Buccaneer Books

I first found these books in the school library in the 1950's & I enjoy them more with each year. They give a true and accurate description of family life in the South through the years. I had thought about them for years and every once in a while would run into a copy at a book sale. A couple of years ago when I was out of work, I used some of my dwindling funds to buy copies of the last 2 books...and I have never regretted it.

I read this book in the 60's, and loved it deeply then. It has held up well. I'd be hard pressed to say whether I like this book or _Dawn's Early Light_ (the first story in the series) best. It is probably best appreciated after reading the first book in the series. They form the bookends of a wonderful series about several intertwined families on both sides of the Atlantic from the American Revolution through World War II. The editions I read as a kid had family trees on the endpapers, and they were a great help.
_Homing_ recounts the story of Mab, a young girl, and her extended family, through the beginning of WW II. Although I am not a historian, I have not ever encountered a historical event in one of Ms. Thane's books that was contradicted by any history I have read. She makes history immediate and real by showing how characters you care about are affected by historical events. The history is background to the story; although it contributes significantly to the plot, I never felt I was being lectured. Characterizations ring true; I came to care deeply about the people in the story. There are ways in which this book, and the whole series, remind me of the books of Rosamunde Pilcher - the are populated by people I'd like to meet, coping with their lives.

This is the last book in a series of books called the Williamsburg novels. I have been reading and re-reading this series of 7 books for over 50 years. They are my all time favorite books. Each book deals with a war or pre-war action (except the war of 1812) in which the US has taken part from the Revolutionary War (Dawn's Early Light) to the Civil War (Yankee Stranger) to the Homing with is the last of the series and the 4th book which deals with WWI and WWII and the years in between. They are a great source of history. Ms Thane (widow of the explorer Dr. William Beebe) has done an excellent job of research for each of the books. I hope others find them as wonderful, and as entertaining as I do. I have read my old copies until they are falling apart. I was very excited to find they had been reprinted and purchased them immediately.

The last of the Williamsburg Series, Homing brings you full circle back to the past. The best way to read this book is after you have read the others, beginning with "Dawn's Early Light". I first read them when I was a teenager and I still read them every couple of years. The characters are like family or maybe the way we would like family to be.

This is the conclusion to the Williamsburg Novels that begins with Dawn's Early Light. The characters continue to ring true and the historical view of both England and the US during the early days of WWII is great. The story truly comes full circle and makes you want to read them all again.

Highly recommended series. I recommend as an alternative to the Little House series for boys. Well written.

Another inspiring account of the Moody fanily. This time the scene is Massachusetts. The earlier books were set in the American West. Mary Emma is the mother of the clan. She is determined that her family will make its own way in life. She gets a job in a sweatshop to learn how to do fancy laundering. Ralph works at a store in his spare time. Almost all of the children do something to help earn a living.At school Ralph gets in trouble for things that wouldn't have mattered in Colorado. The younger children are seen more in this book than they were previously. Grace is now a young lady who is tempted to put on airs. The whole family's work ethic stands out as refreshing compared to many young folks of today. Their grit and determination are to be admired. I recommend the reading of this book by any one of any age.

As a forth grader in Colorado our teacher read the first two books in Ralph Moody's series to our class. Now, almost 30 years later I'm reading the whole series to my family, we love them. Even our 3 year old asks me to read them at bed time.

Mr. Moody's descriptions and the story of his life are more than touching and heartwarming, they are important lessions in morality, life and love. You cannot help but fall in love with young Ralph, his independant mother, and all the rest of her children.

You will laugh and cry as this young cowboy and his family make a new home in Boston. Starting with almost nothing, through hard work the whole family pitches in to make their own way. Rich with history, this book is about life, both the good parts, as well as the bad and how one young man, lived it (mistakes and all).

Even if you don't think you like reading, try these books. They will change your mind.

