Clausen Books

I've always appreciated the way Dr. Suess can speak to adults. This is a classic graduation book, and that's where I got my copy.

But it's still very much kid-friendly and just as inspirational to them as to anyone.

This is a story about chane and going for it, with a healthy dose of realism that reminds us that the world is not a fairy tale and that bad things will happen but that they are still no reason to give up.

The products on Amazon are amazing, however, the shipping cost are OUTRAGEOUS! That why I will not purchase fom Amazon again. I will now shop locally only.

I purchased two books for a total of about $25 and it cost $13 to ship! That is almost 50% shippping cost - which in OUTRAGEOUS!

This wonderful Dr. Seuss book is our favorite gift for graduates from High School. It is simple in its language, but very thoughtful in its message. It discusses successes as well as bumps in the road, which is a true picture of life. It is encouraging, and fun, the artwork is delightful. Read it from cover to cover, enjoy it, and think.

I bought a bunch of these as graduation gifts for high school kids. The book is yet another great Dr. Suess book and is a perfect book for any kind of grad (or just for a child to read too!).

I have given this book as a high school graduation gift for years. Its words of wisdom are inspirational, presented in a FUN way!

What looked at first like a publishing stunt managed, in the end, to bring the dark artistry of Stephen King to a new generation of readers while winning back some others who had drifted after his classic 1974-84 period. 1996's "The Green Mile" is not a great novel, but it has moments of greatness. King's power of sucking in readers is hardly dimmed by a monthly installment plan.

Paul Edgecombe is an old man living with some hard memories in a nightmarish nursing home. His memories revolve around his days as overseer of a penitentiary execution block, a.k.a. "The Green Mile", when a large yet docile convict named John Coffey came to pay for a heinous double murder. About the only thing Coffey can answer for is his name ("not spelled like the drink"), yet there's something in his manner, not to mention his actions as the story unspools, that suggests he is not the man he was judged to be.

I love Stephen King, but in a qualified way. He's one of America's best-ever storytellers, but he can get carried away with that highly charged imagination of his. Here, revisiting the prison milieu that spawned his classic "Rita Hayworth And The Shawshank Redemption", he keeps things in check with a largely quiet tale of human suffering and failings, of regret and longing, that draws you in by slow degrees to one of the best, and saddest, resolutions in the King canon. Not everything leading up to the end is great, but it's well worth reading, and in my case, re-reading, as I missed a lot of King's subtleties the first time round.

That John Coffey shares the same initials with another condemned man some two millenia ago is no accident, and in the dismal setting of a North Carolina prison King creates a deeply-detailed Calvary for modern readers. The guards, good sorts mostly like Edgecombe who we get to know well, find grim amusement in the practice sessions they run before each execution, suggesting a kind of bleak, practical existentialism. When strange things begin to happen, we are surprised, even if this is a King novel, because of his way of locking you into the everyday reality of the place.

Take for example a little mouse that wanders onto the Green Mile and befriends a sadsack convict. Before King is done, any reader worth his or her salt has lived and died several times over the fate of the little guy. The convict he befriends dies one of the most gruesome deaths in any King story, yet it is so powerful because it is so real-feeling, not because it's delivered by a possessed car or a rabid hound.

Coffey may be not entirely of this world, but he can feel its pain, more than most anyone else. "I'm tired of bein on the road, lonely as a robin in the rain" is how he puts it to Edgecombe. Is Coffey a gift from a loving Deity, or one of God's cruelest little jokes? Much of the power here comes from the way King doesn't say, right up to the end.

Each of the six books leaves you wanting more with an unresolved story arc. There's even a cleverly weaved framing story of old Edgecombe at the nursing home, where he tries to write his tale and finds himself confronted by an orderly with a strong resemblance to the least human guard at the long-ago Green Mile.

It does take a while, though, and the ending, while again quite wonderful and bracingly sad, does go on for a few pages more than it should. Perhaps I am just looking at it as a middle-aged guy who doesn't quite like its hard message of life's inevitable end. When I first read it, right when it came out, it left me entirely cold. Now I understand better what King was trying to say, about aging and how the road can feel so terribly long.

It's a long road getting through "Green Mile", but it stands up well, only gaining power and momentum as it drives on, fiercely and inexorably, to a grim yet satisfying end. I can't agree with those who place it at the top rank of King novels, but it is quite good, and very much worth your time, whether read in chunks or all at once.

