Clubs Books

I've read the Soldiers of Summer twice already.... Not because he's my father, but because it brings you back to a time when we weren't on the edge of fascism, and police did their job based on talent and skill instead of cameras and patriot acts.... A talented police officer, writer, and professional bodyguard tells a compelling story about life behind the badge... Beautifully written. It's a refreshing look at a time when Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Dio, Ozzy, and all the metal greats were about to rule the airwaves. A time when black was black and white was white... a time of national and cultural identity and strength.... As Joseph put it.... Before 9-11-2001....

The Soldiers Of Summer is one of the finest novels I have ever read. Mr. Phillips takes us on a journey that begins in the quite of a suburban morning and ends on a battlefield of wills and emotions in the upstate of Fort Drum, NY. Phillips' protagonists are five New York City police officers who believe their two week training duty for the Army Reserve will be like a vacation for them but upon arrival find out this is not the case. After getting chewed out by their Platoon Sergeant, James Corey, for being late, they encounter their commanding officer, Captain Lyle Longjohnson, a strange man wearing dark glasses at night and slapping a riding crop against his thigh as he speaks. Things go progressively downhill after that; late night guard duty, full work days that begin at dawn, and forced marches ensue, leaving them their only consolation, alcohol. They name their bivouac area Whiskey Hill and vow not to succumb to their Captain's willful attempts at trying to destroy them due to his mistaken belief they're trying to prevent him from getting a promotion to Major he covets.
However, along the way Phillips treats us to an insiders view of what the cop life in New York really entails and how alochol becomes an escape, much the way Joseph Wambaugh did in his novels about L.A. cops, a fraternity that has much in common no matter what coast you live on. Broken marriages due to infidelity abound but here you find out why they happened, as Phillips' emotionally bloodied protagonists forge their way to a conclusion that becomes inevitable if the reader has been paying attention.
As far as Mr. Phillips writing, it is smooth, easy and flows well allowing the reader to fully enjoy his gifted prose style much the way readers have enjoyed those noted few who came before him. Yes, Soldiers is a real literary find and a stunning achievement for someone the reading public knows little of but should know much about to give him his proper place in the American literary scene of today. GET THIS BOOK TODAY!!!!

What happens when a group of ordinary men find themselves in the middle of chaos, disorder, and violence? This is the question explored by author, Joseph L. Phillips, in his new book, THE SOLDIERS OF SUMMER. The main characters, Welles, Devlin, and Griffin, a group of New York City police officers, journey into the throes of chaos at a two-week summer camp for the Army Reserve. Mr. Phillip's offers his readers an intimate look into what "can" or "might" happen to a person and the choices growing out of such unexpected events. Set in 1978, THE SOLDIERS OF SUMMER, is a crazy beer-soaked romp that travels from New York to Canada and back again, skillfully incorporating the anti-war sentiment of Vietnam into the storyline. It mirrors the world in which we live as well as some people we would rather not meet! A poignant and disturbing look at the various sides of human behavior and character, THE SOLDIERS OF SUMMER is a novel intended to enlighten and challenge its readers, as well as to make them take a deeper look at the positive and negatives sides of humanity. The "good guys" head off to summer camp in good spirits, while trying to recover from hang-overs, in the comical opening scene. The characters are realistic and will be familiar to many as an old friend or the neighbor down the street. They are the "average guy", caught-up in his middle-age-years during the late 1970's. Phillips gives extensive background scenes on the characters, relating their mishaps and obstacles to past experiences in a way that aids the reader in understanding the complexity of the characters, their motivation and their goals. A good book for audiences who enjoy genre fiction novels of this nature, THE SOLDIERS OF SUMMER, is not without some problems. Mr. Phillip's presents an interesting, action-packed story, but he leaves the reader confused and distracted by some of the "telling" interspersed in the story. Elaborate sentence structure, and a seemingly "too literate" langauge from characters at certain points in the story, detract from the flow of action. However, Mr. Phillip's does an excellent job overall with the dialog and is most often real, true and vibrant. This brings the characters to life and creates clear personality traits and tendencies that the reader will recognize and identify with. There are some passages that leave the reader a little off-track and confused. Still, THE SOLDIERS OF SUMMER succeeds in its effort to tell a story about real people who must deal with situations unusual and foreign to them. The fact that these people are police officers simply makes the tale more intriguing. Even with its problems, THE SOLDIERS OF SUMMER is a vivid tale that engages the reader as it explores the harsher side of humanity. A good book for the "summer reader" to take along to the beach with them.

