Biographies Books

guess im just gonna put this out there...
michael, i never knew you but you were so special and i know that now. i know steven and i know he didnt mean what he felt and now he feels so guilty but he shouldn't should he?
i wish i could have knwn you but after reading your book and meeting everyone who loved you i feel like your my friend.
and your dream will come true. i just know it and its all going to be because of you.

I love this book~ I ordered it from his website in 2001 and his story has totally inspired me to make a difference and has turned my life around, I now aspire to become a pediatric oncologist. I think this book is great for all ages! There are alot of facts but it wasn't confusing at all... I totally understood what was going on. I especially recommend this book to teenagers not neccesarily with a health problem but because these days, teenagers need a positive role model in life and Michael a great role model to follow! This book talks about various stages throughout his cancer and it has a lot of personal feelings and family reactions. This book ends with Michael triumphantly winning his struggle as you may be familiar. I honestly think that is will inspire anyone! He is very much my hero~ Even with his tragic death, I still consider him #1. He is the world's greatest...

I truely do believe this is one of the best books ever written. You can see right into Michael's life as he struggles with cancer, which threatens to kill him many times. The book is set up in a "diary" format, with actual exerpts from his grandmother's diary. At the end of the book, there are lyrics to Michael's songs on his solo CD (purchase at [internet address]) as well as the thoughts/situations that inspired him to compose each song. There are a lot of rare pictures in here, too. The book is not all sad cancer stuff, though. You also read about his life as a singer/actor and his "normal" school life. The book ends on a happy note that he is finally recovered, but unfortunately, that isn't how Mike's story ends. He died of complications in January of 2000. This is a wonderful story of a heroic boy who would do anything to help the world. I recommend it wholeheartedly! This book is good if you are a fan of Michael (or 2Gether) or even if you just want to learn about cancer -- the book discusses the different medicines/treatments/etc.

I think this book is great, it tells about his life and how much of a brave person he was or is. If you are a 2Gether fan or just a Michael Cuccione fan then you need to own this book.

"Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; but only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay."
Robert Frost

This is far most the most heart warming book I've ever read! I have read it many times and I still cry I cried for Michael on the day of his death, I remembered back when my friends and I had backstage passes to see them and Britney Spears I was 15 at the time and now I'm soon to be 17, I remember how sweet and caring he was and so funny he remined me of my little brother who sadly passed away two years before Michael, My little brother would be 13 this year, I still can't believe that they are gone but I still remember that their not really gone they are still here with is in our hearts and I hope that you will go out and buy this book because it will bring you closer to Michael, God Bless You Michael and Brian! we will be 2get+her again!

Love Always and Forever,
Lindsey McCartney

This book is very detailed but you have to be wary of the slants. Sugden writes witness Matthew Packer down and dismisses his important testimony, and he also leaves out an important section of a letter that was published in the Telegraph in November which alludes to the capture of the killer (the "hideous bellowing of the news boys" letter). He also gets the Hanbury Street writing wrong. This was "Five - another fifteen and I give myself up." Sugden has it has "Four - another sixteen and I give myself up" - an absurd message which gets the total right but has changed the compenents to fit the assumption that the Fairy Fay murder did not happen. I find the book fairly morbid and irksome to read, and this is not because of the fascinating subject matter but the way that it is written. This subject needs a sharp-eyed Daniel Defoe, or a Jack the Ripper A-Z with all the rubbish taken out.

There's not a lot I can add to the great reviews other people have given it except to say that this book, while not being released as recently as some others, is still essential reading for anyone with an interest in the facts about the Jack the Ripper case. Sugden is a historian with impeccable credentials and research skills whose insights are a welcome addition to Ripperology.

I got interested in this book knowing that I was soon going to see the JtR exhibit in London, so I started reading it before I left on my trip. Unfortunately, when I got to the actual exhibit in July of `08, there was little there that the book hadn't covered--although I got to see some of the original police reports, the Ripper letters, and an interesting timeline display of suspects (most recently added to in 2007). This book is organized in such a way that it gives an intimate profile of both the victims and the suspects and the crimes themselves--which were truly horrific. The author relies mainly on contemporary sources, yet certain references make you aware that he has pawed over other accounts proclaiming "evidence" in order to separate the wheat from the chaff. So what you get is real scholarship, of a sort, and the author's best guess at the end as to Jack's identity. The many photos in this book also help to tell this unhappy story. Will this mystery ever be solved? I doubt it, having read how many missing pieces there are . . .