One of King's best works. Fortunately I read the original version which, when introduced, came as 6 separate short stories. One released each month for 6 months. It's so good I would read one part then be on pins & needles waiting for the next part to come out the next month. Character description & the prison descriptions were excellent. As for who Mr. Coffey really is beyond his physical being, you can draw your own conclusion. The writing is excellent & to the point. No wasted mumble jumble. Pick it up & you won't be able to put it down

One of the things I hate most about some of Stephen King's novels is the lack of an ending. In the green mile you get one. This is one of his most well written books. He has a great way of making a reader fall in love with characters. In no way will you be dissapointed in this read. I still havent seen the movie because I appreciate the book so much.Hands down one of the King mans best books ever!

The setting of this story is very well real, the story is somewhat fabricated with the certain amount of magic in it, but the characters make this book great. King describes everyone in such great detail and the interaction between them as well. This makes this book truly feel real to the reader. I felt like I was transported to another time.

i am not going to say much about the story, but, to lay the groundwork........i am at 32 years of age i haven't read a novel in over 10 years. well that being said, i got back into reading books about 5 months ago and have been reading feverishly.......sadly, mostly recent best sellers and such, i.e. "da vinci code",.............

so when i was looking for something new at the store i passed by king's section and saw the "talisman", which i read in 8th grad (remember i am now 32), so i thought, maybe i should read that again since it's been so long.......

then i thought about other horror guys.......koontz......barker.....


then my eye caught the green mile, i never saw the movie, which i kicked myself for, so i thought what a great opportunity, read the book first!!!!!!!!!

well, well.............this was the best thing i ever picked up, not only did it remind me of why reading was so good for the mind and soul, but it really made a difference in my life. this is the sort of book that needs to be read in a 9th grade english class.....then every student writes a report on it, then everyone is rewarded with watching the movie over the course of the week.

thank you stephen king, thank you for making me remember how good a book can be, to read, to talk about, and to think about, then, look at your own life.

bravo

My mother is still narcissistic in virtually every relationship she has. I now recognize what it is about our relationship that leaves me empty. I no longer provide her narcissistic supply and I have established some clear boundaries with her. I can't change my childhood but I am aware of how it can affect me in my daily interactions and, armed with that knowledge, I have been able to be a better mother to my son.
I would definitely recommend the book to anyone who has to deal with a narcissistic family member; it doesn't necessarily have to be your parents. It could be a sibling, too.

This book was quite an eye opener for my husband and I. We actually read it together and was able to identify many of the issues addressed. We feel armed with the knowledge of what we are dealing with (as knowing is 1/2 the battle), but we are still uncertain as to how exactly to deal with the narcissitic parent/family system in certain situations. We plan to continue reading about this topic, discussing how best to be in control of our own actions/feelings, and moving foward past the narcissitic upbringing. This book was definitely the place to start.

The book was very imformative if you feel you come from the type of family written about

I have read this book recently and am amazed at how much it is helping me become a better person. The stories are amazing, the analysis is genius. I can't but help recommend this book for people who are interested in learning about themselves and how to improve themselves.

I always knew my mom could be awful and my dad was passive, and that our household wasn't normal. But because there was no obvious abuse - no alcoholism, no hitting - and my parents paid for sailing lessons and an Ivy League college - I thought my adult problems were unrelated. Even after two consecutive therapists labeled my mother a narcissist, I couldn't make the connection between my upbringing and my chronic depression, indeciveness, insatiable desire to please others...until I read this book.

It's not a "blame-your-parents-for-everything" tract. "The Narcissistic Family" simply illustrates dysfunctional behavior with examples, articulates the impact of that behavior on the individual child, and explains the reasons behind it.

For instance: you know that your mother's yelling at you for low grades was crummy, and that you weren't really lazy or inept. But did you know that by getting angry, she was making YOU the problem? The normal response would be to investigate tutoring or time management or a different coarse load. (The problem is the homework, not the child.)

In a narcissistic family, the other parent responds by calming the narcissist (in my case, mom). The child's actual problem is ignored. The parents, essentially, are focused on their own needs. Before reading the Pressmans, I was never able to make sense of my parent's generosity and attention with being made to feel like an incompetent when I couldn't finish my homework on time.

Even if the term "narcissist" sounds harsh, read the book. At worst, it will be interesting and won't apply to you. At best, it will give your life-altering perspective.

