Oregon Books

Like the other volumes in this unique series of works written in and about the state of Oregon, this collection of stories is excellent. Representing the long history of the area from before the arrival of Europeans (Astoria is the oldest US settlement west of the Mississippi) to contemporary times, the work selected provides a clear window to the diverse people, landscapes and experiences of the state.

These stories are a lively read, from Molly Gloss's disturbing "The Doe" (a nod to Oregon poet William Stafford's poem "Traveling in the Dark") to humorous and historical works of fiction.

This is a handsomely produced collection for story lovers or those curious about the NW.

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED!!! This Book!. I was sad that it had ended, and was quite tempted to Read it again, but decided to read a new book instead. I loved the fact that all three stories included the same people from the stories before, but each story was totally different. I loved that it showed their feelings from each point of view, rather then some books just having one person feeling a certain way and you never know, what the other is thinking till the end. it was an awesome book. I could easily put myself there, and feel the way they were. I can't wait to read it again! & this is coming from someone who HATED to read! :)

Covey shares insight that should be considered by all. His "7 habits" apply to everyone, whether they wish to be more effective as leaders, parents, students, or just more effective as members of society. The habits he outlines perk the minds of and prompt the audience to self-examination. Immediately, I started to think of my own perceptions and attitudes in relation to my personal effectiveness as a Soldier, a leader, a parent, a husband, and as a friend. By adopting the habits, every aspect of my life could benefit.
The habits are not only presented and explained, but the author uses personal anecdotes to help us more readily relate to them. Covey outlines a plan for making the habits our own and explains how we will reap the benefits of using the habits as we journey through life. Covey creates a set of parameters in the habits that can provide guidance and control for anyone who wishes to be more effective at anything. It is not a quick fix, but a personal attitude and behavioral adaptation that can be developed in a positive way. I recommend "7 Habits" to everyone I know.

If my Pastor take qoutes from it I know it's awsome haven't read yet but can't wait

It is about principles that make sense to most intelligent people. It refers to ideas that everybody already know but keep forgetting. It is just about logic principles, and it gives easy to understand examples to apply those principles to real life for good. It is worth buying. Other book that helps me about principles about relationships is:I Love You. Now What?: Falling in Love is a Mystery, Keeping It Isn't

The reason why astrologers seem dead on is because they are so generic they would seem to fit anyone's situation. The same goes for this book. This books habits are so generic and so vague that they are practically useless. For instance, "sharpen the saw" is so vague and common sense that it is useless. You can sharpen your saw much better by buying a different book.

I really enjoyed reading "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R Covey. Covey starts with the premise everyone is born with these traits and one has to practice and cultivate them.

My favorite chapter is "WIN/WIN". Covey's premise is there are 6 paradigms of humans interaction and that WIN/WIN is not a technique it is a philosophy of human interaction. Relationships can be mutually beneficial, everybody wins! "It is not my way or your way but a better way, a higher way." This chapter reminds me of the "Golden Rule" (Do unto others what you would like them to do to you) which I was taught as a child.

Another book I really enjoyed was Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment by award winning authors Ariel & Shya Kane, This is a wonderful book of short stories that are all about accessing the moment and living a satisfying and fulfilling life.

I first read this book in college many years ago as I was working on my degree in psychology. An excerpt from it is in John McCain's autobiographical book, Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir. I was glad to be reminded of this book which I had not read in years. I found my old copy on the shelf but I am also glad to learn it is still available.

The comparison between Frankl and McCain as prisoners is striking. Both of them emphasize the basic human need for meaning and purpose. Both share incredible horrors of prison camp as well as the human ability to look beyond present circumstances, to keep the horrid memories from continuing as sources of torture years after the actual experiences.
We can apply this ability to many of the unfortunate experiences in our lives. It is not only an attitude of forgive and forget, it is the need to keep the horrors or smaller angers from continuing to torment us.

It is more than a little frightening that there are people who deny that the Holocaust even happened. I hope you read Frankl's book. Fully grasp the reality of his day and apply it to today's needs and problems.

This is a wonderful book to read merely because of it's main message. Read it and find out the meaning of the title.

