N Books

Australian theologian Peter O'Brien is a highly respected Pauline scholar who (in addition to this book) has also written commentaries on Colossians/Philemon and Ephesians, in addition to books on the Biblical theology of mission.

This commentary on Philippians is part of the New International Greek Testament Commentary series, a series that places a heavy focus on the original Greek text of the Biblical book in question and use insights gained from this linguistic/grammatical study as a launching point to comment on theological and historical content.

The structure of this book does not differ much from other Biblical commentaries. Several pages of introductory material (e.g. questions of authorship, recipients, major themes, outline) are followed by the commentary proper: a translation of the pericope, notes on textual criticism, and extensive remarks on the pericope. What sets this commentary apart from others is 1) the above-mentioned emphasis on the Greek and 2) a high degree of interaction with other New Testament scholars. This reader especially enjoyed the emphasis on the Greek--not because I have an intrinsic love of the languages (I don't!) but because O'Brien thoroughly lays out and defends his translation, then uses this translation-defense in order to draw out theological/practical/Pauline remarks. As he does this, he often lays out the arguments of other scholars and points out the pros and cons of each--not in a way to set up straw men, but to show why one particular choice is the best among plausible explanations. The end result is that I have much confidence in and respect for O'Brien's conclusions.

O'Brien approaches Philippians from a conservative perspective. He comes to the conclusion that the entire text was written by Paul (there were not redactors), that the recipients were the Christians at Philippi, and that the four major purposes in writing the letter were 1) to thank the Philippians for a gift he received from them, 2) to urge them toward greater unity (as it appears there was some conflict among them), 3) to encourage them to stand strong against a group of opponents from outside the church (who are trying to pull the Philippian Christians away from their Christian faith) and 4) to urge them to rejoice in Jesus, no matter what their earthly circumstances may be.

O'Brien's writing style is surprisingly conversational--I say surprisingly because it's difficult to come across as conversational when words and phrases like epexegetical, hapax, hortatory conjunction, and aorist indicative passive are used. When O'Brien remarks on the non-grammatical aspects of the text, his comments most often gravitate toward history, the personality/style of Paul, justification, sanctification, eschatology, and Christian unity. Absent or downplayed are the sacraments, vocation, the Holy Spirit, the doctrine of Scripture, and missiology (which is surprising to me considering this is one of his major scholarly pursuits).

In all, I recommend this commentary most highly for those who are have some background in the Greek. If you're concerned about the strength of your language skills (as I am), don't be intimidated. While it is based on the Greek, it is accessible while it remains scholarly and practical.

You will find O'Brien's to be one of the very best commentaries on Philippians, but you will get more out of it if you are familiar with New Testament Greek. The author writes from a theologically conservative viewpoint, but is always prepared to evaluate other views, while also clearly articulating his own.

The long section on Philippians 2:5-11 has been painstakingly researched. It is thorough and magnificent.

If you read commentaries to help you to understand the text, so that you can better serve Jesus Christ, you will really appreciate this one, as well as the author's commentaries on Colossians and Ephesians.

Highly recommended.

I picked up this commentary not so much from the kudos on Amazon (although I must say all such kudos is deserved), but from O'Brien's handling of Colossians-Philemon (Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 44), and to a lesser but considerably remarkable degree from I.H. Marshall's treatment of Luke in this same series. I too was befuddled from the length given to the discussion of epistle's authorship, although Dr. O'Brien offers a few cues about Paul's unique contributions to the NT canon (I would merely argue if these cues were necessarily Philippians-specific or -centric). Many times over, O'Brien focuses on the specific texts with erudition I've never witnessed previously, and then balances this with discussions on what always struck me as textual matters that not even Bruce Metzger handled with proper weight. This is one of those commentaries where you read and chew on, then think, "if only the Church dealt more with these matters, we could certainly witness a true outpouring of the Holy Spirit." And yet, the Church waits. Thank you so much, Dr. O'Brien.

O'Brien interacts beautifully with the Greek text! However, his sections on hymnody and authorship are VERY long. This book is so Greek based, beware if you are not quite proficient or at least strongly backgrounded in Greek.

