UK Books

Illie's book isn't exactly what I expected but it was worth the read.
I learned a lot of things about him that I never knew.

Unfortunately, I felt he was very biased at times and all too often
he was boasting. It seemed as though I tried to justify immoral actions
that he made on and off the court. But who am I to judge.

If you grew up playing tennis or learning how to play back when wooden
rackets were all we had you'll gain from the book. Even if you
grew up watching tennis or playing after the wooden racket era this
book will give you a window into how we played back in the old days
and the pros and cons of playing during that time.

Illie especially provides a great view what European players used to
deal with on the tour and their approach to tennis. This book shows
tennis as it was in the 70's and 80's while Blake's book is more focused
on playing in the late 1990's and early 21st century.

Not great literature, just a great story of a great player, in a great era, playing a great game. Nasty was a charismatic tennis player who had the benefit of playing at an incredible time traveling the world and meeting interesting people. But this book also covers his background growing up in a Communist country and how his talent allowed him to circumvent the tough conditions of most citizens.

Maybe the most interesting news in the book is how little he trained early in his career. This of course could never happen now in the current incredibly competitive and lucrative sport. But he consistently talks about how little he trained and how inexperienced he really was as he started his rise as a Junior player.

Most people will be interested in the personalities and they are all here, Ion Tiriac and their unique relationship, Stan Smith, Arthur Ashe, Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe. Of course he must also touch on his personal life of three marriages and children that he loved even though he may not always have been around as a father.

Overall this book does an excellent job of detailing the life of a 1970s fun loving tennis pro who was not on the court all day but rather in the discos and bars every night. Nasty, a true legend, on the court and off.

The greatest tennis talent that ever lived - but how he lived!

If I'm not missing any, this is the fourth book published about the charismatic and controversial Ilie Nastase (two of which were published in France). This speaks volumes for the popularity enjoyed by this genius of tennis.

Nastase is one of the reasons tennis became so hugely popular back in the 1970s. His talent and personality brought millions of new fans to the game. His combined singles titles (57) and doubles (51) of Grand Prix, WCT and ATP sanctioned tournaments of Open Tennis (since 1968) is only surpassed by John McEnroe - no coincidence here since they are the two greatest natural talents seen in tennis. His Davis Cup record is also phenomenal, playing and winning more matches than anybody else, except Nikki Pietrangeli. Contrary to some erroneous assumptions made by another reviewer, Nastase never left Romania. He did not need to do so, since he was allowed to keep all his earnings. This was part of the deal made with the Romanian Communist authorities, in return for his free and unconditional availability of playing Davis Cup matches.

Reading the book I discovered with great surprise and regret that he is not yet a member of the Wimbledon All England Club. After all, this is the guy that won three Wimbledon doubles titles and played in other two singles finals (the one from 1972 is still regarded as one of the most beautiful and memorable ever played at Wimbledon!). Last but not least, he is the one that saved Wimbledon in 1973 when almost all of the big names boycotted the tournament.....I sincerely believe is still not too late for Wimbledon to rectify this injustice.....

Finally, I would like to recommend in addition to this wonderful book another excellent one on Nastase. This one, by Richard Evans, was published in 1977 here in USA under "Nasty: Ilie Nastase vs. Tennis" and in England under "Nastase". Any of these and "Mr. Nastase" would certainly make any Nastase fan very, very happy!!

This is an entertaining book about one of the most charismatic players of the Open era. Win or loose he enjoyed the game like few ever did. He was active on the ATP tour until 37. And, he still reached the 4th round of the US Open at 36.

The book's appendix discloses fascinating statistics. You can see his win/loss track record against many players. His career being so long, it tied the Australian era to the Open era. Thus, he had a 9-2 record against an aging Rod Laver (8 years older) but a 3-5 record against a young McEnroe (13 years younger). These records don't mean anything. One champion is aging while the other is entering his prime.

