Used Books

Henry Green loves chocolate and eats it at every meal. He even puts chocolate syrup on his mashed potatoes! One day, Henry finds himself covered with large, brown spots that taste like chocolate. At the hospital, he is diagnosed with "Chocolate Fever." The doctor, excited about all the fortune and fame that will come his way with the discovery of a new disease, forgets about his patient. Henry runs away and then his adventures REALLY begin.

Chocolate Fever
by
Robert Kimmel Smith


Chocolate Fever was a funny and interesting book about a boy named Henry Green who loved chocolate. He ate so much of it that he developed chocolate fever and got big, brown, chocolate spots all over him. The characters seemed real and I felt I knew each one because the author described them and their personalities so well.
My favorite character was Mac. Mac worked at a chocolate store where he became Henry's friend. He also drove a truck to deliver chocolate candy bars. He was caring because he helped Henry when he was in trouble and no one else would help him. Mac was black and there were very few black people so he got stared at a lot. When people were staring at Henry, Mac gave him good and helpful advice because he understood how Henry felt.
One of my favorite parts of the story was when Henry was in the nurse's office and his chocolate spots popped. It scared the nurse and she started screaming. Another funny part was when two thieves, Louie and Lefty, hijacked the truck. While Mac was listing the different kinds of chocolate the thieves were stealing instead of expensive furs, he had a funny laugh he repeated after each type. The way the author described Mac's laugh made me feel like I could almost hear him and it made me laugh out loud. The thieves took Mac and Henry to their hideout. There were lots of dogs outside that smelled Henry's chocolate spots so they invaded the thieves' hideout. They knocked down Louie and Lefty trying to get to Henry so they could lick his chocolate spots.
I liked the way the story ended and I think you will to. I would recommend this book to all children because it is very funny and kids love funny stories.

This was a required book for my son to read this summer. He and I enjoyed it tremondously.

Chocolate Fever is horrible because we don't know enough about the main character to like him and the book. Robert Kimmel Smith skipped a lot of big transitions. For example, the author didn't tell how Henry met Mac! Also, the story kept droning on and on. It should have stopped before the burglars arrived in the book
The characters and the setting did not always fit the story. The story has too many problems. It sets a bad example for children, such as running away and taking rides from strangers. The author tried to write a funny story in a serious tone. That is our theory of why Chocolate Fever is so bad.
Sincerely, The Picky Pickle reading group

I think Chocolate Fever deserves 4 stars because it was the funnies book I have ever read. Chocolate Fever is funny because Henry gets a diseases that gets him really embarassed and he gets himself in a lot of trouble. The reason I recumend this book to others because anyone can read it or give it to someone for a gift.

There is a lot I could say about a book this good but I'll stick with this short story. I was an avid reader in high school and this book was so hard to put down that I got in trouble for reading it while the teacher was talking. I know that sounds lame, but seriously, I just couldn't help finding out what was going to happen next. That doesn't happen very often...

From the first to the last this cycle is AWESOME! This one in particular really leaves the strongest impact of "What's going to happen next?" burning in your mind at the end so be sure to have the next one handy when you near the end because you won't be able to wait too long! Again I must say WARNING - this Cycle is addicting.

Fire Sea, the third of seven books in Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's Death Gate Cycle is just as good as the previous two, if not better. This entry in the series takes place in Abarrach, the Realm of Stone.

It starts out different from all the rest, with the first seven chapters being part of a diary from Balthazar, King Edward's necromancer. Soon, as Haplo is about to enter the Death Gate, Alfred (from Dragon Wing) drops in and goes with Haplo to Abarrach. They soon discover that the Sartan found here practice Necromancy, or the art of bringing back the dead. This is discovered much to Alfred's horror, as he cannot believe his race would do such a thing.

The book continues, with many conflicts and sub-conflicts rising up and making for a very dark and interesting read. We get to see inside Haplo, and we discover he is not all Sartan-hater we think he is. We also find that Haplo is not invincible and that Alfred is more powerful than we knew.

Fire Sea is an amazing book in the Death Gate Cycle, and I cannot wait to read Serpent Mage!

P.S: Be sure to read the appendicies...They're important!

