Contemporary Books

Plain and simply REMARKABLE. This is one of the best books I've read to date. The simplicity/complexity in which it was written was a unique experience to come across. Its the type of book that you don't want to put down. The way the author describes in great detail the scenery of every event and the thoughts of all the characters, makes it the more phenomenal and interesting to read, as it also makes you live a vivid image of the events. I STRONGLY recomend this book to everyone, as it is a good book.

CinthyaC.

All I can say is I read this book, in one day and then read it again. This book had love, sex, family issues, sisters in stress, men who are greedy, I swear it was like eating gunbo. Sheba knows that Sol loves her, and knows that he could be the one. However in Sheba mind money control the world. Sheba is afraid of being poor so she lives this fake life until Mr Sol shows her something different in herself.

This is my first time reading a whole noval by Mr. Allen but this will not be my last. Sheba was not perfect and neither was Sol, but that is what made them so GOOD for each other. I wish a man could love me half as much as Sol loved Sheba.

Keep up the good work

Mr. Allen's writing skills are masterful. I could not put the book down until I reached the end. The manner in which he weaves the story keeps you guessing. The book is very well written and there is never a dull moment. The characters are well developed. Some of them you'll love and others you just want to jump into the book and strangle. I recommend you read it, you will not be disappointed.

The book is hot, steamy, and erotic without question. The descriptions in this book are intense enough to make an Eskimo sweat. The book takes place in Miami, Fl. which I appreciate, being a native. My one major concern with this book is how modern the vernacular is. Although, coupled to the descriptive nature of the settings and characters the vernacular manages to further depict each character vividly and build the readers mental image of them. My testimony being that I read through the first three chapters of this book in twenty minutes and didn't miss an ioda. Very discriptive and intense. I look forward to my experience to come in this class. I may have forgotten to mention that Mr. Allen is my English Proffesor.

From the very first pages to the very end of the novel I was embeded in the book. The erotic development of the characters along with the stylish and modern slang or prose that the novel was written in makes it a hell of a read. I have never read a book in such a short period of time, simply put I just couldn't put it down.
I guarantee you will not be bored for a second. A great novel.
Read this book , and if I where you I would look into another one of the authors works as well.

I bought about ten of these because they are so easy to carry around and are printed with easy to read type and sell at a very good price. I have many other editions of Shakespeare's plays but these are perfect for what I wanted. I have lots of other editions with introductions, evaluations, etc. and I don't really need that in my bag. These editions are a great way to read the plays without carrying around five pounds of book!

this is shakespeare's most accessible comedy. it's a farce about mistaken identities among identical twins. nothing complicated here. the play has it's funny moments. it's not the bard's best comedy; that's 'much ado about nothing', imho. but this is not a bad place to start.

Shakespeare's vision grew tremendously over the course of his writing career. However, this play demonstrates that his uncanny power as an artist grew quickly and was present in some form from the very begining. It is exceedingly hard to buy the common notion that this was his first comedy when it is so much better than "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" in nearly every way. The dialogue is fast paced and screamingly funny. The characters interesting if broad and there are some surprising touches that, aside from being interesting in and of themselves, point down the road to later, darker comedies. Chief among these is the amazing opening, perhaps still unequaled in all comedy for the level of grimness. These are the first words uttered in a play long seen as a kind of sitcom of Shakespeare's plays: "Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall, and by the doom of death end woes and all." The speaker is Egeon, a merchant about to be put to death for simply coming from the wrong country. The whole first scene feels like a cloud is hanging over it and there is a sense of fear-infused urgency that catches the mind off guard and makes the joyous, lunatic story all the more welcome while at the same time coloring it with real drama, making it all the more exciting. To be sure, there is little real depth and much of the play is like a sitcom but only the best of sitcoms and perhaps "Monty Python" at their most absurd is a better comparison. The plot is well chosen (from the Roman comic dramatist Plautus) and well handled. For some reason the play is not well known even among the early comedies which is a shame. It is probably the best of them, even surpassing the wonderful "The Taming of the Shrew". Aside from being an easy read, keep in mind the play is good to perform as it holds up well and doesn't suffer from being tinkered with. I've seen one production that was mostly straightforward but did a few weird things that worked like magic. They would've sunk almost any other Shakespeare comedy. I must also mention the last moment between the two clowns. It is as heart-warming and humane as it is funny. The master is already present AND growing. Do yourself a favor and pick up this play, you'll laugh your head off!

