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This is a must read for people interested in either history, the environment, or people. It is well written and provides an excellent view about the history of the twentieth century that most people do not usually know about. Everyone should read it.

Boom. This is a biggie. Yowzah! If you want a clear view of our specie's impact on our world there is no better place to start than here. J.R. McNeill offers a balanced and comprehensive look at the century which changed everything, and his title, contradicting Ecclesiastes' assertion that nothing is new, says it all. The core idea here is that in the last century humanity moved beyond affect of local systems to dominance of the biosphere. We are everywhere. McNeill covers our impact on all of the life on our planet, from his prologue discussion of economy, population and energy, to his deeper analysis of soil, air, water and the whole of living systems. He offers clear views of the demographic and technologic forces which have shaped our modern world. Most illuminating of all are the complicated ways in which each change we have wrought has brought both destruction and remediation. Oil, the number one eco-villain in recent history, particularly when pumped through internal combustion engines, has also cleaned up city air enormously when it replaced coal and wood for heating and power generation. It also eliminated the need to remove 10-15,000 horse carcasses from average large cities each year and saved the great whales from extinction. Nuclear energy, an utter failure economically and with wastes which will be our generation's longest lasting heirloom, at least doesn't pollute the air. Population growth has had enormous impact on environmental damage, but less than I would have estimated as a percentage, and in some places it has even permitted improvements impossible without many hands. We are, in his words, the "rogue primate" which became smart enough to threaten every other life form on the planet, from smallpox virus to blue whales. Our success has paradoxically been very good for the viruses that cause the common cold and for rabbits. From the general to the specific, whole systems to individual tools (automobile, chain saw) McNeill has achieved a grasp of how and what we did, and tells the story masterfully. For readers who took up my recommendation of A GREEN HISTORY OF THE WORLD (Clive Ponting, St. Martin's Press, 1991), this one is better (and Ponting's work is one of McNeill's sources). Bingo.

I wrote my economics undergraduate thesis on development and environmental management back in 1976-77, and surely I would have enjoyed and valued to have Professor McNeill's book in my hands in those years.

His book is remarkable in many ways. It is a well written book, extraordinarly documented and well supported with eye opening statistical tables and illustrations. His material is useful for graduate and undergraduate students alike, and also for wider audiences interested on reviewing a different approach on history's complexities.

As the book front page indicates, the author centers his work on the 20th century's humankind events, termed by himself as the most influential on the process of ecology's evolution.

The book is very well organized so the reader keeps information organized in a properly way. At the end, Professor McNeill leaves many questions open that will be ample material enough to study in the years to come. Among those questions is the one concerned with society's will to deal seriously with environmental crises that have accumulated on the latest decades. We can have a readily answer to that subject if political leaders continue to privilege the narrow view of economic growth, instead of considering to seriously discuss the implementation of more integral strategies that would deliver environmental friendly sustainable economic development at the end.

Without question I recommend this book.

Sub-titled "An Environmental History of the 20th Century", this is a sober and objective survey of environmental changes over the past 100 years. I was concerned this would be an emotional appeal or judgmental polemic from the left - but not the case, it is academic and professional history from an environmental perspective (the environment, not "environmental movement"). It's encyclopedic in scope and style.

I would not call this an "entertaining" read (although some of the facts really fire the synapses), but it is deeply rewarding as a broad survey of a very large and complex problem. The chapters and sub-sections are arranged in a logical outline making it possible to read the chapters in any order.

The main idea of the title "something new under the sun" is that humans have so fundamentally changed the environment that things really are very different now than they have ever been historically. To regard our current conditions of energy availability, access to water, unending economic growth - as enduring and normal appears to be an interesting gamble given the facts.

