Reviews Books

Phelge knew the Stones when they were poor and just starting. This amusing memoir concentrates on 1963 when Brian Jones was the leader of the band before Mick and Keith took things over. Filled with mildly amusing anecdotes about juvenile pranks, mostly played on unsuspecting neighbors where the band lived together in the early days with the author. Some of the tales are a bit lame, and the dialogue, which fills the book, must be entirely made up. Was there a tape recorder present back then? I don't think so. Did Phelge take notes? Unlikely. Still, it's entertaining and a look at the Stones not normally seen. For lovers of music bios.

If you're looking for saucy gossip about groupies and drugs, this is not the book for you. If you want to learn about five teenagers from London who had a dream, buy this book. James Phelge, forever known as "Roommate of the Stones," offers priceless insights and hilarious shenanigans of a struggling, unknown band named after a Muddy Waters blues song. After the Stones start touring America and Phelge is left behind, the story seems to drag a bit when focusing on the "Swinging London" scene, but it is merely a set-up for the shocking ending -- Phelge walks away from it all and chooses to live a normal life! The crazy man of Edith Grove turns out to be the sanest of them all. A must read for EVERY Stones fan.

This is certainly the best "story of the Stones" book. Phelge manages to present the story straight out, with an excellent memory for detail. When he drops names (and there are lots) you really don't get the feeling he's dropping names, it just somebody else who was around at the time.

Although many of the stories have been told by Phelge to other writers before and have sort of become part of the Stones legend, it's great to hear the whole thing from beginning to end from the man himself.

If you only buy one Stones book, this is a great choice.

If you want one book that provides a window on the early 60s London music scene, this is it.

If you want a book that tells a great story about a group of naive guys trying to be a band, this is it. There are not ridiculous stories about parties, but when they screw around, you get the feeling you were there yourself.....a very nice writing job and well worth the trouble to find and read.

My husband is a true Stones fan. He loved this book. It gives many insights to how they began and grew to what they are now. He has thanked me over and over again for buying him this book to add to his collection. He knows alot about the Stones and this book was not a repeat of things he already knew. If you like the Stones, you should grab this book!

This book is precious and priceless!

Older Stones fans (like me), especially those familiar with Sixties London and the districts where The Stones lived in 1963, will delight in the easily readable and so evidently true stories of The Stones' very early days when Mick, Keith and Brian were more than teenagers but not quite mature adults. Phelge has covered many of the bases and truly gives you a taste of the environment that nurtured The Stones. You arre literally in the room with them, watching The Stones struggle hard, indeed, almost desperately for a commercial break, and against incredible odds in a still conservative post-war England. The book is chock-full of marvellous observations, wonderful insights, hilariously humorous incidents, and pathos. It clearly reflects Phelge's superb capabilities as a raconteur (and one not given to exaggeration) who tracked the evolution of The Stones even as he lived with Mick, Keith and Brian 40 years ago in their squalid, disorganized flat where cleaning up for the lads simply meant throwing crockery, cutlery and utensils out of the kitchen window into the communal garden below.

The book is filled with gems: Mick's yearning and wistfulness for a load of money as he lolls aimlessly in a freezing cold, food-free flat with his fellow Stones; chucking Ian Stewart out of the band because he did not look "with-it" enough for Andrew Loog Oldham, the first manager of The Stones along with Eric Easton; the unbelievably funny and ridiculous "Toilet Door Fiasco" with Keith and Phelge who drove their neighbors mad every day for months on end with their antics and purloining; the "Immaculate Dollies" with their [nice figures]; the "nankering" (face-making and squawking) and pranks that went with their looning around generally; the list is endless.

In addition, Phelge paints excellent portraits of The Stones' character and temperament. One sees the competitiveness and tension between Brian on the one hand, and Mick-and-Keith on the other hand, all starting very early on in their association. (They would carry this around with them for years until they ditched Brian with the worst of feelings in 1969.)

Younger Stones fans need to read this book in order to understand who The Stones were and where they came from, and how they started up the ladder that took them to stardom at the very top of the world where they have stayed since 1965. My younger office colleagues who like The Stones have absolutely no idea about any of this history and it is a shocking gap in their knowledge.

