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Amazing book! Proves that not all Germans were rabid Nazis. A personal journey through a unique perspective on how and why the Nazis were able to assume power, as well as why the Germans were unable to stop them. Highly recommended!

This is the story of Sebastian Haffner, a man who lived in Germany during Hitler's rise to power. I loved hearing the story from the perspective of the average German. I can't imagine living in such tumultuous times, but reading this book gives me a glimpse. The best part about it is the fact that it tries to answer two very important questions: how on earth a regime like the Nazis could rise to power, and how almost the entire nation where corrupted by them. It's a wonderful story that I would recommend to anyone that is the bit interested in that period. Remember, it's by understanding the past that we can best keep from repeating it.

Excellent book on the rise of the Nazis by an author with a very humane and sensible view of life who lived through the events. Haffner gives voice to the average Germans who witnessed the rise of Hitler and did not approve - the majority, as it turns out - but who could simply not make sense of the madness around them nor could they find a way to realistically oppose the Nazis.

Haffner's narrative is often touching as he discusses personal events of his own, friends' and family's, illustrating how the sphere of their private lives was affected by politics. The result is that it reads like a 'non-fiction novel', and one extremely relevant for contemporary world events.

It is a pity that Haffner never actually concluded the book. In the last section, his son briefly explains what happened after the abrupt ending of the narrative, thus we miss the detail and richness that Hafner's own perspective would have undoubtedly provided. Still, it is an unmissable book, packed with lessons for present and future generations.

Sebastian Haffner's "Defying Hitler" has an ambitious initial scope - to chronicle the rise of Hitler from 1918-1939. The memoir is "unfinished" in that the narrative leaves off in 1933 as Haffner put down writing the manuscript with the advent of World War II and never came back to it. Haffner's son, Oliver Pretzel ultimately had the work published after Haffner's death.

Even in its "unfinished" condition, the work is a masterpiece. Haffner's purpose is not to excuse the average German in germany to succumbing to Nazism and to Hitler but rather to EXPLAIN the phenomenon. Excusing it would simply be post hoc. Explaining it serves the additional function of future application.

Defying Hitler was a difficult thing to do in practice. One could certainly not do so in public. The repression of Nazism in Germany was all the more pervasive by its reach into the private sphere and by doing so, obliterating the prior German distinction between public and private. The only safe way to defy Hitler was, ultimately emigration.

Haffner's narrative is frank, honest and ironic. It was a joy to read.

Finally, a word about Robert Whitfield, the reader of the Audio edition of "Defying Hitler." I believe there are instances in which the audio edition of a work is equal to or superior to the printed version. These instances of "audio excellence" are directly related to the quality of the reader. Robert Whitfield repeatedly accomplishes "aduio excellence." Whitfield's diction is spot on, his tone fluctuates to match the text. If the text is ironic, so then is Whitfield's tone. If the text is frank, so then is Whitfield's tone. If the text contains italics for emphasis, that emphasis is contained within Whitfield's voice. In short, his contributions always enhance a book and never detract from it. For other texts read by Robert Whitfield, I would recommend Bleak House by Charles Dickens, and The Abolition of Man & the Great Divorce: Library Edition by C.S. Lewis.

This is a powerful story of the rise of the Nazi movement with scary parallels to modern day events. The question has often been asked how the Germans could allow this to happen and Haffner does an amazing job at describing how. Along with a controlled media, one method was to turn the volume of fear and intimidation one little almost imperceptible increment at the time. Most people just laughed at the antics of Hitler and his crowd in the beginning, but by the time that people caught on to the seriousness of the issue it was too late. By this time many secretly just hoped that it would go away like a bad dream, but history tells a different story.

The difference with this book is that it is told from a very human perspective from an ordinary German who was living through those times and who saw the transformation of German society and social interaction.

Along with this book I would recommend the movie V for Vendetta (Two-Disc Special Edition), and the book Political Ponerology (A Science on the Nature of Evil Adjusted for Political Purposes), which describes the process by which a society is taken over, and by what kind of people.

Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it. This book is an important book to read so as to be better able to read the warning signs before it is too late.

