Connecticut Books

I finished reading this book in one day! I found it inspiring, hilarious, and touching. I could read her stories for hours! This could be a fantastic movie. Hell, this could be a fantastic series. I would watch it. I want to be Jane Stern's friend. I want to be an EMT! OK, I don't really want to do the second thing. But as someone rapidly approaching middle age myself, this is a remarkable reminder of just how much we are capable if we only give ourselves the chance. Thank you, Jane, for writing this book.

This was ok for a 'made for tv' movie. I didn't notice it was a 'Lifetime Movie'. I was expecting a 'real' film.

I stumbled across this book while looking for a road food book by Jane and Michael Stern. I didn't think it was the same Jane Stern--I didn't know about this part of her life, only having listened to Jane and Michael on NPR"s "The Splendid Table". Jane's personality really comes through in the pages of this book. She's chatty, vulnerable and fun to read. I found myself getting very easily caught up in her story.

Jane was 52 years old when she became an EMT. I can relate after recertifying at 45 years old. A great read. If you haven't seen the movie based off from the book, do so. It too is excellant.

I was reading this book as I was going through the same experiances as the auther, right down to the people who would show up late to class.

It made me laugh, and think about the career change I was making. I loved the book. I hated the movie.

about The Beatles, this is one. Excellent and balanced. Another is "Shout! The Beatles in Their Generation". Both -- note -- were written by journalists who actually knew The Beatles over years, and were appreciated because they weren't sensationalizers or backstabbers.

Those two stand head and shoulders above the trashy "The Love You Make," the author of which Lennon said only came in at the tail end, took three-martini lunches, and was one of those angered by the break-up because it ended the "gravy train".

Those sorts of realities about books about The Beatles are essential for those who don't realize the relative qualities of the books and authors of them, and as result fall for the Browns, Goldmans, and Guilianos. Do a little additional research and determine, for example, how many authors of books about The Beatles claim to have been "insiders" but in fact could not have been. (How many "fifth Beatles" were there? One would guess "One," right? It must be hundreds by now, most of whom never even met The Beatles, let alone got their autographs.)

This is one of the few essentials. Read it and rely on it as a measure against all the others.

Ah, I remember first reading this classic biography in the early 1980's, and reading it over and over again. I was a pre-teen and had just become a Beatles freak - - I'd thought I found the holy grail. It didn't occur to me until much later that this was an authorized biography, written from a fan's perspective. As such, looking back on it, it succeeds. Hunter Davies was there with the Beatles, knew McCartney fairly well and hung out with all of them for a time. He could've really written a major work had he waited till after the break up, but chose to get it out quickly and after approval from the Beatles. It is very intimate and light, the structure allows for a breezy and anecdotal approach. The Beatles really talk to the public of 1968 in a serious and intimate way that they hadn't done in their many press conferences. Emphasis apparently on early years, their rise as Davies puts it, and on the magazine style profiles of each Beatle (to 1968). The chapter on George Harrison is surprisingly thorough on his new found religious beliefs. It does include an update for the break up and decades following, but this adds little. (besides, Peter Brown's more gossipy "Love You Make" handles that period better)
It's rather weak on the incredible development of the Beatles music from LP to LP, and devotes one brief chapter on it - - actually, that he was present at a couple of John and Paul's songwriting sessions is a plus. Otherwise, Davies is rather hopeless in giving readers insight on this vital area of Beatles. But to be fair very few have succeeded in discussing the Beatles music anyway. (OK, I'll give a nod to Mellers, Schafner and McDonald)
I also like the photos in this book, as they complement the introductory nature of the text very well, especally as done in this "illustrated" edition.
Overall, I still consider this a great book (hence the 5 stars), a nostalgic favorite of mine - - the 2nd book I'd ever read on the Beatles (Miles' "Beatles In Their Own Words" was 1st), when I was hungry like a pig for more. I recommend this to be the first book new fans read if they're seriously interested in the history of the great Beatles. This will do!

I own the 1996 version of this book. It's fun to read--not because you will discover anything new about The Beatles.This book is a time capsule of the type of book you'd read in the 60s that wasn't written to embarrass it's subjects. It's how The Beatles wanted their fans to view their lives--as "normal" working guys with wives and kids! The Beatles were music visionaries but they did not foresee the future of tabloid publishing where all-things-Beatle would be exposed by anyone who came in contact with them because it is a cash cow. Mr. Davis updated the orginial book with his later experiences with the Beatles up to 1985 in my version.Those updates start to reflect the current "tell all" bios. The most famous story in the updates, is a recounting of Paul calling Mr. Davis in 1981 and ranting about things Yoko said about him (Paul) after John's death -- exposing Paul's insecurities and (I thought) his obvious grief over John's death. It is hard to believe after all The Beatles have accomplished that anyone of them could be insecure but that is one of the themes of this book. They are after all, human and Mr. Davies succeeds in showing that side of them.