First let me state the categories of people who should (please note the emphasis) study (not 'read') this book: -
1. Anybody who is interested in the any or all of the following: the Whitechappel killings, the subsequent frenzy, investigation into the murders, armchair investigations by "Mycroft" wannabes, and the literally literary withchhunt being carried out over the past century & more to "unmask" the killer;
2. Anybody who is interested in understanding the socio-economic dynamics of the world's largest, richest, proudest and yet ruthlessly exploitative (of its own citizens, esp. the young and the women) city at that point of time when the nails were finally being hammered into the coffin of the 19th Century that had experienced the pinnacle of British glory;
3. Anybody who, after being overfed on the serial killers (Hannibal et.al) produced by the "hot" American novelists, actually wishes to know how it is like to be chasing a black cat in an enormous dark cavern while blindfolded;
4. Anybody who actually thinks that "the truth" might have been out there at some stage, but even with a centuries old "cold" case something can be done (unlike some trashy attempt sub-titled: "CASE CLOSED").

This book is not only accurate and free from all the popular & obscure misconceptions, it is also a living proof that history can be made more attactive than fiction while staying rigorously free from falsehoods. Recommended to everybody belonging to the afore-mentioned 4 categories as well as to all who, after reading some new adventure pitting Sherlock Holmes against Jack the Ripper, start pondering over "what if.."-s.

Like many others, I have been interested in the story of Jack the Ripper. When I finally decided to read about the crimes, I wanted to read only the best, most definitive account. I believe that Sugden's book fits the bill. He sticks only to the facts; when he theorizes, he presents an opposing view as well. He does not claim to know who Jack the Ripper was, but he does put forth a theory. After having finished this book, I cannot imagine that there is much of anything else to know about the case. I would highly, highly recommend this book to anyone interested in reading an emotionless, fact-filled book about Jack the Ripper to pick this one up.

If you want to know about Mike Yon's background and what makes him tick, read Danger Close.

The thing I will remember most about this book is that, surprisingly, it was a deeply touching tribute to his mother. The military stuff is all extremely interesting, to the point where you won't be able to put it down. But the book goes far deeper. It's a timeless story from the heart -- one that every son wishes he could write for his mother. On the outside, the author is a tough-as-nails soldier. But on the inside, he's still a little boy who continually reaches back to his mother's love to guide him through life. This is as it should be. God bless all the good mothers of the world.

I haven't read this book yet (sorry for the 5 star rating), but have picked up on his online magazine (blog). Michael Yon has and is travelling all around Iraq - mostly in the hotspots with the U.S. Army (Strykers), where he does his reporting. I find his weekly dispatches informative and interesting, and will definitely be picking up his book. If you liked his book, please go to http://michaelyon.blogspot.com/ and start reading at the bottom (where he started writing) and work your way up. New dispatches posted weekly (mostly). Also, it seems he's doing this out of his own pocket, so donate towards his blog if you can. From his online magazine:

Michael Yon, author of "Danger Close," is currently in Iraq. Email: [...] Michael Yon is an independent, informed observer chronicling the monumentally important events in the efforts to stabilize Iraq. His dispatches have the benefit of his life experiences without drawbacks based on deadlines or demands of marketplace. The cost of these dispatches is borne solely by Michael. Readers who enjoy these dispatches and want to support Michael's mission in Iraq, can make a contribution using the PayPal links

Mr. Yon is currently in Northern Iraq and writes periodic pieces on the web about his experiences with American forces. He is a very dedicated and personable guy who is just trying to do the right thing. I enjoyed this book very much but would have liked to know what happened after the car wreck. How did his SF career end,etc. Anyway those of you who are interested in personal military type accounts will definetly enjoy this book. It received an award for his writing style.

