Escape Books

Every April I Was At The Ceremony Near The Front Gate For CO Hartye And PO Fagan. Days I Worked From 1984 To 1999, My 15 Years As A CO At Sing Sing. The Book Was Excellent. I Knew Well The Authors Brother Ken, He Was A Sargeant When I First Arrived And An LT, The W/C or SS 9 When I Left. He Used To Call Me Flanagan And Was A Top Notch Guy. The Story Of The Background Of The Shopping Bag Gang, How It Was In The City, Just The Plain History Of It Kept Me Glued To This One. Having Been A Part Of The Facility For Such A Long Time And Being Able To Picture This All Helped Alot Too. If You've Ever Been A CO This Is A Must.

This book tells the tragic story of Whitey Riordan who was executed for murder after a murderous breakout from Sing Sing Prison in 1941, this book contends that he was not a killer and l agree with it. However the book is more than that it is a well researched and written historical book that brings to back to life for the reader a time, place and people and tells their story.

The book is divided into three parts, part one tells the story of the lives of Whitey and the Shopping Bag Gang and gives a good overall perspective of life in Hells Kitchen of New York in the early 20th century. It even delves back to the history of the area pre Hells Kitchen to colonial times, with running streams and meadows and later farms. Whitey's family like many endured hard times and did as best as they could to survive. Whitey's gradual descent into a life of crime is well documented as are the lives of his fellow criminals.

Part two deals with Whiteys time in Sing Sing prison and contains some details of the day to day operations of the jail and its interaction with the town of Ossining where it is located. Some history of Sing Sing prison, including the reforms of Warden Lawes is also described. It was a tough place to survive and prison staff were liable to deliver a boot or a fist to keep order. Also described is the pre breakout time and the planning and circumstances that gave rise to the break out.

Part three deals with the breakout and what a botched, bloody and pointless breakout it was, innocent, decent people killed and one escapee killed though his own stupidity and the other two caught within 24 hours. This is a well written informative book and is ideal for the true crime history fan.

Author David Goewey has given us a detailed account of members of the so-called Shopping Bag Gang that prowled the Hell's Kitchen area on the west side of Manhattan during the 1930's. The book is divided into three sections. The first section is devoted to the heyday of the Shopping Bag gang and their antics. Part two tells us about the environment of Sing Sing prison under the revolutionary rule under Warden Lewis Lawes who was often accused of running a prison focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Lawes lasted longer than any other warden of the institution (over 20 years) and had his watch marred by this one breakout in 1941 which unfortunately killed two guards. Part three is devoted to the escape, capture, and execution of two members involved in the escape. I found part three to be especially riviting to read and very well done. Prisoners often feared the sound of bloodhounds coming after them and what the dogs would do to them when confrontations arose. In reality the dogs would playfully jump on the individual, slobber their faces with their tongue, and wag their tail. Mention of how the term "third degree" came into use is told when people applying for a higher position in the Masons would face severe questioning by other members. This, in turn, was applied to suspects, or in this case by escaped convicts, who were often physically beaten by authorities to extract confessions. I did find a minor error on page 188 which is really unrelated to the story. The author mentions the Washington Senators beating the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game. The Baltimore Orioles didn't join the major leagues until 1954 when they moved from St. Louis. The game the author refers to had to be Washington defeating the St. Louis Browns, not the Baltimore Orioles. Despite this the book rates a strong five stars.

I loved this book. It is a gripping tale and Goeway does a great job of telling the story.He captures the desperation of the prisoners at the same time that he manages to evoke an important period in American history. Thank you, David Goeway!

Excerpt from the book:

I grew up with domestic violence and witnessed my mothers escape. As an adult, I lived with an abusive husband, leaving with my two children in 1996, our ninth departure. We first went to my sisters and slept on her floor. Through the assistance of a social service agency, I learned of a shelter but didn't think I would qualify because I wasn't visibly bruised like Mom, although I did feel her shame and worthlessness.

