the table from you, sharing a cup of coffee, and giving you the inside scoop on the world of ice skating, ALL THE SUNDAYS YET TO COME, is an honestly written memoir that strips the sugar-coating from a sport that appears to be all beauty and grace and sequins and spandex--and allows us to glimpse how it can be ugly...the constant weigh-ins that force healthy young women to starve themselves so they can look like stick figures, the behind-the-scenes addictions to drugs and sex, the physical violence that happens between couples and is ignored by management. Ms. Bertine doesn't hold back, allowing us to see the beauty and the ugliness, even as she struggles with her own self-esteem which is stripped away by management and their weekly weigh-ins. You'll laugh and you'll cry as you read this amazing book--and you'll never look at the sport of figure skating in the same way you did before.

An enjoyable read about a sport I've rarely looked at.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-09
I enjoy good sports writing, but I never thought I would be reading a sports book about skating. However, I have been reading Kathryn Bertine's blogs posted on espn.com about her attempts at making the olympics, and I enjoyed her humorous, somewhat self deprecating style, so I figured I'd check out her book. I was glad to find her book was just as well written, and an interesting read (especially considering I knew virtually nothing about the subject beforehand). I would reccomend it.

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The Bondwoman's Narrative
Published in Hardcover by (2002-04-02)
Authors: Hannah Crafts and Henry Louis Gates Jr.
List price: $24.95
New price: $3.81
Used price: $3.80
Collectible price: $24.95

Average review score:

I'm happy
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-22
I am very happy I could locate this book. It is one of my favorite books, and one I insist being on my shelf. Thus, my copy was missing and I was pleased I could replace my copy. I am happy with the condition of the copy I just recently received; it arrived quickly, and I'm glad to have it in my personal library.

Historical Fiction original
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-26
A fascinating and horrifying account of a slave woman's experience. While fiction, the story appears to be based on the life of an actual Hannah. Don't be put off by the long introduction. It becomes more significant after reading the narrative itself.

This book gives a great emotional account of the horrors of slavery. It is amazing the vocabulary the author had without being formally educated.

This book will stay with me for a while.

A vivid account of slave life
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-15
In her novel, Crafts illustrates her life as a slave over the course of many years. Starting at a place cursed by a linden tree, things only seem to get worse. Though she is taught to read, her teachers are punished and banished from her life. Her early years are filled with much more than learning, however. She witnesses many horrific aspects of slave life, which are depicted vividly by use of imagery and her colorful similes. In her story she attempts to obtain freedom with her new mistress, but the success is cut short.
By the middle of the story, the reader can easily assess that slave life is neither desirable nor easy. Crafts and her mistress are captured with only more hardships following. Crafts depicts for the reader her passing from one master to the next after her mistress's death. Things only continue to get worse until she brings the reader along with her on her flight to freedom.
Though met by a series of mishaps throughout the novel, Crafts finally obtains freedom to live life with her husband and her recently found mother. No doubt, the reader is happy to see something pleasant finally happen for Crafts. The reader is left with not only a sense of happiness for the author, but with a vibrant image of what it took to get there. The Bondswoman's Narrative is most certainly a good choice for anyone wanting a harsh, yet inspiring, account of what slave life was truly like.

An unpublished masterpiece?
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 21 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-10
As background for this slave's narrative, we are introduced to John Hill Wheeler, writer, who had published HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF NORTH CAROLINA, 1584-1851), who served as assistant secretary to the U. S. President Franklin Pierce (always one of my favorites) in 1854. There is a good photograph of Wheeler and a painting of his wife, Ellen, with her two sons by Thomas Sully who made the youngest look like a sleeping angel.

There is also a photo depiction of the abduction of his slave, Jane Johnson with her family, off the Steamer Washington on July 18, 1855, in Philadelphia "by force" by a gang of Negroes led by an abolotionist. Since he was unable to locate and reclaim his servants, Jane was subsequently replaced by Hannah -- who escaped in the Spring of 1857. He must have been a hard taskmaster.

One interesting thing (for me) was a mention of John Brown's (of Harper's Ferry, West VA fame) hanging in Charleston, VA. It was observed that he died as he lived, "game." He certainly was no coward.

I found too much redundancy in the introduction by Henry L. Gates, Jr., and the narrative itself. Absorbed in finding and preserving black culture in written form, he spends a lot of effort propounding on his conclusions, instead of the facts. Like a local writer involved in uncovering ancient history, he uses too many "that's" proving he is not scholary. To me, it shows a definite lack of education and too much emphasis on self promotion, so that whatever is printed will be thought or taken as the truth, the whole truth and nothing else.

As with all autobiographical material it is hard to tell what is fact and where the fiction begins. An old acquaintance now deceased who had been in the Merchant Marines in his younger years and received much enjoyment in bewildering strangers with his detailed stories, told me how he manufactured "truth." Add a few relevant facts which can be substantiated and names of real people and presto! it's history -- not fiction.