I recently re-read THE COMEDY OF ERRORS prior to attending The Colorado Shakespeare Festival's performance of this farce-like play under the summer stars here in Boulder. Based on Menaechmi by Plautus, William Shakespeare (1564-1616) produced this romantic comedy between the years 1592-93 and published it in the First Folio in 1623. While on its surface this early play may seem superficial and frivolous when measured against KING LEAR or HAMLET, it is not without its own unique depths. It also shows that the Bard had a sense of humor. It tells the hilarious story of two, identical twin brothers (Antipholus of Syracuse and Antipholus of Ephesus) and their identical twin servants (both named Dromio), all of whom were separated at sea during their infancy until redisdovering each other through a series of madcap mix-ups, mayhem, and mistaken identities in the apparently insane town of Epheseus. Meanwhile, Egeon (the father of the Antipholus twins), has been granted a day to raise local ransom for illegally entering Ephesus. In that day, the separated twins are reunited, Antipholus of Ephesus pays his father's ransom, and Egeon discovers his long-lost wife (Aemilia) living in the local priory. In the end, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS is as much about the power of family as the search for completing oneself. It is a play that reminds me that it is perhaps better to re-read and understand Shakespeare than to devour one bestseller after the next.

G. Merritt

One of the problems that great artists present to us is where to begin in getting to know their works. Their masterworks are often so full of what they have spent a lifetime developing that most of it is lost on those who have not yet put in a significant amount of effort becoming familiar with that artist's style and means of expression. Yet, if one begins with their apprentice works one may become discouraged because they lack the miracles of the masterworks. So, where does one begin?

Shakespeare offers the reader an additional challenge of an English that is removed in style and idiom from us by 400 years. It is not an insurmountable challenge. In fact, it is quite easy to overcome with a bit of time reading it and getting into the flow. It just seems strange in the beginning, but it really does become easy to read once you spend some time with it. However, getting over that small hill has kept many from enjoying the glories of Shakespeare.

This play, "The Comedy of Errors", is clearly an early work. It has many virtues, but despite them it does not offer much of what we really value in Shakespeare. It is a very fine play and is constructed very well. It is a wonderful first work to read of Shakespeare because it is short and has a very simple plot. The new reader does not have to spend much effort contemplating characters or the immense subtlety of language of the great works. Its charms are direct and what it has to offer is pretty much on the surface of the words.

The plot is, like all farces, ridiculous. It involves twin brothers who are served by twin slaves. They are separated early in life and when the play opens one set does not know the other exists. One set (the Antipholus and Dromio from Syracuse) visits Ephesus where the other set (the Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus) lives. The play involves people confusing the two sets to the bewilderment of those suffering from the confusion. It really is quite funny. Of course, eventually, all is resolved to everyone's delight.

This edition, like all of the individual editions Arden offers of these plays, has a wonderful opening essay that offers a great deal of background on the play including a discussion of its performance history, sources, and discussion of the play itself. The appendices in the back offer excerpts from the sources and some brief information on the Gray's Inn performance of 1594.

If you desire to study Shakespeare and are willing to spend time reading many of his plays, "The Comedy of Errors" is a good work to start with just to ease into the language and get a feel for some of the conventions of Elizabethan theater. Just don't stop here. Shakespeare has so much more to offer that you owe it to yourself to continue your exploration of this supreme artist.

Despite the coincidences of how the hero and heroine keep meeting up after their explosive one night stand (I love the lift scene)- which needs a suspension of belief as in most romance books. So far this is one of the more realistic plots. It takes a year for the two of them to get to the ultimate marriage proposal, most romances have the guy proposing within 2 months of meeting up or even less. So its a real joy to read a realistic portrayal of a modern day 'courtship' with all the hangups.

Adrianne Byrd has yet to disappoint me with her writing skills. I enjoyed this novel so much, I read it in 1/2 a day..talk about a page turner. The chemistry between Isaiah and Brooklyn was sexy, steamy and very romantic. And talk about a good man, he had a good job, could cook, took dance lessons, was a good listener, brought her a tiara, and knew how to throw down in the bedroom, what more could she want. I couldn't believe she foolishly let him get away. I was glad she was able to overcome 'her' obstacles and finally realize that nothing is impossible, especially when you have love.

I read this book in one day. I want a man like Isaiah Washington.
I am so glad I read this book.

This was a great story. Brooklyn Douglas has had enough of love, all she wants is a little fun. Isaiah Washington is a good looking, gray eyed brother, and the man Brooklyn has her sight set on. After a very intense night of love making Brooklyn sneaks out with the intentions of never seeing Isaiah again, or so she thinks.........

From the last few books of hers that I have picked up, I've come to the conclusion that an Adrianne Byrd novel is sure winner.