'I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.' Philippians 4:13

O'Brien's comments read this vital text as:
'in vital union with the One who strengthens me',
cited from John Howard Schutz, Paul, pg 218

'The favourite Pauline expression 'in Christ' often appears in its double form in Philippians - 'in Christ Jesus'. It is a phrase denoting incorporation ('in union with Christ Jesus', GNB): believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, and the new corporate life into which they have entered is their share in His resurrection life. 'In Christ Jesus' frequently points to Christ Jesus as the sphere in which the Christian lives and moves.

So the Philippians' glorying will abound 'in Christ Jesus' (1:26). Christians glory in Him rather than put their confidence in the flesh (3:3). God's peace will guard the reader's hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (4:7), and their every need will be met in accordance with God's riches in glory in Him (4:19). Finally the Philippians are to adopt the same attitude towards one another that was found in Christ Jesus (2:5). In other words, the whole life is to be determined by the fact of Christ Jesus.' Pg 46

The doctrine of union with Christ is upheld favourably by Peter O'Brien.

On chapter and verse 1:2 'grace and peace to you':

'Grace' is a central theological notion that clearly expresses Paul's understanding of Christ's work of salvation (Rom 3:23-24).' Pg 50

'The second main word in this benediction, 'peace', suggests an OT background (Eze 4:17; 5:7). In the LXX the epistolary greeting 'shalom' is rendered by 'peace'. In the LXX 'peace' had the general sense of well-being, the source and giver of which is Yahweh alone. It included everything given by God in all areas of life, and had a social dimension as well as being linked, on occasion, with righteousness (Isa 48: 18; Ps 85:10). The word can describe the content and goal of all Christian preaching, the message itself being called 'the gospel of peace' (Eph 6:15; Acts 10:36; Eph 2:17). Peace has to do with wholeness, especially with reference to relationships. It is an order established by the God of peace (1 Cor 14:33; Rom 15:33, 16:20; Phil 4:9). Christ is the mediator of that peace (Rom 5:1; Col 1:20). Indeed, He himself is that peace (Eph 2:14-18). Paul does not simply wish for their spiritual prosperity or for their internal condition of contentment; rather his prayer is that they may comprehend more fully the nature of that relationship of peace which God has established in them.' Pg 51

A quality Commentary, probably still the absolute BEST conservative one on Philippians.

It's a great book if you want to quickly go through all the major points of accounting. I will recommend it.

The book covers the fundamentals of accounting in a very good manner by reviewing basic concepts repetitively.

I was first introduced to the seventh edition at our local library. This is an excellent training tool for accounting. For anyone who likes to learn on their own this is great!

I'm not an accountant and I recently started an MBA. Accounting is a very hard course and our textbook isn't very helpful at teaching how to do the calculations that underpin the preparation of financial statements. The Essentials of Accounting Workbook really dumbs down the concepts involved in making these calulcations to a very simple level. It has been a huge help. The format seems pretty childish at first, but it is designed to make very small incremental steps through each concept.

I have 2 masters degrees - I have not come across a book that does such a good job of explaining the fundamentals.

Additionally, the format of the book - read and answer questions 'fill in the blanks' style, helps you remember what you read.

If you want to get a great start in accounting, get this book.

I would have wanted to know that the book had more than ten chapter. I also would wanted to know a little more about the subject before purchase. After I purchase this book I realize that it explains crystal clear all about business communication. I also find out that this book had useful information about business communication for today technology. Explain part by part all procedure to make good reception and open discuss for get better business. I highly recommed this book as reference for people work in Office.

I used this text for an online class and it was just an exceptional experience. I also had the option of visiting the classroom, which was completely out of the picture once I started turning the pages. The chapters were clear and passages easy to follow. The grammar/mechanics handbook section was really great. I have decided to keep this book as a wonderful reference tool. I find myself using it daily to double check certain things for clarification before mailing. I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a refresher course or an improvement tool for business English. This is money well spent and is worth every cent!

Other books to read for relaxation: Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul; Everyday Miracles; and, The Language of Poetry Forms.

The book was in perfect condition, however, it didn't come with the user access code for internet review websites.