I remember my father kicking my mother in the stomach when she was six months pregnant. He gave her black eyes and broke her nose twice. He would beat my brother and me in front of each other and told us if we cried he would beat us more. Mom left Dad for the final time, taking her five children to Aunt Rene's where we joined a cousin and her children fleeing an abuser. Mom borrowed Aunt Rene's pistol, afraid of what Dad would do to us after his release from jail. When he came, Mom confronted him with the gun. He left, but I always wondered how our lives would have turned out if Mom had killed Dad that night.

At the time, my mothers only recourse was to live in the projects in Houston: her two sisters were married to abusive men and we couldn't stay with our grandparents because Grandpa had raped Mom as a child and she was afraid he would molest us, although he eventually did.

Without a diploma, Mom worked full-time at night and attended school full-time during the day. While my mother never sought any counseling, I had access to a shelter and its services: a court advocate to escort me to court, help in obtaining a protective order, an apartment with the anonymity required to prevent our abuser from stalking us as he always had, daycare for my children, and most importantly, help in locating psychiatric services to manage my depression and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), as well as much-needed counseling for my daughters and myself. I'd left my abuser so many times before and always returned because of money and fear.

After eight consecutive departures and returns, I felt my daughters didn't deserve such a pathetic mother. I wasn't there for them emotionally of financially. I felt like such a
failure. I was ready to end my life.

It took years to fully recognize my abuse. I didn't know that besides physical abuse, domestic violence includes emotional abuse, sexual abuse, isolation, using the children, economic abuse, male privilege, coercion and threats. The shelter helped me gain control over my life. With their help I went back to school and I am now a graphic designer. For the first time I feel more important than my abusers and that I have a real chance to make it.

My mothers journey from domestic violence ended with my journey. My daughters won't repeat the cycle of abuse. That is the most precious gift anyone has ever given me.

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am a public speaker and have addressed audiences of over 500 regarding domestic violence, incest and child abuse. I've given a multi-media presentation at The Women's Museum, Dallas City Hall including Mayor Laura Miller and spoken to law students at SMU. I've appeared on Good Morning Texas and have been interviewed by media outlets in Austin, Texas where I testified before the Texas Senate regarding domestic violence.

The book consists of several short essays followed by poetry. I designed the cover and back (excluding misguided typography) and included my artwork.

Angela Hayden
ART GODDESS
http://www.cafepress.com/angelahayden

Ms. Hayden offers an opportunity for an empathetic journey through her own trauma and in doing so, bravely displays the hope she retained and ultimately seized in her triumph over physical and sexual abuse. Readers will gain an insight into the intergenerational component of abuse only offered by such a heartfelt and nearly stream-of-consciousness account.

In her book, Ms. Hayden does what few women dare to do. She tells the truth - both in prose and in poetry imbued with a raw, emotional honesty - about domestic violence and its effects on women's minds, sexuality, and families. In a culture where women's suffering and acquiescence to exclusively male sexual gratification remain the norm both inside of the bedroom and out, Dead Wrong dares to break the `feminine' silence. It is a rallying call to women who have been and are being victimized, and a must-read for anyone who seeks to know all facets of the reality of female existence in the contemporary western world.

This book is so real, so touching. It is walking through the anguish of abuse with the author.
I almost felt the pain as she told about her childhood. By the time she began to tell about her abusive husband, anger had set in. Then I was allowed to cheer when she discovered a way out and had the courage to take it.
I hope every person who has a daughter, sister, or other loved one in an abusive relationship will read this book. It will help them understand and, hopefully, stop them from asking the question, "Why didn't she just leave?"

This book was incredible! I found that I had a tough time putting it down and enjoyed it from the beginning. It was a great book for those who love history, Norway, survival, compassion or patriotism. It truly is a testimony of one mans will to live and overcome incredible adversity. I don't know how he did it!

This is a fascinating account of occupied Norway in WWII. It is a true story of good over evil; of dozens of people risking torture and death, not only to them selves but, to their families. This is an account of true patriotism and caring for a fellow countryman against incredible odds.