Overall, an amazing, informative, excellent book. At least 5 stars!

JS

I gave this as a gift to someone who likes to read about the movies as much as he enjoys watching them. Because he has a collection of movie guides, this one caught my eye because it was different with a more unique take on film.

I have purchased other movie guides in the past but always end up getting the current Videohound. It's more concise than other books. Lots more information available. I love the catagory lists. Some of the catagory titles they think up are great! I would recommend this book for video lovers over any other that I've purchased.

i consider myself a movie buff, and this is my bible. this is the fourth edition of this book that i bought, and i will continue to buy one every year. it helps me to choose the movies i watch, and answers the questions that plague me. with the many options for reference (title, category, actor, director, composer, awards), i find this book very easy to use. not only does this book list actors, awards, directors, etc. a description of the film and a rating are included. i freaking love this book! 'nuff said.

The only short side is that it only produces info for on tape or DVD. Other than that it is a gem. When ever you don't remember an actors name, find the movie or the movie you remember them in and your there.

The bones critic of the film (ergo hound) is very good, a real persons review of the film.

Look for info by genre, title, actor or whatever.

This is a film buffs must and a great conversation starter!

What was Bogart's final film? What was Lizabeth Scott's first film? How many movies did Gregory Peck make? How many movies did Raoul Walsh direct? When did John Wayne die? And what was Vincente Minnelli's final film? Answers below! All this and considerably more movie information is included in the veritable encyclopedia "Golden Movie Retriever". There are fully 929 pages of movie synopses and ratings. Also included are indices on movie writers, cinematographers, composers and categories -how many Zorro movies are there? (13!). There are over 30 pages of major awards- and even a section on alternate titles! Apparently, "Summer Stock" may also called "If You Feel Like Singing"! It could easily take a lifetime to mine the nuggets here. The only possible weakness to GMR is the paper cover, which should be well worn very quickly. Answers to the questions above are: "The Harder They Fall" (1956); "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers" (1946); 49 (count `em!); 43; 1979 and "A Matter of Time" (1976). What's not to like? There is absolutely nothing for a movie fan to ponder here. Hit hat "Add to Cart" button now!

I picked this book up hoping to write a cookbook, and I have to say that I love it overall. Dianne's style is lyrical, and she's got the friendly tone of a beloved mentor. It's a comprehensive guide, and while it covers any topics, if you want to delve into deeper detail on any one of them, you need to do more digging for further resources. This guide, though, is a great introduction and inspiration. Highly recommended.

In a profession without a road map, this book is essential. A skilled editor, Jacob's tone is at once motivating, demanding, and kind. In her chapter on recipe testing, she brings you into famed kitchens--i.e. those of Deborah Madison, Mark Bittman, and Alice Medrich--to show that recipe developing is both hard work and loads of fun, like food writing itself.

An inspiring food writing with a stack of gastronimic literature to read through over a long weekend, I had a goal of finishing at least two of three books that were sitting on my coffee table. The first one I chose was "Will Write for Food" by Dianne Jacob. A food writer who's been writing since 1978, Dianne also instructs and coaches individuals and groups on becoming successful food writers. As she mentions in her book, she used to tell students to go check out books at the library about food writing to gain perspective of the business outside of class. After students repeadedly came back to her stating there were no books out there on food writing, Dianne decided she'd be the one to write it. So I guess one could say this is the first book published on the nuts and bolts of becoming a successful, professional food writer. I found the book incredibly helpful, honest and no-nonsense. Dianne has a gift for mixing honesty (don't quite your day job right away) with pep talks (just keep writing, you'll get there). She delivers practical advice and covers topics from writing cookbooks to the art of restaurant reviewing, pitching food article ideas to magazine editors to writing memoirs, and getting ficiton and nonfiction pieces published. The book also features a number of exercises at the end of each chapter for readers to stretch their creative muscles, like brainstorming exercises that assist in developing magazine article topics, writing your own food recipe and researching food and book publishing markets. Finishing the book inspired me to march forward and capture all the ideas floating in my head onto paper to get them closer to being published pieces of work. This is a book I will refer back to regularly.

