History Books

This is one of the better first-person accounts I've ever read. I highly, strongly recommend that you take the time to read it. It's well-written, relevant, and hard to put down.

A great day in an day out story about the war. No hype, no frills. Just the story of what the days were actually like for a foot soldier in WW II.

I had to read this book for a course on WWII. Neil does an excellent job of "putting you there" as the cliche goes. The complexities of battle, to the horrid conditions to the mindstate of men about to die are all covered well in this novel. Neill really does a good job of keeping the reader attached to the book, and helps bring to life something that many people have only read about in history text books. I recommend this novel to anyone interested in War in general, and of course in WWII.

George Neill presents a front line soldier's view of what it was like to be part of the WWII American infantry. While reading the book, I almost felt the cold and fear that were the soldier's constant companions. while the rear echelon soldiers got the winter boots, and the generals got heated quarters, Neill and his fellow soldiers tried to survive the cold, boredom and attacks. I felt like I was there. This book gets my very highet recommendation.

The ASTPer's were the brightest, most intelligent young citizen soldiers of their part of the World War II generation. Originally deferred from military service to be allowed to attend college, they were thrown into the battlefields of Europe when America needed bodies to make to final push to Berlin, just in time for the Battle of the Bulge. Infantry Soldier: Holding the Line at the Battle of the Bulge is an accurate account of the fighting and front-line conditions facing the common infantry rifleman during one of Europe's coldest winters. Neill not only served as one of these men, he has done the research and interviews needed to complete the picture, not just of the men on the ground who knew little beyond the events of their immediate foxhole, but events on the German side and U.S. Army rear echelon and high command decisions. Included is an excellent description of the destructive power of a German artillery barrage, and the problems encountered when supply lines are stretched and items desperately needed by the front-line soldier for survival are being diverted to rear-echelon personnel. Neill also takes an intelligent look at war in general, and the conclusion is that we should never forget the horrors and untold human suffering caused by war.

This is a real jem. Well written, fast paced, and a must read for visitors to Paris.
Prepeare to be rivited!

Bob McCallan

This is a very moving story of courage and heroism in the face of overwhelming odds. It is evident that the authors did alot of research on the story. It helps that they are both journalists by profession. One thing I would like to see is how the major players lives turned out since. Perhaps in the next edition. I bought the movie on DVD at the same time as this book. Reading the book adds so much to the movie watching experience as well.

The liberation of Paris was a coup de grace for the Allies. Paris did not suffer the fate of Berlin or Stalingrad, to name a few cities, in becoming a contested battleground. Nor, as the book pointed out, did the German commander follow Hitler's orders to destroy the city's major monuments, bridges, and other sites. It is interesting to note his actions in view of other German officers' claims that they were "only following orders".

However, this book is written by two journalists rather than historians, so it does not have the academic research nor analytical insight that a serious work might have. Cornelius Ryan comes closer to the style of writing that might have made this a heavier book. This is understandably difficult, in some ways, given the relative sparcity of combat and drama; or so this book would suggest. Again, a better writer and researcher would find more material to include.

Some material that might be considered, for example, are Allied intelligence estimates, Axis intelligence estimates, operational orders, etc. It is not clear to me, for example, how the German commander could fail to execute Hitler's orders in August 1944 when the Gestapo and SS were omni-present, especially after the failed July plot on Hitler's life.

Moreover, good research might show to what extent the Allies knew of Hitler's intentions. The Allies had significant intelligence capabilities, not the least through Ultra. And if they knew of the plans to destroy large parts of Paris, why didn't they send in commandos and special forces to disarm any explosives? Indeed, the French themselves seemed to put a higher priority on erecting road blocks rather than disarming explosives.

This is an easy, enjoyable read; and one of the few on the subject in English. However, it's about time someone else updated and added value to this book.

I just finished reading Is Paris Burning? by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre. The book is the fascinating tale of how Paris evaded the fate Hitler envisioned for it at the end of the Second World War. It's a complex tale, , with characters including Hitler and his staff in his bunker, the last German military governor in Paris and his staff, the French freedom fighters in Paris (both the Gaullists and the Communists), de Gaulle himself, Eisenhower and Bradley and the various other members of the Allied command structure, the Swedish ambassador in Paris, and common people, in the armed forces and in the streets of Paris. The title is drawn from a question Hitler asked, when he found out that Allied troops were approaching Paris.

The tale starts with the uprising in Paris, and ends just after its liberation is celebrated in the streets. Hitler had hand-picked the last military governor of Paris, based upon his reputation from attacks against Rotterdam and Sevastapol, and he had the task of holding back the Allies at Paris, or, failing that, reducing Paris to ruins, much like Warsaw had recently suffered. The Allies had every intention of bypassing Paris and moving onwards, but the freedom fighters in Paris knew the Allies were nearby, and hoped to push things to their advantage. All of these things should have spelt disaster for the City of Lights, but opportunity and stubborn resistance and collusion and soldier's honour led to a different outcome.

The authors tell a spellbinding tale, based upon much research. My copy is a used copy, and dates back to the mid-1960s (bought it on amazon, used). There are a great deal of photos, documenting scenes from throughout the story. The authors, in my opinion, did a commendable job, and I would recommend this book to those interested in Paris, or in the Second World War.

This book accomplishes what many "popular" history treatments do not, in that it leaves the reader much more enlightened on its topic (at least capable of actively contributing to any cocktail party conversation on the topic) without requiring the reader to have had a lot of background on the subject first. This is not a comprehensive, academic-style study of the German occupation and surrender of Paris; rather, it reads like a collection of anecdotes and vignettes (mixed with generally known facts about the events) that weave together to present a reasonably clear picture of what sounds like a fascinating time. You don't have to know a lot about the war, Paris, or military strategy to enjoy and benefit from this book. Another comment: This made the liberation of Paris sound like the world's greatest celebration, and leaves one feeling sorry to have missed it.