As a fan of nearly 30 years, this was one of the first Beatles books I ever bought, and it remains a worthwhile buy for today's new fans. It may not be as detailed or as enlightening as the Mark Lewishon-type of books, but it benefits greatly from being written in the sixties - and having a firsthand access to the band. Hunter Davies includes many stories and insights that would simply not be available to today's writers - because they weren't there. The chapter that describes them writing 'With A Little Help From My Friends', for example, is as amusing as it is amazing. And I very much enjoyed the prologue, where Davies explains the difficulties he had with Queenie Epstein and Aunt Mimi. And his meeting with Pete Best in the mid-sixties is as poignant a scene as you will ever get in a Beatles book. It is stories like those that make the book worth buying.

This is the only biography authorized by the Beatles themselves, and it gives a detailed account of the rise to fame of the Fab Four, and many details of each band member's life. Davies was asked by Harrison not to print certain details, and an aunt suggested he revise some of the account of John's early life to make it sound better. Some details couldn't be divulged at the time, such as Brian Epstein's gay orientation, and the extent to which John was into drugs, although you get a sense of this from some brief passages in the book although Davies obviously avoids dwelling for too long on these issues. Still, despite glossing over a few negatives like these, Davies nevertheless had access to information that no other writer had, and no doubt the book benefits from that despite its being slightly sanitized.

One thing that distinguises this book from all the other bios is Davies spent a year living and travelling with the Beatles and observing them in their day-to-day lives. The year was 1967, and although the group was soon to break-up, 1967 was still a great year for the band and Davies gives many fine insights and details into the life of the group during this period. Davies enlivens the account with anecdotes and stories from many relatives and friends who knew the Beatles best.

I want to take a brief detour here to tell you about a funny piece of Beatles trivia I discovered recently, and I just have to mention it here, since I don't recall seeing it in the book. Supposedly The Beatles loved cartoons, and a friend of mine who is a big Beatles fan and trivia buff and I got to talking about it, and since I'm sort of a trivia nut myself, he suggested an unlikely cartoon, which was Popeye the Sailor, and challenged me to find a connection to the Beatles. Well, it's not known if this was a cartoon the Beatles liked or not, but after doing only about an hour of research on the web, I came up with a funny but true connection.

I found out one of the songs the Beatles often performed during their Hamburg years, before they were writing all their own songs, was "Falling in Love Again," by Sammy Lerner, an important songwriter of the 40s and 50s. But it so happens that Lerner also was enlisted to write the theme song for the Popeye the Sailor cartoon, which he did. So it turns out that there is indeed a connection between the Beatles and Popeye in that Lerner composed songs for, shall we say, both groups of singers. :-)

Anyway, I hope you didn't mind my little digression, but getting back to the book, this is a fine biography of the Beatles and is especially strong in its treatment of their early years and rise to fame. Although updated in the later edition, there isn't as much information about the post-1970 years, but as others have pointed out about the book, it's about the famous band's rise, not about their fall.

I was almost completely entralled in this book and once I started reading it could not put it down...I was always waiting for what was going to happen next.

It is truly terrifying to know that things like this could happen. I say "could" because I know there are a lot of skeptics who blow this book off as ridiculous and a complete fabrication. All I have to say is "were you there?" The only people that know exactly what happened were the people involved. We have no right to discredit them not knowing what happened to that family. It's funny, religious people are taught to believe in God and the Devil but when stuff like this happens they don't believe it can. Seems kinda funny that you spend your life believing in something but not really believing in it when it matters.

I give this book 5 stars becasue there is no zero to start with, and no one would believe me anyway. But, I AM Carl Glatzel. Go ahead and google my name or find me on aol and email me to know the real truth.

This book is the most bizarre I have ever read and keep in mind, I read it for the first time in 26 years. I read in back in January of '07 and I was astonished about the BS in this story and I think the whole world should know.

For all those interested in knowing, my brother David and I are working on a new book to prove that not every 'true story' is true, and in some cases, like ours, was made up to attempt saving a certain person for going to jail for murder. And if you noticed in the Discovery Channel special WHERE DEMONS DWELL, neither my father, my mother, David, or myself were on the show. Just to sum it up, no one speaks to Debbie or Arne because of the scam they tried to pull behind our backs.

To know more, please visit world wide web geocities.com/devilbustedinct

Thank you very much, Carl Glatzel

The Associated Press has this to say about the book, "More terrifying than The Exorcist." And they're right. This is a very scary book based on the true-life experiences of the Glatzel family. If you have an interest in demon possession (the book, "The Demonologist," is an excellent companion), than this book is right for you. The account is truly terrifying and makes you more aware of spirit possession of the "inhuman" kind. The Discovery Channel also made a one-hour documentary of this story entitled, "Where Demons Dwell." If you read this book and watch the show, you'll be more informed about this category of the paranormal that most people are unaware of.

