Non-fiction Books

The Devil's Story Book is about a devil that disguises him self as different people every day. The Devil's Story Book has different events in every chapter about the devil doing different tasks to steal, catch, and grant wishes. We think the devils story book is mischievous, adventurous, and hilarious. We truly think you should read this book!!

The Devil's storybook is a touching, funny, and wonderful book. Though it has some language in it like Hell, we think it is an appropriate book for all ages. It's about a Devil who goes into the world, disguised as a fairy godmother, hobo, and towns people. Each wonderful chapter has a new setting for the Devil. Towards the beginning of the book, the Devil goes into the world and meets a beautiful lady. The Devil goes into her cabin. He reminds her of her beauty and asks her if he can take her beauty back to Hell. If you want to know what happened to her, then you'll have to read the Devil's Storybook.

Rating: Five stars

GG 5th grade students

The stories are extremely short, cunning, and witty - great for children and adults. Ms. Babbitt includes hilarious puns that are well placed throughout the book. The sentences are simple to read and the moral or ending of each story is amusing. My most favorite is the last one, "The Power of Speech". In general, no matter which species one belongs to - humans, animals, devils - one should always consider the consequences of one's actions and words.

I love this book! In this story a devil tries to turn hell into heaven. Like I say, try it, if you don't like it put it aside!

I LIKED IT!

...because the Devil herein seems almost like an ordinary person, just with an itch to make trouble and boss minor demons around. Both this and its companion volume, THE DEVIL'S OTHER STORYBOOK, were illustrated by the author; the original cover art of each shows the Devil reading the book. (He's drawn in standard Mephistopheles style, goatee, horns, tail, cloven hooves - and whenever he's shown in disguise in an individual story's illustration, the tail is visible to the reader, curled up behind his back or whatnot.)

Both books open with a stanza or two from the poet Robert Southey, "From his brimstone bed, at break of day, a-walking the Devil is gone, to look at his little snug farm of the World, and see how his stock went on." Most (but not all) the stories follow that pattern - the Devil getting bored and going out for a stroll to stir things up. He doesn't buy souls at all - he just makes trouble on his occasional visits to the world and people make their own decisions about how to handle their problems.

Most of the stories (all very short) have a kind of moral, if you look at them carefully, but Babbitt has a light touch.

"Wishes" On a dull day, 'the Devil fished around in his bag of disguises, dressed himself as a fairy godmother, and came up into the World to find someone to bother.' But the first two people he encounters are a crabby old woman and an old man who's at peace with himself - and each foils the old boy (the old lady's comeback catches even the Devil off guard). But along comes contestant #3, a foolish young man.

"The Very Pretty Lady" had many suitors, but wanted to be loved for herself - or so she said, although truth be told she enjoyed her looks and the fawning young men very much. Then the Devil got to hear of her, and figured she was just what he needed to brighten up the place, and went out to have a look at her, and set about coaxing her to join him of her own free will.

"The Harps of Heaven" - the Devil doesn't have any, and he's been stung by a nagging piano teacher's remarks about the quality of music in Hell, so when a pair of brothers who were the best thieves in the world wind up on his doorstep, he's got a little job for them.

"The Imp in the Basket" Instead of following the Devil's activities, this follows a very good man - a clergyman who tries to think well of everybody - beginning with the most severe test of his life: a little imp has been left on his doorstep, a devil's baby rather than a human one. But he knows that even the Devil was an angel once, so maybe there's hope even for this little one.

"Nuts" The Devil, like anybody else who eats walnuts, complains about the nuisance of cracking them open - then gets a bright idea about how to trick a human into doing it for him: hide a pearl inside a walnut shell, then tempt a greedy person into opening the lot looking for more pearls. But as often happens, his mischief doesn't work out the way he planned.

"A Palindrome" is a word or phrase that's the same whether spelled backward or forward. In this case, the Devil wants a particular artist - a painter whose pictures are much admired in Hell, but who's a good man - to become his #1 painter, so after the artist has produced his 40th picture, the Devil sets about making life difficult for him to tempt him away from his good life.

