Journals Books

For me, this small and enchanting book defines the term `magical realism'. In the small village of Guadalupe, Ramona's brother and sister-in-law have just been killed in a car accident and she has taken their 7-year old son José home with her. But things have changed at her house, because when she arrives she finds that her grandparents - who have been dead for 13 years - have come for a visit. The lines between the natural and the supernatural world become increasingly blurred as Ramona encounters other dead relatives and learns the history of her family through the journal of her grandfather's cousin Antonio. You'll have to read the book to discover the legacy he has left behind, untouched for many years.

This book is a small treasure and I highly recommend it. I've also found out that it's the first book in a trilogy about life in Guadalupe. The other two books are Perdido and A Santo In The Image Of Cristobal Garcia; I have them on order and I'm eagerly awaiting their arrival.

A mystical tale of a man's life changed when he has to take on his nephew with him when the child's parents die. The book weaves plenty of mysticism and sometimes feels like Gabriel Garcia Marquez's work a bit.

I found this book by accident in the library. The cover is interesting, the author's photo is compelling (the short bio says he has been a roofer for 20 years) and the book is recommended in a blurb on the back by writer John Nichols, whose work I like.

I read the book in two days, mesmerized. Collignon has brilliantly crafted a story that is a blend of timeless conscious and subconscious human realities in the natural and supernatural world. The author alights on an ending that is as simple as it is exquisite.

Collignon's book belongs in classrooms so that young people can explore the depth of human experience through our Southwestern heritage. The Journal of Antonio Montoya is an enduring tale not to be missed.

In this superb novel, the recently dead relatives and the not so recently dead relatives of an orphaned boy and his Aunt come back to "haunt" them in a way that changes their lives forever. This was a beautiful and moving novel, told with humor and written in clear stylish prose. I was immediately swept up in the world created by the author and became totally immersed in the characters and their drama. I consider this a masterpiece and I highly recommend it.

This well-crafted story set in New Mexico was a treat: Marquez-esque arrivals of the dearly departed; wives with complusive tortilla making disorders; and lots and lots of family and family troubles. A fine first novel.

This book is about a girl named Lucy. She just finished fourth grade and this is going to be the WEIRDEST summer of her whole life. Everything around her is changing. Her grandma (with Alzheimer's) moves in with them, her worst enemy might move in next door to her, and she begins to receive e-mails in some secret code! Lucy thinks that maybe, if she has someone (or something) to tell all her problems too, she might be able to come up with solutions to the problems. Does she? Read the book and find out!

i read this book in 3rd gread. i loved this book so muhc. afther i read it i lended it to m\y frineds and she loved it. if you like the internet and like tghe compiuter youll like this book. it i san very easy book to read but has a great story. afther reading this book i made mi own e-mial log. so inconculison. this is a good reads. that everyone will enjoy

Lucy gets an E-journal computer program and she writes about her summer in there. She explains how her mother, who has Alzheimer's disease, moves in with her, how her best friend betrays her, how she has to go to summer camp and doesn't want to, and how much she wants a ferret. Can Lucy make it through summer camp? Can she forgive her best friend for betraying her? Can Lucy finally get the ferret of her dreams? Find out her story section by section.
Lucy goes through many tough experiences, kind of like me. I really like this book because I really relate to Lucy and her stories. I would definitely recommend this book to any animal lovers who also enjoy a good laugh, and anyone else who might want want to learn about ferrets, cats, or Alzheimer's disease. So get reading!

I hate reading!!! When I saw this book at a school book fair. I Grabbed it! It looked so intresting. When I started to read this I loved it and I didn't want to stop! I could read this 10
times and still not want to stop! I am 12 years old and I sill love this book from when I was 10 in the 5th grade!!!!

I think this book is really cool and completely true.I loved it!!!!!

What a great book from a great person. the different chapters and the different adventures. I have never seen a book quite like this one. Will keep you reading from chapter to chapter. Keep up the great work and look forward to the next one. The children you are supporting from the proceeds of the book also a very noble cause.

