I Books

Lyle Leverich, a theatre artist himself, paints (with the participation of the late "Tom" himself) an intricate, sensitive and compelling portrait of the closest The United States has come to producing her own Shakespeare.

Tennessee Williams' ability to place passionate and visual poetry into the mouths of the commoner and gentry alike makes his work, in my opinion the finest ever produced by an American playwright. The towering and beautiful fragile characters of his plays combined with his devotion to the utter magic the physical theatre provides, allowed America through Tennessee Williams to finally place itself rightly next to Ibsen, Strinberg, Chekov and The Bard himself.

Of course "Tom" did not develop in a vacume and what Leverich provides here in this excellent biography wrapped in the guise of a psychological thriller worthy of so great an object, is a portrait of a man often crippled by acute sensitivity who saw the writing muse as a means for survival. Leverich manages to paint the man behind the myth, bring him down into a real space and time while also managing to lift him to the angels.

This is one of the greatest biographies ever written about a theatre artist- of which Williams was a supreme being. I, and many others, eagerly await volume two.

This is a very thorough, fact-filled biography - up to THE GLASS MENAGERIE of 1945. Leverich approaches his subject in a business-like manner, generally sacrificing artistic concerns for factual ones. Some of these interesting facts include:

Williams spent his childhood with his grandparents in Clarksdale, MS
Went to the U. of Missouri to study journalism
Hated his father till the end of his life when he learned his mother was actually "the villain"
Often broke
His sister was schizo, like Blanche in STREETCAR
Loved to swim
His homosexual lifestyle was pretty sordid
Met D.H. Lawrence in Taos
Laurette Taylor, star of GLASS MENAGERIE on Broadway, was ill on opening night and would be throwing up while off stage during the performance

Anyone interested in Tennessee Williams will find much to think about and be fascinated with in this biography. Recommended.

This is a wonderfully done book. I feel I've lived in "Tom's" shoes and appreciate who he was and the struggles he faced. It's a loving portrait that doesn't shy away from the honest details of the life of the young Tennessee. I hope the sequel that's to take us from the Glass Menangerie to the end of Tennessee's life comes out soon----I'll be waiting!!!

This was the most interesting biography I have ever read. I found that I was even reading the footnotes and bibliography!

The book begins with a delve into Tennessee Williams' genealogy (including a chart, which I referred to frequently while reading the book). The author goes on to describe Tennesee's formative years, home life, and young-adulthood. The book takes the reader up through Tennessee's overwhelming success with "The Glass Menagerie."

I found the book (and, therefore, Tennessee Williams) so interesting that I began researching Williams' works and also his favorite writers (Hart Crane, DH Lawrence). I call a biography a complete success that could have such an effect as it has on me.

I look forward to the next edition, though I wonder if it will ever be in print.

Meticulously researched and sensitively written, this book is the definitive biography of Tennessee Williams, even though it only covers the period up to the beginning of his success. I haven't found any others that can rival its quality. The depth and detail are unsurpassed in Leverich's finely crafted portrait, revealing the many facets of one of America's greatest playwrights. As a "theater person," Leverich brings a special authority to his work, infusing it with expert analysis and theatrical history. A really great read!

I have read a lot of Christian writing - not only Theology in basically all it's manifestations (Catholicism, all forms of Protestantism, Orthodoxy), but Literature as well (Paradise Lost, The Confessions of St. Augustine, The Pilgrim's Progress, The Divine Comedy). I am intimiately familiar with C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, Tolkien, etc. I've also read thoroughly very talented Christian poets like John Donne, William Blake, John Milton, Edmund Spencer, etc.

And there is not a single writer like George MacDonald. His writing has the closest feel to the Gospels as anything I've ever read. He addresses Christianity in so many ways - logically, emotionally, practically, humanly. He portrays Christ in such a different way than anyone else I have ever read. He portrays a Christ that truly speaks to your soul.

There are truths in these sermons that cannot be found anywhere else. If you're feeling the flimsiness of "church" faith - if you want to get a better sense of what real, deep faith in God is about - I suggest you read these sermons. They have changed my life in ways I cannot express.