This, the fourth volume in Ralph Moody's reminiscences, picks up immediately after the close of "Man of the Family." It's January, 1912, and widowed Mary Emma Moody, unwilling to give testimony that may send an innocent man to the gallows, has fled Colorado with her six children, of whom the eldest are Gracie, almost 15, and Ralph, 13, to the suburbs of Boston, where her brother Frank and his family live. Crammed into Frank's two-bedroom apartment, her first priority is to find quarters they can afford to rent, followed by work at which to earn a living--taking in laundry, since she's already used to that. Obstacles soon arise: rents are far higher in Massachusetts than in Colorado, and Mary Emma has to learn a whole new style of ironing when it becomes obvious that she'll have to do fine washing for families rather than hotel curtains. But Ralph soon finds part-time work in a neighborhood store, which leads the family, before long, to the rental of half an old Victorian house and a windfall of a houseful of furniture to go in it for only $50. Then there's a neglected furnace and leaky water pipes to struggle with, and pickups and deliveries to make in the midst of a blizzard, and the question of affordable coal. But with help from Uncle Frank and Great-Uncle Levi (a delightful and vividly-described character), along with Ralph's employers and his new friends among the neighborhood boys, their first five months in their new home end on an upbeat note as they celebrate May Day with an avalanche of baskets for Gracie--and one for Mary Emma from her "best lover," second son Philip.

Moody's trademark humor and vivid description is the hallmark of this book, especially when he tells of Frank and Levi's pitch-in to renovate the cellar laundry room and the bridge fire which ends by gifting the Moodys with a huge load of saleable kindling wood. His ongoing enmity with his school principal, who seems to have prejudged him a "bad boy," and his seesaw relationship with Cop Watson, who alternately warns him to take care and assists him and his friends with their wood-salvage operation, are other high points, as is the night sledding expedition to the old clay-pit where Gracie--often depicted as bossy and high-toned--forgets for a while that she's growing up and originates a daring "circle route." It's a bit disappointing that he gives little attention to what must have been a wrenching change in his life (after four years in the West he has come to think of himself as a kind of apprentice cowboy), but on balance, the story is a fascinating and inspiring one.

This book is one of Ralph's great. The Moody Family goes through lot's off hardships after leaving Colorado.

If you love Wodehouse, you will love 'Buncle'. Miss Buncle doesn't want to raise chickens when her money runs short, so she decides to write a book. But she cannot write anything but what she knows, as she has no imagination. So she writes all about her neighbors. This would be fine, but unfortunately she writes very well; her book is accepted and published and becomes very widely read. All her neighbors recognize themselves and go on a manhunt to catch and punish the horrible mole in their midst. If you can read this and not find yourself laughing outloud, then there is something wrong with your sense of humor.

I've loved this book for years and have ready it many times. If you like Jane Austen, Rosamunde Pilcher, Jan Karon, Miss Read, etc., you will like D.E. Stevenson.

Miss Buncle's book is the first of a series of 3 - Miss Buncle's Book, Miss Buncle Married - further adventures of the noted authoress, and the Two Mrs. Abbotts. Contrary to what a couple of reviewers have written, the book is set in PRE World War 2 England during the late 1920s /early 1930s. [It was first published in London in 1931]. Book 3 is set during WWII.

Miss Buncle's book is a book about a woman who wrote a book about a woman who wrote a book. As Miss Buncle admits to her publisher, she can only write about people she knows because she has no imagination. So, naturally she drew her characters from her fellow villagers. Of course, she never expected her book to be a runaway best seller, or any of her neighbors to read it.

What happens when the villager's attempt to discover the identify of "John Smith", and how Disturber of Peace impacts Barbara's life, makes for delightfull reading.

Barbara Buncle does. She is a middle-aged spinster who lives in a small town in England during the 50's. She's struggling to make ends meet. She has kept a diary all her life, and she decides to put her diary into the form of a novel. All the events of the town are in her novel exactly as they happened; she just changes the names of the characters. After she has gone to all that work, she sends the book to a publisher on a whim. She never really thought the publisher who reads it would love it! He prints it, and it becomes a best seller! However, the entire village recognizes that someone in the town has written about them. They recognize all the people and events of the last thirty years. As you can imagine the "nice" people of the town just love the book, but all the "not-so-nice" are enraged to be pictured with such clarity. Everybody is trying to figure out who wrote the book. Barbara has always been a bit of a wall flower, so no one imagines for a moment that the authoress is Barbara Buncle. Poor Barbara now has money, but cannot show she has money because then everybody will know she wrote the book. If you have not read this, you simply must! It will make you laugh! It's good, clean, innocent fun! Miss Buncle Married is the second book, which is when she moves and begins to write about her new set of people. The third book in the Buncle series is The Two Mrs. Abbots.