AWESOME BOOK! You will not find a more personalized, "real life" travel book out there...Excellent photographs from around the World! Once I finished reading it, I started it all over again--couldn't put it down, it's a real page turner...

This book is not at all what you might expect. If you open it expecting the diary notes of someone who descended into insanity, you won't find that here. What you will find, instead, is a big, lush, lavish volume, rich with pictures and personal notes, splashed with artwork and experiences of the author's cross-global journey through South America, Africa, and Asia. It is as much as work of art as it is a book.

What Garner calls his "madness" is what he refers to as his previous obsession with making money and building corporate empires. He spent years of his life at this until one day, he just dropped it all and went off in search of himself. For two years he and a companion, Heather (whose last name we never learn), wandered the world living with the people of the countries they visited and looking for adventure. They found plenty of it--from a fearsome night they spent in Mexico thinking they had been kidnapped, to being attacked by the most unusual brigands in Central America, to living among the Masai in Africa. Everywhere Garner went in search of answers, he found people in every part of the world who were honest, hospitable and somehow managed to live happily even without water, food or school supplies to educate their children.

Not only is this an emotional journey of discovery, it is also a treasure hunt. The author has placed a secret code in his volume and given readers the key to deciphering it. All over the world, he has hidden objects which he invites readers to find as they unravel the code. He has dedicated sales of the book to helping poor children worldwide, and every time a new child is helped, he places his or her picture on the website.

And the website is as lavish and artful as the book. It contains more information about the secret code and Garner's personal campaign to save the world, one child at a time.

And he gives the most unique explanation of typos I have ever seen. On little cards inserted in the pages, he says things like: "Think you saw a typo? Think again." Now that's a stroke of genius that other authors could envy. It automatically excuses every error missed in proofreading.

On the book's gorgeous full-color cover, he says, "This is more than a book, it is an experience."

Armchair Interviews is inclined to agree with him.

I have to say, being an avid book reader, this book was truly a wonder. This is a book for everyone who is interested in travel, adventure and buried treasure. It has 40 amazing chapters of travel stories from around the world. The stories themselves are so well written and it amazed me they are all true. Also, inbetween each chaper you get to see full color artwork and photography that the author has taken from all over the world. In addition to all that, GD Garner has actually hidden clues inside the book that lead the reader to a buried treasure! The clues are hidden on all 7 continents as well as online and the reader can use the book and website to uncover the buried treasure! This book is really an amazing and unique experience for every reader. It is an absolute MUST READ for anyone interested in travel, photographgy, or just really amazing true stories. I highly recommend this book as a next purchase for your book collection.

It only took reading the book's prologue for me to completely commit to following the author through his journey. The perspectives on geography, culture, and humanity were vivid, enlightening, and entertaining. The artwork and photography included alone has value way beyond the asking price. I've dreamed of traveling the world. I can only hope that I would receive the experience a fraction as well as the author. Add that part of the proceeds from the book benefit children's charities makes this book a must buy!

A fascinating collection but too long -- also I feel likely of limited interest unless one is British, and was alive and aware of this family at the time these letters were writtten, otherwise too many explanatory footnotes would be necessary. Nevertheless, a rare glimpse into a period that was unique, and likely a surprising portrait of a family who lived, considering their place in upper-class English society, "outside the box".

3/31/08 The page on nicknames,The index, The footnotes, The profiles of the sisters and The photos make this extra weighty book become the fascination that most books of so many pages often fail to do..;of help, thanks to the book's editorial genius is : the ability of readers to note what the sisters had in common vs where they disagreed and when and to whom they wrote lengthy and/ or more confidential letter ..., whom they implored for help (even to wanting a health care provider in the hospital to be threatened to be less spartan)..also " continuous scanning of index cross referencing due to footnotes or in specific letters plus being informed from "the profiles" who was the "nazi",or "fascist",or "communist",or " quiet /country girl' or "wit /writer" or "elitess/socialite" ...The surviving sister , the socialite ,who was "apolitical" ,has made their saving of their letters to share with others not in vain;: a glimpse into the world in which the privileged often choose to travel . Their "bios" will probably benefit the "privileged readers "the most, as this book reminds them via "one(s) of their own" that right decisions guarantee more than the values of family status,money and/or power.

