History Books

Given the depth of the 1k+ reviews on this wonderful novel, I'll keep mine short. This is a book that touches you; regardless of your personal feelings towards this area of the world or individuals who put everything into making a difference. This is a story that will leave you with a feeling of not only wanting to make a difference in this world, but also a feeling that you can that, yes, you can do anything if you put your heart into it. This is a story that allows you to see how one man can overcome the challenges that none of us have experienced but seem all to familiar, and that you, too, can overcome similar challenges. This is a story that will remain with you forever.

Education is needed to replace the errors of custom, habit
and bad judgement with new behaviors based on understanding. In this book we see how life is being changed for remote villages iin Central Asia as a result of one man taking responsibility for building schools. But education is not safe and does not stay without us fighting for it. Extremists of every kind have destroyed learning. Taliban destroyed schools as is reported in this book. But the library at Alexandria was burned by a christian mob egged on by St. Cyril. And the ignorance visible to us in the book of Job was apparent to greek culture yet that was driven out of Israel/Palestine by the Macabees. Nor is it religion alone that does this. The Soviet empire tried to extinguish the understanding of evolution. The Chinese cultural revolution replaced those who knew by those who did not. For humans to progress it is essential that time and time again individuals must stand up, speak for it and build for it.
This is the story of one persaon doing just that.

Nick Woolf, astrobiologist, professor

If you have a heart that has some waking up to do; this book is one that'll get it going. Without a doubt, one of my favorite books ever.

I've noticed in the reviews that not every likes the writer's style. Personally there were a few slow moving sections but overall I didn't mind it all and I feel the greatness of the story being told far outweighs the mild shortcomings of how it is told. Don't miss this book!!

To understand the real world of the rural people of Pakistan and Afghanistan you must read this book. You will be inspired by the sacrifice and determination of one man (now a foundation) to make a difference. You may even be inspired to help him continue this important mission that shows a more effective way to fight terrorism than missiles and bombs. I was.

I can't recall the number of non-fiction books that I've read. Little matter, this is the most incredible true story that I've read!!
Laura Hillenbrand has captured a time in American History. She is a true storyteller who has done impeccable research. It must have been the time she spent in Gambier, Ohio at Kenyon College that inspired her to such great in depth writing.
For those of you who have not read this book or have not seen the excellent movie, you're in for an incredible treat. Trust Me!!
If I were writing fiction, this true story would not have been told. Charles Howard, Red Pollard and Tom Smith are indeed the Holy Trinity. Remember these names, after reading this book, you will never forget them.
One little horse, so much history!!! Incredible!!!!

I have recently read Seabiscuit and watched the film and found both to be very compelling. We dont think much anymore about the dark days of the Depression but Laura Hillenbrand puts us right back in the middle of it. The important lesson was to look to the future as Charles Howard implored, the sun will come up tomorrow.

Three incredible characters intersect with this horse of unknown promise. Howard is the wealthy owner, despondent over the death of his son and unsure how to live the life of leisure; Red Pollard is a jockey not able to break into the big-time, due to his attitude, blindness, and injuries; Tom Smith is a taciturn man who belongs in the 19th century of his youth, not the modern world. Together they develop and promote Seabiscuit, a horse of incredible bloodlines, yet given up on by better trainers due to his work habits, attitude, injuries, and size.

Eventually the Biscuit wins all the stakes in the state of California and gets a shot at a match race with the great Eastern horse and Triple Crown winner, War Admiral. Both horses are descendants of the great Man'o'war, but the eastern elites dont want to give the western upstart his chance. After a few cancellations due to injuries and prickly owners, the match race goes off in Baltimore and the smaller horse brings it home.

The book is more enlighting with respect to the fuller stories of the characters, especially the relationship between the jockeys and Pollard's romance and marriage to a Boston nurse. The movie brings the times to life. Howard and Pollard were the raconteurs who made Seabiscuit the hero of the little guys during those lean years. Dont forget, tough times dont last but tough guys do.

Ms. Hillenbrand is an equally interesting story. She suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and is only able to work at a fraction of the typical writer. Here she focused her energy on this story and these times. Seabiscuit has been the story many times in film and books but Ms. Hillenbrand brings it to life for us.

