Classics Books

While I have great respect for Jack Kerouac, I am not all that impressed with his writing. I never really got into The Beat writers, although by all accounts I should have in late high school when I was interested in "automatic writing." That stream of consciousness, punctuation-less thought that comes from your mind when it can't quiet itself. I think I have the same assessment of many of the Beat writers and poets, and I did have the unique experience of going to City Lights Book Shop in San Fransisco, which is owned and run by one of the original Beat poets. I respect their art and their way of expressing it, but it never really hit me as anything profound. I enjoyed Tristessa some, but not as much as I was hoping I would. I had heard so much about Kerouac from my best friend, who loved On the Road, but I was never hooked. If you are interested in esoteric topics presented in slurred poetry then this is for you. I don't care much for some performance art, and much of what I have read from the Beats seems like a literary version of that. Perhaps I haven't read the right things, so I may not have a good grasp on them. I'll have to try and read some from William S. Burroughs. I hear he had some great books.

In Tristessa, Kerouac writes about his time on the road in Mexico City. The book is broken down into two parts, a year apart. It is a sort of love poem to Tristessa, the morphine addicted prostitute that he is in love with.

In true Kerouac fashion we once again live vicariously through his vivid writing of his experience on the road. His ability to bring the reader right into the middle of his world is the reason I keep coming back to him again and again.

Jack Kerouac describes his low-budget meanderings within the slums of the Prostitution and Drug Culture in 1950's Mexico City. His descriptions of the hovels that his "compadres" live in, is quite engrossing... it reminds me somewhat of the activities in the neighborhoods of modern-day Tijuana (short all the pets and chickens and so-forth)... I wouldn't recommend anyone attempt these same "feats" in modern-day Mexico City, as it has become a much more dangerous place for tourists over the last 50 years.

The fact that Kerouac is able to travel and live among the bohemian under-culture is one thing, but that he is able to describe it with his running dialog style on a typewriter is quite unique (a style that is something close to what I'd independently come up with at 14 in 1973, while capturing a dialog between a good friend and my sister on my Mom's old manual typewriter).

I can`t really review the whole book yet as I`m only on page 16, but so far this book is thick, and dripping in poetry. Kerouac is genius, unmistakable. I should have read this sooner--by page 16 it`s already more highly beautiful then 1000 other books combined. I`ll read the rest of it and write more later--Hopefully it`s more of the same

Tristessa by Jack Kerouac *****

Tristessa may just be the best thing Kerouac ever wrote. Yes I know On The Road was, and still is one of the greatest and most important books of all time, but I must say I don't think Kerouac ever felt what he wrote as much as he did when he wrote Tristessa. You can feel his heart aching in the literature, something that is very, very rare to find, but very rewarding when you do.

Tristessa follows a man in Mexico City, Mexico who is completely infatuated with a women named Tristessa who is a junky, to say the least. This tortured story follows these two along with a revolving door of assorted men, and her fellow girlfriends over the course of about a year and a half. These two love each other but the narrator can't bring himself to give into her because of her addictions and flighty ways, but he also is conflicted and can't leave her in this condition because he really does love her so, and her him.

This is a gut wrenching tail of love, loss, and not being able to let go. If this is not the most prolific thing Kerouac ever wrote it sure is close, and wins my pick for his best.

My daughter got a copy for her birthday and wasn't that intrigued, maybe because of the cover picture. But the story was absolutely wonderful and
having been to NYC made it even more special. We just bought a copy to give
a younger friend because we loved it so much. It is a wonderful tribute to the imagination and wonder in the simplest of lives. Very special for adults and children alike!

That's because I was given this book 64 years ago when I was six years old! (It was originally published in 1942.)I just looked it up on Amazon.com thinking I might find another used copy in better condition than mine and I find that Twig still lives on in the lives of a new generation of children!

The story is charming but it is the illustrations that make the story come alive. No credit is listed for an illustrator so perhaps the author did them herself? The drawings are mostly in black and white but a few are touched with color.