I have been reading this book since I received it and so far it is an excellent business tool! Very informative.

I am an instructor for a local college. I selected the Essntials of Business Communication as the textbook for my Business Communications course after working with it in a previous class. It is the best organized text I have found with step by step instructions for students to readily grasp the techniques used in modern business documents. The book covers e-mails, memos, a variety of business letters, reports, business proposals, resumes, letters of application and communication skills for oral presentations and interviews. Lectures, examples, assignments, and grammatical challenges are pre-designed for the instructor's use, making this a turn-key system for teaching communication skills.

Many pictures, table, and related figure were sufficient to understand in physiological mechanism in condition to exercising. Especially, the last chapter was very impressed in my insufficient knowledge of molecular and cellular for exercise physiology.

Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition, and Human Performance (Exercise Physiology ( MC Ardle))

When I first considered this book, I thought it was a little pricey. Now that I have it on my shelf, I think it would be cheap at twice the price. Every time I have a question on my personal fitness program, I find the answer in McArdle. Even when I don't have a question, simply reading the book teaches me things that I need to know and hadn't thought about. An excellent value.

I have been a fitness trainer for 20 years. I have read many books. This one is one of the best thus far. I highly recommend it !

This is the only reference book I have and need on Exercise Physiology. Most useful to me are chapters on performance enhacement, high altitude acclimatisation and physical training for seniors. The first few introductory chapters and the first few pages of each chapter remind me of my basic life sciences. The authors then focus on the application of cell biology to training. The thing I like most about this book, is that there is no "guru talk". Every piece of advice is based on currect research.

The book is divided into 7 sections. 1. Nutrition, 2. Energy production, 3. Energy Delivery & Utilisation, 3. Enhancement of Energy Capacity, 4. Environmental Stress, 5. Body Composition & Weight Control, 7. Successful Aging, Disease Prevention.

It's a very thick book, but the paper quality is high and the colourful illustrations make it a joy to read. However, this is not simple book for the average man on the street. There is nothing sensational here - just pure science. Readers without a background in the life sciences may not be able to follow.

I am a Personal Training manager with a Physical Education undergraduate degree and Health Preservation and Rehabilitation graduate degree.
I consider that the science of exercise physiology should constitute the basic knowledge for anybody who wants to understands the way the human body functionates and acutely and chronicaly adapts to the exercise stimuli.
No matter you are(or preparing to become) a PE teacher, sport medicine specialist, personal trainer, physical therapist,athletic coach,etc, you should understand the science of exercise physiology.
Dr. McArdle's " Exercise physiology" is definetely one of the most complete books ever writen on the subject. With miriads of grafics and pictures, and tons of scientific research descriptions and results, the book is quite pleasing to read and very convincing.
With more than 1000 pages, definetelly worths its price and even more. Contains as much information as you could find in 3-4 good scientific books and much more than the complete colection of "Muscle and Fitness" starting from 1970.
You can find detailed informations together with all the book ilustrations and even 4 complete chapters at: www.connection.LWW.com/go/mcardle

This calendar is the best thing in the world. The chickens are crazy looking. Sometimes I would just stop and look at it, and say things like, "Wow. That chicken is a gangsta." Sometimes it's hard to believe something so awesome exists, strutting around somewhere and pecking at the ground and looking like a total baller.

Whenever I would turn it to a new month, my fiance would get excited. "It's a new chicken! That chicken is extraordinary." He would not look at the chickens ahead of time so he could be surprised.

It's the kind of thing where the longer you look at it, the more amazing it gets. Sometimes we would start looking at a chicken, and as we noticed more details, we would laugh more and more. Much respect to the chickens featured in this calendar; I wish I were half as cool.

Even though 2007 has passed I still look at it sometimes. I have been trying to find the 2008 one in stores, but I've had no luck.

Great pictures and I love the colorful checker pages with ample space for writing appointments.

I've been using the extra ordinary chicken calendar for three years now. No other calendar is good enough for the REAL chickenenthusiast! Loaded with beautiful chicken portraits of high artistic quality.