So far I've only gotten throught the first chapter. It's a dense amount of information, but it is incredibly well written and informative. No extra words just to take up space and get something into book format. It's definetly a text book. The first chapter gives you an extensive review of the human relationship with drugs since the beginning of time, and forty pages later, I feel enlightened and full of ideas. Incredibly insightful and well worth the price for someone with a deep interest in this field.

This is a wonderfully written book with lots of great information. However, I really dislike the newspaper column width of the text. It is very hard to read from such a thick book with this layout.

The item shipped quickly and was brand new as I was told. I am not impressed with the Study Guide, and the book itself is rather disjointed. It's hard to find the information within all the quotes from addicts. I would set it up so that the information came first and then the quotes would be placed at the end of the text in each section.

If you work in human services or if you're just interested in learning about substance abuse, this is the only book you'll need. This was my text in grad school and a decade after I'm still recommending it to clinicians.

The authors, Darryl Inaba and William Cohen do a great job of keeping this book very open and simple. They cover almost every drug (5th edition) which a counselor may run into when talking with his students. As a research or higher level order book though, this would not do as it is just too brief on most subjects to really get to know indepth pharmacology or pharmacodynamics on most of the psychoactive drug actions. There is a lot of history, and even a CD-ROM to help you familiarize yourself with many topics of addiction in a very short period of time. In some sections, there is some really good information on drugs I have not seen on the pharmacy shelves for at least 12 years. If you are someone who wants to quickly get to know the subject of psychoactive drugs, then I highly recommend this book for you. His vocabulary is such that it is easy to read, without too much of a serious tone-- and you will not even need a highliner to remember the facts. This book is packed with knowledge. Very enjoyable reading for a change, with lots of good and interesting photographs that make you think. You will enjoy this book, for it is written in a very unique format that makes you want to relax and just turn each page and learn. guyairey

In this new edition of THE AMERICANS, the publisher, Steidl seems to have taken every step necessary to maintain artistic integrity of Franks vision. Even going as far as having Frank supervise the new printing of the photographs used in the book. The paper used in the book is very high quality, perhaps even 'archival' grade. Of course, there is the Kerouac introduction that both rambles, amuses and enlightens. There is a small pamphlet included in the book briefly telling the background story of how this new edition came to life. While this pamphlet is basically an advertisement, it also provides the passing fan of Robert Frank with a greater knowledge of what Frank has done over the course of his life by listing other books and movies that Stiedl will be publishing in the future. Thoughtfully, museum dates are also given for those interested enough to travel to D.C., SF or, NYC for the 50th anniversary celebration and exhibition of the book. From Steidl, this is a fine book; from Frank, a work of art; and a labor of love from all involved.

This is one of the classic photographic books. I suggest that anyone with a hobby or serious interest in photography read this book.

I purchased this much heralded photo collection book after reading the review in Newsweek. Maybe I'm not artsy-sophisticated enough to understand the supposed power and humanness or whatever behind these photos. I just don't get them. For a much better look at people in general, look at the book The Life of Man, or even a book of Norman Rockwell paintings. Those books will give you a better idea of life from the 1920's to the 1970's, and the people. The only photo that did stand out to me was the cover photo of the bus. It's painful.

I am a photographer and one of my projects (google "LA MACHINE À HABITER Emir" in if you're curious) is directly related to street photography.
Robert Frank is one of my favorite photographers and it is a shame I did not have his "The Americans" in my posession till this very moment. It is a bible for me.
The book is printed very well, paper is exellent, no color shift on B&W images, solid binding. Great quality.
And the images, of course. If you like photography, you have to check it out. Highly recommended.

Quite simply this is one of the most influential photography books I have ever seen. For years purchasing this had eluded me and it's price had become quite high as well.
Am so glad to have this book out where I can open the plates and refresh myself with Robert Frank's seminal work. As Ed Ruscha quotes, The man has done it all and gone home.....

And so Asterix meets the Romans. This is the perfect place to start with the series, as it is the first book. Little idiosyncracies are evident. This was before the final forms of the characters were imagined, so you get some variance of what they look like. It's hard to put into words, but they're definitely different.