In "Comfort of a man", Byrd doesn't disappoint. Brooklyn Douglas is reeling from a bitter divorce when her girlfriends suggest a harmless romp in the sack as just what she needs. When Brooklyn encounters Isaiah Washington in a bar during an annual girlfriend's weekend away in New York, she decides on the spur of the moment to take her girlfriends advice and proceeds to have the best night of her life with Isaiah. Despite Isaiah's desire to keep in touch and see where the road takes them, Brooklyn walks away and fully expects never to see Isaiah again.

A few weeks later, however, Brooklyn reencounters Isaiah and the sparks are reunited. In the ensuing drama, Brooklyn and Isaiah embark upon a cat and mouse game of pursuit with Isaiah chasing a reluctant Brooklyn. Author Adrianne Byrd crafts a fine relationship tale that leaves you anxiously waiting for her next work. This was a SUPERB novel!

This was a great book and I loved the dialogue. I am not particularly fond of love stories but this is a cute love story. It is one of those books that makes you feel good and smile when you are done reading it. That Neola was a trip.

Cousins is raw, real and original! The dialect is flavorful. The characters are emotional. The passion is sensational! Fantastic writing.

This book is absolutely wonderful! It reads well and the dialogue is genuine. I couldn't put it down. I laughed, cried and laughed some more.

Cousins has a down home, hot and spicy, misty rain, warm slow dripping home made molasses, dip me in it with a fresh hand made buttermilk biscuit kind of flava.

All I can say is that I want to live in Sweet Water, North Carolina. If this place is not real, it should be. If the characters aren't real, they need to be.

Every page is gripping! Every love scene is inviting! Every plate of food is digestable! This author has an imagination that's out of this world! Her talent is unshakable!

Cousins is absolutely the best book I've read all year. The author keeps you captivated. The characters have such strong personalities you actually feel as if they are still with you when you put the book down. I didn't want to put it down until I finished. I would love to see this book in a movie! Excellent writing!

Leave it to Ravi Zacharias to put eloquently what all of us somehow feels. Something's gone wrong in our society -- it's not as kind as it used to be. Something's amiss. Ravi has tapped into that "something". As always, brilliantly thought out and argued. Always with compassion but never compromised.

I love anything Ravi Zacharias writes. He brings you to the only conclusion possible in whatever spiritual truth he is presenting, and I love this. But greater still --- there is in Ravi Zacharias a truth that transcends intellect -- he genuinely loves the Lord he writes (or speaks) about. This makes his books or his sermons worth my attention.

"When we see our hearts as God sees them, we find His strength, not only to understand good and evil, but to act on it. The one who resists this truth has nowhere to turn." (p. 184)

Ravi Zacharias is a native of India, but got Saved and converted to Christianity as a young man. He is most famous as a public speaker for explaining and defending Christian concepts in an intellectually thoughtful context, mostly by debunking the faulty viewpoints of the opposition. Where other radio preachers and book authors are heavy on emotionally expounding upon Scripture, Ravi's unique approach focuses on intellectual discourse. He talks and reasons his way as to why Christianity and Bible teachings are correct, without necessarily using Scripture as the sole evidence, but rather by using logic and focused thinking. He teaches Bible truths and values using observations about society, history, and culture.

I personally find that Ravi is most concise and focused on the radio, not in his books, nevertheless, in his autobiography, WALKING FROM EAST TO WEST, Ravi says that DELIVER US FROM EVIL and THE REAL FACE OF ATHEISM are his bestselling books. I have read both, and I think this book, DELIVER US FROM EVIL, is his strongest work.

"It was not the Code of Hammurabi that touched America's conscience. Nor was it the intent or content of the Koran. By no stretch of imagination was it the pantheistic framework of Eastern mysticism. America's soul was indubitably formed in keeping with the basic assumptions and injunctions of this, the moral law of the Hebrews, which gave her a vision of history's linear thrust whereby she was to reconcile liberty with law." (p. 154)

In DELIVER US FROM EVIL, Ravi writes about the state of Western culture, which has largely abandoned Bible-based morality and thus also suffered the consequences which we must now try to redeem. "Freedom can be destroyed, not just by its retraction, but also by its abuse." (p. 86)

The popular concept that there are no absolute truths, and thus anything goes, morally speaking, is at the basis of today's sorry state of affairs, culturally speaking. "An ABSOLUTE is basically an unchanging point of reference by which all other changes are measured...RELATIVISM is, therefore, only another word for ANARCHY, and that is why truth itself becomes elusive when there is no longer a point of reference." (p. 219)

The danger is that without a commonly accepted standard of morality, our culture is constantly under attack from within, by people with unhappy, desperate hearts which know no peace, and who wish to enforce an absence of morality. "Rebellion that sees no sanctity in life's essence is a constant state of mind bespeaking a heart that will never be satisfied." (p. 136)