Once several years ago, I cancelled plans to attend a New Year's Eve party because I was enthralled by an early edition of Mitford letters edited by Charlotte Moseley, "With Love From Nancy" which collected the letters of the eldest Mitford sister.
Now Ms Mosely has given us the letters written between all 6 sisters: Nancy, the author of a number of witty novels and biographies; Diana-who married Oswold Mosley, the head of the British Union of Fascists and spent time in prison during WWII; Unity who was enamored of Hitler and shot herself in the head when Britain went to war with Germany; Pam, the family farmer; Jessica, Communist and muckraker and Deborah, the Duchess of Devonshire Prepare to become addicted to reading these letters.
The Mitfords are interesting all on their own and the tensions and divisions created by their individual political views is worth a read. In addition they knew everyone and were not afraid to voice opinions.
For a special chill, read the letters written by Unity and Diana during WWII. "Poor, sweet Hitler" indeed!

I had never heard of the Mitfords until a few years ago an Englishman (now American citizen) hired me to write his memoirs of WWII. His sister visited from England and told me about how Unity Mitford went to her boarding school. When asked who Unity Mitford was, she said, "You don't know the Mitford girls?

Well, I do now! This collection of letters between the six Mitford girls is an outstanding record of their history spanning 80 years from 1925.

In 1935 Unity met and became enamored with Hitler. The letters never indicated any romance, but she went to many major events with him. On September 3, 1939 when Britain and France declare war on Germany, Unity tried to take her life. She failed, causing brain damage. She died in 1948 at age 33.

Nancy, the oldest, was born in 1904, Deborah the youngest in 1920. The book has photos, a short bio and family tree. The other sisters are Pamela, Unity and Jessica. Their brother Tom, who was sent to boarding school at age 8, died in WWII.

These six English women were from an aristocratic family-but some became Nazi sympathizers, one an avowed Communist, others a novelist, poultry farmer and duchess. You follow them through their naïve youth to their adult involvements-as daughters, wives, widows, mothers (happy and grieving) and aging women.

The letters (edited by Diane's daughter-in-law Charlotte) were printed using all the pet names and code words they used, but once you get reading it becomes easy. The many footnotes were invaluable and historical.

Diana (1910-2003) married Sir Oswald Mosley, with Hitler present at the reception at Goebbel's home. They had had a long affair, and kept this marriage secret, too. Mosley formed the British Union of Fascists. In 1941, the British imprisoned Mosley and Diana for their activities-holding them over three years. By this time, they had four sons (two from Diana's earlier marriage) who were taken care of by the other the Mitford sisters.

In 1941, Unity wrote Diana at prison that sums up the Mitfords: "When I first came back, I thought all this was a play, and I was looking on. Now I know I have a part to play, and I can't bear acting it."

Armchair Interviews says: A superb collection of letters that take you as an observer before, during and beyond WWII. You'll never ask: "Who are the Mitford girls?"

"Mitfords: Letters Between Six Sisters," is a truly wonderful read. I finished the 800-plus pages and wished very much that there were 800 more. I'd like to give it 6 stars, but dear old Amazon only permits one to praise to a point. I willingly go beyond that point and any buyer who is a little hesitant about getting the book should go ahead right away.

I have read somewhere that Charlotte Mosley (daughter-in-law of Diana Mitford, aka Lady Mosley) had access to some 12,000 personal letters exchanged by the sisters over nearly eighty years and has only chosen to use 5% of them for the book. But what a literal hoard of literary treasure!

Mrs Mosley has selected well and edited superbly, bringing out and explaining with her own notes the deep and long-lasting relationships of the sisters, the context of their times, their humour and their eccentricities, their enthusiasm for words in several languages, their loves and their tragedies and, with the exception of the delightful and redoubtable Deborah, now the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, the sadnesses of their passing.