I have read many advice/guidance books on writing, and I truly found this book to have more practical and thorough information than all others I have read - and solely on the subject of food writing! The 'Interview Subjects,' 'Bibliography,' and 'Selected Web Sites' sections knocked my socks off. It is obvious that Dianne Jacob put a lot of time and effort into this book. I read it completely in just three days, and I will refer to it regularly for my food writing pursuits.

I stumbled upon Dianne's website while I was researching for my book proposal. I wasn't planning to write a cookbook but since I love food and this book is so unique, I got myself a copy anyway.

I'm pleasantly surprised! I've learnt a great deal about raising one's platform/profile before publishing a book, as well as the nuts & bolts of the publishing industry. This book is a MUST-HAVE for all aspiring cookbook writers!

I'm almost 40 and I'm new to the reading world, although I know how to read well and I've always been a keener with good grades in english somehow I managed to go through school without reading a single novel, I just didn't read it and that really brought my grade down. I've never - until recently read novels or much of anything else... When I began to read earlier this year- the feeling was euphoric. It was the discovery of this treasure I was surrounded with and never knew... Now I love, love, love to read. I've collected so many books I'm sure it'll take a few years to get through. I started shallow splashing around with light reads such as Sophie Kinsella, Emily Griffin and soon dove in deep and gravitated toward historical fiction. I enjoyed this trilogy a lot. Although I know Josephine was going to die in the end, it didn't stop me from crying (something I try to avoid if I can)... Any suggestions for other interesting reads, please let me know. I suggest this set, it was wonderfully written... As well I enjoyed Ken Follet's "pillars of the earth" I have't yet started the follow up "a world without end" I also enjoyed Phillipa Gregory's books... Until I read Sandra's books of Josephine I knew little of Napoleon. It has sparked my curiosity and I research online to learn more about Napoleon, Josephine and the others. Enjoy.

i found all three books in this trilogy fascinating. it was a painless way to learn about the french revolution, napolean and josephine's lives, and a multitude of other historical facts. the books moved very quickly and from the time i picked up the first one i was hooked!

I don't need to repeat what eveyone else seems to be stating in their reviews of this book and the entire Josephine trilogy; the story flows from start to finish.

I very highly recommend this book!

A perfect ending to a wonderful trilogy. Gulland has clearly done her research and France comes alive through the eyes of Josephine Bonaparte. Compassionate, kind and well-loved in France, Josephine also gives us a very intimate and sympathetic insight to Napoleon Bonaparte. I enjoyed this whole series and would heartily recommend it to anyone interested in the French Revolution, the French Republic and the rise of Napoleon. It is engrossing, humorous and heart-rending. Highly recommended.

I can't express how much I loved this wonderful novel. The most accurate adjective I can think of would be 'interesting'. This book was soooo interesting. Gulland's attention to detail is absolutely meticulous. She used over 400 sources in the writing of this trilogy. I learned so much--not only about Napoleon and Josephine, but also of other historical figures of that time. I also found the daily life of the aristocracy not only fascinating but also exhausting.

Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine Beauharnais are some of the most intriguing characters in history. Their story is so compelling and Gulland does a wonderful job of presenting it. Her 'Josephine' trilogy tells the story of Marie-Josephe-Rose Tascher (Beauharnais Bonaparte) who was born on the French Caribbean island of Martinique in 1763. She died, as she was still known, as the Empress Josephine at her beloved Malmaison in Paris in 1814. THE LAST GREAT DANCE ON EARTH begins in March 1800 at the Tuileries Palace in Paris and ends at her death. But, Gulland has a special treat for her readers. She ties up all the loose ends by telling us what happens to all the characters in her novel. I loved that! In fact, I was taking a tour a couple of weeks ago in St. Augustine, Florida and the guide told us that this is where Napoleon Bonaparte's brother came to....I now know that it was Jerome. The author also has a chronology with detailed accounts and dates of events in the last fourteen years of Josephine's life. Gulland also used actual letters of the pair in this book. And again, the pages are peppered with footnotes that add credence to this story.