This can only be done by trying to build a consensus that there is no God, the Bible is not real, and all that exists and may be considered is the material world--ripped away from any spiritual meaning or purpose. "...secularization assumes that this world--the material world-- is all we have...secularism is the philosophy of choice for American intellectual and political life." (p. 23)

In the USA, where the the 1st Amendment has been perverted by religion haters to mean freedom FROM religion, the problem is one that we are living with everyday, and not for the betterment of society, but to its detriment. "Not only has secularization brought us a silent universe with no voice from without, it has also brought us a silence from within as it has redefined the whole role of conscience." (p. 56)

Have you ever been self-righteously confronted by someone defending morally reprehensible things, while condemning the concept of morality itself? "In an unbelievable and shocking turn of events we have moved from speaking out against certain moral choices to being pressured by political enforcement and the so-called tolerant cultural elite not only to accept what was once disapproved of, but to celebrate it. Allowance for people to determine their own moral destinies has been supplanted by the demand that even that which may be repugnant or offensive to one's moral sensitivities must be acclaimed and glorified." (p. 133)

The anti-Christian spirit of this age has increasingly, and secretively, turned to the power of a secular judicial system of government to try to enforce immorality and condemn morality. "...the power to create and enforce moral relativism has been placed into the hands of government. Political power is a strange place to entrust morality because proverbially politics is not synonymous with moral uprightness. The very institution that is distrusted most has now become the shaper of the soul." (p. 78)

These days, we are pretty far along the wrong path in our Western culture, and the good guys are very late in catching onto the game plan of the bad guys, to wit, the public school system has been taken over by secularist believers who get to teach their secular view of life while condemning a Christian worldview because it opposes their immoral behavior. "The whole point of state controlled education is that it gives to the government the power to shape the souls and write on the fresh slates of young hearts... to assume that they accept that responsibility from a posture of neutrality is to live under the most destructive illusion." (p. 138)

By the time I finished this book, I thought that Ravi explained how things got so bad in our culture, and that knowing that much, we are better equipped to understand and deal with the situation, which will basically require an act of God to straighten out, of course, but God will win in the end. Christians know how the Bible ends and the true believing Christians end up in Heaven, while what do the secularist have to look forward to in the end? Nothing, by their own perspective, and worse, eternal damnation from a Biblical viewpoint. You can't beat God in the end. "Throughout history the Word of God has remained firm; it rises up to outlive its pallbearers." (p. 190)

Amen that, Ravi, amen that.

This book examines the Zeitgeist or spirit of the age, points out what is wrong with it and how to reverse the destructive trend. The modern era is taken as the period 1789 - 1989 and the Post-modern as the one that followed. The West is currently in the grip of the PoMo mindset, more so in Europe than in the USA.

Whereas reason was held as the highest value under modernism, it has been ridiculed by postmodernism where truth is considered to be extinct. Purpose and design were emphasized in modernism, but postmodernism emphasizes chance and randomness. The post-modern spirit considers values as relative and celebrates unreason and the loss of meaning. Deconstruction and contradiction are its gods.

Although the modern pursuit was inhospitable towards spiritual truth, debate was still possible because information was subject to induction and deduction. In the post-modern mentality the purpose of debate or dialogue is not to discover truth, since here facts have no legitimacy. Debate is therefore impossible.

The first section of the book is titled The Moods Of The Present; it explores the ideas and circumstances that gave birth to the current cultural struggle. The author rigorously investigates the PoMo mindset in the light of the fruits it has borne. This part contains interesting references to sources as varied as The Great Divorce and The Pilgrim's Regress by CS Lewis, the thoughts of GK Chesterton and even song lyrics by The Moody Blues (Question) and Carly Simon (Playing Possum).

The second section looks at voices from the past, those that have shaped Western culture down the ages. As postmodernism mocks the promise once offered by modernity, religion comes under even greater assault, partly because of the faults of politicised religion. Theocracy is not the answer. The real hope lies in a change of heart in the individual.

This section includes the poem Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley and an interesting quote by Peggy Noonan, among others. The author discusses the history of Manasseh, son of Hezekiah. Manasseh turned out to be one of the most evil kings in the history of ancient Judah. He was a practitioner of "multiculturalism,' introducing hideous habits like infanticide from the surrounding nations.

Zacharias provides a frightening description of what these sacrifices of children to Moloch must have been like. It shows how one person can lead millions into evil, when a nation ceases to think clearly. After Manasseh, the righteous King Josiah led the kingdom of Judah back to God again.

Section 3 explores the mystery of evil, with reference to the trial of Eichmann and popular culture like the movie Pulp Fiction in which murder is trivialized. The beautiful poem The Coming by R S Thomas is reproduced here, and the grace of God and the invitation to redemption are discussed.