The sisters have been described as "eccentric" and "maddening." Having read and enjoyed every one of their letters as published in this splendid work, I would be inclined to suggest that they were no more eccentric or maddening than the members of many families. But I suppose that their relatively privileged upbringing, their inclination to express themselves with confidence from an early age, their having the time to write so much - both letters and books - and the extraordinary array of celebrities with whom they mixed, all must have been major factors in how and why their lives were so "inter-esting" (or eccentric or maddening).

What were my conclusions? Well, first, I would have loved to have met any one of the ladies, though I would probably have become tongue-tied had a meeting happened. Second, my 'favourite' Mitfords are definitely Diana and Deborah, the former loyal to her late husband (Sir Oswald Mosley) to the last, and the latter clearly the most consistently loving and loved. And third, though it is often said and written that we shall never see such a correspondence again, I suggest that, even with Emails, provided they are filed, it is possible for our electronic means of communication to be preserved for future generations. I have done this with a distant relative and a pleasant (and private) little book is the result.

Finally, I wish to make it clear that I have no 'axe to grind' in praising "Mitfords": I am not and have not been related to or friendly with any of them and am merely reporting my opinion to a wider audience that this book is absolutely magnificent. Buy it now!

As previously said, this is a very well and beautifully writen errr... memoir. The cover tells you the whole story of what to expect inside. At first glance Alec dancing appears as a comical figure almost, but as you look closer you can see he is in some sort of agony. And as the book moves on, it is hard for him to not show his melancholy.
Despite being a bit of a emotional downer, this is still a very worthwhile read for any of his fans.

The journal of an extraordinary gentleman, one of the greatest actors ever to grace stage or screen. His reflections on his career are moving and perceptive, totally lacking in self-aggrandisement. His thoughts on the whole "Star Wars" phenomenon are particularly witty but smack of the desperation of being hounded by that film's fans. It's tragic that this great man may only be remembered by modern generations for his appearance in that opus instead of for his work in the Ealing comedies, "The Bridge on the River Kwai", his lengthy stage career and his magnificent turn on TV as George Smiley.

Alec Guinness is undeniably one of the most gifted actors of our times, and now, with his offering of "A Positively Final Appearance," we get to know something of the man behind the mask. This journal, kept between the summer of `96, and 1998, is chock full of insightful musings, reminiscences and anecdotes that are a delight. He shares his love of the theater, discussing many of the plays he attended during this period, and gives comments on recent movies, as well. An avid reader, he talks enthusiastically of favorite authors and books; his love of literature is unmistakable. The stage is his first love, however, and he speaks fondly, and frankly, of many of the plays he's done, and of his experiences with many of the actors and directors with whom he has had the privilege of working. He invites you into his private life, discussing the love of his life, Merula, and discoursing on their life at home, as well as their many travels. You learn what the greatest regret of his life is, who some of the people are he admires most, and a few of whom he could do without. He explains his negative attitude toward the "Star Wars" phenomenon, and addresses many of the events, large and small, that have in some way affected his life, and helped mold his perspectives. His concern over world events and the human condition is poignantly evident. Guinness writes so fluently, you can almost hear that distinct, familiar voice; you seem to be listening, rather than reading. There is a dignity and charm to his words that reveal, to some degree, the man behind them. That he values his privacy is apparent, and it becomes very clear that he is not the most accessible person, yet without any rancor; he holds his fans in high esteem, but there is a sincere humility to the man, who simply doesn't feel worthy of all the fuss. In a world seemingly rife with crass sensationalism and indifference, "A Positively Final Appearance" is like a tonic to the soul; it is so refreshing to discover that somewhere elegance and refinement still exist. My positively, final word on this book is that it is a joy, and should not be missed.

I picked up this book because I like Alec Guinness' work in "Lawrence of Arabia" and his other David Lean films (not because of "Star Wars" which I can take or leave). To be honest, I was worried it might be kind of boring.

