History Books

In a world so filled with darkness, this book inspires and uplifts with a unique vision of light. This is the true story of a man who faced some of the darkest of lifes challenges and faced them with courage and joy.

I received my first copy of And There Was Light in 1977. The book was out of print at the time and members of my spiritual group had to resort to copying it for study. I'm grateful that it's back in print and Jacques Lusseyran's life and work are receiving more attention. Regarding the subtitle, I wonder what Jacques would say about being called a hero? Perhaps he would just laugh and shake his head since he conveys so clearly in And There Was Light that he was just an ordinary person who trusted his heart in a world gone mad. I think the best compliment I can pay the book is it makes me long to be better myself.

As others have said it's a book about blindness, coming of age, WWII, the Holocaust, the French resistance, etc. What is truly unique about it though cannot be easily described, and is best appreciated in the reading. Just get a copy and read it.

This is a very unique perspective that has a miriad of themes. Keep in mind that this book has been translated from french. The semantics and verbage is somewhat awkward at times, but the message remains clear. This meling pot of personal experiences encompass: blindness as a youth, minds-eye interpretations of a blind individual, internal strength, the occupation of France during WWII, the French Underground, detailed brutality of the Nazi Party, prison camp conditions, and repatriation. Once again, I will stress that the themes are broad and this is a translated text, yet it still succeeds in painting a well orchistrated picture of each theme. Most importantly, the theme of hope and strength solidify the foundation and triumph in the end.

This is a beautifully writen book. Read it for yourself. You will really enjoy it.

This is the autobiography of a blind hero of the French Resistance during WWII. Lusseyran lost his eyesight as a young boy through an accident at school, caused by a bully. But instead of sinking helplessly into darkness he gradually developed his other senses to extraordinary capacity.
When seventeen,while interviewing volunteers, willing to join the Resistance, he perceived colors when they answered questions. These colors revealed to him whether they could be trusted or not. Once, however,his friends disagreed with his recommendation. They all were taken prisoner and sent to the Concentration Camp.It was there, that the 18 year old found his second calling: Poetry. Reciting poetry by heart, he assembled the prisoners daily. The imagery had life-sustaining quality for them and a moment of renewal to all that participated. His experiences and observations there, later led him to choose to study philosophy and literature at the Sorbonne.He lectured at the various American universities until his death.
recommended additional reading by Lusseyran: "Against the Pollution of the I"

I enjoyed this refreshingly fast paced historical novel depicting a crucial East/West confrontation in 1565 at the island of Malta (just south of Italy). Armored knights and other Christians against robed, elite Janissaries and other Muslims in a months long siege of the vastly outnumbered (10 to 1) and outgunned Christian defenders of the island.

Prada excels in his description of weapons, military tactics and the grisly, brutal reality of 16th century hand to hand combat with swords, axes, pikes, spears and the like. He tries hard, and to an extent succeeds, in making you almost smell the blood, dust, urine, feces and rot of the battlefield.

But I would have liked more historical context and many of the battlefield scenes in the second half of the book seemed plagiarized from the first half. He also goes a little overboard with his superhuman knights against the brave but dumb Turk horde.

The book is nevertheless recommended as a page turner. For a first effort, Mr. Prata shows great promise as a writer of historical fiction. However, I was disappointed to see all of his subsequent work is "fantasy," whatever that is.

Well done Mr. Prata. Great book. Great fighting scenes. You can smell the flesh, the stink, the gun powder. You pushed me to go to Malta and see the battle scenes where Christian Europe future was saved. Great sentences, great leadership, just great. Some sentences I will ever remember like: "They have all the men in the world, captain (meaning Muslims) and the answer - Throw them!" or "Thousands man here are more than milion promissed!"
I regret these Knights are history, pity we do not have such leaders today. Highly recommend for all who love historical fiction with great leadership and excellent fighting!

This book isn't overly long at around 300 pages, but it's tight, every page propelling the story forward. And what a story! The turks are on the move and they intend to flow across Malta like a tsunami, sweeping away all resistance as they prepare to march on Rome itself. All they need to do is crush a small band of knights who make Malta their home since they were expelled them from Rhodes by those same Turks just a few decades before. With overwhelming force, the Turkish armies and navy descend on the rock and bring to bear one of the most devastating bombardments known to history. Outnumbered five to one, these Knights of St John are doomed! Or are they?