This book is a true American legend at its best. "Seabiscuit" was written by Laura Hillenbrand based on a true story of one horse and jockey's incredible life. This biography is set in the 1930's and 1940's and takes you on a journey with someone and something that no one believed in until they were given a chance to prove themselves. The perseverance of these two characters is admirable; they never give up, no matter what. The jockey, John Pollard, was struggling in life until given the shot to show he was more than just an average jockey. Seabiscuit, on the other hand, is my favorite character; he never accepts the possibility of losing. Pollard and Seabiscuit's relationship started when trainer Tom Smith paired them together out on the racetrack. I love that they were given a chance to prove everyone wrong by winning race after race with odds stacked against them; both had been injured numerous times. Read about how they smashed people's disbelief and made history, performing one of the greatest comebacks in all of sports. The theme of "never giving up no matter what" would most likely interest people who enjoy sports novels. "Seabiscuit" is truly the greatest sports story of all time.

This narrative leaps out of the first paragraph in the same way Seabiscuit learns to bolt from the starting gate. From the start, Laura Hillenbrand draws the reader into the story with colorful, taut writing. There are no meaningless side stories in this book - each detail weaves itself back into the tale of a horse who beat the odds to become one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century.
This story is gripping even if you have no interest in horseracing.

Seabiscuit is a great story, book, and movie. If you have not read it, buy it today and start reading. You will not be disappointed.

In a time when corporate welfare is out of control due to the pseudo-conservative Republicans in power , it's refreshing to hear real conservative ideals that truly come from deep inside the heart of someone who ran for the Republican party.

Ron Paul is one of the few conservatives out there actually advocating real conservative values. This book is small, but all his ideas are very simple and clear....so they don't need to be in a large book...because it is all obvious information to a true conservative.

26 June 2008 - This Manifesto derives from decades of principled defense of freedom, peace, and sound money. It convincingly and eloquently advances the Libertarian philosophy. Ron Paul covers liberty, Austrian economics, the Federal Reserve, the free market, the welfare state, and the warfare state. I think he brilliantly covers each of these topics expect I have doubts about removing the military from overseas. I do agree that we can not afford to keep the troops at their present levels but do think the security risk is greater than we current could imagine.

This book is incredible. Regardless of who you are going to vote for, you should read this book first. I don't think the name is appropriate.
It may make people think the book is angry and inciteful, but it is just the opposite.

Have you been wondering what is causing the problems in our economy?
Have you been wondering how far we should go to fight terrorism, and what effect our interventions have on the radical islamic mindset in the middle east?
This book answers those questions and more in an easy to understand way that also teaches you more about those subjects than you will ever get in the news.
I was surprised to find that Ron Paul is as great a thinker as our founding fathers in my opinion, and has done a great service to this country by writing this information down.
Read how this country is no longer controlled "by the people", and how Ron Paul doesn't blame any particular group or generate hate in any way, but simply calls for an end to long-standing politics that has taken our government away from the people and the values set down in the constitution.
I feel so empowered and patriotic reading this book.
It solidifies feelings I've had for a long time about the government, but just couldn't quite put all the pieces together.

A concisely written platform for the movement behind the message of 2008 GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul, MANIFESTO diagnoses American sicknesses, and proceeds to offer sensible solutions that can work NOW. I have come to believe that Paul's brand of conservative policy are the only way. He is my personal hero.

This book will confirm beliefs that you have already held, much like Winston reading "the book" in 1984, as well as give you more examples of government driven schemes, scams, and broken promises to contemplate that you have never before pondered. The main difference between Winston's book and Ron Paul's is that Paul's gives clear, simple remedies to the problems that our government has gotten us all into. Touching on topics from foreign policy to oil prices to the abuse of executive powers, Dr. Paul parcels out his pearls of common sense wisdom. Listen to the previous reviews! This book is a MUST READ!!! Everyone knows that the best form of advertising is word of mouth; I will be spreading the word and getting as many friends and relatives to read this book as possible. Its time to open our eyes, America!

I bought this book for one of my children for a summer reading project. I needed a specific version and was glad I could search Amazon by ISBN. The book arrived quickly and the price was reasonable. I'm sure other family members will enjoy the book when the projcet is complete.

except for the Bible, this is the best.
It is the full and undiluted version from the first english translation.
read it, learn it,live it.
j

Although the story is well known to me, the editing of this audio book was so confusing. I absolutely could not follow it. Too much is cut out.

Story has good twists, but there are too many French places and people which makes the audio confusing.

The book is excelent reading but please get a different version.
This version only has 580 or so pages where as other versions have over 1,300 pages. That means that this version is only half the story.
So much gets lost in translation already don't cheat yourself even more.