In book three we're treated to more of the deep and abiding friendship of Josephine and Napoleon. The love they had for each other is legendary. Napoleon was a wonderful father to Hortense and Eugene and they also adored him. But Josephine had to put up with her horrid in-laws, their jealousy and constant designs of destroying her marriage, their lies and the constant undermining--geesh, she was more patient than I could have been. They eventually succeeded. Despite going through horrible and archaic treatments for infertility, Josephine could not conceive. As we all know, Napoleon divorced her in order to gain an heir. Even then, they continued their friendship and love.

I have been mesmerized with Napoleon and Josephine since visiting the Lourve for the first time as a college freshman and falling in love with David's "The Coronation of Napoleon." Then, after visiting the famous, albeit headless statue of the former Empress at her birthplace in Martinique, my curiosity became insatiable. We learned that Josephine's head was cut off because she influenced her husband to reinstate slavery. I was hoping to read an explanation in these novels but it was never mentioned (although Martinico is mentioned quite often). Which comes to another point: Gulland mentions that researching the lives of Napoleon and Josephine is addictive; I've already bought two more books, maybe I'll find the answer to my question!

I agree with the previous reviewers. This book was particularly excellent for my steps 2 &3 for a number of reasons, the main one being that everything's beautifully outlined and intuitively laid out. My favorite resource especially for CK & 3.

A must have for all the internal medicine residents!!!
Extraordinarilly structured questions and even better explanation focused on the highlight topics in internal medicine. The questions are well-written, and the answers give you really good feedback. The questions are highly relevant, reflecting what the ABIM wants you to know. Whether you are preparing to take the Internal Medicine boards for the first time or preparing for recertification, this is an excellent resource. It is well-organized, concise, and comprehensive. The questions are challenging and pertinent with clear answers that emphasize the teaching point being made. The outline format highlights important points about each subject. In our program, we are also using this book as a resource for everyday teaching during morning report and other clinical conferences. Overall, I am very satisfied with this book and highly recommend it!

I am currently in nurse practitioner (NP) school and am studying within the acute/critical care track (ACNP). As a NP student, I believe this book to be a valuable 'quick and dirty' reference. I will be using this as a supplement throughout practice, residency and for my certification boards.

Just finished taking step 2 & 3...I highly recommend NAIL THE BOARDS, The Ultimate Internal Medicine Review for USMLE STEPS 2 & 3 ... , it is concise and, most importantly, the information in the text is relevant to the actual exam. This book is the most current resource reflecting the new changes to USMLE step 2 and 3. The book is up to date and contains all the major topics needed for step 2 & 3. This book contains a lot of excellent contains and summaries that I could not find in any other review book. It seems to be a great companion while doing review questions. I also found this book to be an outstanding source when I prepared for work rounds to teach the interns and students. I can highly recommend this book to all residents. I wish I had it when I started my residency. Great Book!

I initially heard of this book from the 2nd & 3rd year residents in our program. A lot of them used it for their Step 3 and were successful and loved it. I was skeptical at first because this exam was important to me for a number of reasons. In any case, my experience was much the same as theirs, and I did extremely well, as with my predecessors, but I wanted to provide greater detail that I know will help you. I was pleasantly surprised, but at the same time totally relieved, when I sat for the exam because everything I'd studied here was right there on the exam. Specifically, I found the book was incredibly helpful in all of the following areas, which are the key areas required on the exam:

** Associating current complaints with presented history and identifying pertinent factors.
** Interpreting elicited history.
** Interpreting mental status & identifying neuro exam findings
** Interpreting specific physical findings as relates to differential diagnosis
** Knowing appropriate directed physical examination & required technique.
** Recognizing commonly associated pertinent history
** Identifiying risk factors--especially oustanding
** Recognizing signs & symptoms and physical findings

I also found the book super useful for all the lab stuff, specifically:

** Knowing when NO diagnostic or lab studies are indicated
** Knowing which studies to select and when
** Interpreting all the key tests
** Basic lab/diagnostic study algorithms
** Identifying which study/procedure will most likely establish the dx or differentiate it from another
** Predicting the most likely lab or diagnostic test result

Bottom line: I passed easily and I'm thankful to those who recommended this gem. But I also wanted to take a few minutes to "pass" this on to others as well. I know there's a lot of other favorable reviews below, but they really didn't go into much detail. I'd also give a top recommend to the Frontrunners Q&A book which was another treasure trove and landed me a lot of extra points on the exam. As far as I'm concerned, it was the perfect combination.

