Oklahoma Books

This is a marvelous treasure trove of information that you usually only get snippets from in introductions or read about in passing during story telling time.

There are 44 different ways to look at the same Zuni region. Each with a map and a definition. We see at any given time Traditional Zuni Agricultural Area, Grazing Area, Hunting Area, Plant Collection Area, Mineral Collection Area, Religious use Area, and much more there are sketches and monochrome photographs of structures, people, and areas.

I especial like the standard picture of Frank Hamilton Cushing in his version of Zuni garb.

This is truly an atlas and any you would use today and concentrates on the terrain but includes the Zuni migration and encounters with other people. The information is far too dense to be able to describe in a simple review.

The authors are T.J. Ferguson, Archaeologist, Pueblo of Zuni, and E. Richard Hart, historian and writer, and director of the institute of the American West.

This book is perfect for someone wanting to bet past the cursory information. It would be indispensable to anyone writing or talking or just understanding the area, its uses and history.

Yup, I'm one of the freaks who actually likes this book, despite my roommate's information that it is highly melodramaticized. I don't care. I think it's great writing, and I love the interspersing stories that have nothing to do with the plot, and yet are so insightful.

Sorry, but I was actually touched.

The book came in great condition and in a timely manner. It was a pleasure doing business with this seller on Amazon.com

I love this book for a variety of reasons, and I'll share these before offering my criticisms:

1) Wonderful tale of a painful time and place in American history

2) Great characters - and powerful bonding between them. I loved their ability to sacrifice for each other - at great costs.

3) A metaphorically redemptive message: this book shows the strength of human perseverance in the face of awful odds

4) Incredible local color - accents, speech, behavior! John Steinbeck really knew his stuff, and brought it to LIFE! Kudos!

5) Beautiful writing - so many times Steinbeck wrote scenes that sing off the page, transcending the story, the characters, and himself

6) I just love Steinbeck's character of Preacher Casy. He adds such a strong dimension of honesty, emotional courage, and truth-seeking to the book... He's one of my favorite characters in all of literature.

My criticisms:

1) Having previously read this book fifteen years ago, I learned then that the "filler" chapters - the ones NOT about the Joad family - were unnecessary to the story, so I skipped them this time around. This made the book infinitely more readable and enjoyable. I would guess these skippable chapters account for about a third of the book's volume...

2) I found the ending cheesy - didn't like it fifteen years ago, and still don't. I won't go into details (don't want to be a spoiler), but I found it too intellectual and emotionally disconnected to the pulse of the story...
3) Steinbeck uses various of his characters (particularly Preacher Casy) to make all sorts of philosophical comments on life, but never does he state the obvious, much less come near it with a ten-foot pole: DON'T HAVE SO MANY KIDS! The whole book is about people trying desperately to feed their children - for whom they cannot provide. To me this leaves the parents - sharecroppers, who, at the best of times, had life REALLY hard - and not just society, responsible. Even ONE little comment to this effect would have been welcomed. Yet has anything changed since the 1930s? Does anyone suggest that starving adults in Darfur not have children? (Or the EMOTIONALLY starving adults right here in the rich USA???)

I just finished reading "The Grapes of Wrath." Steinbeck's simple but poetic prose shows a mastery of subtlety and expertise. The dialog was very believable and realistic. The period in which J. Steinbeck wrote as did Hemingway was the realism movement, which never really strayed too long into what the characters were thinking or feeling. The characters words on the surface is what portrayed who they were and Steinbeck expertly reveals all of them, even down to his tertiary characters, Ruthie and Winfield. Ma Joad and Tom are beautifully realized as was Casey the former preacher.

If I have any quibble with the story, it's some of the chapters, which were a little too polemical and didactic. I felt Steinbeck trying too hard to drive his personal beliefs down my throat about "The Man versus the corporation and big business." Overall however, I still came away with great admiration for what he tried to accomplish with this story, considering we had just come out of the Depression only about five or six years later followed by the destructive Dust Bowls, created by man.

I now understand why this novel is considered in such high esteem by so many experts and admirers of fiction. "The Grapes of Wrath" is truly one of the great American novels!