In this sequel to Elven Star, Haplo moves on to the third of the four worlds created by the Sartan, Abarrach, the world of stone. But, Abarrach is a much different world than any Haplo has met so far. The mensch (humans, elves and dwarves) of this world are all dead, and the world is populated by a race of degenerate Sartan who are practicing necromancy. This is a dangerous world for a lone Patryn. And, to make matters worse, Haplo is beginning to suspect that there truly is a great evil lurking out there somewhere.

This is another excellent book, part three of one of the greatest series of fantasy books every written. I first read this book when it came out in 1991, and every few years I read it again - it's that good! I love books that include elves, dwarves and wizards, but this series takes that genre and moves it in a direction you might have never expected. I love the fascinating worlds that the authors created, and also the interesting characters and institutions that fill them.

Overall, I think that this is one of the greatest series of fantasy books, if not the greatest. I highly recommend this book, and the other six that make up the series. Believe me, they are well worth your time!

Fire Sea is book #3 of a seven book series. While the previous two volumes are quite good in themselves, this is the one that takes this series to a whole new level. I truly believe that Weis & Hickman did their best bit of writing as a team on this one book. The enviroment is so alive (in a dark sort of way).

"Gripping" is the word I would use to describe Fire Sea. I don't want to give away any spoliers, but believe me, the conflicts involved and the atmosphere itself will keep you turning pages for several hours. The storyline is very dark and morbid. The dead walk freely in Abarrach and the living are slowly dying off. The novel describes the struggle of the living as they try to survive a world that is killing them, just as they are unknowlingly killing themselves.

It is simply brilliant work, and I would freely recommend the book to anyone.

Although I love _Anne of the Island_ and _Anne of Windy Poplars_ even more, this is a great book. It's not quite as gooey as Green Gables, and the hijinks of Anne and her crowd, almost adults but not yet, are fun and interesting as windows to another age. I do wish, however, I could step in and take Gilbert for myself - like all heroines whose authors wish to write many more books, she takes so young to yield!

The Dover edition is, as always, a great price.

How could anyone sit and read this boring work of fiction. I am actually listening to the audio version and I am almost falling asleep and cannot remember a word the reader has said.
I am going to stick to the movie versions of Anne of Green Gables instead of reading the rest of the books. At least the movies keep your interest.

Even though L.M. Montgomery did not intend Anne of Green Gables to be a series, she still captivates with her eager readers in Anne of Avonlea.
There are still quite a few differences, Anne has grown from a "queer", fiery, young girl to a wiser, calmer, auburn-headed schoolteacher. Yes, a schoolteacher. Also, as we follow Anne in this Bildungsroman literature, the romance between her and Gilbert Blythe peeks through shyness and past misadventures in this novel.
Some people consider it a book not as interesting as the first, and perhaps this is because Anne is no longer a child and could not grow into a young woman with the same inexperienced attitude.
Altogether, my opinion of the book is that it was a good follow-up and I sympathize that it would be hard to make up such great a book as Anne of Green Gables.

I really enjoyed the first Anne book, but the second was a bit dull. It was still nice, but Anne and Gilbert's relationship doesn't go anywhere!!! So if you want to read an Anne book where it does, I strongly recommend Anne of the Island. I just didn't find this novel as capturing as I had hoped. Maybe it was too much description. I always have a problem with too much of that. While reading I had to keep skipping ahead to see when the next time Gilbert would even be mentioned!!! So like I said, it was okay.

The Book I read was by L.M. Montgomery. It is called Anne of Avonlea. This book is a realistic fiction.
This book is the second in a series of 8. It is about an adopted girl named Anne Shirley. She won a scholarship to Redmond College but when she finds out her adopted mother Marilla may go blind she stays behind. Anne starts teaching at a local school. Marilla's Relative dies and she adopts her two twins.
I loved this book. It was funny and cute. It kept me reading. I read the third one right after I finished it. I think that this book is appropriate for aged 10 and up.

I read this on a public bus in San Francisco, and try as I might, could not contain my laughter. I would try so hard to be quiet, with tears rolling down my face, and then finally have to burst out with a crazy guffaw. People literally were coming up to me begging to read a page because they needed a good laugh. I ended up passing the book around the bus and hearing little snorts of laughter follow it until it got back to me. What a fun ride! (*****)

[...]