This was my first book on filmmaking howto, and i don,t regret it. This is a general introduction to film making, covering both traditional 16-35 mm mediums and video. It's out of date if you're looking for references to all the latests video hd tech, but a nevertheless very worthwhile.

great book if you plan on going into the film industry. i would recommend this book.

The Filmmaker's Handbook is exquisitely detailed in it's delivery of filmmaking knowledge and know-how. It cover's everything from film to video and from the film industry to the television industry, delivering updated information that will prepare even the most amateur videographer for the professional industry. However, it would be a good idea to start with some basics before tackling this book because it IS quite detailed and technical in it's delivery. Overall though, it is an excellent resource! Bravo!!!

I bought this book few months back in order to study the film making process. The book has details for practically everything and best for beginners as well as professionals. however since the version dates 5 years old so I'd suggest anybody interested in learning the aspects to consider this book as a base and then also subscribe to a magazine as you'll have a know how of latest stuff happening in the movie making technology. something like movie maker magazine. anyway the book still deserve 5 stars for its content.

This is a required text book, and is used in many colleges. It is a great book and it is so good to read that studying is not a chore

This is a great review book. I really like how the book separates the subjects and has test questions as the end of each chapter. The CD is also easy to use. I would recommend this book for anyone preparing for the nclex exam.

We ordered this book to help our daughter study for her NCLEX exam. It was very helpful and we are happy to say that she passed the test and is now a Licensed Practical Nurse.

I had several different NCLEX study books but this is the one that I used most. It is my LPN BIBLE STILL! I also had the Saunders Q & A, which I liked, but this one is so well organized. I still carry it in my nursing bag for reference. This book was recommended to me by one of my clinical instructors and I'm glad I bought it. I passed NCLEX-PN with 85 questions in Jan 2008. My cd worked pretty well. I did 3000-4000 questions before testing which is recommended. I will be using it again to study for an RN Bridge program. I wish I would have used it more during LPN school.

Out of the study guides I used to prep for the NCLEX-PN, this guide's questions were the closest to the type and difficulty I experienced on the actual exam. I highly recommend this book.

Book received in a timely manner and in good condition. I am impressed with my Amazon.com purchases.

I never picked up a copy of this wonderous guide when it was published. There were a few mistakes I made last decade, not buying this book was one of them.

There is not much storyline given away here. Mostly background info regarding the Cardassians, Bajorans and the Federation. Deep Space Nine was the best "Star Trek" series, in my humble opinion. This guide is useful to those who wish to write about the series of the future, as well as daydreamers like myself. The thrill of walking down every corridor, knowing the details of Quark's bar and Ops...

It is all like dream, now that it is over. I never watched the original broadcast in the 1990s. What a loss on my behalf. Now in the age of hopelessly dull reality T.V., what a better way to pass the time than watching the epic unfold on DVD. Though a little overpriced, to an avid fan like myself, worth every penny! Make sure you have a copy of this manual sitting close by!

This is a must own for anyone who has ever needed to know why something works the way it does in Star Trek. This covers almost everything you can imagine in how Deep Space Nine and space craft work. If it isn't covered in this book it is covered in the TNG Tech Manual. If you write Fan Fiction, play a character in a Trek RPG, or operate a Trek Website You will treat the Tech Manuals as your gospal in Trek technology. Other good books are out there, but they don't compete with this book.

The tech isn't much different in manner from the TNG Tech Manual, but the images in this, the DS9, manual are far superior. All Trek Geeks (come on, fess up) need this book.