"Ashes" Mr. Bezzle (yes, Babbitt likes puns occasionally), a bad man 'who made a great deal of money by cheating shamefully', was cremated after he died, and his ashes on the mantel of his widow's house were just as warm as he himself was. But when a grumpy housemaid knocked the urn over and was careless about sweeping up, he couldn't understand why a pig suddenly showed up in Hell and began following him around. :)

"Perfection" The Devil (like some readers, to be honest) has gotten fed up with a goody-two-shoes little girl named Angela, and he's determined to annoy her into losing her temper a few times so she'll stop being so perfect.

"The Rose and the Minor Demon" The minor demon isn't really evil, but since he doesn't have anyplace else to go, his job is to guard the Devil's treasury - even though nobody *ever* tries to steal anything, of course. But looking at a vase painted with roses, he starts wanting to plant a garden of his own - but the Devil, of course, has strict instructions about what he's allowed to plant.

"The Power of Speech" The Devil likes an occasional pet, but in keeping with his character - in this case he wants a pet goat named Walpurgis, but the old lady who owns him belled him, because the Devil can't stand the sound of bells. Then the Devil got an idea for how to make the old lady stop wanting to protect her pet...

There is a wild, wild west that never was, where enchantment is alive and the Devil's not too far to beckon. DEVIL'S TOWER, by Mark Sumner, is an alternate historical tale, the timeline shift occuring at Shiloh during the Civil War, when the dead stood up. Since then, people have been discovering magical talents within themselves, thus altering the geopolitics of the frontier. Suddenly the position of Sheriff has taken on a whole new role as he now becomes not only the enforcer of the law but also the last stand against the world's newly awakened unnatural forces. So now whosoever is Sheriff had better be armed with an ample share of mystical wherewithal.

A decade has elapsed since the battle at Shiloh. 17-year-old Jake Bird has fled his hometown of Calio, following the death of his father, that town's Sheriff, who was challenged and killed by General George Armstrong Custer, an ambitious and powerful sorcerer. Now the unassuming Jake is eking out a living as a stable hand at tiny Medicine Rock, somewhere in the Wyoming Territory. But Medicine Rock's Sheriff Privy senses something special about Jake and deputizes him, even though Jake is unawares of his talent or if he has any, to begin with.

In these new and weird times, you don't get to be Sheriff by holding elections. You become one by engaging and defeating the current Sheriff in a magical duel. Wielders of the craft, mighty and low, challenge Sheriffs all the time. Jake isn't granted the chance to grow into his new deputy status as circumstances brought about by the arrival of Quantrill, a particularly nasty challenger to Sheriff Privy, forces Jake to once again flee. But Jake Bird, he has to face his past sometime.

DEVIL'S TOWER is a brooding coming-of-age adventure which straddles the line between dark fantasy and gothic western horror. In trying to describe this book, I guess it's inevitable that a mention is made of Orson Scott Card's wonderfully evocative Alvin Maker series. There is a striking resemblance, with both series using the old West as a backdrop and the marrying of folklore magic and legends and the incorporation of altered historical figures. Sumner's two books are perhaps more visceral and more gritty. And Jake Bird's universe doesn't resonate quite as stunningly as Alvin Smith's. No knock on Sumner, as few can write as well as Orson Scott Card. As it is, DEVIL'S TOWER, in its own right, is a work of grimly inventive imaginings and it makes a hell of a riveting read. And, since I'm bringing up comparative works, there's also in these pages a whiff of Tim Powers's fevered, atmospheric exuberance.

Sumner peoples DEVIL'S TOWER with a dizzying cast of shapechangers, scribblers, casters, signers, chatterers, predatory demons, and the more normal characters in the Old West. Jake Bird is an engaging protagonist whose growth as a character is marked by his survival of dangerous adventures and the acceptance of his own talents. He meets friends on the way, from the wanderer Bred Smith to the water witch Hatty Ash. But Jake's most staunch friend may well be the fierce but ordinary Mexican girl, Josephina. I honestly don't know why Mark Sumner hasn't written more stuff; he's certainly very capable. His writing here conjures up vivid images and nightmarish sequences as Jake Bird and company are beset with non-stop run-ins with unearthly bastards and beasties. As Jake takes on the vicious Quantrill, whose spilled blood can transform into demons, then finally the megalomanical General Custer himself, we're treated to some sweeeeet gun-and-sorcery action!

