I Books

This was my favorite book in fourth grade. I used to check it out from the school library every other week, alternating with "Dear God, are you there? It's Me, Margaret". I should really reread it, but from a fourth grader's perspective, I remember it being awesome. Give it to a kid close to you!

This is the story about a 10 year old boy named Marty, who has to write a letter to a famous person for one of his classes. Unfortunately, Marty cannot think of anyone to write to, not anyone who is alive anyway. So he decides to mail his letter to Napoleon Bonaparte. With the help of his grandfather and a mysterious mail room in his grandfather's nursing home, Marty manages to get his letter mailed...and gets a response! No one believes that he really got a letter from Napoleon, so he decides to send more letters. Marty and his best friend Russell end up sending letters to many famous dead people, such as Abraham Lincoln, Vincent Van Gogh, and the Wizard of Menlo Park himself, Thomas Edison. I love this book because there is such a mystery in the old mail room of Shady Groves Nursing Home, and because I am a history nerd who would absolutely love for this mail room to exist. I think it would be awesome to send a letter to Jim Bowie at the Alamo, or Will Bill Hitchock in the old west. This book is perfect for using in a fifth grade classroom to introduce a history lesson, because of all the great men it highlights. You could also have your own class write letters to a famous person and see if they can get a reply. Get this book for you kids, or for yourself. You will love it!!

This is the story about a 10 year old boy named Marty, who has to write a letter to a famous person for one of his classes. Unfortunately, Marty cannot think of anyone to write to, not anyone who is alive anyway. So he decides to mail his letter to Napoleon Bonaparte. With the help of his grandfather and a mysterious mail room in his grandfather's nursing home, Marty manages to get his letter mailed...and gets a response! No one believes that he really got a letter from Napoleon, so he decides to send more letters. Marty and his best friend Russell end up sending letters to many famous dead people, such as Abraham Lincoln, Vincent Van Gogh, and the Wizard of Menlo Park himself, Thomas Edison. I love this book because there is such a mystery in the old mail room of Shady Groves Nursing Home, and because I am a history nerd who would absolutely love for this mail room to exist. I think it would be awesome to send a letter to Jim Bowie at the Alamo, or Will Bill Hitchock in the old west. This book is perfect for using in a fifth grade classroom to introduce a history lesson, because of all the great men it highlights. You could also have your own class write letters to a famous person and see if they can get a reply. Get this book for you kids, or for yourself. You will love it!!

If you do, read Dear Napoleon, I Know Your Dead, But.... It is about a kid
and his best friend, Russell. Russell and Marty have to figure out how Marty can write to
famous dead people and get letters back! Would you believe your friends if they did the same? I think that everyone should read this book because it is simply great.

The kid in this story was different. He wanted to write to a historical figure rather than a sports star or musician--very unique for a kid's book. The book was interesting and I related to Martin because he was different than other kids. I highly reccommend this book to people who like history and have different perspectives. This was an excellent read--highly reccommended.

Excellent book.

Thanks to the writers of the short letters/notes in the book.

Thanks especially to all our Troops around the world, keeping the U.S. free.

"I pray for you every night before I go to bed."

While volunteering to assemble care packages for our troops serving in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, Barbara Warfield Baldwin and her daughters came across heartfelt and compelling letters to the troops from local children that served to brighten the Baldwins' days. Dear Soldier is the compilation of many of these letters and pictures.

Meant to uplift the troops' spirits as well as boost the morale of the general public, Dear Soldier will have you reading out loud to whomever is in the room. The honesty and sincerity of kids is great. With phrases like "I hope that yall find that Osama Bin ladin," and "My brother says that he wants to be in the war. I'm thinking I might join him," you can see why these letters mean so much to our troops. And with lines like, "you might think I'm stupid but I made it to forth grade so I make A's and B's, so there," you can't help but laugh and share.

These letters and drawings are photocopied so you don't only get to read them, but see the handwriting and erase marks. Seeing what is important to the children as they were writing is precious. My primary criticism is that for some reason a couple of letters were repeated in the compilation. But don't let that sway you.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a great book to give as a gift, especially to our serving troops.