While I am a long time Star Trek fan, I tend to stay away from books such as this one because I just see it as another way for Paramount to get into our pocket books. I just lightly browsed this book one day in a book store and next thing I knew almost an hour had gone by!

This has to be one of the most engrossing works of fictional tech I have ever seen. There are times where you almost wonder if some form of prototype exists for the items they discuss.

Both richly written and illustrated this book is a absolute must buy for the die hard Star Trek fan! And if your favorite Star Trek is DS9 (like myself), I am not sure how you have lived without this book!

This book is amazing. I read it from cover to cover and ended up satisfied with all the details the authors placed in them. The book carries details ranging from the subspace communications system to the weapons and even the environmental system of the station. The information on it is not contained only to details about the station but everything connected to it including the Runabouts, and the Defiant. It gives off an effect that there is really a station named Deep Space Nine. The paper used was high quality glossy paper which doesn't crumple easily and the numerous images in them were in color. Although it could have been better with a hard cover, it's excellent the way it is.

First off, this book is anything but a disappointment. It is a packed with information on the series and its fictional technology from the station's basic layout to things like tricorders and sensor probes. It has great illustrations, mostly rendered in 3D by Doug Drexler and all in color. This is a quite obvious advancement since the STTNG Technical Manual.

One reason why I like the DS9 Technical Manual less than its "sister manual" is that its reliability is lacking. This is in part not the fault of the authors, considering that technical specs and especially the size of the station and of the Defiant were always subject to change throughout DS9. Nevertheless, it is dissatisfactory that none of the size figures given in the book correspond with the schematic diagrams in the same book, the latter of which consistently show a smaller 120m Defiant and a station diameter of at most 1000m. The section on starships is even much worse, since ship types and specs are arbitrarily and hastily made up, sizes of well-known ships are wrong and the Saber and Norway class even have exactly the same specs. Considering that many fans who took the specs for their websites didn't even notice the latter error, I may be overly critical, but from an officical manual I would expact much more carefulness than that.

The other point of criticism is that the Deep Space Nine Technical Manual isn't very technical and it isn't useful as a manual. It is rather like prose that has been supplemented with a certain limited amount of Technobabble, a couple of size figures and many nice images. It doesn't care about the technology in such detail as the STTNG Technical Manual, and if it is only shown how to operate it. Summarizing, as a novel the book is rather boring, while it is just not complete enough for a technical manual. Anyway, at least the drawings are great, especially the fold-outs, and most of the book with the exception of the starship section is pleasant reading, so I recommend to buy it.

I read Frank's book because I lived on the south side of Chicago and attended Hyde Park High School in Hyde Park in Chicago. I remember well the streets and locales that are mentioned in the book. For me, even though it was fiction it retained the flavor of non-fiction due to places, people and events that took place. When the boys took the wrong train to get home, I was silently shouting, "Get on a train going south. You're going in the wrong direction". I knew they were heading north when I read Belmont and other stops along the line, etc. I could picture riding the El and looking out the window at those neighborhoods and wondering what life was like on those streets. I went to Riverview Park as a teenager in the 50's and this was a walk down Memory Lane. I attended the Temple Frank wrote about and remember the rabbi very clearly. It was interesting and well researched. It's a taste of Chicago!and I recommend it highly.

...to immerse emotionally in a Chicago where black met white and through two little boys got along, long before his time. A quick read, a rather simple plot, but human interactions that make you feel you've known the characters up close and personal. Delightful dialogue, showing that Mr. Joseph has a pitch perfect ear for conversation, whether between characters or internally. A real treat that entertains but provides deeper understanding of race relations in the north.

I really enjoyed read To Love Mercy. It captures the feeling and attitude of the times. I would highly recommend it! In fact I have!

Frank Joseph's story, TO LOVE MERCY, is, on the surface, about two young boys and their families, one black, one white, living in a segregated Chicago of the 1940s; and a confrontation that might have ended in tragedy that instead inspires mutual curiosity, respect, and eventually trust. These feelings between the two heroes of the story lead them to follow their hearts, not allowing the adults, who refuse to resolve their differences, to turn them away from the truth--that they are more alike than they are different, that they have, by living through a particular set of experiences together, become friends. But the story offers even more for those who are open to its timeless and universal message. It provides a template of hope for what will certainly be one of the ongoing challenges for the next generation--achieving a greater understanding of those who are different than "us," whoever "we" and "they" happen to be at any given moment.

