Seven Books

I have given two sets of these books away as gifts. I just hope the recipients appreciate them and take good care of them.

Milne's classic children's books are perfectly illustrated by Shepard's clever line drawings. The originals are so superior to the Disney version that they are in a different league altogether. All children should hear the Pooh stories read by a loving adult. And the adult can enjoy Milne's sly humor on a separate plane from the child's appreciation.

The Winnie the Pooh stories are some of the best writing you will ever read. AA Milne has quite possibly the best writing style ever. Unfortunately, the last two books aren't Winnie the Pooh books. They are books of poems (and I really dislike poetry). Some will love that, but I was hoping for more Pooh.

I bought this for my niece, who will be three in January. Still a little old for her, but my sister and brother-in-law are very excited about reading aloud to her!

These books were purchased for grandchildren. I grew up having these read to me, read them all over & over to my own five, and now to the grandchildren.

A. A. Milne uses wonderful language, humor, suspense, making these books and their wisdom last into adulthood - we all have favorite quotes often used to fit specific situations. To this family, they represent the very best childhood literature.

I absolutley loved this book. It walks a fine line between serious and funny, and you feel good when you're done reading it. A side, slightly minor point that gave me great pleasure was that, although he doesn't dwell on it, Morris does mention the persecution of the Jews at that point in time. I was always under the impression that everyone knew about the awful treatment of the Jews in the Middle Ages (in some cases, escpecially during the crusades, the death count was higher than the Holocaust), but was recently disabused of this belief. The book, and the whole series, is an icredibly fun interpretation of King Arthur and his court, and I highly recommend it for everyone!

Morris here introduces some darker themes: cruelty, anti-Semitism, vengeance and hatred. There's humor, but the book also shows some of the harsh reality of the Middle Ages -- and of the present day. I loved the book, loved how Sarah steps in when Gawain, Terence and even Lancelot can't help, conquering her fear and discovering the rewards and the obligations inherent in friendship.

The Princess, the Crone, and the Dung-Cart Knight is a GREAT book!

In this story the heroine, Sarah, is an orphan. Being the only witness of Queen Guinevere's abduction, she sets off to Camelot to tell King Arthur about his wife. Soon she finds herself on quest with Gawain and his Squire, Terence, both to rescue the queen and a secret quest of her own.

Filled with the usual assembly of recreant knights, "holy men", and other hilarious characters, this book has kept me turning pages till the very end. My favorite character is King Bagdemagus, a very, very silly man who is always in the latest fashion; whether it's a brilliant green silk robe or torn up shepherd's clothes!!!

In conclusion, The Squire, His Knight, and His Lady is something I think everyone should read and enjoy. So, if you like ADVENTURE, ARTHURIAN TALES, KNIGHTS, Sir LANCELOT, SWORD FIGHTS AND MAGIC, this is the book for you!!!

After reading one book by author Gerald Morris, we were addicted! Now my husband (43), my son (12), and myself (37) are fighting over every book in the Squire's Tales series that we can get our hands on! We bought this book because we heard it was "good literature." We had no idea HOW good until we read it. It is clever, witty, sarcastic, adventurous, and inspirational! My husband laughed so hard he cried! It is a very entertaining retelling of the King Arthur stories and Canterbury Tales, complete with knights, castles, princesses, magic, fairies, herbs with healing powers, and quests! The characters as sassy and full of spunk, and there is a new adventure around every corner. We recommended these books to our local library, some of the librarians read one of the books, and they ended up ordering a bunch of the books from The Squire's Tales series for the library. (This book is the sixth in the series.) It is easy to recommend such a charming and entertaining book!

This is a great book! It's not as funny as THE SQUIRE'S TALE, but it's more adventure. You see, Sarah witnesses the Queen and Sir Kai's obduction, and she goes for help. Soon she finds herself accompanied by the famous Sir Gawain, his squire, Terence, and searching for the queen and kai. But Sarah's also on a quest of her own, with only a mysterious old crone to help her. This book is filled with ACTION, ADVENTURE, KNIGHTS, ENCHANTMENTS, SUSPENSE, MAGIC, OTHER-WORLDLY-BEINGS, all on a MEDIEVAL back ground! This really is a great read!