When I first picked up this book, I wondered: how could an escape through the snow and over the mountains be spread over 340 pages? I began to read and was hooked. The authors provide so much fascinating detail. You feel the cold and live the uncertainty of being discovered.

Jan's challenges become greater and greater as the story progresses. His strength is amazing but the heroes are those who risked their lives to come to his aid.

The maps let you follow his route and bring the story alive. .

Dan Poynter, ParaPublishing.com

Defiant Courage told the story of one man's struggle to escape the German army during WWII. His story made me feel in complete awe of his determination and the will of the people of Norway to aid him. If he had been caught, anyone helping him would also have been put to death. Each time he turned for help, people didn't hesitate a moment but immediately gave food and clothing to help him escape across the mountains and into Sweden and safety. And exciting read and also a true experience.

This remarkable true story will make a lasting impression. Jan Baalsrud was a WWII Norwegian commando trained in Britain for a special sabotage mission in Norway. The mission was preempted by the Germans, and all the commandos were executed except Jan who got away with his big toe shot off. To be caught was a death sentence, and civilians could only help him under penalty of death. Without proper clothing or footware, he waded through icy water, snow and an avalanche for many days with occasional help along the way. For the second half of the journey Jan was too ill to walk and was conveyed by underground members. Frost bite took all his toes, which he cut off himself. He finally made it to a hospital in Sweden.

The ever present cold and Jan's seemingly unending journey while freezing most of the time makes me question if I've ever had any discomfort worthy of the name. The book is well documented with 5 pages of sources.

On June 23 1943 the author, Jack Champ, was marched into the German prisoner-of-war camp designated Oflag IVC, these days better known as Colditz Castle. Colditz was Germany's seemingly escape-proof castle prison, where hundreds of the most determined and resourceful prisoners of World War II tirelessly carried out an unending campaign to achieve the seemingly impossible - freedom. By the end of the war, twenty Australians had spent time in Colditz, and this book looks at life in the ancient castle specifically from their point of view. Colditz was a very special camp - the guards outnumbered the prisoners, and the castle was floodlit at night. Initially the Germans boasted that Colditz Castle was escape-proof, but they were wrong. By the end of the war, there had been more escapes from Colditz than any prison of comparable size during both world wars. Jack Champ was a reluctant prisoner who took part in two of the most spectacular mass escapes of the war. This book describes in vivid detail how these indomitable and resourceful Australian servicemen tried, and at times succeeded, in turning dreams of escape into reality. Colin Burgess has interviewed many of the survivors and carried out extensive research to create this gripping account of the full story - from tense days in the care of the French Underground through to the only recently resolved fight for proper compensation.

On June 23 1943 the author, Jack Champ, was marched into the German prisoner-of-war camp designated Oflag IVC, these days better known as Colditz Castle. Colditz was Germany's seemingly escape-proof castle prison where hundreds of the most determined and resourceful prisoners of World War II tirelessly carried out an unending campaign to achieve the seemingly impossible - freedom. By the end of the war twenty Australians had spent time in Colditz, and this book looks at life in the ancient castle specifically from their point of view. Colditz was a very special camp - the guards outnumbered the prisoners, and the castle was floodlit at night. Initially the Germans boasted that Colditz Castle was escape-proof, but they were wrong. By the end of the war there had been more escapes from Colditz than any prison of comparable size during both world wars. Jack Champ was a reluctant prisoner who took part in two of the most spectacular mass escapes of the war. This book describes in vivid detail how these indomitable and resourceful Australian servicemen tried, and at times succeeded, in turning dreams of escape into reality. Colin Burgess has interviewed many of the survivors and carried out extensive research to create this gripping account of the full story - from tense days in the care of the French Underground through to the only recently resolved fight for proper compensation.

This is a great story of what determined men can achieve with severely limited resources. Much has been written on Colditz Castle, the men who were imprisoned there and the few who escaped. I visited the castle in 1999, and what I saw confirms the stories in the book. This book is great reading for those who prefer real adventures and exploits to fiction.

