English Books

I really enjoyed this book though I like the second edition better. That one unfortunately is only available through a foreign language publishing company and I can't seem to remember the name. Something like the Carlex watch....

What an amazing tool!

I think this is a wonderful book, especially for the parent who wants to start early introducing their children to a foreign language.

This is the most incredible foreign language book I've ever seen! My two children are literally glued to the book!!! Amazing...

This is an absolutely incredible book! Simple children's games turned into foreign language learning games! And the part about monolingual-friendly is amazing yet so simple. You really don't have to speak a second language to teach one...Every elementary school in America needs a copy!!!

This is a wonderful book, that will help children get a better understanding of the Spanish language.

American Poems hit right into my soul very moving and touching, the poet brings it to life. I found it true poetic
beauty

I found the Poetry very Patriotic, There is no doudbt the Poet is tuned into the soul, Poetry that inspires the inner being of one self.

THE POETRY WAS LIKE SHADOWS OF OURSELVES.
ALWAYS THERE NEVER LEAVING,POETIC, VERSATILE
TRUE TO LIFE. LIKE A SHADOW THAT LURKS FOR
THE LIGHT. MOVING TOUCHING AND ALWAYS THERE.

I found the Poetry leaping off the pages
at me as the Poet so vividly describes them. They were
so real and descriptive, true to life. I found them honest,
dark and religouse.

I was so taken by the reality and true to life poems
that I have read in American poems an short stories.
Author has a way of cutting through the core, and
delivering them right to your heart, The poems I
read have inspired me to now start to write.
Besides my husband says im good.

This play is an absolute joy to read, with characters who come into their own, If anyone loves the movie or enjoys theatre, this has quite alot for everyone, funny dialogue, romance, murder and of course Teddy... after reading this I was tempted to run up the stairs shouting "CHARGE!!!"
Shipping to the UK was brilliant too came on the expected delievery date.

This is an enduring classic comedy that has been staged with actors of all ages including those in high schools, community theaters and professional productions. The script contains jokes based on the status of "the theater" at the time (common discussions among critics at that time parallel the line in a Simon and Garfunkle song, "is the theater really dead?") The story line is built on a wonderful array of eccentric characters. A great deal of the comedy is based on dramatic irony, where the audience knows something that some or all of the actors on stage do not. Great to stage and fun to see.

I received the product very quickly and easily as is usual with Amazon.

Although these words refer to Teddy Brewster in this hilarious play by Joseph Kesselring, they could have applied equally to most of the other members of the Brewster household. Teddy thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt, always "charging" upstairs when he is not in the basement digging "locks for the Panama Canal." His two elderly aunts, with whom he lives, also have their own bizarre secret, for which the hand-dug "locks" in the basement are employed to good effect.

Jonathan, Teddy's "disagreeable" brother, who disappeared many years ago, returns during the play with secrets of his own. With his face altered by plastic surgery, he is accompanied by Dr. Einstein, with whom he plans to set up an operating room in the house so the doctor can give new faces to criminals. The only normal person in the family is Mortimer, a drama critic who hates plays, engaged to marry Elaine, the innocent daughter of the minister next door. Mortimer is particularly upset by Jonathan's return--"the most detestable, vicious, venomous form of animal life I ever knew."

The frantic action, the ironies, the comic routines, and the dramatic surprises all center around two bodies, hidden at various times in the window seat of the living room, and the reactions to them by the various people within the household. The local police, friends of Aunt Abby and Aunt Martha, stop by to chat, have coffee, and protect these "sweet" old ladies, often at the worst possible moments, while Mortimer tries to decide what to do about his strange family and the bodies in the house.