This was no mere "sit and wait until the starve" siege, this was steel on steel, cannons blazing action where thousands were struck down only to reveal thousands more still coming. Prata succeeds in conveying the overwhelming desperation of the situation and the hardships endured, the brutality and dehuminizing impact of this most intense siege perhaps in history. Definitely recommended!

To praise from other reviewers I would like to add a heartfelt "WOW!".

I just wonder how come Hollywood hasnt already made some Grand Epic based on this historical heroic episode.

On the PC angle one must say that though the story is told from the Christian view of events, the author makes it clear Turks and muslims were just as much heroic fighting and dying for their beliefs. If St Elmo's defenders were made from true hero stuff, the Janissars and others that led charges against its walls stepping over thousands of their own dead friends surely must be fairly said to be heroes too.

A true, historic and total battle of heroes from all sides that puts to shame even the Trojan War (mostly a legend, btw)

This is my kind of book! Some 300 pages devoted almost exclusively to among the most vividly depicted battle scenes I've ever read. Loved it, though the novel might have benefited from being a tad less battle-heavy and a bit more integrated, if you will. The novels of V.A. Stuart are good examples of what I mean. Still, "Angels in Iron" is the most unputdownable novel I've read since Peter Forbath's "The Last Hero".

OK, the book isn't perfect. There are some grammatical errors. On page 88, for example, Nicholas Prata writes that "less men reached St. Elmo". And there are occasional narrative problems. On page 279, Prata writes that "He [La Valette] was not content to allow the Turks to slip away unmolested, but planned to give Mustapha yet another wound to nurse upon the long journey home". Really? Well, maybe so, but we don't hear of this plan again, let alone of its implementation. To be sure, Mustapha is bloodied one last time, but that event has nothing to do with La Valette. Also, speaking of La Valette, was he always strategically correct? Prata accepts that he was, with little or no reflection. Well, while La Valette is exceptionally admirable (how badly we need him and his Knights today!), I thought that aspects of his St. Elmo strategy left much to be desired. In costing the Turks far more blood than they should have shed for that piece of rock, La Valette won the battle. His men could and should have been removed to fight another day -- and without the slightest tarnishing of honor.

All that being said, this is a terrific read.

This is an attempt by one not enamored by Calvinism to explain and defend his own essentially Arminian understanding of divine things from the calumny of aggressive, intolerant, and poorly informed Calvinists who either hint or assert that Olson and those who share anything like his version of conservative Protestantism are not genuine Christians.

He does this by describing ten myths about Arminian beliefs, devoting a chapter to each. He describes the impact on his own thinking when Clark Pinnock, who was one of his "theological mentors from a distance . . . very publicly switched from Calvinist theology to Arminianism" (p. 8).

Olson describes in several places in this book the problem of Arminians having to hide their faith "in order to avoid conflict and suspicion that might hinder their careers in teaching and publishing" (p. 9).

Olson concludes his argument by insisting that "evangelicalism is a multidenominational and transdemoninational movement; it has no headquarters and no firm boundaries" (p. 245). He insists that both Calvinists of various stripes and Arminians need to keep in mind the things they share, especially "when they are in contexts where neither Calvinism nor Arminianism is the norm (as in the National Association of Evangelicals [NAE] and similar organizations)" (p. 245).

Most readers will undoubtedly find themselves sympathetic when they sense that Olson and others who are Arminian in their theology are deeply offended when they are treated as "barely Christian" or as "sub-Christians" merely because they hold views that do not entirely square with some version of Calvinism.

This book discusses ten myths that are commonly held about Arminians, especially by its critics but oftentimes even by its advocates. Olson, though not systematically arguing for or defending the Arminian viewpoint, simply purposes to reveal the fundamental nature of the theology over and against the prevalent myths.

The `Arminianism versus Calvinism' debate can be very passionate, and the risks for misrepresentation of the opposing view are high, even amongst academics. Arminian theology receives many harsh criticisms, often stemming from mistaken notions about what that theology entails. For example, it is often labeled as `man-centered,' moreover, it is sometimes claimed to diminish God's sovereignty, eliminate justification by faith, minimize or eliminate the role of grace in salvation, and to deny the Biblical teaching of predestination. As a result, the theology is absolutely lambasted in some circles, considered outside the scope of evangelical Christianity, deemed `barely Christian,' and even denounced as heretical.