I came to learn of this work through another author on the subject of God's inescapable love, and the author (a professor of philosophy) mentioned that this book had an immeasurable impact on his life. I saved my money and purchased the book over 5 years ago, and I have to admit that it is by far the most influential and treasured book I own. I have been a Christian for over 20 years, and I have gone through many highs and lows. This book (I'm sure through God's providence) came at a particularly dark time of my life when I began to doubt the underpinnings of what I had been taught as a conservative Bible Belt Protestant.

What I found through reading this book was a God who was better than I had ever thought, a God who was worthy to be worshipped and loved. For the first time, I realized that it was alright not to accept certain notions of God or theology(like that there is a list sins that are unpardonable) and that these ideas truly made no sense and were contradictory to God's nature.

Of all of the sermons, my absolute favorite is Justice. If there is a more profound explanation of God's justice and love, I have yet to see it. This should be a must-read for all Christians and has profoundly influenced my worldview.

Be blessed and encouraged by reading this book. I find myself reading it over and over with fresh insight each time.

Without a doubt, the finest synthesis of Christian theology I have ever read. I have a library of tomes on theology, but this volume is in a class by itself. I have read it several times and continue to refer to it very frequently. It would be difficult to overemphasize how positively MacDonald's hopeful and joyous sermons have impacted my faith. If you want to enrich your faith, MacDonald's "Unspoken Sermons" would be at the top of my list of recommendations.

This book quite possibly saved my faith. I have never found a more beautiful, yet simultaneously intellectual and thought-provoking book. After reading this, I have been devouring any George MacDonald text I can lay my hands on, and in all of them, I find a picture of God that is beyond any other I have enountered. MacDonald seems to understand (or at least articulate) better than any other author I have discovered God's character, how God relates to us, and vice versa.

I find myself wanting to give examples of what I mean, but I don't believe any summary I could provide would do his thoughts justice. You'll just have to read the book! You will be amazed, enlightened, and filled with joy, faith, and perhaps relief that there is a deeper way to look at Christianity than we often find in Christian writing.

One specific note: The sermon titled "The Eloi," on Jesus' cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" is perhaps the best single piece of writing I have ever read. No, not perhaps. It IS the best single piece of writing I have ever read. If you find yourself in the midst of the proverbial "dark night of the soul," and are not able to find God or feel his presence, I would make this first on your reading list.

Be blessed by this book. I have been.

George MacDonald's collection of sermons has profoundly influenced my spiritual life.

Buy this book. At first you might be intimidated by the paragraph-long run-on sentances and slightly antiquated language, but after reading a couple of sermons you'll grow accustomed (read: learn love) to his verbose yet eloquent style of writing. This collection of Christian writings will edify, challenge, and inspire you regardless of your doctrinal background or spiritual maturity.

This was the first chapter book I ever read by myself. It was a great adventure. It is about a family of black pioneers. I was sad in the beginning when I read that the Muldie boys' Mom had died on their way west. When they made their first friend out west, and learned to make a dugout, the story began to get exciting. My favorite part was when they made friends with a group of Native Americans. Later, the three Muldie boys traveled over a hundred miles on their own to find their father on his new homestead. I was thrilled to read on the back page that my first reading adventure was based on a true story. I would recommend this adventure to any new reader.

You should read Wagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner and it is historical fiction. The Muldie boys and their dad were going to the West. They came to Kentucky to make their wood house. In Kentucky, it was a free land. One day the Muldie boys' dad went to find a new place to build a new house. It is a good book because the Muldie boys try to find their dad. It makes me feel very happy to read the book because it was historical fiction. I learned about the Homestead Act and I learned that you can help each other.

This novel is about an African American family who moves from Kentucky to Nicodemus, Kansas during the time of westward expansion. The father left his sons in Nicodemus, while he went on to find a place for them to settle, the children followed. The family has a positive encounter with Native Americans, who give them food during the harsh winter. The family experiences a prairie fire, wild animals. This easy-to-read yet adventurous story about boys of various ages would work well with the informational book about Nicodemus.

The main idea of Wagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner is how the Muldie boys survived when their father went to find free land. The book is historical fiction. The Muldie boys went to look for their father because their dad went to find a place to live better. The important events are that the Muldie boys and their father went to find free land. The Indians helped the Muldie boys by giving them food to eat. I like the book because it was interesting. It was based on a true story. It was good and made me want to read it again. I learned that families help each other when they have a problem.