I love everything about this novel! This is one of the most powerful teen novels I've read so far. It has all the ingredients for a great read: real characters, strong emotions, incredible imagery, and all the conflict one could ever want. Highly Recommended (and I look forward to reading more novels by Ms. Erskine)!

Kathryn Erskine respects her readers. She tackles subjects that others seem to avoid like the plague. She does it with wit and grace through Matt, the sarcastic and cynical main character of QUAKING.

Matt (not Mattie, and certainly not Matilda) has once again been dumped into the hands of distant relatives of distant relatives. And this time, she has to make it work because there's nowhere else left for her to go.

But these peace-loving Quaker people will have to understand that she doesn't have any feelings, so she does not intend give in to their silent pleas for love and affection. It's just not worth it to let her guard down only to have everything taken away again.

And she doesn't intend to take their advice and stand against bullies, either. Don't they even have the common sense to run and hide at the first sign of trouble? This tactic has always served her well in the past.

Or has it? Maybe it is time to stand, especially if she wants to stay in one place for once.


This book was my favorite of 2007 Young Adult Novels.

Off to Turn Another Page....

This review was cross posted at The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents ([...])

By Professional Reviewer, Julie M. Prince
(www.juliemprince.com)

Fourteen-year-old Matt (Matilda) is a Goth, but that partially a pose to keep the world away. She uses her look, and her humor - a knife-like sarcasm - to avoid connection and taking action. But she finds at her new home, the parents, in particular the father Sam, are devout Quakers and activists engaged in the anti-Iraq war movement. As she moves closer to Sam, those same beliefs lead to her harassment at school by a big mouth bully and a pro-war civic teacher. As the title suggests, after years of an almost dormant emotional life, Matt begins "quaking" and moving toward action. The ending -- which echoes that of Crutcher's Whale Talk --is tragic, and thus befitting of a book about the Iraq war. Like my own novel Nailed Quaking also explores kids who decide not to fit in and thus turn high school into a trip through the badlands.

If you are mad at the war in Iraq you will like this book. If you wonder how it feels to be a foster kid tossed from house to house, you will love this book. If you've had a really crazy fanatical teacher like the main character Matt does, you will totally relate. Really great read.

Beckie Weinheimer, author CONVERTING KATE, Viking Books 2007.

When I saw "Quaking" reviewed on the TeensReadToo web site, I mentioned it to my best friend who is a Quaker. She said she'd read it and found it very moving, and encouraged me to read it too. I'm certainly glad I did.

What she failed to tell me is that it's a kid's book--and I love to read kid's books. Actually, Amazon has it listed in the 9-12 age range, but since the protagonist is fourteen, it should be listed as Young Adult (YA). Personally, I think it's one of those books that's a cross-over, written to appeal to adults as well as kids ... like so many YA books are.

Kathryn Erskine's debut novel tells the story of Matt (and DON'T call her Matilda!) who is an abused fourteen-year-old shunted from one foster home to another. Matt dresses Goth and memorizes the floor, hiding from the trauma of her past, spurning all offers of kindness and care. What a culture shock for her to end up in the home of Quakers Sam and Jessica Fox!

The story builds in intensity as Matt begins to care about her foster parents and becomes involved with the Quaker peace testimony. Feelings about the war in the Middle East run high in her school and her town, with the school bully ("the Rat") and a teacher ("Mr. Warhead") leading the charge against local pacifists.

Matt tries to hide her fear of the Rat and his gang, but as the town begins to erupt with violent attacks against houses of worship, she knows it's only a matter of time until the Quaker Meeting House and her foster father are victims. Eventually, in an explosive ending, Matt finds her voice and the strength to face her fear and stand up for her own convictions.

The author challenges herself by telling the story in Matt's own voice and does a masterful job of bringing the strong, loving girl out of her protective shell. She uses icons of a happy childhood to expose cracks in Matt's armor. The mesmerizing rhythm of Dr. Seuss's "Green Eggs and Ham" find the first chink: <<"And then I remember how dangerous it is to go to that place. The place you think is safe. Because it is not.">>

Jessica's homemade soup dissolves the last of Matt's defenses: <<"I love this soup. I want to hide in this soup, among its carrots and potatoes and celery and chicken and warm breath ... I want to fall asleep in this soup, wrapping myself in its wide noodles and using a soft lima bean for a pillow.">>

That last passage is like magic to me; a marvelous image that may be my favorite in the entire book!