Arsenic and Old Lace is such a strong play, with so many hilarious moments, that it is not surprising that this is a staple of local theaters and high school drama groups. Much of the play involves sight gags, contretemps, and weird characters behaving outrageously. Careful delivery of lines and subtlety of gesture are far less important here than the high- speed action, over-the-top characterizations, and split second timing of entrances and exits. One of the funniest and most often performed plays of American theater, Arsenic and Old Lace is as delightful in the twenty-first century as it was when it was first performed in 1941. Mary Whipple

It was hard to read this without thinking of the wonderful movie. In a nutshell it is a play about a family where mental illness (insanity) is rampant. One character thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt and is building the Panama canal in the cellar. Two characters think they are performing a charity by poisoning lonely elderly men which the Teddy Roosevelt character perceives to be victims of yellow fever and buries them in Panama canal locks. These characters are perceived by neighbors as kind and gentle souls. Another character is an escapee from a hospital for the criminally insane. It is understandable why the sane member of the family is afraid to get married. He finds out that he is not related by blood to this family. The play is wonderfully written. I found it disturbing that these kindly gentle elderly women were serial killers. It just goes to show things are not always what they appear. Also, torture was alluded to in the play. All in all a good read.

I got this book from Borders yesterday, and I already love it. I had flipped through it a few times in the store, and as soon as I saw that parody of American Gothic with Death and Ms. Flitworth (Reaper Man is my favorite book in the series) I was sold. Rincewind is very nearly like I imagined him, and the Death of Rats is just adorable. Not to mention the stunning picture of Great A'Tuin near the beginning of the book.

My only annoyance is that I couldn't see Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler anywhere, but the pictures makes up for that with the Wee Free Men. Not-As-Big-As-Medium-Sized-Jock-But-Bigger-Than-Wee-Jock-Jock was definitely not as I had pictured him in the past, but Rob Anybody was nearly perfect.

All-in-all, this is an awesome book for any Discworld fan. I highly recommend it!

what can I say?
If you read five or more of Terry's hilerious DiscWorld novels, and ever wanderd how MR. Pratchett imegained them, you will get more than your fair share in exchange to the 20$ this will cost you. Sam Vimes, Nobby, Carrot, Angue, Rincewind, Detritos, RIdiculy and his group of loony Wizards, Twoflower and Death (and manny more) will all get amazing and detailed paintings and sketchas. scatterd among the pages of the book are amusing and sometimes fasnating comments from Paul or Terry.

only little problam I had was the abscence os Gaspod- how could they everforget him? I'm sure he would have been really angry if he ever found out (He is, after all, the only talking dog in the world, he will be happy to explain)

Like every Discworld fan, I've always had in my mind a good idea of what the characters looked like. I pictured Ridcully as Brian Blessed, Vetenari as David Warner, Granny Weatherwax as either Judi Dentch or Maggie Smith, Lady Sybil as Dawn French, CMOT Dibbler as Eric Idle, and Vimes as Russell Crowe. This book doesn't present the characters exactly as I've pictured them, but it's not far off and what it shows is certainly great!

Consider the picture of A'Tuin flying through space, or the picture of Granny Weatherwax smiling broadly. Look at Greebo, oozing feline malevolence (though too bad we didn't get a look at his human form, once described as being the sort of person who can commit sexual harrasment by sitting quietly in the other room).

All your favorite characters are here, and most of them are so well-done you can look at them and just KNOW who it is, without being told. Look at the totally gormless picture of Fred Colon, for example, or Carrot, looking quite noble... almost... regal...

Basically what it boils down to is that if you enjoyed, The Last Hero: A Discworld Fable you'll like this book. There's no story, just some lovely artwork. A definate must-own for any Discworld fan!

This book is a collection of Artist Paul Kidby's illustrations of the various characters in Terry Pratchett' Discworld. And boy howdy, what a good job he does. Personal favorites of mine are the picture of Discworld on the back of the elephants on the back of the turtle swimming through space!! Kidby gets it perfect! I am also very fond of his pictures of DEATH.. one of my favorite characters in the series.

If you are fond of the series, I highly recommend this book! I would also suggest that you check out The Last Hero: A Discworld Fable, which also features the art of Paul Kidby.

All the best,

Jay

"The Art of Discworld" is a beautiful collection of images by Paul Kidby - some are pen and pencil essays, others are more advanced sketches and many form completed paintings. They are grouped by theme and portray the Discworld itself, several landscapes (Ankh-Morpork, Lancre, Überwald...) and buildings (Unseen University, several Guilds, Night Watch HQ...) and almost every named character in the Discworld universe. In addition, Terry Pratchett adds interesting, lengthy comments on characters, how they came to be and his opinion on Paul Kidby's view of them.