I thought The Grapes of Wrath was entertaining, depressing, and inspiring all at once - a little long at times, but still a great read. Basically, it's hard to feel sorry for yourself and easier to feel sympathy for others when you're reading from this book every morning. I hope people continue to read The Grapes of Wrath for a long time; it's a reminder of how lucky we are right now, how quickly things can go wrong, and how important it is to be kind to one another and preserve a sense of community. The beginning drags a little bit, but the rest of the book is worth it. Great book.

Summer of the Monkeys may be historical fiction, but the dialogue is pretty modern and bland. More accurate dialogue would have added charm and humor. Also, the boy compares fireflies to "a million flashlights." The flashlight had not been invented. A quibble, yes, but come on. It takes you out of the story. I thought the challenge of the monkeys was funny, but everything else predictable. The denouement was beyond sappy, beyond belief, and way too saccharine. And the closing paragraph seemed tacked on and rushed. The book, I think, would be best enjoyed by 4th or 5th graders. The writing and plotting is just too simplistic for middle schoolers.

This is the first time I have read "Wilson Rawls" and, although essentially a children's book, I enjoyed his writing very much. It captures the heart and touches some part of our childhood. The plot was quite interesting as well, with boy things versus girl things, having a sick child who finds a world of expression and selflessness and parents with only a hope of getting her treated due to lack of money, then the twist of fate in things turning out all right.

My 8 yr old daughter (a very good reader) loves this book!! She first read Where the Red Fern Grows and loved that. She was inspired to read this one and loves it even more! She may be a good reader, but she is picky. She looks forward to reading this one. She says that Wilson Rawls makes her feel like she is really there.

Summer of the Monkeys

Have you ever thought of trying to catch a $100 monkey for free? Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls is about a boy named Jay Berry Lee who goes to his grandfathers shop for some errands. His grandfather tells him about these circus monkeys in the forest. The theme of this book is that Jay Berry Lee is trying to raise money by catching the monkeys and giving them back to the circus. He tries to raise money for his sister because she twisted her leg at birth.

When Jay Berry goes to his grandfather's store he tells him how the monkeys got to the sycamore trees. And the reason is that this circus train de-railed and the monkeys got loose. He says that about 30 monkeys got loose. One monkey, the smartest of all of them costs $100.

Jay Berry Lee is a very adventurous and smart kid. This book Summer of the Monkeys is a historical fiction novel. I recommend this book to readers who like books taken place in the old times. Readers who like stories with kids and animals should read this fascination novel.

Out of all the people involved in this work, you'd think it would have dawned on at least ONE of them that these are CHIMPANZEES, not monkeys. Monkeys are as different from chimps as dogs are from cats. Did no one attached to this project take a high school science class? And this work is geared toward children, no less! Amazing! No wonder we can't convince the other half of the country to accept Evolution...they don't even know the difference between a chimp and a monkey!

I was notified by the seller that the book was no longer available. I notified her that I appreciated the follow up and even though she could not fill my order, I would still do business with her in the future.

This was my first Stephen Hunter novel. I have been frustrated by the lack of edgy, tough genre fiction out there to match Dennis Lehane, George Pelecanos, James Ellroy, Robert Crais, Andrew Vachss, James Lee Burke and others I've read and enjoyed. Too often, crime/genre fiction just seems too implausible to hold my attention.

Stephen Hunter is a good find.

Dirty White Boys is worthy of comparison to the work of the above list of genre authors and even the work of other writers like Harry Crews.

I loved Dirty White Boys, but it is not for the faint-of-heart or squeamish. It can even be downright depressing at times. The antagonist, rapist-robber-thief-murderer Lamar Pye, is a violent but crafty sociopath, and Hunter does a great job of detailing the inner workings of the career criminal's psyche and his survive-at-all-costs ethic. The protagonist, Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer Bud Pewtie, is admirable but also has many character flaws. He is sympathetic because of his determination and bravery, but he is not that admirable otherwise. He struggles with many issues (cheating on his wife, making time for his family, turning his battle with Lamar Pye into a personal vendetta) and he often gives in to his worst impulses rather than taking the high road. In a way, both Lamar Pye and Bud Pewtie are mirrors of one another -- they are both hard, determined men who can't help but give in to their impulses; but Pewtie is tormented by his conscience. Lamar Pye has no conscience. Pewtie adheres to a "law and order" morality. Lamar Pye adheres only to his own whims for destruction and domination.