As a man, he had much fun. Per his own estimate, he bedded 2,500 groupies. He had a wonderful love affair during his first marriage. Even though it predictably ended in divorce , the divorce was not wrenching affair vs what Becker and McEnroe endured. Nastase's relationship with women was similar to the one he had with the public. No one could be mad at him for too long.

Nastase lost mental control in his matches. Unlike Connors and McEnroe who could create winning strategies out of the chaos, Nastase was the victim of his shenanigans. His bad behavior cost him tens of thousands of dollars in penalties.

As a result of his lack of mental control, Nastase's legacy is a fraction of what his talent warranted. He won only two Grand Slam tournaments (73 French Open and 72 US Open). Tens of players have far greater legacies.

Nevertheless, Nastase still fascinates. In fact Federer's versatile game most resembles Nastase. Both men have the ability to win on any surface against any opponents, and hit shots nobody else can. Adding Nastase's unpredictable behavior to the versatility of his game just contributed to the legend.

There is no doubt Nastase was an all around extraordinarily gifted athlete. As an aging star, he had to play sports he had never learned for various TV shows. After just 5 minutes of learning the grip, he hit par on his first golf hole. After Ion Tiriac teaches him ice hockey. Within 15 minutes Nastase was chasing Tiriac around the skating rink. Not bad for a guy who had never skated.

The biography gets even more interesting as he retires from the ATP circuit. Because of his profile, he met everybody. He is on a first name basis with Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, George Bush Sr. and Jr, Jack Nicholson, Mick Jagger. He likes everyone of them. Nastase also describes the chronic political crisis plaguing Romania. His firsthand experience makes for a fascinating account about the living condition in this country.

If you like this book, I also recommend McEnroe's "You Can't Be Serious" and Becker's "The Player." They are definitely all multidimensional fascinating complex personalities.

Pigs have wings is one of the best books I have read, because it so funny. The way the characters are many times spaced out and the way they act on their stupidity, mostly the way P.G. Wodehouse makes fun of characters. Pigs have wings, is about competition between two pigs for the fattest pig class. They try to steal each other's pig, and the Empress (the name of the hero's pig) has been the winner of this class for two years in a row. All this is tied with some knotted yet silly love relationships. But the way Wodehouse makes fun of it is so funny that you will laugh untill tears start pouring down.

A great and entertaining read. I highly recommend it. It's one of P.G. Wodehouse's best in my opinion. Life at Blandings castle
is like paradise!

In typical Wodehouse fashion, this is a comical story with many hilarious twists and turns. I found myself laughing aloud in many places. Simply put, if you like Wodehouse and especially the Blandings Castle series, you like this book. It is one of the later "chronicles" of Blandings Castle, but it would be a good read for anyone--even those unfamiliar with Lord Emsworth. This is a great book, and author, for those who enjoy light, comical novels.

P.G. Wodehouse was the 20th century's answer to William Shakespeare reproduced as musical comedy. In Pigs Have Wings, Mr. Wodehouse produced one of his very best efforts.

As usual, the themes involve a satire of romantic love, miscommunications between the sexes, the vapid interests of the titled class, and the silliness of people in general.

As the book opens, Clarence, ninth Earl of Emsworth finds himself faced with a threat to the supremacy of his pig, Empress of Blandings, in the Fat Pigs class at the Shropshire Agricultural Show. Sir Gregory Parsloe-Parsloe, Bart, of Matchingham Hall, had already hired away Clarence's pig handler, George Cyril Wellbeloved . . . and Clarence is sure that some new skullduggery will soon follow. As the story develops, we find that it's all too true. Soon both pig camps are doing their best to knobble the other man's pig. With everyone else having a bet on the outcome, many other people are soon engaged in trying to sabotage one pig or the other. It's the most pignapping fun caper you can imagine!

In the background, we have all sorts of people who've become engaged to totally unsuitable people on the rebound from slights they feel from the one they really love. P.G. Wodehouse does a yeoman effort of returning all of those twisted loves to the proper party. The plot will keep you constantly chuckling throughout.