It looked for a while, with DEVIL'S TOWER and its sequel Devil's Engine, released respectively in 1996 and 1997, as if Mark Sumner was setting himself up as the next name brand fantasy writer. He also had been churning out two other series, NEWS FROM THE EDGE and the young adult EXTREME ZONE books. But then he disappeared from the genre, and I haven't heard from him in the past decade. I'm not sure what happened, but here's hoping he comes out of the woodwork soon. Two adventures about Jake Bird aren't nearly enough.

I am usually not a fantasy book reader, let alone a reader of fiction. However, "The Devil's Tower" is a definite exception! The concept alone of people all over the US gaining magical powers after "Bloody Shiloh" is an original and entertaining premis.
Add to that a well written and ricly detailed story about townfolk trying to deal with villians such as Custer and Quantrill as they rampage through the west, and you have a book that is a great read.
I recommend Mr. Sumner's book for historians who like to read about alternate history and for fantasy/magic readers who might enjoy historical figures appearing in their literature.

Buy it. Read it. Enjoy it. Gritty action and magic that fits well with the western setting. An exceptional book. Anyone that ever loved a western or a fantasy novel will find something to like.

As can be seen from the reviews below, this is a truly enjoyable book (as is the sequel, Devil's Engine). Pretty much everything -- characters, action, etc.-- works in the books (A smidge of explanation of why the dead rose at Shiloh, etc. would have pleased this reader but with magic sometimes there just is not an explanation.).

Thus the question: Why was the series not continued!?! It really started to take off in the sequel. And then, nothing. One can only hope that either the publisher will get smart and encourage Sumner to revisit his fantasy Wild West or another publisher will grab Sumner and get him working on another book in this series, if he does not already have one waiting.

In any case, if you are wondering whether to purchase the book or not, get it and the sequel. They deliver the entertaining read promised.

This is a great read!!!!! The combination of magic and the old West is simply fascinating, and I can't imagine it being done any better than what Sumner has created. He manages to weave the fantasy into the reality so seamlessly, you can actually imagine it happening. I love this book!!!!

I, like some of the other readers, read this book for the first time while in high school. Every time I am in a mood for a good book, this one is close by. I think that I have read this book couple of dozen times in the last ten years. Would recommend this book to anyone looking to escape for a few hours.

I read this book when I was in high school for the first time. It is a wonderful book, as mentioned in the previous review this character has stayed with me for 20 years. I highly recommend this book for teenage girls. My copy is a tattered mess, so I'm very pleased I'll be able to replace it. Thanks amazon.

I first read this book when it was published in a Reader's Digest Condensed book, I myself was about 16. My sister shared this book with me and it has become a yearly read ever since. I have read this book more than 100 times since then. Between my sister and myself we read the book so much it caused the binding to break and that selection to separate from the the book. It wasn't until I was in college, when I recommended it to a young man in the Air Force that I actually read the uncondensed version of the book. He enjoyed it so much he purchased a copy for me, as my sister and I shared the other copy for several years. Now has come the time to share this book with my own daughter. She recently saw the movie Pearl Harbor and remarked how she enjoyed the story, of course I thought of A Distant Summer. This is a story you will want to read several times, and pass on to your daughters.

I can't remember when I first read this book...it must have been in high school, but the love story between young Kate and her flyer Johnny struck a cord with me that has forever remained. This is a great story of a young girl's first love during a time of war (WWII in England) and it touches on so many aspects of her life - from her schooling to her family and friends and of course, Johnny, that I would recommend it to any teenage girl to read! Or any woman for that matter who wants to return to a time when a girl's first love is the most important thing to her!

As reported in a previous review, Sarah Patterson, the author of this book, who was seventeen at the time it was published, is NOT the same Sarah Patterson who can be found on the web listed as an actress who appeared in the movie THE COMPANY OF WOLVES (79). The author Sarah Patterson was born in 1959 (verified through the Library of Congress Catalog of Publication Data - LC Number 76372791) Yes, she is the daughter of famed novelist Jack Higgins and obviously inherited her father's talent for writing.