I don't think it's possible to overestimate how interesting and important this comic strip is. Not only is it extremely entertaining, it's interesting and well drawn. Also, if you care to read a little below the surface, many other things: scathing critique of expansionism, romans, and likely catholics. Also the chief of the Gauls is Vitalstatistix, a nod, I think, to Gamers everywhere. Plus... Here's more hidden meaning.. Put Gaul and Rome together, and what have you got? Game. Of course, the romans lose a certain amount of face... heh. Anyway, I'll add more when I think of it.

Every Asterix rules, doesn't matter which one, it rules!
These things are hilarious, has anyone ever read the French version?

Wonderful. what more can I say. You got to have it.

Thanks to the magic potion of the resident druid, Getafix, Asterix and Obelix triumphantly defend the borders of their village against Caesar's legions, to the legions' great dismay ("I hate those Gauls"). My personal favorite is "Asterix and Cleopatra" where they travel to Egypt to help Getafix's buddy Edifis win an architectural contest between Ceasar and Cleopatra. Oh, and the Sphinx's nose? Obelix did that.

In this graphic novel series there is great storytelling, superb drawing, awful puns, wonderful sound effects (yes, really), and sneakily, insidiously, while you're laughing, you're learning.

Asterix lives in the Gaulish part of the Roman Empire. Doesn't he? Not quite, his village resists the Romans thanks to a magic potion. The Romans want some of this potion for themselves...

"Asterix the Gaul" was the first Asterix comic, published in 1961. Rene Goscinny made the words and Albert Udzero did the pictures. It's a pretty good way to start the series though the sequel "Asterix and the Golden Sickle" (1962) sets up the vibe the other comics enjoy.

very detail description to learn correctly who the God of the Bible is.This book is for some body really interested in seeing more of God.

Pink gives an in depth look at who the Bible says God is. It is extremely Biblically based, with every page having numerous scripture references. It is important to know who the God of the Bible is. Most who profess belief in the God of the Bible think they know who that God is. Yet, if the god we have in our thoughts does not match the God as recorded in the Bible we are in error.

I went through this as a study with a group of women and it greatly influenced my knowledge of God and my prayer life as well. Every new & growing Christian should read this. There are way too many people with an inaccurate or low view of God, and this book biblically provides a very well-rounded description of His character and awesome attributes. There was so much I learned and although it is not a long book, there is a lot to chew on! Knowing God well is a crucial foundation for every Christian.

What a power-packed li'l book--concise, biblical, God-glorifying, no Ph.D. required, yet covering the most important topic in the universe: who God is, and what he is like. I've read tomes that don't present as much as Pink does in 5 pages, which is the average length of each chapter.

I love this short volume. So much has been packed in this 108 pages volume, yet it trumpets volumes. This work by Pink points directly to the Most High God and no other.

I highly recommend this power-pack volume. Five stars and counting!

Bloom is captivating, mind-blowing and a wonderful emotional read.

I have never read a novella so captivating, well rounded, fast, believable and daring...and when Lily said, "I'm going to love him like my life depended on it." I could have fell out of my chair.

Thanks Dom...for writing what love should be. Many people need to read and learn a great lesson...forget opinions and love freely.

Wow!

BLOOM by Linda Dominique Grosvenor is the second installment in the Cradle Robber series, a series that portrays loving relationships between older women and younger men.
Lily Manchester's husband, Barry Johnson, enlisted in the Army eleven years ago and never returned from his tour of duty. Since that time, Lily's poured herself into her floral shop, Bloom located in Bliss, North Carolina. That is until the day a very handsome delivery man, Alex James delivered more than flowers to Lily's flower shop. Instantly, they are attracted to each other, but Lily convinces herself that it could never work out between the two of them, mainly because of his age. She didn't want to be the talk of the town and risk losing everything that was important to her, mainly her reputation and her business
Despite Lily's objections, Alex boldly pursues her. As their love blossoms, Lily struggles with the disapproval of her mother's best friend, Mrs. Miller. Out of the blue, the ex-husband returns, which further complicates things. Will Lily give into love with Alex, or will she find herself thrust back into the familiarity of the past with her ex?
This was a romantic love story proving that age is nothing but a number. Lily shows us that sometimes it's okay to throw caution at the wind in our pursuit of happiness. Although BLOOM is a short read of only 125 pages, the characters were well developed and the story line was very engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed this installment in the Cradle Robber series and I look forward to reading the next installment, Class Act by T. C. Matthews.
Reviewed by Vanessa A. Johnson, Readincolor Reviewer