Great story of what determined men can achieve with severely limited resources. Lots has been written on Colditz Castle and the men who were imprisoned there and the few who escaped.

I visited the castle in 1999, and what I saw confirms the stories in the book.

Great reading for those who prefer real adventures and exploints to fiction.

So much reading material bores kids... but NOT THIS. I even enjoyed reading some of it myself as well as my daughter. I recommend this book!

These books are exciting with very good Christian values brought to the attention of the reader. Great Adventure Books.

Combine the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew with Indian Jones, make them Christians in search of Biblical artifacts, and you'll get the gist of these novels. They are nothing more or less than what they claim to be: enteraining reads for young readers, intertwining spiritual lessons with fast-paced action. Adults may be bored by the simplicity or stretched realism of these stories, but pre-teen and early teens will enjoy these works as much as older readers enjoy Peretti's The Oath or This Present Darkness.

This edition matches the ISBN and photo for CBD's slipcase set, which features books #1-4 in the set of 8: Door in the Dragon's Throat, Escape From the Island of Aquarius, The Tombs of Anak, and Trapped At The Bottom Of The Sea. This set includes the collector's box and four (newer release/cover design) paperbacks. As far as I know, books #5-8 are unavailable in a boxed set (the newer paperbacks), but they are available separately.

I bought this book so my 7 year old son could start recreational reading on his own, however much of the vocabulary in it is beyond him at this point, so I started reading it out loud to him, explaining some of the words as we go. The story is very suspenseful, and he loves it! He is hooked on the story line, no surprise with Peretti's writing. I am hoping as the school year continues, he'll be reading the rest of the stories on his own. I think it's a great series for young readers, and the Christian slant in it is very strong and confirms our own personal faith.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a reader of many Holocaust/World War II books, I am very impressed with Mr. Ottenheimers well written story. He made his family & other characters come alive for the reader & made us care for them & cry for them. It is an event in our history that must never be forgotten & it must happen "NEVER AGAIN."

Mr. Ottenheimer has written an extremely insightful book about the events leading directly up to the Holocaust, the Allies drive to push Nazism out of Europe at the end of the war, and the restoration of normalcy in Europe after the war - all events that the author experienced first hand. The book also reflects upon how this era is addressed in the schools and teachings in Germany today and even parallels events of that era to world politics in our era. This book is extremely well-written and easy to read. I strongly recommend it for anyone interested in history.

WWII is an interesting but sad topic. Many books have been written about it. This, Mr. Ottenheimer's book, is a combination of most of them. As a native of Konstanz, Germany, he gives us very accurate information about the living condition before and during the coming crisis. He could escape to the USA shortly before Germany invaded Poland. Later he returned as a member of the US Army. This gives him the unique possibility to see the war from both sides. He wrote about everything you could imagine: Life in pre-war-Germany, war-refugees in the USA, military training, military engagement in Europe and even about his relation with people from the old continent. Living in Switzerland (I just got 20), very close to Konstanz, it was very interesting to read about that nearby town. Too many things have never been said. I would recommend that book to everyone to read for it is unlike any other auto-biography. It reads so easily like a novel (not too difficult for foreign speakers neither). You hardly can put it away, it is so captivating.

Escape and Return is the memoir of a life defined by the tragic, great force of World War II and the Holocaust. Written in a direct, chronological style, Fritz Ottenheimer's story takes you through a dark period in human history while taking you through his own life; a life filled with the tragedy of families and communities decimated, but also with triumphs, love and, yes, laughter. While not attempting to be an exhaustive study of WW II or the Holocaust, Mr. Ottenheimer's book has plenty of direct, first-hand information on everything from pre-war life in small German towns, to his own personal experience as a U.S. soldier assigned to Germany at the moment of Nazi defeat;the irony of his return a mere 6 years after fleeing Hitler and setting to the job of "de-Nazification" of his prior homeland is a riveting and deeply moving story.