There are quite a few books based on the Empress of Blandings. So if you enjoy this one, go on to the others in the series.

Wodehouse, master of words that he is, shows his wit to be in top form in this wonderfully funny story of Blandings castle. As usual, Lord Emsworth is a bit dazed and obsessing about his pig (now hoping that she'll win first in her division for the third year running at the local agricultural show) and the guests at Blandings are falling hopelessly in love with one another. This is a great book for both those new to Wodehouse and those who have enjoyed his other works. I highly recommend it.

I recently read Evelyn's book and I couldn't put it down once I started reading. This book is a must read for anyone that is in what they feel is a hopeless situation involving domestic violence. She really took me with her on her journey while I read this book. She shows us all there is hope and a life after living through these kinds of horrors.

After reading this book, I passed it on to my friend to read. She has suffered domestic violence from her husband for several years. After she read the book, she found the courage to leave her husband and is now safe and happy. Thank you Evelyn for having the courage to write this book. It is truly a life saver. May God always bless you.

Evelyn Stewart has excelled in sharing the effects of abuse on the family. She opened her life to share with us how family violence was passed from generation to generation until one woman was ready to say "enough is enough." Totally Discombobulated keeps the reader spell bound. I would recommend this book to anyone, but particularly the woman that thinks she is in a hopeless situation. Evelyn shows with faith and fortitude, anything is possible.

I've always been one to read a book that teaches me something and reveals the life of a person who lives or lived a life of intrest. Evelyn is one of those people. She deserves to be heard. Domestic Violence is something we don't always hear about because I believe we've turned a deaf ear on the subject. I for one didn't believe it happened like this. It's hard for the average person to phantom the rage any one person could project toward someone they are suppose to love, honor and cherish. The way Evelyn tells her story is not only a history lesson but it is her true to life account of what she lived through. Some will say "why didn't she leave him?" Other's will say "I applaud her courage and I understand." Today more than ever this horror needs to be exposed for what it is. The suffering has to stop and people need to be courageous enough to run and hide from domestic violence. Every man, woman and child will benefit from Evelyn's story and realize that the silence and hiding of such a crime is only perpetuating the violence.
If this book becomes a movie it is a sure blockbuster. The way Evelyn relates her life story is a movie on pages. This book deserves to be read whether a victim or a survivor, the average person or not, it is an eye-opener. I never got the full picture when I read this book. It has made me aware and has equipped me with knowledge and compassion to help anyone who might be suffering in the life of domestic violence. This book is a must read for anyone with the heart of compassion and anyone who would choose to expose the ugly truth that goes on behind closed doors all over the world.

I have read this book two times and it is a wonderfully written book and will make you sit on the edge of your seat while reading it. Evelyn has a master piece here and it would make a wonderfull movie. Every one needs to read it.

The book starts with a powerful dialouge, "I wish to be a human once." This story is based on a true incident that occured in BHOPAL, a place in India. A chemical industry, Union Carbide, now owned by Dow Chemicals, had its factories located in the vicinity of the city. On the ill-fated winter of Dec, the poisonous gas leaks out and nearly 20,000 people are dead. For more details about the true incident, please go to http://www.studentsforbhopal.org/

STORY --> The narrator of the story survived that night but at the cost of his legs. He has to now "walk" like an animal. He soon joins a group of young people who are fighting for justice. Through his eyes you shall know about the characters in the story, their struggle and also his secret love.
I loved this book and the simplicity of its narration. In the story, the narrator is actually narrating the incident and life style of the Indian city to an American journalist, so the Indian words are well described in the book.
Also this was shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize - 2007

I picked this book up purely by accident and I am so glad I did! For reasons unknown to me, I'm a sucker for Indian authors (Rohan Mistry being one of my favorites). To the best of my knowledge, there is not a drop of Indian blood in me (I'm Puertorrican, for goodness sake!)but the stories written by these authors about the people, the culture, the misery and the joy always leave me wanting to read more. Animal's People is such a book. Animal is a person I wish existed because I would love to meet him. He is quite a character (stay away from his lund, though!). Do yourself a favor and pick this book up. It takes a few pages to get used to the manner in which the story is told and the words used (it took me a while to realize that Kampani meant "company") but it is well worth it.