This collection of letters was both colorful in its words and in its pictures. Whether children are asking our soldiers to please come home safe, what guns they use in Iraq, or telling them about the pets they have in their homes, these children are all very aware of what is going on in Iraq; they know they are there fighting for our freedom and risking their necks to do it.

As you turn the pages, taking a look into each child's perception of the war, and learning what questions they desire to ask of our soldiers, you'll notice you have an array of emotions. Laughter is not a stranger as you read through these letters, especially when you read something like "how do you take a bath?" or "I have lots of friends here. Some are tall like a house, and some are short, but I like them anyways." Other times you feel your heart wrench at how considerate some of the letters are; "Try not to get hurt, ok? One thing the earth doesn't need is more hurt people." Or "You make me confident in everything. You make me feel safe in what I do." Statements like these are raw and real emotions that children are pouring out in their letters to these men and women in Iraq.

It is so inspiring in reading about the concerns children can possess for people they don't even know, as well as the innocence of a child when they ask the most simple of questions because they are truly interested in what type of food these men and women like to eat, and where they live, and what they do in their spare time when they are not being soldiers.

I found myself laughing on one letter, and crying on the next. Not only is this book a compilation of letters to our soldiers, I believe it is also a small piece of the positive side of life; an inside scoop into a child's creative mind as it spills over onto the letters with which they write; "I hope this letter from me will make you feel at home. I hope this letter will make you feel a little less scared. ...Whoever gets this letter, please don't die. If you do die with my letter so that will let the world know that I care for each and every one of you out there in the war."

I think Tim, says it best in his letter when he says "if you get hurt, make sure you get to a doctor!"

I saw this book in the store, read part of it...and cried..lol. This is one of the most precious things I have ever seen! As an Army wife, and a soon to be teacher, I got this book to use at home and in the classroom. AMAZING!

I bought five copies to hand out to several military units. They are morale boosters. Those kids are awesome and so endearing. Thanks doesn't do justice the range of emotion their letters caused.

While reading this book you'll shed some tears because this book is a story of love. Not a love story. Furthermore you won't be able to close the book and when you'll finish it you'll cry because is over and you wanted more. The characters are exactly right in their performance and I mean every single one of them. Of course you'll know the book's end since half of your reading and that just ratchets up a quarter star. So for me this book deserves more than SIX STARS.

If I didn't have a child under the age of 2 of would have read this book in one sitting front to back. Every chance I got to sit and read this book I took it! From the very begininng this book grabs you and makes you turn page after page. The way Sala describes her character Diamond and how she looks and sings you can seriously picture it so perfectly and feel as if your there. The other character's from her love interest Jesse, the savor of Diamond, Dooley, to the evil manager Tommy, it's almost as if you know and have met them they are described and portrayed so well in this book. But I do agree with another reviewer that the incident with Tommy didn't really get resolved in my opinion, but I gave it 5 stars anyway because everything else was perfect. I very much recommend buying this book. It's great!

I devoured each of the gambler's daughters books as fast as I could get them. The plots were sometimes a stretch but the chemistry between the main characters dynamite. I eagerly look forward to more works from Ms Sala.

i have read all the popular authors... been reading romance novels for 10 years now. i have been running out of things to
read, the lesser known authors are kinda blah blah. when i picked this book up i didnt really expect to like it. well i LOVED it. this book has it all...it'll make you smile, laugh, and it also made my heart ache. i m a fan of judith mcnaught, johanna lindsey, susan e. phillips, and other well known authors. if you enjoy theses authors you'll enjoy this book. give it a try. i give it a 5 stars. and i usually dont. her other book is so-so, but this book i loved! wonderful story!!!!!

This was by far my favorite book in the series. I read them out of order, which is something I always do but it did not matter. Each story stands on it's own. This story touched on all of my emotions, I cries, and I laughed out loud, I also admit to falling a little bit in love with Jesse the hero.

Diamond is the first to leave Cradle Creek after her gambler father dies. She leaves after a chance meeting with Jesse Eagle a famous country singer that heard Diamond sing and knows that she has what it takes to make it in Nashville. Diamond has stars in her eyes and despite the fact that she trust no man, she takes a gamble on Jesse, packs, and leaves that very same night.