Although Mike Yon and myself both graduated from Winter Haven High School it was years apart and I never had the pleasure of meeting him. I found the book enjoyable because I could relate to some of the local places that he mentioned. But the story was well written and interesting besides being informative despite that fact. Charles E. Gist author of the historical fiction novel "The Other Side of The River"

I have just finnished reading The Long Road Home and must commend Martha Raddatz on her brilliant book. I have been a friend of the Weibleys(Trysha)for years and decided that it was past due for me to read. It was not political or opinionated in any way, it was factual and desctiptive like nothing I have ever read.Since There is one part of this book where Seth gets out to clean a windshild..knowing him the way I do, I HAD to laugh through the tears. It was just soooo something he would do.
Thank you for writing this amazing book for the world to read. It is integral to all Americans to know what REALLY happend that day. I know that the Weibleys apreciate it as do I and all that I will be passing this on to.

I saw Martha Raddatz speak at the Pritzker Military Library last week (June 2008) and bought the book there on the spot. I have read it straight through in a couple of days and wish that every American would read this book or one with a similar story. It seems that Iraq has become background noise in light of the energy crisis and the country's economic woes.

It's easy to forget that we are at war and that American servicemen are losing their lives. This book brings that reality home. It's not a fun read - it's a distinctly uncomfortable and sometimes depressing one. But reading stories like this might go some ways towards breaking through this desensitization we seem to have as a country when it comes to the war in Iraq.

I think that the portions of the book written from the view of the soldiers are solid and really brought me into the action of that awful battle. I won't ever know what it is like to be a soldier who engages in battle and is wounded or sees friends wounded or, worse, killed in action. But this book at least makes me really think about it and gives a good description of how these soldiers felt.

On the other hand, I did not think that the parts of the book written from the perspective of the families was as strong. I am not sure if this is the result of Ms. Raddatz respecting the wives of the killed soldiers and not interviewing them directly or just because her passion lies with the stories that these men have to tell more than with the stories of their families. Either way, it made the book feel a little unbalanced to me.

All that being said, I think that this book is important. The story that it tells is important not only because the battle it details was a turning point in the war but because it reminds us that our fellow countrymen are going through unspeakable things. This war remains relevant and I applaud the efforts of Ms. Raddatz and others like her for fighting to keep it in the media.

This book is a must read in this election year. Put all else aside, pick up this book and struggle through the reality of what is going on and few of us bother to realize. This is not a pleasant read, this is not a feel good story. This is the truth of what happens when politicians make decisions based on their own legacy in mind. This is how those decisions affect you, me and our neighbors. These kids are in a horrible situation in Iraq. If the evidence to enter the war was real, OK, this is duty. In retrospect, this is a sin. No one should face 10 minutes of what these husbands, boyfirends, sons and daughters are going through. Martha Raddatz did an incredible job of piecing this story together. If 10 % of this is accurate, no one should be subjected to this kind of horror. I can tell you, having had a brother serve in Vietnam in the late 60s, there is nothing you hope to avoid than a taxi, your parish priest or minister, and a stranger dressed in a military uniform in the middle of the night. Soldiers,, families are all suffering, the problem is, they are in the minority. The majority of us simply bitch about high gas prices. We don't have a clue what is going on. Read this book and become informed. When you vote in November, consider what you are doing, seriously. Is this war in the middle east worth it? Is it winnable? Is there an honorable way out. Don't just assume there is, understand what these soldiers are going through and make sure the way you vote is not going to prolong this disaster.

In Iraq right now and had to read this. Wasn't as good as I thought it would be but it gives a perspective.

Excellent read about the war in Iraq. I bought this book after I found parts contained action my son was involved in. Found my son's name and picture of truck he was in. He was trying to save Cindy Sheenan's son Casey. He was ambushed also and was hit in his foot. They lost eight good soliders that day. I hope they make a movie someday. My son is a IV and he was shot on 4-4-4 in Sadr City Iraq. He now has PTSD and is divorced from the woman he loves. Where is Cindy Sheenan now?