There was a time when I believed in stuff like this. Than a few things happened to me. The first was I grew up, and the second was I became aware of the Warrens. While they mean well the Warrens (RIP the late Ed Warren) are the used car dealers of the paranormal. If you don't believe me look no further than the famous Amityville Horror case. This case was proven to be an elaborate hoax. Ronald DeFeo was not driven by demons to kill his family, he was an admitted junkie in an intoxicated state. Yet despite all the claims that the case was made up to make money the Warrens still put their reputations on the line and defend their claims that the house was really haunted. Believing the Warrens is like believing Al Sharpton after the Tawana Brawley case. Anyway getting back to the book itself if you can get past the fact that it is entirely fictional it is a good read and goes by rather fast. Like some other reviewers stated when they read this book, no nothing happened to me when I was reading this book, except I had to put it down to get some sleep or I would be late for work in the morning. And I you further question the claims in this book wait till you get to the part that describes the possessed being forced to do sit-ups by the demon for over an hour. After making myself cry from laughing so hard I wished I could get possessed so the demon could whip me into better shape. It would definately be chaeper than the gym.

This book is one of three that I would rate as a "must read" if you want to learn about the demonic, house infestations, and human possession (the other two are "The Demonologist" {also by Brittle} and "Hostage to the Devil" by Malachi Martin). These books forced me to ask a most difficult question- what does God allow the demonic to do, and why does He allow it? The answer for me is that He allows more than I would ever have previously believed. This book is a gripping read, and includes a fascinating description of Ed Warren's attempt to use a binding ritual on the main demon while an exorcism ritual is being performed at another location. The demon is too powerful, and later we find out more details. If you read it, you might never listen to house and neighborhood noises around 3 AM again without some trepidation. Be prepared to view your faith differently, with a greater sense of gratitude. It's a disturbing book with a truly powerful message. One more opinion- this book is far too intense for children and even teenagers (nightmares are extremely likely)- keep it away from them.

This BOOK is very well writen.It is funny and i find it fun every time to read.Its one of Tomie Depoala's best books.It covers his childhood and friends.

My kids listened to this book more times than I can count. My five year old especially, is hooked on it, asking for it time and time again. It is interesting to listen to the way life happened in the mid 1900's. My kids also asked me to make them 'pop-eye's' after hearing Tomie describe a favorite breakfast. We have since learned that pop-eye's are also known as 'hens in a basket' and 'hole in one's'.

It is interesting to learn about an author long before he found his voice as an author and illustrator. Kids are able to identify with him as a child and then appreciate his work as they get older.

I think that all of the books in the series of ''26 fairmount ave'' are so cool I suggest them for anyone and hope that everyone likes them.

This is the story of young Tomie as he waits for his new house to be built. The narrative is easy and light, with fun stories told about school, building a new house, family, and grandparents.

This is a great book for upper elementary students to read and a great book for adults to read to younger students.

26 Fairmount Avenue (Newbery Honor Book, 2000)I am honored to write a review for this first book about Tomie dePaola's life. I have always admired his other works and now I have a new reason to respect him. This autobiography is a short chapter book written for children by an author who writes for children. How appropriate is that? So many times we parents are asked to find autobiographies for our kids to read but there are none that are at a child's reading level, let alone appropriate for children to read. We have to content ourselves with watered down biographical writing. Not so with "26 Fairmount Avenue." Welcome to the world of Tomie who remembers the things of life that kids remember and perhaps you will remember as well.

Yet,Wright clearly has a voice all his own. I absolutely loved this book, it was written with such subtle emotionality. Wright allows the reader to feel what the main character is going through without hitting you over the head with it. It's that subtlety that separates him from so many contemporary writers, who, in my opinion, take the easy way out. Kudos to you, Mr. Wright! I'm looking forward to reading more of your work.

As the story opens Ben Stamp, troubled Louis Bowman's stepfather has just died following a family row. It had seemed that Ben might have given Louis the means to overcome all his problems by teaching him how to box, but now that it's just him and his mother and Louis retells his difficult life so far and on going events as they unfold.
Louis is different from other boys and suffers the consequences, being the target of bullying. He is also embarrassed that he responds to and enjoys the physical groping from a married man he encounters on several occasions while travelling the train to visit his grandfather. Not surprisingly he is having difficulties handling all his problems and so is sent for a course of regular psychiatric help.
I found this a lively and delicious story; Louis is a lovable character despite his often self imposed problems. While he establishes a warm relationship with his therapist, his real saviour comes in a most unlikely form, the flamboyant Ray Anthony Robinson, the local rogue, both feared and respected. It occurs shortly after Ben is given a new bike for Christmas and after his first real encounter with Ray when he grabbed and then rode off on the bike; much to Ben's surprise he returned the bike safely. The next time Louis takes his bike out he is physically set upon by some local bullies, to his surprise rescue comes when Ray intervenes on his behalf. There begins a strange but most endearing relationship between the two boys that builds to a most heart-warming and triumphant climax.