Every book has to end, I know that, but I felt cheated when I closed "Red Square". How dare Cruz Smith actually finish this thriller? How could he not have added a few more pages of his delicious and irresistible writing? Arkady Renko, the incorruptible and love-lorn Soviet detective, is on the trail of the people who killed one of his informants. He is also pining for the love of his life, who is now broadcasting pro-western propaganda to the fast-collapsing Communist empire from Munich (the action takes place in August 1991). As luck would have it, Renko ends up in Munich as he tracks the killers. The plotting in this novel isn't great -- there are too many coincidences and Renko does remarkably well in Germany, given it's his first time in the West and he speaks little German. The writing is addictive as ever and reaches new heights when Ranko is reunited with the object of his desires, who has a new man in her life. If you want to while away an absorbing few hours, I highly recommend this book.

I read this book twice. Still was confused, but as in his other novels, the author grabs you and puts you inside the protagonist's (Arkady Renko) head.
I think I will read this a third time. Even if I still don't understand it, I will greatly enjoy the ride.

Red Square blew my mind. What a great book. I find there is a lot of junk out there for the two genres I prefer: fantasy and crime drama. I was floored by Red Square - and had actually read it first. Kind of shows how great it is that I loved every moment and I had not even read Gorky Park or Polar Star yet (both darn good, too). Havana Bay followed and was good, but not as full and gripping as Red Square. wow. Truly a gift.

First published in 1992, _Red Square_ illustrates the complexities which have emerged as the Russians allow some private enterprise but have not yet become a democracy. Hardliners want to perpetuate their own way of life, while young people and the hungry proletariat want reform and their own piece of the pie. Arkady Renko, who has appeared in two previous Cruz Smith novels (Gorky Park and Polar Star), has returned to Moscow from exile and has resumed his job as a detective, this time investigating corruption and criminal fraud in the city as private enterprise takes illegal turns.

Rudy Rosen, who engages in money-changing, gambling, and other felonies, some of them involving citizens of foreign countries, is cooperating with Renko by allowing him to record conversations. Immediately after Renko leaves Rudy in his car, however, Rudy's car explodes, incinerating Rudy and a suitcase full of cash. As Renko investigates who might have killed Rudy, the complexity of this mystery parallels the complexities of a Russian society in which it's every man for himself in terms of financial transactions.

All the characters are at loose ends, wondering who they are and how they are perceived. Renko is just back from exile, the love of his life having defected to Germany years ago, and she believes that he has abandoned her. Rudy Rosen wants to have it both ways--to cooperate with Renko and to continue his shady dealings. The Chechens who appear in the story are blamed for everything that is violent or illegal, but they remember the horrors of mass relocation and the killings through which the Russians annihilated their villages and left them homeless. As the investigation of Rudy's death leads Renko from Moscow to Munich and Berlin (and to a meeting with Irina, his long lost love), Renko meets with other Russians who live abroad but still regard themselves as Russian.

Renko is a sad case--morose, love-starved, and without any reason for living--and as he tries to do what is right, his essential goodness comes through. As the case becomes an investigation of stolen paintings, many of them owned by Jews at the outbreak of World War II (and earlier), Renko's own superiors and the Russian Mafia abroad threaten his life. The body count rises and who-did-what-to-whom becomes confusing, but many readers will be focused on the character of Renko. As he tries to navigate the minefield of his own life, he resembles a modern version of some of the great Russian tragic heroes. This is not the most unified of the Renko mysteries, but it is fascinating, nevertheless. n Mary Whipple

Martin Cruz Smith is a former journalist and magazine editor. "Red Square" is his third novel - after " Gorky Park " and "Polar Star" - to feature Arkady Renko and was first published in 1992.

Renko, the hero, works as an Investigator with Moscow's militia - more or less the standard police force - and has something of a chequered career. Never a truly 'practising' member of the Party, Renko hasn't always been thought highly of by those in authority. He has always wanted to catch the people responsible for the crimes he's investigating, regardless of the 'political' consequences - as a result of this, he was once dismissed from the Party for a lack of 'political reliability' and sentenced to a life in Siberia. He also appears to be something of a disappointment to his father, a very famous ex-General. (Arkady's opinion of his father - who is very ill as the book opens - isn't too high, either). However, after the events outlined in "Polar Star", he was reinstated to his former position - but is now working in a new Moscow that he barely recognises. "Red Square" is largely set in Moscow, Munich and Berlin in 1991 and is set in turbulent times : Germany has been re-unified and the breakup of the USSR is closing in.