I bought this book because I was searching for yet another book on workplace bullying and another book came up in my search based on Frankl's book. I read the customer reviews on that book and one reviewer said something to the effect of, "If you want to read a book based on Viktor Frankl's opinion of how to get along at a bad work environment (like a Nazi death camp), why don't you just read Frankl's book?" So, that's where I started. I read it. Twice. Then I got out my computer and typed in passages that had meaning to me so I could re-read them during difficult times. I compressed the entire book down to about 10 pages, single spaced. I must admit that I consider myself a negative, often depressed sort of person, mostly because my work situation is so demoralizing. I was amazed by Frankl's coping mechanisms on how to get along in a difficult situation; every day meant multiple incidents of having to choose the correct path to avoid death or worse, making the choice to give up on your own life (suicide). He went through 5 years of that and lived to tell about it. It is a must read for everyone, particularly when you are having the hardest time of your life. I could tell that if I had read it as a college student, it wouldn't have the same meaning as now, when I am 50 and have had many ups and downs. I see everything at such a deeper level and appreciated this book so much more than I would have if I were younger. Briefly, the lessons in the book written 50 years ago still apply today. Here they are: Let luck be your guide. It's not what you know, it's who you know. Network with the equivalent of a one-step-up lateral (not your own) middle manager and they will help you when they can. Schmooze. Be kind to others. Don't complain, it doesn't help. You can't fix, deal with or appeal to a sadist, so don't try. Avoid sadists at all costs. Keep your mouth shut unless asked for your opinion and then be short and to the point. Praise, even when praise isn't deserved. Keep criticisms to yourself. Be inconspicuous. Work hard for the sake of doing a good job. Fantasize for escape. Everything can be taken away from you except for your past, so relish in it. When something good happens to you, write it down (keep a gratitude journal). Don't do anything that compromises your own values so you won't have regrets. Be careful who you abuse today because tomorrow they may be your master. You are not your job, your title or your position. You are a unique person loved by others. The only thing in life that really matters is the people you love and the people who love and need you. Love shared is eternal. Treat everyone with respect. The meaning of life is not what life can do for you, but what life expects of you; how you make the world a better place with your presence. The purpose of life is not happiness. The purpose of life is discovering what you can contribute to it. Save a slice of bread (or whatever is the only material thing that matters to you when there is nothing left) for later when you are really depressed and it's the only thing left that can get you through that difficult moment. (For me it's chocolate and a dark beer at the same time.) Apathy is the signaling of the beginning of the end of one's life. Everyone that you respect and look up to has human failings. Even tough guys cry. Suffering without purpose is meaningless. The larger the suffering, the bigger the lesson. There's lots more in the book for you to discover and it's an easy read.

This book is incredibly inspiring, both from a theoretical and practical perspective. I highly recommend it for anyone who is in an "existential vacuum" as Frankl says, or for anyone who just wants to get more ideas about what the "meaning of life" might be.

The book is not only very well laid out and well written, but the content is rich. I highly recommend perusing it with a pen at hand to mark a response to a lot of his statements, then re-reading your own comments with his text... I think you'll learn a lot about yourself that way.

"Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible." ~ Viktor Frankl from "Man's Search for Meaning"

Viktor Frankl. He's unquestionably one of my heroes and this book is a must read (or re-read as the case may be). If you don't have it yet, it's time to get it. It's impossible to be a serious student of life and not soak up as much Frankl as you can.

The man survived the horrors of Nazi concentration camps and, from that pain, brought the world his "Logotherapy"--a philosophy based on the fundamental precept that we have ultimate responsibility for choosing our responses to any given challenge AND equally powerful responsibility to determine how we will give ourselves to the world and create a truly meaningful life.

I only have two books I could surely list in my top 10...'Sometimes a great Notion' and 'One Hundred Years of Solitude'...". 'Nuff said.

Book came on time, as promised and is in new condition as promised. I would buy from this seller anytime.

Ken Kesey set out to write his opus with this endeavor, and he can rest easy that it will go down as one of the greatest American novels ever. This masterpiece tells the tale of a prominent logging family's battle against a local union and the tragedy that comes with. The Stamper clan was not one to back down easy from a fight, whether externally or internally. The introduction of a half-brother to the clan sets events in motion. Hank Stamper understands the necessity of having another family member around but struggles to accept it. What follows may be one of the most brilliant stories ever put on paper.

This is easily the great american novel. I put it up there with Under the Volcano and Grapes of Wrath. Kesey's narrative is fluid, readable, gripping, suspenseful.