Fourteen-year-old Louis Bowman lives his life from round to round in Bil Wright's Sunday You Learn How to Box.

Wright tells the poignant tale of Louis' battles with his alcoholic mother and with his violent stepfather - both ending tragically, making it all seem starkly realistic. Wright's simplistic writing takes his readers into the mind of a young teen-ager, exposing emotions and urges.

In this, Wright's first novel, he gets to the heart of his story while giving minute details, heightening the tension of the tale.

Amidst the turmoil of his family, Louis is fighting his own battle to win the attention and affection of the neighborhood hoodlum, Ray Anthony Robinson.

Wright begins the story of Louis in medias res - in the middle of things.

The first startling sentence reveals that Louis' stepfather Ben has died. After grim and gory details about the police and on-looking neighbors, Wright takes the reader back to the beginning.

Louis and his mother are living in the projects with aspirations of getting out. She works days at Saks Fifth Avenue and evenings cleaning offices in order to save money. Marrying Ben becomes part of her grand scheme to move her life somewhere better.

After his mother marries, Louis watches his family's money situation worsen. His mom gets pregnant and Ben treats him horribly, calling him a sissy and hitting him.

The only sweet times in Louis' life are Saturdays after he and his mom have cleaned the floors. His mom sends him to the store for scotch, which she drinks while he has soda.

The more alcohol his mother consumes, the more willing she becomes to tell Louis about his real father and about her life back in Harlem when she was younger. Louis loves to listen to his mother's Billie Holiday records while his mother tells him about the time she met the singer and designed some clothes for her.

One Christmas Louis' mother buys him a red bike for Christmas. She insists that Louis go right outside and teach himself how to ride, despite the snow and ice on the ground. Louis falls off many times and the neighborhood boys mock him. Ben comes out to help teach him how to ride and he ends up making fun of Louis, too.

It turns out that sexy Ray Anthony Robinson is the only man who can motivate Louis to learn to ride his bike. His disarming sex appeal convinces Louis that bike-riding is worthwhile.

Louis' mother and Ben decide to teach Louis how to box so he can defend himself. Every Sunday Ben and Louis fight each other in the living room and every Sunday, Louis loses the fight.

The only ray of light in Louis' life is his occasional spotting of Robinson. As his infatuation with the man grows, Louis actually gets up the courage to talk to and befriend him. He even calls him on the telephone after a fluke meeting on the subway leads to Robinson giving Louis his telephone number.

In his living room, Louis fights a losing battle. But Robinson, described almost comically in his purple, polyester pants proves to be the man in the corner of the ring giving him motivation to keep fighting.

In a note at the end of the book, Wright says his goal in writing Sunday you Learn How to Box was to provide people with HIV and AIDS a story they could relate to. Wright teaches people with AIDS to help improve their reading skills and it were his students who convinced him of the lack of available books targeted at them.

Wright succeeds in creating a simple story that can reach his audience, move his audience, and touch many others, regardless of their connection to AIDS or the gay community.

From characters whose every words ring true, to the deep longing of adolescent love, Wright has crafted a remarkable novel full of memorable individuals and situation. Part coming-of-age and part slice-of-life, Sundays offers much to young readers as well as those of us who lived these feelings decades ago. If this first novel is an indication of Wright's ability to develop strong characters and tell real stories, E. Lynn Harris ought to watch his back.

What is most interesting about Wright's boxing motif is that the main character's abuse is more or less what leads to his liberation. Despite his mothers' generally selfish motivations and his step-father's brutality, Louis Bowman's story is one of triumph. The most poignant part of Wright's story are the places where the young narrator gives us the briefest glimpses of friendship between him and his mother, and how few these moments were. Minor characters such as a racist schoolteacher and a pedophile businessman are well drawn. I wouldn't expect much cross over from fans of E. Lynn Harris or James Earl Hardy, the two most prominent writers of gay African-American fiction, as their writing tends to be a lot more gossipy and soap-operatic. Wright's work is a fair amount more literary, and would probably appeal more to fans of Edwidge Danticat's "Breath, Eyes, Memory." From the perspective of someone who is more or less caucasian, this book opens up a whole new world of gay experience that went unexplored in classics such as A Boy's Own Story and The Best Little Boy In The World. Certainly worth the price of admission.

I picked up this book on vacation with no expectations. I really enjoyed it and passed it on to a friend. It was so nice to read a positive book with a Catholic theme. My friend enjoyed it as well. I highly recommend this book and I am excited to read the others in this series.