This is an excellant book by an author who best describes the feelings of this amazing film.
The book has a great mixture of photoes I have never seen before and also, a lot of interesting stories about the cast and and the making of the film.
I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who loves the film( Its a wonderfull life) and my praise to the author in writing something that I know both my family and myself will read and read again.
A great buy

If you love "It's a Wonderful Life" (and who doesn't?), then you'll LOVE this book! I was stunned to learn about what happened to the cast and where the Bailey kids are today and what they look like in more recent years. No other book offers the pure nostalgia factor like this one. The author gives us some amazing details about deleted scenes, as well as photographs that have surfaced showing these rare behind-the-scenes glimpses into scenes that never made the final cut. I loved the photo of Henry Travers (Clarence the Angel) in full color, not long before he died. What a treat this book is!! And the special message from Jimmy Stewart at the beginning of the book is pure magic! If you are a fan of this film, you won't be disappointed! This book is the perfect gift for any friends who love the movie, too. I've already ordered several and am giving them out this holiday!

Cox's "It's a Wonderful Life: A Memory Book" is an excellent addition to the movie buff's collection, and to fans of this exceptional film. The book is packed with stunning photographs (many never seen before), interesting tid-bits about the making-of, backstory on not only the fine performances of James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore, but the character actors that helped make Capra's touching film so memorable and the holiday favorite it has become--almost 60 years later. It is well-researched and richly-written. This is a perfect gift year-round for any reason. It is one of Cox's best!

I have to admit that I wasn't much of an "It's a Wonderful Life" fan....until now. I had the pleasure of meeting Karolyn Grimes (little ZuZu Bailey) recently. She is such a warm and lovely person and spoke of IAWL with such passion that I bought the DVD the next night and watched it with new eyes. Now I'm hooked.

I was so delighted to find this book, to learn even more about this classic movie. After reading the book, I had to watch the DVD again.

Even if you're just a casual viewer of the movie, you'll still love this book. It's incredibly well-researched and jam-packed with beautiful photographs. Stephen Cox has a way with words. You feel like you're sitting with an old friend. His books are like comfort-food for the mind!

There are plenty of surprises in this book. You'll read what director Frank Capra and the players themselves have to say about making "It's a Wonderful Life," and you'll discover some interesting names among those who were almost cast. You'll also learn that some of the film's legends are true, while others are not. For example, while it is true that Carl Switzer (Alfalfa from the "Our Gang" comedies) was the rascal who opened the gym floor exposing the swimming pool beneath, it is NOT true that muppets Bert and Ernie were named as an homage to Bert the cop and Ernie the cab driver -- that's just a coincidence. In spite of the book's rather crowded layout and lackluster production, if you love "It's a Wonderful Life" and/or if you collect IAWL memorabilia, you'll want to have this book.

This is one of the bases for the movie "Wonderland" but reading this book will creep you out on J.M.Barrie. You might never really like Peter Pan again. Author had access to his papers, letter, diaries etc. Very weird stuff.

I read this book over 15 years ago in an attempt to find out who the author of Peter Pan really was, and what his life was like. It was not a pleasant or easy read. I wanted to forget all about it and just have the enchantment of "Peter Pan," but as with the real life of the author and photographer of "Alice in Wonderland," the truth can wound deeply. But lies and half-truths can never reveal the relationship between biography and art, so one must often face much disturbing information in order to understand the art itself. This is not to say that art is reducible to biography; it is not. There is, nevertheless, a kind of dialectic (God, I do hate to sound so gawdawful jargony, but when it so plain, other words just do not work) between the life of a genius and the art of the same individual. The truth of art can only come from the struggle between an artist's vision and the life that made such a vision a necessity. Yes, a necessity: there are those artists whose lives were so fraught with sheer catastrophe that revelation through a skewed fantasy can be so powerful as to take on a "life" of its own. And this is why it is so grievous to "paint-over" the unpleasant details of such a life. There was a recent film with an appropriately disturbing title: in the attempt to not really "find" Neverland in Barrie's life, the art itself is drained of its truly tragic roots. At the time such "nice" little fantasies are presented, they seem so harmless, but they are not. Successful attempts to eradicate truth can also eradicate the depth of the art itself. "Neverland" is a word that begs a little attention: a land where children "never grow up." This is not to say that they physically die - no - instead they live their lives, as did Barrie, in a desolate, lifeless, and desperately lonely "land" and try, from within their internal isolation, to bring others along for the rides to nowhere and "never." Where else could such a person bring another? If one lives in "Neverland" of the mind, there is nowhere else to lead another - nowhere else to go. And if we do not face unpleasant truths as they are revealed in the crucible where life and art meet, we learn nothing further from the art. It is better, actually, to know nothing of an artist's life than to be fed untruths. I would suggest the readers either read this book and/or see Peter Pan, but would urge them *not* to see Peter Pan after experiencing a false represenation - no matter how "well-performed" the falsehood is presented. The play or story would be meaningless. The truths, whatever you choose to make of them are here in this book, like it or not. And once the genie is out of the bottle (such as when you have been fed a disingenuous Hollywood film or other disingenuous account), to refrain from the truths of an artist's life is a violation of the art. No one can any longer understand or be truly moved by Peter Pan, much less try to interpret it based upon a sugar-coated Hollywood paint-job. And the effect goes on: if other artists were inspired by Barrie's work (perhaps because it touched the nerves of their own catastrophic lives), and all we have is a candy-coated film, their art and whatever in their lives might have inpired their interest in Barrie's work is also distorted. I do not know if truth sets anyone "free," but I do know that untruths distort and harm. And then the distortion goes on . . . This book cuts deep, but struggles for truths, which is what a biography of an artistic genius should try very hard to do.

I found this book to be a well-researched and moving account of not only Barrie's life but also the lives and deaths of the original "Lost Boys". After reading this book, I read Peter Pan again in a whole new light and enjoyed it even more. I think reading this book is essential in order to fully appreciate the entire Peter Pan experience as it truly helps to bring the characters alive.