Another great offering from the "I Can Read Book" series. This book is also a Reading Rainbow Book, and it is a true story!

My kids loved the fact this amazing little story about black pioneers in 1878 is true. Considering that I used to have qualms leaving them alone in the house while I went to our mailbox at the end of our pipestem, they find it fascinating that three boys (8, 11, and 3) were left alone while their father went further west to find a good piece of land to settle. Then he sends a letter with a map and tells them to come find him 150 miles away - which they do. Simply amazing.

Straightforward writing, simple sentences, my 1st and 2nd graders loved it.

My dad bought me this book after hearing about it on National Public Radio and, at first, I was a bit skeptical.
I mean, who really wants to waste time reading another boring 'How to' book on how to get a cool job?

But really, this book isn't like that at all.
It's factual of course, so you don't have to worry about how much of it is just hot air.
But it's also very comical, interesting, and respectfully realistic.
Not a candy-coater, but in no ways a dream crusher.

What more could you ask for <3?

I don't like bad language but like what this book has to offer. I purchased it for my daughter who is embarking on her new career after college. This is a good read.

Most career books I've read try to herd us into the same jobs without thinking out of the box. There are tons of other interesting, fun and well paying jobs out there that rarely seem to get mentioned. This book lists quite a few examples. It was a blast to read. It really helps expand your thinking and it makes the thought of a career change actually exciting!! And the income figures given are realistic too. Most other career books are way too low for whatever reason.

A great book and a great read!!

I was expecting this to be a lot more in-depth than it actually was. Though it profiled a lot of careers, so many classic ones were missing (lawyer and doctor for example). While it was nice to get an example schedule and salary, I wish there were more tips for achieving the jobs examined.

This book is great! It really opened my eyes to a lot of careers I never would have even heard of.

I read some chapters of this book when friend tried to convert me. I didn't decide to convert (not because of this book), but as Christian books go, this one is decent. It gives a whole new meaning to excuses like, "The Dog Ate My Homework."

It was just another ordinary day. I was out for my daily walk when someone came up to me and handed me a card that told me about this book. I thought it would be a book full of jokes or something funny given the title. I visited Amazon.com to see what it really was. The book seemed interesting so I ordered it. I never thought it would answer so many of the questions that I had about life. This book has made a difference in my life. Just think, I almost decided not to go for a walk that day. I hope the person who told me about this book finds this because I would like to thank them.

This is a very good book. In it, the Author finds truths about this life through one of life's greatest teachers - experience. That says it all. This world tends to do one of two things. Some people over emphasize religion and make too much out of going through rituals that supposedly bring us closer to God. Others go to the other extreme and call religion a bunch of nonsense. This book asks and answers one simple question. What is the real truth in this mixed up world? I believe the Author has found the real answer to life. God is accepting, not condemning. Jesus is forgiving, not judgmental. So why is it that we tell people that God accepts them "just as they are" at the end of every Billy Graham crusade or church service, then when they have accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts we tell them they must toe the line from that point on? We crack the whip and preach perfection, yet God is subtler than that. He is understanding and forgiving in his attempt to help us walk the path of salvation one step at a time. Those that would think they have nothing to learn from this book would be wise to think again. It shines the truth about God and life in a world that is clouded and hazy.

I've been in this world for more than seventy years. Some folks might consider me to be a knowledgeable person, but let me tell you this. This book has given me a whole new perspective on life. There's a lot in this book that most of us don't ever give a second thought about.

I like this book so far. I haven't finished it yet, because it has been a difficult process for me to get through. Not that this means I don't like the book. It is just the opposite. It is making me think, and take a hard look at my life, and think about where in the world I am going.

This book is well-written, extremely insightful, and well structured. It is written in a tone as if the therapist is talking directly to you.

If you have lived with a narcissistic mother, you may not even realize it, or how it has affected you. You may realize that something is wrong, but not know what or how to fix it. If so, this book is for you.

I was only on page 8 and I had said, "This is my mom and what she would say and do," over and over again. I can not put this book down. It's really helping me out.