This book is very amusing but also a comfortable read...a comedy of manners set in post WW II England. There is also a sequel which I enjoyed almost as much. Looking for deep thought? Don't read this. Looking for a cosy companion? This is a good one!

This book is one of the authors best. I have read it several times just to enjoy the company of Miss Buncle and her escapades with the citizens of Silverstream.

Mother Mother I Feel Sick, Send for the Doctor Quick Quick Quick-
this classic is still as fun as it was to read 35yrs ago... We read this book to my youngest sister back in 1971. This book is ageless, its not lost its charm or fun over the years.

My four year old daughter loves this book. We have read it every night for the past three weeks and I don't see her growing tired of it yet. Anything that Remy Charlip does is a gem!

I have been looking for this book for eight years.My Grandmother read it to me when I was a child.I'm a mother of two now and I would love for my children to pass this book on to their children.This is a book I will never forget,and one that I am sure your chilren will never forget also!

When I was a small child back in the late sixties, early seventies, my this was probably my favorite book in the whole world. When read in very expressive voices, it adds to the wonderful illustrations in this book. I still have my original copy from when I was a child, and hold it close to my heart. It thrills me to know that perhaps another generation will be exposed to this book, and its next phase begins.

I remember these Victorian silhouette illustrations on bold backgrounds from when I was young, and when we found it recently at the library I discovered that it has as much appeal to my four year old today as it did (and still does) to me. The objects the doctor extracts from a young boy's dramatically bloated stomach get progressively more outrageous as they go along, and the story ends with a funny twist. I'm delighted to find this 1966 Berkeley, CA classic available again in print.

My dad was on this ship.. His birthday was Christmas Day, so you see there was even a GREATER significance for US.. He didn't talk about this much as many soldiers probably didn't. Dad was in the American Legion in Connecticut for MANY years and was a state Commander and VERY proud of our country..He has 3 sons.. I wish they would make a movie of this, showing exactly what happened with the ship and why our government allowed it to sink.. We All ARE VERY proud of you.......
(DAD)..................
Philip J. Bialoglowy (#2 son )

This book has stood the test of time -- it is better than the vast majority of current non-fiction titles -- and is amazing because so many people kept secrets about the Leopoldville for decades. The level of research and the writing style are terrific. My father-in-law sailed on the Leopoldville, and he verified for me the authenticity and detail; moreover, the book captured the spirit of the men on board.

If you have any interest in things military, if the idea of sinking ships appeals to you or if you just want a great read about a story far too few people ever have heard, read this book

This was the first book I've purchased on the disaster...As a survivor, it brought backm some very unpleasent memories, but visiins that had been locked up for over 50 years...

Finally, the families of these young men have had somne sort of closure and now know what happened that fateful night...all because the allied forces screwed up...poor communications, no interaction between the allies and unbelieveable desertion of the ship by its crew!

Must read !

My husband's Uncle Waldo died on the Leopoldville. I read this book with a desire to know what happened. Although Waldo is not mentioned, through reading the book I was able to be there and understand what happened, to know other men who were on the boat, and to feel the terror, pain, and loss of that Christmas Eve. It is a gripping book. At first I was very agitated that the book ended so abruptly. It bothered me for days that I was in the midst of such a compelling tale about people I had come to know and then it stopped cold. I wanted to know what had happened to each individual. Later I realized that same great sense of discord was felt by the families of all who perished; in their time of deepest sorrow they were told their sons, husbands, and fathers were missing or killed in action rather than the true story. The feeling the book left was a powerful reminder of the painful legacy that was left when the government chose not to disclose the whole story. This book, along with the S.S. Leopoldville Disaster by Allan Andrade, tells an important story. This story and these men should never be forgotten.