Having found this little book before the advent of the film "Finding Neverland" I was able to read it originally without comparing it to the film, always a good thing. The film, of course, changed much of the true story as films usually do. This book standing alone as far better, but note, it is not a happy story with a happy ending, it is a tragedy, and no one is left unscathed.
The photographs, almost all, were taken by Barrie himself, and are absolutely wonderful. He had a natural artistic sense, and his unposed photos of the five Llewelyn Davies boys, Michael, George, Peter, Jack, and Nico at their play, stay with you. They are dressed in the Edwardian clothes of the time, or in costumes they wore in the elaborate make-believe games they played with their childlike grownup friend Mr Barrie, and those are truly memorable in themselves. Often they are playing with J.M. Barrie's large dog, and one can't help but think of the big dog, Nanna, in Peter Pan, it's acutally quite eerie, seeing that the play "Peter Pan" itself wouldn't be written yet for years.
J.M. Barrie came from a lower class Scottish family, and in childhood lost an older brother to illness. His mother took to her bed griefstricken, for a long period, and once, trying to cheer her, young Barrie put on the older brother's clothes and went to see his mother. For just a moment she thought it was the older brother, and he seemed to see happiness in her eyes; for all his life, the message stayed with him, the boy who would never grow up was the loved boy.
He was a strange, brilliant, gentle, childlike man. Highly regarded in his own time, considered a great playwright, equivilent to George Barnard Shaw in his day; and very prosperous due to his books and plays, married, but childless, and probably not very happy in his marriage which would end in divorce, one day in Kensington Park he saw one of the five young Llewelyn Davies brothers. They struck up a friendship, based on Barrie being quite willing to talk to a child on the child's level. Soon after, he met the rest of the family, who were impressed to meet the famous playwright. Their family was also upper class, well to do, but would soon lose their father to cancer, they would thenceforth be in precarious financial straits. Barrie immediately became a combination father/ big brother to the boys. He also became close friends with their mother Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, but not, I suspect, to the degree the movie implies. It was all about the boys, their innocence, and something he wished to capture and hold on to. His obsessive photography of them makes that clear.
Tragedy struck again, unbelievably, when their mother died of cancer as well, at a young age, after a relatively brief illness. By then Barrie was such a part of their lives that his continued influence, and the benefit of his money in seeing to it that all five boys finished school in the manner befitting their "class", was accepted by the boys' extended family. He stayed involved in all their lives indefinitely, though it is interesting that he had his favorites, and the two who were not favorites resented and disliked him as they grew older.
The book stops with the boys' growing up, though he did stay involved with them as a surrogate parent. Tragedy did hound the family, but unlike some reviewers I am not sure that it can be blamed on JM Barrie's role in their lives. In fact, without him, financially they would have far worse off.
It is true the boy named Peter resented that the play was named "Peter Pan", and of course he was teased at school, and Barrie probably should have thought of that. (Of course without Barrie he most likely wouldn't have been at Eton to be teased.)
Two footnotes: all the proceeds of the play went to the Children's Hospital in London for 100 years, until recently with the 100 years anniversary, the copyright ran out, and now it is in the public domain. No proceeds of his biggest success ever went to Barrie.
Also, the girl's name: "Wendy", was first used in the play. It was an unknown name before that. Barrie used it in memory of a young daughter of a friend who was named Wendy, and who died at age 5. (Not known where that family got the name from, or if it was a nickname.) It was not a name known previously and "Peter Pan" popularized it.
Its an excellent book, an opening via the photographs into another long-gone time, a sad story, but not I believe, due to Barrie. I believe he meant well, and tried his best to be a friend to that unfortunate family. He had his demons as do we all, but to "love" children, in that era, to befriend them, and even play with them when they were pre-teens, could still occur without any implication of perversity; and even to sleep with a child, the concern of one reviewer, was, at the end of the Victorian world, seen as a pure and innocent act, like a parent and child might sleep together...I think it is hard for us in our cynical age to see things as the late Victorians/Edwardians did. No whisper of scandal or of anything improper ever came from any of the five boys, their family, servants, or anyone else connected with them; and I think had there been it certainly would have come to light. I believe he truly loved the boys, and they in turn, after he knew them several years, and had observed their play and their natural talk and style, influenced him to write his masterpiece "Peter Pan".

Prompted by the movie "Finding Neverland" I wanted to learn more about the Davies family and their relationship with Barrie. My research lead me to this book. The tragic story of the boys and Barrie was an eye opening read. Birkin is an artful weaver of ancedotes, interviews and history. While I was reading the book I got lost.I started feeling like I was an intimate friend of the families, instead of curious observer. Furthermore, Birkin's website has been updated with more pictures and media files. The website coupled with the book really saturates you into the life of the 5 boys and the mindof the man who loved them very much. A beautiful account of a flawed and tragic life.

Book review :JOURNEY TO THE EAST. MaryAnn and BiJon Sarma, ISBN 1-55212-755-9. Trafford Publishing Canada.

A Review
"(The novel's) focus hovers over the decadence of western civilization and comparison of it with the eastern one" "In the novel the story is set in a society some eight hundred and fifty years ahead of the twenty-first century. The society where the story of the novel takes place is a western one - full of riches and luxuries. The novelist sees the society from a very logical viewpoint. The present socio-familial milieu of the west compels the writer to design their future society in such a one where there is nothing like family - no one is a father, or mother, or a child of any other one as Gloria the protagonist says 'I do not have a father, mother or any family' (14). All the womenfolk of the country are of three categories having cards A for 'Available on payment', or M for 'Motherhood' or F for 'Free-lance Woman' as our Gloria is.

'Womb-hiring' is a profession in this country which Gloria accepts repeatedly, though in this hazardous task the final payment from the men's part comes after the DNA test is done. The narrator of Journey to the East Ms. Gloria Sullivan's baby also fails to pass the DNA test which is a common activity of 'the would be fathers to be certain about the genetic inheritance'(5)and with the anti-pathetic incident the novel opens 'I am a natural born child, I belong to no one and no one belongs to me' (34) is Gloria's princpal hollowness for which she can easily say ' I did not have any love or affection for the children' (23) or 'In my case, the only attraction to become a mother was money' (23) because 'of all the jobs a woman can do in our society child bearing is the most profitable' (18). But in her third time of lending the womb the mother springs in her up; she falls in a relationship which may be termed as love and she agrees to marry Mr. Thomas, the father of her third child - though marriage is a millennium old custom in Gloria-Thomas's society.