As with science, the individual authors are expounding on their own theories, not facts per se. It's the same in any field and any "case" history. Mr. Gates wanted to prove this narrative was authentic; therefore, he spent more effort with his "proof" than the slave's account itself.

Something that old can never be proven beyond a doubt. Now Clifford Irving's bogus biography of Howard Hughes was ill-timed. Had he waited until after the person's demise, there would always be doubt and nothing to prove he was a liar.

I don't believe a slave would know some of the words used by this writer. By including family background and descriptions of events, it is taken as the authentic tale of a real Hannah Crafts. He did too much surmising "what if's" to have run down the actual writer to New Jersey -- to have been the runaway slave from North Carolina.

I found the marked out words and phrases to be distracting (also detracting). It would have helped to have the edited parts left out; the 21 chapters would have sufficed without so much explanation and additions (in brackets). Instead of making this clearer, it befuddles the story itself.

I'm not a user of the word "that" which is grossly overused in newspapers today. About ten years ago, I typed the lengthy "memoir" of my ex-husband, a college English professor, and edited at intervals throughout. Of course, he proof-read every page before having the entirety copied and bound to distribute to members of his family. Sometimes, he agreed to my "clarifications"; at others, he'd say, "but we didn't talk that way." Growing up in a tiny hamlet between Shelbyville and Chapel Hill (where he'd been born) in Middle TN, and being about fifteen years my senior, he'd experienced things and feelings totally opposite to what I had in Knox County (East TN). My reasons to "edit" were for the benefit of those who'd be reading his memories, not to change events -- and he finally agreed with me.

Perhaps I should have left things exactly the way he expressed them, no matter how grammatically incorrect they were, as now that is what I am wishing Mr. Gates had done with this manuscript. The things he marked through seemed inconsistent vocabulary for such a young, uneducated woman confined in "the peculiar institution", and I'd have preferred not to have to think about them.

The textual annotations did not add to the story and were a bit too detailed. You can analyze a situation "to death." Some things are better left to the reader's imagaination.

This story is as old as the hills. Didn't he see the similarities between characters of this narrative and those in SHOW BOAT? Sad but true. Life is not always easy for those without power or money.

You have to enjoy this style of writing
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-10
This book may have great value as a historical document, however, I evaluate it from the 'fun to read' point of view. I did not find it a greatly enjoyable read. It is written in the old novel style- "Perils of Pauline" comes to mind. Neither did I find that I learned much about it was like to live like a slave during that time. I am now reading a historical novel in which there are a few pages describing a slave market in the USA during the Revolution; which gave me a much clearer picture than Bondwoman's Narrative did. The description of how the field hands lived left me wishing to read more about that, and in fact, I felt I did not even get a good picture of how the house servants lived. There was quite a bit of philosophizing during the entire book so the author came across as an intellectual. In this respect, her comments about the death of a fellow runaway slave towards the end of the novel were very interesting to me.

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Catspaw
Published in Hardcover by Warner Books (1988-09)
Author: Joan D. Vinge
List price: $17.95
New price: $17.50
Used price: $0.39
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Average review score:

MUCH Better Book than "Psion"
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-08-07
"Catspaw" is a MUCH better book than its prequel, "Psion." As with "Psion," I don't care much for its theme that humans, especially wealthy powerful ones, are evil. But, for "Catspaw," that's pretty much overridden by how well Vinge writes and by the tightness of the plot. About the only thing I didn't like in the book was the occasional lapse into unnecessary sexual details in about five different places. Other than that, this is a very well-written book that I highly recommend. If it weren't for the sense of loss a reader would suffer without having read "Psion," I'd suggest skipping that book entirely. Most of the necessary information comes out in this book. But, it's not complete until almost halfway through the book.

I loved this...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-04-14
Whoah! I've read this book three or four times already! I love it so much. and Cat is just a great character you can just fall in love with him. I really hope others read this book too. i still haven't read the 1st or 3rd books to this series but i feel like i understand them perfectly. but i still really wish to read them. I've never liked a book quite this much.

Best of the best
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-11
This is quite possibly the best book I have ever read. Thought provoking, emotional, and exciting, the author draws the reader into a world that could easily be the real future. Cat's unique point of view illustrates the universe in such amazing clarity that his pain and wonder is completely tangible. He's moved from street rat to university student forced to do the dirty work for a huge conglomerate and each word of his experience resonates.

This second installment of the Cat books was the first I'd ever read from this author, all because I took a chance on a book in a library give away box. It's one of the most amazing treasures I've ever found.