An unusual and moving coming-of-age story and my pick for the first half of 2008. Animal's voice will stay with you long after you close the book.

This is one powerful novel. It's written like few, if any other stories I've ever read. It's a strange world that animal lives in and he explains it in complete unabashed honesty. It appears to have a lot of truth to it, since it was based off the Bhopal disaster of 1984 involving the the Union Carbide. It's not for the feint of heart, it is intense and will move you in many different directions, while in the end it will leave you with a better understanding of hope and courage.

It's rare to come across a book with a truly original voice, but that occurs in Animal's People. The protagonist, Animal, is a brilliant, damaged young man who had survived most of his life by his raw intelligence. Because of this -- because of the harsh environment he has grown up in, the abuse he has suffered, etc. -- it is jarring to hear him speak and think like a "normal" person. And yet he does. Animal, despite his apparent madness at times, is one of the most fully developed HUMAN characters I have seen in a novel.

Beyond the wonder of experiencing Animal, the reader is taken on an adventure through the hells of an insubstantial legal system. Justice is a major theme in the book, but the story leaves the reader wondering just how one is supposed to obtain justice if it cannot be obtained through the courts or the government. Should one resort to violence? Peaceful protests? And at what point should one give up on the search for justice?

Bradley had the misfortune to coincide in his later years with Russell and Whitehead, whose monumental work redirected Philosphy towards the realm of Mathematical Logic and Scientific Materialism. Yet, Bradley's revised version of Hegelian Idealism, strengthened by judiciously chosen elements from the British Idealist tradition, still stands as a practically inexpugnable bulwark against the inroads of those tempted by a spontaneous, unreflective materialism, namely, most of the scientific community today.
Also extremely well written, witty, sharp and captivating in parts. Well worth a perusal, especially the early chapters.

I completely disagree with his conception of reality, but I enjoyed this book. Bradley was a precursor to the language philosophers. Everyone seems intrigued with Wittgenstein; however, Bradley is far more comprehensive and profound. Plus, he writes very good English. Bradley distinguishes subtle naunces in meaning between words and in this way is a precursor to language philosophy. I also recommend C. S. Lewis's book, A Study in Words.

I'm amazed that all the books I have on language philosophy exclude F H Bradley. He did everything language philosophers did before they did it.

This book, written in 1893, is one of the most important books in the history of English language philosophy. During his lifetime, Bradley was one of the best known of British philosophers, but before he died (in 1924) his metaphysical position dropped out of fashion, in part because it was attacked (and misrepresented) by Russell and Moore. In spite of their hostility, Twentieth Century analytic philosophers were profoundly influenced by Bradley. For an excellent discussion of this matter, read the first chapter of Tom Rockmore's book, Hegel, Idealism, and Analytic Philosophy. I recommend reading _Appearance and Reality_ before taking on Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit (Galaxy Books). Bradley's argument for absolute idealism is the best written in English. His writing is lively, frequently pointed and sardonic, a "good read". This version, a reproduction of the 1893 edition, is sturdy, well bound, on good paper. It is a bargain and a must read for anyone with a serious interest in philosophy.

Something must have _happened_ to Francis Herbert Bradley.

He seems to have been something of a curmudgeon; at least, he was extremely reclusive and had a reputation for shooting cats. But at some point in his life he must have come to some sort of deep mystical realization.

Otherwise he couldn't have written this book, which reads like a Western version of Shankara. This is philosophy in the grand old style, and it's one of the high points of British idealism.