There are very few significant characters in Journey to the East - along with Gloria. Thomas is the most vital one who originates the inspiration and encouragement in Gloria's life. They both meet the lash 'If such is the reality then what is the point of living in this world ? What great purpose would my existence serve in this world ? What new experience do I still expect to have in the future year ?'(61)and everyone will agree that there are pivotal questions that every human being faces and fights and at last enjoys to spread to the next generation. These questions have placed them in the philosophical query of themselves: why and how their socoety been so and thus the analytical episode on the social and cultural history (though fictitious, as it is of future; but predictable) of the west befalls on the novel.
The main points that generate long discussions are about women's liberation; western sexual behavior like sodomy, lesbianism etc., abolition of marriage and family etc. Journey to the East imagined by the author, is a warning for the west that is rushing to the havoc.

The reviewer expected "(The novelists) are on the verge of acclamation in sub-continental English novels, in addition to their buoyant appearance as novelist writing in English in Bangladesh which is mostly barren in giving birth creative English writers".

Mr. Subrata Kumar Das
Lecturer of English in Bangladesh
Rifles College, Dhaka

...One friend of my husband sent him a book from New York. Since he does get time to read he gifted me the book. It is the novel, JOURNEY TO THE EAST by MaryAnn and BiJon Sarma... I am not a good reader and believe me, I had a lot of trouble finish the book. From the simple English used in it, I had little doubt it was written by Bangalee writers. The story however is not that interesting, I mean to say, the type we normally expect from the western novels. There is no horror, sex, imaginary machines and robots. On the other hand it narrates a sad story.

There are numerous men around, but a young girl have absolutely no one. It is a story of thousand years ahead, when there is no relative because, there exists no family because there is no marriage. The writers disclose, the capitalists have ruined families such that they can hire individual person at less pay, such that the people cannot form resistance and for many other reasons. The government joined hands with them, because they know, the govt. is going to enjoy people's wealth after their death (who would inherit their properties ?). All seems so natural. Only a few weeks ago I came to know, Canada is going to introduce marriage between same sexes. In their novel the writers have mentioned of this possibility. Well, the Canadian government has given their explanation and some may find those logical. But after I finished reading this novel I am convinced to believe, the government is now approaching to that marriage-less, family-less goal for their obvious benefit.

Before our hero and heroine initiated their journey to the east the novel has made us to have our journey to the east. By our journey we come to know a lot about Indian culture and civilization. With my university degree I was aware of many of these information. But the way some of those have been presented in this novel have given me new insight. As a Muslim woman I have always hated the phallus worship and I still do. But after I came to know the logic why they worshipped phallus, I was amazed. Now I can no more hate them for their most logical (even though savage by today's consideration) act.

I am not a professional book reviewer (I am a house-wife) and I don't know how to write a review. My husband wanted me to write `how I liked it' such that he could send it to his friend. And I just expressed what and how I felt after I went through the book.

Thank you.
Mrs. Mahmuda Begum
Banani, Dhaka.

Book : Review : JOURNEY TO THE EAST
Authors : MaryAnn and BiJon Sarma
Publisher : Trafford Publishing.
Page : 269, ...

Few months ago I finished MaryAnn et al's novel "Journey to the east". Even though I liked it, I had little intention to write a review. But after I heard today's TV news that a gay Bishop has been elected in one US church, I changed my mind. In this novel the authors have mentioned that the society in the west was (or will be) gone to hell by 2800 AD, and they explained how. At that time I considered as painful 'exaggeration' or 'bizarre imagination'. But now I know, the authors are the best 'future tellers' of this age. In the "Journey to the east" on Page 67, Thomas the hero says "Gloria, ... know one interesting thing ? When law permitted the marriage between the same sexes, men preferred to marry men rather than women". Why ? The authors mentioned "there was a rule that no husband could exercise his right over his wife's body without her consent". In case there was a violation the wife could ask for divorce and compensation. What was the outcome of this excellent rule ? The authors says like, whenever a man would get a big sum of money, say in a lottery, the wife would come close at night, in the morning she would complain in the court and then would depart with the handsome compensation. The males grew disgusted and as soon as the above rule was introduced they started marrying males as a protest. In this novel, the authors have mentioned this one as one of the root-causes of failure of marriage system in the west.

Dear MaryAnn and BiJon Sarma, with due apology I tell you, with your excellent power of imagination you could rightly imagine what could happen in Canada. As fulfillment of your imagination the Canadian government is going to introduce marriage between the same sexes. But then I humbly say, you have so miserably failed to imagine what could happen in the USA in reality. Today (Aug. 03, 2003) the US people have been blessed to elect a 'homo-sexual' as bishop of their church. Even though you have tried your best to portrait their character as the worst, the reality surpassed your imagination by many folds. Their bishop are of that character, what to say of the common men ? And now I tell you, you are wrong when you say, their society would go to dogs by 2800. I can assure you they are going to reach there much earlier, may be within 2100. In my 35-year age, I only hope if I could live till then to see their condition.

Sreemoti Ranibala Gupta
Howrah, Kolkata.

Book review :JOURNEY TO THE EAST. MaryAnn and BiJon Sarma, ISBN 1-55212-755-9. Trafford Publishing Canada.