The story is that of Twig, a little girl who meets a tiny boy in her backyard. Through magic she shrinks down to size of the boy named Elf. Elf is actually a Brownie who has flown in on the back of a sparrow. Twig and Elf set up housekeeping in an upturned tomato can and furnish it with a table (a thimble and a bottle top,) a mirror (a shiny gum wrapper) and a broom (a feather). I have to say that not a lot happens in this book. No violence or bloodshed, and not even any enemies for Twig and Elf to fight. This is a gentle story and yet an enduring one.

Every household with children should have a copy of this book!

I read this book over 40 yeras ago and have never forgotten it. It drew me into a world of wonderment. I just obtained a new copy for myself as a grandma. I will read it again and again with my grandchildren. This author was magical!

This story was recommended to me by a Kindergarten teacher. A little girl's backyard comes to life with talking animals and fairies. The story is a pleasant look into our childhood imagination! Highly recommended for all!

My six year old daughter who loves all things magical but nothing scary, just loved this book. Her little face had an ear-to-ear grin when Twig became small and especially when the fairy queen appeared. The story works on many levels and led to a rather philosophical discussion about whether or not it was really a dream that Twig had. I highly recommend this book. It's a sweet story with basic, old-fashioned, comfortable characters.

A "must read" for any boy who craves adventure stories. No elves or dragons or monsters - just a real picture of life of a small boy on the Indiana frontier. If you enjoyed the Little House on the Prairie books you'll love this.

This is such a good book to share with modern Hoosier children. It gives them a taste of what life was like for some of the early pioneer children living in Indiana. I have read this book to my fouth grade classes for years, and they always love it.

The Bears of Blue River is a book I can heartily recommend parents to buy and read to their children. This book, about the many pioneer outdoors experiences of young Balser in the 1820's, is a great way to introduce youngsters to life in a simpler, yet challenging time. My children are captivated as they hang on every word of Balser's bear hunting exploits in the forests of the then-young State of Indiana. My Mother, who is 91 years of age, purchased the book for my young son, and wrote in the forward "Your Grandpa Wayne liked these stories when he was a boy". Eighty-five years later, his 12 year old and 4 year old grandsons are equally enthusiastic. Don't miss this one for your sons!

What a great book! My husband enjoyed the book when he was a boy. We shared it with our children. They loved it,too! Great adventures.

In 1953 I started first-grade in southern Indiana. My teacher, Pearl Monroe, read Charles Major's 1900 Bears of Blue River to us. She, also, read it to my father in a one-room school house. It was my favorite book. There was one sad part in the book where Mrs. Monroe always cried. She would have an older student finish the chapter. In about 1980, I read it to my kindergarten age son. I also cried when the Polly died in an explosion that killed the dreaded Fire Bear. About five years ago, in a used book store in Colorado. I read it to my father who was in his 80's. Together we enjoyed the memories it brought back. This year I started teaching fourth-grade at the Odessa Christian School here in Odessa, TX - having just retired after 21 years with the pubilc schools. I just finished reading this marvelous adventure story to my class. They all acclaimed that it was the best book they ever heard read. I highly recommend this book and the sequel, Uncle Tom Andy Bill. Donald Potter

I have made it a habit this year to get through many of the classics on audio book during my daily commute. I picked Pilgrim's Progress since it was one of the most influential English books ever published, and I wanted to see what it was all about.

The audio book was published by Blackstone Audio and the reader was Robert Whitfield. The reader did an excellent job and was very easy to listen to. He did some characterization with his voice that made it easy to know which character was speaking. I was a little worried about the older style English, but it gave me no problem. It probably helps that I am familiar with the King James Version of the Bible. Overall, listening to this book worked out very well.

This is the first book length allegory that I have been through and I thought it was an excellent way to teach. There is no doubt which principal each character is supposed to represent by their name, and their actions represented that well also. I can understand why so many families had this book in their libraries. As far as Christian doctrine goes, there are a few things that some would disagree with, but most of the principals taught are still generally accepted today. The path to God's presence is filled with opposition, but there is help available and the reward is worth it.

I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to understand an important part of our heritage, and to see what an effective tool allegory is.

I love this book. It was written from a jail cell in the 1600s. This version is the original so the text is difficult to read at first but I would not want a watered down modernized version (which can be purchased). I find if I read in chunks it starts to flow nicely. The characters have names like, "Evangelist", "Piety", "Talkative", "Faith", etc. So you know just where someone is coming from. I have marked up this book with pencil just like I do my scriptures! It is like reading one long parable in story form! Cool book. I'm glad to have found it.