I purchased my first copy of Couplehood in 1994, when the hardcover was released. My husband and I read it together. It is a light-hearted series of observations on living with another person--one you love dearly, yet can sometime drive you crazy. It always returns to the fact that you are in love, and that by allow you sense of humor to place things in perspective, marriage can be a wonderful state of being. His advice can be summed up as comparing marriage to an ongoing dance--sometimes your toes get stepped on. Although Reiser reflects on his heterosexual relationship, I believe the issues address can apply to any couple. Since my first read, this book has been a standard part of every wedding gift I've given. I'm sorry it is no longer available in hardcover.

I picked this book up off the floor in the woman's restroom of a Greyhound station in Lightville, Ohio. And while I've personally never found Paul Reiser to be funny -- I did find this courageous story to be laughable. What struck me most in this outlandish sci-fi story is that he claims that Helen Hunt is "talented." That is simply NOT true, Paul. Oh sure, you may have had your 7 years of inspired lunacy on Mad About You -- a program I will not soon forget -- but it was John Pankow who carried the show. I like John Pankow cause I saw him in a Long John Silver's in Chambourg, Illinois and he was gracious enough to sign an autograph and pose for a picture. I believe he had the clamwich and fries. I gave him my cell to maybe get together and get a drink some time, but he never called. Hey, I understand though. Being famous has a lot of demands!

This book was absolutely hilarious. Just about anyone would enjoy this, whether or not they are in a serious relationship. I don't think it's meant to give any deep advice or insight on relationships. It's just a great read for a whole lot of laughs. I often am reminded about some of his anecdotes and takes on normal daily activities as I go throughout my day. I also read Babyhood, thinking I'd love it since that's the stage of life I'm in right now, and it was okay, but Couplehood was better by a long shot.

This book is so funny you will want to buy it for all your happily married friends, single friends, divorced friends, gay friends, fighting married couple friends, your parents, your sisters, your brothers and any other friends/family you can think of just to spread the humor.

I liked "The Long Winter" because I liked the things Laura, Mary, Carrie and Grace did.

I didn't laugh as much as I did when reading the "Little House in the Big Woods". This book taught me about fall, spring and winter, but mostly about winter. There was maybe about 20 pages about spring.

In the winter they saw antelopes west of town, after they lived in the dugout, but only Mr. Foster got one.

This is a good book to read to learn about the whole country.

K age 5

In the short thirteen-years of her life, Laura Ingalls has seen a lot of tragedy and hardship. But now that her family has finally settled into De Smet, Laura believes things are looking up. They have a wonderful claim, where they reside in a claim shanty; they're close to town; and soon Laura and Carrie will be able to attend school. Laura can think of nothing to complain about except for the fact that Mary has lost her vision completely, and that, as a young lady, Laura is not longer permitted to indulge in such childish games as playing ball and roughhousing. Then the unthinkable happens, and everything changes.

Ma has never been happier. Finally she has convinced Pa to settle down in De Smet once and for all, where the children can attend school, and Laura can begin her training as a schoolteacher. No more lonely nights on the prairie, or treks all over the country. Finally they have a home. Laura is thrilled, as well. While she is unhappy with the mature changes she has had to make in her life, she can't help but feel thrilled to finally have a place to call home. Sure it's a flimsy claim shanty, but soon it will be a sprawling property just perfect to stay warm in during the winter. Besides, now that she will be able to further her education, she can think about sending Mary to college. While Laura isn't interested in becoming a schoolteacher, she can't help but think of how the money will help her family send Mary to college, so she buckles down to learn everything she possibly can. But just as school is starting up, a series of howling blizzards descend upon De Smet, and Laura's family is thrust into a serious new challenge that could test their faith. But the blizzards are just the start of it. When the supply trains stop running, the residents of De Smet find themselves starving, and running low on the items they need to make it through the harsh winter. It is only when Almanzo Wilder takes matters into his own hands, and sets out on a journey that will assist all the townspeople, that folks start to think positively. In the meantime, however, Laura will have to suck up all of her courage to help her family forge through the harsh new challenge at hand, and survive the harshest winter ever.