Bradley's argument doesn't always hold up in its precise details. He doesn't, for example, think that "relations" are real because (he says) they lead to an infinite regress. But Royce replied to this pretty adequately in an appendix to _The World and the Individual_. He also states firmly (and I think correctly) that there's no conceiving reality apart from experience and there's no duality in experience between subject and object. But support for this claim isn't exactly forthcoming. (Timothy L.S. Sprigge does a much better job with it in _The Vindication of Absolute Idealism_.)

But the essential structure of his argument is sound and could be carried through again with a different set of examples (the standard logical paradoxes, say): the world of our ordinary experience turns out upon inspection to be contradictory, so it can't be fully and finally real; what _is_ fully and finally real is a nondual Absolute in which all those apparent contradictions are resolved through that very nonduality.

Well, Bradley puts it better than that, of course, and his prose style is very pleasant to read. This work is also excerpted in James W. Allard and Guy Stock's collection of Bradley's _Writings on Logic and Metaphysics_, so if you want to read a shorter version, check that volume out.

Anyway, the point is, don't ever let anybody tell you there isn't any nondualistic wisdom here in the West. In a different time and place, Bradley would have been revered as a guru -- a prospect that in all likelihood would have made him cringe, so it's probably just as well. But he's clearly trying to articulate a vision here, and few writers have tackled "rational mysticism" with such philosophical flair.

I doubt that Shankara would have shot cats. Fortunately the similarities run deeper than that.

This book is indeed extremely important for analytic, continental, and mystic philosophers alike. Bradley's positive view, the Absolute, is proposed here as the _only way out_ of those messy analytic debates regarding topics such as appearance vs. reality, plurality, quality, and causation. Bradley's starting point: what is absurd (logically impossible) cannot exist.

A brave and well-executed first novel that is both engaging and very funny. Wilcox has succeeded in `turning' the vampire formula on its unsuspecting head -- by rattling around with the innards and releasing a new breed of vampire and fiction.
A careful blend of humour, cliché and an all-star ensemble of have-a-go students ensure an enjoyable read from start to finish.

There are echoes of Pratchett-esque frivolity and irony; but Wilcox adds an extra dimension of sarcasm and innocent stupidity in his characters that have been absent from the Discworld since Sorcery. If Wilcox can pull off the series that he plans, it will be a fine feat indeed that should keep readers laughing for years.

Rhys's Blood Lust definitely gets the vampress.net stamp of approval for vampy goodness!

Witty, intelligent and action packed! This novel is anything but the boring played out vampire stereotypes found in most vampire based novels. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll laugh some more and you'll hope someone beats the bad guys with their own body parts (and someone does!).

I personally enjoyed the numerous references and mockery of popular vampire culture. How can you NOT love a novel with lines like this: "Perhaps she did not know that she was supposed to bay at the moo, or perform some sort of necromantic rite. Maybe you were supposed to get a manual or something; 'Lestat's Complete Guide to Immortality and Jugular Rending'."

Buy this book! And bug his publishers to get moving on the second installment, hell and why not the third and fourth.

Okay, corny review header, but it really is a good book. Answers all the questions anyone would really think upon meeting a vampire, including that pesky regeneration thing. This is the way Blade would be if it was a British film. I understand someone's making a Red Dwarf film. This should be their next development.

I demand more people buy it, 'cause I'm fed up waiting for the next one. You can get it from amazon.co.uk.

A very smart, very knowing and very amusing slant on the Vampire myth. Wilcox obviously has his tongue pressed firmly into his cheek.
The book has no pretence of horror but is simply innovative and hugely entertaining. One of the least frightening books you are likely to read this year but without doubt one of the funniest!
A great comic talent.
Buy this book - it is available on Amazon.co.uk.

...

This book is a wonderful mixture of the insanely manic (student vampires in modern day England), cut-your-pinky off sharp wit and moments of shocking hilarity. Influences of Pratchett-esque silliness and fantasy throughout, but written in a very original and effective style that kept me from putting this gem down until I had thoroughly embarassed myself in public by laughing out loud so much.

Weird, wacky, colorful, creative and comical. Salty and sanguine fun. Do read this book.

