Historical Books

I saw both flims the original with Shirley Temple/Lon McAllister also the newer version both were great
So the the book was a must have also to learn what had happen to rest of the story(the horse/the people)

This is a wonderful book about an unbelievable champion - the kind we need today in America. A champion that reaches into the hearts of the people, unifies us and inspires us to prevail. The men who believed in Seabiscuit were not perfect, nor was Seabiscuit but they all managed to be imperfect winners. The writing itself might be a bit flourished but it is certainly well-researched and the story is entertaining told. Hillebrand has captured the ironies, truths, the agony and ecstasy of horse-racing and life itself as well. This one will make you cheer.

I'm usually concerned about purchasing items on line, especially books. I can honestly say that this experience was worth it. I would recommend this seller to anyone interested in purchasing good quality books at extremely reasonable prices.

Buy with confidence, I did!

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

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

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

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

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

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

A tale of growing up and acceptance with a strong female lead who shows, without being ultra feminist, that girls can accomplish anything that boys can.

Admittedly a huge fan of the "women-warrior, disguised as a man" characters, I have been disappointed time and again by peoples take on them, but not this time. The take on magic, the involvement of the gods, and the world, which holds different morals, gave to a very interesting atmosphere for the books to be set in. Alanna is a character that I couldn't help cheering for, and identifying with.

Granted as others point out, this is very obviously a first novel that will kick-off a series. And while I did enjoy it, I do prefer to have series of novels have the ability to be stand-alones.

A terrific kick-off, to what I hope to be a wonderful series.

My Mom bought me the series 10 years ago when I was 13... Since then I have read them over and over and over... I find them impossible to tire of and once I start reading I don't want to put it back down... although by now I have half the books memorized.
I started reading these books when I was 13 years old and loved them... now at 23 years old- I still love to read this series.
The Immortals series is excellent as well.

I did not realize when I bought these books that they were for young adults, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading about Alanna's adventures, friends and family. Alanna proved to the men again and again that "anything you can do I can do better". A great message to put out there for young girls. And even though it took me 1 day to read each book I just couldn't stop until I was done!

Is no one bothered by the essential lack of values in this book? Getting what you want is more important than honesty or respect for others. The main character threatens others with horrible, supernatural punishment, tricks her father, lies outrightly, and that's just in the first chapter.
What about integrity, justice, truth as foundations of doing right?
Compare this heroine with Jonas in The Giver, Frodo in The Lord of the Rings, Andy in Wolf Rider, or Karana in The Island of the Blue Dolphins.

This book tells not only of a seemingly impossible, desperate love between a man and a woman but also of the endless and unconditional love that God has for each and every one of us. A really great read.

This is the 1st Christian book I have read (even though I am a Christian). I liked the begining and the end but the middle of the book was SOOO slow. I was going to quite reading half way through but friends of mine encouraged me to keep reading so I didn. It turned out to be an "ok" book but not one that I would say is a must read.

This isn't typically the type of book I read either so maybe it just wans't for me because I have heard many other people just rave about this book.

Although I am a Christian, I'd never read any Christian books until this one. Now that's all I read. This book was recommended by a young man at my church and boy, was I impressed. I've read all my life, I love it, but I'd never read a book that was as great as this one. This is a must for anyone who needs to know what it means to really have a relationship with God & what it needs to be between husbands & wives. Men should read this book also, it'll give them a new perspective on women, marriage and God. I've read 3 or 4 Francine Rivers books now & they are all really, really good, but this one has been the best so far. SERIOUSLY!!! A MUST READ for EVERYONE!!! Thank you Mrs. Rivers for putting the story of Gomer & Hosea into a story everyone could relate to.