I thought BY THE SHORES OF SILVER LAKE was the most thrilling book in the LITTLE HOUSE series; but after reading THE LONG WINTER, I believe that I've changed my mind. Once more, Laura Ingalls Wilder has penned a magnificent addition to the series about her life. Laura seems so grown up within the pages of THE LONG WINTER. Her maturity level has simply soared, and the compassion she shows towards Mary, and helping her fulfill her dream of going to college is absolutely heartwarming. The newfound bond between her and the aging Carrie is also quite refreshing, showcasing the special love found only between siblings. I found the chapters about Almanzo and Royal Wilder to be a nice treat, as well. It was fun to get a glimpse into the world of these two life-loving brothers, and spy on their quarrels and humorous relationship. THE LONG WINTER manages to keep readers toasty warm!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

if you like reading books about animals and people who work hard to get what they want,then you will like this book. I like this story,personally, because it tells a story about a family caught in a blizzard with little food and no places to go to get food because there are no trains and there is hardly anything for them to do but wait. You should try this book because you will love the story about a family who is fighting to save their lives. I guarantee you will enjoy reading "The Long Winter".

This was given as a present to the Mumbulla School for Stiner Education. All the girls and one boy who have read it so far have told me that they loved the book. They are also asking to hire the other books in the searies that they havent read yet.

Wonderfull for ages 8-12yrs.

Of all the Little House books, this one seems to evoke the strongest emotions. Whether it's cold, hunger or just admiration for the family. This book is an experience and one that you'll remember long after you're done.

More than all of that, this is a book to listen to. From the beginning of the whir of the mowing machine to the singing on the last page, you hear this book. The blizzards howl and screech, threads sing together like music, voices of strangers in the street, the coffee mill grinds on endlessly. Pa loses his "voice" when his hands are too roughened by twisting hay to play the violin. Throughout all is the music made by singing, speaking and the routine of life, against the voices in the blizzard. Many times the family sang or recited in order to hear themselves and fight against the howling winds.

When I first read this book as a girl, I remembered the cold and how Laura had to twist that hay just to survive and stay warm. Now as an adult, I admire the family dynamics. Caroline and Charles always stayed positive and strong. They didn't argue, they only figured out a way to get them by. When the weather got any of the family down, someone else gave them courage. Laura really developed in this story as well. It was the first time that I could recall her using Ma's words, "alls well that ends well" after the slough incident. She showed more responsibility and discipline than she had to this point.

The story is simply told, not with big words but with a big view on life. The pacing keeps you turning pages, even without our modern day cliffhangers. The best part is this book is clean and portrays good values while not being preachy. I would recommend this to anyone of any age. Just make sure you snuggle before reading because when you're done, you'll feel as if you had gone through it as well.

The book arrived promptly and would have been considered a brand new book with the exception of a tear on the paper cover that had been taped. Otherwise, the book itself is perfect.

My husband has this book and we bought it for a friend who just retired and became a consultant. My husband thinks it is one of the best books on consulting that he's read.

Block's book has been around awhile, and was the first purchase I made as I contemplated moving into the "independent consultant" game. Block's straightforward approach to dealing with each phase of the consulting engagement, and his insights on handling difficult situations in the business have been invaluable to me. Eight years and many client engagements later, I still find myself referring to it often, both as a refresher and as an inspiration, and I've purchased literally dozens of copies to give to colleagues and clients alike. Truly a classic, and a "must have" for anyone who consults, or who hires consultants.

This was an amazing book from the standpoint that it identifies why recognizing your own biases and emotions is important to the consulting you do. I highly recommend it!

And it also one of my top 3 business problem solving books - and I've read a bunch of them.

I own and have read many books on management and project management, several on consulting specifically, and numerous books on problem solving and intelligence analysis. This is one of the few books I come back to, and it is definitely the one I come back to the most. It has the best information, it very well written, and it is a pleasure to read.

This book is the real deal. No silly platitudes or ideas, but a reality based approach and method. The issues in this book are the difference between success or failure as a consultant, and let me tell you a little secret......as a "manager" too.

This book assumes that you are already competent in your field of expertise. Beyond that, this is the stuff you won't learn in college or in most project management books, which emphasize "scheduling, monitoring and control" over commitment and cooperation, systems over people. Other books may tell you how important involvement, support and commitment are, but don't show you how to get it. I realize that Block makes a clear and proper distinction between consultant and manager, but I have worn both hats and can say without hesitation that an astute "manager" would find this book as valuable as a consultant.