While the title of the book is Escape and Return, there are actually more "returns" in later years as Fritz Ottenheimer returned on his own personal journey to the town and land of his birth,where he was welcomed back and invited to tell his story to a new generation as well as his ongoing efforts for personal reconciliation. This book,(which has also been published in Germany) reads like an oral history, suitable for adults and teens(paired with the Ann Frank story as supplemental readings for WWII history) who want to learn more about this "black hole of history." (Ottenheimer's words.)

This is a true story told by Chung Yao, an acclaimed writer in Chinese who was a refugee girl in the Sino-Japanese war. Great writing, and the war became so personal and real once it is told by someone who really has experienced it, especially as a child. I have read the author's biography in Chinese when I was young, and it is refreshing to read it again in English. Mr. Wei's translation is true to the original and it is great that this book is now available to English readers. Highly recommended for someone who is interested in learning about the Sino-Japanese war, or simply reading a well-told, true story.

It was the memoir of a six-year-old girl. The story started off with a happy family and childhood. Her parents, her and twin brothers were forced to leave upon the Japanese invasion with the brutal policy of - Kill all, Loot All and Burn All. - in WW II China.

They left their beloved hometown and encountered a lustful Japanese soldier hungry for woman. The kids screamed and cried to stop the draft. I closed my eyes in tears with the horror of the Rape of Nanking 1937 in mind. The round-spectacled Japanese officer intervened out of the image of his own family and his boy at home. Obviously, Confucius's golden rule "do not do onto others what you do not want others do on to you" superimposed Bushido.

Further down the journey, they hid in the hen house with her uncle family and baby cousin to avoid Japanese troops. The uncle tried to stop the crying by strangling the baby to the shock and horror of the little girl. It was heart wrenching in this family tragedy. It is a crime against humanity for Japanese to wage aggressive war against her neighbors.

In dodging Japanese bombs, the family chanced Chinese retreating army and Captain Tsang on a huge brown horse by a dirt road. Captain Tsang recognized the fleeing parents were not farmers but intellectuals. Somehow, the porters and the two boys were lost. The anxiety and stress filled the next two chapters.

With the troops left, they found themselves in an abandoned city in despair. The parents tried to end their lives by jumping into the river. It was the girl's cry for life called up parents' will and hope to come back even stronger as a family. My tears and admiration go with their faith and courage.

The Chinese greater family of fraternity warmed the heart from an old magistrate to offer the family support and father as a private tutor. As Japanese troops were pressing in, they decided to go on their journey after three days. The train ride miraculously met a searching soldier with message of the boys in Captain Tsang's custody. It was exciting to see the dramatic family re-union.

However, subsequently, her mother was hit by malaria in a strange town. It was fortunate for her father to meet his former favorite student, a local faculty capable to help. Soon, all had to head upstream by sampan. Settled in a small town, the father had to settle by selling yams. Moving on, they met Uncle Zhai and headed west. Creatively, they did stage plays with their yam selling experience. "It was a tiny story distilled out of the sentiment from peoples forced to leave their home after witnessing atrocity after atrocity that was systematically displayed by the invading (Japanese) forces" (P.100)

As they made their final distance by mule carts and donkey to Chong Qing (Chung King), people were running and shouting, "Japanese Emperor has surrendered! We Win! We Win!

This personal story shared the readers the horror and courage in the Japanese invasion and occupation. Originally written in Chinese, it was translated by Eugene Lo Wei in making it available as the Chinese counterpart "The Diary of Ann Frank". The family escaped from Heng Yang in a long, dangerous journey to freedom. The kids walked, rode in baskets, on horse back, on jam packed trains, on sampans and on mule carts. Between fortunes and misfortunes, there always was a guarding angel. It was their courage, endurance and survival to witness the final day of victory and peace.