Some interesting trivia: humans did not become the dominate primate until about 8,000 BC with the rise of agriculture (baboons outnumbered humans before then). About one-fifth of all humans that ever lived did so in the 20th century. In sheer energy terms, if all modern technology and energy sources were not available, the average American would need about 70 human slaves to maintain the current standard of living (each American "directs" 70 energy-slave equivalents). Each year, humans move more earth and soil than glaciers, wind erosion, mountain building (plate tectonic uplift), and volcanoes combined. Probably the single most damaging biological organism in earths history was the human primate Thomas Midgley Jr from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania born in 1889. He invented Freon (which destroys the Ozone layer), and also leaded gasoline, which has polluted most of the worlds soil lasting thousands of years (all of us carry elevated lead levels because of it and will continue to do so for centuries to come, leading to birth defects, lowered IQs, etc..). Midgley contracted Polio at age 51 and invented a system or ropes and pulleys to move his crippled body off the bed - he became tangled and was strangled to death in 1944 by his own invention, before learning how damaging his inventions were.

This book may be the best historical survey I've ever read. (And with an M.A. in history, I've read a few!) I got this book to complement my hard science slogging on global warming, and found so much more than I hoped for or ever imagined! McNeil's book provides the historical background and the human context for all the graphs and numbers in the science texts. If you're looking for one book to give you a focused overview of just how much human civilization has accomplished, good and bad, in the last 100 years, this is it.

The organization of the book is excellent. McNeil sources everything, ends each chapter with an excellent summary, and wraps it all up with his own thoughtful commentary on climate change. He uses an inspired mix of the small detail (birds dying mid-flight) and the enormous concept (the Aswan dam affected the entire Mediterranean ecosystem). He describes chains of cause and effect and makes connections other historians and scientists seem to miss. The chapters dealing with agriculture are, I think, particularly relevant to our everyday lives; but students in nearly every subject will find this book useful. My husband is a family physician, and has read the sections on public health; my neighbor is a biologist with the USGS, and is reading the chapter on dams and irrigation.

If you are interested in and fairly familiar with New Jersey politics and politicians this is a reasonably entertaining and informative book. It's no page-turner, but not bad.

Even if you live a continent away in Washington state, "The Soprano State" will amuse, educate and yes, horrify you. Authors Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure have put together an appalling catalog of the "worst of the worst" New Jersey politicians and public servants and their most outrageous shenanigans.
As the authors note, "why should such a wealth of lunacy and depravity" be enjoyed only by New Jersey? My personal favorite, in a chapter titled "All Aboard the Gravy Train," is an anecdote about how sometimes "the legislative gravy train delivers real gravy." In that case, New Jersey taxpayers coughed up $124,000 over three years to purchase 300 lunches each day the Legislature was in session to feed 80 members of the assembly, 40 senators _ and lobbyists. The lunches were trucked in from a well-connected restaurant 57 miles away!
¶ It's tempting for us outsiders to feel smug, but there's also a nagging worry: what if our politicians are just less obviously outrageous, and our reporters more lapdog and less pit bull?
¶ Beyond the entertainment value, this book is a cautionary tale, reminding us that citizens anywhere can be fleeced by those we elect.
¶

Reads easy and smooth like good fiction. 5 stars plus one. I must say though that only God himself really knows the depth of this modern day corruption that seems to permeate this most heavily populated State. The authors did a swell job expounding on the alleged conditions in NJ. I've known people from NJ and at least some of the subject matter in this book corroborates their stories. I myself have visited NJ before and I found that it had many desirable attributes, like the Jersey Shore for instance. Conversely, I don't have any doubts whatsoever why anyone would desire to move out of this beautiful State due to the preposterous school taxes and the high cost of housing. Could it be that the developers pay off politicians to skirt environmental and building moratorium laws? I don't believe everything in the printed form but this book, along with others, points to the "signs of the times" so to speak. This book was worth the price and the time expended to digest the information given. Where the population is multiplied, so too the corruption it seems. The most interesting and prominent feature in this book was the Public Sector accounts which point to the lack of accountability. Is this book a clarion call for better checks and balances? Read for yourself and make your own assessment. By and large, the funniest part was chapter 8: "The Gospel According to the Mob." In closing I must say that truly there is nothing hidden that will not be made manifest eventually.Lethal Option: A "Simon Says" Detective AdventureThe Den of IniquityThe Partner