Block gets at the heart of the matter. He deals with reality (people, politics, fear, resistance, etc.), not the ideal (whatever that may be), and he does this in a very positive manner. He tells you what to watch for, what it means, what is happening, how to respond. Some of his insights were truly eye opening; while others were things I knew, but not explicitly. Now I am consciously aware of them and use them more effectively. The questions and checklists he provides throughout the book are practically a book by themselves. They are very well designed and address the most important issues.

The few blasé reviews are most likely from people who are not actually in the position of a "consultant" as defined in this book. If you are not truly in this position, this book may appear a little too touchy-feely for your taste. If you work in a troubleshooting environment where the solution is usually a predetermined response to the diagnosis, this book will have limited value. However, if you work in an environment where you deal with organizational issues and problems that involve people and politics, this is the book you want.

I have seen perfectly capable and hard working engineers, contractors, consultants and managers go by the wayside because they were too aloof or did not understand their clients on the "affective" level. They thought their expertise alone would insure the acceptance of their ideas and secure their position with the client...it didn't.

I have stumbled into a few successes in my consulting career and can look back and see it is because I applied the concepts of this book - whether by design or accident. Conversely, I can also see some other situations where the application of these concepts would have been very useful.

Finally, this book is extremely well written and enjoyable to read. This is rare for many business and management books. He has an amazing way of getting to the root of every issue and expressing it in a most concise manner. Only on a few occasions does he use the jargon of the consulting profession, and even then it is perfectly appropriate. He does repeat some themes in this book, but he is showing you how and where those themes fit in with each step of the consulting process.

Again, this book is the real deal. He knows what he is talking about when it comes to organizations and the consulting process. There is no doubt you will be a much improved consultant or manager if you learn and apply the methods in the book.

...but entertaining enough. I listened to HMS on the daily commute. If, as Publishers Weekly reports, "The early entries in this series have aged badly because of the advances in technology," that's all I need to read to know that I won't be exploring earlier entries in the "Kidd" series. HMS hardly fictionalizes technology at the cutting edge. As techno-capers go, it's pretty lame. But the story is decently paced, and its characters sufficiently well drawn (for a book of the genre). Score HMS an OK distraction, nothing more.

Even though it may be the last Kidd Novel for John Sanford, it did make me pick up all the others and read them once again. with this story it doesn't paint much of the hero/criminal of Kidd. you do get the idea that he's a righteous criminal with an overwhelming conscience to make him do good. and even though the other books brought you up to speed on the characters, this one still lets you know where they stand. love the little romance Sanford writes in with Kidd and LuEllen, putting a little sexual fantasy in a story does add some spice. but when reading this book don't make the mistake that Kidd is some geeky hacker. he's been military trained and even though he's very computer savoy, he's also an artist, which humbles his character down a bit. John Sanford writes up Kidd as an interesting hero who you just want to read more into. atleast this was from my point of view.

With the death of Bobby and the whole world closing in on Kidd and LuEllen. This book gives me to believe that it is the final book in the Kidd Series, but the ending definitely leaves the door open for Kidd.

Both in character development and in plot, this is not up to Sandford's usual strength. Much of the plot limps along with inept episode after inept episode, while the finale, with mysterious black vigalentes pulled mysteriously out of nowhere, is simply implausible. All this is a pity since ome of the main points of the book can therefore be overlooked: No information kept of a computer that is linked directly or indirectly through a network to the internet is secure. It can be obtained for illicit purposes and can be manipulated by unauthorized people. All that is much more scary than the villain of this piece whose motives and personality are largely left blank. Sandford is an engaging write, but this is one to read only if you have already exhausted the large supply of better novels by him.

After reading 8 Prey novels by Sandford, I read the latest Kidd novel, The Hanged Man's Song, and enjoyed solid yet unremarkable effort by Sandford. Kidd, don't think his first name was ever mentioned, is a computer hacker who tries to find out what happened to "Bobby" when he is no longer online. Bobby is the ultimate hacker that has info that if it is in the wrong hands, could destroy many people including Kidd and his squeaze LuEllen.