This book was truly life changing for me. When I find myself sweating the little things in life (i.e bills, pregnancy woes, hot weather)I remember Immaculee holed up in this tiny bathroom just praying and pleading for her life. She painted such a horrific picture I simply cannot forget. The killers were calling her name! What a humbling and amazing story she has to tell I literally could not put this book down..at the same time I was educated about how the Rwandan Holocaust all came to be..I had no idea what these poor people went through, the Hutus and the Tutsis became real to me. Who would have thought something like this still happens but this was just the 90's. In the beginning of her book, I smiled through tears as she described the tight knit Catholic family she was reared in--how strong and wise her daddy was, how much she loved her brothers with everything in her being, and how her mother was there until the end to protect her "babies". I was fortunate a few weeks after reading her book to see Immaculee speak at a local venue in Dallas. She was beautiful in person and her joy could light up an entire room. She was filled with the Holy Spirit and it was obvious how humbled she has been. I just kept thinking this woman has lost her entire extended family and she even had the grace to forgive those who killed her own. Forgiveness is the message I took from the book. Life is too short to carry the burden of not forgiving others who we think have wronged us. Excellent read with a message that will keep you thinking long after you read the book!!

I started reading this book before bed, big mistake on my part. I stayed up entranced by this book and continued reading until I couldn't stay awake. The first thing I did the next morning was pick this book back up and finished it. (Which only took a half hour)

I am absolutely amazed at Immaculee's ability to maintain her connection with God while surrounded by such hate. Immaculee shares her story of how she not only survived the Rwandan Holocaust, but how she forgave the killers of her family. This is an inspiring book which confirms how great humans really can be.

It was difficult for me to put the book down and I finished it quickly even though I had already seen the author interviewed on three different EWTN TV shows. What an inspiration to overcome evil with good! It reminded me of some of the miracle stories of prisoners of war in Vietnam. Her descriptions of the country and the events left me feeling like I had visited the country in person and gave me a much clearer understanding of the situation in Rwanda. Most important of all it is continuing to help me to forgive others (with God's help) in every circumstance.

Bobbie Lewis

This book was recommended by my doctor who is an avid reader. I was afraid to read it at first. I thought it might really make me sad because it is about the Rwandan Holocaust. It was totally amazing! The story is true and is one of the most inspiring I have ever encountered. Immaculee's faithfulness and her trust in God during the most painful of experiences gave my spiritual life a giant shot in the arm!
I could not put the book down-read it and grow in grace!

An amazing and harrowing tale of Faith, Hope and Forgiveness. A story of survival in the midst of unspeakable horror and acts of inhumanity beyond comprehension. I bought several copies to pass on. I would quantify this book as a must read.

I hope this is the right book, I just love the story, and the music, and the movie too!

The book is fantastic! Great pictures! I would highly recommend this book for any fan of the movie or a Titanic fan in general! The making of the epic movie is something to see and you can definitely see it in this book.

This is a MUST have for any Titanic collector. I waited for about 9 or so years for this book and I am so extatic that I finally have it!!

Great book for the titanic enthusiasts!!!!! If you loved the movie, you will enjoy this book.

The scope of this majestic book truly befits the epic effort by James Cameron with his cinematic masterpiece "Titanic". Much great information here for the movie buff who likes to see how it is done. Incredible sets including the dining salon, complete even to dishes and decor. I was amazed to see how this particular set was pulled underwater by hydraulics to provide a very realistic feeling of sinking. Page after page of photographs and stories about the magnificent sets that brought this film to life. Lots of info about the stars and other cast members as well the production crew. This book is a perfect companion to the movie as well as a testament to the filmmaking genius of James Cameron.

The book itself was a winner - a gift for my husband. He "devoured" it. The only disappointment was how cheaply and poorly-bound the paperback was. Even with extreme care, it fell apart within the first 70 pages. The replacement nearly made it to the end, but not quite. Buy and read this book, but go for a better-bound version unless you like handling it in pieces.

Author David McCullough gives us an in-depth look into the life of President Truman. He shows how he evolved from a simple farmer to become the President of the United States. McCullough pulls no punches in his biography, and yet, Mr. Truman comes through as a simple man who rose to the challenge of becoming a true statesman and world leader. A Very compelling read.

This is one of those rare biographies which pulls you in from the beginning and never lets go. It is an excellent look at one of the truly under-appreciated presidents. Truman was an amazing man and an incredible public servant. The sense of history that this biography brings makes it a must-read for anyone interested in American history and/or American politics.