This is a very difficult book to follow. Be prepared to read the same page a couple of times to understand which character is talking. One of those literary achievements that is written as a "stream of consciousness", with few chapter breaks. I think few would care to admit that they gave up on the book after 100 pages and went on to a Leon Uris novel. I am sorry if I insult all those literary snobs out there with 720s on their verbal SATs, but this is not that good a book.

Still, One Flew... is still a classic and one of my all time favorites.

This is a riveting and spellbinding book about a woman who let her sick obsessions overrule her heart and her love for her children. It is a story about selfishness and desire. It is about how children become pawns in a world of lust and greed and how they paid the ultimate price. Thankfully, the perpetrator did not evade the justice that will be dealt her here on earth. It made me sad for children who are born into homes where there is no guidance and no love, only madness.

It grabs your attention from the very beginning and steers you through its pages with the sickening realization of where this woman's obsession is leading her. It is frightening that someone can walk around in our society without gathering any attention until it is too late.

This story reminds me a lot of the story of Susan Smith who also killed her children for "love" or her idea of love.

Now if we could just find a way to prevent it from happening again. And of course the sad thing is we can't or won't so someday there will be another story like this, and then another.

I recommend it but it will leave you both sad and angry. Ann Rule, as always, did a very good job getting inside the head of her subject, which makes the story come alive. She won't disappoint her readers with this book. She is right on target.

I bought this book after seeing the movie. I didn't get very far into the book before I lost interest because the movie has been on so much and is pretty much exactly based on this book.

Ann Rule portrays the sociopath like no other author can do.
While the book is deeply disturbing, the writing is excellent.

i thought the first half of the book was good but then it was slow towards the middle and it was getting a little hard to stay focused on reading it. it picked up again towards the end, so i would say it was an okay book overall, but nothing to get too excited about.

This is the book that got me hooked on true crime, and Ann Rule by far is the best true crime author. Diane Downs was a self serving monster who sacrificed her children for her own needs. I have read this book many times over, and am still chilled by the lack of compassion that Diane showed her own children for the sake of a man. I hope she rots in prison.

This was such an exciting,suspenseful,Christian mystery novel.

Wonderful and thorough character development.One really gets drawn into the story of these 3 guys and their families.

The moral and social issues that are examined are though-provoking.


The author succeeded on so many levels to make this book a joy to read.

My wife and I have been reading Heaven and enjoying it immensely, so I was very eager to check out his fiction works.

Alcorn makes a lot of thought-provoking points to Christians and others alike. There are a number of passages presented in the form of letters, newspaper columns and articles which could be easily used as text materials for advocacy groups. Every believer with a cause should check out his material here.

I was particularly struck by a passage that basically suggested that liberals have success in the media because they know how to relate to editors, writers and publishers, and that conservatives generally don't. Alcorn's not so subtle implication is that if we want to get our message out more effectively, we'd better learn how to relate and speak on their terms. (This is just one of many subtopics of the book.)

His descriptions of heaven are incredibly thought provoking. Again, having read Heaven, it was a delight to read a narrative account of heaven.

My only criticism, shallow as it may be, is that the book is pretty long. Alcorn covers a lot of ground here in terms of storyline, politics, theology, etc. and it may have been too much for one book. Having said that, I would highly recommend this book!

Randy Alcorn has written a very exciting series wiyh Deadline in the middle. The story has many twists and turns that keep you init`s grip right up to the surprise ending.

I have read the books years ago but I have to say sitting in traffic has become a lot more fun. I am looking forward to the next two books on CD!

In Deadline, Randy Alcorn attempts quite a lot, in fact maybe too much. I found myself myself saying to the books engaging hero, newspaper journalist Jake Woods, that no self-respecting newspaperman could be as stupid as he is. It seems he can't do anything right.

In addition every calamity on the Christian spectrum besets him. His atheist doctor friend is engaged in late trimester abortions and numerous other corrupt medical practices. Jake cheated on his wife leading to his divorce and has now conveniently convinced himself that his wife, daughter and mother are better off when he doesn't have to exert any energy to see them or tend to their needs. In addition to all this his daughter gets pregnant, threatens suicide, and winds up coming down with AIDS. His newspaper is overrun by a cadre of politically correct homosexual reporters and editors wielding great power. It's like every issue that could possibly affect Christians is addressed in this novel.