Jesse heard Diamond sing the first time while she sang "Amazing Grace" at her fathers grave side and could not get her out of his mind. He turns around and goes back to the small Tennessee mountain town and finds her right away singing in a dump. He is compelled to take her back with him to Nashville, he know she will be a huge star.

Jesse and Diamond soon fall for each other, and their love is wonderful. But there is someone in Jesse's world that thinks that Diamond will ruin it all and sets out to destroy her and her chances at making it big before she even gets a chance. What this person does not know is how much these two love each other or the strength of will that they both have. Love will win the day but not before both are put to the test.

This again was by far my favorite in the series, the characterization is wonderful, and the story basically tells it's self. I managed to inhale this one in one night. I hated to see it come to an end. Trust me, you don't want to miss this one by a wonderful and talented author.

I am completely satisfyed one more time! no delay, no problems perfect.

I bought this book a few years back and it is quite excellent. I think the series is updated every few years, and things constantly change with dinosaurs. This book has excellent drawings and actual photos of models, replicas, and skeletons of dinosaurs. Microraptor is in this supplement as well, and dinosaurs evolving into birds is discussed in here as well. Different groups like the sauropods and hadrosaurs are discussed with new discovers and information. Many oospecies and footprints are discussed in here as well. Highly recommended for any paleontologist, dinosaur enthusiast, and/or future paleontologist(like me).

If you are a serious dinosaur lover with some money to spend, this is the book. At the time of publication, every classified species was included, along with pertinent details and from 1-3 pages of write-up. It talks of the holotypes, it has 1-2 photos on every page, it gives it all. It is exhaustive, well written, and just simply outstanding. Put it this way, paleontologists and reconstructionist-artists keep this on their desk like the military folk keep a copy of Jane's, it's simply far and away the best reference on the various species of dinosaurs. Is it pricey? Yup. However, you could easily spend far more buying every dinosaur encyclopedia sold on Amazon and still come up with a fraction of the material that is in this book. To be blunt, no other reference is in it's class. Throw in that periodic supplements are published that describe all of the new species and information discovered from the previous release, and you simply can't go wrong.

If I have to pick one flaw, it's that some of the photographs are of poor quality, however most of these seem to be because the only surviving photo is a zerox or what have you, so the quality is dependant on the source picture, not due to any corner-cutting (of which there seems to be NONE) in the book.

A year after the second supplement, here's another! Donald Glut's indefatigable efforts at keeping us posted about all developments in the world of dinosaurs are nothing short of astounding. Always fascinating reading for specialist and general maniac alike.

In the ever changing science of paleontology, sometimes it is impossible to keep up...until now. Donald F. Glut's Dinosaurs: the Encyclopedia, along with this subsequent and future supplements, reviews and condenses ALL (not merely some) of the technical papers published on the "terrible lizards" and packs them into one place. Want to know whatever happened to Brontosaurus? Look it up! For the budding enthusiast who is not quite sure what all the jargon means, a dictionary of terms is included in the back. If you are serious or want to be serious about the study of dinosaurs, Glut's encyclopedia is the place to start. Personally, I plan to purchase any and all future supplements to this wonderful bible of dinosaur science.

This book speaks to the co-dependants of the world beautifully. It is an easy read and it makes sense to anyone. I would highly recommend it. Also, if you like this subject check out Pea Meadly Book Facing Co-Dependancy.

Great book. I am still reading and learning! Quick delivery and arrived in great shape!

This book has really come to the rescue in my life. I am 24 and my partner 21. We've been together 8 months and started having conflicts after moving in together about 2 months ago. After a big fight one day, she brought this book home and we agreed to read it together every day.

Since then, there's been a massive change for us. A difficult change too, but so worthwhile. Margie and Jordan are really great people, and they make the book funny, informative and loving, but strong enough to shake you up. It's just so great... learning to learn is difficult, but ultimately incredibly rewarding. 1000 stars!

For me this book is one of the most profound and important books I have ever read about relationships and communication. Although it is written as a book about marital relationships, it has implications for every kind of relationship, and not only intimate or dyadic ones. And, although it is written as a pop psychology book, I think it makes a real contribution to the social-scientific understanding of relationships and communication -- that is, it stands up well as a general model of communication and relationship. I think it is a great book and would be of great value not only to those trying to solve relationship problems but to those wanting to understand the ways in which self and relationship are intertwined in general. It illuminates all of the areas of one's life in which one communicates with others and, as another reader said, can be as valuable for understanding past relationships as for dealing with present ones.