Well, it was not boring -- it was delightful. The man was full of many profound observations about life that he communicated by writing about everyday things such as the birds in his yard or the weather. His vivid memories of his stage career and the people he knew were vastly entertaining. I was surprised to find him to be a humble, not-too-well-off everyday kind of man, not some fabulously rich egomaniac as I had supposed him to be.

Even though I could not be more different from him politically, I still enjoyed reading his views on politics. It was like talking to a dapper, well-bred older gentleman you bumped into on the street. His writing was assertive, yet polite and genteel.

If you miss reading this book, you've missed a simple pleasure that will make you smile. It's worth buying!

The late Sir Alec Guinness was a lovely writer, and with this, his final memoir, he improved vastly over his previous gift to us, MY NAME ESCAPES ME. Whereas the latter was strictly a selection from his diary, with this Guinness moves beautifully from journalistic descriptions of day-to-day events (from eye surgery to walks with his wife, Merula, to the indignities of moving slowly in an ever fast-paced and impolite world) and wry reflections on current events to anecdotes spanning his entire career in theatre and film. Each chapter is arranged by a theme, mostly seasonal, but they meander charmingly.

Those interested in his encounter with the church and his beginnings as an artist should find his autobiography, BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE. Those who might want reflections on STAR WARS will be disappointed. When one gentleman asked Guinness for an autograph from Ben Kenobi immediately after mass, Guinness admonished him, "Not in front of the parishioners!" and disappeared as nimbly as a young Jedi.

She's Just Another Navy Pilot: An Aviator's Sea Journal is absolutely one of the most authentic and personal accounts of what its really like to wear Navy wings of gold. Reading this book, you'll be there when she's about to land on a pitching deck... It's an absolute page turner. You'll love it.

This was a great book! Open, honest and to the point. There is no sugar coating here, just straight simple truthful writing. I recomend it to anybody who wants a dose of reality about trans-gender issues in a hostile environment.

I was recommended this book when I shared with a friend my interest in the Air Force and Army. I never read much, but this got my attention. Her discription of life at sea, and all the little things she had to deal with, that civilains never think about on land. The author made it easy to understand her emotions, and her life style. It was an excellent resource to how woman were integrated into the Navy, and how difficult it was. It was facts, and also her opinions as she lived through it. I loved it!

Before reading "She's Just Another Navy Pilot", I knew about the author from Jean Zimmerman's "Tailspin: Women at War in the Wake of Tailhook". I had seen her letters of rebuttal to reactionary editorial in the San Diego Union Tribune, and to unfavorably slanted articles in Newsweek. I knew her name as a successful Naval aviator and very credible advocate of women in her profession. When I received her book from Amazon, I opened it immediately, and did not put it down until I had finished it. What a fascinating autobiography of a most extraordinary person! Loree Draude Hirschman was one of the US Navy's first female fighter-pilots to transfer to fleet combat operations. She describes the early opposition to women in the jet-jock community and the sometimes open hostility she encountered. She details her first deployment, in which female aviators were isolated and ostracized. By the end of that cruise, one had been killed, another grounded for poor performance, and another had turned in her wings. But with perseverence and dignity, the majority of the sixteen women in the pioneer group had succeeded. By her second deployment, female aviators had already begun to find acceptance -- especially after one new F/A-18 pilot won the "Top Nugget Award" for best score in qualifications. (Loree herself earned placement in the Top Ten.) I hope this book will be read by opponants of female aviators. The author exposes the distortion of fact they have presented to the public. Yet she is refreshingly frank about problems which still exist in the gender-integrated Navy. I hope her book will be read by aspiring pilots in search of a role model. Her descriptions of flying and the flight deck are vivid, and make the reader feel right there with her. And her pride in her Naval service is inspiring, even though she relates her accomplishments with modesty.

While books like Jarhead become best-sellers, this
well-written account of a female navy pilot has remained
hidden from the mass market. And that's our loss.

Loree Draude Hirschman, daughter of a Marine general,
joined the aircraft carrier Lincoln as an S-3 pilot, and thereby made history. That year the Lincoln was the first West Coast based ship to depart with an integrated male-female crew. Hirschman flew jets off the deck of the carrier and brought them back -- a test of skill and professionalism. And she describes, in detail, life aboard a carrier, where the frustrations come more from living under a microscope than from battling with the enemy.