This book draws on some past characters I was unfamiliar with, including John, a black man with a militant past that he too wants hidden. They find Bobby murdered in his home and know they can't call the authorities without bringing suspicion upon themselves. Kidd draws attention to the case in a unique way and then after that its up to Kidd, LuEllen and John to track down the most valuable thing in the world, Bobby's laptop computer. Bobby's computer contains enough hacked information to destroy the USA. Kidd must operate outside the law while at the sametime work with Senators and congressmen.

I enjoyed this book, but it didn't overwhelm me like the first Prey novel I read. Kidd seems a lot like Lucas Davenport to me. Sure, he doesn't know how to use a gun and isn't a good fighter, but he is smart and cunning and comes across as a man without much depth, or at least we are not given a history to sympathize with why Kidd is the way he is.

I have yet to read Sandord novel I didn't enjoy and will probably go back and read the first Kidd novel and then the rest of the series.

As we return to the story of Marty and his dog, Shiloh, we find that the town bully is starting to drink very heavily, endangering all with his drunk driving and careless hunting. The whole town gives up on Judd, keeping their distance and fearing him. That is, everyone but one eleven-year-old boy, Marty. Marty tries to understand Judd's loneliness, and he believes, rightly so, that, given a chance, even Judd can change. This inspiring book reminds us to find the good in all people.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys realistic fiction. This is my fourth book that I have read by Phyllis R. Naylor and I have got to hand it to her. She is an amazing writer. The best thing that all these books have in common is that each book has its own little lesson. Asking me if I would recommend this book is like asking me if I want one million dollars. This book is fun and enjoyable too!! The book Saving Shiloh was not a boring book at all and in fact, I that in every book of hers the most the most important features are always trust and loyalty!!

I thought this book was going to be about angelina jolie & brad pitt's kid.

Saving Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.
Imagine that your twelve years old. Your best friend has an imagination as big as the sky and thinks he's a detective. You're trying to help someone who is as stubborn as a mule but yet you don't give up on him. If you like stories like this you'll love this one.
The book is set in a little town called Friendly in West Virginia. The main character is a little boy named Marty. Who has a dog named Shiloh. He's had to work a long time to get witch probably have already read in the first book. He's trying to do anything to keep Judd's dogs from being mean. Then everyone in the counties trying to pin murder on him. Their blaming him for things that have been stolen out of some houses. And the only one who doesn't think it is him is marty. The best part of this book is you can be anyone and still make a big difference.
I would recommend this to anyone over the age of nine. This is a very good family book. For the parent to read to there child.

This is a great story, not only about a dog but about how people can change and good can overcome evil. It is the third of a series which really should be read in order starting with Shiloh. ( Ab 10 J.).then Shiloh Season - 2000 Kids' Picks. Marty decides to befriend Judd and help his other dogs too by putting up a fence so they don't have to be chained all the time and then Judd steps on his best hunting dog's paw while putting in a gate and dog bites his leg and won't let go. Judd kills dog and fells real bad. Judd ends up saving Shiloh after he jumps in the creek to save Marty's sister.

--Karen Arelttaz Zemek, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry"

This is a pretty good autobiography. Not a five star in my opinion as a 5 star book review leads to a timeless classic that will be read over and over again. Chuck Yeager is an interesting character one that probably doesn't get his full dues since the age of NASA.

Breakdown Review:
Storyline: 4 out of 5 It would have been good to hear some input from his children what they thought of their old man. I find it out that they had no commentary on the book.

Writing style: 4 out of 5 stars. The book is written well and in such a way as to make the book difficult to put down. Nothing creative or insightful into the writing style.

Depth: 3 out of 5 stars. It is fairly shallow in places.

Entertainment/Education value: 4 out of 5 stars. The writing is extremely biased and opinionated which would not make this a very good book for instructional purposes. If believe what is written there as being accurate, however, it is written in such a way as only to describe the facts from the eyes of Chuck despite the comments from his friends,wife, and co-workers.

This book is mostly entertaining, it may be interesting to compair it with other pilot biographies, but it is definitely more a bestseller than a history book.

Chuck Yeager's book was just fun to read. It is one of the books that I hated to put down once I started reading it.