I haven't been able to find any more information on the author or if she wrote any other books, but I would love to!

I read this book almost 20 years ago and loved it. I've kept my copy and have enjoyed re-reading it many times over the past years.

This is the story of a 16 year old girl who finds love with a rear gunner during WWII. He won't allow himself to trust, to love. He knows he's a dead man walking and she should have her whole life ahead of him. She's a little self centered (who isn't at 16?). Through love and patience Kate grows up and teaches Johnny that his life is worth living and she is worth the risk of love.

This is a beautiful story infused with information about the RAF, the war, England's war effort.

These are star crossed lovers, haunted by the external forces keeping them apart.

If you get a hold of this book, read, enjoy. Kate's story will become part of you and Johnny's pain will stir your soul.

A definate keeper!

This is a wonderful collection of some of Lovecraft's lesser known works, the majority of which come from his earlier writings. It is actually a pretty eclectic sampling of styles. One finds traditional horror, dream-enshrouded tales of unknown vistas, short "prose poems," collaborations with other writers, and even a science fiction story. While none of these stories can claim a place in the Cthulhu Mythos, several do presage its beginnings and offer glimpses of the universe of the Great Old Ones. "Nyarlathotep" introduces us to that dark god, "The Festival" refers to mouldy tomes such as the Necronomicon of the mad Arab Abdul Alhezred and offers us a glimpse of pagan practices, Polaris speaks of the Pnakotic manuscripts, and "The Nameless City" takes us deep underneath the desert sands to a forgotten abode of ancient, nonhuman creatures. Many of the tales take us to Dunsanian dream worlds where beauty and unearthly horror are separated by a veil of nothingness. "In the Walls of Eryx," cowritten with Kenneth Sterling, is very interesting in that it represents Lovecraft's only real foray into science fiction, a more than successful foray in my opinion. The only story I find less than first-rate is the tale "Imprisoned With the Pharoahs," a work ghost-written for Harry Houdini--passed off as a true story of the great magician's visit to Giza's pyramids; Houdini's presence as the protagonist makes the story seem forced and does not allow me to fully appreciate the elements of horror Lovecraft injects into the tale.

Lovecraft is, to some degree, an acquired taste, and for that reason I would not recommend this book for first-time readers. Any fan of Lovecraft will delight in these tales and mentally take note of every element that relates to the whole of his fiction, but the Lovecraft initiate may well become frustrated with the Dunsanian elements of many of these stories and may not fully appreciate the remarkable craftsmanship of the author; furthermore, the collaborations in this collection are clearly not Lovecraft's greatest works. Those looking for "horror" may well be disappointed, as will those seeking an introduction to the Cthulhu Mythos. While these stories can surely inspire delight and devotion among new Lovecraft readers, it is my feeling that they can be fully appreciated and understood only by those who are already familiar with Lovecraft's greater body of work.

H.P lovecraft writes great horror stories and this is no exception he's probably one of the great horror story writers along with the likes of Poe. This book is made up of creative writing and conjours up distorted images in your head from the suspense that builds up to the climax toward the end. H.P Lovecraft's books tend to focus on the Horror/Fantasy genre and is the kind of horror material that involves creatures of a new breed and not so much a typical thriller story for example. The doom that came to sarnath definatley wipes the floor with alot of the modern horror stories that you see around and is an intense, shaded, wonderful, gripping book.

I thought Stephen King was a scary writer. I also thought Dean Koontz was. Then I finally got to reading some Lovecraft, and BOY I GOT SCARED! His particularly dark and disturbing tales of grue and the macabre are far surpassing the aeformentioned authors.