I particularly enjoyed this book because I learned more about my friend's church. "Quaking" reveals a lot about Quakers and their testimonies, but first and foremost, it's a brilliant YA novel about a young girl who opens her heart to unconditional love. I recommend this beautifully written story for the whole family.

Reviewed by: Betty Dravis, 2008

oh man i just finished this for a book report and this books AWESOME. it keeps u guessing till the end but the auther gives little clues along they way. READ THIS BOOK!!!!ITS AWESOME!!!!!!!!

man i just finished it. that was awesome! u have no clue till the end. its SICK. READ IT!

i LOVED this book!!! it is wonderfully written and i couldnt put it down. seriously!!! i read it in one day!!! it has suspense, adventure, murder, shakespear, imposters, hostages... EVERYTHING!!! (...)

The Ruby Raven is the best book I have ever read. It kept me guessing until the very last word! If you are looking for an exciting, easy to read novel, the Ruby Raven is for you!

The book The Ruby Raven by Michael Dahl is a Suspensful and fun to read.This book starts out with a boy named Finn and his uncle Stoppard.They were entered in a contest for the ruby raven and a million dollars.They had to write a mystery book to enter.They traveled everywhere like Paris and Africa.Someone tries to kill uncle Stoppard in the story.
When I started it was a little boring.As I went through it got a lot better.I learned stuff about places.There were sooo much mystery and red herrings.If you like mystery you'll love this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I first read A Rustle in the Grass in gradeschool. From then on (I'm 16), I haven't read a better book. Every last character is very well made, from Dreamer to Storyteller to the Spider. This book might look childish when you first see it, but it is an excellent tale for all ages.

As a kid I was very interested in social insects. I had an ant farm, I absorbed hundreds of books on ants, bees, wasps and termites. I watched PBS specials and National Geographic shows whenever the topic was about any one of the above creatures.
So, when I found this book only a few years ago I bought it on the spot.
The story is good but I have been spoiled by my knowledge of how social insects, like ants, really work together, so much of the story seems silly to me. As a child I would have loved it but as an adult who finds facts to be more wonderful than any fiction, it didn't really do anything for me.
It is fantasy, pure and simple, yet it reminds us about another world. While hiking only a few weeks ago, me and a friend, found a few yards of the path covered with a swarm of large ants. They seemed to be searching, foraging, all working together - none that I could see were fighting each other so I assume they were all from the same nest. There must have been thousands on the path and in the grass bordering it. My friend pointed out that there was a jungle right under our feet.
The ants ignored us even as we tried to walk down the path without stepping on them. We were not of their world - not even dangerous giants to flee from. Maybe we were like a storm or a flash flood - a part of nature that they can't do anything about so why get upset over it?
A good book for a child but not really for an adult unless that person had it as a child and had good memories of it.

I first discovered this book when I was nine years old. My parents went to a flea market, and I had a quarter that I was determined to spend. The only thing I found for a quarter was this book- "A Rustle in the Grass." I bought it.

As a fourth grader, it took me nearly two months to finish. But it became my favorite book until this day. (I am now 24.) I made a habit of reading it once a year. When I was in sixth grade, my teacher told the class that she would read our favorite books after lunch time, if we would bring them to her. Naturally I brought this book to her. But I guess she was skeptical, b/c somehow all the other books that kids brought got read first (and some of them were pretty dumb). Finally, a week before school was out, I begged her to start the book. She did. We got through about three chapters and school was done. My teacher asked to borrow the book over the summer. I let her, and the following year received it back. Two years later my younger sister was in sixth grade and had this same teacher. She said in our classroom bookshelf there was a 20-copy set of this book for all of the students to read. Apparently my teacher also loved it.

As time went by I let someone borrow my copy and never saw it again. I had to order another copy from Barnes and Noble (they don't carry it) and then I ended up giving that one to a friend. I bought another used copy but I never seem to be able to keep something so good to myself. Last year I got married, and I just bought a new used copy. I am quite excited to read this book to my husband.

Although relatively unknown and unheard of, this is by far the best fiction book ever written. I love it, and I have no doubt that anyone who reads it will as well. It is a magical story that tells the tale of human nature, the good and the bad, as portrayed by the inquisical little creatures known as ants.