There are very few redeeming characters in this novel (one of the detectives on the case is a wily but bitter old drunk, the head of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol is a politician, Bud's wife is loyal but mercurial, the other criminals are dastardly or cowardly, etc.). This gives the book a dark feel, especially considering all of the violence in the novel.

Nevertheless, it is great genre fiction. The tension never lets up, with Hunter placing each of the characters under constant duress. He stretches it out a little too much towards the end, but if you like your hard-boiled fiction hard, then you'll like this.

I love to read. But if the book does not grab me from the first couple pages, back it goes.
Simply and ignorantly put, without all the details, I can surely say that this is one of, if not the best books
I have ever read. I know!!!!! Not very helpful. But ya just gotta read it!!!!!!!!

Inside the mind of a brilliant sociopath....why would any of us want to go there? Perhaps to understand , or try to understand, what normal people cannot even imagine. Nature vs nurture......this is an exciting book but sad and morose as well. Sad that humans who can be so much can also be so little, so terrible. you absolutely MUST read this book prior to reading Black Light!!!!!! No exceptions now y'all hear? Point of Impact would be a good prequel too.....POI, then DWB, than and only then Black Light. Keep em in order and you'll enjoy ( and understand) em all the more.

And, and, and......how can a society not preemptively care for its' "baby Odells". There is sadness in this great novel. You better be prepared to get slapped by some of it if you're an empathic person such as this reviewer.

eek....my liberal side is leaking out again.......

Listen... I read Time To Hunt and then went back to Point Of Impact. I loved them both. POI was better for me, but both were grand. I bought DWB and started it. I knew the beginning page because of the snapshot Amazon gives you. I knew it would be rough. But the way the first chapter ended I thought I'd have to quit. If you feel the same after Chapter One DON'T DO IT. Keep reading. The book redeems itself beyond the hopeless evil and treachery of the characters. The fact that Hunter is so insightful as to how people just let their lives fall apart. About how they feel destined to do certain things. About how both of these things can happen to intelligent people. [albeit not intuitive, logical and self-correcting people!]
Hunter has the tragic human condition down cold. He unfolds this story with painful ferocity. I haven't even finished it yet, but I know how good it is. It is a nice reminder to me of how utterly hopeless most people are. How lacking people are in self-perception, intuition, realism, and virtue. This may sound depressing, but it is the truth about people. To defend yourself from the mistakes of others you have to have knowledge. Hunter dishes out knowledge, internal and external, by the plateful here!

The authors have written a great book, which goes into extensive detail on the life of Timothy McVeigh but does not feel bogged down in too many facts. The reader will see McVeigh at various stages of his life, from what appears to be a normal, healthy childhood to becoming a standout soldier. At that point in McVeigh's life- the first Gulf War and its aftermath - he begins to unravel and the authors show how McVeigh evolved over time to eventually commit what was then the greatest act of terrorism in US history.

This story has appealed to me for a long time. So, needless to say when this book came out I had to purchase it. The book is especially strong on the post-army deterioration Mcveigh felt and his disillusionment with the government. The authors were also granted interviews with Mcveigh in prison which lend credence to the story. The fascinating part for me was generally prisoners deny their crimes and fight to the bitter end, as in the case of death row prisoners. Mcveigh seemed to be completely willing to die for his acts, and in fact relished it. It seems to be part of his endgame strategy. Great read about a intense individual.