I haven't finished it yet, however I knew just from reading the foreword that this had potential to be life changing for me. Things were identified "on paper" that I had never seen written anywhere, or had validated in my 46 years of trying to understand my relationship (or lack there-of) with my mom. It were as if I had written the book and was re-reading it. It is very hard to vocalize what you went through as a child, especially as the author explains, it seems so taboo when speaking negatively regarding your mother. Even when knowing it has been the experience of your life, and how it has affected your ability to form relationships, the way you feel about yourself---it is still almost impossible to stand firm in your experience, assert your truth--yet have others tell you "Ah, c'mon! She couldn't have been that bad!" These very kind of statements, unbeknownst to others, help keep us feel more insane.
I am a substance abuse counselor, but I am now disabled. I too had worked with many women who had some variance of this kind of un-bonding with their mother. It is one hellish way to grow up, because you do not really know who you are. As Ms. McBride has so brilliantly written, in a nutshell, we weren't given the same tools nor loving nourishment as most children. Children mirror themselves as they grow, looking for cues--guidance, acceptance, limits, wonder---fear--everything from their main caregiver. As Ms. McBride references, we had criticism, either being exhibited like a quippy doll, which I can relate to, or being ignored...because you're just "something to tolerate". None of which invoke feelings of warmth or belonging. This author really knows it, and hits it home. She lived it too and you relate to her from the very first page.

Now, along with identifying with how it affected us---Equally IF NOT Most important : we can learn how to nurture ourselves. We learn how our Moms end up like this. If we don't do this work, we will quite possibly repeat it, even as much as it hurt us. This book IS NOT about blaming, it's about healing, accepting that no, we didn't have our best friends mom. The reality of it is, we will never have the relationship we keep killing ourselves trying to have with OUR moms. It's Okay. So far, this is a great book, I especially like the use of other women's stories. I'm grateful I read the article about this book, I know I was meant to. I don't believe much in coincidences. I love that life gives us opportunities to keep growing if we choose. That our minds have the capacity for more and more information-- and that getting old also means gaining wisdom through life's experiences! Always something to look forward to. Mistakes are okay, we get do-overs!

Reading this book was an incredibly validating experience. I have never written a book review in my life but I believe that this work is essential for daughters of narcissistic mothers. I am 45 years old and have been in counseling for 4 years with a great counselor to address my mom's Narcissistic Personality Disorder. I have had difficulties in the denial and acceptance department; it seems that cognitively I know that my mother doesn't have the capacity to ever be warm, loving, or empathetic. However,I have had many instances where I just thought well maybe I am just the nutty girl and go back into denial. My counselor has spent hours upon hours discussing the harm that comes from being raised by a narcissistic mother. And, yes, I have read many books on narcissism. The difference with this book is that it is written from a first hand experience and includes very specific exchanged between the narcissistic mother and the "still" seeking daughter. In reading this book I must have said oh my God hundreds of times. I made margin notes where I wrote "yep" next to so many scenarios, feelings, yearnings, lowered self esteem, being self critical, the workaholism (I am a practicing trial attorney), and the issues with respect to brothers being treated differently. I am the only daughter and I have 3 brothers who had vastly different experiences with my mother. They are all perfect princes and I am the one that is constantly criticized and judged. For many years I have grappled with my brothers' experience versus mine and it was crazy-making. This book explains that daughters of narcissistic mothers may be subject to projection, jealousy, and envy because you are viewed as her extension (or shadow). It finally made sense. IF YOU ARE A DAUGHTER OF A NARCISSIST MOTHER THIS IS THE MOST HONEST AND FORTHRIGHT BOOK THAT I HAVE COME ACROSS AND IT IS ONE THAT I WILL USE AS A REFERENCE GUIDE FOR GROUNDING AND VALIDATION ON A REGULAR BASIS.

This book encouraged the reader to stand up for herself and tries to be kind but I found it lacking in specific insights or perhaps examples that I could relate to. Seems like the author was too close to her subject and despite self work not distanced enough to write a detached view of the dynamics of a relationship with a narcissistic family member.

Action, suspense and intrigue from the first page to the last page. Details of the envionment and diologue of each specific time is great. Was the end really the end, or will there be more to come?

Great book and I am waiting for the next one.
The author is very talented to keep the reader on the go.