This gripping fictional tale is loosely based on the book of Hosea. As evidenced by the hundreds of glowing reviews, it is an immensely popular book among Christian women. Unfortunately, this author has made some serious theological missteps which are not brought to light in previous reviews.
1. She allows the voice of the Spirit (in bold print -- be careful, the voice of Sarah/Angel's flesh is also in bold on occasion) to contradict the directly inspired Word of God. The whole premise of the book -- that Michael Hosea is "led" by the "Spirit of God" to marry an unregenerate woman is preposterous. God has certainly led many, many godly men and women to marry those with sordid pasts, but AFTER He has performed His redeeming work in their lives. Numerous scripture passages forbid the marriage of a believer and an unbeliever. Several other minor points and the climax of the book also violate this principle. She further pushes her charismatic agenda with dreams and visions as major plot points.
2. She seems to intimate that the relationship between a believer and Jesus Christ can be compared to a marriage relationship. That analogy is NEVER used in scripture. The marriage relationship is always protrayed between God and Israel or Christ and the church. The individual believer is pictured as Sheep/Sheperd, Master/servant, Father/child, and even Vine/branch but the marriage relationship is always reserved for the body of Christ(the church) or Israel.
3. Her Harlequin romance novel style writing is designed to titillate the flesh. I would not consider this book appropriate for unmarried young ladies as intimated in some of the previous reviews. If you are a mom considering this for a teenaged daughter, read the entire book FIRST. Even though the most graphic scenes are between a man and wife, there is far more detail than most young ladies who are desiring to keep their minds as well as their bodies pure before marriage need to know.
This book is thought provoking and has some compelling themes, but in my opinion is not worth reading. You may be able to pick a perfectly good meal out of a restaurant dumpster, but you'll have to go through a lot of disgusting trash to get it. I would highly recommend biographies of Amy Carmichael's life to see the redeeming love of Christ in action with helpless child prostitutes. A bonus: it really happened!

It is the most beautiful illustration of God's love for us. Very touching and well written.

escape via rocket, October 6, 2008
By V. N. Dvornychenko (Rockville, MD) - See all my reviews


Part "Angela's Ashes" (Frank McCourt) and part "I Aim for the Stars" (Werner von Braun), this book chronicles the efforts of a teenage boy to escape the confines of his West Virginia coal-mining milieu. Fourteen-year-old Homer/Sonny Hickam (the protagonist and author) is determined not to follow in the footsteps of his coalminer father - who is already showing signs of black-lung disease, a disease which will eventually kill him.

Homer/Sonny has an older brother, of whom he is very resentful. Among his brother's "sins" are ease with the girls, success at high school football - and most of all - favor with the parents. Normally there are only two paths for escape from Coalwood: the military, or a football scholarship.
The brother, Jim, holds a strong suit in the football option. Homer, slightly built and very nearsighted, knows he has no chance at footfall - and, so it would appear, with the girls. Then a miracle happens.

The "miracle" that provides a third avenue of escape is the launching of Sputnik by the USSR. The shockwaves produced by this event change American values almost overnight. Intellectual "nerds" suddenly become fashionable. Homer hatches a plan which he hopes will eventually land a job designing rockets for Werner von Braun. The plan is to design, build and launch model rockets. Homer collects a circle of followers - mainly other "nerds" -- and together they put the plan into action.

Besides the shockwaves produced by Sputnik, another kind of fault line runs right through the Hickam household. On one side stand Homer with his mother, on the other his father and brother. A major reason for the fault line is that the mother does not wish to see her sons follow the fate of her husband. But that is not all; it appears the mother has certain misgivings about her marriage. With her artistic bent, and something of a free-spirit, she harbors feelings that perhaps -- just perhaps -- she married beneath her station. A consequence of her frustration is that she succeeds in pulling Homer/Sonny over to her side, resulting in a more-or-less permanent rift with the father. It is also interesting to speculate what other personality traits may have resulted from Homer's closeness to his mother. Homer appears to have a penchant for being attracted to girls that give him conflicting signals - somewhat in the manner of Lucy of the famous comic strip, they entice him, only to pull the ball away at the very last second. Homer is also attracted to an "older" woman (though she is only in her early twenties), his science teacher, Freida Riley.

Although Homer appears to fear and hate everything about mining, some of the most spellbinding moments are excursions into the mine. His favorite science teacher would not, however, approve of the chemistry in the book, which contains several mistakes.

I began by characterizing "Rocket Boys" as part "Angela's Ashes" and part "I Aim for the Stars". In retrospect, is little doubt that "I Aim for the Stars" constitutes the minor component. Although much of the book details the design and building of rockets, Homer's fascination with rocketry and Werner von Braun appears to be mostly motivated by this "ticket out of Coalwood." The epilogue to the book reinforces this. After some delays, Homer Hickam does indeed go to work for NASA, and enjoys a successful career. But sadly, no speculations appear in the book regarding man's role in the cosmos - the "extraterrestrial imperative" Krafft Ehricke called it - nor did any subsequent books on astrodynamics or space theory emerge.

The author produced a sequel "Coalwood Ways." Published only two years later, it covers much the same territory, but has a very different flavor. It concentrates on interpersonal relations, and is much "sweeter" in its outlook than its precursor. It gives the appearance that the author underwent some personal event between the two books which changed his outlook. A film, titled "October Sky," was made based on "Rocket Boys." It has a different flavor yet. "Rocket Boys" is a fine book, and after all is said and done, it would appear that Homer Hickam's true calling is writer.