There are three of you in a marriage. YOU, ME and US. All three need to be happy. This book can get you there. It saved our marriage.

I just finished the book and I don't know what to say. Of course, I cried. Suzanne did a marvelous job of telling the story and I felt privileged to get to know Myrta and Carey and witness their journey through their illnesses. The compassion and grace they all displayed in such extreme circumstances was astounding. They all had such strength and as things unfolded I could hardly believe some of the events. When it sounded like things could not get any worse they did - over and over again. When they got their lawn mower stolen I was furious! The replaying of some of the events was humorous at times but not "ha, ha" funny. The author's personality showed through and I felt such compasssion for her and her loved ones.

They say that anything that doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Suzy must be a very strong woman. This book tells the story of Suzy coping with her mother's and her daughter's illnesses. It is a very sad story, but it is well written and very moving. I sat down and read it at one sitting. I have great respect for someone that can handle such a tough situation with such grace. I would definitely recommend this book.

This is one of the best books I've read in quite some time. The author truly brings you up-close to the trials and tribulations of her mother and daughter. The book keeps you fully engrossed in the situations and makes you wonder how Ms. Tilden-Mortimer managed to get through life with all the heartbreak. While the book deals with sorrow, it is written in such a way that it's not very heavy-handed and even humorous at times. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has been a caregiver and to those who may have to be one in the future. Kudos for a great book after a hard life. I hope Ms. Tilden-Mortimer's future proves to be full of good times to make up for the past.

I received this book from a friend at work. My first intention was to "skim" the book, but as I got through the first page, I became engrossed in the author's story. I couldn't close the book, until I read every word and looked at every picture.

I've never been somebody's caregiver, and I didn't think I would be able to relate to Suzanne's story, but I did. By the time I completed the book, I felt like I knew Suzanne, Myrta and Carey, and I could sympathize with her situation, taking care of her mother Myrta, who was suffering from dimentia, and her beloved-daughter Carey, who's life was cut too short by Multiple Sclerosis.

This memoir goes beyond the story of one caregiver. It is the story of one very tough woman, who, although struggling, gathered the strength and power to weather the storm. It's the story of a woman who gave everything she had to someone else.

Another great thing about the book, is the way in which its written. Suzanne Tilden-Mortimer makes use of humor in her memoir, so the reader never feels ackward. It's never too intense.

In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone. And my answer to the question posed in the title, Do I Know You?, is...yes, I do. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew Suzanne Tilden-Mortimer, Myrta and Carey.

I've known Suzy since grade school. I spent many hours at her house with Myrta and also met her daughter as a small child. We lost touch for many years, and I was so delighted to rediscover her in 2000 - after all her troubles. She mentioned she was going to write a book about her time caring for her mother and daughter and I couldn't wait for it to come out.

I received my advance order as soon as it was published. I read it through in one sitting and my admiration for this remarkable woman grew tenfold. Her story is told with compassion and humor. Even though the subject matter is very sad, I found it very inspiring. It's the story of one woman's survival through monumental tragedy.

My only question is "Suzy, how did you do it?"

Ken's stories remind me of Dr. James Herriot's awesome tales about his life as a country vet in Britain. (All Creatures Great and Small, and others)

Ken's books are also heartwarming and for anyone who loves animals.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RIJ2ZYSOJDATB This isn't really a review, it's just the only way I could find to share this great video that was created at a party I had for the release of Dogs I Have Met. Among the many dogs who attended: Trap Jack and Dag, both of whom are featured in the book.

and an American Pit Bull Terrier lover in particular, I have a special place in my heart for Ken Foster and his experiences. He is not afraid to stand up for what he believes and take corrective action for injustices he observes. He is a patriot for the APBT breed. This book is very well written and brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. Bravo, Ken!

Ken Foster has again produced an entertaining look at the people he has encountered in his interesting dog-filled life. His writing style is unique and one to be emulated. The small volume is a quick read. American Pit bulls have a great advocate in him as he gently but forcefully defends them.