Appendix A: The Ineradicable Word is a defence of the uniqueness and authority of the Bible, a brilliant apologetics for the veracity of the message in our Judeo-Christian scriptures. It deals inter alia with the transcultural nature of truth and the transformation of the soul.

Appendix B: Inextinguishable Light, deals with the structure of reason, certainty and the matter of absolutes. It includes a quote from Malcolm Muggeridge warning of the spiritual plague of relativism. It explains the relationship of logic - reason - truth and the Word as truth in the battleground of the heart.

The book concludes with an Annotated Bibliography of the Bible, Notes by chapter and a Study Guide with questions to use as a workbook. I also recommend Sinisterism: Secular Religion of the Lie by Bruce Walker, While Europe Slept by Bruce Bawer, Menace in Europe by Claire Berlinski, The Dragons Of Expectation: Reality And Delusion In The Course Of History by Robert Conquest, The Force of Reason by Oriana Fallaci, The West's Last Chance by Tony Blankley and Our Culture, What's Left of It: The Mandarins and the Masses by Theodore Dalrymple.

This book examines the Zeitgeist or spirit of the age, identifies what is wrong with it and how to reverse the destructive trend. The modern era is taken as the period 1789 - 1989 and the Post-modern as the one that followed. The West is currently in the grip of the PoMo mindset, more so in Europe than in the USA. Whereas reason was held as the highest value under modernism, it has been ridiculed by postmodernism where truth is considered to be extinct. Purpose and design were emphasized in modernism, but postmodernism emphasizes chance and randomness. The post-modern spirit considers values as relative and celebrates unreason and the loss of meaning. Deconstruction and contradiction are its gods. Although the modern pursuit was inhospitable towards spiritual truth, debate was still possible because information was subject to induction and deduction. In the post-modern mentality the purpose of debate or dialogue is not to discover truth, since here facts have no legitimacy. Debate is therefore impossible.

The first section of the book is titled The Moods Of The Present; it explores the ideas and circumstances that gave birth to the current cultural struggle. The author rigorously investigates the PoMo mindset in the light of the fruits it has borne. This part contains interesting references to sources as varied as The Great Divorce and The Pilgrim's Regress by CS Lewis, the thoughts of GK Chesterton and even song lyrics by The Moody Blues (Question) and Carly Simon (Playing Possum). The second section looks at voices from the past, those that have shaped Western culture down the ages. As postmodernism mocks the promise once offered by modernity, religion comes under even greater assault, partly because of the faults of politicised religion. Theocracy is not the answer. The real hope lies in a change of heart in the individual. This section includes the poem Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley and an interesting quote by Peggy Noonan, among others.

The author discusses the history of Manasseh, son of Hezekiah. Manasseh turned out to be one of the most evil kings in the history of ancient Judah. He was a practitioner of "multiculturalism,' introducing hideous habits like infanticide from the surrounding nations. Zacharias provides a frightening description of what these sacrifices of children to Moloch must have been like. It shows how one person can lead millions into evil, when a nation ceases to think clearly. After Manasseh, the righteous King Josiah led the kingdom of Judah back to God again. Section 3 explores the mystery of evil, with reference to the trial of Eichmann and popular culture like the movie Pulp Fiction in which murder is trivialized. The beautiful poem The Coming by R S Thomas is reproduced here, and the grace of God and the invitation to redemption are discussed.

Appendix A: The Ineradicable Word is a defence of the uniqueness and authority of the Bible, a brilliant apologetics for the veracity of the message in our Judeo-Christian scriptures. It deals inter alia with the transcultural nature of truth and the transformation of the soul. Appendix B: Inextinguishable Light, deals with the structure of reason, certainty and the matter of absolutes. It includes a quote from Malcolm Muggeridge warning of the spiritual plague of relativism. It explains the relationship of logic - reason - truth and the Word as truth in the battleground of the heart. The book concludes with an Annotated Bibliography of the Bible, Notes by chapter and a Study Guide with questions to use as a workbook.

The Illusions of Postmodernism

Intellectual Impostures

Intellectual Morons: How Ideology Makes Smart People Fall for Stupid Ideas

Sinisterism: Secular Religion of the Lie

Disguised Blessing is a deeply emotional book that really touches your heart. It seemed as if this book was very special to the author and she lavished loving care on every word. A very special read.

This was a typical book for this author, which is a pretty good thing. Her stories aren't especially gripping but she always delivers a nice love story, this time about a male firefighter and a divorcee who previously has only married/dated wealthy men. There is also a very good teenage daughter in this book who also needs the firefighter's help and affection and a great dog.