An absolutely fantastic biography. McCullough not only gives us an incredibly in-depth account of Truman's role in such momentous events as the decision to drop the Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Potsdam Conference (Truman's only face-to-face meeting with Stalin or Uncle Joe as he called him), the Truman Doctrine, The Marshall Plan, the Berlin Airlift, the Korean War, the firing of General MacArthur and so on, but he also succeeds wonderfully in injecting joviality into this rather thick tome through his unsurpassed ability to recount the human side of Truman, the quirkiness, the common trials and errors of a human being and the like.

I am not an American, but I always tell my friends that if I were Truman would be my favorite president. This book only serves to reinforce my view. Overall, one of the best biographies I've read. If I ever became famous one day, I'd really love someone of McCullough's caliber to write my biography. Highly recommended.

I have read most of McCullough's books, and so I knew that after reading this I would understand Harry S. Truman more deeply than I ever had. What I didn't know what was that I would learn so much about 20th century American history. McCullough is a great story-teller. His use of historical details to recreate the man and the times is magnificent. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Simon Singh books usually hold you from the first page and till the end. "The code book" is very well written and very informative. You will see how it's started and where cryptography goes, but even more interesting part of history of cryptography - life (sometimes secret life) of people who worked and continue to work on development of cryptosystems.

Nutshell review - This is an excellent book covering the history of cryptography up to present day and into the near future. Very well written, easy to understand and worth reading by any layperson interested in the topic.

If you want to know about codes, secrets, cryptography and cryptanalysis then this is the book. Simon Singh presents the history of codes in a clear and simple way. Without the mathematics to disturb the flow of the story, you enjoy plots, conspiracies, secrets and algorithms. Excellent for general knowledge and for an introductory text in cryptanalysis. Buy it!

great book regarding the history of cryptography. The only way to truly understand anything is c the history of it's introduction

For a book on cryptology from a historical perspective it's really hard to believe it would be as entertaining as Singh makes it. Using his skill as an author he weaves history, technology, and methods of encryption together to explain topics that normally would leave many of us in the blind.

The most interesting thing about the whole book is that as you begin to read up on forms of encryption and decryption you begin to absorb yourself into the whole culture. One chapter describes the Beale Ciphers, a set of ciphers that gained popularity especially in the early 1900s and still are significant today linking to a fabulous treasure and yet still remaining unbroken. I remember spending the day after reading up on it thinking of ways I'd try to break the cipher. Not many books fill your mind with such rich images and excitement as this book seems to.

Generally, the book is wonderful and has enough to keep you hooked until the very end despite its historical nature.

I read this book many times when I was young and was thrilled to find it still in print. I would recommend this for anyone who loves romance novels with historical fact mixed in.

Thought this book was a very good read. I Love fiction with historical facts. Beautiful love story. The end got a little long so thats the only reason i didn't give it a 5.

This book is worth purchasing. Yet, somehow that's an understatement. I now have my own copy and am reluctant to lend it!

Several of my friends raved about this book. I liked it okay. And I love to read so much; I'm not that hard to please. There were several kind of raunchy parts that I didn't expect, as well as numerous bawdy references. But there is a theme of redemption in the end that I liked quite a lot that makes the story more...well, redeeming. The last 150 pages or so were the best, I think. It wasn't riveting for me, but the history was really interesting, and I learned a lot.

This is one of my very favorite books ever. In fact I've gone through 2 copies already I read it so often. I'll keep buying it because each time I read it I find it more fascinating. I would highly recommend this book.

I would love to reccomend this fantastic collection of one of the greatest ever comic artists, except for one thing...
The Far Side should be enjoyed under the covers, by flashlight, when your parents say you should be asleep. That's how I remember enjoying the Far Side. If you really want to LOVE this comic, buy the smaller, more portable books to snuggle up with. Happy reading!

Every Far Side ever published - can't go wrong with that. Hardback with good quality paper. A perfect resource for PowerPoint presentations.

Prompt delivery, perfect condition, excellent product. I've waited a long time to get me hands on this gift for my wife. She's a Far Side nut!

After years of glancing at Far Side from the Library and the occasional Newspaper, this collection is a highly valued addition to the few personal posessions that I hope a few of my descendents or friends will appreciate.

Darned straight. And it's a bargin at that. Timeless, hilarious, and a fantastic respite from serious thinking. If you're not amused by this, you must be a "Ziggy" fan.