The book opens in August 1991, with Renko and his partner - an Estonian called Jaak Kuusnets - on their way to a meeting with Rudy Rosen. Although Rosen operates as a banker for the various factions of the Russian Mafia, he has agreed to Renko planting a transmitter in his car for the duration of a Mafia-sponsored illegal market. (This is largely due to the fact that the militia have enough to put Rosen away for a very long time). Despite turning informer, Rosen appears to feel relatively safe. The Chechen faction, headed up by Makhmud, constitutes his only real enemy, but - since all the factions require his services - he doesn't think he's under any real threat. His sense of security is reinforced by Mikhail Kim, his fearsome-looking Korean bodyguard, and his business partnership with Borya Gubenko - the head of the Long Pond Mafia. Unfortunately, shortly after a quiet conversation with Arkady at the market, Rudy is killed when his car goes up in flames - changing Renko's case from surveillance to a murder inquiry. One of the witnesses points the finger at Kim - and it seems clear the Korean was responsible for at least one of the two explosions.

Although Arkady works most closely with Jaak, there are a couple of other members on the team he has assembled. Polina deals with the forensic work and is nearly as dedicated to her job as Arkady Renko is to his. Minin, on the other hand, is practically the anti-Renko : he remains devoted to the Party and is, in fact, the only Party member on the team. Renko's boss is a man called Rodionov - the City Prosecutor and an elected member of the People's Congress. When Renko meets with Rodionov to inform him of the investigation's progress, he's also introduced to General Penyagin - the recently appointed head of CID. Unlike his predecessor, Penyagin is a bureaucrat - not a detective risen from the ranks. Renko is stunned to discover that the third person attending the meeting, Max Albov, is a journalist. As the investigation unfolds, developments take Renko far and wide - even to the recently reunited Germany. However, Albov proves to be someone Renko just can't avoid.

This is a hugely enjoyable book - in fact, the Renko series is just getting better and better as it goes along. The book is set in the USSR's dying days, a difficult time for all those used to playing the political game. As such, it's probably even more dangerous that it had been - especially for someone like Renko who only cared about catching the villain, rather than doing what was politically 'correct'. Highly recommended.

Big beautiful book. There's no index, nor no page numbers.
Type face is easy to read. Style of writing is easy to comprehend.
It's highly illustrated and the ideas cleverly presented.

I was expecting the usual fae-inspired absolute in-depth fluff, but was pleasantly surprised to discover that this book instead is an interesting anthology of life of the gnomes from hat to toe. Daily life from day to day through all seasons.

There's no definite storyline, but there are many stories scattered throughout. At the end of the book, strangely, it kept eluding to the fact that there may or may not have been gnome involvement. I never figured out why the authors wanted to add that bit of sentiment unless it was to protect their reputations. It doesn't matter to me if gnomes were involved or not.

I enjoyed reading the book. They covered most any aspect that one can think of in pondering the dynamics of existence of such a tiny being. I was especially impressed that there was very little fluff or magic in the telling about the gnomes.

This book would be an interesting addition to a nature folks fancier collection because of it's presentation of ideas for possible ways of survival of nature folks in the woodlands.
:)

Excellent resource items for collectors who have just started or are ole hats at it.

I Wasn't Quite Sure..What to do when I was in the company of gnomes but this book has helped me fit in. A tremendous help!

If there is a better book suited to bridge the gap between children and adults, then I have yet to see it. In this book, all aspects of the lives of gnomes are presented, from their physical attributes to the way they interact with nature. In between you will also learn about their economy, diet, their dwellings, social and family structures, how they court, and the games their children play and even the fact that the females are bosomy but do not need to wear a brassiere.
I "learned" a great deal from this book, for example I was unaware that there are six different types of gnomes. They are:

*) Woodland gnome
*) Dun gnome
*) Garden gnome
*) Farm gnome
*) House gnome
*) Siberian gnome

Illustrations accompany most of the descriptions; they are very well done, adding a great deal of charm to the book.
If you are looking for a way to amuse your children for hours, then read this book to them. It is a fascinating fantasy, presented in such a serious manner, it will make them believe that gnomes do in fact exist.