The sinking of the SS Leaopoldville is the second greatest loss of life in a single incident after the loss of the USS Arizona. On Christmas Eve 1944 the Troop ship Leopoldville was torpedoed 5 miles off the coast of Cherbourg, France and over 800 lives where lost. Read about this great tragedy by an eye witness. The facts about this incident was not released until 1961 but still has not been widely publisized. Learn about the bravery and heroism of a few great men to save their commrades in arms. This is a gripping story that left wanting to know more!

Hoffer's writings are crytsal clear, and a joy to read. This book contains a brillant set of aphorisms that illuminate the world we live in. Hoffer's insights cover the spectrum from everyday interactions to the psyche of the Islamic Fascist who is at war with us. Caution - Reading one of Hoffer's works will create a desire to read another.

"The Passionate State of Mind" was written by Eric Hoffer, a one-time Longshoreman, in 1954, fifty years ago, following the "True Believer" which gained much national recognition.

My suggestion to anyone interested would be to take "The Passionate State of Mind" to a park, a place on the the seashore, take some time, read, relax, and reflect on the meaning of the 280 aphorisms contained within.

One such paragraph reads: " An easygoing person is probably more accessible to the realization of eternity - the endless flow of life and death - than one who takes his prospects and duties overseriously. It is the overserious who are truly frivilous."

Or another is, simply: "Fear and Freedom are mutually exclusive."

I have no argument with either sentiment.

Anyway, my copy of "The Passionate State of Mind" is well-worn, and I'm always surprised that even though I may put it away, when I eventually get around to revisiting it, I always manage to find food for thought.

"The Passionate State of Mind" is something that recalls youthful ideals, and the ultimate objective of truth. It's worth a read.

About fifteen years ago I took a copy of this book to work with me for a lunchtime read.
I still keep it here and I'm still absorbing it.

Hoffer profoundly illuminates the failings, foibles, and foolishness of human affairs, sometimes with dark wit and sometimes with pyrotechnics.

In it I always find aphorisms to describe any "workplace situation", and I use them liberally in letters, presentations, discussions and even responses to graffiti. Hoffer's insights have turned around many a situation for me.

The book gave me tremendous personal growth and a career boost as well.

Whether you're an evil HR director, or like myself just a workingman trying to navigate the waters of mid-life, this book will help you.

old jim hardy

Eric Hoffer is a thoughtful author, in the truest sense of the word. In his book, The Passionate State of Mind, Hoffer makes over two hundred deep and powerful statements to ponder and adjust to. I usually find that I read two or three of his aphorisms, put the book down, and spend several days evaluating my life with them. These "truisms" cover what motivates us to do the things we do, how we respond to others, and how to live life without catching on the usual snags. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a breath of fresh air in their thought life.

Eric Hoffer penned this book of aphorisms shortly after "The True Believer," undoubtably his masterpiece study on the psychology of mass movements and those who partake in them. This collection provides a similar challenge to the reader, as it takes poignant stabs into the human mind with Hoffer's trademark detachment.

At many points in reading this book, I had to stop and think about what one sentence had said, how others reflected in its mirror; indeed how I reflected in its mirror. It would take hours or even days before I could crack the book again and move on to the next selection. Many of the aphorisms remain ingrained in my head, and I often browse back through the book to reflect on what is there.

If you enjoyed "The True Believer," I believe you will duly enjoy "The Passionate State of Mind." If you are a lover of psychology/sociology, welcome to one of the classic books(and writers) of the 20th century. If you want a book that allows for intense reflection and self-examination, far more so than the hordes of so-called "self-help" books now available, this book can provide that and more. A great book by an all too forgotten penman.

__________________

A necessary part of his chronological reconstruction, this book is probably best read last. Neal Bierling's "Giving Goliath His Due" (see below) is a poor substitute for this book by Velikovsky, but may also be of interest to those researching the Bible, Biblical synchronisms with the conventional pseudochronology, the Philistines, or readers of the magazines Biblical Archaeology Review, Archaeology, Discovering Archaeology, Egypt Revealed, or my personal favorite Archaeology Odyssey (published by BAR).