I just loved this book. It is written in a similar style to Jan Karon's "Mitford" series. It's wonderful getting to know the characters in the town. They feel like friends by the second chapter. An excellent read!

This is such heart warming story! The author, Katherine Valentine, should be commended as it is such a pleasure to read a story that has no gutter talk or bed scenes yet has such interesting characters and a positive message of faith.

St. Cecilia's Catholic Church has been a wonderful house of God for many many years, serving it's parishoners in good faith. But the building is in much disrepair, and funds are becoming less all the time as many of the people are older and can't contribute as they once did. The archbishop has ordered the church to close definitely after Easter
service. Father James, the priest of the church can hardly bear this thought and cannot see this happening. He knows there must be something he can do to stop this unnfortunate end, and through prayer and action tries to formulate a plan before it is too late. They are already into Lent, so there is not much time left.

Lori Peterson's husband Bob is desparately ill with leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. Time is getting short for Bob to find a donor, but with courage, faith, and many prayers, he receives a transplant which is successful. This is a real blessing as Bob wants to be there for his wife and 6-year-old daughter Sara.

Harriet Bedford has lived with sadness her whole life through when after losing one of her granddaughters, and daughter-in-law to a tragic accident, her son disowns her for believing in God. Peter was angry and bitter after losing his wife and first daughter, and could never trust God again. It goes on this way, until ironically when Father James is called to visit his best friends wedding, and discovers that Allison, Harriet's long lost grandchild is the bride. Peter has a massive heart attack before the wedding takes place, and is going to die for certain. At his bedside, Father James is there bringing him to God and faith that he will see heaven after he dies.

Through much prayer, and hope, St. Cecilia's might come to be saved. Especially when a holographic image of Mother Mary is shining up on the church, and suddenly there are mobs of people to witness it. The church begins to fill with people, and Father James prays that this is the miracle they have needed to help support and save the church. The image was made up by Matthew Metcalf though, who actually stole the equipment to set off this beautiful image from the college. And when he is discovered by the town Sheriff Bromley, he will have many questions to answer to, even though Matt had good intentions.

Father James knows that God has a hand in everything, and is thrilled beyond words at what takes place just before Easter Sunday, when it was to be the church's last Sunday ever.

This was an excellent book. In places it will make you cry and in others it will make you laugh out loud. The characters were so real! The Catholic readers should all find something in it to bring back a smile or two!! I really enjoyed this book. I have recommended it to my family and friends and right now my teen-age daughter is enjoying reading it.

the moffats is a funny book that although this sounds cheesy is a classic for all ages. All the characters are strange and wonderful and funny. Mostly though the story follows Jaynie moffat (who also has a book of her own which is even better than this one.) All the stories though are great. I highly reccomend this book to ANYONE.

What a treat when a childhood favorite that my children really enjoy!!!!!
Buy the real 1941 hardcover with the lovely illustrations that really make the book so good!!!!!

This is not only entertaining and charming, but is filled with vivid details of life in the days without electricity, when cars were a rarity and kids could buy an ice cream cone for a nickel.

I'm 14 and I still love this book. Eleanor Estes is a fantastic writer and this is one of my favourites. I highly reccomend this book for ANY age-it has something for everyone.

Wow! I loved this book! Between Jane being in a bread box, to Rufus getting on the freight train car. I think that everybody will like this book if they read it. When I started this book, it was like I couldn't put it down. I would read it like 2 hours a day, and I only was required to read 30 minutes for school! I loved it! Now I'm starting to read all the sequels to Eleanor Estes' fantastic books. I'm telling you, READ THIS BOOK!

This is an austere, beautifully told story about a 12-year-old boy, Timmy, doing what boys do in the wasteland of the American suburbs. It's about sitting in your room at night thinking about girls and baseball cards and listening to the rain on the roof; it's about the tragi-comic mysteries of the neighbors and their sad secrets; and it's about the villanies and unkindnesses that boys practice upon one another. It's also about bearing witness to your own family falling apart at a time when you're trying to figure out who you yourself are. There is the troubled Mr. Cosgrove standing pathetically at the Good Humor truck agonizing over what kind of ice cream to order; there's the provocative Myra, the mother of a friend, who accuses Timmy of trying to be too "precise," while it is exactly that precision (the precision of the scribe, the story-teller) that Timmy uses as a tool to cut through--and see through--the posturing and the braggadocio of his cohorts and the ersatz commercial culture in which they all live, play, and die.

Dan Pope writes uncluttered, elegant prose. He works with the economy of a poet, and he moves his unsentimental story ahead through dialogue that sounds real and as natural as it did when you and I said those kinds of things back in the 1970s. I've read this novel twice, and I recommend it. I keep it on my bookshelf between To Kill a Mockingbird and The Catcher in the Rye. The Lord of the Flies is not far away. That's the kind of company this book deserves to keep.