The author gives us a connection to Lexielle and her role in Von's life. It's wonderfully written book, well worth the time to read. I guarantee that you'll have fun reading it.

I found Wireless In The Fabric Of Time a very good read and would recommend it to my friends (35-55 yr. age bracket), as well as my chidrens' generation (16-25 yr age bracket) . I was pleasently suprised at the depth of interests that this book touched upon. It was described to me as SI-Fi, but I found it more akin to historical-fiction. This book is an engaging and fresh approach to weaving a plot through the past, the present,and the future. It touches on life styles and technology in both present day America and early 1900's England. With a plot that moves at the speed of light, the book is laced with lots of spicy diologue, which developes its characters and their personal connections through generational family ties, similiar interests, and historical occurances. It is a curious study of 'what if?' and 'reality' as we know it.

Great reading, kept turning the pages to see what could possibly happen next. Author knows how to entertain and keep the audience's attention. Great book for all readers, but most specifically, young adults. Highly recommended. Great use of technology. Good job on dialect of early twentieth century England also! Great use of historical and futuristic ideas. Great book cover. All in all, supreme. Can't wait for more books from E.I. Johnson.

i looked for reviews and found this to be highly regarded and
proposed as the best out of the lot. great book maybe a lil bland but its the first draft of the book from years back and not sure if they are still as bland. does a good job explaining. my problem is i am independently starting to study algebra and found this to be maybe better for a teacher student setting. you will find answers to only half of the problems.
and has a habit of putting problems in the test parts that werent really explained it the study part leaving you to try and figure out or proposing you had a teacher there to help explain. probally my biggest quirp is the end of chapter final tests have no answers in back, but i guess they can't give all the answers i would have looked for a book that had all the answers if i would have thought otherwise only half even less of the problems will tell you if your right.

We homeschool most of our children. I search carefully to find school materials that I believe are of high caliber. When algebra appeared on the teaching horizon, I read reviews of Mr. Foerster's algebra texts from both the homeschooling press and from the public/private school sectors. Having read nothing negative about this textbook, I went ahead and purchased the textbook, teacher's guide, and tests. I could not have chosen a better textbook for my son! As a ninth grader, he worked his way through the textbook completely, asking for assistance only a handful of times. The explainations are clear, and the range of problems assigned is both wide and in-depth. My son made an "A" in the course (on the 90-100 scale), despite my "picky" grading. I will not use Mr. Foerster's textbook with my next-down son, because mathematics is difficult for him. But I recommend the book unreservedly for anyone who is comfortable with math.

Foerster's text provides the student with a strong foundation in algebra. Topics are introduced incrementally. Before Foerster introduces a new idea, he first makes sure that the reader has a strong understanding of the concepts on which the new idea is based. His exposition, which can seem pedantic at times, is clear and effective. The numerous examples he provides are explained in painstaking detail. He also warns the reader of potential pitfalls. The exercises are designed to build both the reader's algebra skills and conceptual understanding. Each chapter concludes with a section in which the reader applies the material learned in the chapter to real world problems. This material, which is a particular strength of the text, demonstrates how and why algebra is used.

The book begins with basic algebraic concepts that are sometimes covered in pre-algebra classes. Those concepts include operations on numbers, variables, constants, algebraic expressions and equations, signed numbers, and the rules of algebra such as the commutative, associative, and distributive laws.

Foerster then discusses linear equations in one variable. Rather than discussing equations of lines next, as many authors do, he defers that topic in order to cover operations on polynomials. That allows him to discuss quadratic equations before the midterm review. While he later discusses how to factor by grouping, in this chapter he treats the factoring of quadratic polynomials as a series of special cases. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the quadratic formula, the derivation of which he leaves as an exercise. If this book has a weakness, it is that Foerster teaches you how to do algebra without always justifying the methods he uses.

Following the midterm review, Foerster discusses equations of lines and systems of linear equations. This leads to a brief discussion of probability and statistics. Probability is revisited in the exercises later in the text.

The following chapters address exponents, operations on polynomials, rational expressions and equations, radical expressions and equations, and inequalities. The last chapter, which is followed by a final review, introduces concepts such as functions and right triangle trigonometry that are explored in more advanced algebra classes. The final sections of this chapter, which address quadratic inequalities, provide a capstone to the text because they tie together many of the concepts introduced earlier.