She probably pays more attention to details a woman would notice -- and enjoy reading about. For example, pilots work crazy hours, yet the mess officer was adamant that no cereal would be distributed after 10:30 AM! Four women in a cramped stateroom have to work to get along, especially when one brings her "boyfriend" home, in defiance of the rules.

Hirschman was ideally suited for her role. She knew how to be one of the boys and she genuinely enjoyed navy life. She has moments of doubt and despair, but overall she cares about her crew and manages to make a tough situation seem easy. I suspect she left only when her husband became medically disqualified; otherwise she'd probably be on her way too becoming an Admiral.

The pictures are perfect, the stories moving and clearly paint the picture expected by the title "A Simpler Time"

I first saw Tomas Kinkades work at a gallery in Port Jefferson Long Island. They were set in special rooms with typical individual lights for each piece. There were dimmer switches in the room that we were able to control the lighting, enhancing the effects. The paintings actually came alive with light as I dimmed the house lights. I'm not in the position to afford his work but with this book I'm at least able to enjoy the experience. The book is so good you can see the brush strokes and even the bumps in the canvas It's not as good as the real thing although it dose tease your senses. So sit back. Put on some soothing music and live the experience.

This book was given to me as a gift a few years ago. I picked it up again a few days ago to enjoy the illustrations and to remind myself of the messages.

It would be hard, I think, to look at this book and not be uplifted by the beauty of the illustrations and the deceptive simplicity of the messages.

A book to be savoured.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

I bought this book 2 years ago, as a reward for myself. It's so beautiful and tranquil that reminded me of the simpler time is really what I want.

At the college I work at I teach classes on personal development and stress management through hardiness training. Recently, in class, we were discussing whether it is possible to experience joy when in the midst of challenges and trials. Through beautiful artwork and inspired narrative in "Simpler Times," Mr. Kinkade demonstrates how one can experience peace and joy in a hectic world. The book was like food for my soul. Thank you.

It was refreshing to read a book about twins that wasn't all research and statistics. This book tells a short story about the lives of twins that are either famous or have accomplished something extraordinary or stick out in some other way. Notables are Muhammad Ali's twin daughter, the Hennessy's, Tamera and Tia (Sister Sister show), Mario Andretti and his twin Aldo and Jane Seymour's twin boys. Also the story of the Jim Twins (in every book about twins) and the famous Hensel conjoined twins.

Very interesting reading, and I agree it's a good coffee table book. I do think they should have more boy-girl and other fraternal twins sets represented though.

Not only do the "twin authors" provide a first-hand glimpse into the world of "being a twin"...but through the plethora of inspiring interviews with "real-life" twins, they gave me the "real-life" gift of stopping to think of "being human!"

This book truly touched my heart. I am a twin and felt that it honestly portrayed the many complex and deep emotions and issues that twins experience. I can't wait to share this book with my twin and family! And there are so many amazing people in the book. I didn't realize Muhammad Ali and Jane Seymour had twins. And how different each relationship can be, yet also have such commonalities. I absolutely love this book and find myself opening it up often to read an essay and look at the beautiful photos.

I liked this book enough. I was disappointed that it focused so much on identical twins and same-sex twins. (My twins are boy/girl...there is only one vignette in the book.) I haven't found myself reading it over and over. The pictures are lovely and the stories are fine. I give it a B or maybe B+.

Not only do the "twin authors" provide a first-hand glimpse into the world of "being a twin"...but through the plethora of inspiring interviews with "real-life" twins, they gave me the "real-life" gift of stopping to think of "being human!"

Great Baby book, thinking about getting one for my 2nd child as well. Truly had never considered it a puppy book, and not a human baby book. Who knew!