There are a couple of inexplicable omissions (for instance, Magrat Garlick is barely shown in the background of a picture, even though she is mentioned repeatedly in the accompanying text) and several images have already been featured elsewhere (e.g. several book covers, the Mapps,the Calendars).

Finally, the illustrations and the text correspond to the Discworld situation as it was by 2006, which means there are some serious SPOILERS in the text for those who haven't read the corresponding books.

Overall, this is an absolute MUST for any serious Discworld fan. It's gorgeous to look at, interesting to read and at times hysterically funny like only something written by Terry Pratchett can be.

"For most people, it appears, RUM DOODLE is the funniest book they have never heard of." - Bill Bryson, in the Introduction to THE ASCENT OF RUM DOODLE

Even if you've never climbed, or thought in your life to climb, an Asian massif, THE ASCENT OF RUM DOODLE is worth a couple of hours of your time. The book's author, W.E. Bowman, an English civil engineer, himself never ascended anything more challenging than the gentle slopes of England's Lake District. RUM DOODLE is, according to Bryson, a parody based on the Ascent of Nanda Devi by H.W. Tilman (1937).

Rum Doodle is a forty-thousand foot peak in the fictional country of Yogistan. The narrative of the assault on its summit is told in the first person by the British expedition's leader, who's known to the reader only by his walkie-talkie pseudonym, Binder. (The time is presumably the mid-1950's when the volume was first published - no sat phones here.) The six others on the ascent team are: Burley, the commissaryman, Wish, the scientist, Jungle, the route-finder, Shute, the photographer, Constant, the translator, and Prone, the physician. It should come as no surprise that each is either incompetent or otherwise unsuitable for the mission. Binder himself is as about an unheroic and ineffectual as can be imagined; he has no concept of the leadership qualities required for an expedition on which the greatest dangers not posed by the mountain itself are the horrific, panic-inciting concoctions served up by the chief cook, Pong. Indeed, it's Binder's utter cluelessness that is the lynchpin of the story's humor.

I would politely disagree with Bryson that THE ASCENT OF RUM DOODLE "is the funniest book (most people) have never heard of." In my opinion, that honor goes to The Complete McAuslan by George MacDonald Fraser, which is, most assuredly, the most laugh-inspiring book I've ever read. But, THE ASCENT OF RUM DOODLE, at 171 pages, is a quick read in a small package amenable to inclusion in a backpack for the hike down into the Grand Canyon last week. During a longer than expected stop at Indian Gardens on the Bright Angel Trail, it, between the arrival of the mule trains, proved a most amusing, four-star diversion while I awaited someone ascending on foot from Phantom Ranch.

The Ascent of Rum Doodle is a "laugh out loud" book. It is a cult classic among climbers as it parodies climbing books from the 50's. The dry, understated British humor is a perfect fit for a story of a clueless, ill-fated climbing venture in the Himalayas. The foreword by Bill Bryson sets up the book very well.

This deliciously absurd, very short book can be enjoyed in a few hours. But the real pleasure is in reading it again to pick up the jokes missed first time. The story of an incompetent group of British amateurs and their attempt to climb the world's tallest mountain (the forty thousand and a half foot Rum Doodle), it is told in the first-person by the hapless expedition leader, Binder. Much of the humour comes from the contrast between Binder's stoical optimism and the disasters which he describes. Rum Doodle has been a classic word-of-mouth hit in the UK. Written in the 50s by an unassuming railway engineer who led a quiet, unassuming life, this flash of genius could easily have remained unread had it not been discovered and championed by Bill Bryson, the US author and Anglophile (who has written the foreward to this edition). If you like Monty Python or the UK version of The Office, you will love Rum Doodle.

This book is one of my all-time favorite books! I was first introduced to "Rum Doodle" by my dad, Dee Molenaar, who himself had been a member of several mountaineering expeditions in the 50's and 60's. The Ascent of Rum Doodle brims with humor and a unique take on the world of high altitude climbing. I don't know if Bowman himself was a mountain-climber or not, but he certainly seems to understand the dynamics and personalities that sometimes are part of a mountain-climbing expeditiion.