The exercises, which are numerous, vary from drills designed to develop the reader's facility with a particular type of algebraic manipulation to challenging application problems. For instance, Foerster poses the following problem: In some states, your state tax is based on your net income after your federal tax has been deducted and your federal tax is based on your net income after your state tax has been deducted. How do you determine how much tax you owe each entity if the tax you owe depends on the amount being collected by the other entity? The difficulty of the problems Foerster poses makes this text suitable for an honors course.

The text is quite comprehensive, discussing topics not found in other texts. For instance, one topic he introduces is a system comprised of a linear equation and a linear inequality. As is the case with other topics, he also introduces applications of such systems. Consequently, there is more material here than can comfortably be covered in one year. Instructors will need to be selective in their choice of topics. However, the text's clear exposition, detailed examples, and the provision of answers to the odd-number exercises make it suitable for self-study.

A less challenging alternative to this text is Harold R. Jacobs' Elementary Algebra. It is engagingly written, provides a strong foundation in algebra, and will not overwhelm the average student.

I am a Math major and I have tutored Algebra for many years. This is the best text I have ever seen from a wide range of both public and private schools in my area. I am ordering a personal copy to have on my reference shelf. The text is extremely thorough and not at all watered down (as many of the texts I have recently seen). It covers each topic completely and in depth. An ample set of problems is given and the author builds the student up to the challenge of more difficult problems. Word problems are written with a sense of humor that even gets a chuckle from the eighth grade boys. This author strives to develop an Excellent student not just an adequete student. Highly recommended.

Our school district has misguidedly adapted one of those fuzzy math curriculums, and I have chosen to teach my mathematically talented daughter at home rather than have her lose her love of math entirely. This book has made the job easier! Clear, elegant reasoning that doesn't skimp on rigor, plus problem solving with a humorous bent. It also covers all of the topics that I think "should" be covered. I am not finding the lack of a teacher's guide to be a problem, however, I do have a strong math background. I compared several math books before settling on this one. A close second, or maybe first, depending on your taste, is the Houghton Mifflin Algebra text. I have both, and sometimes it is enlightening to a non-teacher to see the different ways material can be presented.

A must read for all women. This could happen to you. Be very careful who you marry and with whom you have children. Look behind that charming exterior before you even allow him a date.

"All but my Soul, Abuse Beyond Control" is a powerful and gut wrenching account of the family of a wife and child abuser, and of the United States court system that sided with him and gave him full permission to continue abusing to his heart's content. We are so taught that we can rely on our justice system to be just, that it's hard to fathom that one judge and lawyer after another could so use their power to further abuse a wife and her sons.

Yet, I too was in a similar situation and the judge gave my ex-husband his blessing, his stamp of approval, allowing him to continue to control us and make us into prisoners in our own houses by frequently denying us contact with one another. As with Dr. King, I too could see the damage my ex was inflicting on our daughter, and I was powerless to stop it. After 8 years of being controlled by him through custody, my daughter came to live with me when she was nearly 15 and has been living with me for nearly 6 years now. She still cries when she recalls those horrible years. Yet in our case there was no physical abuse like Dr. King records. It was mostly non-physical. I assumed the lack of physical evidence was why the judge decided against me. But there was plenty of physical evidence in Dr. King's family, and the judge still put those boys with their abuser.

I am amazed at how well Dr. King kept it together. I didn't do nearly as well and the judge decided my ex was the more stable--after he'd made an emotional wreck of me. (anxiety; I needed Dr. King's professional services.) So he put our daughter with her dad, so he could make an emotional wreck of her, too. I have absolutely no confidence in our legal system. As a result, I continued to pay child support after my daughter came to live with me and her dad refused to sign a paper releasing me of that responsibility, lest her dad destroy her or the court order her to live with her dad again and/or see me even less than before, or the lawyers take more money than the remaining child support.

I have heard that it is the abusive men who are more likely to fight for custody of their children, and it is the abusive men who are more likely to win.

As Dr. King did, I also realized I was helpless to change our situation and felt driven to write "Behind the Hedge, A novel" to make a difference for others. [...]