As a former kid from New Jersey I purchased the book as
somewhat of a lark. After devouring the material it was
no longer a lark. The pathetic corruption is so clearly
detailed and documented it makes your head spin.The New Jersey I left in 1974 had an outstanding public school system which has been decimated by the lads in Trenton,
draining resources from small school districts and pumping
those funds into inner-city enviroments. No measurable
improvement is to be found. the State is bankrupt,under-
funded pensions and corrupt at every level of government.
If you live in NJ you have to read this.Then start packing

This book should be called, "The Corruption State," which is a better title, since New Jersey is one of three in our country that's known for corruption from the top all the way down to the smallest town. If you can dream up a way to squeeze money out of a taxpayer, then you can be in NJ politics. They are professionals here and have perfected the art of stealing from your wallet.

After this book was published, they came out with two more ways to take money out of our wallets: They want to charge us $.10 for a deposit on every can and bottle that can be recycled IN SPITE OF US ALREADY RECYCLING! So...if you want your dime back, YOU have to take it to a redemption center to get your dime back.

The next new tax (they call it a "user fee") is they want to add $.40 per 1,000 gallons of water onto our water bill. Call it what it really is: a tax.

This book was at times so funny it was infuriating, so maddening it made you furious, so ridiculous it drove you insane, yet us as residents here are powerless to do much about it as long as these jerks run this state. The endless pay-to-play, patronage, favoritism jobs in Trenton (the state capital) and beyond will continue as long as there is a New Jersey. Even if you vote, they will still continue to run this state using the newly elected as their puppets. It's been done before.

We are NOT in debt; not if Atlantic City gave Trenton $468 MILLION dollars in 2007! This is just one example. It's the wasteful spending, it's the three, four and five jobs one person holds PLUS their pensions and benefits that's draining our state's treasury and the cronies who run this state allow all this! Why? Because they're part of it, they receive it as well and they make damn sure that their family members and friends are also on the dole as well so everyone has a piece of the action.

Excellent book. My only regret is that I can't move out of my home state (NJ) sooner than I want to! What a shame...I grew up here, I love the area, but I can't afford to live here anymore, not when the pickpockets control this state and it's never going to change, even with Christopher Christie doing his best to root out the corruption.

This book has opened my mind and my heart....gave me meaninful understanding of how life and the universe works.....this read will leave you with a sense of purpose in your life and the empowerment of yourself and others around you.

The book is amazing, it is written so beautifully, and really left me with a warm and loving feeling. Sanaya is def. among my favorite authors. There is so much information in this book that is useful in life, its a must read!!

This is channeled material, which some people never consider. I really value the book highly because it gives basic lessons in metaphysics, how to access higher planes, and the like. One can read it over and over again, and gain much each time. Highly recommended.

I think that in the world there is still some confusion between religion and spirituality. You can be religious, but not spiritual. You can know all the creeds, follow all the dogmas, practice all the rites and passages but if there is no Spirit involved in with what you are doing and practicing, what good is it? I think the main reason why more and more people don't break out of their old religious mindsets is because they have become superstitious about their beliefs. They fear that God might punish them or forsake them or send them to hell for attempting to expand their beliefs.

This book really gave me some valuable insights on how you can truly spiritualize the ordinary...because NOTHING is ordinary! Everything is already Spirit. We don't make something spiritual...we look to see where the Spirit might be in this situation. And maybe you're grumbling to yourself, "There ain't nothin' spiritual about my situation..."

Let me give you a few reminders, if you're experiencing bad health than this is your opportunity to express good health. Start throwing away the ding dongs and cheetos and start buying apples and bananas. Pour the beer down the drain and start drinking water and green tea. Get off the couch and take a walk. But above all else, realize that Spirit is your health. Every cell, every atom, every strand of your being is made in the Image and Likeness of Perfect Health. Your body wants to renew Itself right now. It's not your body that is to blame, it's what you're telling yourself, it's what you are believing. Say to yourself now, "I am healthy. My body is vibrant and alive. I feel good. I now decide to express health and vibrancy each and every day." Say this to yourself morning, noon, and night. Talk about wealth. talk about vibrancy. Keep your conversation in "Heaven".