I've never read a story quite like To Love Mercy, but I wish there were others like it. The unique way the book was written and laid-out really kept me reading and eager to find out what was going to happen next.
I am no author, but I know that writing from the perspective of someone else takes a lot of talent. Frank Joseph did this fluently and creatively, which provided me with complete mental images of each scene.
I strongly recommend To Love Mercy. It explores racial issues and is an all-around good novel.

I found Jubilee Trail interesting and have a better picture of the way life must have been for pioneers making their way to California. However, I found the depth of characters and the story to be somewhat juvenile. This book would be better suited to a young teenager who has an interest in historical fiction, not a mature adult.

This book was recommended to me in my favorites quite a while ago, and I finally decided to give it a try. It was so good. I never wanted to put it down, and when I was finished I wanted it to keep going. I have read "These is my words" and loved that. This is another to add to it.

Good book, but I liked Calico Palace much better. Jubilee Trail is just a little to predictable.

We had a rather intimidating librarian at my high school, but she was also very insightful when suggesting books. I was Junior when she handed this book to me, stuck her face right in mine, and said, "This book is out of print, so if I don't get it back, YOU'RE IN BIG TROUBLE!" As she escorted me to the checkout table, she gave me a full dissertation on how wonderful the story was, and how much I'd love it. Staring at the plain blue cover with white writing on the spine, I wondered what could be so great. Curious, I took it home.

Trying to avoid my sister later that night, I stretched out across the foot of my bed, and decided to give it a chance... It had my full attention well within the first chapter, and I finished the entire 300-something page book within three days - three SCHOOL days, I might add. I absolutely devoured this book.

I returned it to Ms. Padilla gushing about it, and she had my full trust in any other suggestions she had. I have a few other favorites that were first placed in my hands by that woman, but this one stood out in my memory for a long time as honestly and truly one of the very best books I had ever read - and this is coming from a 'Gone With the Wind' fanatic, too!


***


Fast forward six years, my sister calls me from a rare bookstore to ask the name of the book I'd read in high school and loved... She knew I was looking for a copy, and thoughtfully decided to stop and search for me. Lo and behold, they had a first edition. They obviously didn't know what it was worth, because it was only $8.95. A gem for that low price; what a shame.

I read it again, and was just as enraptured as I was the first time! I now tell everyone that it is my absolute favorite book in the entire world, and the few people who have read it on my suggestion have all but kissed me for it.


***


I really encourage you to pick this one up... Meet Garnet, Oliver, Florinda, John, and - my favorite - Texas. They will have a place in your heart forever, just like they do mine. This is one you pass down to your children.

I just reviewed Celia Garth, which was the first novel I had read by Gwen Bristow. I found that book to be so enthralling that I quickly sought out and read everything she wrote.

I think, other than Celia Garth, this was my favorite of Bristow's books. Bristow writes clearly and descriptively and makes you feel like you are back in period of time that she is writing about. She adds historic detail to her narratives so you learn something without having it crammed down your throat. It is the intellectual equivalent of playing "dress-up" -- imagining that you are the beautiful heroine of another time.

I guess I just really liked historical fiction because it was so much more appealing to me than modern day. You didn't have to worry about the cliques at school or the awkwardness of adolescence. You were transported to another world and another time.

The book is also just good clean story with an engaging story line. Themes are simple and there isn't the moral gnashing of teeth that seems to be much more popular in more recent books (such as the Luxe series that is currently en vogue).

And, being historical fiction, it also gives you a glimpse into history so when you read it -- especially as an adolescent -- you might actually wind up learning some real history... or at least be motivated to explore it some more.

I am the mother of two boys so they will never read these books. But I'm so happy to see them released again so I can go back and revisit another time -- in American life and in my own.