I just finished "In The Cherry Tree" for the second time. I loved the characters and the things they went through together. And even though it was based around Timmy's life growing up as a boy I think it captured a kid's life, boy or girl, to a tee. Life is hard for any kid that age when you're dealing with friends drifting away, parents divorcing, death, bullies, etc. Dan Pope did a great job pulling the reader into the story and making you feel like you were right there with Timmy, seeing what he was seeing and experiencing the things he was experiencing. If you were ever a child this book will definitely spark some kind of memory from when you were growing up. Chances are I will read this book for a third time in the future.

I found this book delightful. I have four young boys and recommend this book to anyone else with sons, brothers, husbands, and nephews! The book was entertaining, funny and sorrowful. It grasped the life of families in suburbia and brought me back to my own childhood.

First time authors tend to write about what they know, so I will asume that it is true in this situation. If so, the author had a somewhat unusual family, particularly his parents. His siblings and friends weren't too particularly normal either, but reading about all of them was good fun. Mixing in television shows and records from the early 70s gave a good grounding in time, and the narrator's voice had an authentic sound. It's a quirky little novel, and I enjoyed reading it very much.

Dan Pope has managed to tell the heart-breaking story of a boyhood summer full of transformations in family and friendship from the point of view of a charming protagonist, Timmy, without falling victim to the narcissitic nattering that plagues even our most well-loved young heroes (Holden Caulfield comes to mind). IN THE CHERRY TREE is transgressive yet familiar, haunting and hilarious: read this book, you won't be disappointed.

I first met George Tabb at a club one night last year and found out we had some old friends from the past in common. He said he had a book out called Playing Right Field that I might like and another one, Surfing Armageddon, that will be coming out in a few months. The first one was a childhood memoir, the second is about his high school and early college years. I found George really interesting to talk to, so I was determined to look up these books, and read about this guy. As my friends and I were leaving the club, he said if I was interested, I can check out his web site. So the next day at my office, I found the site and glanced at a few of his blog entries. This guy was very funny. And I thought anyone who loves their little Yorkie that much clearly has a big, big heart. So I looked up his books on Amazon, and read their descriptions.

Now, being the Jewish child of Holocaust survivors, and having emigrated to the U.S. with my family when I was five, from communist Romania, where a Jew was a second-class citizen, I related to his painful daily abuse at the hands of those fascist little Greenwich aryan bullies who had it in for him and his little brothers for nothing but their ethnicity. But his home life wasn't any safer. Yet the stories themselves sounded hilarious. I was intrigued, so I ordered the first book. The second one wasn't out yet at the time.

The guy sitting in the cubicle next to mine asked what book I was ordering and I told him Playing Right Field, a childhood memoir by a guy called George Tabb whom I met last night. He says, "George Tabb? You mean the guy who wrote those hilarious columns for the New York Press?" I said I don't know, he just told me about his books, and they sound really funny from their descriptions on Amazon. He says Tabb's columns were his favorites. He'd been a big fan of his writing for years, since he first saw his columns in Maximumrocknroll, a publication I'd never heard of. He says, "Hold on a minute," and emails me a bunch of links to George Tabb stories.

And after reading them, I'm just blown away. One after the other, they're all clever and witty and sweetly self-deprecating. And laugh-out-loud funny. So I couldn't wait to read the book.

I was not disappointed! It is one of my favorite books ever. It breaks your heart while cracks you up laughing, and in every bizarre story (all of them are bizarre) there's a lesson learned. And you find yourself smiling. After finishing the book, I emailed him that I really enjoyed it, as did my teenage son who generally doesn't like to read, but he loved this book. So did his friends who borrowed it. So I ordered it for friends and family for as holiday gifts. And in that email, I also told George I was really sorry that I didn't know any of his writing or his music when we met.

The funny thing is, for a writer so well respected and so well known in the music scene, he's anything but a snob. He is the nicest, kindest, most approachable person you'd ever want to meet. It's surprising, considering he grew up so filled with rage at his abusive sadistic father, that he didn't turn out to be a serial killer!

By the way, I just finished his new book, Surfing Armageddon, in which George's family leaves Greenwich for Tallahassee FL, where Jews are appreciated as much as, if not more, than they were in Greenwich! But now teenage George with hormones raging--inspired by the bad-ass music of a little band from Cleveland called The Dead Boys and that lovable NY punk band that leveled the playing field for outsider everywhere who thought they couldn't be cool, The Ramones--is on a quest to do what any healthy, red-blooded, sex-obsessed teenage boy is after. Lose his virginity. But like everything else in George's life, the road is filled with a few hilarious bumps along the way. Another gem. See my review of that one.