This delightful book has been a wonderful resource to my family over the years. It has charmed all six of my children when moping in bed because of sickness, and is now loaned out to grand-children. It doesn't sit on the shelves with the other books; and visitors invariably pick it up and flip through it - then need to have it torn from their grasp to come and sit up to table.

I think the most extraordinary thing about it is that it has no age range - it really is for anyone and everyone......

I have been wanting this book since it came out a year or so ago. It did NOT disappoint. There is so much in this book that doesn't come from the show. I remember writing a thesis on this show in college, stating that the website actually becomes a supplement to the show and by doing this, it actually pulls the viewer into the show, breaking the fourth wall. This book does that times two. Are the Sopranos based on actual people? Is it truth or fiction? By the time you get done reading this, you won't care. This is a must read.

A stellar examination of the past, present, and portents of "The Sopranos"! Wow! From the die-hard Soprano fans to all those interested schlumps, this book is the must-read needed on their bookself. An entertaining, voyeuristic, and compassionate look at the Sopranos' lives that mix reality and myth into a remarkable anthology of today's most famous mobster family. The show earned its Emmys and then some; the book compliments the show with its photos and commentary on what will become the most talked about series for years to come. In my opinion, there are only a handful of shows that truly deserve such an in-depth perspective as this one does- and this one hits the mark! Two enthusiastic thumbs up and a congratulations going toward the talented and witty writer, Allen Rucker, the only one who made this fantastic book possible for all Soprano aficionados to thoroughly enjoy. Rucker brings an unique standpoint to the Sopranos' family and lifestyle that I never knew existed. I hope he writes the next updated version! If not, "I have friends, you know!"

I loved this book. I poured over it so many times that I have just about worn it out. It has been like a Bible of sorts to me. Very interesting. Anyone who is a true Sopranoholic like I am will love this book. I just wish they would make an updated version of it. I am going to be so sorry to see the season end and just thinking about the series ending is too much for me to comprehend.

Think of this book as one big Soprano History/Dictionary/Vocabulary book and that is what you can expect. Worth every cent.

Great book to have if you are a die hard Soprano fan like myself. Gives you great insights on the Soprano family tree and it also gives Soprano fans a guide on things that you might have missed out on. Overall, a excellent book! Don't keep this book too far away when you're watching the show because it comes in handy

I'm a big Opera fan, and my grandmother bought me this book because she thought it was about great Italian singers. You can imagine my disappointment when I realized this book was about the characters from a TV show focusing on the Mafia. I don't have a TV, so I'd never seen the "Sopranos" show. Reading about something I had no knowledge of, or interest in, seemed dumb at first, but I had the book so I thought "What the heck! I'll read it". Once I started, I couldn't put it down. It is a very entertaining read, and I would recommend it to anyone, even people with no TVs like me, who enjoy a fun book. Highly Recommended! (Note: I have since seen the show at a friend's house, and frankly I must say I liked the book better than the progam.)

This book is intensely disturbing, gut-wrenching and horrific... That being said, it may sound cliche, but Jeremiah Denton provides an entirely new insight into what our servicemen have endured for our country -- what he went through will hit you hard. I dare anyone to read this book and not come away a changed person in some way...

I was impressed by Denton's horrifying experiences as a POW in Hanoi for 7+ years. He accurately describes the torture he and his fellow POWs experienced for several years before the tides of war slowly changed in the early '70s which lessened the tortures they were receiving. You, as a reader, are right there with Denton in his cell as he learns the tap codes and other methods of communication; how he is horribly punished and tortured for communicating and not cooperating. One has to ask oneself, "How would I have handled this situation?" To be locked in Alcatraz for several years in solitary confinement and wondering how to cope with it...what would YOU do?

I had seen the film of Denton's return in the movie, Dear America: Letters Home from Viet Nam and never really understood his horrible times in the Hanoi Hilton. Now, I do. A treasure of a read to add to any library. The only drawback...not enough maps to put his location in perspective.

Nevertheless, fascinating. In the words of his captors, "Shut mouth. Read book!"

This is one of the best books I've ever read. I have so much respect for Denton and the prisoners of war he was held in captivity with for over 7 years. It amazes me that anyone could survive within that environment. These soldiers helped each other survive under great distress -- even while many of them were in solitary confinement and their story is amazing. This book isn't just a recap of Denton's experience; it contains deeply thoughtful content throughout the book about love, patriotism, encouragement and more. There is much wisdom contained in this book. I learned a lot and highly recommend it to others.