I have always been more the fan of literay works with emphasis on characters than the genre novels that seem to dominate today's market and in The Soldiers Of Summer I have found one. Mr. Phillips, a retired police officer, takes us on what could have been just another cop tale but this one has a twist. These men are members of the Army Reserve doing their two weeks summer camp during the summer of 1978. It should be a vacation but it turns out to be a nightmare they can only cope with by sequestering themselves into their own tight knit group where whiskey and their camaraderie becomes their only source of relief. They also have their own personal demons to deal with from problems on their job, lingering nightmares for some from the Vietnam War, to broken marriages and relationships that have made their lives a bitter pill to swallow. There are a few comedic interludes along the way, a weekend trip to Lake George that ends in a fight and a trip to Canada that goes awry. This novel has all the makings of a damn good movie also along the lines of The Last Detail, and if someone doesn't snap up the rights they're crazy. This is a great read with characters that will stay with you long after you've put it down, so don't let this one slip by.

I'll admit it, I've always liked books by ex-policemen about life in the cop shop and beyond. Joseph Wambaugh's Lines and Shadows is still one of my favorites. The Soldiers of Summer, however elevates the genre several steps beyond ordinary fiction and into the realm of literature. Joseph Phillips, who patroled the streets of New York in the 1970s and 1980s, in the pre-Guiliano wild days, paints a portrait of policing that is at once compassionate and compelling, with riveting characters who will remain in your head long after you put this book down. His prose style is short, sweet and to the point, enough so that Hemingway would be proud! Even if you're not an avid fan of cop books, this one's worth a read. Give it a try--you won't be sorry.

Peter Shandy, a botanical expert, is on a mission in Pickwance, to discover a mystery about some lupines that are growing in an area where they usually do not. All goes well until one night when a local man, Jasper Flodge, dies while eating his dinner at the same Inn Peter is staying at. Over the course of a few days the restaurant is a busy place; full of new characters discovering the past of Jasper; trying to unravel the mystery of his untimely demise. It takes another murder and a great deal of gossip before Peter and his wife, whom he called to come help solve this mystery, to settle the case. This book is one that is full of suspense and thrills. There are many mini-plots that run through it to tie the entire novel into a unimaginable conclusion. This is a must read; one of Charlotte's pieces.

This book is not only a great science fiction read which is full of suspense but it is also a touching love story. I am not normally a science fiction reader but I loved this book. The characters were real and well rounded. The suspense was great. I couldn't wait to turn each page. I look forward to a long and fruitful writing career from Mr Blaylock.

If you have come across this page, you had better read this book. I could not recomend a better one.

There is no getting this story out of my head. The best part is when the people Moo. Do yourself a favor and check this one out.

Loaded with celebrity fun... I was looking for something to touch on my gigglebox & this was it. I loved this wacky roller coaster story - complete with romance, time travel, celebrity appearances, coming of age, and the unearthing of the government's water conspiracy. I highly recommend this to all folks that need a little dose of humor, solid characters, and just an all around good story.

Stacey has a crush on his math teacher. she tries to work harder and she is the teaher's pet. When there is a dance, she turned down Sam's offer with them.