There was a period of time a few years back during which I ate up the literature of British exploration like candy - the tragic story of Robert Scott in the Antarctic, the thrilling survival adventures of Sir Ernest Shackleton, and the like. These yarns had in common their Britishness - a bizarre combination of courage and, frankly, foolishness (Scott thought he could get to the South Pole on PONIES and died in pursuit of that belief, accompanied by some people who had never even been south before, while the Norwegian Amundsen sensibly took dogs and experienced skiers and beat him to the destination).

Fortunately the British have a world-class capacity to poke fun at their own foibles, and that is what "Ascent of Rum Doodle" is all about. It parodies a (fictional) expedition to ascend Rum Doodle, a 40,000-foot (!) mountain somewhere near Everest

Expedition Leader Binder narrates his own story. In the spirit of the literature he parodies, our hero Binder never once falters in his belief of the superiority of his crew and the indomitability of the British Spirit. This, despite his crew consisting of a geographer (who is unable to negotiate the London bus system), a doctor (who is always sick), a climber (too overcome by "lassitude" to get out of his sleeping bag), a native cook (so disastrous that the team attempts to leave him behind on the mountain), and a photographer (who does not capture a single shot during the entire expedition.

This hapless crew are babysat by thousands of native porters, who at one point must condescend to actually carry the British crew (fortified by the many crates of medicinal champagne they have burdened the porters with) on their backs.

Did I mention they accidentally climb the wrong mountain??

It's apparently a kind of cult classic among people who actually do this kind of adventuring (not just armchair folk like me), but it's a quick and funny funny read, so even if "frostbite" has not been a factor in your reading choices up to now, you should have a go at this one. A humor classic that should be better known in the U.S.

This is a very well written book that will not allow you to set it down. Very detailed and descriptive with strong evidence of a very well researched book.
Really the best book I have read in many years.

This is a difficult book to review because it's truly head and shoulders above most books I've read in this genre and if that sounds like a knock against the others - it's not ... this is just a well written book. The subject matter makes it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction and to substantiate identities, locations and time lines. So my hat's off to anyone who tries to make some sense of the sensational headlines, first person accounts and "alibis" of the time. Writing such a book, though exciting, must be a nightmare sifting through all this info. "Baby Face" does an admirable job in bringing all this into a coherent focus. In addition, this book chronicles and brings into focus someone who has been on the periphery in the other books I've read on this time period, (specifically Dillinger, Chicago crime and Depression bank robbers). The book also gives the reader insight into the early workings of J. Edgar Hoover's (F)BI and its personnel and contains the most detailed description of "The Little Bohemia" debacle I've read. Very entertaining and interesting book.

This was a long overdue book, which describes the life and crimes of one of the most infamous outlaws to come out of the Dillinger gang. After Dillinger's death, "Baby Face" Nelson exploded into the public's eye and his crimes were the focus of most newspapers and Detective magazines across the country. Helmer and Nickel have done an excellent job of bringing this bandit's life to light, as well as some surprises never before published on the gangster from Chicago. This is a highly researched volume of work and should be in everyone's library.

Mike Koch, author of "The Kimes Gang"

This is the one and only Baby Face book you need to read to know the truth. Do not bother with the many stereotype Nelson books-buy this and your collection is complete.

Unquestionably one of the best biographies I've read of a Depression era criminal in a long, long time. Over the years every published work about Baby Face Nelson has portrayed him as essentially nothing more than a homicidal, trigger-happy, blood-thirsty psychopath to whom killing was barely an incident in a busy criminal career. Finally, a book has hit the shelves which explores beyond the public image and into the complex character of the man himself. Baby Face was violent, tough, and possessed by an explosive temper, to be sure, but he was also street-smart, respected, and held in high esteem by many of his associates - not just a Dillinger follower, as many historians suggest. By no means do the authors attempt to whitewash Nelson's way of life or validate his terrible crimes. They do, however, provide what I believe is an honest appraisal of a man who, in addition to robbing banks and killing people, was a son, brother, husband, and father. Read this, I doubt very much you'll be disappointed.