Maybe you feel poor and like an abject failure. Hey, I've been there...I really have. But now is the accepted time to realize that today is another day and you do not have to believe what you used to believe about yourself. Say to yourself...better yet go look in a mirror and say to yourself, "I am an abundant child of the universe. I am open now to new possibilities, to Divine opportunities, to experiences and situations that empower me, bless me, and prosper me." God did not create anyone poor or miserable. We are here to live the abundant life. we are here to be successful and fulfilled.

Okay, your last relationship soured. Just like the one before that and the one before that. It means nothing. It only means that you need to create a better relationship with yourself first. You need to be the person you wish to attract. Be kind, be forgiving, be loving, be peaceful. Yeah, you might attract a few crudballs into your life, but don't fall for them. Ask your heart/your soul what is for your Highest and Best and here's a tip, LISTEN! We all have the power of intuition but most of us, if not all of us, refuse to believe it. Start making the realization that you deserve only the very best and you do! This is precisely why you are going to be the very best for nobody else but you!

Spiritual Growth is about making daily changes and minor shifts in your perception. Spiritual Growth is exponential. You will be amazed at how much progress you can make in as little as 21 days if you just keep at it. Be forgiving, be merciful, be gentle with yourself. Feed yourself with books that empower you. Remember, you are not insulting God by wanting to be your very best, you are, in Truth, honoring that Spirit that created you out of Itself.

Get this book, apply its magnificent ideas, and flourish! You are the Light, the Love, and the Life of God and you are here to be, do, and have an abundance of everything that is good.

Your life is a blessing and you are blessed even now.

Peace & Love.

Although I love this book, I don't advise people to start here on the path to spirital awakening. I am of the opinion that you should first read up on information about channeling. Doing so will help you accept the fact that you are always being protected by benevolent beings such as your Higher Self and will enable you to ebrace the notion of connecting with such a being with an open heart. In the beginning, I tried to jump right in but found that without adequate information about the subject my mind conjured up all types of fear-based fantasies about being posessed. Eventually, I learned to trust spirit and allowed my heart to be "touched by an angel". Once you begin this journey you will never be the same: your want to improve yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually will grow exponentially. This will probably be challenging for most because growth often translates into having little to no room left for old patterns and friends. Approach when ready.

The novel is full of realistic Southern charm and characters. If you love Southern novels, don't miss out on this one! Shadow of Dreams by Eva Marie Everson and G. W. Francis Chadwick is a well-written, well-developed novel full of foreshadowing. The main character serves as an excellent example of what happens to many young teens glamorized by the big city and running from problems at home. Instead of the prodigal son, the main character, Katie, is the prodigal daughter. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen to Katie and her husband, and the bad guys. I loved the way the authors used literature for clues. I also loved the way the small-town Georgia guys protected their own and took care of the big-city guys. These authors do not preach, but they certainly know how to spin a tale that could serve to help others. These authors offer much insight, and a reflective reader will benefit from the experience of having read this novel. I have ordered all three Shadows books from Amazon, and I can't wait to read the other two. A good, reflective reader will find that this book is about many things that connect to life in such a way, it can't help but be realistic. The characters are realistic, not mere shells of characters. The way they talk and the things they say provide that realistic touch to make them come to life. I think this book would make a good movie; in fact, a three-part series.

Eva Marie's series is fabulous. I couldn't wait to find the time to read the next page. I fell in love with Katie and hope there are plans to read more of her. Eva Marie's 3 books in this series is filled with exciting plot twists, suspense, and drew me closer to the Lord, plus making me even more appreciative of my wonderful husband. These books are delightful!

Once more Eva Marie Everson and G.W. Francis Chadwick put together a best seller in this story of Katie and her struggle to keep her faith and continue living life even while not knowing if her husband is dead or alive. In the end, it leaves you waiting anxiously for the next book in the series.
I have actually been given the privilege of reading the first three chapters of Shadows of Light, book 3, and I can honestly say it promises not to disappoint!! You won't want to miss this one!