THE EXPERIMENTS DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED.

Loved this book. Was on the last chapter when I threw October Sky into my Netflix queue; Hoping I'd have it in hand when the book was finished. Timing was perfect. As usual, the book eclipses the movie, but both are great. Passing it onto my 10 year old son who already has aspirations of going into the sciences. Enjoy!

Was purchased due to a requirement by my childs school. He has informed me it is a good book.

... "On June 4, 1960, the Big Creek Missile Agency, fresh from its medal winning performance at the National Science Fair, is sponsoring a day of rocket launches at its Cape Coalwood range. Everyone reading these words is invited..." This quote can be found on page 356-357 of a book called Rocket Boys; this statement showed me that the success of the main characters was a result of personal hard work and teamwork.

"Rocket Boys" by Homer H. Hickam, Jr. is a nonfiction account of a group of friends from Coalwood, West Virginia in the early 1960's who have a fetish for making rockets. Homer and his friends have a dream to shoot a rocket up into the clouds. This story gives the reader a message that dreams really can come true.

Rocket Boys is one of the strongest books I have ever read. The author accomplished his goals to tell people that team work is one of the most important things to know in your life. This book is recommended for people that like space and rockets and who want a hopeful book to read. Reading Rocket Boys really gets you thinking about team work and how far you can get with it.

Homer Hickam grew up in a rural isolated mountain town but went on to win the National Science Fair.

This book is his story and how he was successful.

I bought 24 copies of this book to inspire my advanced 6th grade Reading class. They loved the book. In our discussions they mentioned never giving up. Homer and his friends kept trying until they had success.

Thank you for sharing your life with us, Mr. Hickam.

Absolutely loved it! I have ordered two more books by this author and am sure it won't be the last.

Now that was a good book. Larry McMurtry is an amazing writer, so whitty. I fell in love with the characters; so much that it's been weeks since I read the book and I still can't stop thinking about them.

What a summer ride I've been on reading Lonesome Dove. I don't know where I've been the last 15 years to only now discover this absolutely amazing story. I smiled, laughed, and cried my way through it. I will surely miss the Hat Creek Cattle boys keeping me up at night. What an adventure!

Though published in 1985, this classic reached its peak in the 1990's with the film. The movie in this case did not hurt the book, as it was well done, but as is often the case did not elicit the same response as reading the novel, chapter by chapter. A richer flavor of the west is seen through the eyes of the reader, whereas the film concentrates more on the characters relationships, perhaps for broader appeal outside the genre. Anyone that enjoys the old west with a touch of humor and pathos will identify with McMurtry's rich tale.
George E. Miller, author of The Lone War Cry

If you are like me you will be depressed when you finish this book ... its absence from my life was that profound. It is a sweeping, powerful, engaging work with some of the most colorful characters ever drawn in fiction. If you have seen the CBS miniseries, do yourself a favor and relive it all again with this titan of a novel. It is more than a Western, it is the story of the human experience. The two main characters, Gus and Call, exemplify the fundamental question that besets us in this waking world: Are we here to accomplish something unique, despite the possible risk to our relationships, comfort and safety; or are we here to pursue a life lived pleasurably and with no expectations?

Excellent product with very fast shipping. I am completely satisfied and would recommend the seller and the book to anyone.

This is one of my top ten most favorite books. I read it for the very first time in junior high school and let a friend borrow it but never got it back. A few years later I went to buy another copy and to my horror it was out of print! I searched online for about a week and managed to find a used copy for about double the face value. I gladly paid the money and have read it about every year or so since. I have closely gaurded that old used copy and I'm very glad to see it back in print. Now if they would just publish a kindle version I would be set for life.

Phantom This book is by far one of the best written and emotionally enveloping books I've ever read. You feel the seductiveness of Erik and find yourself falling in love with him also. I have the 1989 copy and read it after seeing the movie. It ties in with the movie, the stage production, and the 1911 classic by Gaston Leroux especially. Sure there are a few discrepancies, when compared to other versions, but this book rounds out the life of Erik, from beginning to end and leaves you mourning his death and wanting more. You will miss him, as I do.