I needed a new calendar for my cube at work and was rummaging through the discount bin, and I found this beauty. What luck! The cover, title and Vegas-style "lights" as edging hooked me. What better way to get a chuckle?
The calendar, despite what I consider ridiculously laughable content, is high-quality. The photos are top notch, the pages have a good weight and a semi-glossy finish. I actually think I can start to appreciate these fowl over the coming year. Who knew?

After purchasing this as a "gag gift" for my mother, I had to get one for myself. This calendar makes me smile everyday simply because it is silly and light. I have mine on my refridgerator and no one walks through my kitchen without commenting on it. You don't have to be a farmer or a collector of chicken memorabilia to enjoy this. You simply have to be willing to step out into the silly side and enjoy it.

Anything where Mr. Collins is involved it number one with me. End of discussion.

When attaching ones self to a celebrities persona, (i.e. actor) one tends to critique only the physical contributions. Stephen Collins is not just an actor. He is an intellectual literary artist capturing your interest from beginning to end in this book. The character, "Nicolette Stallings" embraces your fantasies and simultaneously engages you in a plethera of empathy. Her erotic behavior is stimulating, believable, and before long, desirable to any red blooded American woman. Stephen Collins? A Minister?
(Eric Camden) not in this book.............he's too delicious for words.

I actually read `Eye Contact' a few years ago. It was the first erotic thriller that I'd ever read and it still stands out in my mind as on of the best.

This is the story of actress Nicolette Stallings who only feels powerful when seducing someone of the opposite sex. However, her sexual game of cat and mouse soon turns deadly when she propositions a man she meets in a restaurant who she playfully dubs as "Wally Wall Street". After their one night encounter at a high class hotel Nick finds it hard to get rid of "Wally" who now blames her for the break up of his marriage. After an unsuccessful attempt on his own life "Wally" otherwise known as Jeffery White, finally does succeed in killing himself but not before he manages to frame Nick for his murder! As Nick becomes the center of the medias attention and hunted by the police she tries to find a way to prove her innocence not without having a few sexual encounters along the way.

`Eye Contact" is an excellent erotic thriller not for the timid and will keep you at the edge of your seat trying to figure out how everything will play out in the end. Who would have though that the minister for 7th Heaven could write like this?

This novel really does stand the test of time. I read this book many years ago and it still sets well in my memory to this day. It has just about everything in it that one can imagine. Reading this novel is quick and doesn't drag on and on like some novels that I've completed. The long of the short of it, "If this book stands out in my mind today, even though it has been many years since I've read it, then it has to be good reading."

If you don't believe me - buy it and read it yourself.

I actually read 'Eye Contact' a few years ago. It was the first erotic thriller that I'd ever read and it still stands out in my mind as one of the best.

This is the story of actress Nicolette Stallings who only feels powerful when seducing someone of the opposite sex. The sexual game of cat and mouse soon turns deadly when she propositions a man she meets in a restaurant who she playfully dubs as "Wally Wall Street". After their one night encounter at a high class hotel Nick finds it hard to get rid of "Wally" who now blames her for the break up of his marriage. After an unsuccessful attempt on his own life "Wally" otherwise known as Jeffery White, finally does succeed in killing himself but not before he manages to frame Nick for his murder! As Nick becomes the center of the medias attention and hunted by the police she tries to find a way to prove her innocence not without having a few sexual encounters along the way.

'Eye Contact" is an excellent erotic thriller not for the timid and will keep you at the edge of your seat trying to figure out how everything will play out in the end. Who would have though that the minister from 7th Heaven could write like this?

This book is everything I'd want in a book about the natural history of where I live. Plants, animals, fungi, rocks! I especially love the etymology of all the scientific names and the section that details the traits and histories of all the parks in the area. I aim to visit them all. It's a lot more relaxed than a bird-specific field guide, a more pleasurable read.

This book is a handsome, valuable addition to the library (or backpack) of NYC dwelling natural history lovers. Unfortunately, it is not "complete," as several reviews suggest. Missing, for example, is the red-eared slider(Trachemys scripta elegans), the most commonly seen turtle in Central Park. Migrant and occasional bird species, too, are not to be found. The wild turkey is now reestablished on parts of Manhattan, but does not find a place in Day's guide. There are many such oversights; generally, however, I recommend the book.