This book is a good high school reading material. The masterpiece drawings by artist Ling Shan make the story alive and impressive. It would be helpful if Eugene explained more in some of the italic Chinese for English readers. A book list will help readers to the subjects such as Flying Tigers, Rape of Nanking, Germ Warfare, Unit 731 and Comfort Women

As Japanese government still whitewash, distort and flatly deny their history of aggression, peace loving citizens have to work together so as to prevent Japanese crime against humanity from happening again.

Chung Yao is the pseudoname or nom de plume of a very well-known author in Asia. Most Chinese born in the 50-60-70s (even 80s may be?) grew up with her novels filled with eloquent Chinese poetry & melodramatic storylines about feudalistic influences causing conflicts in big families and young people's lives. This book is a translation of the first chapter of the author's autobiography, documenting, in her usual dreamy and passionate style, her early experiences of following her parents across several war-torn provinces, and in the most edge-of-seat situations that anyone born during peace time can take. Eugene Wei did a superb job in conveying that sense of innocence and surprising turn of events to the English-speaking world. Due to great political, social and economic turmoils that happened in China immediately following WWII, historical truth & human tragedies were muted & unknown to the Western world - the horrendous atrocities in cities such as Nanjing, biological warfare and violations of the most basic of human rights are only documented and circulated among history lovers, and conscientious pursuers of historical truth. It is my sincere wish that this book helps boost the efforts of the Global Alliance in preserving historical truths in sharpening the Western world's awareness of the horrific deeds that humans are capable of during war times. After all, one can only learn from history if history is made known! Great job, Eugene Wei.

Chung Yao created a reminiscence of the Japanese Imperial Army invasion and occupation of China through the eyes of a small child. Eugene Wei takes up the challenge of bringing her story to life for the English-speaking world. This is a history almost unknown in the US. For whatever reasons, the atrocities and war crimes committed by the Japanese Imperial Army, and the suffering of the Chinese people are not in our memory of WW II.

The war ended in 1945 with the Japanese surrender. Yao's diary covers this one year of the war, from the viewpoint of a young girl who has only a glimmer of understanding of the complete tragedy boiling around her. Her parents do their best to protect the family.

Understanding the invasion through the eyes and ears of a six-year-old asks that we lay aside our own concepts and vision of these events, and imagine instead this history a child might see. In original Chinese, Yao records scenes that we know to be horrific. But Yao describes them with compelling innocence and a matter-of-fact tone. Wei's translation seals in the story of courage and determination to escape to the relative safety of Chongqing for US readers.

The final chapter is the news of the Japanese surrender in 1945, and the peace this brings. But can the family return to the innocent carefree prewar days? Can one ever forgive and forget the unimaginable suffering of being driven from home and cast on an uncertain journey without a future?

The author compares this work to another child's diary of WW II. While Anne Frank is known throughout the world, little is recorded of the numberless families, such as the Yao's, who bore the brunt of the Japanese Imperial Army savagery. Wei's translation offers a chance to make these stories personal. It will appeal to younger readers who can more readily interpret a child's view of these events.

Take a spin in the fast lane with the one and only Pleasant Gehman. This lady rocks (so we won't have to). Woman has lived through quite a bit and lived to write about it--and we get it all: the good and the bad. What makes her stand out as a writer is her own, very unique way of putting the word down. Might remind some of Henry Miller, Jeri Cain Rossi, or even Charles Bukowski--by that I mean she bares her heart and soul and stays away from the phony type of writing (one might find in mags like The New Yorker and others like it.) You get the whole picture: warts and all. That makes her human in this reader's eyes--and we dig the hell out of her for it.

Ms. Gehman's stories of growing up in LA range from the tender ("Vet Mem") to the bizarre ("Beauty From Within"--a tale about eating make-up!) to hilarious ("Wine Me, Dine Me, Soixant-Neuf Me") but the writing is solid and fun to read.This is a collection I'll enjoy sharing with my best girlfriends, and will come back to again and again!