Have you been searching for spiritual truth and have had to traverse the myriad of paths? This is the book to read as it contains what one truly needs to know in one book. The teachings contained in this book plants the seeds for the expansion of mind for higher consciousness.

this book has obviously meant a lot, and many things, to many people.

possibly Ouspensky's work overall has some of the beauty of the late 19th and early 20th centuries about it.

usually I wonder how this book would have turned out had he published it himself. the author might have changed some things, written a preface, and so forth; that is, provided an orientation for the reader.

written after the fact, it may even show the author's reservations from the first chapter, not the last, and the fact that he recorded his teacher's statements doesn't necessarily mean that he endorsed them all -- duh!

This is an extraordinary mind-altering book, if you allow it to be.

You cannot truly understand G.'s teachings from your own perspective. You have to see it from the perspective that G. wants you to see it from. You have to relinquish your current thinking and surrender to his view, then you can see the truth that lies behind the illusions... This is his way of teaching, not by ways of deception, but through submission. By showing you the possibilities that lie within another dimension of perception. Only then can you truly see your 'self'.

P.D. Ospensky as a teenager decided to forgo an academic education and instead to search for or hidden knowledge. His search lead him to study Theosophy, to travels in the East, to India, and such. Yet, he remained dissatisfied with what he found. Little did he know that he would find what he was looking for (The Miraculous) in a teacher who showed up from the East in his very own Moscow!

This book is about Ouspensky's experiences learning from this teacher, a mystic and very strange one at that, G.I. Gurjieff.

Gurjieff teaches Ospenskys things he never knew, gives him experiences he never thought possible. This book is Ouspesnky's gift to us from of what he learned and experienced.

Certainly, this book works mostly on the intellectual mind, and yet, Ouspensky frequently tells us that we must find an 'emotional state' and that, my friends, is 'The Work'.

This is easily the most important book I have ever read, and afterwards, I could lo longer see the world the same, or live my life in the same way.

If I was forced to have only one book, this would be it. Not for the Herd or Lazy. No fluff around the edges, tells it like it really is.

I watched the excellent TV movie made of this book when I was around 8 and then read the book over and over, until it fell apart. It absolutely broke my heart. When I was in high school and I met my first husband, I found out that he had lost a stepbrother to cystic fibrosis, who made it to the age of 18 before he died. Years later, my first husband still had the things Scotty willed to him, a poster and all of his Weird Al tapes (the Make a Wish Foundation helped Scotty to meet Weird Al at a concert and got to go backstage, shortly before he died). His remaining stepbrother, shortly after we married, married a woman with three children. Her youngest, a daughter, had severe CF. We loved her dearly, and was devastated when she died, like Alex, at the age of 8.
This is a heartbreaking book, but it's worth it. After you're done reading the book, donate money to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Another heartbreaking story on their site explains why they use roses on a lot of their promotional materials. A mother on the Board of Directors who had several kids with cystic fibrosis, was overheard by her toddler son on a phone call. He was too young to understand what she was saying, and too young to know he had a fatal disease, so he asked his mother what "sixty-five roses" meant. Many children now call CF "sixty five roses" and that's why the CF Foundation uses rose imagery.

excellent service. book received in excellent condition, just as described. would definitely order through bookrescue again.

As the father of an 8 year old daughter with CF (who even sorta looks like Alex), you can imagine that this is not an easy read for me. I read it once 8 years ago, when she was diagnosed, and it was bad....I have tried to re-read it again 8 years later and it's even harder to get through. Not a day goes by where I don't think about that I most likely will have to go thru what Frank did.
I"m not sure i'll be able to handle it. My optimism that there will be a cure in time has dwindled to stark reality that it's not likely to happen soon enough. Thank you Frank for writing this, at least I know i'm not alone.

After supporting Cystic Fibrosis as one of my personal charities for many years, I saw this book in a used book store and bought it. I didn't read it for some time. In fact, it was after I met a family who had a son with CF. I became friends with him - and only a few months later, close to his 21st birthday, he was gone. Then I read the book.. I must say, this is a heartbreaker - but Alex is such an amazing young girl! Written from the experiences of a father watching this terrible disease take his little girl. I strongly recommend reading - and then reaching out to your local Cystic Fibrosis Chapter.