I've always had a sort of obsession with The Phantom of the Opera ever since I was a kid. My parents would play the music when we took long trips during our vacation. When I was older, I found a copy of the original novel by Leroux, and loved it. I heard from others who loved the play, book, and music about this book, and they all recommended it, so I read it. I can't tell you how amazing it is! To finally get Erik's history, and to hear things from his point of view, was simply beautiful. My only complaint would be the epilogue, but other than that, anyone with an interest in the story should read this! :)

My sister was insistant that I read this book, but I really wasn't interested...I had seen the movie and ofcourse I loved it, but my reading interests were somewhere else. However, after being told how wonderful it was I finally gave it a shot...Can I say, LOVED IT!!!! I was angry, sad, happy and totally in love with the Phantom...I loved this book so much that I was searching for it and I really didn't care that I spent $40.00. If you are a person who believes in impossible love this is a must read...

The book is well researched and is interesting reading. It's amazing to see the same political arguements in 1934 as in 2008. They were using class warfare in 1934 same as now.

I was given this book as a Christmas present. I had read McCullough's 1776 and John Adams and had enjoyed them both (although I was disappointed in the brevity of 1776). Still this book (Truman) stayed on my shelf gathering dust for over six months. I was initially overwhelmed with its length and afraid to tackle it (I had failed with Vidal's Lincoln and didn't want to repeat that result). I finally screwed my courage and cracked it open.

Although the first 50 pages or so weren't extremely engrossing, after that the book quickly captivated me. I didn't know much about Harry Truman, and what I did know led me to believe that he was a fairly average president. What I learned is that he was an amazing overachiever who, when faced with the weight of the world, was at his best. McCullough really brought the man to life, and although Mr. Truman did some things that none of us would be proud of, McCullough didn't provide excuses for Harry - he did explain possible causes for Truman's behavior.

After reading this book, you can't help but feeling that the United States was extremely fortunate to have Truman in the nation's highest office, and you can't help but wish you could have met the man.

I wholeheartedly recommend the book as a must read.

"Truman" is a much praised book and deservedly so. There is hardly a need for another review, in addition to the 280 already posted here, so I will be brief.

Above all, it is superbly readable, as entertaining as a good novel. I experienced a sense of regret having finished it today.

It is a clear and balanced portrait of a leader and a wonderful study of understated, firm and steady leadership.

I would rate it as essential reading for anyone wanting to understand key aspects of the world since WWII and which continue to influence events today.

I consider myself a fan of history (I like it, but don't know enough and mis-remember even more). David McCullough's books bring to life the stories of our country (and events) in a compelling manner that makes you want more. I eagerly look forward to each of his well researched and "human" look at what has helped shape the U.S. to where we are today. Each of these should be required reading for middle school & high school students - the conversations they create will bring benefits for our future generations. This is even more true for the biographies as he develops the person which helps explain the why - and not just the what happened. Bravo Mr. McCullough, very well done indeed.

This is quite possibly one of the best books I've ever read. And I do my fair share of reading. Don't let the size of the book scare you either. Its worth putting the time into. David McCullough writes in a readable manner. None of that academic reading stuff that gives you headaches. Listen, if you are even considering buying it you probably already have a little interest in this topic. Do yourself a favor. Buy this book. You can thank me later. Oh, and...Harry is my new hero.

Francine Rivers "Mark of the Lion" series is the best fiction series I have ever read. I was sad to see it end. I have recommended it and given the series as gifts many times and everyone loves it!

I read these books several years ago, than again a few years later and I am about going to read them on my vacation for a third time. I have owned them two times, only to share them and never get them returned. This will be my final set to own, hopefully, as I will forever hold onto these. I still can't find any books that have touched me as much as these three. AMAZING writing and I still remember the smallest details of the charactors, the scenes are burned into my memory. I remember sitting in bed after finishing the first book crying and rushing to the library to get the second one and they had it checked out so I drove to another town to get it. I finished it in ONE DAY. Warning ... you really do want to be on a vacation to read these as you won't be able to get anything else done until you are finished. TRULY these are the most amazing writings and they have such a heart wrenching story that they will stay with you for a long time and most likely you will come back to read them again.

This book was absolutely incredible! I could not put it down!! I have since ordered 5 more copies to give to friends and my mom because the book is that good! It is such a testiment of how faithful the Lord is and I learned so much about stories in the Bible from the way she includes scripture in the story. I felt like I was in the book and could relate to every character. Francine River has a beautiful gift from the Lord to put his grace and faithfulness into perspective throughout Mark of the Lion. Besides Redeeming Love, they are the best books I have ever read.

Rivers began as a romance novelist, and she remains one. Mark of the Lion is predictable, hits all the hot-button issues (abortion, homosexuality, right-to-die, etc.), and gives the reader a steady diet of evangelical Christian reinforcement. That said, the books are quick, easy reads, plot-driven and pleasant. If you enjoy happily-ever-after endings, historical fiction, and a persistent Christian message, you'll probably like these (my mother loved these books--she's a Nicolas Sparks fan). If you are interested in excellent literary craftsmanship, look elsewhere.