There's just something to be said for Wegman's puppy images being juztaposed with images of your own baby. This is my favorite baby book I've seen out there and I really shopped around. I didn't want a "traditional" baby book, but I did want to add in all of the usual information somewhere. Wegman's Baby Book let me do all of that, provided me with a super cute height ruler that I can use for longer than a year and all with pictures of shiny, silver weimeraners. So adorable. And, the cover is really soft as a bonus.

The best thing about this baby book are the ADORABLE photos of puppies in it. It also has pages for everything: family tree, lock of hair, growth chart, ultrasound photo, first birthday, etc. etc. I looked around for the perfect baby book and this one is it. I have bought 3 more copies since for friends who have had babies.
This is just the BEST baby book I've seen!

This is the cutest baby book I've seen. I hate the cheesy ones you see in the store. Perfect size for what I wanted.

I just bought this book as a gift for my cousin who is pregnant. It is absolutely adorable. If you like animals or are familiar with Wegman's work, it is just precious. I think it is a perfect gift for anyone expecting. There are the traditional baby book things--foot prints, family tree, firsts, etc. accompanied by terrific pictures. I would really recommend this to anyone--and the cover is this wonderfully soft velvet that makes it all the more lovable!

I had the honor of having SSG Lonsdale as my Drill Sergeant in AIT. Combat Medic school is to say the least intense. the entire time i must admit that i underestimated SSG Lonsdale. it wasn't until i read her book and actually had the chance to work with her one on one in San Antonio that i realized that she expected so much of us not because of some unrealistic desire to humiliate our group, but instead to prepare us for what she herself had experienced.

now I am in Iraq, treating iraqi children, praying every moment i'm on the road that an IED doesn't go off, and everytime one does i know that deep down inside i am ready to do my job. i owe SSG Lonsdale so much because of the training she gave me back in San Antonio, but more importantly at least a dozen soldier's and countless Iraqi's owe her inderectly for the professionalism she brings to her job. If any person out there, Military or civillian want's to truly understand the life and times of the modern day combat medic read this book. if you want to get a new perspective on war, read this book. even if you do not support the war i reccommend this book because it show's the humanity of our jobs as combat healer's.

I feel that this book was well written and gave a good look into the life a combat medic in the field. SSG (DS) Lonsdale relays real life stories that illustrate the good and bad of being downrange. It is a great read for the military enthusiast and future Combat Medic.

Drill Sgt Lonsdale was my Drill Sgt in AIT at Ft Sam Huston Delta Co 232. She is a great Drill Sgt who always took care of her troops. Reading her book helped teach me to take my training serously.

Do you really want to know what life is like for our troops in Iraq? If so you have to read this book.

Blood, Tears, and IV's was written by an US Army combat medic attached to the 173rd Airborne who spent a year in Iraq.

This book brought back memories of my experiences during and after the First Gulf War. Especially the attitudes of those who didn't go to Iraq.

I remember being told how lucky I was because I got to go to war. I thought at the time that these people just didn't get it.

Now I know it wasn't just me.

Sergeant Elisa Lonsdale gives an incredibly readable insight into her time in Iraq. If you are looking for a dry historical narrative you'll not find it here. Instead you'll find a soldier who bares her soul and shares her triumphs and her pain.

In parts of this book it was impossible not to cry with her...

What I like most is Sergeant Lonsdale's ability to share her inner most self without becoming a victim.

This book offers the average American a peek at the sacrifice, bravery and compassion of the American soldier.

If you care about our troops you need to read this book.

Great job Elisa!

SGT Lonsdale captures the feel we had for Kirkuk perfectly, from the point of view of Charlie Med. July 4th was not the best way day to deploy (especially with HeinekenFest occuring that upcoming weekend), but SGT Lonsdale, I, and twelve or so others from our unit touched down that day. Many things I had forgotten were brought back in detail upon reading her account, not the least of which were details surrounding Ivory's and Ski's deaths.

Other units, particularly Division-size elements, typically get the recognition and the glory; the 501st FSC (now the 173rd SB) accomplished monumental tasks that dwarfed those assigned to larger and better-equipped units. SGT Lonsdale covers several memorable events, and tells them in a poignant way, remembering details most (like myself) would not.