I love this. I picked it up on a whim when I was very young and ended up stealing it from the school library, still have it too. This is one of those books I buy, whenever I see a copy somewhere, just so I can give it to someone or their kid. The story is enchanting, the biology well-used, and the characters are simply unforgettable. Storyteller still fills me with wonder.

There are very few books that make me nostalgic for innocence and childhood. This one easily tops the list. Buy a used copy, for yourself, for your kids, for any reason at all. Treasure this.

OK- here's the carrot- if your kids are the bookish, quiet introspective types (boys or girls) and you want to maintain that, if not reinforce and foment that- GET THEM THIS BOOK.

used copies pop up often. I've got a few saved up for birthdays and the like.

The characters are so well-constructed, and they're ants!!! Rarely has an anthropomorphic take on the insect world worked so well, at least in my eyes. I haven't messed with an ant since I read this when I was around 10 and I still bristle with anger when someone else does. Dreamer and Storyteller, Snake's Toungue, Spider, The Queen... Every character is well-developed and perfectly used. The writing is deceptively simple- i'd say elegant even. The parables that Storyteller weaves throughout are worth the price of the book alone.

Also, it's one of those books that leave you wanting to know more. I remember sitting around and imagining what else happened to Dreamer, wondering about his adventures...

I re-read this one every few years, it takes me back- a wellspring for nostalgia and fond remembrances. It's one of the books I used to get my little brother to love reading... it's wonderful, honestly masterful- succinct chapters, fantastic morals, a celebration of hope and courage and dignity in the face destruction. I kid you not, this book is a panacea for empty, nihilistic trash.

I GOT A COPY OF LINDA CHANDLER'S AUDIO PROGRAM "SALES MAGIC". WOW...SHE PACKS ALOT OF INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE INTO THAT ALBUM! IT WAS CHOCK FULL OF USABLE TIPS AND TECHNIQUES THAT WILL HELP ME IMPROVE MY SALES IMMENSELY. THIS PROGRAM IS MOST HELPFLUL FOR BOTH THE ROOKIE SALESPERSON AS WELL AS THE VETERAN. I CERTAINLY WISH I HAD THIS INFORMATION WHEN I FIRST STARTED OUT IN BUISNESS.

I listened to the whole audio program by Linda Chandler ... it was well worth the time and money. This lady knows how to sell and close. I recommended this audio program to my whole sales team.

THIS AUDIO ALBUM IS FULL OF SALES WISDOM FOR ANY SALES PROFESSIONAL, ROOKIE OR SEASONED PRO. LINDA HAS BEEN AT THE TOP OF THE SALES GAME, AND SHE SHARES WITH US HER "PEARLS OF WISDOM". AFTER LISTENING TO HER PROGRAM TWICE FROM START TO FINISH, I KNOW NOW WHY CHANDLER ACHIEVED THE REMARKABLE SALES TRACK RECORD THAT SHE DID. MAY I ADD THAT THIS PROGRAM IS ONLY FOR THOSE TRULY SERIOUS ABOUT BECOMING SALES MASTERS.

LINDA CHANDLER'S AUDIO TAPE ALBUM "SALES MAGIC: THE 7 PRINCIPLES OF SALES MASTERY" IS A WINNER!! I just got finished listening to Ms. Chandler's 6 audio cassette program and was very impressed! She lays out a very practical, effective program to attain sales mastery. Of course--it will take dedication, commitment and hard work -- but the blueprint she lays out makes a lot of sense. I am certain that "SALES MAGIC" will take me to the next level in my business career. --Sales Manager,Jacksonville, Florida.

I have listened to both Sales Magic and Compelling Selling by Linda Chandler and I must say the concepts she shares offers a very new, different and productive perspective to professional selling. For me personally these concepts have eliminated bad habits, have improved the way I take prospects through the sales cycle and have helped me more effectively close prospects. If you do not listen to these tapes you are missing out on a whole new approach to selling that you need in your arsenal in this fast changing world of business in which we work.

Found Sarandipitous Slippers and ordered its dance DVD. Highly recommend for a fun way to exercise. Love to read, so after watching the DVD and jumping and skipping an Irish jig I get to enjoy the next chapter in the book. It's interactive, just like my favorite video games but I think my parents like to see me reading and dancing more.