"What a wonderful resource NYC has in Leslie Day. I purchased her recently released book (hardcover edition) Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City, and was so impressed by her knowledge and intense communion with nature. This book is a work of art! Illustrated by Mark A. Klingler and containing many photographs taken by Dr. Day herself, it is a piece to be treasured. It is so complete, comprehensive and beautifully edited. It is also amazingly user friendly. Thank you Leslie Day for your dedication to NYC and the enlightening of nature lovers everywhere."

Leslie Day describes her book perfectly in the first chapter:

"Today the city is a complex ecosystem, the result of its tumultuous history. Hundreds of species of birds inhabit its streets, parks and waters. Insects, worms, crustaceans, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds,mammals, trees, wildflowers, and mushrooms are within walking distance of virtually every apartment building, house, and hotel. The city has more than 500 miles of coastline, some fringed with saltwater marshes, such as the islands of Jamaica Bay in Queens. New York's 37,000 acres of parks contain hundreds of species waiting to be discovered, identified, and appreciated by the reader. This guide is designed to make the natural world of New York City accessible by revealing the living and diverse, and ancient geological treasures the city has to offer."

She describes her book with the help of well done drawings by Mark A. Klingler and a number of color photographs. Day is a keen observer: we've fed dozens of mourning doves over the years, but I've never noticed the color of their eyes. As she told a "New York Times" reporter: "If you look closely in their eyes, they are blue. It's startlingly beautiful."

(During the same interview walking around a single block, Day identified several trees and a lichen: Willow Oak, Honey Locust, Sophora Tree (aka "Eve's Necklace"), three Callery Pears, Mulberry (with two types of leaves: some egg-shaped, others lobed), London Plane, several Lindens, and, of course, a Gingko.)

Day maintains an interesting website devoted to the Guide, and posts short, informative, well illustrated updates on new developments in New York City. The last few entries included a Harp Seal at the Boat Basin on 79th Street (where she lives on a house boat), Winter Weeping Willows, and Canvas Back Ducks.

This is a very human view of one of our greenest cities.

Robert C. Ross 2008

BTW, I was born Brooklyn in 1926. My family "emigrated" to Staten Island in the early 1930s. Having last lived on rural Lighthouse Hill on Staten Island in 1951 I am well-acquainted with Staten Island's flora and fauna.

The best endorsement I can give is the fact that I originally bought this book for a friend who is an avid birder in Connecticut. She was so impressed with it that I bought one for myself. Now I am a birder (albeit, an old bird!).

Col. Steve Pasanos is a true American hero. His book is a must read for young people that have doubts about what the word "Patriotism" means. This is an exciting story of a man who survived the best of the German Luftwaffe in the air, the wicked Gestapo on the ground, and perilous adventures at sea. Eight years in the making, Steve Pasanos writes in a style that is wonderfully fascinating. If there is one book you buy this year this is it!

Scott Graham
Escondido, Ca

FLYING GREEK is the autobiography of Steve Pisanos, a WWII double ace and career Air Force officer. In many ways, this book reads like a Hollywood adventure movie - young, impressionable 19-year old Greek jumps ship in America, two years later enlists in the RAF to defeat Hitler, subsequently flies Spits with 71 Squadron and P-47s and -51s with the 4th FG, downed over France, joins the Resistance, etc. Yet it's all true, this fascinating story being told in fine fashion by Colonel Pisanos - no ghostwriter employed! - in this 2008 volume from Potomac Books.

The bulk of FLYING GREEK details Pisanos' wartime service in England. Initially he flew with 71 Squadron, one of three 'Eagle Squadrons' manned by Americans. In September 1942 all three were transferred to the USAAF, becoming the 4th FG. By war's end the 4th was credited with the most kills of any 8th AF Fighter Group. Pisanos' share of that total was an even 10 kills although his most memorable moment may have come on May 3, 1943 when he became a U.S. citizen. On March 5, 1944 Pisanos was downed over France and survived an almost unbelievable crash-landing as depicted in the book's cover art. He chose to join Resistance units in attacks on German troops, later linking up with U.S. troops and returning to England. Postwar he held a number of Air Force commands and positions before retiring in December 1973.