_American Terrorist: Timothy McVeigh & The Oklahoma City Bombing_, published in 2001 before McVeigh was put to death, by journalists for the _Buffalo News_ Lou Michel and Dan Herbeck, is a highly disturbing book which takes a look into the life, mind, and philosophy of the terrorist Timothy McVeigh. This book (despite possible flaws) remains one of the most important biographies written on McVeigh because the journalists obtained interviews with McVeigh himself and his family (particularly Timothy McVeigh's father Bill McVeigh). Timothy McVeigh (1968 - 2001) was a veteran of the Gulf War whose radical antigovernment philosophy and disgust over the events of Ruby Ridge and Waco may have pushed him to commit the terrorist act of bombing the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, there may be some reason to believe that there was more to this bombing than originally believed; however, the authors do not discuss such possibilities as they rely entirely on the testimony of McVeigh who took sole credit for the bombing, along with fellow conspirator Terry Nichols. McVeigh has often been linked to the "antigovernment right" or "far right" and his actions were used by many in left wing "watchdog groups" to call for crackdowns on the militia and patriot movements by the government. However, McVeigh's views remain more difficult to categorize than this (as pointed out by fellow prisoner Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, in a private letter to the authors of this book which appears as an appendix in this book). While it is true that McVeigh was an ardent lover of firearms and the Second Ammendment (to the point of fanaticism and unhealthy obsession), charges of racism and the white supremacist angle remain more difficult to maintain. In his letter Kaczynski maintains that McVeigh saw more in common between the radical left and the radical right than was originally believed and Kaczynski describes McVeigh pretty accurately as "he is an adventurer by nature, and America since the closing of the frontier has had little room for adventurers." McVeigh's bombing was a horrendous affair resulting in countless innocent deaths (including the deaths of many children who were present in a day care center at the building) and was very likely an exceedingly poor attempt to get back at the federal government for their mistakes and wrongdoings at Ruby Ridge and Waco. Nevertheless, it is important to keep two things in mind. First, I believe there is some reason to suspect that there is more to this story than just Timothy McVeigh (perhaps which we will never know) and further that the actions of the government in recent times have been far worse, more calculating, and resulting in much greater bloodshed. Supposedly McVeigh was horrified by such atrocities committed by the government and sought to get back at them for what they had done. Unfortunately, his alleged way of getting back at them turned out to be largely ineffective and focused on innocents rather than those who were truly responsible. As such, his actions must be fully condemned.