This story of Lily and Alex is short, but very sweet. Lily is the owner of Bloom, a floral shop that she started after her husband of 1 year left for the Armed Services and never looked back. After picking up the pieces of her life and starting a successful business, Lily is living the single life.

Until Alex, the new flower delivery guy walks into her shop and into her life. As is fitting for such a short book, the action starts quickly in the first few pages as Alex starts a bold pursuit of Lily. Not one to take no for an answer, things look like they may get off to a good romantic start, even though Lily has strong reservations about dating a younger man. Things are moving along well until Lily's ex, who has been gone for more than 11 years, comes back to town.

The story is good from page one until the conclusion.

Life in Bliss, North Carolina was anything but bliss for Lily Manchester the lovely but lonely owner of Bloom, who had been deserted by her husband years before. Seemingly, her only life passion was her flowers, that was until she met Alex James. Grosvenor handles this story with such delight. Definitely far from the ordinary romance. It was uplifting with its share of surprises. A definite must read for this summer.

BLOOM is the second book in the Cradle Robber series. This series embraces love between an older woman and a younger man.

Lily Manchester's husband enlisted in the Army eleven years ago and never returned. From the time of his departure, Lily's life and "love" has been her floral shop, Bloom. One day a very handsome delivery man, Alex James, delivers more than flowers to Lily's shop. There is an immediate attraction between the two, but Lily is determined to keep from being the "talk of the town." 

"We (women) weren't looked upon as savvy when we dipped below thirty. I didn't even want to think about what they would call me if I was ever caught up in a scandal liaison of any sort with Alex." [excerpt]

Despite Lily's fears, Alex boldly pursues her - determined to prove himself worthy and mature for his age. As their love "blooms" Lily struggles with the disapproval of a motherly, but nosy customer and the surprising return of her ex-husband.

This was a sweet love story proving that age is nothing but a number. Lily was at a stage in her life where it was time for a relationship - time to learn how to love again. Her fears were very real and the decision to be open-minded was a lesson for the readers about taking risks. It was a delight to read about a young man who truly pursued love rather than another sexual conquest. The author is to be commended for creating an extraordinary male character like Alex.

While BLOOM is a short read, the characters were well developed and readers will find the storyline to be engaging from the first page to the last.

The best part(s) of this book are the stitching techniques demonstrated right along with the sample quilt(s). You're able to see how the stitching will look as the quilt comes together. Beautifully done with excellent diagrams and photos. The historical information is also very good. A great book to have for your quilting repetoire.

Just received this book and it exceeds my expectations. Made my selection due to the reviews of this book and thanks to all for the comments because this is a great choice. I wanted a book that gives basic instruction on making crazy quilts plus some of the more frequently used stitches,and thats just what I got. Author gives 20 pages to show different stitches and their various possiblities on a project. Inspiring photos, and suggestions for applications of crazy quilt method. This has been a find for me, doubt anyone will be disappointed with this books and all it has to offer. enjoy.

I prefe the books by Judith Montano. This was well written and illustrated. It was for the beginner, ideas were limited.

In my opinion this is the BEST book out on making Crazy Quilts. I have four others but this is my favorite. You'll love it.

Good comprehensive book on crazy quilting -- from basic construction of crazy quilt blocks to stitch diagrams and materials suggestions. Also includes drawings of how stitches would be used in crazy quilt blocks.

I wanted to read this book for a number of years. For whatever reason, I was unable to purchase it. I read parts of it on line. It is meditation in words. There are few scriptures that have effected me so deeply.