We've read this book to our son and he has really enjoyed it. He doesn't yet fully understand everything and we had to stop and explain a lot to him, but it is something that we plan on reading over and over again as our kids continue to grow.
I read a review that stated that a main flaw in this book was the lack of one on one relationship with Christ. I can understand what they are saying, but I think what you have to keep in mind is that while we are here on earth and in our day and age we do not physically see Christ. He was once here walking and living on this earth, but He is now in heaven. He uses other means now to maintain a personal relationship with us. For example, we can know Christ through His word and through prayer. Just as in the book, He often also sends other Christians along in our life to help us and encourage us. This book is a good example of a walk of faith. We can't see and physically touch Christ right now, but when we are in heaven we WILL see Him just as Bunyan talks about in the book. Christian persevered in his walk without physically seeing Christ and he was rewarded in the end for his faith. For now, how much greater our reward is for those who have not seen Him and yet believed!

Enthralling. This book will help every Christian deal with the battles of being a Christian in this life and all the struggles that go with it. It teaches you never to give up even when you feel like you can't go on. Life's struggles are not a new occurrence, but as timeless as human existence itself. It teaches you not to be too concentrated on your struggles, but to look at the great prize which is Heaven and not be distracted or enticed by the struggles of life nor the easy way out. Excellent. It is a must read for every Christian.

The first time that I encountered Christian and his pilgrimage was as a preface and a family favorite in the book Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Unfortunately, it was not until twenty-something years later that I actually got around to reading the book itself. If I were you, I would not wait that long.

The first part of the current combined book appeared in 1678. Bunyan, a nonconformist Protestant minister who was imprisoned for preaching without a license, wrote at least the first part of the book in jail. The second part was first published in 1684. It is likely the most popular allegory ever written, and is still one of the best selling books of all time.

What makes it so popular? The obvious key to its popularity is its simple, crisp style. Even accounting for the language changes between the seventeenth century and now, it is not a struggle to read Progress and it flows well for the modern reader. Although the book is allegory, the characters are full of little realistic details that make them feel quite human. Incidentally, I was reading this book as I was walking some of the old pilgrimage trails of Europe and it was interesting to me how vivid and applicable his version of the pilgrimage experience is. The Slow of Despair rang remarkably true, as did characters such as Talkative and Mr. Worldly Wisdom.

The Oxford University Press edition is bound with a scholarly introduction which is, for a change, worth reading. It also came with explanatory notes and a glossary which were helpful for the modern reader who is not familiar with the everyday language of the period.

The Moosepath league series are fast becoming my favorite books after a lifetime of avid reading. The characters are joyfully delightful and woven into a yarn that is amusing, enchanting and at times magical. Take Charles Dickens Pickwickians, add some "Three Men in a Boat" charm, a liberal sprinkling of P.G. Wodehouse's comic situations, a little Jane Austen romance, a dash of "A Midsummer Night's Dream"'s magic; mix well and spread over a 19th century Maine landscape and you'll end up with this wonderful book. You must read it - however many stars I had to give, I'd give them all.

This book is sheer fun. I discovered it in a used book store and am buying the rest of the trilogy immediately. Before I was through with the book, I was looking into a vacation in Maine. Excellent.

Van Reid is an amazing story teller. There are many great stories within the larger story. This book was great, albeit a little slow in places. If you liked it at all, you should continue on to the other two books in the triology which just keep getting better.

Van Reid has a magic way with words. In "Cordelia Underwood" he has created each character (and there are many of them)with wit and insight. His characters understand the importance of kindness and respect. They are also, with a couple necessary exceptions, game for adventure, especially when that concerns helping a friend or rescuing a "damsel in distress" (who turns out pretty good at helping herself). There are stories within stories and intersecting adventures, and I found each a delight. They all fit together into as pleasurable a novel as I have ever read. You won't regret reading this.