I am never disappointed when I pick up a book by Georgia Bockoven. Her writing pulls you emotionally into the story and doesn't let go, even after you put the book down. If you're looking for great women's fiction, this is the writer for you. If you're looking for a great read, don't miss Disguised Blessing.

Ever dread finishing a book because you just know the next one you start won't come anywhere near to being as good? This was how I felt when I read the last page of Disguised Blessing. Before this, I'd read and enjoyed The Beach House, but Ms. Bockoven's latest surpasses that.

I read the book in one sitting, not wanting to have to put it aside for the night to find out how it ended. The dialogue is convincing and the characters totally sympathetic and in one spot I was in tears. Ms. Bockoven does an admriable job of showing that us while life may be horribly unfair, with love and hope the score can be evened.

I urge anyone who wants an uplifting book to read to put this one your To Buy list. As for me, I'm off to hunt up the author's backlist.

Do you know that feeling you get when you look into the eyes of the person you love like life itself? That sense that everything is complete? Do you remember what it felt like when you were first falling in love with someone? Those heartwrenching feelings? The gut-twisting panic when you thought that maybe the other person didn't feel that way?

Some of you may remember how you felt when you got a phone call that no person would ever want to get--the one telling you that a friend or a family member had died. That numbing sense that this is not real, followed closely by the beginnings of the deep pain of the loss that can take years to overcome.

If you read this book by Georgia Bockoven, or any of her other books, you will most likely remember these feelings, and so much more. The good and the bad that make up this silly little thing called the human existence. How does Ms. Bockoven capture the essence of life, the emotions of love and loss, and put them to words so well that you relive the best moments of your life--and maybe a little of some of the worst? How does she weave a spell of words that touches your soul itself?

I have no idea--but I'll tell you that she then does the deed one better. Quite frankly, I would normally prefer not to be reminded of the sad events in my life, thank you very much. But Ms. Bockoven, after gently bringing you into the lives of her characters and letting you experience all that they do, gives the reader a priceless gift.

We have the capacity, each and every one of us, to chase away those dark shadows. All it takes is love. A simple little fact, easily forgotten in the midst of life's trials. When you are done reading a Bockoven book, you'll remember.

THERE'S ALOT OF GREAT PICTURES IN HERE!THIS BOOK TALKS ABOUT CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO INFLUENCED MANSON,AND WHY.IT TALKS ABOUT CERTAIN " LABELS " GROUPS,AND PEOPLE GAVE HIM AND HIS BAND.IT TALKS ABOUT CHARLES MANSON,ALEISTER CROWLEY,AND ANTON LAVEY.THERE'S SO MUCH MORE INFORMATION IN HERE.THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT SUBJECTS BEING TALKED ABOUT.THIS IS REALLY AN INTERESTING BOOK!YOU REALLY SHOULD BUY THIS AND THEN YOU'LL KNOW MANSON ALOT BETTER!

THIS BOOK COVERS ALOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.HE TALKS ABOUT ANTON LEVEY AND THE CHURCH OF SATAN.WHY HE HAS SO MANY " PERSONALITIES. " WHY HE DOES THE MUSIC HE DOES AND WHY HE CHOOSES THE SONG TITLES.HIS BELIEFS AND FEELINGS ON CERTAIN ISSUES.THERE'S SO MUCH MORE.THIS BOOK IS VERY INFORMATIVE.IT HAS ALOT OF EXCELLENT PICTURES!HE CERTAINLY IS A VERY INTERESTING PERSON!

This is one of the best Marilyn Manson books I've ever read, besides of course "The Long Hard Road Out Of Hell", without lies. which is mostly what you could find on a MM book.

I read it in 2 days. The way it is presented in organized is amazing. You learn about so much in so few pages. The only flaw is a few minor inaccuracies. Get this book!

This book reads like a "works cited" page for Marilyn Manson's life. It's basically a list of all the influences on his music, fashion, philosophy, religious views, and general tastes in things like movies and books. It also gives an explanation for why all of these are relative to Manson, although I'm sure this is in the author's perception and not his own. This book is a must for those that want to understand why Marilyn Manson is the way he is. It does a much better job than his own autobiography, which I consider to be more entertainment than knowledge. I highly recommend reading both books, they serve as excellent companions to one another since neither give the complete story.

The End of The
Beginning

The end of the beginning is about a small snail (and an even smaller
ant). Avon ( the snail) loved to read books. He would sit and read one
EVERY day, each day he got sadder because each book he read was about
adventures but Avon never had an adventure and thought an adventure
would never come his way, but a rather small newt said, "Don't say such
things! If you really want to do an adventure go for it!" Avon took
the advise and set off on an adventure. Avon started by putting his
house in proper order but right before he closed the door a rather
small voice asked "Aren't you going to say good bye before you leave?"
It was an ant named Edward that was at Avon's door. Avon asked if he
wanted to go and he replied "Yes!"