We stumbled across this book at a church rummage sale this past week. What a delightful find! The illustrations are wonderful. The rhythm inherent in the story had me putting the words to a spontaneously inspired tune starting on page one. We have been singing this book before bedtime all week. My 4yr and nearly 2yr love it.

This is a wonderful book to read with passion. It is a favorite of mine to read to my primary students - sharing the excitement of a barn dance, while preserving the mysteriousness of a full-moon night. Important addition to a library - but only for those who want to stay up late with all of nature! A fabulous book. I adore it.

I love this book, and frequently give it as a gift. Its perfect for young boys. The verses have a great cadence, and the illustrations are beautiful.

One of the best kids books around and a favorite of my four little ones.

As one of our family's favorite books, Barn Dance! by Bill Martin has been worn out twice at our house. The story is set on a farm at night as a "skinny kid" discovers that there is more going on after dark than the old owl lets on. The farm animals show him that a certain kind of magic exists if you just believe. The book is fantastically written with a slightly irregular-sounding rhythm that is fun for adults to read to their children, and our kids beg to read along--making this one of the first books they would try to read alone. We have also read this aloud to our daughter's class to rave reviews. This is a great book to dive into over and over, you'll find the magic will have you tapping your toe along to the "music" too!

I loved this book. It was a very good read hard to put down. I can't wait to see what happens next with the Dixon Family!

I enjoyed reading the first book but the characters seemd one dimensional - this sequel fleshes them out a bit more. Kendra paints tasteful love scenes with her married couples and celebrate marital lovemaking as well as any Songs of Solomon quote - this is often overlooked by some Christian writers as if Christian people don't make love.
The hiccups that any married couple especially one that is having a baby is realistically portrayed which is better than the perfect courtship that Jessica and Greg experienced in book one (seemed too fairy taleish). This book reminds us how easy it is to lose one's faith and how easy it is practise Christianity when all is well and on the up and up but when one is faced with trials that is when the rubber meets the road.
The mothers contiunue to provid the comedy in the book especially the part when they confront Evelyn. Poor Evelyn does not the see contradiction asking God for a husband that is already married - mmmmm

I loved the original book-and was anxious to read this follow up book... well, I was not disappointed...I love the characters Greg and his wife Grace......I love their best friends.....
I was so sad when the story ended-I just love Kendra's writing and I think God has really blessed her and us the reader's.

I just finished reading the last two releases by Ms. Norman-Bellamy and I must say that she never ceases to amaze me with the unique way that she uses her craft. My workaholic lifestyle doesn't afford me the time to read as much as I would like to or even as much as I used to, but when my wife walked into the house recently and placed CROSSING JHORDAN'S RIVER and BECAUSE OF GRACE, in the center of my desk, I knew it was time for a break. My wife and I had read both of her previous novels and enjoyed them and these two were just incredible reads that we found hard to put down. Both of us agreed that we can see an improvement and growth in this writer's already great style and ability to tell a story. She'll always have two loyal fans in us.

My favorite kinds of books usually involve a detective and a crime. However, when it comes to Kendra Norman-Bellamy titles, I keep coming back for more. I have read all of her books that have been released to-date and Kendra Norman-Bellamy is yet honing her craft, getting better and better with each new book. The characters really jump off of the pages and come to life. This author really has her thumb on the pulse of the Black man. The characterization is superb. If I didn't know any better, I would think that Kendra Norman-Bellamy was a man prentending to be a woman writing books about men.

Allison has done it again..this book was page turner and funny!!!! Misty is one crazy chick...

This book is about 345 pages and it was a very easy book to read. Brick (Baron Kennedy) was abandoned by his drug addicted mother. He ended up staying with a family that abused him and also threatened to kick him out.

When Brick was a teenager, he met Misty and came to adore and do anything for her. Brick got his d_ck sucked for her by another man (Frankie) and even got his face scarred for her(by Frankie).

Misty and Brick stayed together even though Misty treated Brick worser than dirt. Now, Misty is pimping out Brick and other people.