My daughter was diagnosed with CF 4 months ago at the age of 2.5 yrs. I was immediately drawn to books written from the parent perspective (it seems most are written by young adults who have it), and I first read "From a Taste of Salt" and then "Alex".

I mostly loved this book; I love how well Deford delves into the psychological aspects (of ALL the family) of having a child in the house with this disease. I can easily picture in my dealings with my own daughter many of the conversations with Alex he relates.

There are two things I disliked. One is that he really over-makes Alex to be a saint. Everyone says my daughter is so sweet and so good at taking her medicines and therapy and yadda yadda, but would you ever say the OPPOSITE to a parent with a sick child? My daughter is still a toddler and no saint, but Deford leaves out most of the day-to-day "normal" parts of her life that would show her regular humanity instead of her sainthood.

Secondly, It became obvious at times that Deford was, unfortunately, projecting some of his own thoughts, feelings, and memories onto Alex's actions. I do not blame him for this one bit, considering the great devistation it is to lose a child and then try to write about it. But for some reason it really annoyed me.

Overall an excellent book, and I recommend it to any parent with a newly diagnosed child struggling through the emotional and psychological steps of accepting CF. You find out that you are not alone in your many confusing thoughts. I only wish he had perhaps been a more religious man, and touched on the acceptance of this disease from God.

One of my all-time favorites. This is the second copy purchased. Never got the other returned.

27 years ago my English teacher at a private international boarding school in Malaysia read this book to me in class. Wow! A dramatic, exciting, story about a true adventure that includes that angst of a Christian trying to understand and do what he believes God wants him to; including leaving home and being a missionary at 19!

The author writes well and the reader can feel Bruchko's emotions, smell the humid jungle and the unwashed bodies sleeping in hammocks in smoky huts. You live the adventure with the writer and Bruce Olsen helps you reflect on your own journey of faith as you observe, through reading, Bruce's personal pilgrimage and adventure.

I have read this book several times and am now reading it to my own students at the international boarding school I currently teach at in Korea.

If you have ANY interest in missions or young people or Christian faith or adventure (or any combination of these) then buy and read this book. Well written, exciting to read; enjoy it!

Even though I haven't gotten a chance to read this book since it arrived a week ago, I'm giving it 5 stars because my husband got a hold of it first and read it before me and absolutely loved it, and now I've ordered the next book for him. My son now has the book, so I'm not sure when I'll actually get to read it myself, but I'm looking forward to reading about how Bruchko - Bruce Olson - trusted God with everything. What an encouragement, and what a challenge!

Great book. Amazing story. Very inspiring. Easy read, and you won't want to put it down.

This book is an outcry for those who want to see a Christian life given to God to serve whatever purpose that He has. The story is of a man, Bruce Olsen, who as a child comes to know God through Jesus and begins to be persecuted by his parents who eventually kick him out as a young teenager. The book is a story of Bruce's life thereafter, in which he constantly is given to seeking and trying to find the will of God and the place where he needs to be. It is an illustration of someone doing the work of the Almighty and being blessed for it and being taken care of out of nowhere when he had nothing and noone else to look to. This book should be read, and it will be read quickly by those who pick it up, by any person who claims to be a Christian. It may shock many to see the way they are living is nothing like the way that it should be, and this book is a good example of that life.

Great book, super entertaining and funny, yet overall, very thoughtful. A must read for anyone who knows a "hyper-chondriac", let alone is one themselves.

Brian Frazer has written a funny, touching, wonderfully memorable book that I'd recommend to anyone who asked. One of the most impressive things about the text is how it starts with a great momentum that never lets up (not an easy thing to do). Most memoirs leave me cold--they tend to fall prey self-pity or self-congratulations. Frazer avoids the traps, and leaves us with a great memoir.

He's a REALLY talented writer and I look forward to whatever he comes up with next. A fan.

Between his honest and touching recollection of what life was like for him growing up and the vast range of therapies he experimented with in search for some solid self-help, he is not afraid to reveal his humanness and make fun of himself. I love books that involve a serious subject and yet are infused with so much humor that they reassure you that it is okay to be vulnerable, kind of like Dry by Augusten Burroughs. I have tried many alternative therapies myself but Brian Frazer's willingness to try unorthodox approaches was impressive and the outcomes were hysterical. This book was not only entertaining, but actually could be useful for people suffering from anxiety who seek alternatives to medication.