Thankfully, Olson's clear analysis reveals these to be total misunderstandings, often betraying and almost total ignorance of contemporary or classical Arminian theology. Olson clearly acknowledges that some within the Arminian tradition have often slipped into dangerous theological territory. Nevertheless, the theology of Arminius himself was free from these errors, and a majority of major Arminian thinkers (including John Wesley) have kept true to Arminius's heritage. As he points out, the fact that some individuals within the tradition have strayed away from evangelical thinking does not mean that the tradition itself should be jettisoned, just like hyper-Calvinists who take Calvinism too far should not discredit the theology of Calvinism altogether. Olson substantiates his arguments thoroughly, providing extensive quotations from Arminius and his followers to demonstrate that their theologies are certainly orthodox, within the evangelical tradition, and not fair targets for the types of criticisms mentioned above.

Perhaps the best part of the book was its emphasis on the character of God being the primary motivation for Arminian theology. Many critics see the theology as motivated by a desire to keep "sacred" the human free will, but Olson wisely points out that this is not the main point of affirming the reality of human free will. The primary motivation is to protect the character of God. Since God is not the author of evil, Arminians seek to place the blame for sin (including the Fall of Adam), evil, and unbelief in the hands of free human creatures. In fact, this reflects my intuitions as well. When I read Calvinistic theology, I find myself deeply troubled by the character of God implied by such a system, not repulsed at the idea that I might not have `free will' in the way I think I do. In fact, I would have no problem with Calvin's theology if everybody were in fact saved or if there were no horrendous moral evil in the world, but given the presence of these undesirable features of the universe, I find the temptation to endorse Arminian theology strong.

Olson's book did suffer from one major flaw when it came to discussing the nature of God's foreknowledge. The problem is this- how can God foreknow the future free actions of human agents if they are really free? It is difficult to see how He could possibly know these free decisions. Moreover, if He did know them, it would obliterate free will.

There are two major lines of thought to address this question. The first idea is Molinism, the view of Luis de Molina who argued that God knows, before He creates the world, what any possible free creature would freely choose to do in any possible circumstance (See, for an exposition and defense of this view, The Only Wise God). I find this solution to be very compelling because it also explains how God can exercise His providential control despite deciding to create free creatures. However, Olson brushes off this possibility rather quickly, offering a few brief criticisms that (in my opinion) are rather weak. He also dismisses the idea that Arminius embraced this model, which I find dubious.

The other line of thought is commonly termed open theism. According to this view, it is impossible to know the decisions of free creatures in the future because there are no such facts to be known. Since they haven't decided yet, there simply is no fact of the matter! Thus, God does not have complete foreknowledge of everything that will occur in the future. Olson does not adopt this model but seems much more sympathetic to it than he does to the Molinist account.

While I agree with Olson (against many others) that open theism is a genuine evangelical option, I am surprised that Olson is prepared to give it more credibility than the Molinist account. Open theism, by denying God full foreknowledge of the future, is a very radical position that is regarded by many as not only outside the realm of evangelical thinking- but outside the realm of classical (and perhaps even orthodox) Christianity! Given Olson's attempt to remain within classical evangelical thought, I am surprised by his soft treatment of this view. In my opinion, it presents at least as many problems as the Molinist account and may require a radical revision of our conception of God. Indeed, many critics of Arminianism blast the theology by contending that it ultimately leads to dangerous views like open theism!

Other than this regrettable flaw, Olson's book succeeds in its goal admirably. By overcoming myths and refuting unjust criticisms of Arminianism, Olson opens the door for irenic discussion of this often controversial topic. This book is therefore appropriate for individuals on both sides of the fence. "Arminian Theology" does not provide a systematic defense of Arminianism or a critique of Calvinism, but it should help to further the debate in the spirit of Christian charity.

This book seemed to answer most of my doubts about Arminian theology being a legitimate evangelical position. There really is a lot of misrepresentation about the theology, and after reading it I would definately have to say that really there shouldn't be anyone who doubts the orthodoxy and legitimacy of Arminianism as being truly protestant. There will be people who disagree with some of the books conclusions, but at the heart of it, Arminianism can stand proudly beside Calvinism as being an alternative protestant doctrine on election and predestination.

I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I do try to expand my knowledge of Christianity and theology bit by bit. For this reason I sometimes found myself getting frustrated while reading, due to the fact that I couldn't understand some concepts when first read. Whether this is the book's fault or my own, well I'm not entirely sure. Overall though I think most readers should be able to get a handle on the concepts quite quickly, though it is not for those wanting a light read. It made me think hard!

Another great credit to the book's author, is his objectivity and ability to explain calvinism with respect, clarity and honesty. There are no harsh or degrading statements towards calvinism or it's supporters, but neither does he just let Calvinist writers get away with everything they say. While defending Arminianism, Olson also makes Calvinists think deeper about their own theology, which is good for all. In fact he explains calvinism so well, that I even learnt things that I didn't know before about the theology (such as Calvinists do believe in free will, but of course it's different to Arminian free will).