I have little to add to the five good reviews posted so far, but a few notes may be worthwhile. I'm an anthropologist, not an archaeologist but a confirmed archaeology junkie, and I took this book along on a trip to Scotland. It was a great book to have. It was particularly valuable for the Orkneys, whose Golden Age seems to have been around 3000-4000 BC (an odd time and place for a Golden Age, but the stuff is literally monumental).
Pryor seems to write his popular books by turning on the tape recorder while telling tales in the local pub. He has a great British yarn-spinning style, and (more in the wonderful Medieval volume than in this one) he tells you all the good pubs to visit after you see the sites (pun irresistible). You learn about his wife (an archaeologist specializing in ancient wood), his sheep farm (re-creating old methods), his sheepdog, and much else, all charming.
Be warned of some biases. He interprets the record as one of evolution in place with a few outside influences trickling in, rather than a series of invasions. I generally agree with him (I know the literature pretty well), but some do not, so read e.g. recent works by Colin Renfrew and decide for yourselves.
One really interesting item surfaces on pp. 149-151: amazingly beautiful and carefully made "axe-heads" in lovely stone. I thought he might be exaggerating--he loves even a few squiggly lines on a Neolithic object--but a visit to the Museum of Scotland convinced me that he is, if anything, understating. These axeheads have never been used. They are in mint condition, not even showing handling wear. They are among the most stunningly beautiful pieces of stonework I have ever seen--perfect in form, exquisitely polished, and clearly intended to be consummately beautiful. Some were made of jadeite (hard as quartz) and traded all the way from the Alps. They are as fine as any Chinese or Maya jadeite pieces. They were found in burials and other presumably ritual contexts, and clearly hold a lot of secrets. They show that even the European Neolithic, notable otherwise for some pretty sorry pottery, had high aesthetic standards.
One place we visited in the Orkneys was Maes Howe, a huge domed communal tomb made of giant slabs of rock around 3000-3500 BC. In the Medieval period, some Vikings got caught in a storm and took refuge in it. Two of them went insane during the night. Watch out for those Neolithic spirits.
Pryor is writing partly to get more support and conservation for archaeological sites. I thoroughly support this, and wish him every success. One reason why we need them is that they show how similar people are in all times and places. I love archaeology because it is so unsurprising: it shows us that people lived, ate, wore clothes, loved, had children, butchered pigs, died and were buried, pretty much as they have at all times and places. Those flashy differences in art and politics seem unimportant beside the loving and caring burials, the worn clothing, the carefully worked wood, and the fire-blackened cooking pots emerging from peat bogs and clay pits. The bones of our ancestors reminds us that what matters is that we are all siblings beneath the skin.

As a former participant in the Fengate excavations that Francis Pryor supervised near Peterborough in the 1970s, I found his interpretation of Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age ritual in the daily life of prehistoric Britian to be compelling, interspersed as it was with personal anecdotes and current case studies. This book only whetted my appetite to return and experience anew those discoveries and many more, enlightened by a new understanding of my own roots, both professional and personal.

Dr. Boyd Dixon
Senior Archaeologist
PBS&J
Austin Texas

As the other 3 reviewers have provided brilliant reviews about the topics, the author and information provided, all I will add, like my fellow reviewer above is:
Pryor's: Britain BC is very comprehensive for the home history buff (with no prior archeology knowledge required .... phew !!) and incredibly interesting, and at times completely mind blowing.

I feel intellectually richer having read this book. And in all honesty, for the small price it costs here on Amazon ..... if you 'dig' (pardon the pun) this type of stuff - BUY IT !!

This is a very enjoyable book that explores the ancient history of Britain from a perspective not often found in other works. As the other two reviews written here do an excellent job of detailing what you'll find in this enjoyable volume, I'll save you the time of reading my review and simply say "I concur".

Pryor has combined his own expertise from the archaeological field with a thorough understnading of the work of fellow archaeologists, (both in the UK and abroad), to present a vibrant, fluid and exceptionally informative look at life before Roman Britain.