All of Velikovsky's books are available on the used search engines, and it is generally only a matter of time before they become available again as reprints.

See also Velikovsky's other works (new and used), David Rohl's "Pharaohs and Kings", Peter James' "Centuries of Darkness", and Bob Brier's "Murder of Tutankhamen". "Giving Goliath His Due" is available at .....

A necessary part of his chronological reconstruction, this book is probably best read last. Neal Bierling's "Giving Goliath His Due" (see below) is a poor substitute for this book by Velikovsky, but may also be of interest to those researching the Bible, Biblical synchronisms with the conventional pseudochronology, the Philistines, or readers of the magazines Biblical Archaeology Review, Archaeology, Discovering Archaeology, Egypt Revealed, or my personal favorite Archaeology Odyssey (published by BAR).

All of Velikovsky's books are available on the used search engines, and it is generally only a matter of time before they become available again as reprints.

Related works:

-:- Pharaohs and Kings by David Rohl

-:- Centuries of Darkness by Peter James

-:- Murder of Tutankhamen by Bob Brier

-:- Giving Goliath His Due by Neal Bierling (suffers from the author's reliance on the conventional pseudochronology, available online)

Suppose you lived in the 14th Century and all around you believe the Earth is the centre of the Universe. Suppose a man comes forward with a heap of proof that it isn't; that Established science is mistaken. And the Establishment descend on him like wolves, threaten him, ridicule him, try to ruin him. In fact succeed in preventing his ever publishing his latest research.

Would you be interested to hear him out ?

Velikovsky has given us not just a theory, but a whole system of theory embracing astronomy, cosmology, egyptology, archaeology, geology, history, religion, politics, even psychology. And it all meshes together like a well-designed gearbox.

'People of the Sea' is one of four books in his series 'Ages in Chaos'. It isn't the Ages though that are in chaos. It's us -- for Establishment Science has led us so far into a mess that its scientists are embarrassed to admit their colossal folly. 'Peoples of the Sea' exposes one of the pillars of modern codswallop science. Read Velikovsky's other 'Ages in Chaos' series to find out about the others. And give this Samson a hand to pull the Temple of Bull, falsely worshipped by bigots, crashing about their ears !

I wanted to write a review for worlds in collision but it was too full! However I have read this and it is equally worthy of praise, I studied Archaeology and I have no worries with his extrapolations. What interests me is that in my studies I see time and time again that historical evidence is often accurate and that myths are often rooted in reality. Today we box everything up into history or science or art but Velikovsky combines them eloquently, Why did the scientific establishment feel so abashed by his work that they threatened his intended publishers MacMillan, that they would leave the publishing house if they put him into print?

I guess Velikovsky can be considered one of the fathers of the alternative history movement and authors like Graham Hancock owe him a debt. Peoples of the Sea is the fourth volume in his Ages In Chaos series. The book can be read independently and it covers the nearly two centuries of Persian domination of Egypt and the early dynasties of the Ptolemies. In it, Velikovsky argues that conventional history's foundations are shaky and that Egyptian historical chronology needs to be revised. Conventional history claims that the Peoples of the Sea were barbarians who nearly destroyed civilisation before they were defeated by Pharao Ramses III in the 12th century B.C. Velikovsky instead believes that there is enough archaeological and documentary evidence to prove that they were Greek mercenaries and that their allies the Pereset weren't ancient Philisines but Persians. He argues that Ramses III was Nectanebo I of the Greek historians who lived 800 years later, and he places these events not in the 12th but in the 4th century B.C. The peoples of the Sea were thus fourth century mercenaries from Asia Minor and Greece, of the time of Plato. He shows that there was a strong Semitic (Hebrew and Assyrian) influence on the language, religion and art of Egypt in the time of Ramses III and provides much other archaeological and documentary evidence. The book includes 16 black & white plates including tiles of Ramses III, bass reliefs of the battles against the Peoples of the Sea, the pylon of the Khonsu Temple and portal of the Ramses III temple at Medinet Habu and artwork from the tomb of Si-Amon at Siwa Oasis. The main text concludes with chronological charts in parallel tables listing Persia, Palestine, the Greek World and Egypt from 550 B.C. to 340 B.C. The supplement on Astronomy and Chronology includes chapters on The Foundations of Egyptian Chronology, Sirius and Venus. With Velikovsky' dazzling erudition, Peoples Of The Sea reads like a detective story. I don't know to what extent Velikovsky's alternative chronology has been accepted or convincingly disproved but all his work is fascinating and stimulating to read, as he had the talent for making history come alive.