FLYING GREEK has much to recommend it. It's a truly inspiring story and well-told by Pisanos. He is a gifted writer, relating events in a straightforward yet compelling style. The section on his WWII service, which takes up about 200 of the book's 315 pages of text, has vivid descriptions of combat that put the reader right in the cockpit.

In one respect though, I feel a golden opportunity was missed. The 4th FG was made up of talented fighter pilots who were also, judging from what I've previously read, a wonderful collection of characters, starting with Blakeslee himself. Pisanos knew all of them - Gentile, Godfrey, 'Deacon' Hively, 'Kid' Hofer, Pierce McKennon, 'Cowboy' Megura, 'Goody' Goodson, etc. It's a shame he didn't share more memories of those people in his book. Perhaps there were publisher-imposed page limitations. In any case, I'd like to suggest to Colonel Pisanos that he write a sequel to FLYING GREEK sharing some of his memories of these hot-rock fighter jocks.

In summary, FLYING GREEK is a marvelous book, a great read and an inspiring account of one man's efforts to achieve his dreams. Highly recommended.

Colonel Steve Pisanos is a true hero and an inspiration. His autobiography captures, not only his flying expertise and experiences, but also his driving desire to become an American Citizen. He has a pride in America, and a humbleness about his World War II service. His writing is from the heart, is extremely readable, and is very accurately told. His story is absolutely gripping!
By the end of the book, you consider him a friend and realize just how honored we are that he is a part of our history.

A great book full of examples of determination and patriotism. He certainly puts alot of people born in the United States to shame when it comes to his patriotism. We are fortunate to have him as a citizen of the U.S. The book is well written and tells of his desire to be an American and a pilot!

I have read many, many biographies on World War II aces. This book, by far, is the best I have read. Steve Pisanos' story is such a facinating one. I could not put this book down until I finished it. It has it all. The struggle to get to America, his flight training, a RAF Eagle Squadron volunteer, founding member of the 4th Fighter Group. What a life this great AMERICAN has had! You will not be disappointed if you buy this book.

Leigh Barratt
San Diego, CA

Lorie Conway takes readers into one the of most historic landmarks in US history, Ellis Island. FORGOTTEN ELLIS ISLAND: THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF AMERICA'S IMMIGRANT HOSPITAL peruses history, and revisits an important relic from America's immigrant past, which is also the epitome and constant reminder of the history of the United States and its people. The book examines the building that housed, nursed, and recorded/documented the many immigrants who passed through its halls.

With its impressive narrative and an array of photographs dating back to the early twentieth century during the height of immigration, Conway writes about one of the most defining moments in the American Dream story. But there also entailed the dark moments of immigration that involved the "other" or non-American born peoples, and how they had to endure painstaking and excruciating steps after walking off the ships in which they came from afar, which involved medical examinations and quarantines. Furthermore, immigrants were scrutinized, and many believed that they hindered the social make-up of American society; their reactions came in the form of discrimination and partisanship that was sociological, medical, and political in nature. For example, jingoist political cartoons show the depictions, such as one cartoon of Uncle Sam "rocking the boat" or shaking his fist in defiance towards newly arrived immigrants.

FORGOTTEN ELLIS ISLAND is an important part of American history. This story is an eye-opening narrative filled with retrospection. For those who may have visited the main building of Ellis Island, which is now a museum, this book may enhance their understanding of the immigration history and experience. But most importantly, it also delves into the issue of American identity, and how the United States was shaped and built by immigrants.

This was a great book to read. It never dawned on me that immigrants were medically screened before coming into the US. The pictures were great and the documentary was very informative.

The staff at the hospital were caring and willing to help when no one else was.

I plan to read more on this.

This was an interesting part of the Ellis Island story I had never before heard. The book was fascinating and enjoyable. However I dropped the last star because of a two things - most photos were not labeled and I felt that the stories of those who worked there, with the exception of the doctors, were ignored. I was left with the desire for more information, but I recognize that resources are apparently difficult to get find and access.