Ahoy, if you're looking to buy this book you're proboly already familier with George Tabb's style of writing. And, so this book is more or less compiled as his column's tend to be written. Most of the stories are in proper order with a few a bit out of place but, no big deal. This is more a book to read here and there on one's lunch break not a sit down and read it from cover to cover. George reminds us what it's like to be on the receiving end of childrens cruelity and dealing it out mostly on the receiving end though. Arn't most punks the rejects of the so called norm children? George also shows the era for them young punks what kids did before they had video games and all that crap. They beat the crap out of each other had crazy adventures avoided their crappy parents and more or less just pain flat survive the bs years. This book would've been a five cept the first few chapters are rather ackward.....They seem to be structed rather oddly. They offer an early peak at George and that's perhaps why they're ackward cause they're from when he was 6 and a bit under while other chapters are 6th grade up to high school so, i think his memory is a bit hazy to add his style of humor to the story whilst keeping it on the tab or real. If you like George's writing overall you'll not be disappointed. Or, if you or someone you know's just likes to read stories about others that aren't really famous than this is also a good book to pick up. So, stop reading those F'n opera books and pick up a book about real life adventures from the Seventies. See George shoot his pop, see George puke at carney island, read about his adventure of killing the tortise that ate goats and kittens, also why one should avoid the left hand of the blind child and is wrestling a fag sport?!? Find out first hand from George if it is indeed and what the hell is Fourth Trumpett!!!!! All these wonderments and questions are in this book! After you're done reading this book you'll feel like drinking and being lazy. Or just like why the hell am I still working this crap job......

I had never heard of George Tabb until my friend Jenni recommended that I read his book, it was all of $8 including shipping so I figured, why not?

It was seriously one of the best books i've ever read, and I cannot wait for his new book to come out.

The book really makes you feel for young George as a character and absolutely abhor his father.

I reallly regret saying as a character since it's based on the real events of George's life.
I plan on collecting all of George's writings that he's ever done for magazines now.

George rules! This book rules! It's great to know that other people are pussies too, and that they are proud of it. I don't think I've laughed as hard as I did at the crucified frog in ages. It really brought all those scary uncomfortable primary school memories back to the front of my mind. I even remember the name of the bully I concussed in fourth grade for the first time since I whacked him one. Thanks for the great read George.

George Tabb is a man of the people. That is to say, he knows a heck of a lot of people and a heck of a lot of people know him. He is an approachable, likeable guy and when I began reading his Maximum Rock 'n Roll columns back in the late 80s I had no idea that he was actually such a friendly person. Due to his long-standing punk rock celebrity/credibility he doesn't have to be. The fact that he IS such a great person is a testament to his character, glimpsed here in "Playing Right Field: A Jew Grows in Greenwich."

This book is a collection of essays that span Tabb's early childhood and teen years. It is all at once heartfelt and heartbreaking. When I finished it I felt the urgent desire to seek out and brutally punish anyone who'd ever been mean to George, and believe me when I say that would be a time-consuming process!

The bottom line is that this book is full of poignant, bizarre, and sometimes upsetting memories presented in amazingly rich detail. Tabb's capacity for recall is the mark of a great writer and a true talent.

I believe this book is an incredibly valuable manuscript that takes the reader back to the sometimes cruel state of childhood, all the while reminding us that back then we always strove to remain optimistic in our belief that Tomorrow would be a better day. I believe that George Tabb is still optimistic - despite everything - and that this both confusing and inspiring characteristic distinguishes him as a complex man with an important voice.

A classic, thorough study of one of the elite divisions of the ``Waffen-SS" (armed SS).
Both on and off the battlefield, the SS Death's Head division was one of the most feared divisions. The author discusses both by describing combat and war crimes committed by the division on the battlefield, as well as its relation to criminal activities of the SS off the battlefield, such as concentration camps and ``Einsatzgruppen" (mobile death squads).
There are only two weak points: (1) the combat history 1943-45 (including the Battle of Kharkov, the Battle of Kursk and Operation Spring Awakening) is too short; and (2) the book dates back to 1977, and now available sources (e.g. Russian sources) were not used. However, it is still the best book on the market.

I initialy bought this book to get a general idea on what fighting conditions inside the Demyansk Pocket were like (for 3rd SS), and i got all my questions answered in detail. This is an excellent account of the divisional history of 3rd SS. The last part could have mabye been a little more detailed... for instance I was also interested in the fighting 3rd SS participated in around Vienna -as well as what happend to some former 3rd SS soldiers/NCOs (such as Fritz Christen, Max Seela) after the war, including some numbers on how many members survived soviet captivity, but the later wartime records of the division were destroyed in a fire during an allied bombing raid, so a bunch of info was lost. Also the division was reorganized with conscripts near the very end of the war (which i don't remember reading about). Good Book, good buy.