Ms. King tells her story with profound truth while relating the further progressions of control when seeking help from the justice system. Ms. King will stir emotions you never realized existed, as her story relates the commonalities found in many abusive relationships. When there are children involved as with the author's situations, the pain and mental stress that fills a mother's daily life and sleepless nights, is unimaginable. A mother's heart is ripped to shreads when the abuser, as the author relates, attempts to control and turn the children away from their mother. This emotional disaster is beyond the choicest words yet this book penetrates the heart and soul like no other I've read. Ms. King has created an autobiography that, having lived the near nightmare she pens with all but the broken bones and legalities, I can only on say what Jeanne has told is only a small part of the tormenting suffering that only fades, but never really goes away. It is a pain that a mother only learns to deal with, with a lifetime of prayers that the children will one day understand, as the author writes. Jeanne found me sobbing, and yet I applaud her dedication to restoring others and the informative contents within. If you are in an abusive situation or know anyone that is, or are thinking about tieing the knot where signs of abuse exist, this book is pricless and may well change your thinking...if not your life. Author of: VOWS BETRAYED: A Story of Abuse, A Transformational Message

Excellent Book. This book gives documented accounts of personal history of domestic violence, teaches about the cycle of domestic abuse and gives an excellent overview of how the court system can keep a family in legal domestic abuse.

Would highly recommend it to anyone who might be in an abusive relationship.

Having spent most of my adult life in one abusive situation after another I couldn't imagine that there was anything that could shock me or make me feel more drawn to take action. Although I already knew the ending before I began reading I couldn't put the book down I was so drawn into the passion and authenticity of Dr Kings' writing about the continual cycles of abuse that she and her children had endured. At some points I got so wrapped up in what happened to Dr. King and her children that I felt as though I became a part of the story and wanted to help her and her children in any way I could. Although I have always known from my own experience that lawyers, doctors, and the courts could all be bought off I couldn't imagine that anyone could turn their heads for politics and money while ignoring such outrageous abuse and devastation. Additionally, the numbers of people who turned their back on this situation is far beyond any reasonable persons' imagination. I find it amazing that she was able to survive the torture of her relationship only to be continually tortured even more by those who were supposed to be there to help and protect her and her children. Finally after surviving such horrific abuse to be able to pour her energy into writing such detail about `what really happens in the abuse cycle' must have been painful as she relived every event of the previous few years in order to make a difference. I applaud Dr. King for her courage and I pray that when her children are old enough to read this book and understand the real dynamics of the abuse cycle perpetrated on their mother and themselves that they will be able to draw from her strength and courage to forgive their abuser and stop the abuse cycle from continuing into the next generation of Blumenthal's. Dr. King has obviously put her heart and soul into this book with the clear intention of making a difference in someone else's life, I can't imagine anyone coming away from reading this book without being changed in some positive way. Thank you Dr. King for you commitment to making a difference and for your courage in coming forward to help others who are trapped in this same cycle of abuse. This book has changed my life forever.