Lastly, the book itself is well made, and the front cover and picture are of high quality. So if you want a book which is objective, fair, enlightening and defends arminianism amazingly well; pick this book up. It may be challenging though.

Dr Olsen has done an excellent job of presenting Arminianism in a balanced and non-hostile way. Everyone who has ever delved into the whole Calvinism versus Arminianism should read this book. It is fair to say, as Dr Olsen states, that most people who debate this issue do not fully understand Arminianism. There are many misinformed people who reject Arminian Theology without really understanding what they reject. A must read!

Let me say at the beginning of this review that I am an unapologetic Calvinist. Olsen did not change my position, but he did correct and sharpen my understanding of Arminianism. I have believed and even promulgated some of the myths exposed in this book and for that chastisement alone I am grateful for his work.

More importantly, Roger Olson has done both sides in the Calvinism/Arminianism debate a favor in penning this work. He succinctly dispels the "myths" that have creped into the debate and history of Arminianism. The overriding disagreement according to Olsen is one that goes beyond the debate between predestination and free will--these are merely derived from the fundamental issue. The main area of dispute concerns whether the love or sovereignty of God should be the superseding principle in His dealings with humanity. The Arminian would stress the love of God and the Calvinist His sovereignty. (p. 73)


Olson gives the raison d'être for the book in his introduction: The purpose of this book is simple and straightforward: to correctly delineate true Arminian theology and to begin to undo the damages that has been done to this theological heritage by both its critics and friends. (p. 43) He examines 10 myths that are commonly believed and cited by both proponents and Calvinists regarding Arminianism, (see the TOC on Amazon's preview and other reviews). Most of these myths, if not all, deal with areas relating to soteriology.

He notes that Jacob Arminus did not adhere to a lot of the views that are commonly understood today as Arminianism by both Arminians and Calvinists. For instance some Calvinists maintain that Arminians do not believe in total depravity. Olson defends the position that in fact Arminius and true Arminians do believe this doctrine. The key difference surrounds the notion of prevenient grace (i.e. all mankind is in a fallen state that cannot be penetrated unless God awakens the deadness). The proper concept of prevenient grace for the Arminian states that God awakens all to understand the gospel, then each person makes the choice whether to accept or reject the gospel presentation and embrace Christ. Without this awakening, all would be dammed. (Of course, the Calvinist would maintain that this awakening and calling is absolutely efficacious and limited to the elect.)

Each chapter is structured basically the same with a general introduction to the issue at hand followed by an examination of Arminus's comments which both clarify true Arminian doctrine and refute the myth at hand. Next he explores the historical evolution of Arminus's teaching, citing such church personalities from Wesley to current thought that both adhere to and digress from Arminius.

Olsen writes with the following overriding concern and one that should be echoed and modeled by all in this and other doctrinal disagreements and debates: "One principle that ought to be observed by all parties to this debate is before you disagree make sure you understand. In other words, we must make sure that we can describe another's theological position as he or she would describe it before we criticize or condemn. Another guiding principle should be do not impute to others beliefs you regard as logically entailed by their beliefs but that they explicitly deny." p. 41.

Only rarely does Olson deviate from his gracious and irenic discussions with his Calvinistic brothers. One such instance was his comments regarding the meaning of "all" in John 3:16; 2 Pet 3:9) and the Calvinistic interpretation of its meaning (p. 223) I will forgive him "for this momentary lapse of kindness." One other concern I did have was his passing remark in a footnote to his openness to "open theism" (p. 198, note 65) other than that I heartedly recommend this book to both camps in the debate for both a proper understanding of the issues at hand and a paradigm for future engagement.

Harry Mulisch is not well known in the United States -- and it's a shame. The Assault is an undiscovered masterpiece: a moral quandary is wrapped in a thriller and a deeply philosophical work; the result is stunning. The Assault is one of the best novels I've ever read; it ranks easily along works by Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Garcia Marquez, Lessing and even Tolstoy. I recommend this novel wholeheartedly. It will stay with the reader and reveal hidden layers of meaning over time.

----

I'm sorry to say I was not very taken with Mulisch's other major oeuvre, "The Discovery of Heaven." Unlike "The Assault" which is stunning in its minimalism, "Discovery" is excessively verbose and so pretentiously intellectual that it made me imagine Umberto Eco on speed.