The death's head SS division, created in october 1939, was one of the oldest Armoured formation of the III rd Reich. Thus, this unit achieved great military successes, mainly on the eastern front.

Sydnor, in his talented study, details, the initial developments with the incorporation of 6500 concentration camp guards (to whom were added several thousands of middle-aged Allgemeine SS reservists), the first fights in the western campaign where, the division occured some victories but also setbacks and finally, the military operations on the east...

The "SS Totenkopf division", created by Theodor Eicke, former chief of the death's head batallions (camp unit guards), maintained close ties with the concentration camp system until the end of the war. Sydnor demonstrates that with documents. However, with the growing losses the unit suffered in its hard battles, Its recruitment became similar to the other waffen ss major formations...

Sydnor also shows, the fundamental influence Eicke had over the formation's fighting spirit and thus, some of the consequences on the ground... But he doesn't contest the military value of this elite division, illustrating that by numerous examples. That's why many generals of the german army were pleased to have the SS Death's Head division under their command... This book is a must read !

Dr. Syndor presents us with what appears to be an academically honest, truthful account of the development of the SS Totenkopf division. He traces its indisputable origins from the concentration camp system into an elite Waffen SS combat Division.

Syndor captures the facts regarding the effect that Theodor Eicke had on creating the division from his hand picked staffs in the concentration system. Thus creating a combat division led and manned by individuals already hardened to cruelty to the "enemy behind the wire". Syndor presents a detailed account of Eicke's rise through the concentration camp system, his immense political connections, the origins of the Totenkopf division under Eicke's guidance.

The author is clearly impressed by the combat performance of the Waffen SS and the Totenkopf division in particular; however, he presents facts and adequate footnotes for anyone to investigate. The truth speaks for itself, the Waffen SS, with the esprit of the troops and the political indoctrination, were elite combat units. They fought at times to the last man and withstood hardships and casualty rates beyond what most other troops would endure. They also committed acts that carried the political will of the Fuhrer and the Reichsfuhrer SS to the occupied territories and the front.

This is NOT an apologist's book about the Waffen SS, nor does it state that every SS trooper was a criminal. The truth, as usual, is somewhere in between. It does paint the SS and the Waffen SS as the criminal organizations that they were. It also details the combat performance of this elite combat unit. The last half of the book is sketchier on details of the Totenkopf's combat records, but this was due to the loss of many of those detailed records to the war waged upon Germany.

This is an excellent book, my only criticism is that it does not have enough photo's and statistics (specifically, after action reports).

Charles W. Sydnor Jr's, "Soldiers of Destruction" is a wonderful piece of historical literature. This book represents Dr. Sydnor's Ph.D. dissertation and as such is based on significant research - this is historical prose by a historian! However, having said that, this does not imply that "Soldiers of Destruction" is merely an academic book with facts that is dry to read, quite the opposite. "Soldiers of Destruction" is a pleasure to read - well-crafted prose and flow - and contains lots of facts. This dissertation is not meant to represent a study of the whole Waffen SS, but rather an in depth look at one component - Third SS Panzer Division Totenkopf (Totenkopfdivision) - as an individual and somewhat isolated case. That said, it is fair to say that whether you are an airchair historian looking for a good read or a serious student of history interested in the Waffen SS and issues associated with the fighting arm of the SS, "Soldiers of Destruction" might be what you're looking for.

Dr. Syndor begins his story with a discussion of the development of the Totenkpfdivision as an outgrowth from the SS Totenkopfverbande (Deaths Head Division) and the concentration camp guard system. Central to this development was Theodor Eicke, who put his aggressive, fanatical NSADP stamp on the system. He organized the concentration camp guard system and from that the initial Totenkopfdivision, making this Waffen SS unit one with a particularly rabid Nazi makeup, at least at its inception. By bringing the formation of the Totenkopfdivision into focus provides important perspective for Syndor and the reader to assess the actions of the division in its military exploits, including charges of brutality. Simply put, are actions seemingly askew from other battle units, such as murder of POWs, ultimately unexpected given the personalities and ideological "training" of the division? Syndor does not use this analysis to excuse the actions but rather to provide clarity for greater understanding in a historical context.

The passages dealing with combat of the Totenkopfdivision (most of which occurred against the Soviets) are fascinating and highly enlightening. Syndor has does a great job brining to life these years of the division and balancing the highly effective and laudable (from a military perspective) battle actions of the Totenkpdivision with the criminal activities that followed the division. The reader can easily separate these issues and then place the latter in context given the introductory material. This is in fact what Syndor attempts to do (quite effectively I believe) in the last section of the book, entitled: Ideology, Personality, Criminality.

In the end this is a wonderful book, both from a mere historical and a reading enjoyment standpoint. Syndor conveys a clear history of a single element of the Waffen SS that is both significant and fair. Highly recommended reading - five stars!