I find it funny that there's a unicorn logo on the front cover of my copy of this book, saying that this work is Adult Fantasy. About the only thing Adult about H.P. Lovecraft is that he uses big words like "cacodaemoniacal". Although most of the works in this collection are fantasy, that doesn't mean that there isn't any horror to be had, either. Some of the stories in this excellent collection will give you more chills than the Sixth Sense ever did. Here's a brief synopsis of some of the stories in this book: THE OTHER GODS--One of my favorite fantasy pieces. It deals with mankind driving the gods up mountains. BEYOND THE WALL OF SLEEP--A primitive man from the mountains is put in an institution, where the main character discovers something extraordinary about the fellow. EX OBLIVIONE--Travel to a wonderful dream-world with a bronze gate that leads somewhere seemingly special. FROM BEYOND--This story reminded me much of The Sixth Sense. Lovecraft was never one for dialogue, but he did really well in this story. THE CATS OF ULTHAR--An elderly couple is suspected of cat-killing, but a boy passing through has thoughts of revenge. HONORABLE MENTIONS: The Tree, The Tomb, Polaris, What the Moon Brings, Hypnos, Nathicana, The Festival, The Nameless City, The Quest of Iranon, The Crawling Chaos, and In the Walls of Eryx. As you can see, you get lots of bang for your buck, so to speak. The stories are categorized, but they do not appear in chronological order--a partial chronology is included at the back. This is probably the best Lovecraft book I've read since The Best of H.P. Lovecraft. Both books are worth getting.

I read my first Lovecraft about fifteen years ago, and never looked back. This book is the one I recommend to my friends who have never read any of his work before. The book is laid out like none of the others I have seen, in that it is divided into separate sections, depending on the type of story, the time period it was written in, or the style Lovecraft was emulating at that time in his career. Also included are snippets of various letters Lovecraft wrote to friends and colleagues which shed an interesting light on where some of the stories came from. I read this book straight through from beginning to end, which is unusual for a collection of Lovecraft's, but in this case found it a very rewarding experience, because the layout is such that the reader gets a real feel for how Lovecraft's talent developed. If someone is looking for a good jumping-on point into the Lovecraft experience, this is an excellent one.

This is an absolutely beautiful book ... worth every penny, and frankly more. The illustrations are magnificent and the writing is perfect. It details the entire Easter story in a gentle, tasteful and loving way. Although the story telling is child-like, it includes ALL the details of the entire story and does so in a way that holds even the littlest one's attention, beginning to end. It is told from the donkey's perspective. My 20 month old and my 3 year old both LOVE it and I think it would work well for older children also. I highly recommend this book ... it is one that will become a keepsake and heirloon for years to come.

I was a little skeptical about buying a children's book for $20.00, but I'm glad I took the risk!

The author/illustrator explains it best when he says, "It is the world's greatest story, burning with history, passion, and tragedy. I decided that the best way of expressing this epic drama was to teat it like grand opera, to create the sets and place the characters within them, capturing the symbolism of the Crucifixion and Resurrection in color, shape, and form."

The gold-toned illustrations are absolutely breathtaking. The text is very simple and perfect for our young ones. WE ADORE THIS BOOK!

I was very impressed by the beauty and pathos of this slim volume. Although the story is of Christ's passion, resurrection, and ascension, the story is really through the eyes of the humble donkey which Christ chooses to carry him into Jerusalem. It strikes me that children will be able to connect with the donkey's innocence and faithfulness, as a reflection of the person of Jesus Christ. Of course, it all makes for very interesting theological reflection. If anything, as other readers have mentioned, read it for its simplicity and the beautiful illustrations.

My almost 6 year old son was asking a lot of questions about Easter from what he has learned in Sunday School. I was looking for an Easter book which explained Easter, and the events leading up to Easter, in a simple, yet Biblical way. The book is not too simplistic, nor too complex and wordy. Also, the illustrations are magnificent, and are worth the price of the book alone.

I originally checked this book out from the library for my son last Easter. My husband and I were so impressed we bought it this year for him as a gift. The illustrations positively glow. And, the story line is captivating and easy to follow, unlike other children's versions I've read. It's a beautiful book that my two year-old will continue to enjoy for many Easters to come.

Anything where Mr. Collins is involved it number one with me. End of discussion.

When attaching ones self to a celebrities persona, (i.e. actor) one tends to critique only the physical contributions. Stephen Collins is not just an actor. He is an intellectual literary artist capturing your interest from beginning to end in this book. The character, "Nicolette Stallings" embraces your fantasies and simultaneously engages you in a plethera of empathy. Her erotic behavior is stimulating, believable, and before long, desirable to any red blooded American woman. Stephen Collins? A Minister?
(Eric Camden) not in this book.............he's too delicious for words.