I truly appreciated this book specifically because of the strong focus on decriminalizing the american pit bull breed. It is so sad that this wonderful, loving breed of dog has been so persecuted due solely to the inhumanity of humans. Dogs are one of God's greatest creations, and humans have exploited, abused, and mistreated them to such unbelieveable levels. Thanks to the author for his wonderul work. It is a short easy read, but shares valuable insight.

This is both a great read and an important historical document. Fanny Trollope was the mother of Anthony Trollope, perhaps the most prolific English novelist of the nineteenth century and my favorite. Fanny's husband was ineffectual in the breadwinning department, but fortunately for the family, Fanny herself was energetic and enterprising. She took one of her sons (not Anthony) and an artistic young man to the United States. She was planning to join a friend of hers who was a mover in setting up the utopian community in Harmony, Indiana, but the place turned out to be squalid, and she didn't stay long.

Fanny spent most of her time in the U.S. in Cincinnati and in her book is very hard on the city and its inhabitants. She especially objected to the pigs' role as garbage collectors. (In those days, pigs roamed the streets freely, like sheep grazing.) Fanny felt most of the people she encountered were loud, dirty, vulgar, and fanatically patriotic. It is her vivid descriptions of the physical conditions and the people that give this book its historical and entertainment value.

While she was living in Cinci, she opened a retail emporium and filled it with rather shoddy merchandise sent from England by her husband. She also attempted to bring culture to the inhabitants. Not surprisingly, both ventures failed.

After Mrs. Trollope returned to England, she supported her family by writing novels that were quite popular at the time, though they haven't become the classics her son's have. She spent her final years living in Italy with another son and his wife.

This is an extremely entertaining commentary on American manners and well written. I agree, however, with Mrs. Trollope's son, Anthony, who commented that Mrs. Trollope is a keen observer but she understands little. Certainly her complaints about the lack of gentility among Americans is valid but she completely missed the wonderful lack of class restraints endemic to English society which afforded Americans "class mobility"--freedom of opportunity (except for native Americans and slaves).

Fanny Trollope (1779-1863) wrote over 35 novels and several non-fictions books in her effort to rescue her family from poverty. However, the most read of all her books is "Domestic Manners of the Americans" which she published in 1832. It was in that distant year that Fanny and two of her children traveled across the Atlantic Ocean. Her purpose was to join a utopian community in Tennessee whose denizens were freed slaves.
Fanny left her impecunious and feckless husband the barrister Thomas Trollope back home in England. Her famous son Anthony did not make the trip as he was a student at Harrow School. Fanny knew her husband would join her in the USA when money became available. Later the family would flee to Bruges to escape creditors. Fanny eventually lived out her life in Florence near her son Thomas Trollope.
After leaving Tennessee the Trollopes settled for two years in the Queen City of the West Cincinnati, Ohio. Fanny did not like America or the American people! She found us xenephobic; boastful, prideful and violent.She hated the hypocrisy of life in Midwest Ohio although she did attend such cultural attractions as opera, plays and lectures. She favored the state Anglican Church of Great Britain not caring for America's separation between church and state.
This book could well be read alongside Charles Dickens' "American Notes for General Circulation" based on his 1842 six month trip to the USA.
Both Trollope and Dickens found the Americans crude, lacking in manners
and eager to make a quick buck. Listen to Trollope at her most scathing:
"..among the rich and the poor, in the slave states, and in the free states...I do not like them. I do not like their principals, I do not like their manners, I do not like their opinions." (p.314).
Fanny Trollope's book is more interesting than Dickens since she discusses colorful characters and shares anecdotes about her sojourn in our young republic. Like Dickens she hates the odious practice of tobacco chewing and the mangling of the English language. Trollope found us Yankees to be too serious and viewing us as poorly read. Unlike the wealthy and famous Dickens, Mrs. Trollope was a middle-aged woman fighting off poverty with her pen. I enjoyed her descriptions of nature such as those she paints of the Potomac River, Northern Virginia and the Niagra Falls area in New York and Canada. She is aware of flora and fauna and describes them with knowledge and in beautiful prose.
Dickens and Trollope give us the eye to see America in the days prior to the Civil War when the curse of chattel slavery ruled the land. Since those days America has granted freedom to all citizens. I wish both Fanny and Charles could visit us again in the 21st century. Their remarks would be of great interest to this reviewer and countless others!