This is an outstanding piece of academic work. The translator has done an excellent job helping the reader through the tremendous repetition of the Pali canon and has provided valuable indices, tables, pronunciation guides and introduction. It probably is not a work for beginners, but once you have some foundation and understanding of the Pali canon, this volume is one of three you must have.

the realistic theravadan buddhism . this is a very big book and you cannot finish it in a month ...-to enjoy this book you must intuitivly understand the spirit of buddhism .mahayana buddhism has supermen complex
they run before learning to walk .before you begin trying save the world save yourself .

I have spent this past summer studying at the monastery where Bhikkhu Bodhi resides. In my daily contact with him, listening to his lectures, and having one-on-one discussions about Buddhism, I must say that he is one of the most influential and authoritative figures on the Dharma.

This translation is top notch and very readable. I do suggest that one go on the web to find a reading guide to the suttas as they were arranged for ease of memorization by the monks and nuns, not in the logical order of the content.

This Nikaya (division of the Pali Canon) is coming straight from the source of the Dharma: the Buddha himself. If one has mastered the basics of Buddhism doctrine, then this book may be a suitable next step. Beginners may want to seek out other sources to give them a foundation first.

With Metta

-Here's another five-star vote for an excellent translation showing care and faithfulness. The Introduction is itself a wonderful introduction to Buddhist thought and concepts, and the footnotes and index are commendable. The author often advises the reader when some controversy exists in translation and how this was resolved. Reading such a fine translation can add tremendous depth to your practice, help refine your compassion and wisdom, and give you an irreplaceable understanding of Buddhism.
-Although many good modern authors have published books with their own interpretations of Buddhist teachings, nothing can speak to you like the originals (this is also a good way to think for yourself).
-The individual suttas are just about right for reading one per day (even one sutta per week would be a good goal). You can easily finish the book in less than a year, and have enough time left over to read the Introduction as well.
-This is an excellent work of scholarship and IMHO would be a useful addition to the library of anyone interested in Buddhism.

The finished models in this book are great, they are clearly identifiable species, not just generic fish, crabs, etc.
What really makes the book stand out, however, are the folding sequences. The steps flow with a natural rythm, and every tricky step is clearly explained. Because the authors have created unique bases for each model, the results of a given step are often pleasantly surprising.
I have a pile of origami books, and this is my favorite so far by a pretty wide margin. When I finish folding everything in it, I will probably fold them all again because they are so much fun.

This book is well written with easy to understand diagrams. The models range from easy to extremly hard, but most of the animals are high intermediate.Most of the diagrams are so specialized that they can't make other models from the base, but the end result is an elegant model that isn't bulky like other models of this difficulty. I have most of Montroll's and Lang's work,and this is one of the best.The deep sea angler fish is my favorite with a full set of teeth. The binding is breaking apart because I've used it so much. Overall this is a book with the best models!
(Watch the binding of the Dover books!)

This superb book contains an enormous range of origami models representing various forms of sea life. These range from sea urchins and starfish through to the Blackdevil Angler Fish and the almost impossible to fold Chambered Nautilus Shell. I have in my time folded most of the models and my favourites include the Angler Fish, Goldfish and the Murex shell which is wonderful in a textured foil.

Most of the models will require some folding experience, even the easier ones and the most difficult ones like the Atlantic Purple Sea Urchin and Blackdevil Angler Fish are really for experts only, but most folders of intermediate level and upwards will find something to enjoy. It is definitely a book which will help you to develop your folding skills but be sure to have plenty of paper on hand!

Each section includes an interesting introduction to the natural history of the life forms it is covering and the book is well laid out with clear computerised diagrams. It's an origami book I've come back to again and again over the years and which remains one of my treasures. I recommend it.

I've owned this book for a number of years and only recently have I been able to fold most of the creatures in it. This book is definitely not for greenhorns, but if you look closely at every single diagramme in the book, and interpret them exactly and are very careful, every model in the book is foldable. The end result is gorgeous paper sea creatures that can impress basically anyone--yourself included. I've been amazed at how beautiful the things I'm folding from this book turn out.

This is one of my favorite Origami books ever. If you are thinking about getting it you should. This book will appeal to any body, from beginner to advanced. I love the models in this book. It contains various models of many genera and cover many of the marine phylums such as variety of gastropods, cephalodops, crustaceans, and many fish from Angler Fish to sharks to Sun fish.