Many of the reviews have called Chuck Yeager a hero. I believe that he is simple due to what he has accomplished through his military career. From humble beginnings in backwoods America to an enlisted man and then on to be a general. Yeager has shot down enemy planes in combat, been shot down and evaded being captured. He shot down a German jet fighter with a propeller drive fighter. Yeager shot down five enemy aircraft in one mission. He was the first person to break the sound barrier. He has flown most jet aircraft while in their testing phase where many pilots have died. I think that makes him a hero in that he took the risk of death over and over again while serving his country in peace and in war.

I have read a few reviews of the book that are unflattering. Maybe he had a racist background, maybe he didn't like people from India, maybe he was this or that. I never saw that in the book but I guess you can take out of it what you look for. Many great men in history both military and civilian were not perfect humans. Maybe Yeager was one of them but maybe he wasn't. This book is not about the Nobel Peace Prize, it is about a combat veteran and his exploits in the air.

If you are looking for a book an easy to read book of a true American experience that shows a man that faced death over and over while serving his country and lived to tell about it, then Yeager should be on your list.

Yeager: An Autobiography

His book starts with his early life in West Virginia where he learned many activities from his father, grandfather, and teachers that would be important throughout his lifetime. The book then picks up around 1940 when he became involved with military aircraft, with which he was involved until he retired after he became a one-star general and before he became a two-star general when he could no longer fly high-performance aircraft. He became the best pilot in the AF, ready for any eventuality with old or new aircraft. Their were many sections written by his superiors, friends and his wife. He knew many aircraft-oriented people including Bob Hoover, Pancho Barnes, and Jackie Cochran. Chuck and Glennis retired to Grass Vally, California. It took a while for Chuck to adapt but adapt he did.

This is an outstanding book on several levels. It is a compelling presentation of the development of supersonic jets and the race to break the sound barrior. It is also the story of perhaps the best pilot ever to fly a plane and the Alpha of all Alpha males. If you like the movie "The Right Stuff" then you should really enjoy the story behind one of the main story line of that movie.

That Camden Summer contains a vicious rape scene. I will never buy another book by this author. I do not read romance novels for violence. And to think she writes Harlequin romances!

This was a "romp", which I thoroughly enjoyed and hated to see it come to an end.

Description from the back of book:

The year is 1916. The place is a tiny New England village called Camden - where a newly divorced woman learns that love can be more special the second time around...

When free thinking divorcee Roberta Jewett returns to her hometown of Camden, Maine, she discovers that small-town folk consider a divorced woman little more that a prostitute. Condemned by her mother and scorned by neighbors, she nonetheless perseveres in her struggle to forge a good life for her little girls and herself. Behaving like no "respectable" woman would, she gets a job as a county nurse, learns to drive, and buys her very own Model T. Embittered by her painful marriage to an unfaithful husband, she has no intention of being any man's victim again. So when widowed carpenter Gabriel Farley begins work renovating her house, Roberta's first response to him is blatant resentment. But Gabriel's quiet, vibrant masculinity soon finds a way to soothe Roberta's heart.

And in the ultimate test of will and devotion, she must depend on the man she has grown to love and summon the courage to stand up to the entire town.

* This book was so great. I can't tell you how many times it brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't put it down & it's a definite keeper. The story is wonderful & sad at times but Roberta doesn't let the bad things overrule the life she's worked so hard to keep exciting for her girls. I don't see how anybody wouldn't love this book. I HIGHLY recommend.

I can't exactly pinpoint why I didn't LOVE this book. I guess it took a long time for me to start to like Roberta. I thought she was too abrasive at first to Gabe, who was sweet, strong and understanding (a trademark of Spencer's men it seems), but it was still a good story.

This was one of the "newer" novels from Ms. Spencer I read and I was a little hesitant because it was newer..But so far I have read this book TWICE and would read it again in a heartbeat. I always like writers who can pull a reader into the book or novel to the point you see yourself there. That is what happens with this one. I traveled back in time and lived with Roberta and the kids and laughed and cried with them. I would have to say the most enjoyable parts of the book were when Roberta wanted to buy a car (how scandalous!!) and her first driving lesson. This is a love story, but it is also an adventure. Buy this, you will enjoy it.