Stacey's student math teacher is a hunk and Stacey is in luv. To impress him, she worked twice as hard in math(her favourite subject) and got perfect grades and his approval, she would help him after class with organizing the classroom and at one point he dropped her off to a BSC meeting cause she was running late and she took those as signs that he was interested in her. She was so hopeful that she had written a beautiful poem for him and gave it to him but after that he started distancing himself from her and when she confronted him saying that she liked him, she burst into tears. She even turned down Kristy's brother Sam when he asked her to the Spring Dance because she was so sure she would go with her teacher, she went with her friends and had a couple fast dances with her teacher but then when she tried asking him to have a slow dance, he told her that she's a great girl but she's a student and he's way too old for her, and that he sees her nothing more than a brilliant student and great person, but in a nice way and stacey felt heartbroken. I can completely relate to her feelings of thinking she had a chance with him although it was very unlikely to happen. The way the book was written descriptively makes you feel like you are there with Stacey and could relate to her.

this book was extremely well written! Ann M Martin really went into detail and description about the setting and about stacey's feelings of love towards her student math teacher Wes. If you're in middle school and are crushing on someone, you can truly relate to stacey.

A really good book! Keep up the good work, Ms. Martin!

The season is spring, and wedding bells ring! At least, that's the thing that's on Stacey's mind. When a student teacher arrives at Stoneybrook Middle School and is going to be Stacey's subsitute math teacher, Stacey can't pay attention in class! Wes is cute, but he's 22! But then Stacey realizes that not every romance will work. Read this book!

In this book, Stacey has a crush on her twenty two year old teacher. She worked hard in math and even gave him a beautiful poem. She turned down Kristy's brother Sam who wanted to go with her to the Spring Dance. Instead, she wanted to go with the teacher. But the teacher said he was too old for Stacey.

John Sherman has really done it with this excellent book. Though some may find his sense of humor somewhat caustic (I happen to like it), this is an indispensable guide to all the major bouldering areas in the country. Make no mistake--this is not a "guide book"--you will find no route topos or maps of bouldering areas here (though there are maps TO bouldering areas). The text stays within the historical realm, and Sherman's knowledge of these places is revealed on every page. Of particular interest are his (and other's) memories of places like the Buttermilk boulders, which are presented in a light that precedes the mega-popularity that Bishop has attained in the last five years or so. And Sherman is not only a talented writer--he is also one of my favorite climbing photographers. Beautiful and tasteful prints illustrate almost every page. Well worth the money.

This book is fantastic. If you like bouldering and John Sherman's humorous tales you will enjoy this book.

The SOFT COVER BINDING FALLS APART after one or two openings. Of three people I know with the soft cover, all three have fallen apart. BUY THE HARD COVER VERSION!

Stone Crusade is THE book of bouldering and the history of the sport in the USA. John Sherman's witty and irreverent writing style and his artistic photographic skill capture the true feeling of the sport across the entire country. A guide book, history lesson, and entertainment all rolled into one. You will want to hit the road on your own Stone Crusade.

I have used this book many times to find bouldering areas. I have also found that it gets me to the boulders easier then the published guide. This book has a lot of great history on bouldering in the United States, the people who started it all and which areas they had the most influence on. It is like Rock And Road for bouldering only better.

It reads as a guidebook, a history, and as literature. Sherman writes with surprising grace and introspection about the sport. Nice profiles of the locals at different areas, too. And I was relieved to see no reference to the finest, and apparently still secret, problem at Carderock, MD.

35 years after reading this the first time, I found myself wanting to read all about Sue and her friends again. I have spent the last 32 years in nursing, and am still going strong in school as well as actual practice. The stories are fun, heartwarming and an excellent opportunity to re-visit the wonder of being new to the art of nursing. Great reading for a young person who thinks she (or he) might want to pursue a career in the hands and heart profession of Nursing.

I loved these books as a child, and 40 years later (30 of them, nursing) I still love them. The books are a fascinating time capsule of nursing in the 1930's through '50's. The surface of nursing has changed immensely, but the spirit of it is shown vividly in these stories: respectful, non-pitying caring for people in their crunch times. And on a third level, they're fine stories of growing up, in any age.