I read this book for the first time many years ago, and I have re-read it a couple of times since then. I purchased another copy of it recently as a gift for an old friend from college. After my first reading of it, my conclusion was that it was probably the best novel I had ever read. This judgment was confirmed by a friend (a college librarian), who independently told me that she had the same opinion. I have recommended the book to many people since then. The novel tells the story of a teenager from the traumatic event that he undergoes in the last year of World War II in the Netherlands (1944-45) through several later stages in his life, and how he comes to terms with this event both psychologically and with regard to figuring out the details of what happened. The book has a beautifully crafted plot and is written in wonderful sparse prose. In the Netherlands, this novel was extremely popular and has probably become on the the most widely read novels ever.

A historical subject and a story which is full with hidden references and symbols. Mulish is always amazing and never boring. Makes excellent subject for a reading class.

I just wanted to comment on Peter Reeve's review. He says there is 'not much' of a Dutch literature.
Come on, Mr Reeve, the fact that the Assault is the only book to be found in American bookstores doesn't mean that the Dutch don't have a literature but rather that Americans can't read Dutch and that they think they don't need any more translated literature!
Mutatuli, Hella Haasse, Anna Enquist, Margriet de Moor, Frederik van Eeden, Louis Couperus, Joost van den Vondel, Godfried Bomans, F. Bordewijk, Gerrit Achterberg, Annie M.G. Schmidt, ...
These are but a few random stars of the Dutch literature. Saying there is no or almost no Dutch literature is the same thing as saying there is no American literature.

In a Haarlem street the Dutch Resistance kills an active collaborator. In retaliation the Germans have destroyed a house in that street in which live ten-year-oldAnton Steenwijk with his parents and elder brother. Anton survives, but his parents and brother are killed. As Anton grows up, he wants to suppress all memories of that time, and it is not a coincidence that he chooses to become an anaesthetist. But of course the trauma is buried within him, and affects his mental life in many ways, some that are inexplicable to him. But the members of the resistance who had carried out the assassination are haunted also, by their knowledge that their deed had led to uninvolved people being shot. All these states of mind are explored in this story, as much that lay concealed emerges over the 36 years after the event. The reader is engaged as taut knots are loosened and unwound.

During all this time the world moves on and new political issues arise - Vietnam; the anti-nuclear movement. Do they leave the old issues behind or are they connected with them?

This short book's limpid prose is very precise, profound and rich in unobtrusive symbolism. It is all very compelling

Excellent history of a terrible place run by terrible people! Of all the Holocaust books I have read, this one is the easiest to read and fully understand.

You will miss a lot about this evil place if you don't pick it up and read it!

Auschwitz by Laurence Rees provides a compelling look at one of the darkest deeds in human history. Including first hand accounts from SS and prisoner alike, the book traces the history of the infamous camp from its origin as a work camp through its evolution into one of the most "productive" death camps. Rees delves into the myriad factors that created Auschwitz and how the camp's mission changed as the war progressed. The history of the "Final Solution" is detailed as well and Rees also describes several of the other camps and how they paralleled or were different from Auschwitz.

I had read accounts of the Holocaust before, but this book was incredibly detailed. The personal accounts were often gut-wrenching, especially some of the SS interviews in which there was often no regret expressed, in fact often the opposite. Not only a history of Auschwitz, but of Jewish persecution, the book provided information I hadn't heard before. There were a few accounts the author concluded the book with in which several Jews returned to their homes, only to find them gone or in someone else's possession. This was a side to the Holocaust I hadn't been consciously aware of, but probably should have guessed at The book was well written and quick paced, the material repugnant, but important to remember. Books like this need to be written and read, so that we never allow these events to simply pass into history or their magnitude diluted with time.

I just visited Auschwitz and Birkenhau prison camps and the book "Auschwitz-A New History" placed all this into perspective. The author writes the book purely from a historical researched point of view rather than from personal point of view. The book is very good reading and an excellent historical document.

I expected this to be a detailed presentation on how Auschwitz worked. Instead it was all over the place, with large portions talking about Sobibor; human interest stories; and how Jews were transported from Denmark, Slovakia, and France. This book should have focused on Auschwitz.