That is how Avon and Edward met. I think this book is for 2nd grade and
up. I would recommend this book to people who like adventures. This book
is realistic fiction I like this book because it kept my intrest and every
time I put the book down I wondered what was going to happen next. The
End of the Beginning is by Avi I hope you will enjoy the book!
From, Monica

This story of the li'l snail is heart-warming - and the illustrations bring the magic to life. I'd highly recommend purchasing this - whether it be for a young child...or for someone simply young at heart. :)

Avon the snail has never experienced an adventure and he believes adventure is the secret to happiness. After meeting a new friend, Edward the ant, the two set out on a journey to find what they've been missing in life. In the end, they find out they didn't have to travel very far to find the excitment they thought they were missing. Along the way they meet many interesting & wise creatures that teach them things, for example "it's better to look for nothing and find something than to look for something & find nothing". GREAT;funny,witty & inspiring book for both children & adults! One of my new favorites; will be a classic someday!

My children and I thoroughly enjoyed Avon and Edward. We read it together one evening in a fairly short time. Reading it aloud gives the reader (Mom in this case) the opportunity to use different voices to help bring the personalities to life. My kids loved it so much (ages 7 and 8) that we had to read it to Dad the next night! Even 42-year-old Dad had to chuckle at some of the silliness of Avon and Edward!

It was so much fun, in fact, that my 7 year-old set out to read the entire chapter book herself. Since we brought it back to the library its like we're missing an old friend. We will buy a copy to keep on our shelf for future re-reading.

The End of the Beginning is a book about a friendship. When Avon the snail is sad because he's never been on an adventure, an ant named Edward decides he'll go with him. They've never been on another branch of the tree they live in so they decide to go and explore and see what kind of creatures also live there. The two set off not knowing what to expect, but just having each other's company. On their way, they run into all sorts of different animals who may need help with something, or just want someone to talk to. They learn about the different animals that live in the tree too and become friends with them. Along the way, Avon and Edward are becoming the best of friends, but they only fight over one thing; if it's the beginning or the end. When they reach the end of their branch they fight over if it's the beginning of the sky or the end of the branch. Edward also says quotes about life that you can relate to. I liked it because I think it's a cute story, for any readers. Also I liked that it teaches the true meaning and lessons learned of a friendship. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a cute story with a happy ending!

The story - plot etc. was a joy to read.
I just can't believe that someone who is approaching 40 has remained so insensitive to their own emotions that they would surrender the love of their life for freedom of worry? 13 Years?
Especially as it ends up that Maggie has garnered soo many flying miles every time that Jack ended up in the hospital from wounds.

Thirteen years without her love and still has some worries.
Well it looks like Andy, her Buffalo bull is going to bring about some changes. No big city crimes here in Montana but cattle rustling can be dangerous if the thieves have guns.

I sometimes wonder how some of these women make it through life with putting themselves in danger. They just don't think. Of themselves and the trouble they get into or the danger to the ones that have to rescue them.

B.J and Dixie prove the be hilarious and excellent friends to Maggie. They sure go to extremes to bring about a reconciliation between the gorgeous Jack Dawson and Maggie Moran. Of course Jack is brought to the realization of the worry Maggie went through with his job [appears to be a woman's lot in life]and he did some serious thinking.

Ben, like all teenagers, causes enough agitation to his parents but seems to have paid attention to the given situations. Great kid.

Great supporting characters - silly women - great plot - very nice pace to the events.

Definitely Recommended - M - should be sexy enough for most readers.

Once again Dianne Castell have reach the tender emotions of the heart. This book is about family matters and second chances. She brings all the sensitivity, love and loyalty between friends and family and how life could be if we are brave enough to let love happen. This is a sexy, fun, heartwarming, down to earth story that will leave you wanting more. I recomend this book wholeheartely, you will not be disapointed.

Maggie Moran is a forty-year-old divorcee. Her teenage son is about to graduate from high school and his father is planning a visit to their Montana ranch for the celebration. Maggie divorced Chicago cop Jack Dawson thirteen years earlier, mainly because Jack seemed to thrive on danger and Maggie just couldn't handle the constant fear anymore. But even after all these years, she has never really gotten over mouthwateringly-sexy Jack. Now he looks better than ever, but Maggie can't make the mistake of getting involved with him again. He's still the same old Jack, right?