Quoted from the novel : "I was supposed to receive another five thousand ...... after the DNA test is done" Gloria (P-05). That indicate Gloria the heroine lives on womb-hiring in 2851 AD. In their society there is no marriage, no family and no relative. So a young girl has to earn livelihood by renting womb and the novel starts with the chapter "They take my child". In chapter II and III ("My Life" and "Indecision) Gloria describes how a `natural-born' (natural-born means born in the process in which animals are born in nature) girl like her entered in this profession. Chapter IV (Women's Liberation) tells us how, in the name of liberating women from the oppression of the husbands the women's liberation brought an end to marriage and family. In the following chapter (The Liberated Women) Gloria describes how the so-called `liberated' women lived lives much worse than whores. The question remains, why did the women's liberation organization did the blunder ? Ch. VI and VII (My First Child & Mother Again) Gloria describes the pains of a lady, having no relative, but numerous exploiters around. The story takes a new turn when Gloria fell sick (Ch. VIII, I Suffer From Ailments) and had to ask for help from the father of her last child, even though the contract was over. Thomas, the nice behaved gentleman agrees to help and through discussion they look at what happened in the past, say twenty or twenty first century (Ch. IX, We Look Back). Even in that hellish society Gloria and Thomas pass nice days with a child (Ch. X, My Days With The Baby) and Gloria's heart hanker for love (Ch. XI, I Want To Live). In the following two chapters (My Childhood & Sarita And Her Marriage) Gloria remembers story of the savage marriage in India and considers that even to have been preferable. After she got at hand a kind and considerate gentleman like Thomas Gloria got the courage to think of marriage (Ch. XIV The Mirage Of Marriage). The following two chapters (The Lost Story Of Culture & The Family) they discuss who conspired to break families and why. Their first attempt to marry failed (Ch. XVII, The Journey Of Frustration). They realize how the species, who at times were man turned to mere machines (Ch. XVIII, Man and Machine). After the ruin of family new father and mother appeared in the society (Ch. XIX and XIIX, New parent - The father, The mother). Needless to mention they are the Capitalists and the Government respectively. The couple still cannot forget the dream of marriage (Ch. XXI In Quest of Love) and they look at the `Distant Civilization' (Ch. XXII). Naturally the discussion how the concept of God initiated there, how it was developed and what was its latest form (Ch. XXIII, Civilization) and how things happened in the west (Ch. XXIV, People in the West) did not miss their attention. They even attempted to marry in the `religious way' (Ch. XXV, Religion, at Last) and failed (Ch. XXVII, Frustration Again). In chapter XXVI on "Cultural aggression" they learnt how the west continued its aggression on the culture of the east.

One may kindly note, we, the Indians are now experiencing this aggression. Thomas and Gloria say, to their fortune the attempts of the west to capture the east failed. It may be interesting for the readers find out how and why the writers say, the western aggression could not succeed here. In the following chapter (World Conference on Culture) Thomas and Gloria learns how the great attempt to define Culture was foiled by due to the interference by the capitalists. But then the couple were more concerned with their own program and planned for a journey to the east (Journey Again). Their journey began in the last chapter, Ch. XXX (Beginning of the Journey) when, (Quoted) "The ship blew the long whistle, that was the final signal declaring her departure. Like us she was now free from all bondage. ... There was a thin line between the port and the ship. ... it slowly widened ... .. we could see red patches, swirling, whirling, and reshaping the water. ... we looked up and found the source. The red sun was rising .... in the east, as it always did. Against the sky and in our minds they (port etc.) were fading in every moment. What was getting brighter was the sun and a dream, a dream of a family, a family of loving father, an all-enduring mother, a husband, a wife and their son. ... That is the story of our JOURNEY TO THE EAST".

The above lines are the concluding ones from the novel. I am aware of the ever-decaying state of family and marriage in the west and by now we know who are doing all these. We also feel, the same conspirators are in action in our country also. When I was reading this novel for the sole purpose of writing a review, I forgot that objective. I could not forget one thing, how to foil the conspiracy of those evil forces. (Instead of circling around criticism, the novel carried away my mind to this immensely important issue. I believe this is the admirable success of this novel). I cannot forget the issue. If we can foil their conspiracy, then and then only it will be possible for Gloria's and Thomas's to make their great journey. On that day shall we wait in the harbor to greet them ? Or, ourselves turn into those productive machines of the capitalists ?

I find absolutely no reason why the Indian readers won't like this novel.

Professor Joy Goswami.
Tullygunge, Kolkata, India.

...The more I read the more I was astonished, because it was a novel difficult for the ordinary readers. By reading it one may not achieve what they say "reading pleasure". Even though there is a skeletal story, the message of the novel surpasses the story. It is in fact a message, a warning for the people of the contemporary society. In the present-day world we find the multi-national companies to do all sorts of activities harmful for the common men. They have already purchased the mouths of the small countries with money. They are taking away the learning, the ethics, the systems that we gained through toiling efforts of thousand of years. They are teaching us to turn to beast for 'earning money'. Due to their preaching we find people to do all sorts of things including killing for money. It is due to them that our society has been saturated with culprits and rapists. The writers of this novel have mentioned, the capitalists are behind these multi-national companies.

In an allegorical form the writers have explained how this powerful group are disintegrating our families, destroying marriage system, destroying all the sacred relations between fellow human being, all in their own heinous interest. I know as soon as the capitalists would come to realize what this novel intends the common men to know, they would endeavor their best to make it out of circulation. Even though the book is allegorical in nature, does not give reading pleasure, to some extent monotonous and quite hard to understand, I know any person who read the book from the first page to the last one would get the message it intends to convey. Well, the people of the west may not be worried to lose their cultural earnings (which is negligible), but we the Indians find ample reasons to be afraid of losing our hard-earned culture due to conspiracy of their capitalists. their is no reason to compare ourselves with the people who elect a gay person as bishop in their church.

I am thankful to the above writers for their excellent book.

Dr. Jagonmoy Halder
Jadavpur, Kolkata.

I absolutely LOVE these series. I'm now reading them for the 4th time. I love how Lund breaks down the parables and teachings of Christ to make them easier to understand. I also love the historical accuracy. He brings you into the story as if you really are there. I highly recommend these books!

This book is amazing. It has truly enlightened me as to the true nature of Jesus Christ. On one hand, He seems very conservative, but on the other, He seems so liberal! What a paradox. Lund does a fantastic job of capturing just how complex our Lord is, but how loving and accepting He is, too. Truly, He is a higher form of life, and that essence is easily portrayed in the story. There is also a very interesting fictional plot unfolding all around Jesus with the story's main characters who are the Jews and Gentiles that chose to follow Him during His earthly ministry (some fictional, some historical). If you've ever wished you could get into a time-machine and go back to the time of Christ and see Him for yourself, this book will help you vividly paint this dream in your imagination better than anything else. Plus, you'll get schooled in the biblical Gospel that Jesus taught without feeling that it's preachy. It's just Jesus. Like Him, the author invites people of all religions, beliefs, and unbeliefs to partake of his words. There's nothing to fear. Jesus is SO cool, you'll definitely feel that way afterwards if you don't already!