The story takes its drastic turn when Misty, on a run for some "Shane" sex, meets up with Monroe and Dane. Monroe and Dane are "cousins" and Dane looks just like her deceased pretty boy boyfriend "Shane." The two have sex and Misty moves him in with her and Brick.

Brick jacks off to Misty and Dane having sex and basically the book takes you through all types of sex scenarios. Oftentimes, I would have to put the book down and take a rest because the sex was just so freaky.

All in all the book was very good. The SEX was stronger than the overall storyline though. The storyline could have been much stronger if Hobbs had not focused so much attention on the sex scenes--especially the long drawn out scenes of some woman placing her tongue around the head of some guys "jawn" or some woman's big juicy puzzy causing some guy so much distress.

Allison Hobbs has done it again. Every time I read one of her novels, I go in thinking she cannot possibly create another tantalizing tale but dog gone it SHE DID. She had me capativated from the first page until the very end. I AM A TRUE ALLISON HOBBS FIEND! Can't wait till her next one.

Misty and Brick are back with more drama then ever. After the death of their partner-in-crime Shane, Misty and Brick try to press on without him. Misty is the brains of their criminal activity, and Brick is the muscle. Brick has no trouble giving in to every one of Misty's demands. Misty soon comes up with a scheme to make money that makes Brick extremely uncomfortable. Misty's world is sent into a tailspin when she falls for a mysterious man named Dane. Dane looks just like Shane and Misty is instantly smitten by him. Brick swallows his pride and accepts Dane and Misty's relationship. Dane learns of Misty's lucrative business and wants a piece of the pie. But does Dane have ulterior motives? How long will this strange love triangle last?

Big Juicy Lips is an exciting sequel to Double Dippin' by Allison Hobbs. Hobbs did a great job in bringing back Misty and Brick. You get a better background into their strange relationship with this story. With this novel, readers get a chance to get inside the head of Brick and see what makes him tick. Misty is a character that you will love to hate. This story would not be complete without some jaw-dropping twists and steamy sex that will keep you flipping the pages. Big Juicy Lips is a stimulating, page-turning novel that can be enjoyed by all.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for Urban Reviews

Allison Hobbs has outdone herself once again. The storyline picked up right where Misty and Brick left off. It was a good and easy read. The lives and issues of each of the characters flows right together and the surprises will leave you saying "WOW". Ms Hobbs I really do respect and appreciate your writing. Keep on doing what you do......Looking forward to reading more

I am a stay at home mom to two small children, and I was looking for a book to make me smile when things get stressful. This book is fine if you are a deeply religious person -- but if you are not, you will find it talks more about Jesus than it does about the stresses of raising children. I believe in God and am a good Catholic girl...but half way through the book, it's like "okay, I get it..you pray to God a lot and yeah for you! Now can you discuss raising children a little?"

Sorry - I just don't understand the deep level of belief the writer has, I guess....

I loved this book! Elisabeth and I must have been separated at birth--or else, she's reading my journal. :) Seriously, her honesty was refreshing and her commitment to Christ, her husband and her kids was so encouraging. Elizabeth reminded me about my own need to slow down and appreciate the simple wonders in life. I sometimes let those moments of "special ordinariness" slip by...and it's my loss. Thanks for nudging me back on the right path, Elisabeth! I will recommend this book to other moms, because it's nice to know that we're not alone, and that someone else struggles with the chaos of parenting.

The book begins with a journal countdown to her child's birth. Every chapter begins with a scripture then she shares her experiences as a mother and wife and ends with a prayer. Her experiences and thoughts about them make you feel as if you're reading about yourself. Nice book with good advice and appropriate scriptural references for direction.

This is such a great book and one that I could truly relate to. I am a stay at home Mom to two wonderful children, ages 2 and 4. I could completely relate to Elisabeth's words. I appreciated her honesty as well. Wonderful!

I am a friend of a friend of the writer of this book. My friend shared it with me. I think it is a wonderful, funny, heart-touching book. I am not a mother yet and it had many great things to say to me anyway. This is definitely a great book to purchase and read for yourself and give as a gift to a friend.