The mark of the lions series is probably one of the best series i have ever read. I couldnt put the books down! I was constantly in my bedroom reading for hours. The books have everything in them from spiritual to action to romance; and Reading about Hadassah's faith for the lord just makes your faith grow even stronger and to see how she faces such terrible promblems in wich i couldnt even imagine , she still clings to her faith .


This is truly an amzeing book. I would recommend it to anybody.

I've always been familiar with this story because of the broadway musical, but had never actually read it, until recently. It was the most moving, brilliant, wonderful story I've read in so long. And even being familiar with it, there was nothing lost, because as you'd expect, not all of the plot lines in this amazing novel made it into the play (shocking, I know). It was incredible. Considering it was dauntingly long, I feel like I read it in no time at all. A must read!

It was a marathon, reading this book. It was worth it. Friends have said to me that getting through the first portion about the bishop was difficult, but I actually enjoyed it. It was beautiful. If you are considering it, I encourage you to pick it up. The length might be intimidating, but it's not a difficult book to read. If you're just beginning with it, press on and you will be rewarded.

Hugo is a man of contradictions: royalist and republican, chaste and amorous, defender and provocateur. It is sometimes difficult to pin down Hugo's politics, and the man paints with a broad brush, but one thing is certain: Victor Hugo is a creative genius of the highest level.

The pen isn't necessarily mightier than the sword. Hugo's pen, however, most certainly is.

Consider why you enjoy reading books. If you read in order to meet larger-than-life characters dealing with profoundly complex and emotional situations (along with stirring historical digressions), this book is for you.

Victor Hugo has created one of the most beautiful novels you will ever read. This is as good as it possibly gets.

I didn't realize there are different translations of this work. I got half-way through this one, left it at home, visited the library in another city and checked out the book there, which turned out to be a different translation, one much more difficult to follow! In fact, I gave up and returned that book, and waited until I got home to take-up-where-I-left-off with this translation. Hugo certainly isn't an "easy read" (no brain-candy, this!) but I'm quite satisfied with my purchase.

This book is simply amazing. After a slow start I wondered why people had always said to me that the book was great. Then the story began to grow on me. The characters have such depth and as you watch their lives intertwine and change you cannot help but be swept away by the fantastic story. Though some people may be bored by histories and descriptions, as I sometimes found myself, they are absolutely essential to the story. Three of my friends who have read the book still can't describe how wonderful it is. My mother, father, brother, grandfather and aunt are all in line to read it. The book has a myriad of meanings but a few themes are: redemption, revolution, deperation, forgiveness and morality. This book is my favorite and trust me I have read many.

This book may have been written in the 1950's, but the story is timeless, and the storyteller is quite skilled in her craft. The dilemmas that Katherine faced were daunting, and the author does not spare us any details in an attempt to make Katherine more sympathetic. I can understand why many historical fiction writers cite Seton as a role model. This is definitely more than a romance novel!

Many of the historical inaccuracies are minor, and are because in the 1950's, there was significantly less known about Medieval Europe than there is now. I am sure that if Seton were to write the book today, she would get those facts straight. But the basic premise holds true, regardless. Peg

As a lover of HISTORICAL fiction, this was one of the best. The people became real and the historical facts were given understanding and reality. I would haved liked to have a portrait of Katherine included. Her family set the tone for England for centuries to come.

A contemporary of Shakespeare's once wrote that he was not of an age, but for all time. I very feel this way about this novel. As romances go, this has it all. And for fans on historical fiction, fiction, romance, history, and of course, the British history, I would highly recommend this book.

This is the first book that I almost gave up on before I finished reading it. Halfway through the book it just became COMPLETELY boring. I literally forced myself to continue reading. It did get better, and I was pretty happy with the ending. Still, there was a chapter or two that was completely unreadable. I bought this book because it takes place in my favorite time period in history and it had such good reviews, but I found it wasn't really all that others claim it is. Judge for yourself, but I will never read this book again. That's for sure.

This is one of my favorite books of all time. This was the book that got be hooked on historical fiction, and although the cover (imo) does the book an injustice (making the novel look old and boring), this is a wonderful read. Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt are flesh-and-blood characters, leaping off the page to bring you along in a 14th century adventure.

If you have any interest in the 1300s, Chaucer, English history, or even just romance stories, I think you'll like this.