Where Pryor makes some "judgement calls", he is open and honest about how much evidence there is and some different ways of understanding it. He presents a variety of views.

What you end up with a very comprehensive view of prehistoric life in Britain that does not get lost in reams of dry information. Pryor writes with an obvious passion for the topic, and that enthusiasm comes out in the writing.

It is basically a great book, with loads of information. I learned heaps from it!

"The Butter Bee Book" For the BBC Children in Need.... This collection of poems was absolutely incredible! It was written by a collaboration of poets from all over the world. The poems were donated to create this lovely book that has great appeal for children. The poems are artistically written with great imagery and moral value. There are color pictures that children will find delightful to go with the poetic stories. This book is a remarkable fundraiser that was well organized and surely a great asset to anyone's collection. I would highly recommend to be read to small children and older children can read by themselves. Christina R Jussaume ---Author/Poet of "My Walk with Jesus" by www.Publishamerica.com and www.Barnes&Noble.com.

A wonderful gift to give children in need. These children have more than just the normal growing up problems in life. Anything we can do or say to the children in need, to bring joy and a smile, is well worth the small amount paid for this outstanding anthology type gift to our children. I call it a gift to children in that all poems, stories, artwork, and publication was done on a donation basis with all royalties going directly to the children in need. Thank you to all who shared in this project, especially to Pat Simpson, who co-ordinated and AuthorHouse UK who published. Now it is time for all to do their part in helping children in need by purchasing this fine book. Your children will be delighted as you read to them and if old enough they will delight in reading to each other. Remember our children around the world are the greatest assets we have. Do you know how important the job is to be a child? The answer you will find between the pages of "The Butter Bee Book For the BBC Children in Need."
Yvonne Marie Crain

Absolutely had to have more then one of these!
This book has stories world wide that are safe,
caring, and uplifiting, with great moral
content.
It should be in every household as far as
I am concerned. I know I had just as much
fun reading it as any child would hearing it.

Kudos to the Patricia Farnsworth Simpson
Kathleen Zvetkoff, Author

This is a marvelous book accumulated, edited and coordinated by Patricia
Farnsworth Simpson with the help of Authors House Publishing for the
BBC Appeal for Children in Need. Wonderful poems and stories from poets
and writers around the world. I am honored to be a contributor with
with poems and a short story. You will fall in love with this book
from your first glance at the cover. Great reading for pleasure and
for nighttime to children. Robert Hewett Sr (WHEN I GROW UP, May 2007)

Hello, I am one of the many authors who have contributed children's poems to make this book the best that it can be. Talented authors from all over the globe have helped Patricia Ann Farnsworth Simpson to make this dream to help children come true. It was Pat's idea to gather a diversified group of writers to give up royalties for the love of children. The book will please any child who reads this book or has a special loved one read it to them. You can help other children by pleasing your own child or grandchild. Join all those who would entertain a child with poems that have great morals and share love in delightful manner. Daveda Gruber (author of: "Snapshots ...a Blonde View")

Spence and Chin has done a great job compiling these rare photos and recording China's past 100 years concisely but thoroughly. This is a must read, must have book.

This book is an invaluable resource for scholars and amateurs alike. The introductory essay orients the reader, and the photographs tell their own story.

The "reviewer" below this is clearly insane and/or has an ax to grind. As any of their Yale students could tell you, Spence and Chin are both world-class scholars whose passion is narrating the stories of modern China accessibly, entertainingly, and provocatively.

It's a surprisingly thorough and sophisticated overview of China in the 20th century for a book that at first glance looks primarily like a picture book. The text is outstanding in itself and the pictures quite original. I recommend it to those with a rudimentary knowledge of Chinese history.

Overall, I found this book to be very informative and fun to read. Being a UCSD student and taking many classes pertaining to Asia, I read many works by Spence. By far, I have enjoyed reading every one of his works. This particular book in my opinion is the best of Spence's works-- though he cooperated with another author. Spence's works is a testament to his ability to present fact in a dynamic way. In this case, Spence uses photographs to augment his work.