For more details on Velikovsky, check out: http://www.knowledge.co.uk/xxx/cat/velikovsky.htm

As you may have read, Alfred Bester's novels, The Demolished Man and The Stars My Destination (TSMD) are highly recommended for those that enjoy reading science fiction. If you're wanting to read more by Bester after that, a collection of his short stories is the next good place to go. His short to-the-point prose, storyline twists, and some similarities to the main character in TSMD are in his stories and Starlight is a collection of his better shorter SF works. Although Starlight is presently out of print, it can be purchased used by sellers via Amazon, sometimes for as little as 1 cent excluding shipping fees!

Starlight is slightly better than Virtual Unrealities in that each story is accompanied by a short description on the story. Starlight excludes Will You Wait?, The Flowered Thundermug, 3½ to Go, Galatea Galante, The Devil Without Glasses, BUT includes Ms. Found in a Champagne Bottle, Comment on "Fondly Fahrenheit", Four-Hour Fugue, Hell Is Forever, Isaac Asimov, Something Up There Likes Me, and My Affair with Science Fiction. Hell Is Forever, which is included only in this collection out of the two, was written incredibly in 1942, but the characters are just as relevant and realistic today in their selfishness as then. In this incredible story, one of the characters asks a powerful entity the impossible unrealistic request of answering the secret of the universe and to yet keep it from being answered as to maintain its mystique and incredibly, and unbelievably, Bester does just that in the story.

Note that there are different reviews between the Starlight hardcopy and the Starlight paperback Amazon reviews.

Table of contents and info for Starlight:
1976, 452pp. Combination of two previously published collections from 1976. Collection of 16 stories and three articles. ss: short story, nv: novelette, na: novella, ar: article.
* * from book: The Light Fantastic * ed. Alfred Bester * co Berkley/Putnam, 1976
* * 5,271,009 * nv F&SF Mar 1954
* * Ms. Found in a Champagne Bottle * ss Status, 1968
* * Fondly Fahrenheit * nv F&SF Aug 1954
* * Comment on "Fondly Fahrenheit" * ar
* * The Four-Hour Fugue * ss Analog Jun 1974 (`75 Hugo ss finalist), used in Golem^100?
* * The Men Who Murdered Mohammed * ss F&SF Oct 1958 (`59 Hugo ss finalist)
* * Disappearing Act * ss Star Science Fiction Stories #2, ed. Frederik Pohl, Ballantine, 1953
* * Hell Is Forever * na Unknown Aug 1942
* * from book: Star Light, Star Bright * ed. Alfred Bester * co Berkley/Putnam, 1976
* * Adam and No Eve * ss Astounding Sep 1941
* * Time Is the Traitor * nv F&SF Sep 1953
* * Oddy and Id ["The Devil's Invention"] * ss Astounding Aug 1950
* * Hobson's Choice * ss F&SF Aug '52 1952
* * Star Light, Star Bright * ss F&SF Jul 1953
* * They Don't Make Life Like They Used To * nv F&SF Oct 1963
* * Of Time and Third Avenue * ss F&SF Oct 1951
* * Isaac Asimov * iv Publishers Weekly Apr 17 '72
* * The Pi Man * ss Star Light, Star Bright, Berkley/Putnam, 1976; revised from F&SF Oct '59 (`60Hfinal)
* * Something Up There Likes Me * nv Astounding, ed. Harry Harrison, Random, 1973
* * My Affair with Science Fiction * ar Nova 4, ed. Harry Harrison, Walker, 1974

Most of the short stories in thi s volume are also reprinted in "Virtual Unrealities" but, if you can find this volume, it is much better because of the introductions and essays that Bester wrote. They help to create the feeling that you actually know the man. The stories themselves are among ht ebest science fiction short stories that I have ever read.