This is the first book in the series. It starts with Sue joining forces with her soon to be best friends Kit and Connie on a wonderful and some times frightening adventure in nursing school. This is the way nursing should be taught ......with the students living in the hospital having classes in the morning and working with patients part of day.
This book gives a delightful view of a bygone era. I highly reccomend this series for all ages.
An interesting bit of trivia......Helen Boylston was living with Laura Ingalls Wilder while writing some of the Sue Barton books. Helen and Rose Wilder were friends.

This is the first of the "Sue Barton" series. In this story, Sue enters nursing school. She meets two girls, Kit and Connie, who become her best friends. And during their first year there, Sue learns the techniques of nursing as she is gradually moved from one department to another in the course of her studies.

One running concern the student nurses have, is whether they will have the courage to risk their lives in a life-or-death emergency. Sue is especially doubtful about this. Then, one night she herself is rushed into surgery for an emergency appendectomy. Then, while recovering on the ward, she suddenly comes up against a delirious patient who is trying to escape from the hospital. Can Sue stop her --even if the situation puts Sue herself into danger?

This is a wonderful story. Having been first published in 1936, some of the dialogue is a little dated, but otherwise, the story moves quickly and builds to an exciting and logical climax. Highly recommended.

Sue B beats Cherry Ames hands down. Both are nursing series and I like them both but Sue Barton series includes character and plot development that the Ames books just don't have though they are amusing. Sue Barton is fully fleshed out character that you want to succeed.
This book is about her probationary year in which she has several exciting adventures that firmly awaken her to why she wants to be a nurse.

My first reaction to this book was, "650 pages to cover just one summer? I hope Konrath never writes a memoir!" I'm glad that first impressions weren't lasting, as the quasi-autobiographical novel really does not have much that could be cut out.

The story covers the summer of 1992 for John Conner, as he struggles with a painful breakup, the possibility of failing out of school, perpetual money troubles, and the challenges of picking up women via computer 10 years before it becomes trendy. Top it off with a diagnosed case of bipolar disorder, and you have a trying summer.

Although it helps to have lived in Bloomington to appreciate the precision of Konrath's descriptions, the book's deeper messages of alienation, struggle and coping with change make it appropriate for broader audiences.

Summer Rain is the obsessively detailed, fictional memoir of a type I bipolar living out a penniless summer in Bloomington, Indiana. The action takes place in the late pre-Internet era, probably a year away from the advent of Mosaic/Netscape Navigator, and much of the narrative sweep has to do with computers and early networking. John Conner, the narrator, lives mostly in his boiling imagination, creating a world of his own out of chaotic death metal, bottom-feeder jobs and meticulously described fast-food meals (you can feel the protagonist's hunger--will this be my last scrap of food until payday?). He yearns for the One True Love that he is certain exists somewhere. She does, but only in his fevered, pharmaceutically fueled dreams, tantalizingly out of reach. The most interesting parts of the novel are when Conner goes off the deep end of either depression or mania--shoved there by the girls who initially want him, then send him packing when they become overwhelmed by his intensity. This happens enough to keep the book percolating until it simmers to a close.

VAX, drugs, and rock n roll: John Conner's metaphorical rainy world of terror is rampant with uncooperative co-eds, cheap alcohol, bad food and death metal. Ever wondered what it's like to be stuck in a college town when there's barely a college in session? "Summer Rain" is a darkly humorous depiction of two long months in Bloomington, Indiana.