Most history books tend to get bogged down in their own data and dry writing style. What makes "Auschwitz" stand out as one of the most important books ever on the infamous concentration and death camp (there were both in many locations in Nazi Germany) is its readability - accurate but poignant and full of the drama that the subject provided.
Rees offers staggering information concerning the camp - the horrifying conditions for those selected to work and die as soon as they were unable to work any more - others "selected" outright for murder, most commonly by gas and guns, and even the occasional breakouts and shows of kindness, sometimes even by the SS troops who ran the camp.
Combined with the horrors of other concentration and death camps like Bergen-Belsen, the first discovered by British troops, Treblinka, Dachau and smaller camps that are not as well known, over six million Jews, gypsies and political "enemies" died at the hands of Hitler and Heinrich Himmler, easily Hitler's equal for depravity and pure hatred.
It is mind boggling how anybody can deny the events here, or the Holocaust in general. Yet Rees doesn't ignore naysayers who still try to deny such atrocities ever took place. Such denials belong in the same category as those who believe the earth is hollow, the moon visits were faked in a Hollywood studio or, believe it or not, that the Earth does not revolve around the sun!! This was opined by a state representative from, I believe, South Carolina just in the last few weeks.
We must remember too that the hate that leads to genocides is present in all of us and still occurs with regularity. We cannot forget Stalin's murder of 25 million Soviets, Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge, Idi Amin, and Rhodesia and Darfur. We still have troops in Kosovo after the "ethnic cleansing" that took place in the mid '90's.
Understanding what we, as humans are capable of, good and evil, gives us a better perspective on our behavior. We see in "Auschwitz" how "normal" people, placed in horrible situations, could turn murderous, callous and numb to what they were forced to do. We also see how some preferred death to killing others. It's not a fun read, but it should be in every high school classroom.

A compelling look at the face of evil. In her own twisted mind, Georgia Tann might have been doing what she thought was best for thousands of children but as we learn in this compelling, well-researched book her motives were certainly not for the best interests of the child. We as a society have come so far in protecting our children it is shocking to learn about the early stages of adoption in the early 1900's. Children were torn from their momma's screaming arms duped into believing they were getting medical care and then handed over to rich, well to do parents looking for children of their own. Children were given to pedophiles, farmers just looking for cheap child labor, the horrors are revealed here in a way that no matter how shocking it is to read at times, you are compelled to turn the page. Well written, well researched.

Adoption is supposed to be an act of goodness, but there are those who would corrupt it. "The Baby Thief: The Untold Story of Georgia Tann, The Baby Seller Who Corrupted Adoption" tells of Memphis-based black market baby merchant Georgia Tann, who operated from the 1920's to the 1950's conning mothers out of their children or just out and out kidnapping them, only to turn around and sell them to the wealthy to claim as their own. Her orphanage was applauded in spite of its horrifically high death rate. She habitually hid adoption records, a practice that has unfortunately become standardized in today's adoption industry. An expose of a dark individual who treated babies worse than cattle, "The Baby Thief" reveals why, despite its more stringent modern regulations, modern adoption needs to rethink some of its practices (such as sealing records). Highly recommended.

This book exposes the history of adoption in the United States, particularly its corrupt underside. The book addresses four themes:

1. Changes in attitudes about adoption, as well as adoption laws, in the past 100 years.

2. Corruption in adoption, embodied in "The Baby Thief," Georgia Tann. This includes the long-term impact on her victims.

3. Georgia Tann's long-term impact on society as a whole, including her lasting impact on today's adoption laws.

4. A call to revise adoption laws.

It's an engaging read, but loses a star for several instances of repetitive information.

Definitely recommended.

Georgia Tann ran an adoption agency from the 1920s until the 1950s. Supported by a corrupt government, she stole children from poor Memphians and sold them across the country to wealthy families. She ignored background checks and rated people by the amount of money they could pay her. As a result, children were torn from their mothers arms, sometimes right after their births, and many were placed in abusive families. Some tricked mothers never saw their children again. Raymond has a personal interest in the story as an adoptive mother herself, and her enthusiasm makes for a quick read. Her interviews with people who knew Tann and the people affected by her shady practices are excellent additions.

Raymond does a good job of getting at as much information as she can, and this book is well researched. However, I would have liked to know a bit more about the celebrity cases involved. Christina Crawford is perhaps the most famous Georgia Tann adoptee; why wasn't she discussed? Was she stolen from her birth parents? Pamela Powell is also mentioned; Dick Powell threatened to fight if her birth parents tried to reclaim her. Whatever happened to that case?

Overall, this is a good read and not just for people with a specific interest in adoption.