I'm absolutely flabbergasted by this book--not by the actions of her wretched ex-husband Les, but by the continual abuse of the LEGAL system funded by his mindless, destructive pathology. I, too, was married to an abusive physician, more emotional than physical. A rude, ranting power-monger. When I finally gathered the strength to make a move (and it took YEARS), the legal system was there for me. Aside from the longevity of the proceedings (2 1/2 years SO FAR) my children and I have been protected by the judges. My attorney and his staff have never wavered in their support and have been a source of strength for me. Having an attorney you can trust, along with the support of family and countless friends gets you through even the most frightening days.
If you are in an abusive situation, Dr. King's book may scare you from taking action against your abuser. Don't let it. Read her book, educate yourself, and get ready for battle. You cannot be weak. I hope that her situation is not the norm and if you are considering a divorce, then be ready for a long and bloody dog-fight. These men don't give up--and worse, they deny any wrong-doing or responsibility and place all the blame on anyone who happens to be walking by. Unreal. Because they are charming and appear piteous, people actually believe them. The attitude of unethical attorneys is just as much or more loathsome: "Hey, if those kids get hungry enough, she'll settle", and they will use and do anything to win. These people will not stand up for the simplest of human decencies like children not huddling together in fear listening to their father shriek in fury at their mother. They will, in fact, take those children and put their very lives and emotional well-being at risk if it will line their pockets with silver. My daughter used to grab her little sister, put cotton in her ears, lock the bedroom door and crawl under the bedcovers with her during his irrational meltdowns. Read this book, read other books, get on the internet and research laws for your state and state Supreme Court rulings, find a loyal, GOOD attorney who is appalled at misogynous behavior, get dormant and grow strong roots. Keep your mouth shut and don't tell anyone your business. Lose as much emotion as you can. Think like they think and try to stay one step ahead. Once you make a decision, you cannot feel sorry for them or guilty and go back into that life. Maintain your dignity, don't grovel, try not to show fear, and stay on the right side of right. Forget future planning and live for today and take care of those children. If you don't protect them, you can't expect anyone else to. My turning point was when my daughter turned and looked at me after yet another mealtime rampage and quietly said: "Mom, I can't live like this anymore. You have got to do something." Her eyes were just dull.
Be smart, educate yourself and remember you know more about your case than anyone in that courtroom. And hope that the legal system is ethical and doesn't prey on your children. Where are the Congressmen? the Senators? Greenpeace? Jesse Jackson? Where's the Village Hillary wrote about? Is the spotted owl more important than Dr. King's three sons? At this very moment, while you are reading this, one of her children is being punched, kicked, screamed at, humiliated. How Judge Timothy Evans sleeps at night is beyond me. Surely those children's cries haunt him every moment. All of that pain---for lousy money and political gain. What an unforgivable American tragedy.

If your thinking that this is another sister-girlfriend book,
let me be the first to tell you, Not!
All I Need is full of unexpected twists and turns that three friends experience in life.
With busy shedules they have to find time to catch up with
each other.
Each woman feels that their friend has a better life. But ahh, if they could only walk in each others shoes.
Jacquie Bamberg Moore is a Welcomed newcomer

"ALL I NEED" was an excellent read. It kept me glued to the book from beginning to end. I hated to put the book down! Anyone who has Close friends should read this. I would love to read a sequel. I really identified with this book. In fact, I bought the book for my closest girlfriend. It was great!

This novel is about the friendship of Randi Michelle and Omi. Each one has something different to offer their long time friendship. Omi is the career women in the group - who finds out not all kings come with shining armour. Michelle is happy being a wife and mother until tragedy strikes sending her in the arms of a tabboo relationship - Randi bored with being a researcher for the New York Times seeks her satisfication in the office but not doing office work. All three of these women show us what it means to be a true friend and how to rise above the bad. This book is a must read for everyone looking to strengthen their relationship with someone close to them.

If true friendship is valuable to you, read this book! You will not only relate, but I'm pretty sure you will identify with one of the characters. It takes you on a drama filled journey of three sister friends who are unique in their lifestyles, personalities, and principles. While Umi, an educated business diva struggles with balancing her business matters and personal affairs, Randi, the can't say no to sex diva, gets herself into some hot water trying to juggle her multiple male relationships. On the other hand, Michelle the educated, stay at home diva has the privilege of making sure the home front is comfy for her husband and daughter, not knowing that her life is about to take a major turn.   
In the midst of managing their own life drama's, their friendship will not only be tested, but pushed to a new level.

"All I Need," is a wonderfully written novel. Michelle, Randi and Umi are three long-time friends, who have built a strong sister based relationship. These three women are very different and unique in themselves, but they share in their love for one another. Michelle is a housewife and who has spent years wrapped into being a wife and mother. Michelle starts looking at her friends lives and begin feeling emptiness inside, when suddenly a horrifying incident strikes and changes her life instantly. Randi who is a researcher for a major newspaper gets wrapped up in raging hormones, which backfires on her. Umi has an advertisement career and she feels high in the clouds. Umi only wanting an elite prestigious man, soon finds out that a man with money doesn't always bring happiness.

Jacquie is definitely on my list of great storytellers. This novel will have you laughing and crying, oooohing and awwwhing, happy and even outraged. The characterization is so vivid, you feel as though you know each one of them. You will feel their pain and share in their happiness as you walk through their lives with them. I suggest everyone pick up a copy of this wonderful novel. With writing skills like this and the ability to grab her audience at the very beginning and hold them so until the end, Jacquie Bamberg Moore will be in the Literary Arena for a long time to come.