I have heard people say that the story of Jesus is the greatest story ever told, but have wondered how that could be when I found the New Testament so difficult to understand when reading straight from beginning to end. Now having finished this series of books I add my vote that the story of Jesus Christ is really the greatest story ever told.

Upon finishing I have felt driven to explore the New Testament again. I recently purchased a version of the New Testament which attempts a chronological harmony of the four gospels. I am amazed at how closely Lund's series shadows the chronological harmony version of the King James Version of the New Testament. Lund's work has helped me attain a level of clarity regarding the Savior's ministry that I didn't even know I was missing. Lund also did a great job in helping me understand which characters in the book are really from the New Testament, and where he was favoring certain scriptural interpretations over others. The chapter endnotes were fantastic!

Having now finished the whole series that this book belongs to I realize that without the historical insights that Lund provides into the political, social, and cultural setting of the people who lived in that area of the world at that time, I would not fully understand the life and mission of Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. For me this series is now the standard for all other historical fiction that attempts to represent the ministry of Jesus Christ, or the origins of Christianity.

I am not much of a reader. In fact, this is the first novel I have read in about 30 years. (I never seem to have the time)

Boy, did I ever pick a winner on this one!

It immediately immerses you into the lives of a Roman soldier, a Galilean family, a Pharisee and a Sadducee.

It so masterfully intwines these folks into many of the gospel stories and places you into the crowds that are following Jesus. From the Birth of Jesus, to the cleansing of the Temple, the sermon on the mount and the feeding of the multitude.

It also puts in detail the difficulties of a family split between becoming followers of Jesus and denying him, and the melting of hardened hearts.

I could barely put this thing down.

Now I am ready to take on "Come Unto Me" (Kingdom and the Crown Vol 2.)

I am now on the second book... the first book in this series is so wonderful. I takes you there to Jerusalem and Galilee. You feel as if you walk with Jesus and experience his miracles and teachings first hand. It is an ambitious achievement for the author. You learn and come to know Christ more deeply. At times it can get a bit preachy and I feel like I am in one of Lund's classrooms, but I dig it anyways (other people may not). But the story is well crafted.

I always hate it when authors take too much artistic license and try to guess what a real historical person is feeling or what their motivation is (when there isn't a written record of it anywhere and it is completely up to the interpretation of the author). I am grateful that Lund never attempts that, and for Heaven's sake, especially not with Jesus. All of the dialogue that is written for Jesus can be found directly out of the New Testament.

Read this book and come to know the Savior even more deeply than you have before.

Like all the other reviewers I'm staggered by Youngkin's accomplishment, which seems to me--perhaps profanely--even more impressive than Lorre's own. In a way, Lorre has found a biographer supreme, one beautifully blessed by all the gifts of sympathy and knowledge needed to translate an artist's work into contemporary times. How many of Lorre's peers have been given such a chance to live again? It's really shocking how few good biographies there have been of Hollywood stars, and even some of the most acclaimed (think of Gavin Lambert's Norma Shearer) have actually been among the most banal and simplistic.

Of course Lorre gave Youngkin a life really worth chronicling. If it wasn't the drug addiction, it was the dramatic life in Germamny observing and protesting the rise of Hitler, till he and Celia Lovsky found their way out in a sequence right out of Shearer's ESCAPE! The work with Fritz Lang, with Brecht, with Hitchcock, with Bogart, with Irwin Allen, with Roger Corman, each one of these phases could have made an interesting book, and Youngkin knows how to spread them out so that every angle is covered and yet our curiosity remains high. And the research and the interviewing is by itself amazing. Every time you turn around, Youngkin is eliciting revealing and wry comments from exactly the people you hope would comment on the particular situation he is writing about. Because the book has apparently been in motion for something like 30 years, his reach goes way back--he spoke with Frank Capra, with Hitchcock and Huston, with Broderick Crawford and Corinne Calvet--hundreds of actors, writers, directors and behind the scenes personnel. This research gives the book a depth and richness of point of view that elevates it to the Mount Rushmore of biography.

I wasn't always persuaded by Youngkin's critical judgments, and would rather put a staple gun to my face than have to watch SILK STOCKINGS again, for example--but now he's got me re-thinking, "Maybe it is a great performance stuck within a lousy film." Youngkin pulls the camera way back and takes us through Rouben Mamoulian's whole career, his way of astonishing audiences by revealing unexpected sides to their favorite stars. I didn't actually need all of that to get the point, but I hope he gets to do the DVD commentary for SILK STOCKINGS, for we need more enthusiasts and fewer haters. Why write a book about a man, even a drug-addled and morose one, unless you love him?

if you are unable to get ahold of author stephen youngkin's earlier biography of peter lorre, then by all means purchase this book. it's comprehensive and thorough, and a good read of a fascinating subject. if you were able to get ahold of the earlier book, then you can save your money on this one. the only new item that would make purchasing this edition worthwhile is the photo and information on peter's daughter catherine. she looks like him but pretty, and her connection to the hillside strangler is included.

Peter lorre was one of the most unique and fascinating actors ever to come out of the studio system in Hollywood. Anyone who has every seen his soft, silken acting or heard that lyrically menacing voice ever forgot it. I know that I never did. I have been a fan since seeing him go toe to toe with Cary Grant in Arsnic and Old Lace when I was in my teens.

Peter Lorre fans have cause for celebration with this book, which is full of tremendous insight and depth. It covers all of Lorre's life and does so with compassion and appreciation. This work never becomes a fan's love letter, though, as the author does not shy away from the star's less admiriable qualities (which I will leave to the reader to discover). But everything is put in context, which often provides a certain understanding. And what a fascinating context it is - from the German stage of Bertolt Brecht to the Hollywood horror of Roger Corman. It's worth noting that this book is extremely well researched and includes a complete Lorre filmography as well as a complete listing of his tremendous radio work (was ever their a voice better suited for telling stories over the radio?).

As the Author tells Lorre's story, the reader is treated to plenty glimpses into several Hollywood immortals, such as Humphry Bogart, Walter Huston, Sidney Greenstreet, and Lauren Bacall (with whom Lorre had a close friendship). And the writing style is very readable and smooth.