Intrigue, adventure, exciting- you get it all
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2004-12-26
I loved this book. I've read the entire series of the main character, Cat, but Catspaw I believe is best in the series. What's more, the book can stand alone. The unique writing kept me interested the entire journey, with the 1st person view of the main character, but his abilities to read minds lets you have the perspective of other characters in the book as well. I liked Cat's personality. He's real, with flaws, and fears, and yet does the right thing without being a do-gooder. Even the villians in the book seem real, and you can almost- but not quite- understand why they are the way they are.
This story encompasses Cat being pressed into service to be a body guard for a political member of the very government he hates. You get political intrigue, a hint of romance, and a splendid view of a futuristic world with a well thought out plot. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Works great as a stand-alone.
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-20
This was the first book I'd read in this series, many years ago. At the time, I was more impressed with it than I probably would be now, because I didn't recognize that the world she was building was somewhat standard cyberpunk (never even heard of cyberpunk at that time). Therefore the world seemed more original to me than it actually is (also illustrating one of my standard ideas about genre fiction--if someone who has never experienced a genre before suddenly comes to it, the most hoary and ancient cliches of that genre will seem dazzlingly fresh and familiar).

However, though the world fascinated me, in the end, the real heart of the series are Vinge's characters. Cat, Lady Elnear, Argentyne, Jiro, are all wonderfully drawn, and Vinge portrays them with a great deal of heart and honesty; she plays fair with the reader. Good social commentary too, with a message that is both uplifting and sobering; she explores a theme I've seen other authors do as well but one that I think is quite profound, that human connections are necessary to allow human beings to succeed in the face of evil (Cat's bond with Argentyne and his link to Mikah are what enable him to ultimately succeed in his goal). I recently bought a copy of PSION and I'm working my way through it, eager to meet Jewel and some of Cat's earlier friends.

N
Color Surprises: A Pop-up Book
Published in Hardcover by Little Simon (1997-09-01)
Author:
List price: $13.95
New price: $13.55
Used price: $12.36

Average review score:

Beautiful little book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-09
This has rapidly become my 22-month-old granddaughter's favorite book. We all love the charming and beautifully designed popups, especially the last one, "all colors". A bit fragile, but that just means it is a teaching opportunity on how to take care of fragile, beautiful things.

Love it!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-21
This is one of the best pop-up books and is very well made unlike others I've reviewed. Our 10 month old LOVES to open flaps and these are quite easy to open. She also likes to tear, so I have to be quick to move on the the next page =) The colors are bold and very beautiful and just pop out at you. Very beautifully done! I wish there were more pop-ups like this one since our daughter loves to interact with books and is always looking for a flap or something to touch or move. She loves this one over and over again until she pushes it away.

Awesome pop-up
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-12
Every color has a different way of popping up! My daughter loves this books, especially the green snake and black and white penguin pop-ups! Fantastic book for interaction and visual learning.

Color Surprises, A Pop up Book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-30

Pop ups were disappointing. Very basic. Good book for teaching colors to young children.

pop up surprises
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-18
My kids love this book, it is our 2nd copy because the 1st got a little over loved (ie. ripped). So this is the special copy that is kept on the top helf. The illustrations and pop-up's are beautiful.

N
Dancing with Rose: Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer's
Published in Hardcover by Viking Adult (2007-05-31)
Author: Lauren Kessler
List price: $24.95
New price: $6.99
Used price: $6.65

Average review score:

Great story very real
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-18
I would give this book 4 1/2 stars if it was available. This story was moving and funny all at once. I just thought it was a little long. It gives you a real inside look at Alzheimer's and you see that even in the midst of their dieses they have a life and are still people. I really enjoyed getting to know the people of Maplewood. This is a great story for anyone who is dealing with or knows someone or has an interest in Alzheimer's.

Very moving memoir
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-15
This book really touched me in many, many ways. From the personal level, the relating to Lauren's job, and in the residents that Lauren took care of. Sometimes I had to put the book down from a few minutes--to a few hours to allow me time to reflect. Thank you Lauren for sharing your experiences with us the reader. I look at Alzheimer's disease in a better, deeper way then before I read this book. :)

A Must Read for those in Long Term Care
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-14
"Dancing with Rose" is neither mystery nor animated action story, but for those of us in long term care, it is definitely a page turner. Lauren Kessler's warm approach takes one inside the hearts and minds of the staff, families and the residents of Maplewood. One can only imagine that long after reading this book, Kessler must still be visiting the residents, who became more like family. This book validates why those of who continue to work in long term care are there and will be there every day.

Perfect pitch
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-12
This author took a job as a caregiver in an Alzheimer's facility with the idea of working through her relationship with her mother, who suffered with the disease, and writing a memoir that would help others understand people with the disease and the system caring for them. As a psychologist and daughter of a man with Alzheimer's, I would say she did a wonderful job with both.

If you have elderly parents or are getting older (and who are we kidding, aren't we all?), this is must-read. A touching, heartbreaking look into the world of dementia care facilities and a wake-up call for all of us about our futures as we age.

A Reading Must!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-08
This is a must-read for any caregiver. You will laugh and cry so many times!


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