All I can say is: what a great read! Who knew? Quite frankly, upon first sight of this book I must admit a bit of dread as the puritanical artwork does not smack of fun and games. Of course, as a literature student, I should know better than to ever judge a book by its cover.
Had I been Fanny Trollope writing such an account of America in the 1820s, I would be hardpressed to say that I would have changed a single word. Trollope has been the victim of many mean spirited caricatures and accusations by Americans and it still continues today, but what is interesting is that no one can do more than attack her person. In other words, no one seems to be able to refute her claims.
Trollope's "bitchiness" seems, for the most part, merited by my standards and while she finds much to complain about concerning an American democracy in its adolescence, she certainly discovers just as many things that she likes or finds beautiful.
Plain and simple, Americans collectively have a hard time taking criticism, especially from an outsider...and at that time, political criticism from a woman was deemed absurd if not audacious.
Last but not least, Fanny Trollope is always sure to preface anything she says with the conscious realization that she can only speak for what she has seen/heard personally and is thereby not judging ALL of America.
Trollope is witty and anecdotal and I think anyone interested in what an outspoken Englishwoman had to say about the New World should certainly pick up a copy. I found particular interest in gender/religious issues but got the most laughs out of her descriptions of American manners (or the lack thereof).
It is always interesting to see how much things have changed, and better yet, how many things have remained exactly the same!

Very entertaining read of the author's trip through 19th Century America, full of wonderful description and enlightening observations. Despite the griping below, Mrs Trollope simply reports what she sees - men spitting tobacco on the floor, ladies off in another room while the guys have a good time, etc. She reports accurately on our forefathers' rugged pioneer spirit, but points out the lack of education everywhere. We want to shout "lies!" but Mark Twain wrote about the same thing, and the aspects of our society that haven't changed much are still being commented on with the same frankness by writers like Saul Bellow, Gore Vidal, Dawn Powell, Paul Theroux and Joan Didion. Many true-hearted Americans will enjoy this book no end. Mrs Trollope clearly loved America and simply wrote truthfully about; she is simply beholden to no one - the essence of good writing. A thoroughly refreshing read.

just finished reading this great book a long overdue read for me and I enjoyed it and it spoke to what I have always thought. Some of it would be political incorrect to say but to me it is what I have felt about being a sissy and how we need to man up in more ways than one. It has been a thorn in my side to see these young men and older men to diss their masculinity and/or let their orientation hold them back. I have to admit that it almost got me because I worked and played with some of these brothers and eventually took on some of their mannerisms. I had to remove myself out of this environment to regain me, reclaim the masculinity I was slowly loosing and redefine my spirituality. I'm not dissing fem men or some of the peeps I hanged with in the past. I just know that wasn't me; fem was not right for me but I took some of it on to fit in and yes it was fun sometimes but it wasn't me. I see a lot of other brothers like me who have done it too we came out just being our natural masculine self but then twist it up a bit to fit in but that's neither here nor there now. I said I had to redefine my spirituality too because I was once one of those brothers who would sit up in church knowing what was coming out of that preachers mouth was wrong and just let what he said beat up my spirit and my self esteem all the while saying amen. Today that has changed and not only since I learn the truth that matched what my spirit was trying to tell me have been a blessing to me but to others who I come in contact with. I feel Mr. Setfrey and I are kindred spirits in a sense because I feel we share the same views on masculinity, sexuality, and spirituality. As a matter of fact the book he wrote is one I had hope to have written but it is a blessing he has put it out and given our young brothas like us and younger and older a chance to find a book that can speak to them and give them some guidance. Thanks Benn for a well written book that is informative and entertaining it was a confirmation for me and a blessing. I'm a grad student now and working on my own business.

Mike, 37
Philadelphia

I got this book from BENN over the weekend and started to read it when I got home. I couldn't put it down! It was well-written and REAL. I have had the pleasure of knowing BENN personally and he is as real as his book. (talk about a great voice!!) I would recommend this book to anyone contemplating advice from the "nay-sayers". B- - keep up the good work!
Love ya!