All I can say is, for all of us Peter Lorre fans, Thank you, Mr. Youngkin.

And while we are on the subject of Hollywood greats that never have been given an aurhorative bio, what about Boris Karloff. Mr. Youngkin . . .?

-Mykal Banta

First of all I am profoundly grateful, that finally someone took up the task to write a biography on one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. Mr. Youngkin did very good work especially in researching the very early years of Peter Lorre in Vienna and Berlin, which I assume must have been a quite excrutiating task. Nobody who ever saw the film "M" will ever forget the wonderful performance Peter Lorre gave. Even later on, nearing the end of his live, when he was doing B-movies, he gave them that certain Lorre-touch. It is a wonderful read and Mr. Youngkins work cannot be praised enough. Sometimes this biography makes you cry and laugh at the same time. Finally somebody did credit to this wonderful, wonderful actor.

"He's crazy about me...all the degenerates are." Peter Lorre, speaking of his chimpanzee co-star in "Five Weeks in a Balloon."


From the beginning of his career, Peter Lorre was typecast. The classic German Expressionist drama, "M", set the tone for his entire career. Lorre said that from that point on, in people's eyes he was "forever the murderer". This was allowed to overshadow his incredible talent and his great aptitude for comedy. (His throwaway lines, like the one I quoted above, are priceless!)

His career spanned from experimental theater in pre-Nazi Germany, to classic noir films with Humphrey Bogart, to eminently forgettable films from the Sixties. (How odd that one of his last appearances was in "Muscle Beach Party"!)

Stephen Youngkin does an admirable job of chronicling Lorre's professional life, including the myriad missed opportunities--(of note: Malcolm Lowry's rabid interest in seeing Lorre play "the consul" in "Under the Volcano", and Lorre's own desire to produce a film about Kasper Hauser. Both of those projects, never realized, would have added so much to Lorre's cachet.)

The book overflows with examples of Lorre's humanity, professionalism, and wit. Unfortunately, the actor's personal battles with the demons of drug abuse and poor health, his unluckiness at love, and his profligate nature create an undertow of tragedy which no reader can escape. In the end, this is a deeply saddening and troubling book. Long after you have finished reading it, you will find yourself reflecting on the life of this brilliant and tormented individual, who indeed has a special place in the hearts of all the "outsiders" in the world.

Fifty years ago I had psych classes at the UW, and I helped tend the rats in 600 N. Park. I learned about Harry Harlow, Carl Rogers, and schools of thought in Psychology. Now, finally, I understand and see the importance of what was going on here.

Deborah Blum has clarified the conflicts in behavioral science during the first half of the 20th century as my instructors never could. She has given human faces to the names that were listed in the semester timetables, but whom most students never saw. And Harry Harlow's flaws are not whitewashed, but they are understandable.

Younger readers will be aghast at the parenting style that was advocated by child health professionals over 50 years ago. Many of us, although we were not neglected or abandoned, were not cuddled and made to feel cherished. Harlow, among others, was able to disprove the validity of a sterile upbringing in creating a human adult.

And it is truly a page-turner, well written and captivating.

This book was in great shape and is an excellent read for those who want to understand

When Harry Harlow started exploring the science of affection it was in the face of disregard and opposition in the world of medicine and psychology. But he was able to show that affection is vital to the proper development of the newly born, as too is the measured rejection of the newly born's parents when the time is right. Consequently we now encourage the bonding of parents and children through physical handling. (Perhaps more affectionate and supportive friendships outside the family have developed as a result also.)

These were great insights for society and yet Harlow did face opposition. Just when he was saying the role of the mother (and father - but he was less vocal about that) was vital to the upbringing of the baby, the womens liberation movement was trying to get women more freedom - more equality on the basis of being the same as men. How could this new emphasis on the importance of the role of parents (principally women as men were traditionally the 'bread winners') be tolerated? To me, however, there is a mistake in this. We should not be treated equally because we are the same - but for the very opposite reason - because we are all unique. If we are to get the best from each unique individual then each individual must have equal rights and opportunity. Unfortunately Harlow's approach to opposition was often rude and confronting.

After his death Harlow's research faced another challenge - this time from the animal liberation activists. Harlow had done his experiments on monkeys principally, and these experiments necessarily had damaging (and surprising) results for the animals experimented on. Harlow did care for the animals and provided for them as well as he could in difficult circumstances - for example, he always tried to 'restore' emotionally damaged animals. Although we may now regret the methods he and his students used, and certainly not want to repeat them for the sake of student exercises, we should not lose sight of the vital information that was uncovered.

Deborah Blum's book is engaging and revealing - especially concerning the history of human behaviour with regard to affection and love. It is surprising how recent (1950s) some attitudes were that are now totally overthrown, at least in part because of Harlow's work.

But does psychology have more lessons to learn from Harlow? It is my belief that this is so. I recently had a workplace experience where I was confronted by a workplace bully. But immediately I knew this bully was not picking on me - this was just characteristic behaviour that was applied to everyone they worked with. All the stories and rumours I had heard - and continued to hear with more clarity - suddenly had greater presence for me. To overcome my distress at this situation I used the free staff counselling service offered by my employer. Perhaps in doing that I was already demonstrating my capacity to manage, to cope. What, however, of my colleagues who I now had insight to the terrible behaviour of the bully for them? Harlow would not have been surprised that I had bonded with these people - to some more closely than others. But the psychologist/counsellor understood nothing of this - as long as I was dealt with (the immediate client) nothing else could be done. But the only thing that could really be done for me was to smash all the bonds I had built with my colleagues so that I was no longer concerned for them. Was that reasonable?

And what of psychology offered to one of a married couple privately from the bond that links them. What is the risk that this will actually prise apart the bond that needs to be strengthened or at least maintained? I'm not sure how psychology should handle these matters but it continues to alarm me that the insights of Harlow are still being overlooked in areas where they should not be. Is it the impact of the womens liberation and animal liberation movements that have denigrated the research sufficiently to block its use in other areas?

other recommendations:
'Workplace Monsters' John Clarke (Random House Australia)
'Conditions of Love' John Armstrong
'A Crystal Age' W H Hudson

This is one of the most interesting and well written books I've ever read on this or any similar topic. To anyone who studies or has studied attachment, Blum offers an amazing look at how this early research changed the face of psychology. To anyone who has read countless poorly written descriptions of boring research studies, this book is an oasis.