I FOUND THAT THE BOOK GAVE A LOT OF VERY INTERESTING FACTS ON HISTORY THAT HAS PROMPTED ME TO LOOK INTO EVEN FURTHER ! GREAT BOOK

I really enjoyed this book because I did not know a whole lot about the Ellis island situation and was fascinated at the detail that this book gave about the construction of the hospitals and how patients got placed in them. I also had no idea that the immigrants had so many skin diseases but after reading about the sanitation conditions I was not surprised. It is truly amazing what our ancestors had to go through to live here.

A true story of Frank McCourt and his family. Even though here is a good side to the alcoholic father, he has too much pride to do what it takes to provide for his family, the mother is in a continual state of depression, and the children are starved, abused and neglected, but the book held my interest. The ending of the story was disappointing! What happened after Frank went to America? Did he bring his family over? It appears like Frank McCourt got fed up with writing the book and left the ending for speculation. In my opinion didn't deserve Pulitzer Prize, however I would recommend the book.

angela's ashes was a depressing book which was well written and spellbinding- a true gem. You constantly are flipping back to the dedication page to see if the children survived. The movie doesn't do it justice. Tis was a disappointment to me because i couldn't get an emotional attachment to frank's story until the final chapter.

The moment I finished this book I felt a bit lost. I really didn't want it to end. Wonderful book. I got 'Tis right after. Now i'm reading it.. too fast, again. I would like to thank Frank McCourt for sharing his life and this wonderful work. And to ask him to please keep writting.

McCourt's 'Angela's Ashes' leads the reader through the author's impoverished childhood in Ireland. It introduces his parents, brothers and baby sister and the dire circumstances they managed to survive. The story captivated me with the first paragraph. ''Tis' continues McCourt's adventures as he arrives in the United States as a young man. His stint in the Army, his quest for an education and his long search for love are all braided into a moving and unforgetable story. I recommend that you experience both books via audio tape. The author's charming Irish brogue only adds richness to an already overwhelming story.

Purchased Angela's Ashes in the late spring after hearing so much about the book and movie in the past 2 years and was completely blown away with Frank McCourt's life/work. Left hanging by the lack of ending in Angela's Ashes, it was quickly on to 'Tis and immediately thereafter, A Monk Swimming by Frank's brother Malachy McCourt.

Angela's Ashes is riveting for the sheer horror of escalating human tragedy. Just rented the movie and listened to my 11-year-old son repeat over and over, "just when you think it can't get any worse...it does". The book is far more graphic and not at all for the faint of heart. Malachy Sr., who loves his children desperately, is incredible in his alcoholism but even more incredible in his confused indifference to the suffering of his family. Angela is simultaneously pathetic and heroic possessing all the destructive sarcasm of her pretentiously proud mother and sister with an ability to do what is necessary to ensure her survival, along with 4 of her 7 children. Denial kills 3 children and a marriage, while the want of the most basic human contact turns a mother to incest. Miraculously, Frank survives and even thrives, driven by the things that his father did not possess...common sense, the gratification of a hard days work, sobriety, and I would argue literary genius.

`Tis is the ending that Angela's Ashes required and the reader learns that some of Frank's parent's demons have come home to roost. Despite his ability to succeed in America, Frank finds himself trapped in dysfunctional relationships and making several alcohol-induced blunders. Frank's observations/experiences about America/Education in the 50's, 60's, and into the 70's seem very fresh through his Irish eyes (2 holes in the snow they may be). With this, `Tis takes on a more historical/documentary feel rather than a personal memoir. My wife felt that Frank whined a bit in `Tis and I'd agree that some of the later chapters about his teaching experiences contain some unnecessary tangents. You are left with Frank McCourt's bittersweet feelings on the death of Angela in New York and finally Malachy Sr. in Belfast.

Both works are absolute page-turners with the shame, and alcohol, and Irishness fanning the flames of your humanity with horror, sadness, and delight. Hoping for a third book to bring us through Frank's eventual divorce and life in the 90's.