Pieces of Silver was a pleasant surprise. Usually when there are so many rave reviews, I'm disappointed but this wasn't the case here. It was a fast-paced, suspenseful, interesting, riveting story. I enjoyed reading about Liesel and her family. The author has an open, honest writing style that makes you feel like you know the characters and are a part of their lives. Liesel Bonner is a German American living and working in WWI America. She loses her job because she is a German- mostly, it seems, because her name is obviously not American. The government doesn't trust Germans, with some good reason- there are spies work amongst Americans who are trying to sabotage U.S war efforts. But Liesel is a determined, strong young woman who doesn't give up on herself and quickly finds a position elsewhere. She is courting her childhood sweetheart and family friend, Josef. He travels a lot for business and doesn't tell Liesel much about his job or discuss himself much at all. He obviously loves Liesel but his actions seem odd. But she soon meets another man, who despite her initial impression, she begins to depend on and like.

There is mystery, intrigue, suspense, history, and a sweet romance. Overall, Pieces of Silver is a wonderful story. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, Remember Me and excited to explore more of Ms. Lang's work.

It's a great story! Hard to put down until you're done ... and then you wish there was more. Solid Christian values as the foundation coupled with real life struggles involving loyalty, honesty, secrecy, friendship and of course, love.

I bought this book b/c of the good on-line reviews, and I wasn't disappointed. I really loved reading about the time period--World War I. We don't read about that period often in American literature. I knew very little about the prejudices against Germans at that time.
Lang delivers a very good story: strong plot; wonderful characters (great hero and heroine); and lots of well-researched historical background. Although there were technically two heroes, Lang early on gains sympathy for David--the outsider--the ultimate hero. Although initially she describes him as the less interesting one, he quickly wins the reader over with his integrity, sense of fairness, quiet sense of confidence coupled with humility...Well, you get the picture.
The story is really told through the heroine's eyes, a first generation American who is torn between the sympathy she has for her fellow German-Americans and her love for her country, America. She is put in an impossible situation, whether to help a lifelong friend or obey the law and prove her patriotism.
Great read, Maureen Lang!

Very good book. The fear of the American people, during the Great WAr, for anyone German, was interesting. Sad. And there were German/Americans who were very supportive of the American cause, and there were those who were not. Yet the supportive ones still weren't hired for certain jobs in this country.
I found the book to be realistic. It was hard to put down. It was interesting. Better than your typical Christian novel. True to life. Good book. Enjoyed it.

I liked the book, especially due to my German ancestry. However there were a few issues I had with it, most with regard to David de Serre & general character development.

The hero, David, never truly became real to me. For much of the book, he was nothing more than a shadowy threat to Liesel; one I knew in the end would win her heart. His supra-patriotism was at best irksome, though it certainly rings true from the time period. I don't feel he was nearly as well-developed as he could have been. I was left wondering why Liesel had fallen for him, other than the fact that he was the author-intended match. Towards the end of the book, the reader begins to gain a bit more insight into David, making him seem slightly more real. However, his sudden romantic interest in Liesel seems almost forced. Perhaps it was because I as the reader was not privy to nearly as many of David's thoughts & feelings as I was to Liesel's. Overall, though, when I think of David, I think of wood.

The interesting twist at the end of the story left me scratching my head a bit. Is there going to be a sequel? It seems the author so enjoyed the character of Josef, Liesel's "intended", that she couldn't bear to part with him entirely. (I can't blame her. There were times I preferred him to David.)

I enjoyed Liesel's character very much, however I felt like most of the character development was directed solely into her, ignoring the remaining array of characters who splashed across the pages. I really wanted to like David, love Liesel's family, & grieve Josef, but I couldn't. Instead, I was simply relieved that Liesel's life had finally calmed down by the end.

Most of the other reviewers really seem to like this book, which is why I purchased it. It fell short of my personal expectations, though. By the time it was over, I was exhausted, not inspired. I give it 4 stars anyway, because I just loved Liesel. She is a female character worth admiring.