Steph

I was hesitant to begin this book for fear of what I would learn. Once I began, I could not put it down. I finished it in ONE day !! It is definitely a positive conversation piece and an eye-opener to all closed eyes, or shall I say peekers into understanding homosexuality. Thank you Ben Setfrey for enlightening me and best wishes to you and your Mr. Right.

I had serious reservations about reading the book because I'm a heterosexual, Christian female. I was wondering how the author was going to set me straight. Needless to say, my curiosity got the best of me so I decided to read the book. I not only found it extremely interesting, but it had me laughing out loud. The author's sense of humor was outstanding (especially the "Sex Education chapter" which included Ms. Phattas and Ms. Knapps)! Furthermore, Benn Setfrey has a common sense approach to real life situations and he speaks from the heart. It is definitely a "Must Read" for all regardless of race, sex, class, age or sexual orientation.

After reading Benn's book, I am much more aware of what young gay children are going through at the hands of our churches, the society at large, and (God forbids) at home! As an African American woman, I have endured oppression as long as I can remember by our society, our church, and our men. I have been too busy thinking about my own pain to give much thought to the pain of our young (and old) gay persons in our society. Many of us believe that homosexuals choose to be gay,but that race and gender is not a choice, so in effect, gay people bring their pain upon themselves. Benn straightens us all out here and gives us a lot to think about when he tells us, Living gay is a choice, but "Being gay" is not a choice. Benn you have opened my eyes, ears and heart with your very provocative book. This book is a "must read" for all of us, gay, straight, old and young alike, but more importantly, for parents who are ignorant as I was, to many of the challenges that young gay people are up against on a daily basis brought on by the forces in our society that we whole dear, i.e. church, family, community and our government.

I loved this book! Basically, it's a collection of short (some very short) stories about the author's life on and off the oil rigs of the world, the people he meets along the way and his reflections on all of it.

The writer is clever and extremely funny, he has the knack for telling a story that makes you feel as though you're at a party with him and he's a good mate just back from the rigs. He's also extremely honest about his past, his mistakes (sometimes with dire consequences for him and his friends) and his love life.

I have talked about some of his stories at parties and had people in tears with laughter.

I particularly liked that the author knew where a story should end. He didn't pad them out with uninteresting facts, he just told his stories and let them end where they should.

This book is heaps of fun and has the added advantage of being great for busy people; just read a story and pick it up again when you have a free 5 minutes.

I end up buying a lot of books that document people's interesting adventures in far away places. Some of them turn out to be poorly written or boring, but NOT THIS BOOK. I read it in a day, and loved it. While I'm in the oil industry, and that might help viusalize some of the places he ended up in, it's not at all necessary to have a background to enjoy this book- the majority of it is actually his travels to and from the rig. Love the crazy cast of characters, variety of pets, and especially the Brunei native whose dog had a dog...

Paul Carter's "Don't Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs (she thinks I'm a Piano Player in a Whorehouse" is the first book I've read in a single sitting in over a decade.

This is a hilarious lad book that follows the outrageous life of Paul Carter, who is among those nomadic and enigmatic outlaws who work on oil rigs around the world.

Oddly, there is little about rigs in detail chronicled. Rather, Carter builds his tale around the odd characters and the remote and improbable settings of oil rigs, dealing in turn with boredom, drinking, outrageous anti-social acts, elaborate practical jokes and the bizarre pets he and his comrades of the derricks collect along the way.

Carter's narrative is clean and direct, something that apparently comes naturally to him (while other authors struggle for years to lean-up their prose reading endless swatches of Raymond Carver to do so).

But it is Carter's human and animal characters that haunt: for indeed any lad who has gone off on adventures (working in Alaska salmon fishing and canning for me) recognizes the human flotsam and jetsam depicted here. Those with a past, those who'd like to forget a past, those who'd like others to forget their past, and those who have no future other than their immediate animal needs in the present are all here, faithfully and fatefully sketched like so many guys you've known. Carter makes rig workers into that odd fraternity of a modern French Foreign Legion.

This book surprised me - don't be fooled by the title. It is hilarious. Paul seems to be one of those people whose life is a series of laughable events. Highly recommended reading.

I laughed out loud at this book. I found I could not put it down until it was finished. Even if you are not familiar with the oil industry (I'm not) the book is a must read.