Jack Dawson was planning to leave Montana right after his son's high school graduation, but there were a few things he hadn't counted on. First of all, Maggie is sexier and more gorgeous than ever. Also, Jack assumed her father was still running the ranch and he isn't happy to find Maggie doing the bulk of the work. Worse yet, her prize bull has been stolen and Maggie intends to ride out on her own to look for him! That goes against Jack's every instinct as a cop, not to mention his personal feelings for Maggie. Sure, they've been divorced for years but that doesn't make it any easier for him to see Maggie in danger.

Maggie and Jack have already given the relationship thing a try and there were reasons why they divorced. Just how much have they changed over the years? They're having a hard time keeping their hands off of each other, but is there more between them than lust? What happens when Jack's visit comes to an end?

Witty, sexy and suspenseful, A FABULOUS WIFE is an excellent beginning to Dianne Castell's Forty and Fabulous series. Maggie worked hard to build a good life for herself and her son after her divorce. She's independent and perfectly able to take care of herself. Jack knows he deliberately courts danger, but would he ever understand the toll his career took on Maggie? It was obvious they never completely stopped having feelings for each other and I hoped they would find a way to resolve the issues that drove them apart in the first place. I loved meeting Maggie's two best friends and can't wait to read their stories as the trilogy continues!

The first book of Dianne's new trilogy - Forty & Fabulous demonstrates how this authur just gets better and better. This book shows how love is not just for the young, but something to be savoured by all ages. A chance at love the second time around presents itself when Jack Dawson comes to Whislers Bend, Montanta to attend his son's high school graduation. After seeing his ex-wife, Maggie Moran, who had divroced him 10 years earlier because she could not stand being a cops wife, he realizes that his lover for her had never died. When her ranch is threatened because her prize bull, Andy has been taken by cattle rustlers Jack offers to help her and protect her at the same time. At first Maggie resists, because she realizes she still loves Jack and it was so hard to give him up the first time round. Can she possibly survive doing it again? This story is one that will have you laughing in places, wiping tears in others, but also shows how maturity and true love wins out. I look forward to the next books on Maggies friends,BJ and Dixie. But above all - love the second time round can really have its rewards.

Also recommended: Court Appointed Marriage, The Wedding Rescue

Accompanied by his parents, Chicago cop Jack Dawson comes to Whistlers Bend, Montana to attend the high school graduation of his son Ben. However, Jack is stunned to see Maggie Moran, his ex-wife, who divorced him thirteen years ago when he chose urban cop and she selected ranch. Though both are fortyish, each keeps the thought to themselves that the other looks great, better than when they were married.

Maggie has problems as her prize bull Andy is missing and probably abducted which means her Sky Notch ranch is in jeopardy of foreclosure, but the worst is that she still desires Jack. He knows from the first moment he saw her he wanted her too. When he tries to keep her safe from cattle rustlers, she objects until he kisses her senseless. As they realize they remain in love, both worries that what divided them then remains in the way though the loft seems like so much fun when they visit it together.

The tense suspense takes somewhat of a back seat to the delightful second chance at love gender battle between two likable protagonists who fans will want to see compromise so they can grow old together. The story line hooks the audience from the moment that Jack sees Maggie moving at her usual pace that leaves world class sprinters lagging. The cattle rustling adds an element of tension that brings additional conflict between the lead duet, but the intensity of the tale lies between the heated relationship of a couple in love unable to find a common path.

Harriet Klausner

I would recommend this little book for anyone who wants to understand life and how to learn to live his or her life better. It is a very good starter for David Viscotts' books of which I started with "Emotionally Free" and now I have bought 5 of his books. This book is made up with short passages and so it is easy to read. Each passage has a short ending paragraph which serves like a prayer. Viscott writes in clarity and his insight into life enables him to write powerful and enlightening sentences that speak to hearts. His books help me a lot personally.

This book is fantastic!! I have read it over and over again. I have also recommended it to numerous people. It's easy to read and understand. I keep it by my bedside and read a few chapters each night. I highly recommend it!

I just ordered another copy - I have given my past three copies to friends in their times of need. I consider this book a gift from God. Simply written and sometimes brutally direct, any page will enlighten your day. Undoubtedly the best gift in the smallest package I have ever received!

This book is for everybody. We all need words of encouragement and David Viscott delivers. Every passage is something we as people can relate to everyday. When your down you can open this book to any page and find something to bring you right back up! Read a passage and take a few minutes to let it soak in and continue on with your day. My favorite,"What other people think of you is none of your business." Beautiful.

I agree with what everyone else has written. This book has become my steady companion. I randomly turn to a chapter and find it always speaks to where I am. While visiting my husband's grave I turned to "Accept Your Death". According to the book death is not an option so live life deliberately.

I thank David Viscott for writing this book. Is there a sequel?