If you're the kind of person who's almost disappointed when it turns out your headache doesn't actually signal a brain tumor, or that your stiff neck is not the result of viral meningitis, then here's an aspirational book for you! Author Brian Frazer is one sick guy. He acquires obscure ailments, conditions and disorders with the ease of a web millionaire accumulating Russian mail-order brides. And boy, is Brian ever angry! Funny, but angry. Apparently, his rage pilot light never goes out. Turns out he grew up in a clan of kooks, and the effect on Brian was nature vs nurture in an internal war that still rages today - much to the delight of his vast retinue of acupunturists, yoga gurus, Kabbalah coaches, Indian nutritionists, etc. One of my favorite aspects of this well-written quirkfest is the child-like trust he places in each new "healer", even in light of their quack credentials. Brian's genuine desire to calm his unruly brain and body, along with the comedic self-awareness of his excesses, helped counter my amused horror at his bizarre outbursts and episodes. Brian's rudder appears to be his forebearing wife, Nancy, who tolerates his various quests with saintly mildness. "Poor Nancy!" was my unspoken refrain as Brian's full weirdness unfolded. The funniest thing was when I tried to discuss the memoir with my husband after I'd finished, but it was like we'd read two different books. I'd enjoyed the tale of an ultra-intense fellow who embarks on ridiculous procedures to control unrealistic amounts of stress brought on by seemingly nothing at all. By contrast, my husband found it to be a highly-relatable account of a can-do guy ingeniously coping with everyday problems. Now I'm wondering who I married.

HYSTERICAL.

Such a creative and imaginative writer. The scenarios he comes up with are AWESOME. I sometimes find myself thinking "oh my God, is he living in my head?!?". His humor and ridiculous stories have actually helped me past certain things in my life and have helped me to realize that i'm not insane (not certifiably anyway)!!

I love, love, love this book. I recommend it to anyone and everyone.

i really loved this book if i was born around his time i would have been his friend i love how he stood up for his beliefs and went back to school in stuff even though he didn't get to gradulate, but he still lived a great in fun life it was short but he did things with it i'm young but my aunt past away with AIDS and after reading this book it really touch me i was crying because i felt so bad what ryan went though but he didn't let it get to him. He was so strong he got people believing again.

In fifth grade we were introduced to an illness called AIDS. We also learned about a boy named Ryan White. I took an interest to this story because I have an illness called diabetes and have to deal with how different people react and treat me because of it. Just like Ryan and AIDS diabetes is not contagious and there are no know ways to prevent or cure it. I have heard many different reactions when they find out that I have Diabetes. The most commom being "Did you eat too much sugar or something?" Most of the time I just laugh at this and explain that you have no control over getting Diabetes. I took an interest in school that year and by doing so I found myself a role model...Ryan White.

When I was young I remeber a copy of People magazine that my mom had lying around with Ryan White on the cover. For some reason I always took an interest to him, and his life, and all the article that I could find on him. In high school I remeber reading part of it to do an exta credit project. Finally 2 year out of high school I decided to reread the story of his life. It is amazing how people really are. It really hit home, not living too far from Kokomo, Indiana where he was from, that people in my community would treat people this way. It is also amazing how much determination he had to be who he was and not let anyone or anything get in the way. This book is great!!!! Everyone should read it and put themselves in this families shoes!!

Today is World AIDS Day and each year I remember my childhood friend, Ryan White. His sister and I were both Rollerskaters and skated in the same skating rinks. Knowing Ryan personally and having his book for years now, it is still a story that resonates with me. It is true, thoughtful, and in his own words.

I'll never forget the hatred the spewed from the city of Kokomo against him. It was such a devastating blow to his well being. Not only did he have this death sentence, but the entire town was treating him worse than what you would treat a pig going to slaughter. I am not joking. I remember seeing him at the skating rink one day, it was a time when he wasn't as sick so he was able to be a kid. I went up to him to give him a hug because I hadn't seen him in so long and he said, "You want to hug ME?" He was shocked that someone would want to touch him. That's how bad it was.