The book begins in the Introduction, by explaining how the journalist authors came to be involved in reporting this story and their meetings with Bill McVeigh. The authors then turn to the early life of Timothy McVeigh. The disturbing thing about this is that his early life and boyhood were largely normal. In fact, the authors describe him as nothing more than "the boy next door". However, early on in his life, McVeigh's experiences caused him to develop a particular dislike for bullies and even a horror at killing. Following high school, McVeigh went through a funk where he may have read quite a bit and otherwise did a great deal of thinking. It was during this time that McVeigh developed his survivalist and antigovernment views. He was introduced to such views through such magazines as _Soldier of Fortune_ as well as his early readings of _The Turner Diaries_. McVeigh also developed an early interest in firearms and through his grandfather Ed learned how to use and care for them. McVeigh (uncertain of his direction in life) decided to enter the military believing that there he could further his survivalist skills and practice using firearms. However, from the very beginning, McVeigh may have developed some reason to regard the military as hypocritical and inefficient. McVeigh became very good at soldiering and frequently would win prizes for being the top gunner. Subsequently, when the First Gulf War broke out, McVeigh was sent to Iraq. It was in Iraq that McVeigh came to develop some further suspicions of the government as he came to see the Iraqi army largely outmatched facing a far more powerful U.S. Army. McVeigh also came to somewhat resent the authority of his superiors over the fact that they frequently relied on "by the book" instructions when it became obvious that such instructions were leading to further casualties. McVeigh also developed a certain respect for Iraqi culture, leading to his general respect for other cultures (noted by fellow convicted terrorist Ted Kaczynski). It was also in the military that McVeigh met Terry Nichols, a Michigan farmer who shared his antigovernment views and had radical opinions about the role of farmers and bankers and the government. Following his stay in Iraq, McVeigh was sent home to try out for the Special Forces, the elite of the elite in the Army. McVeigh was greeted at home as a war hero and then went on to try out for the Special Forces. However, McVeigh (who was not in the best of physical or mental shape following his stay in Iraq) did not make the cut for the Special Forces and decided to drop out. This was a further disillusioning experience for McVeigh and such experiences eventually led to him asking to leave the Army. When McVeigh left the Army he returned home to an extreme period of depression and disillusionment. McVeigh ended up living at his father's house along with his sister Jennifer (who shared his antigovernment views and who the authorities would later view with suspicion) and had to find work as a security guard. McVeigh grew increasingly dissatisfied with his life and the government and entered a period of despair and near suicidal depression. Eventually, McVeigh was to leave his family (his father and his sister) and begin his travels, telling his father only that "taxes are too high" before leaving. McVeigh began a journey which led him deeper and deeper into the antigovernment fringe and gun culture. McVeigh also met up with his old army buddies Mike Fortier (who was hopelessly addicted to illegal narcotics) and Terry Nichols (who along with his brother James had a long history of antigovernment hatred). It was while visiting with Terry Nichols that McVeigh told a group of farmers that the government had implanted a microchip in him before his going into war (a story which the authors believe to be confabulated, but to which there may be a greater significance). McVeigh became actively involved in gun shows, selling weapons and various political materials at them, and he became fascinated with gun and outlaw culture. It was however the events at Waco which supposedly pushed McVeigh over the edge, and he went to Waco to protest the government's actions and to give out political propaganda. McVeigh became increasingly paranoid and his letters to his sister indicate his increasingly erratic behavior as well as his indications that "something big was about to go down". This may have led to McVeigh and Nichols conspiring to blow up the building in Oklahoma. The rest of the book details the bomb and the subsequent explosion and loss of life as well as the subsequent arrest and trial of McVeigh. Despite McVeigh's own claims to the contrary, many including his own attorney came to suspect that there may have been more to this terrorist act than originally thought and suspected a larger conspiracy. The book ends by showing the reactions of McVeigh's friends and family and with McVeigh on death row. It was while in prison that McVeigh met such other notorious terrorists as Ramzi Ahmed Yousef and Ted Kaczysnki. The government was to put McVeigh to death in 2001. The book also includes a very interesting letter about McVeigh by Kaczynski sent to the authors which reveals certain aspects of McVeigh's philosophy.

This book is a highly disturbing one for what it shows about the life of Timothy McVeigh. McVeigh believed that the government had grown out of control and that its actions were criminal, so he decided to make the government pay for its actions. While McVeigh may have been right about the actions of the government, the way he chose to get back at it was futile and simply resulted in the deaths of innocents. Further, McVeigh's actions may have caused further crackdowns on the militia and patriot movements by the government and by left wing "watchdog groups". Nevertheless, I feel there is some reason to believe that there may be more to the story behind this bombing than just McVeigh. As such, I believe while this book offers a good portrayal of McVeigh and his beliefs, it may miss out on what really happened, which we may still not fully know.

One of my students discussed this book in a paper and stated that he had really liked it, so I decided to read it as well. Although I knew some about the OKC bombing, I didn't really know much.
The book is written by two journalists who interviewed McVeigh, people who knew McVeigh, and people who were affected by what he did. The number of first-person accounts are staggering, and the information the authors gleaned from their interviews creates a very interesting picture of McVeigh, his life, the bombing, and his time in jail. As you read the book you don't get the feeling that the authors are attempting to sway your opinion of McVeigh - it's very even-handed and factual. Because of this I felt that the book was far longer than it needed to be. There were many sections that could have conveyed the point without the length.
I highly enjoyed reading this book and definitely suggest it to anyone interested in McVeigh's life. For any number of reasons, the book ends before he is executed, which I disliked. I would have liked to have heard about how people felt about the execution after it had taken place. Interviews on that topic may have brought up feelings that the authors may not have wanted to deal with though, which is completely understandable.

If you want a book about Timothy McVeigh this is the one to buy.
I like this one as it gives facts all about his life and the bombing and it lacks very few of the authors opinions! When I read about someone I like to read just the facts! I don't like someone trying to sway me in one direction with their opinions. The book, "American Monster" would evidently be nothing but opionins!