Watching the Nutcracker Ballet sent me looking for dance books. I could only find picture books until I discovered Sarandipitous Slippers. Book Two-Journey To Russia is all about acting out a ballet folk tale. I loved the character's in the Russian Folk Tale Ballet. Can't wait to get the DVD in the mail. I plan on learning how to dance! So if you love the ballet as much as I do get this chapter book. Why just watch it when you can dance it.

I loved this new book that my grandparents gave me over Thanksgiving. Never thought reading would be so much fun! The DVD that my grandparents bought with it was the best. We got to actually met the real Sara Charm. She teaches dance on it. Just thought that this review might help those visits when relatives show up...read Sarandipitous Slippers, it's something fun to do as a family.

I attended the 2005 Miami Book Fair looking for some holiday gifts for the children in my family. As I walked down from the Children's Alley, I heard music playing and saw fairies with wings and pointed ears dancing an Irish jig. I wondered what that had to do with reading. The authors of the book, Sarandipitous Slippers, explained their concept- they use dance to motivate reading. It looked like so much fun. I want to thank Andra Beames and Lou Ann Hitchens for introducing a fresh new reading concept that certainly seemed to grab the interest of young readers at the fair. As for myself, I am going to use Book Three and dance a Latin Flamenco at by upcoming New Year's Eve Party! My friends will love it!

Both my 10-year-old daughter and I were captivated by this book. The fanciful storyline combined with the dance lessons were unique and loads of fun. My daughter was so inspired that she joined a local School of Irish Dance. She was able to march/dance in Pittsburgh's 2005 St. Patrick's Day Parade, an unforgettable experience! It is a rare book that can so motivate a child. We are looking forward with anticipation to the next trilogy!

What I enjoyed the most about this book is that it deals with the steps that a businessman needs to follow to obtain inner peace and therefore success in life.

David Fischman has a wonderfully loving way of expressing truths through the "Master" character that makes them easily understood. I really like his approach and have already passed this book on to the next person who I know will benefit from it. It's no coincidence that this book became available to me the way it did. The connections that are made between our thoughts, actions and reactions and our past is clearly illustrated and the message cannot be missed. If you are truly ready to move beyond the seduction of historical thought processes that affect all areas of your life, get this book. A great read and a wonderful AH-HA! Enjoy!

The Secret of the Seven Seeds was a gift to me from the universe and David Fischman. I really enjoyed this book and the lessons from each seed about life. If we apply what we learned and get rid of "the ego" that most of us have we will all have better and amazing lives. I highly recommend reading this book and applying what it has to offer. Thank you to the universe and everyone involved regarding this great book.

The Seven Seeds are key concepts for us to have in mind during our life. From self-knowledgement to balance, through meditation, that's how we really find out our objectives in life, which are so hard to realize with all the pressures and distorted values of modern life. A Great Stress Relief Book to learn and to apply every day.

I received this book as a gift from the Universe, Thank You-
This book is the best I've read in some time, You're compelled to read on and find out what Ignacio will discover about himself, the master and life- You'll find many of Ignacio's issues familiar, the journey much like your own- I believe anyone who wishes to live a more fulfilled, spiritual and compassion based life would benefit from the lessons of this book-
Many thanks to Mr. Fischman and the unknown donor who so graciously helped to spread the secret-

Secret of the Swamp King was another great book in the Wilderking Trilogy. Anyone who likes fantasy should read it.

This series is enthralling for my 10 year old daughter (who reads at a 8th grade level). It has adventure, danger, excitement and folklore to capture and maintain interest.

Young Aidan now serves at the court of King Darrrow. But his popularity also makes him dangerous enemies. Things come to a head when Darrow receives an anonymous letter claiming that Aidan is maneuvering to overthrow Darrow. Furious, the king sends Aidan into Feechiefen Swamp on a perilous quest. When Aidan reaches the swamp, he learns of a feechie war band led by the WilderKing. Who is this imposter? This second installment raises the stakes from the first book

Jonathan Rogers obviously loves C.S. Lewis' world of Narnia (see "The World According to Narnia"), and decided to create another fantasy world where kids and adults alike can see many "heart issues" of life portrayed in a creative way. The Secret of the Swamp King (Book 2 of the Wilderking Trilogy) is a great read for kids as they can imagine themselves in the shoes of Aiden Errolson. Aiden is the main character whose life is followed on his many adventures and challenges through his life in The Realms of Corenwald. Though he lives in a world totally foreign to the reader, it is very easy to relate to his troubles and joys during his journeys.
The book is a great link for the trilogy, leading to the more impressive climax in the 3rd book, "The Way of the Wilderking".
Well worth the time, especially to read with/give to kids.