Excellent recollection of a horrible, horrible time in our so-called Democratic Society. I appreciate the efforts of the author and all who helped her. I wish Steven Speilberg would turn this into one of his epics. His Holocaust movie set in motion positive reactions, respect and awareness. Let's hope he can bring this to fruition. But more importantly-the research presented here and the stories told should affect our Elected Officials and our Supreme Court....they should OPEN ALL THE RECORDS sealed because of the manipulation of a criminal, evil woman and her corrupt support system. As an adoptee I want to know who I am-it is my constitutional right to know. To quote Alex Haley:"In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep, to know our heritage, to know who we are, and where we have come from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning; no matter what our attainments in life, there is the most disquieting loneliness." Alex Haley Thank you again Barbara-Bravo

I was looking for a book so that my granddaughter could get a sense of how truly blessed she is to grow up in this century. I am not an avid reader and this was the first book I have read in a long time. The book was only 214 pages but painted a vivid picture of the life and times during the 30's. I read the book in 2 days and loved every word. Being one of the first blacks in a field that has been predomanently white for decades, I too was wrongly accused of doing things and suffered unjust conquenceses. Bravo to the author, please put this on your must read list.

This is a nice book to buy your child if you want to enlighten them on the way of life that existed long before their time where they can appreciate the resources and choices that are available to them in in this generation.

As a grammar-fiend, I must say that this book is really lacking. I realise it was written in the vernacular for a purpose, but really, after only 4 pages I found continuing to read the monstrous grammar painful. This book is practically a guide to how to speak as if one never had any schooling.

If I could've given this book 10 stars, I would've. I'ma 19 year old inner city black male--that said, I was on the verge of tears while reading parts of this novel, and crying isn't something regarded as "ok" to do where I come from (or for guys period). Emotionally maturation is a must when reading this. TRUST! This is my first review of any book. I've never felt so compelled to write one, to ask people "Hey you ever read a book called Billy?" The book is excellent, and I highly recommend it. And as far as the "grammar fiend" review up above--the dialect in the book is reflecting Southern talk from the 1930's and it only adds to the book, it captures the time period beautifully. Please (future readers) dont let that become an obstacle!! (And after the first 5-10 pages you get used to it)

1937. Mississippi. Two teenage girls. Two young boys, ages ten and twelve. A fight ensues and one of the girls ends up dead. The community is outraged and more interested in revenge than justice. Why? The girls are white and the boys are black. Should that matter? Regardless, it does. French unapologetically drops the reader right into the times with all its prejudices glaring. It's impossible to avoid an emotional reaction to Billy. The grief of the families' losses, Billy's confusion about what's happening to him as well as what happened during the fight, and the blatant racism all serve to make the reader question whether things have really changed since 1937 or whether all that racism really just boiling under the surface searching for any excuse to break free.

I grew up in the Anthracite Coal Region of eastern Pennsylvania (Mount Carmel) and remember my Dad speaking of the Pottsville Maroons on several occasions. I didn't give the team much creedence, after all they seemed to be nothing more than a forgotten footnote in NFL history that generated some local pride. The team had never been the subject of any literary work, just the subject of a few short articles over the years in the local Pennsylvania newspapers. Now David Fleming breaths life into the Maroons and brings them out of the shadows. This book is great! Not only does Mr. Fleming tell the dynamic story of a deserving team that was wronged, but he also presents a vivid depiction of the Anthracite Coal Region during the roaring Twenties. Fleming's description of Pottsville's heyday is hard to imagine given the state of the decay the town is in now as are most other Coal Region towns including Mount Carmel. The main characters in the Maroon's story are brought to life and by the time you turn the last page you'll be drafting a letter to the current NFL Commissioner demanding that the Maroons be re-instated as 1925 NFL Champions.

I loved everything about this book. Nice concise chapters, lots of interesting tidbits about the 20's, very well researched, I felt like I was in the coal mines, the Pottsville stadium, the bar sitting around the radio listening to the championship game. Would be an awesome movie. The characters really are all great, from the 'Howitzer' to the Four Horsemen to the evil "old money white men" owners of the big-city NFL teams. Have I mentioned the word "great?" Ha ha. Seriously, worth a read.

The book, "The Breaker Boys" is one of the best sports books that i have ever read. It takes you through the Pottsville Maroons 1925 season where they were cheated out of the NFL championship. The book gives you a historical background of the maroons football franchise of the 1920's and how much the maroons brought together the city of Pottsville. This book is a must read for any sports fan with it's interesting historical evidence of one of the greatest shames in the history of the NFL.

The 1925 Pottsville Maroons, greatest team in NFL history? It is too difficult to compare teams across the decades as the game has changed so much. I have to admit that the book presents enough information to convince me that the Maroons were the best team on 1925, and they were robbed of the NFL Championship title.