Everson and Chadwick have once again written a suspense-filled drama in their sequel, Summon the Shadows. Their behind the scenes look at a world unknown to most Christians evoke a predictable variety of emotions: anger, disgust, pity, compassion, hopefulness-while they weave yet another unpredictable fiction plot. The haunting question throughout the book keeps the reader hoping for an answer at the end: "What REALLY happened to Ben, Katie's beloved husband? Is he really dead? Clues say "maybe not," but reality says, "probably so." Will the three call girls ever make it in the "real" world? Can Katie hold out and hold on to the inner strength and faith she has found? You may have to wait until the very end to get any glimmer of an answer to those questions. Which opens the door to yet another sequel......

Couldn't keep this one to myself. I read it and immediately passed it on to a friend. : ) She also loved it. Gritty, real, and powerful.

Although well-written, I thought the plotting too contrived and the characters not altogether credible - too monochromatic. The style and setting throughout are determinedly realistic, but, like the plot, the protagonists seem manipulated into doing what the author decides is best for them. Unfortunately, much in the story came over as padding. For instance, why the constant allusion to the fires, why the rain which in any event did not douse them? Neither served any purpose. In fact, I found little of real substance in this novel. And in the end, OK, fine, but what happened to Bull?

I enjoyed this book; in fact am purchasing her first one "Hard Landing". This is a good thriller, but don't read it while you are flying!!

So often, a second book from a new author is a let down. TARMAC, if possible, is even better than Heitman's first. Alex Shanahan is a fascinating character and the more Heitman reveals the layers of her heroine's personality, the more compelling she becomes. The story is completely satisfying and I love Alex's dry wit and self-deprecating humor. Heitman is an author to enjoy for the long term and I hope she writes many more novels.

Love her quick-paced, sharply drawn suspense novels. They really just draw you in!

If you have read Lynne Heitman's Hard Landing, you'll love Tarmac! If you haven't read it, I recommend it -- it forms a great backdrop for Tarmac, though Tarmac stands nicely on its own as a thriller from cover to cover. I am already standing in line for Lynne's next book.

Through My Eyes is one of the best books I have ever read to my children. As an African American, it is extremely important to me that my children know their history. The story about Ruby Bridges helps children (and adults) to understand that no matter what obstacles are placed before them in life, failure only happens when you give up and accept defeat. In other words, what someone else thinks of you is not necessarily how you should define yourself! I encourage everyone to read this book to their children.

This book is fantastic and I bought it for my students. The problem is she uses the N word so much. I had to comb through the book and ink out the word. I do not want children using that word to each other, and yes my students ARE BLACK, and especially don't want my white student learning he can say the word too. Then again it seems very immature that 1 can use the N word and the other cannot. It's a word that nobody should be using. Bridges could've just said "the whites shouted angry slurs" kids, of all colors, will pick up on what those words are through inappropriate means. Otherwise, I would still recommend to buy this book at is a wonderful book and has plenty of history and information.

I really loved this book, it has a lot of pics and information about the time everything happened. This girl is such an example for everyone...

I chose this book from my summer reading list because I have a special interest in the Civil Rights Movement. I learned about Ruby Bridges during African American Month at school and got really interested in her story. I liked this book a lot because it taught me about integration and segration in a way that was easy to understand. The photographs brought the story to life, and I liked the way the story was told from Ruby's point of view. I would really recommend this book to kids my age (third grade) and older who are interested in this kind of book. My parents really liked the book too!

Sophie K.

This inspirational story, told by Ruby Bridges herself, can help children understand some of the struggles of African-Americans during the 1960's. Ruby's courageousness and determination is the message young readers are presented with. The real-life photos give readers a visual account of the hard times that Ruby and other African-Americans endured. Also included in this autobiography are quotes from many of the people that Ruby encountered in her life including her mother, her first grade teacher, Barbara Henry, and her childhood psychologist, Robert Cole. A quote from a 1963 speech by Martin Luther King is included which further supports the civil rights theme in this book. Excerpts from text such as The New York Times and Good Housekeeping gives readers even more factual information about the time period. The book includes photo credits as well as text credits with copyrights to ensure the reliability. This text can be used with children in grades five through eight studying the civil rights movement or school integration in the 1960's.