Van Reid has crafted a delightfully charming work. CORDELIA UNDERWOOD actually made me, a deep-fried Southern Belle, dream of adventuring in the very New England setting inhabited by the members of the MOOSEPATH LEAGUE. I look forward with great anticipation to reading all the books in the series and sincerely hope that there will be many more escapades to read about in years to come. If you are a fan of Miss Read's English villages, Jan Karon's Mitford, and L.M. Montgomery's ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, then Van Reid's Maine missives are for you!

Well bound leather book with quality feeling pages makes this an easy book to pick up and use. I would recommend this small daily devotional to everyone. Easy to use, carry with you and to read.

I ordered Daily Light from Amazon and was thrilled to get the 5 copies I orders, especially since the book has gone out of print. I received excellent service.

Daily Light is a book that I have read for over thirty years. There is a daily reading, morning and evening, of various scriptures that are all on the same theme. It was compiled by the Bagster family of London, England. There were twelve children and it was Jonathan, their tenth child, who was mainfily responsible for the idea and for the method by which Daily Light was compiled. The family prayed over, discussed and agreed on each scripture and sometimes it was weeks before it was felt that they came to an agreement. Not one word has been altered from its conception (1794). Hundreds and thousands of Christians have read the same page with its message of comfort and help through the years since it was first published. It brings hope and encouragement each morning and evening to anyone who takes the few minutes to read it and let it sink in. "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

Daily Light is a compot of Scriptures arranged around daily topics. It has been a favorite for generations but in 1998 Anne Graham Lotz revived it, published it in the New King James translation and offered it in a leather bound edition. Though very popular it is unfortunately no longer available. Our hope is that J. Countryman will republish it soon.

This book is a treasure of God's Word. Our family of 6 each have their own copy and we give it as gifts to those who are seeking the Lord.

My two-year-old niece insists that her mother and grandmother read this book to her several times a day. When I went to visit, I saw this book and immediately remembered enjoying it as a kid. Our neighbor read it to me to comfort me one day when I was upset because my dad had locked his keys in his car, we were locked out of the house, and I was upset because I had stepped in a puddle and my pants were wet to the knee. (I think I must have been 5 or 6 at the time) Mom tells me the neighbor read me this book while we waited for her to come home with her keys and let us back in the house, and it calmed me down.

I bought this for a first grader that I mentor and she has enjoyed it so much, in fact she has read it at least six times

This is another terrific book by Syd Hoff that brings back childhood memories. I loved it then and I still love it now. My kids enjoy reading this book over and over again. It is filled with colorful pictures and the story line is so cute and fun. Another great book by Syd Hoff.

I bought this book for my Grandson,and he loves it.His little Brother wants him to read it to him now too.I love to buy books for my Grandchildren.I am a avid reader and I want them to have the same experience.This is a great book.It is easy to read,even for a early reader,and it is also so cute.All my kids have loved it.It has been around for years.

This book is a classic. My kids always pick it out at the library to read.

I first read this precious book, when a friend sent it to me, after my husbands death.
It was such a comfort.
Now I send it, hoping it will help and comfort some one else.

This is a wonderful book to own for yourself or give as a gift to anyone that has had a love one go on before them to heaven. It gives a vivid picture of what heaven is like. You will feel close to heaven and those that have gone on to their reward.
I first read this book when my sister and then my father died in the same year. It was a tremendous source of comfort, and made the vast expanse between us seem so much smaller.
I highly recommend it.

I first read 'Intra Muros' in the late 1970s.
Although I realize it is not absolutely the truth, it gave me such a peace about death and the hereafter, I passed the book on to another.
At one time I bought 24 of them to pass around. Not one came back to me.
Isn't that wonderful!
Now I am doing the same thing with 'My Dream of Heaven'.
I wish everyone would/could read it.

I really enjoyed reading this book. This book is a great gift to give to someone who has lost a loved one. It helps you to imagine what Heaven will be like.

Although it is the author's dream of heaven, it is a beautiful story about how heaven may be and that it is a continuation from our life on earth. We will meet our family and friends and we will all be so happy and praising our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a lovely book and produces warm and happy feelings!

My kids and I came to know Little Bear through the cartoons on TV first. Perhaps part of the appeal of the books for my kids is that they know these stories well from the cartoon, but the books are much more engaging!