I don't believe Blum has portrayed Harlow through rose-colored glasses. On the contrary, anyone reading this book might even wonder whether Harlow's neglect of his own children was a good thing, given his lack of compassion and indifference toward the suffering he caused. My copy is well-worn and has been loaned out many times. I highly recommend this book.

This is an extremely interesting book in terms of underlining how damaging scientific fads can be. The early twentieth century fad of data and cleanliness may well have led to the deaths many children as cleanliness was preferred over attention.

Unfortunately, Harry Harlow is less interesting, and provides an abominable contrast to the subject. Harlow ignores both wives and his children in search for - as he wrote in his school's yearbook - 'fame'. He becomes a chain-smoking alcoholic. Bizarrely, Blum emphasises Harlow's visionary understanding of love with, at times, an almost 'here comes superman' manner. She appears incapable of reconciling her argument that Harlow is the scientist of love with the fact that he ignored his wives and all his children!

If anything, I read the book as reflecting one man's selfish, desperate desire for achievement and fame. Thanks to his interest in monkeys, he and his students seemed to fall over the answer. Not exactly visionary.

A good read though, reflecting the pitfalls of faddish thinking, and also how scientific discoveries (if the fact that a child needs its mother is a discovery) occur. The book also reflects how difficult it can be to refute incorrect arguments.

This book is a little gem. It is one of a kind. There is no other book like this on the market, not that I know of, anyway. Although the author is a bit older than I am and some of the clothes are outdated, I could still relate to her. She related her life experiences by detailing what she wore during those experiences. We all can recall at least one event by remembering what we were wearing!! At times, she appears kind of catty, which just gives quite a human element to the book. I myself have so many clothes I cannot get rid of due to sentimental reasons. However, after reading this book, I may do the same thing she did and draw them or take a picture of them and then give them away. This is a GREAT book!!

Delightfully wacky little book deliciously decorated. Even though I'm a male I loved the book and its many drawing/paintings of clothing and other things. It is interesting to know how the book came about and how its author was writing about her life for her children and using her creative ability to show them how her life was growing up.

I learned of the book when reading Jane Smiley's book: "13 Ways of Looking at the Novel" and thought her comments interesting enough to buy the book and read it. And I enjoyed it very much. I recommend "Love, Loss and what I Wore" to everyone regardless of gender.

If I could, I would give this book more than 5 stars. What a clever idea to recall onel's life by remembering the outfits worn. Loved the delightful illustrations. Beckerman is a unqiue and talented writer/illustrator. Thanks for the memories!

I had picked this book up and put it back down several times when I saw it at the book store. I am glad I finally bought it! It is an interesting idea, and one that I am sure many of us can identify with: a memoir built on memories of certain beloved items of clothing. Ilene Beckerman had an interesting childhood and has had a varied life as an adult. Obviously, her talents lie more in writing than in drawing--the sketches of the clothing are rather simple,but she does manage to convey what she felt like wearing each outfit. It doesn't take very long to read, and if read in one sitting you get quite a sense of her life. Sometimes funny, sometimes quite bittersweet, but always entertaining.

I, like most of my women friends I've talked to, including my mother and my sisters, shape memories and moments based on the clothes we were wearing at the time.

I bought this book in 1995 when it was first published and have referred to it several times over the years for inspiration and support. I found it in the "Self-Help" section of the bookstore.

This little book does as good a job as anything I've read, at getting in a woman's head. Clothes are how we remember. Wearing our favorite clothes or shoes or carrying our favorite handbag gives us confidence and helps us cope.

For a while, I kept a diary of drawings of outfits whenever I'd want to remember an important event. Ask me what I was wearing when I held my niece for the first time (navy blue A-line Liz Claiborne dress) or when I went to my first job interview out of college (a polka-dot suit I called The Stewardess) or the night I was first kissed by a jerk who would break my heart(a shirt that said "Keep On Truckin" in glitter... heh).

A good friend's mother passed away a few months ago, and I bought a copy for her, since Ms. Beckerman mentions the death of her own mother. She also mentions marriages, divorces, babies, and career successes, and most importantly, what she wore.

It makes a great gift for any woman. Or for yourself.

Malachy Murray's Unique New York is fantastic! More facts and information than I've ever read before on any books of New York. He has so many great stories that I've never been told about. I've taken his Circle Line Tour and he's fantastic. He knows just about everything about the great city. I'll be moving to the Big Apple soon and his book is beyond insightful. Highly recommended for any history buff or New Yorker!
Thank you Malachy!

Entertaining and informative review of New York. Great to read before a trip or if you have lived in NY for some time. Malachy Murray is a talented tour guide on the Circle Line Tours.

The way Malachy Murry brings the reader closer to New York and the great history behind the big city is both exceptional and breathtaking. If you have the slightest interest to know anything about New York - this book comes highly recommanded.
In mid-August this year my wife and I had the pleasure of taking the full tour with Circle Line around Manhatten and our tour guide, Mr Murray, made that the most interesting, informative and enjoyable tours we've ever attended.
Thank you,
Janne & Trond, Norway

Visited NY the last of August for the first time. Malachy was the tour guide on the Circle Line boat tour my son and I took around Manhattan. For everyone who thinks history is boring, you will thoroughly enjoy how he gives you a recap of the how's,when's, where's, and why's of NY. This book models the tour talk he gives while you look around at all of the history and famous sights.
It's light reading that leaves you with an education! He published this by himself so enjoy a handmade product full of his humor and unique twist on the Big Apple. Want to know where that phrase came from? This is where to look!

We were lucky enough to get on a boat of the NY Circle Line where Malachy Murray held a microphone in his hand - and the attention of his audience as well. He made history come alive, and through his colourful comments on NYC the two hours on that boat went by without a boring minute.
This book is a fabulous way to remember this great tour of Manhattan, providing anecdotes and facts, and all of it in Malachy Murray's unique style.
Well done, Malachy :-)