This book is so useful, even for Grandmas like me. There is always more to learn about raising a child and these times are so much more complex than the 70s when I did my Mommying. Dr. Jenn makes everything clear and even adds a touch of humor. The separate chapters make it possible to address just one question or you can read it through. I'd recommend this book to everyone who has a child or grandchild in their life or one on the way.

As a psychotherapist, I read many books and often make recommendations to clients. This book is at the top of my list. Dr. Berman has done a wonderful job summarizing some of the most important things parents need to know so as to raise happy, healthy, confident kids. I enthusiastically recommend this magnificent, practical, fun, interesting, and easy-to-read book to any parent. It really is a must read!

I have a ten month old daughter. I want nothing more for this beautiful little girl, than to be happy and confident. Kids are cruel, school can be brutal, and I'm hoping to get her off on the right foot with some self esteem. This book didn't really provide great advice on how to help her achieve that.

This book is more of a comprehensive guide to parenting. Much of the content is things I would have done anyway, sort of common sense parenting to those of us who care enough to read a parenting book. Many of the topics, while relavent to parenting, fail to relate back to the confidence issue I was looking for.

Having said that, there are a few good nuggets. My opinion is that this is a book that would best be checked out from a library, and not necessarily purchased for ones frequent reference.

Dr. Jenn's "A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids" is a must read for parents and of course soon to be parents! I have given this book to four new moms, and they all have loved it, and have felt their anxiety about becoming a parent has lessoned after reading Dr. Jenn's insightful, encouraging and practical words. I also highly recommend this book to anyone who works with children and families! I look forward to reading more by Dr. Jenn!

The author really knows her stuff. I love the short readable chapters that are packed with valuable information for parents. This is my new favorite shower gift.

This is a good first time Bible. I like the helpfinder pages as it is easy to locate scriptures for specific topics. Yet, there are printed errors I found that apparently someone was slacking on their job of detail. It states Abraham was born in 2006. The helpfinder pages are stated on a certain page and then not listed correct, etc. So, the designer, editor or who ever has the responsibility in checking that everything is correct failed to do so and it causes some concern in what else may be a typo throughout this Bible.

I first bought this Bible at Barnes and Noble book stores. I loved it and quickly showed it to my husband. He liked it so much that he started reading the Bible again, and it's been years!! The New Living Translation is easy to read-it's in plain english so that you can understand. I can't put it down! And..I don't spend hours trying to figure out a single statement-every scripture makes sense! Plus-the front of it has the Bible books both by Old and New Testement and by Alphabetical order. There are notes within that will focus on a scripture within that page and give you more depth. There is a section of Bible promises in the back but as each promise comes up in scripture, it is also separated out and wrote verly largely and identified as God's promise! The back has a HUGE section on feelings. Just look up how you are feeling and it shows you scriptures and where to go to to know what God says about it! I also haven't read the Bible in years and as I said, I can't put it down. I love the way it reads-great for new beginners and the experienced!!

THE NLT is easily understood and clarifies passages for me from the KJV. It is a great translation.

Re: The Hard cover edition...
I purchased one from Guideposts and was surprised and pleased, to find it on Amazon.com! I want to give a copy, to each of my families, for Christmas. It's written in a way which is understandable for all ages and I believe it will be the version, most likely to be read on a regular basis, by all of them.
It is riveting and hard to put down!
Each of the books of this Bible, is prefaced by an interesting introduction, putting it into perspective, telling something about the author, etc.; establishing the timeline and historical backdrop, for the characters portrayed. Each book of the Bible is a little novella in itself, which can be picked up and read alone; or, as a running narrative, in context with the other books. I would recommend this Bible, to anyone. Either as a lst read, or quick reference, or a stand-alone Bible, it can fill the need for all these purposes and more.
I am just so favorably impressed, it's difficult to express. It may be one of those things, which has to be experienced, to be believed...and even better, yet, than that. If you've never, before, been able to understand the Bible; when you read this one, you will finally, definately, "Get It".
I'm getting another one for myself, as a spare...I don't ever want to be without it, again.
It's THAT Good.