I actually read `Eye Contact' a few years ago. It was the first erotic thriller that I'd ever read and it still stands out in my mind as on of the best.

This is the story of actress Nicolette Stallings who only feels powerful when seducing someone of the opposite sex. However, her sexual game of cat and mouse soon turns deadly when she propositions a man she meets in a restaurant who she playfully dubs as "Wally Wall Street". After their one night encounter at a high class hotel Nick finds it hard to get rid of "Wally" who now blames her for the break up of his marriage. After an unsuccessful attempt on his own life "Wally" otherwise known as Jeffery White, finally does succeed in killing himself but not before he manages to frame Nick for his murder! As Nick becomes the center of the medias attention and hunted by the police she tries to find a way to prove her innocence not without having a few sexual encounters along the way.

`Eye Contact" is an excellent erotic thriller not for the timid and will keep you at the edge of your seat trying to figure out how everything will play out in the end. Who would have though that the minister for 7th Heaven could write like this?

This novel really does stand the test of time. I read this book many years ago and it still sets well in my memory to this day. It has just about everything in it that one can imagine. Reading this novel is quick and doesn't drag on and on like some novels that I've completed. The long of the short of it, "If this book stands out in my mind today, even though it has been many years since I've read it, then it has to be good reading."

If you don't believe me - buy it and read it yourself.

I actually read 'Eye Contact' a few years ago. It was the first erotic thriller that I'd ever read and it still stands out in my mind as one of the best.

This is the story of actress Nicolette Stallings who only feels powerful when seducing someone of the opposite sex. The sexual game of cat and mouse soon turns deadly when she propositions a man she meets in a restaurant who she playfully dubs as "Wally Wall Street". After their one night encounter at a high class hotel Nick finds it hard to get rid of "Wally" who now blames her for the break up of his marriage. After an unsuccessful attempt on his own life "Wally" otherwise known as Jeffery White, finally does succeed in killing himself but not before he manages to frame Nick for his murder! As Nick becomes the center of the medias attention and hunted by the police she tries to find a way to prove her innocence not without having a few sexual encounters along the way.

'Eye Contact" is an excellent erotic thriller not for the timid and will keep you at the edge of your seat trying to figure out how everything will play out in the end. Who would have though that the minister from 7th Heaven could write like this?

Uncage Faces of Sigil is my Personal fav of the 3 Sigil Books but for a DM running Sigil this is the must have book. I really like the art work and the way the book is written. Gives the DM every thing you need to run a good Campain in the city of doors.

Its an excelent book for players and DMs, there are complete and interesant descriptions of every faction in sigil, and it makes every player to understand the ideology of his faction, i recomend to read the interviews with the factols they are excelent.

This is one of the golden books of Planescape. The descriptions of the factions, the factols and their activities are great. Much cheaper than the other Planescape books (being 160 pages). It's filled with full-color art by DiTerlizzi and has everything you need for the low-down on the Factions. I don't think I'll keep talking about this book, just get it. You won't be dissappointed.

This book expands upon the factions so much from the box set. Besides DM stuff like stats for the factols and other important factioneers, it gives tips for roleplaying and excellent detail on the philosphies. Because the factions are central to the entire Planescape feel, it is extremely important to know them well. Even if your campaign has already been through Faction War (as mine has) I would definitely suggest buying this. It is perfect for bringing up past events and seeing what the future holds for these philosophers with clubs.

I just started reading this book yesterday and it is the best planescape accessory out there. Ever wondered just who the Factols are and what they act like? Is one of your characters having trouble playing a dustman? Want to visit the shattered temple but don't know whats there? Ever wondered where the Sighners came from anyway? Just how should those bleaker NPCs act? How do I join the anarchists? Or maybe you just want expanded faction abilities or want to know the personal plans of one of the factions. All these things and more are included in the Factols Manifesto. Along with a huge collection of great art that you won't find anywhere else including maps of each faction headquarters and a portrait of each factol! Bottom line this is a must buy. If you're a DM and don't have this book yet shame on you!