Read his book. He is the reason people with AIDS are accepted now. This friend of mine had more courage than anyone I have ever met.

I read this book upon entering seventh grade. Ryan's story was so empowering and so honest that I often feel the need just to sit down and read a chapter by random. Everytime I read it I cry. This auto- biography has inspired me to help in the relief and research for AIDS. I have done reports on the disease and Ryan and teachers often comment about how passionate I am about the subject. This book changed the way I veiw life; a treasure that should'nt be wasted. Thank you Ryan.

Not one of the worst books I've ever read but pretty close. Sorry I bought it and am not passing it on to friends. Perhaps it was the subject matter that first intrigued and in the end alienated me but I had to force myself to finish because I couldn't believe the plot. I kept hoping for some relevant message. Mary Magdalene, the original feminist and Mary the Mother of God, the worn out, bitter, stay at home Mom? I won't even try to describe her take on Jesus. Not my cup of nectar. I'll certainly make every effort to keep this book a "secret".

It's embarrassing to say this, but I was told to read this book by a friend who gushed about it. Normally, I run away from books that are gushed about. But I had to read it. She stood over me until I did. Now it's my turn to gush. Read this book. If you're looking for everything in a book: a great read, beauty, real characters, adventure, action, secrets, and deep meaning, well, you've found it. Now I'm gushing.

Though the cover states "What the DaVinci Code only hinted at, this brings to life" is only partially true. Yes, it shows Mary Magdalene as Jesus's companion and intellectual peer, but no, it doesn't reveal any more of their relationship. In fact, it shrouds in diffucult prose what their relationship was, how they spent their time together (other than walking everywhere silently), and how they collectively orchestrated Jesus's resurrection to fulfill prophesy and give the people the Messiah they so desperately needed and sought. Through Mary's voice, it turns the miracles, the parables, and the events described in the Bible as basically misunderstood by the disciples, and therefore calls into question their historical and spiritual validity. This viewpoint, though creative and well-composed, made it all too convenient for me. I'm no Biblical scholar, but I do know some of the pivotal points in the Gospels, and what's more miraculous to me is how Mary Magdalene, whether clothed as herself or as John the Less, is at every one of them and has an explanation as to how they each came to be that's at odds with what's recorded in the gospels. I would agree with an earlier reviewer who found the ending a disappointment. I won't go into it, in case there's a reader out there who doesn't want me to give it away, but be prepared - it will let you down. DaVinci code went further than this, without going into all the details of Mary's (Miriamne's) life. Read it for the interesting perspective, but don't read it for salacious and informed details regarding Mary's and Jesus's relationship.

I can't count the times I cried reading this book. Or the times I laughed. Or the times I wondered at how the author made such perfect sense of all the stories, interpretations, arguments, historical events, warring religious factions, as well as getting under the skin of each and every rich and delicious character. My understanding of what might very well be a true "Truth" as I read got clearer and clearer and if I wasn't crying or laughing, I was going aha! yes! could be! why not? never thought of it that way! wow!

The theology is brilliant. The philosophy is brilliant. But it's also a brilliant read. This is a historical novel so it has all that those who read historical novels could want: an Alexandria, Egypt when the Great Library still beckoned, the Holy Land when the temple was the center of Jewish belief, Rome when Tiberius was emperor. It has adventures and quests and love and despair and thrill and danger and derring-do and, best of all, Meaning. The story means something that will stay with you long long after you close the book.

I've read a few reviews that loved the book but said they had a little trouble at first with the style of writing. But that's perfect too. It's like reading Gone With the Wind, the King James version. It's literature on a high level but in no way does this mean "difficult." It means this is a real writer telling a real story that needs to be told.

Although well written, this book takes all the writings of the New Testament regarding Jesus the Christ and his followers as not only ordinary, but, provides a story line that discredits any miraculous happenings, including the resurrection of Jesus. The book provides information on the times and geographical areas mentioned in the New Testament and develops the personalities of various followers of Jesus in ways that are most interesting. However, I would caution anyone planning on reading this book to know that all miraculous events will be given a non-miraculous context.