I have been in church all my life and have wanted to read the bible but couldn't understand a word of it. I am 21 years old and was givin this bible and for the first time in my life I am reading it. I have read the first two books of the Bible and want to read it all! I'm so scaried that I'm going to get fired from work because everytime my boss comes to my desk I'm reading the bible.

I just picked up the book from Goodwill - just read the back cover and did not know what to expect - once I started reading the book there was no stopping - I could not stop laughing and sometimes crying at the same time. My attention was increased by the fact that I know somebody who took part in some of these events - but now he is extremely successful businessman in US and one of my good friends.

Tibor Fischer is flamboyant in describing the trying times of Hungary, just after World War II, during the Russian occupation (somewhat) - but the surprising part is the wit, satire and pan - which help us to see beyond the unimaginable tragedy of the destruction of a country and the fast death of a vibrant society under communism.

The protagonist Gyuri, a twenty something basketball player describes some of experiences in war torn Hungary in between December 1944, as the Germans are starting to retreat and the Red army is marching forward and October 1956 as the Russian tanks are again rumbling in Budapest. Hungary had turned into an orgy of atrocities - its darkness everywhere but Fischer shows the darkness in a light of wit without cynicism - the society falls apart, families perish and Gyuri loses his friends one after another. Fischer's description of the Hungarian society under siege is vivid. I promise you will love it

Written in a style that shares an awful lot with Joseph Heller's Catch 22, Fischer chronicles life in post (and partly mid) World War II Hungary. Since what I know about Hungary can fill a thimble, it proved to even be partly educational.

The book chronicles the story of Gyuri and Pataki, friends who wind up playing basketball together in Soviet era Hungary, but the two young men seem to spend a lot more time endeavoring to get laid (a cinch for Pataki, but a bit of challenge for Gyuri) doing their best to shirk off anything that smells like responsibility and in general keep from going mad in a world that seems to be rapidly disintegrating into insanity.

In an episodic fashion the reader is introduced to a host of brilliantly crafted and hysterical characters, each one more vivid than the next. This is a world where the fate of a village can hinge upon an eating contest.

Under the Frog would be a good book if all it was a comic adventure of two sometimes professional basketball players in post-war Hungary, but Fischer isn't content in telling a story that's all fluff. These are, after all, some very serious and scary times, and the author doesn't pull any punches in order to write a light-hearted tale. The book is as serious as it is funny, is downright heartbreaking in parts. In fact, the book is a lot like life, which it seems is never all serious, and never all laughs.

Following footsteps of great english satirist, Fischer writes the marvelous book, that trembles with irony, that cries in agony, that shatters the reality of pink glasses and shows to all of you who still live in utopia, how life in communsim was really like. Mind you, this is not the political novel so do not be alarmed from the beggining. This is the novel of humans and peculiar way of interpreting the rules, way that people on balcan mastered in so great a scale that no one can outmatch them anymore. If you want great life, and something to think over, this is the book for you.

I have yet to read your novel sir; but since so many critics hand out negative reviews without having read the damn book, I figured it was high time someone who had not read a book gave one a glowing review.

Remember me if I am ever up for the Man Booker, and you are still a judge.

Read Under the Frog. I gave it a full five stars!

(Publishers may not know how to work the graft and corruption--but have faith Mr. Fischer--some of us still do.)

I don't remember how I came across this book in the first place, but by the second page I was laughing out loud, read the whole thing in one sitting and immediately went back to the beginning and started reading again.

Why's it so good?

First of all, it's packed with Fischer's unique sense of humor. Read the first couple sample pages; if you're not laughing, you probably won't enjoy the rest of the book. The humor is black, definitely. But there's a good chance you'll be laughing HARD nonetheless. Pranks, absurd situations, physical comedy, and wicked wordplay rule the roost.

Second of all, it's dead serious. The book is about communism and the attempted revolution in Hungary in 1956. If you want to see the absurdity and insanity of the communist system as it looked from the inside at that time, Fischer delivers. It is fascinating, shocking, and it would be unbelievable if the author didn't make it so very believable.