I've got to hand it to MR. Rogers, he's done a wonderful job of following up on young Aidan Errolson. He's now a few years older and a member of King DArrow's court. True to the biblical parallels with David, Aidan has incurred the jealous wrath of his king. He may be the most loyal member of King Darrow's court, but Aidan is sent on a suicide mission to the Feechiefen Swamp in order to retrieve the legendary Frog Orchid. King Darrow thinks to see the end of young Aidan, but he meets up with his friend Dobro and becomes a Feechie friend to all Feechies. There's someone impersonating the legendary Wilderking out in the Feechifen and Aidan must find out who is enslaving Feechies to the civilizers ways of war and commerce. This book has more action and more intrigue to it. I loved it and read it in two days. Highly recommended!--James Somers, author: The Chronicles of Soone.

Kimberly Baltakis just wants to get her life back on track, after a bad trip down the road of matrimony. "Seven Blackbirds" is a novel of her journey. Filled with humor and wisdom from the days in the life of a single mother, Helen Black writes out Kimberly's story that many divorced women will laugh and take comfort in reading. "Seven Blackbirds" is an original, deftly written, elegant work of fiction that is certain to please many a reader of literary fiction.

The book is well conceived in many aspects. First, it gets to the basis for the story right away. Once engaged, there's still plenty of anticipation because it doesn't segue with depressing, emotional back-up. It's seasoned with humor, touching moments and well delineated visual effects that bring the story to life. Also, the main character's realistically drawn in that she's unexpectedly talented and well educated, yet has fallen into the battered wife syndrome with all the challenges it brings. Finally, the timing in the phrasing presents it as having been written by a good storyteller. There's a lesson there between the lines and by the book's end, you know you won't be served the annoying happy ending, but thoughts to ponder.

This book goes from 0 to 60 in two seconds flat. The first page is intense, but you keep reading and reading because you keep wanting to know what happens next. The characters are human, believable, the story is multi-layered and satisfying. I never thought you could write about this subject with humor, but this author does it. That deftness plus the total absence of clichés makes this book very original. I could almost see it playing like a movie in my head while I read it. I liked it that the main character, Kim, had some very real, very tough choices to make but she made them, and became the stronger for it. Inspirational.

An inspiring book about life. Yes, we can all overcome the obstacles of life and in the end go full circle and still become all that we were meant to be. A beautiful book about a beautiful woman with the hidden strength of her dead father to help guide her through life. The emotions of the main character, Kim Baltakis, are so eloquently conveyed by this talented author that the reader cannot help but feel Kim's pain, her hope her love, her woman.

Seven Blackbirds is the most powerful and memorable book I've read in years, and strongly recommended.

Seven Blackbirds introduces the character of Kimberly Baltakis, an insightful and resilient character caught in a disastrous marriage. Through artfully arranged flashbacks the author juxtaposes critical points in the past and present of the relationship, and then convincingly shows the turmoil of Baltakis's inner and outer lives as the divorce progresses. At the end a compelling character has made a difficult transition.

A nation continues to see a remarkably high divorce rate, and like all men my age I have seen numerous divorces among friends, neighbors, and co-workers. There comes a point where the divorce so distorts the lives of the parties that they seem irrational and impossible to spend time with. Reading this novel was the first time that I got to hear the inner life of a character going through divorce, and it brought significant insights. Reading this novel will bring some understanding and possible more success in supporting others working through the issues.

Other reviewers have commented on the author's descriptions of domestic violence. I note that while the descriptions are disturbing, they are not extended or gruesome. I'd guess that the author wants to make clear from the very first pages of the book that the marriage is over, that the characters are not in love or able to fall back in love. This book is not a heart warming romance about reconciliation and renewal - it is an energizing and inspiring story of resiliency and self-renewal by a young woman who has the blessings of a baby and a good mind.

A final note - I normally read history, and read this novel on the recommendation of a friend. Comparing the two, remember the chestnut "In history, nothing is true except for the names, dates and places. In fiction, everything is true except for the names, dates and places." One leaves this book confident that a chunk of truth has come through to you, the reader.