When I was in college, one of the big important books you were supposed to read was Coupland's _Generation X_. But the big secret was that I was never able to finish it; this was a source of guilt for years, until I came to terms with the fact that this book and this buzzword simply did not speak for me. Back then I'd found even the 80s minimalists more engaging. Well now this generation has come of age and grown and this book documents that sliver of time in the early 1990s when everything was so ripe and promising with the golden hue of youth. Who would be first to write about those early days of TCP/IP computer networks, university Internet access and Usenet that we all learned and lived through in college? Jon Konrath. He was there and that's what he wrote about in this first book of his, a big thick novel about heavy metal college radio and midwestern campus life at its Nineties slacker apex. It's honest, evocative, and funny as hell at times. You should buy it now in this first edition and greet him in the beginning of what is sure to be a long career.

Hi, I'm Jon Konrath, the author of Summer Rain, and I thought I'd thank everyone for reading these reviews and tell you a bit about the book. The story is based on the first summer I spent at Indiana University in 1992. John Conner is broke, flunking college, and just lost his girlfriend. He's living hand-to-mouth in a quiet college town, exploring the underworld of strange characters, slackerdom, and high-tech computers while trying to find love, money and happiness. It's a story about making the decision between a life of success and boredom versus a life of creativity and uncertainty, and would interest anyone who grew up in the early nineties or went to a college surrounded by cool people. I hope you check out the book, and visit my web site at rumored.com for more information on my writing. Thanks!

This book was interesting, but choppy. It is titled after Sanibel Island, which I know & love....we bought the book on Sanibel. However, it barely has anything to do with Sanibel. The setting is more in Holland,MI, Spain and Tarpon Key and a little bit in Captiva, which is right by Sanibel.

At times, it feels like a college student's writing. Other times, it's brilliant! I never got a sense of the character. She didn't feel 3-dimensional at all. What does she look like? Besides mentioning blonde hair, you just don't know. What values does she really have? What does she believe in her core? What are her parents like? They were in & out of the story so quickly.

Also, there are weird experiences such as tarot cards, ghosts directing her to dig up treasure, lighthouses shining (where there are no lights), etc....and it leaves a reader wondering if she'd dabbling in the demonic realm or something more Judeo/Christian-like such as angels....it's difficult to understand her story at this point. It's called a "fiction" book, but it's clearly based on her life.

I enjoyed the Spain section immensely. It felt real and true. Her boyfriend was interesting and well-described.

The Tarpon Key section seemed reallly bizarre. The characters and the references to the house "Mr. Too Faced" was hard for me to get past. I almost quit reading it because it was annoying for a few chapters.

But, I finished it & enjoyed it and would recommend it.

This is a terrific novel of a young woman making choices, setting goals, and being true to herself! In addition to that, Ms. Lemmon weaves in Vicki's coming to terms with her own morality and fears. I enjoyed the story tremendously because I just visited Sanibel Island this summer. The descriptions of the woman's thoughts as she makes decisions about her education,work, takes risks, and goes to Spain are so interesting. As the main character grows, her choices change, and she finds her own place in the world. It is great to see a novel where the woman becomes strong on her own without following a man around and letting him make her choices. This book is a gem!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The main character is a great combination of naive and insightful, which makes the reader feel like they are learning about life right along with her. This is a very clever way to educate the reader without making them feel like -they- are the ones getting educated.
I was also thinking that this would be a great Oprah Book of the Month. This is the type of book that should be read once a year to refresh oneýs perspective.

I was so struck by the parts of the book set in Spain! It vividly recalled my own experience as a student there, in 1972. The feelings, impressions, and reactions to so many Spanish ideas, ideals, and people were so similar. Christine has managed to capture the whole summer there so well. Her storytelling skills are exemplary -- kept my interest right to the end. I was sorry to say goodbye to the characters, as I closed the book. A roller coaster of emotions -- delightful!!

Christine Lemmon proves that a journey in grief does not have to be a tragic or morbid experience, yet it's something that all people need to do because death is a part of life -- there is no escaping it. What Christine shares with her readers are insights that come from facing death, greater knowledge of ourselves and internal spiritual growth -- and all of this with gentle and often delightful humor. This book is a candidate for Oprah's Book Club.