I haven't seen anyone mention it, but Under the Frog reads a lot like Kurt Vonnegut's best work (Slaughterhouse V or Cat's Cradle). For me, though, Fischer's book has a lot more reread value -- neither the humor nor the horror has grown thin over the many times I've read it. Highest recommendation.

Sophie feels pretty awful about things. Actually, she's felt pretty awful for three years, ever since her younger brother Erhart died. He was seven and she was twelve. Since then, she has tried hard to keep his memory alive inside of her, specifically thinking of him a couple of times a day so he doesn't fade completely from her mind.

Making things even worse in Sophie's life is the fact that she can't seem to get along with her father, who had an affair shortly before Erhart's death and was thrown out of their house.

Then Sophie lost her best friend, Justin, who wanted to date her and stopped liking her when she refused to be his girlfriend. Now he circulates with a group Sophie refers to as the Wolf Pack, mindless guys who only care about impressing frivolous girls. Sophie feels pretty alone in the world.

The stops feeling so alone when she meets Francis, a guy whose mother died years ago. He seems to understand a little of what she feels about Erhart, and he is the first person in a long time she has enjoyed spending time with. He even respects that she isn't interested in dating anyone. But is she really not interested in dating anyone? Or would she maybe like to date Francis?

I really liked Francis' character and the way he related to and respected Sophie, although I found it a bit unrealistic that he would have stuck around so long when Sophie gave him so little encouragement. I liked that Sophie's family didn't completely break down after her brother died; she and her mother and sister were still pretty much okay. The character of Justin was lousy--it was hard to believe someone would be so insensitive to drop his friendship with a girl so easily when she refused to date him.

This book was interesting--at times. I found the main character quite boring, but Francis seemed complex, and I found his tear tattoo fascinating. This is a rather typical "coming-of-age" story and did not do much to capture my interest. I basically struggled through the story, but I didn't find it unbearable. It was well-written, but simply wasn't attention-grabbing for me. I gave it three stars as it just didn't have what it takes to make a wonderful novel.

This is one of my favorite books. The characters felt so real and were very memorable, especially Francis. I liked the plot and felt satisfaction when it endded. It was an easy read, but was also well written.

"Her brother is gone-but she is still here", says the cover. Sophie's younger brother died of leukemia when he was eight. That was two years ago. Day by day, Sophie finds herself forgetting him. She's scared of letting go of what little memories she has of him; until she meets Francis. Can she let go but still hold on of the memories she has? This was a very good book, very vivid of what Sophie goes through. She's someone that you could easily relate to if someone close to you died. At times though, she sounds very fake and un-caring. She's somewhat of a snob though that judges people by what she's heard about them. Francis teaches her that's not a wise idea and little by little, she finds herself falling in love with him. Yet part of her holds back. Plus, there's her complicated relationship with her father. Her parents are divorced and he was having an affair while her brother was dying. In a way she blames him for his death. Can Sophie give herself permission to be what she wants to be? To grow up?

When I was Older by Garret Freymann-Weyr is one of my favorite books. It is a fictional story about a Girl learning to cope her life. I loved this book, and i would recommend it to any teenage girl. It is a must read.
Sophie is a 13 year old girl growing up in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Her brother died when she was very young, and She doesnt take it well. She still can't talk about him, or bring it up in a conversation with anyone. In a way, Earheart (her brother) is keeping her from growing up. Her thoughts are still on days when she was younger when she'd play with him before he got sick. Sophie must learn that Highschool changes people, and sometimes you have to accept that change.
I liked this book alot becuase I myself, can relate to how Sophie feels. Her brother is diagnosed with Lukemia and When he dies it breaks her heart. My mother had cancer, so i know how Sophie feels through the book.
Also, Garret Freymann Weyr is an amazing author. He tells this story with the use of Strong Diction, and great dialouge. his knack for writing really shines through. I never once wanted to put this book down, and i read it in 2 days. This book Not only shows the hardships of growing up, but learning how tocope with your problems. I recomend it for everyone.