Reading this novel for a class in Native American History, I am very much disappointed by the Professor's choice.

All of the characters, events, and descriptions are cliche. There is no love story to speak of because for most of the novel the characters that are supposed to be in love do not interact.

All of the non-Cherokee characters are evil caricatures. The author tries to make every white character as reprehensible as possible.

Even worse, the Cherokee characters are similarly caricatured.

While the author identifies the Cherokee words used to describe food and animals, Cherokee religious terminology is left unexplained as if the reader is expected to pass it off as primitive superstitious mumbo-jumbo and not as legitimate religious expression.

Its as if Robert Conley read a few books on the holocaust and decided to apply the same tired language to his description of the Trail of Tears: "Waguli lost track of the days. One day was like the last. Time had ceased to exist..."

It reminds me of a Disney movie in every sense. The book is comical, which is a shame because the subject matter is so important. I just don't feel Robert Conley does history justice by turning it into caricature.

The book was received within a reasonable time and was in great condition, as had been noted in the sale.

I really enjoyed your your book.The many diffent seens that took place in the story,is what keep me reading your book.I loved the love seen in your story,I'm in love so I felt how oconeechee and waguli I can feel them.I'm happy Igot the chance to wwrite you and hopefully I can read more book of yours.

Robert J. Conley's book Mountain Windsong: Trail of tears was a wonderfully written book. I never before cared much about learning or reading about the indians. After reading this book I was glad that I read it. Mr. Conley's book was very informative and descriptive. Through a love story he told about the horrible treatment of the cherokee people by the white soliders. If you don't the first of the book, you won't get the rest of the book. If you get bored easy, just keep reading and it will get exciting. Your two main characters are Oconeechee(a girl) and Waguli(guy from the old town). Whenever I got done reading this book I felt sad because I never knew that the cherokee people got treated that way. I really enjoyed this book and encourage everyone who has a chance to read it.

"Mountain Windsong", is Robert J. Conley's first novel of The People - his own Cherokee ancestors - and it is an emotional tale of love lost amidst the horror that was the Trail of Tears when, in the 1830s, the Cherokee were forced from the homelands in the Southeast to the barren lands of Oklahoma Territory. Using the historical event as the backdrop, Conley tells the story of Waguli and Oconeechee (the daughter of a famous chief) as they are separated at the beginning of the forced march. Throughout the novel we follow the lovers as they struggle to find each other while try to survive the brutality of their situation.

The story is told by LeRoy, which he is retelling from his grandfather; LeRoy had become interested in the story when he inquired about the origin of the "Windsong" he had heard on his reservation in North Carolina (a reservation of Cherokee who escaped the forced relocation).

Conley does a masterful job of weaving the lovers' tale with a vibrant and historically accurate account of the Trail of Tears. Well researched and laced with the words of historical document such as a treaty signed in 1835, this novel a great window into a horrific tragedy.

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A Guide to my Book Rating System:

1 star = The wood pulp would have been better utilized as toilet paper.
2 stars = Don't bother, clean your bathroom instead.
3 stars = Wasn't a waste of time, but it was time wasted.
4 stars = Good book, but not life altering.
5 stars = This book changed my world in at least some small way.

Yeah--that's pretty much what this series is about and it is hillarious! I wasn't sure I was going to like it, but everyone in my Paranormal group who ever read these stories has always come back with such great reviews. Michele Bardley takes some of the best of Karen Marie Moning--namely the Fae, the celtic legends, mixes them up with 3000 year old Irish Vampire hunks--and joins them with midwestern woman who have had there hearts broken, their lives turned upside down--and now if all that isn't bad enough--find themselves bitten and reduced, or seduced into being Vampires? Who will take care of their children? Who will protect their children from the Vampires? Oh, wait--Mom is a Vampire!!! Who will protect them from her!!!
LOL! The comedy in this reminds me of some of Sheriilyn Kenyon's snicker a minute dialog--and I really must admit that readying about sexy Irish Vampires who are part Fae, part witch--and 100% sexy isn't a half bad way to pass the time!