I really can't believe there are no reviews for this book. I would have to say it is one of the best I've ever read. I really enjoyed Alfred Bestler's writing in this book, and found the stories highly entertaining. I highly suggest it (although this says it's out of print :).

After your mind has been blown by Bester's two immortal novels, The Demolished Man and The Stars My Destination (both infinitely recommended), this is the place to collect most of the rest of his known works in science fiction. Unlike the more recent reissued short story collections, this volume is worth tracking down because of Bester's introductions to each of the stories, not to mention the inclusion of his bare-bones autobiography "My Affair with Science Fiction." These essays shed much-needed light on Bester's personality and writing style, which you would be justified in being quite curious about based on his novels. We learn that one of his basic writing methods was to unapologetically lay waste to tired and played out SF stereotypes, creating works that are incredibly inventive, imaginative, and sometimes downright bizarre; and always with bodacious dialogue, offbeat settings, and unsettling themes.

As for the short stories themselves, there is one misstep here – "The Four-Hour Fugue" which is merely excerpted from the late-period Bester novel Golem^100 (or is an early version of one section of the book), and hence doesn’t make much sense in short form. But otherwise, the stories here are uniformly mind-boggling. Bester twists the time travel concept in remarkable ways in the hysterical "The Men Who Murdered Mohammed" and the unsettling "Hobson's Choice," and wildly distorts the last-man-on-Earth motif in "Adam and No Eve" and "They Don't Make Life Like They Used To." Another very noteworthy tale here is the sneakily disturbing "Disappearing Act," which has strong anti-war themes that are distressingly relevant today, more than fifty years after it was written. Bester spent most of his career writing in other fields, but his small amount of classic science fiction demands to be discovered by adventurous and free-thinking readers everywhere. [~doomsdayer520~]

What sets *Starlight* apart from *Virtual Unrealities* and *Re-Demolished* is simply the voice of non-Sci-Fi Bester. The introductions and anecdotes preceding each story is a fascinating look into the writer's craft and the mind of a lifelong (though more talented than most) dilletante.

This is really the only opportunity left to us in (somewhat widely) available print to see Bester when he's not spinning wildly inventive fiction or fantasy. While one can still find *My Affair With Science Fiction* re-printed here and there, where else are we going to find the source material for the characters of "Hell is Forever" or Bester's personal opinion of Dillenger?

Perhaps *Re-Demolished* provides us with a wider spectrum of Bester's works (there are a few pieces there with NO ties to science fiction), but in *Starlight* we get glorious flashes of Bester away from the fantasy: occasional glimpses of libaries, foreign lands, fishing trips, and television studios.

Alfred Bester was a prodigious 20th-century talent, and *Starlight* allows us to get as close to a conversation with him as possible.

Rest in peace, Alfie.

WILLIAM"CHIP"HILTON the high school sports all star has to try lto turn Nick Trullo's attitude around, let coach HENERY"ROCK"ROCKWELL deal with itor just stay away him while still traing Soapy Smith to be a catcher instead of a right fielder, and train himself to be a pitcher instead of a catcher with some tips from Del Bennett State baseball coach and friend of Coach Rockwell. From the beginning Chip, Soapy, Speed Morris, and Ted Williams were enimies sith Nick and Carl Carey. Chet Stewart the assistant coach ne at once that that Nick was trying to help Carl try to beat Chip out of the lead catcher job. During the games chip called the pitches and Nick didn't even shake them off he just pitched a different pitch. Chip, Taps Browning, Soapy and Speed all went to a Spring Festival at State where they went to see their future coaches. That's where he met Del Bennett and he asked him for some pitching lessons. He asked him not to tell the rock about it and because he wanted to tell him when he was ready. Chip built a strike zone on his fence but when he got his first chance with Soapy behind the plate and he didn't do well because his mound wasn't elevated. Then when Soapy claimed nick wasn't following the signs trullo was asked to turn in his uniform. after that They got to the championships. Will they win will will Nicks attitude change you have to read Strike 3.