Business Basics Bestseller 1: The Easy, Interesting, Open-book Look at the Game of Business Numbers! 2nd Edition

If you never had this F&A stuff explained to you before, you will like "Business Basics Bestseller 1" as a starting point. This is not a suggestion that you substitute it for this book, just that you check it out as well. The BBB #1 book was written by a guy who is not an accountant -- imagine what that can do for cutting through the jargon accountants love without even knowing it.

BBB #1 will introduce you to the basics of business including the terms behind the numbers and where all the formulas come from before you plow into a true "finance and accounting" text. Search for "Business Basics Bestseller 1" and add it to your consideration. It can be one of your best investments. At less than 150 pages, you can zip through it.

Gene Siciliano has written an easy-to-read (conversational), easy-to-understand yet comprehensive review of everything from why to have financial statements in the first place and the part played by financial reporting both within and without a company to the meaning of the financial reports themselves and finally to how to plan and finance your company. Highly recommend the book. A good review for experienced managers and a must-read for those who want to know more about finance and the financial management of all sized companies.

This book provides a solid overview of the basic information required to understand Finance. It is a great read for the person new to Finance and it is also a great refresher to those who might have had Finance classes and maybe even courses years ago. What is great about this book is that you have a few chapters devoted to each segment of Finance.

A very good book that is easy to read and understand. Consider this book if you are looking to better understand that which is called "Finance".

As a banker, I sit down with a lot of business owners who just don't understand the financial dynamics of their business. If they only took the time to read this clear, concise and useful book, they would be so further ahead of the game, and more likely to get the financing they need. It's a must read for any business owner, or business professional who feels they need to increase their knowledge of finance. Great Job!

I consider myself a manager who knows my business. I am very good at what I do, but I have been predominantly ignorant in issues of finance. I did not even know how this affected me. I knew I wanted to understand the mysteries of finance, but I had bounced of a half-dozen other books on finance, including the portable MBA in Finance.

Finance for Non-Financial Managers is different. The book delivered what I needed to know in a text that I could read in a couple of evenings. Gene Siciliano has an energy for issues of finance. He presents examples of financial tools and metrics being used to diagnose and fix business problems. He kept my interest and motivated me to learn more.

This book is well targeted to it's audience. So if you are a "non-financial manager", who has limited time and no inborn passion for bean counting, I can highly recommend this book. It will succinctly present what you need to know and will take the extra step of letting you know how it applies to your success.

Often I give away a book, especially fiction, once I've read it. Not this book. I have bought aeveral to give to my friends and without exception, each of my friends had to get the book to give to their friends. This is a story packed with reality, mercy and new beginnings - it overflows with hope even when things for the central character seem at the worst. I so appreciate Godden's sensitivity in conveying the truth about human nature and, as I am a member of a monastic community, amazed at her ability to portray life in a convent without romance and with great regard. Powerful read.

This story touched my heart and held my attention throughout. It reveals a unique side of a special ministry, in a very personal way. I have already recommended it to several friends and will continue to do so.

This is a beautifully written account of one woman's journey to the fulfillment for which she has always been searching.The descriptions of France and the French countryside are evocative and lyrical. I detected many echoes of "In this House of Brede", her earlier work, and her subsequent comments on that and the opinions voiced by various religious sisters on it. To some extent I found the ending anti-climactic ; although hints of evil are cleverly suggested,I regretted a final confrontation between Vivi and Lise. Perhaps the author wanted to say that we are never completely free from fear and danger. But a good read, nevertheless.

This is the story of Elizabeth Fanshawe. In 1944, when she was twenty-one years old, she was enlisted in the English army and her assignment as a driver took her to Paris. It was an exciting time because the French were jubilant over the liberation of France. Elizabeth joined in the celebrations, but became separated from her English army companion. Intoxicated from hours of drinking, she splashed around with a group of other celebrants in a fountain. Wet, exhausted and cold, she was approached by Patrice Ambard, a charming and well-dressed man who befriends her. When he finds out that she's alone, he offers to take her to his home to dry off. Drunk and unable to remember where her hotel is, she goes with him. She's seduced and ends up madly in love with Patrice. Thus, she began a new life. Patrice owned a high-class brothel, and Lise becomes a prostitute and was known as the notorious Madam Lise Ambard. She was also referred to as La Balafree, the Scarred One.