In spite of this there was something compelling about the hero. Although I got really mad at Jake and wondered how he could be such a renown editorialist, as he seemed clueless a lot of the time, I found I was emotionally invested in his story.

It's just that the political stuff got completely overwhelming and some scenes seemed contrived. When Jake gives his daughter's sex-ed teacher a good verbal thrashing, his deceased friend's teenage daughter just happens to be there with a past pro-sex education, pro-abortion editorial in her hand that he wrote on the subject and thrusts it at him calling him a hypocrite. I didn't believe for a second that this mixed up girl carried Jake's past editorial around with her and was able to produce it at that exact moment to hoist Jake on his own petard. There was some dialog and other scenes equally unbelievable.

WOW! I never knew what was going to happen next. I couldn't put it down. The characters were real,and full of the struggles we all face. Francine Rivers is a Christian author, so if you know that we cannot live without our blessed Savior, and the truth of His Word, applied effectively in our life, then you'll be glad to have read, The Scarlet Thread. Enjoy!!

I thought this was a fabulous book! I love how the two stories of Sierra and Mary Kathryn are intertwined and how you go from one to the next, they flow so well together. I spent the first 3/4 of the book mad at the husband chracter of course, *laughs* but it worked out and I am glad we did this book for our book club.

The first half of the book was really good, I really liked both of the stories, but the end was pretty cheesey and I didn't love it. Worth reading, but not on my favorites list. (Mark of the Lion and Redeeming Love are much better)

Let me begin by saying that I loved the Mark of the Lion series and enjoyed Redeeming Love. But as I was reading this book and witnessing a realistic picture of a family falling apart I felt as though a black cloud was hovering overhead. I HAD to finish this book in one day or else I would have been scowling at my husband (of no fault of his own, merely the actions of a fictional man!!!) while feeling a darkness in my heart. For, as always, Rivers writes with such emotion that you can literally feel the pain of the character. If you want a feel good story THIS IS NOT IT!!!

I LOVE historical fiction so I thought I might enjoy this contemporary laced with a historical story. Interestingly enough, I found that the historical story bored me. It was sad but, I suppose it's because it was in a diary format, I didn't really get too into the characters... therefore I didn't get into the story. I was half tempted to skip it entirely. Instead I just scanned the journal entries to get back to the main story athand.

Boy, and that story... what a depressing story. First this Jerk of a husband makes life-changing decisions without consulting with his wife and then seems stumped by her bitterness!! He doesn't even make an effort to try and console his wife. They were both exceedingly selfish characters, neither caring a lick for the other's feelings. She continues wallowing in bitterness and resentment instead of trying to make the best of things.

Before long things spiral out of control!!! And her mom!! I don't want to spoil the story but the loss Sierra faced--all alone!!-- broke my heart.

The adultery aspect... wow. I don't want to give away the ending so I will just say this. I wouldn't blame her if she never took him back. I certainly would not be able to. And if she did she is a more gracious person than ANY of the ladies I know.

Great book and story line --- God can use us even when we are having an attitude problem, Both women in the story realized the blessing God had already given them.

Brad Cunningham was clearly the epitome of delusional narcissism. The classic sociopath/psychotic, without conscience, he cared for no one's feelings but his own. His personality disorders deemed him dangerous, placing him beyond any woman's worst nightmare. Lack of empathy and compassion combined with total self-absorption may make it difficult to see what anyone would find attractive about him; however, that is what characterizes people like Brad Cunningham as pure evil. He seeks out the perfect victim. He makes her feel important or needed or beautiful or whatever. There is a reason women fall for these men. Most are victims to begin with. I hope people do not judge Brad's victims too harshly. Sometimes others have a tendency to wonder how women could fall for guys like that. Men like Brad Cunningham know exactly what they are doing. I have read all of Ann Rule's books. I tout them as "must reads."

This is a gripping book from start to finish. It's hard to believe that there are real life 'psycho' people out there like Brad. He had to just be so charismatic to lure these normal, unsuspecting woman into his life like he did. This was a great book and had me up late turning pages- then cuddling up next to my wonderful husband and thanking the Good Lord above for my blessings!!!!