I was very happy with this book. It was very easy to understand and full of very interesting and helpful information. RDM from TexasTibetan Spaniel (Comprehensive Owner's Guide) (Comprehensive Owner's Guide)

This is an excellent book about Tibbies, and one of the few out there. Very helpful info, especially since it's breed specific. And the pictures are excellent.

This is a very comprehensive and easy to follow guide to owning a Tibetan Spaniel and I think it is excellent.

The material in this book was thorough and well-written, easily the best book we've come across on the subject of Tibby's. Very reasonably priced, too.

I love this book! I have one much-adored Tibetan Spaniel, and when I decided to get him four years ago, I went to great effort to get every book I could find anywhere, out of print or not. I wish this had been available then.

I love the pictures, but even better, all of the information is well-researched and breed-specific. A lot of dog breed books have a little bit about the breed and a lot that is generic - not this one. There's history, lifespan and health care information, grooming information, dietary specifications, dog care and training, and showing information, all of it well-illustrated with Tibbie pictures.

Ms. Cunliffe did a wonderful job on this book, and if you are thinking of getting a Tibbie, or already have one, this will be a great addition to your library.

I was expecting a set of books, instead of it being in one cover.(The picture is a bit misleading.) The writer is very complex and has a lot of relative symbolism. I enjoyed it, but it is hard to think of this set as "kid's books".

READ THESE BOOKS ADDICTIVELY IN 5TH GRADE AND LOVED THEM. HAVE PASSED THEM ONTO YOUNG READERS AS AN ADULT AND THEY CONTINUE TO BE LOVED NEARLY 40 YEARS LATER. A GREAT READ.

One of the series that I read as a young boy.....very captivating and entertaining the stories kept me glued to each and every book which I promptly finished after I started....little or no stopping with these books....one of those stories that'll stick with you.

I am trying to collect the books I loved as a youngster in hardback to pass along to my children. I received this one as a gift and was unaware of all four books combined under one cover. I love it! The books themselves are a wonderfully captivating read that employ your imagination... page-turners, all of them. Re-reading them has been as much a pleasure as reading them the first time around. I can't wait to read them to my children.

A Wrinkle Time was one of my first chapter books and I can still honestly say when I see my copy I want to pick it up and read it. I have read all of these books, multiple times and I love them all to death. If I could give these more than 5 stars I would. BUY THEM, not just for you but for generations yet to come.

Anyone moving to Tokyo will benefit from this book. In addition to great information on sight seeing, entertainment, and even outings with kids, there is also essential information on international schools, finding a doctor and other medical needs, introductions to neighborhoods where the typical expat lives, and more. I wish this book was available when I first moved to Tokyo. After more than 3 years here, I find this a great resource for making my life easier.

Anyone going to Tokyo needs to have this fact filled, interesting and fun book. A real life guide.

Tokyo Here and How is not only an easy-to-carry travel guide, it is a must have for anyone attempting to navigate the streets or subways of Tokyo. It is written without favor to the businesses and companies it highlights, so the reader is given accurate information about what is truly the best of Tokyo. This book gives the experienced Tokyolite as well as the novice travler to Tokyo, valuable information about how to navigate this city...from where to buy clothes that will fit, to how to take a bullet train out of the city, to the best places to take your kids for lunch that won't cost an arm and a leg! This book is packed with power, just like the remarkable women at the Tokyo American Club Women's Group who published it!

Moving to Japan is the first step in an incredible adventure and this book takes the questions out of visa issues, shopping, living and the best part: traveling. Filled with coupons, fun facts and more information than you could get from any seminar, relocation consultant or stack of books. This book has all the answers whether you will be in Japan for two weeks or two years. If only this had been written before I lived there!

A must have for any expat moving to or living in Tokyo! Lot's of great tips, that take a new arrival years to find. These ladies did their homework and were accurate and detailed. The coupons included with the book take you to some of the best "finds" in Tokyo!