Her life is told through flashbacks and the book actually begins with her in a convent that is run by the French Dominican Sisters of Bethanie. This particular order of Sisters work in helping drug addicts, vagrants, prisoners and prostitutes. Lise's story unfolds, as she remembers her past and the circumstances of her life. Despite the sordid early life that Lise led, this is actually a story of faith, love and forgiveness.

The title, FIVE FOR SORROW, TEN FOR JOY is a reference to the rosary. The Rosary, is a Catholic tradition where the different prayers reflect on the life of Jesus.

The author of this fascinating story is Rumer Godden. She is the superb author of dozens of wonderful books for both adults and children. Three of her most well known stories were also turned into films. They are, IN THIS HOUSE OF BREDE, THE PEACOCK SPRING and BLACK NARCISSUS.

A wonderful book found in a used bookstore. I wish they wrote like this today. Miss Godden is a masterful storyteller, who writes about the Catholic faith beautifully. You don't have to be Catholic to understand and enjoy the subject of this book. It is a dark story--much more so than most of her books. However, the love, faith, and beauty that shine forth from the despair and degradation of Lise's early life are thought provoking. The charactors will stay with you for a long time. Highly recommended.

I loved reading this...The books draws you in well, and the use of flashbacks and the Franky stories moves it along good. I never expected the ending at all, it was great! The future fox world was very interesting. I plan on reading the Franky Stories to my younger brother, and hopefully someday my own children. (and look forward to such!)

When I first read this book, I couldn't put it down. It's an unbelieveable tale that draws you in with a suprising twist at the end. This is an absolute must for any collector or fantasy fiction fan!

I have just finished re-reading this book, the first time for a couple of years and it is even more rewarding this time round. Franky Furbo is a constantly surprising novel with an original take on life and one of the best twists I have ever encountered. Masquerading as a modern fairy tale of sorts you could be forgiven for being put off by this story of a talking fox but this is a very 'adult' book tackling big themes. At the very least you will finish this book impressed by the dexterity of the author and the compexities of the wonderful story, but you may find your view of the world profoundly altered. A beautiful tale/tail!

I don't want to repeat the accolades and explanations others have made. Suffice to say, this is a hard book to categorize. It's unusual and combines several genres. Some people might dismiss it as too "out there," but if they're patient they'll be rewarded with a wonderful and unique book full of idealism and mythology.

What makes this book especially intriguing, and perhaps will even help explain some of the content, is Wharton's (not his real name) own life.

"A Midnight Clear," another book written by Wharton which was also made into an excellent movie, tells the story of an intelligence unit during WW II which "illegally" creates a truce with a nearby German unit. Further research shows that a large portion of "Midnight" is autobiographical. Wharton himself was in an intelligence unit, was disfigured somewhat, and was also classified as a genius by the military. Parts of this history are also shown in "Franky Furbo."

Wharton's own beliefs were clearly shown when he left the US to live in France. Apparently, this was due in part to his disillusionment with the United States for its various actions and policies.

There's simply not enough space to get into all the details of Wharton's life. I recommend anyone who reads the book to do further research. It certainly helps explain "Franky Furbo" because Wharton shares a lot of Franky's beliefs and experiences. It just makes the story that much more mystical and interesting.

A must read for anyone who thinks different or has listened to Lennon's "Imagine" and agreed that we need to get beyond our nationalism and other oppressive beliefs.

This novel is the most impressive work of literature I have read to date. On the surface, it may appear to be a childish book about a talking fox who saves humans from the brink of death and unites enemies in peace, but that does not begin to describe the wonder of this book. It wraps you in a world of peacefulness and idealism; you wish you were there. Then it cements in you a love for the characters and their lives. And finally, in an amazing display of science fiction, romance, and imagination, it smacks you in the face. You will either love this book, or it will make your head hurt and you will not get it at all. In either case, I suppose you'll enjoy the many fonts used to differentiate characters and languages. Ultimately, Franky Furbo is a beautifully flowing book that takes your mind on a rollercoaster of thoughts and imagination. Read it. It's not just about a talking fox.