I love this woman's unique take on Tinsel Town and L.A. in general. Once you start reading you won't be able to put it down. Read it from cover to cover in a single sitting. This is honest writing, screams from the gut. You get it all because the lady has the smarts and talent and backbone to give you the truth: the good, the bad and the hilarious. She knows life is that and more because she has lived through it. Enjoy the laughter when you can, she seems to say, and do the best that you can do to get through the less than pleasant moments (like heartbreak and other disappointments) that all of us sometimes find ourselves having to deal with. My only complaint is that she does not have enough books out there! I would like to see Pleasant write a longer work, maybe a novel or her memoirs. I put her up there with the best of them like Carson McCullers, Sylvia Plath, Unica Zurn, Dan Fante, Charles Bukowski, John O'Brien, Nathanael West, Henry Miller, Jack Kerouac, et al. Can't wait for her next book.

Escape From Houdini Mountain is a dizzing joyride of autobiographical fiction from a different kind of L.A. Woman. Spun from her experiences in the L.A. underground, the stories are infectiously entertaining. Pleasant's eye for the human condition is pristine. Her heart shines as she revels in a carnival of delicately drawn characters. Some are sad, some sick, some brilliant, but in Pleasant's world they are all appreciated equally. Ultimately this book, for all it's wildly funny tales, is an evolved praising of feminine beauty and it's power in a world gone mad.

This is a very strong book fitting all the characteristics into one great story that fits the star wars mold beautifully. I only gave this book an 8 because I though it lacked some explanation of some important features in this book.

My 3 year old loves this book. He carries it around with him, spending at least 20 minutes a day looking at the pictures asking me to read it to him. The art work in this book really brings the characters to life. I highly recommend this book for children and Star Wars Collectors.

The final book in this special edition Golden Books series of the first STAR WARS trilogy. RETURN OF THE JEDI finishes the saga begun in A NEW HOPE and continued in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Like the other two books in the series, this book successfully condenses the plot of the movie into a small children's book. Contains some great pictures. Alas, there is no mention of the speeder-bike chase and there are no pictures of the Sarlacc. That's about the only negative aspect of this book. If you've read the first two, this one is a must.

This children's book is a great introduction to STAR WARS. The book successfully compacts most of the important plots of the movie. It also contains some great pictures to go along with the words. A few of the words are difficult for real-young, youngsters to understand, but other than that, that's the only drawback.

Great book for anyone interested in learning about houseboats. Lots of information from different people about lots of things everyone should know before thinking about living aboard.

As one who dreams of escaping "Someday Isle," I found this book to be a terrific all-around resource for many of my questions regarding the liveaboard lifestyle. It contains an abundance of useful information, such as the logistics of stocking and organizing your boat, the "bare essentials" for living aboard, living aboard with children and pets, safety tips, and even some great recipies. I really appreciate that the author includes stories from other liveaboards, some of which illustrate the challenges many of them faced when making the transition from living on land to living on a boat. I hope someday to put Linda Ridihalgh's book to practical use!

I've read ESCAPE FROM SOMEDAY ISLE and I have to admit I find myself walking around the house thinking of the things I can live without. I grew up in Nebraska where terra firma is king and I never imagined people living on boats of their own free will.

These are the last free spirits of our world. Even if you've never been to a marina you'll find yourself daydreaming about boats, people, and places. I loved the true stories about people and their pets living the good life on the water. People who watch the sun set and toast, "Joi de Vivre!"

The book could easily be life changing for many. Take a deep breath of the sea air, matey, and kiss your lawnmower goodbye. You'll someday soon see me on the horizon, dolphins riding my bow wave.

Compiled from the pages of "Living Aboard" magazine and ably edited into book form by Linda Ridihalgh, Escape From Someday Isle: Articles, Tips, Letters And Photos From The Bible Of Onboard Living is an anthology of thirty-seven true personal stories of men and women, each of whom pursued their dream of buying a boat and sailing away, into the sunset. An absorbing collection of writings, recommendations, memories, and some very practical advice concerning shipboard living, Escape From Someday Isle is a most engaging read and very highly recommended for avid sailing enthusiasts, as well as seasoned armchair travelers who dream of one day setting sail across the seas and oceans of the world.