The book tells the story of Dr. Streigel, and how he built a powerhouse team. Once Striegel was allowed to enter the fledgling NFL, he used his money and clout to gather some of the decades great fooball players. He manage to get college and homegrown players to bond as a team.

Unfortunately, Striegel did not make many friends in amongst the NFL Onwers. This did not help when controvery arose when the Maroons played a non-league game against the Notre Dame All-Stars. The game wasn't sanction by the league and was also played in the Frankford Yellowjackets territory.

It is a great story of football with a bittersweet ending. If only some threats were taken seriously, or the powers that be had a chance to cool off and think through what was happening. Hopefully this book will raise interest in the story and can make the NFL right a wrong that is over 80 years old.

I have read a lot of sports books over the years, but this one just might be the best. The story of the Pottsville Maroons is one that you will not soon forget.

Beautifully descriptive, Broken Paradise truly captures the essence of life in Cuba before Castro. And, through our author's careful research, what it was like afterward. Through the eyes of two little girls of privilege, you experience the familial warmth in their lives in what was then, an enchanted paradise. How quickly it fell apart. Out of virtually nowhere, came this charismatic individual, promising to lift the bonds of the tyrannical Batista - the answer to making Cuba the perfect paradise. We're led through the confusion of those times - understanding why there were those who believed everything they wanted to hear, and there were those who were suspicious. Soon it became clear where this leader intended to take their country, and the exodus began. This was an engrossing story; so much of it was grounded in truth. It was easy to walk side by side with the characters, whose hopes and fears quickly became your own. This was a page turner for me - I sat up late to see how it would end. There were a few stretches of the imagination, but, all in all, this was a great story!

Have you been to Cuba? If you have, then you MUST read it, as Broken Paradise will take you back and allow you to see the expanses of silky, white sand, the turquoise waters, the forever blue skies and the lazy palms. Everyone should experience Cuba - and this book will take you there!

This book has it all: historical and cultural insight, suspense, vivid imagery, characters that become real and a story that engages you from beginning to end. I was so incredibly disappointed for the book to end. I hated not being able to spend more time with these characters.

Be sure to read this author's second novel (Tarnished Beauty) as well. If you're not reading Cecilia Samartin you should be!

The book is captivating from beginning to end. I have also finished the author's second novel, Tarnished Beauty, and am now officially a fan of the author. This is a must read!

Crys McKinley, Real Ladies Read Book club

This story was fanfreakintastic!!! The story is one that all can relate too. With each chapter you are emerged into life, the love, and the culture. Not only will you be enlightened by the story, but it will further your compassion for the next man. Highly recommend for all!!!

Kenae
Real Ladies Read Book Club

This is a terrific book. I learned a lot about Cuba during the takeover by Castro. I also deeply cared about the characters of the book. My book group has 12 members in it and we all loved the book. That is a rare situation.
I thought that the book was well written and kept interest level at a high.
You will not be disappointed

What's to say - a great artist - the talent of which I admire the most and would love to have. Definitely one of my favorite books. On the list of items I would wanna be buried with... For this particular book - yes - that good....

At least to me (that is)...

Exhaustive variations, small printing and illustrations, pages jam-packed with examples. Good for the price; some readers will probably prefer a more modern volume. Talented author. Worth a look.

This the best cartooning book around. A classic. A must for entry level cartoonist or professional.

I'm always looking for the perfect book of whatever variety, & speaking as a former library employee, a cartoonist & art teacher, Jack Hamm has written THE book on cartooning. It is so packed with examples & not so much text, as it should be, it has tips & then TONS of examples. The style ranges from early American cartooning style to 50s/60s modern style. Fantastic examples of different expressions, hand positions, walking positions, drawing women, all of it. All good. If you want a great guide for old fashioned American cartooning, this is the one to get. Then get the Preston Blair book from Walter Foster.

This book is full of great ideas and tips. There's plenty for the beginner, like little tutorials on highly-stylized eyes or noses or mouths, or straightforward examples on common poses, but it's not just a book for beginners. There are a lot of highly-finished drawings as well, and examples of moving from simple to more complex drawings. Plus tips on various penciling and inking techniques, and various cartoon genres. All in all, there are literally thousands of examples and sketches, enough material to keep anybody busy for a long time. I've pulled this book down from the shelf more often than any of my other numerous drawing books, and I've filled page after page with exercises based on the material. A classic and worth far more than its price.