Mr. Denton and his fellow POWs are the very definition of the the word hero. In this book, Mr. Denton tells the story of his 7+ years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam with grace, dignity, and courage. His great love for the United States and his pride in being an American are evident again and again. He endured unspeakable agony and conditions so horrible they are beyond my comprehension, yet he never wavered in his love for his country, his family, and his God. I am humbled and overwhelmed at the sacrifices this man (and many others) have made on my behalf. The despicable act of the California state "leadership" and Fabian Nunez in barring Mr. Denton from speaking before a California Assembly on Independence Day 2004 is reprehensible and disgusting.

Thank you, Mr. Denton! You deserve our undying gratitude.

Here is yet another first rate tale of an American P.O.W. in North Vietnam. The prisoner is Navy pilot Jeremiah Denton, who was based on the carrier "Independence". His A6 aircraft was shot down in July of 1965. Denton spent the following 8+ years in captivity until the general release in the Spring of 1973. The title refers to the torture "sessions" Denton and his colleagues suffered at the hands of their captors. This reviewer has read several P.O.W. accounts. While all are similar in that they demonstrate great bravery and perseverance in brutal situations, each is also unique: WHWS focuses on the military command structures that existed in prison despite rigorous Vietnamese efforts to stymie them. The senior military commanders/prisoners like Admiral Stockdale, Colonel Robinson Risner and others obviously possessed a tremendous pride and strove to imbue that pride in all P.O.Ws. Denton pulls few punches. It startled this observer to learn that not all prisoners always agreed with the "program" and not all P.O.W.s were the best of buddies behind the walls. The author stresses the ubiquitous "tap code" that allowed communication within the prison walls. There is even an introductory chart to tapping! Denton glosses over his 4(!) years in solitary and concentrates on the other 4 years he was free to "mingle" with his fellow Americans. There is a noticeable lack of venom and bitterness toward the North Vietnamese in the text. The reader may suspect that Denton has come to terms with his years in the Hanoi Hilton and other garden spots of the North. WHWS is rated 5 stars with only 2 minor demerits: One is the absence of ANY maps. Most war books gloss over maps but surely the publisher could have inserted one! The other weakness is the appallingly small type in my paperback edition. Those interested in Admiral/Senator Denton's story may wish to verify before purchase how the many available editions of WHWS handle these issues.

From Sea To Shining Sea is an excellent account of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Pacific Northwest It also describes most interestingly the participants and how they related to each other.

Great book for young and old readers. Good historical accuracy and action packed. Read it 15 years ago and have recommeneded it to others and now my 19 year old son is totally engrossed in it

I found this book in my mom's book shelf when I was 16 and never gave it back. The cover has fallen off and I lost most of the last page! It is exciting, colorful, sometimes funny, sometimes frightful but a great step into the history of the US through the eyes of a proud mother of 10!

This is truly a treasure. Even if you don't like history, you will find yourself wanting to know more after reading this book. It would be a great read, side by side, in an American history class. Students reading about the lives of people and how they were affected by each of those early events in our history would surely enjoy the class a lot more.

I wish it was printed in hardcover or large print.

This is an remarkable view of the early history of the forming and then growing United States through the experiences of several generations of the extraordinary Clark family. The story weaves together the real life experiences of this family showing the trials, challenges and rugged life in our western frontier as it moved from western Virginia into the the Ohio river valley and on to the vast region west of the Mississippi river that culminates in the Rogers & Clark expedition. If one enjoys early american history or an intense novel packed with drama, this is a book that will hold your attention.

I was fortunate enough to be a student in Dr. Trimble's American Liturature class at the University of Texas in 1989. Before I took his class, my writing was poor and insincere. I did not know how to use my own voice in my work.

After reading his book several times--and finally "getting it", I improved my writing significantly. I am a more successful person because of this book.

Thank you Dr. Trimble.

I've read a lot of books on writing over the years, so many that I've reserved a spot on the corner of my desk for the very best of them so I can refer to them every so often. Only a few books are in this pile: they are the special ones. And one of them is Trimble's book. I discovered it many years ago when it was in its first edition, and have held it in high esteem ever since. Not only does Trimble give you a lot of useful information, he does, indeed , do it "with style." I enjoy both the information and the way he presents it. He covers all aspects of writing, including grammar, and usually when I see a section on grammar in such a book I skip over it, but not in this case. Even it is a delight.