WILLIAM"CHIP"HILTON the high school sports all star has to try lto turn Nick Trullo's attitude around, let coach HENERY"ROCK"ROCKWELL deal with itor just stay away him while still traing Soapy Smith to be a catcher instead of a right fielder, and train himself to be a pitcher instead of a catcher with some tips from Del Bennett State baseball coach and friend of Coach Rockwell. From the beginning Chip, Soapy, Speed Morris, and Ted Williams were enimies sith Nick and Carl Carey. Chet Stewart the assistant coach ne at once that that Nick was trying to help Carl try to beat Chip out of the lead catcher job. During the games chip called the pitches and Nick didn't even shake them off he just pitched a different pitch. Chip, Taps Browning, Soapy and Speed all went to a Spring Festival at State where they went to see their future coaches. That's where he met Del Bennett and he asked him for some pitching lessons. He asked him not to tell the rock about it and because he wanted to tell him when he was ready. Chip built a strike zone on his fence but when he got his first chance with Soapy

Things don't change much in 50 years. This book still works with kids and adults. I like the new updates-just enough to make it contemporary. It would be a great gift for Little League friends and families.

Strike Three! offers great baseball action but, more importantly, it's a story about friendship, courage, and learning to extend our hands to others. Chip bridges the gap between the South and the West sides of Valley Falls with courage, faith, and friendship.

Strike Three was not published in 1990--but nearly 50 years ago.

Great story of values and friendships.

Buy the real Chip Hilton books.

Hank Gavin's struggle to know God better and his willingness to give up the life he knew for what he believed he was being called by God to do made me ask questions about what I, myself, believed. The book started me on a lifetime journey. I wanted to believe that the God Hank found was alive for me, too. I had attended church all of my life, but what I was reading was a new way of seeing God - - new to me but forever present in His Word. I owe Mrs. St. John a tremendous debt of gratitude. I, too, believe that she must have had personal experiences which provided the idea for her book. My experiences with sharing the book are that one either loves it or cannot get into it. I've read it many times now and will read it again. It should be put back into circulation.

THIS BOOK IS A THRILLING ADVENTURE ....... A FRONT ROW SEAT TO WATCH THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO DARE TO OBEY THE TEACHINGS OF
CHRIST...AND TO TAKE HIM LITERALLY.....AND TO DO AS HE DID. THE READER HAS A CHANCE TO FEEL AND SEE GOD'S POWER AT WORK IN THE LIVES OF HUMAN BEINGS IN THE 21ST CENTURY.....RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. IT IS UP-LIFTING AND GIVES HOPE AND JOY TO ANY READER WHO REALLY BELIEVES. I AM NOW READING THIS BOOK FOR THE 3RD TIME, AND THINK WITHOUT QUESTION THAT IT SHOULD BE BACK IN PRINT, AS OUR WORLD TODAY IS IN DIRE NEED OF IT'S MESSAGE.

This book moved me immensely. As stated above, I read it 5 times from the public library and have recently decided I'd like to do so again. And, after this decision, decided it would behoove me to have it in my library.

It takes a man of the world who is "hit by religion" on an adventurous/spiritual journey. His wife, an agnostic at least, cannot buy into the whole idea. Sounds trite and not "of the times" but has some really deep values and decision making aspects that are great. Every time I read it I feel better myself.

Perhaps it was what I was experiencing when I first found this book in a second hand book store, but whatever the reason I could not put it down until I finished it.

It is a powerfully moving story written without heavy theological dogma as to what is involved when a person has a personal experience with the Divine and chooses to follow that calling.

This is a book that changed my life and seemed to come at just the right time.

I thought that "Tell no Man" was written by Edna St. Vincent Millay. If not it showed up under this author. The book will remind you that the minor miracles of our lives are really quite real and should be heeded. Although written as fiction, I have wondered if the author had some of the experiences that were written from the perspective of the protagonist. I hope that Amazon will make an attempt to find, and distribute this very interesting book.