This book is excellent. Ann Rule really develops these characters to the extent you can feel the fear that was instilled in them by this man. Seldom have I ever felt such a rage towards anyone like I did Brad Cunningham when I read this book. Evil is too nice a word to describe Brad Cunningham. This man is nothing short of a monster and Ann Rule is at her best in telling the horrific evil he dispensed on everyone who came into contact with him.

This book was superbly written. I've read a lot of Ann Rule, and in my opinion, this was the best. There was a sick, ominious feeling throughout, because you knew it was going to get worse, but I couldn't tear myself away. I am amazed at Ms. Rule's ability to weave a story, complete with each of the many characters' backgrounds and present situations, without it seeming choppy.

A sample of her superb writing in this story: "...the enmity in Cheryl's relationship with Brad was intensifying. And as it did...the essence that was Cheryl had begun, finally, to disentegrate. As water eventually erodes stone after an eon of continual dripping, Brad's relentless seige against Cheryl was working its devastation."

Hard to believe that what I read in this book actually happened. I can only hope that somewhere deep in Brad's warped mind, he knows what a complete loser he is. I hope he has only female jailers who tell him what a piece of "garbage" he is every single day!

After finishing this book, I can only think of Cheryl as a martyr. Her unwilling sacrifice saved so many people from being tormented by Brad forever. At least in jail, his victims know where he is.

READ THIS BOOK!

I just finished reading 8 of ann rules books i dont know why I just found her - but i am so glad i have!!!! So many of the men/women who commit the crimes she relates are really so fascinating. I think Ann does an incredible job of weaving the history of the people involved, the psychological profiles, and the trials with updates and pictures...it's all good...

The people who perpetrate these crimes are such charming "users" - it is quite overwhelming to read 8 of her books in a row - i am watching neighbors to see if any of them seem psychotic!! Can make you a tad paranoid, but hey, these books are true and we should all be a bit more careful out there.

So I'm a new fan, cannot wait to buy more of her books!!!

I have read this entire series and just cant get enough. Wen Spencer has to hit my to 10 sci-fi authors list with this series. An absolutely killer twist with character development on steroids. If you buy this book be ready to fork out for the rest of the series. Its like MM's you just cant stop at one.

I just want to know when the next book in this series comes out.

I really enjoyed this novel, and like other readers, it inspired me to get two of the other two books in the series. The characters are sympathetic, and the book is well-paced. If you like scifi and werewolf stories and mysteries, you'll probably like this.

Once I started reading I couldn't put it down. This is a series that pulls you in and engages you with the characters and plot. Very well thought out. I hope Spencer continues with this character, I'm impatient for more of Ukiah's adventures.

I've just finished the series of four Ukiah Oregon novels - twice! READ THEM IN ORDER!!! Detective stories aren't usually a reread for me, especially right away, but I've reread these before they are due back at the library, and I think I'll buy my own copies sometime in the near future. I've loved her other works, and now I think I'll make her an autobuy. Wen Spencer is a good author who doesn't find one successful universe and stick there, rewriting the same type of story over and over (see Tinker), but I'll definitely read more about Ukiah!

I don't "do" literary analysis, but I didn't find the writing style bad, as some have. It must be a matter of taste. I also won't review the plot, as has already been done.

The mystery of discovering who he is drew me in despite the gruesomeness of some of the scenes. The relationships were good. I like characters who I can respect and who are, at the same time, not perfect. I like the slow character maturation.

Warning, the third novel in the series has some "off-camera" violence against very young children.

This is definitely worth a try, and I think you'll be sucked in as I have been by this excellent and inventive writer.

When I first saw this book, I thought, "Wow, this looks really cheezy, but I'll buy it anyway as a quick read."

Then I got into the premise. "Wow!", I thought, "I was wrong, "This could be really cool." The idea of a tracker who can do what he can do because of a feral upbringing by wolves seemed to be working out well, and some of the plot twists were great.

But as I got into it, character development for all but the main guy seemed to stop dead. Further in, I found the actions of the characters less and less believable. It started with the tough FBI agent who considers Ukiah, the lead, a suspect one day, and is madly in love with him the next. The casual acceptance of Ukiah's real story by all concerned in the book at their first hearing seems even harder to accept.

Having said that, the plot is good, although there are some leaps that seem a bit sudden and poorly contrived. The concept is good, and it would have been a better book if it had been covered in more space so the characterizations and plot twists didn't seem so forced or wodden.