Best of all, unlike the cartoons, you have the amazing illustrations of Maurice Sendak. They give the books a timeless appeal.

Perfect to read to little ones, and an excellent reader for K-2.

Other titles in the Level 1 - Beginning Reading series are:

- "Father Bear Comes Home"

- "A Kiss For Little Bear"

- "Little Bear's Friend"

- "Little Bear's Visit"

This is a warm, nurturing view of childhood. My children and many others have loved it for years.

I purchased the Little Bear (An I Can Read Book) for a first grader that I mentor and she had asked for this book. I have given her other books and can't wait to give her this one

Little Bear, first published in 1957, is a true classic in children's literature. The book is about a bear cub who is a good friend to Owl, Cat, Hen, Duck and Emily, the little girl who visits in the summer. Elsa Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak teamed up to create these stories. The stories are filled with quiet humor, affection and imagination as Little Bear and his friends celebrate birthdays, play games, meet new friends and explore their neighborhood.

The first of five classic Little Bear books, written for beginning readers, Little Bear contains several stories. In one story, "Birthday Soup," Little Bear can't find his mother and thinks she's forgotten his birthday so he sets out to make birthday soup for his friends only to find out his mother hasn't forgotten his birthday. In "Little Bear Goes to the Moon," Little Bear decides that he'll fly to the moon and Mother Bear lets him as long as he's back by lunch.

This book and the others will delight young readers, and encourage them to keep reading.

My 6 year old has listened to this CD a million times, reading along with the book, and still hasn't gotten tired of it. We even listen to it at bedtime, as it's very soothing and doesn't have a lot of distracting sound effects to startle her as she falls asleep. We couldn't be happier with it, and I plan to purchase other copies as gifts.

These volumes are excellent quality. The paper is thin and buff color, the printing is two color, and the font is readable. They were much better quality than I was expecting. Thank you.

I realize that most of the readers of this review will be unable to carry out my suggestion but for those that can, I recommend this procedure to get the most out of the Liturgy of the Hours. After daily or even Sunday Mass, walk over to the rectory and suggest to the pastor that you would like to have the priests join and of course lead Morning Prayer in the Church before daily Mass. He will probably be overjoyed that you are that interested in praying 'his' prayers and will begin as soon as he can. In addition to the spiritual benefits of group prayer, you will be surprised how quickly you become expert in navigating the 'Breviary', even pointing out, diplomatically, the times the priests make a mistake. It becomes quite habit-forming and as others have said, your day will not be complete without it. Since we have two daily Masses, we are able to pray both Morning and Evening Prayer in common. The priests still pray the Office of Readings and Compline in private but who knows when we will join them for that. We have also printed up books with the Morning and Evening Prayers in them for those who do not wish to purchase the Liturgy. The only day we do not pray in unison is on Sunday and maybe someday we will bite that bullet. By the way, we are not the only parish that does this. I know of at least one other parish that recites the Morning and Evening Prayer and like us has a goodly number of participants. I do understand that work would preclude the majority of wage-earners from participating but for those who are retired or otherwise not working this does give you the chance to practice your faith. And finally, the daily reading of the Psalms mirrors so much of what is occurring in our modern life that it is almost scary. But then, considering the author, how else could it be?

It was just what I expected. It was given as a gift to a friend and I am so happy with the purchase. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to deepen their prayer life.

I wanted to buy the Liturgy of the Hours, but I wasn't able to buy all 4 volumes at once. So I've been buying them as the season for each comes. They are amazing! I used the Shorter Christian Prayer a little before, but each of these complete volumes is better. There is more variety in the prayers and it is great when it is a saint's feast day and you get to read about the saint. Not to mention the Office of Readings which often includes a homily from an early Church father! I recommend this to, well, anyone!

The Liturgy of the Hours is, after the Mass, THE universal prayer of the Church. Composed of Psalms, Biblical readings, intercessions, writings of the Church Fathers, and prayers specific to each day of the liturgical year, this beautiful prayer orders the day and unites each person to the other members of the Mystical Body of Christ, who are saying the same prayer the world over. I truly love this 4 volume set, finding it to be a deep well from which I daily draw the spiritual drink I need.