You can read the book very quickly(2-3h) because it is written with great style(Trimble applies what he tells you,which makes the book a very good example to what he says). The advice is very practical, even the chapter on punctuation is useful-very useful i would say. Reading it once was enough for me to start using more expresive punctuation. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve his writing,whatever he may wish to write.

ps:this is the first book on writing i read. it might be that some/much of the advice from this book can be found in other books on writing.however, i think it's good to read this book, because it is short and nicely written;in the end it is a good idea to rehearse some things,sometime

If you only have time and money for one book on writing, get this one. But if you want two books, get this one and "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White.

This book was a required text in a writing class I had as an undergraduate and I actually enjoyed reading it. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I kept my copy instead of selling it back to the bookstore as a used copy at the end of the semester and I've used it for a reference ever since. It often comes in handy when I run up against obstacles in getting a writing project done.

As someone else pointed out, it's not as in depth as some other writing books. It is infinitely more readable and enjoyable, though. I know "enjoyable" is not a word that academics like since there seems to be an attitude of "it's only good if it's painful."

This book shows that good style and enjoyment aren't mutually exclusive. In fact it advises to turn your views and resources to best account to produce writing you'll be proud of. It also gives much more practical and understandable advice for inexperienced writers than anything else I've read.

This book should be a required yearly read for academic writers everywhere. It seems that many have forgotten the reason that they're writing--to communicate effectively--not simply to show off and get a publication under their belt.

We ordered several paper backs of this series and then recieved the hard back in the mail. WE DID NOT ORDER THIS BOOK AND WOULD LIKE YOU TO PICK IT UP FROM OUR HOUSE AND CREDIT OUR CHARGE CARD.
Please let me know what to do #813-835-9192.

I have always enjoyed the adult series of Left Behind books. The kids books are just as good. The kids interact with the characters from the adult series, experience the same events, etc. However, since the main characters are teens, these books can appeal to younger readers. So far, the stories haven't had the ups and downs that the adult series has had. The adult series has books that are a lot more boring than others. The kids series seems to be good in every book. These are not for really young kids, but would be appropriate for young teens. I enjoy them and I am an adult.

My 12-year-old son just devours these books, and I'm so happy about it! There are too many negative influences in today's society, and these books are nothing but a positive influence, in my opinion. My son says that these books are bringing him closer to God. How many people can say that what entertains their child does that? My son actually puts the Game Cube down to read these books..and believe me, that's a miracle!

Yes, these books are from a Christian perspective, but even a non-Christian would enjoy the good reading.

The Underground is yet another perfect continuation of the Left Behind Kids series. Logging in as book #6, The Underground finds our four teen post-Rapture heroes unleashing the power of the printed page by way of an underground newspaper that proclaims the message of God's Word to their peers at a high school named after the Antichrist, Nicolae High, which was established in book #5. The kids encounter trouble at every turn, and as schol authorities and social officers relentlessly hunt them down, they struggle to reveal the Truth of God's message and the Truth behind the global disappearances of millions worldwide in which event each one of the four kids were left orphans. They boldly face one close call after another until one of them is captured by the agents of the Antichrist's newly formed regime . . .

The Underground ends with a cliffhanger, making the reader want to read the next book to see what happens and how or if the characters survive. The story is continued in book #7, in which installment the reader discovers how the character who is caught in #6 fares.

Mark Moore has it wrong. This book may be Christian, but it is not propaganda. It tells about something that I (and many other people) believe will happen.
Mark says that it is "ludicrous" to believe that the world would go into chaos if all the Christians disappeared. Yeah right! Let's see millions around the world disappear at the same time and withount warning and not have chaos.
I think Mark's accusations are what's ludicrous. "An evil religion perpetuated by zealous idiots"?!? Give me a break! Christians are as normal as anyone else.
In the Bible, the book of Revelation takes about "20 pages" because it only gives enough information to understand what is going on. These books are much longer because they put the situation into real life situations.

As for the quality of the book? A different reviewer mentioned this and I feel the same way. The time line is screwed up compared to the adult series. From what I remember, there WAS no Global Community before the treaty signing.
All of the kids series books that I have read are good, but not as good of quality as the adult books. I personally think that the authors lost some of their good writing style by continuing the adult series so long, and it is showing up in the kids series.