And concerning the individual from Grand Rapids, Missouri (2nd Review). This individual is thoroughly ignorant and racist to say that the Chinese people "lost the sense of dignity, creativity, and are still today refusing to advance their own country by isolating from the rest of the world." China has continually engaged in the free market arena since it opened up commercially in the 1980s. According to most experts, China has the fastest growing economy in the world. On another note, this individual fails to note that there is a level of corruption in every country. Yes, we Americans have seen our fair share of corrupt cops and politicians! Overall, this individual's remark does no justice for the merit of Spence's work, and is an unjustified insult to the Chinese community.

Few countries have experienced the same intensity of tumultuous drama and tragedy as China did during most of the 20th century. Only Russia and Germany have seen as many changes of borders and political systems as China. Loss of lives in wars, civil wars, famines and natural calamities has been higher in China than anywhere else. After the 19th century saw China's sovereignty being cut away by foreign powers and their imperial demands (opium wars etc) in one piece after the other, culminating with Japan's grabbing of Taiwan in 1895, the 20th began with a failed big bang, the Boxer Rebellion, which added more humiliation.
Then came the fall of the Manchu Dynasty, the decades of warlordism and of the fight between the Nationalist Party KMT (which started on Leninist principles and became later a great admirer of Italian fascism and German nazis, before they changed course and decided to be part of the fight for freedom and align themselves with the Allies) with the communists, who were split-offs from the KMT, then the Japanese invasion and occuption of large parts of China (the Rape of Nanjing ...), then WW2, after that the resumed civil war, with the communists victorious, the de facto split-off of Taiwan who had come back from Japanese rule only briefly and was now the recipient of large crowds of refugees from the mainland (and the victim of KMT suppression). The mainland under communist rule saw the participation in the Korean War, the internal propaganda war against 1000 flowers in bloom,which cost many lives and many many years of freedom for many, the terrible Great Leap Forward with its giant famine, the disastrous Cultural Revolution... And then since the late 70s an at first slow and then faster and faster opening up of the system to market elements and foreign engagement, which has by now taken the country back on the world stage, where it had been in the past, without a basic change of the political structure that was in place since now nearly 60 years. So what next?
The book tells the history briefly and adds historical fotos of great value to make this a true 'photographic history'. The authors are Yale professors. J.Spence wrote some of the most relevant books on modern China, if you want to go deeper into the subject.

I found this book and others by this author while searching for horse mysteries. I have read all the Francis books and have always enjoyed them and wished there were more books like them and now there are! An added bonus is that Stacey writes about various equestrian disciplines - this one covers show jumping - and I think would it be enjoyable for people without a horse backround as well as very entertaining for those of us that do know about equestrian pursuits. This book keeps you interested throughout and I was truly thrilled to discover this author's books.

I have devored every Dick Francis book ever written...and while glad to have him publishing again with his son...this author makes me ready to pass the torch. As well as a fast paced mystery this author has a feel for horses, similar to Bolt and Break-in. It's nice to read about industry horsemen who still actually love the animal. I highly recomend this author to anyone who enjoyed Dick Francis.

One of the best books I've ever read. I've been around horses since I was four years old, she knew the attitude, the people, the lingo. It was great. I never once got bored with the story line. The characters were real. The descriptions were great. I LOVED IT!!! You know it's a good book when you finish it and you're still thinking about it, and you want there to be more.

If you like Dick Francis, you'll love Cut Throat. Though Stacey's books are certainly different than Francis, her villans are very bad, her heroes are not without flaws and her plots are well thought out and well told. This one kept me guessing until the end. An added bonus is Stacey's obvious knowledge of horses and "horse people". A great read.

She's a good writer, knows horses (sadly lacking in so many horse topic writers) and keeps up suspense. She has very good bad guys and uses them well.

Find all 3 of her released mystery books, a great read!