My friend Steve Stiles told me about these books, he said you must read them as they are very funny. I enjoyed every word in this book and couldn't wait to get into the next one. If you enjoy books about Vampires then please get this series and prepare to laugh out loud. Get all 3 in the series as you will enjoy everyone of them as much as the last one you read.

The Reader

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

One moment, Jessica Matthews, divorced mother of 2 is dragging the trash cans to the curb and the next she's sucking on the fabulously muscled thigh of a gorgeous 4000 year old vampire. I guess if you're going to wake up as one of the undead, that's not a bad way to go about it.

Jessica is determined to find out what happened to her, and a lot of other citizens of Broken Heart, Oklahoma. That part is easy compared to her other task of protecting her heart and hormones from the hot Irish vampire, with the tasty femoral artery, who saved her life and her kids and then adjusting to her new all blood diet. How does one go about parenting when the sunlight causes 4th degree burns after 3 seconds?

With the first in a fang-tastic series based in Broken Heart, Oklahoma, Michele Bardsley has this reviewer dying for more! Get it? Dying? Yeah, I'll leave the humor to the author. Good idea.

The world created by Michele Bardsley is unique, and that's saying something in the uber popular genre of paranormal romance. Her's is a world of soccer moms with fangs raising their human children in a new dangerous environment, and dosing the story with a healthy serving of sassy witticism is just part of what makes this a winner. Throw in a paranormal consortium, Celtic legends, richly animated characters in a quirky little town and bad guys (errr, vampire Wraiths) to fight, and all that's left is the sexy Irish vampire. I'M THE VAMPIRE THAT'S WHY delivers.

Jessica's character is admirable and very relatable as she struggles between her intense passion for Patrick O'Halloran and her first priority as a committed mother. Patrick has his share of attributes to enjoy by way of sizzling sex appeal that was heightened by his desire to do whatever was best for Jessica and her children no matter what the cost. The author has created a town of colorful characters providing a lot of room for future exploits. Thank goodness, because I am hooked.

The way the author weaves Jessica's ancestry with Patrick's is sensational. The obvious research that went into the Celtic legends adds depth and a unique foundation to the genesis of the vampires in this series.

This author is going on my "must buy" list.

What kind of book do you get when you mix the chick-lit sass of a soccer mom with the urban fantasy cool of a vampire clan? A really clever book, that's what.

Jessica Matthews is like any other homemaking mom when she and ten of her fellow residents of Broken Heart, Oklahoma wake up dead. Or rather-- undead. Whoops. Jess and her friends have been accidentally noshed on by a vampire being treated for an illness spreading amongst vampire kind known as the Taint. Lucky for the PTA they couldn't catch the disease as humans and a group of parakind known as the Consortium has brought them all back to life (or unlife) as vamps. How can the PTA raise kids when they drop dead asleep every morning and don't rise until dark? And what does this mean for their sex lives?

In Jessica's case this means she has to choose between her kids and the hot Irish stud who sired her. Or does it? You're just gonna have to read the book to find out.

Although lacking in the darker undertones of a good urban fantasy, I'm the Vampire, That's Why is a sexy and witty novel filled with all the elements of good fluffy fiction. If you prefer your paranormal romances to be darker, angstier and more serious you might not enjoy this book. But if you like to mix it up now and again with a light-hearted and more comedic story this is a standout for the genre. I didn't fall in love with our hero and heroine so much as the outside players from the German werewolf guardians and the dreamy actor Johnny Angelo (you'll love the James Dean clone) to Jessica's typical kids and her small town friends.

This is a paranormal with real heart and while lighter, fluffier reading than the heavy-weights of the genre this series is going onto my favorites shelf.

338 pages and it took me over four days to read the book. Usually with a book that short I can get thru it in an hour or so.

It was unbelievably boring. Poorly thought out. Absolutely inane. And it was "based" in Oklahoma? I was born and raised in that state and I find it offense that the "author: chose to belittle my state for such a pathetic book. And I am deeply ashamed that I had to give it a rating of one star. It did not merit that star at all.

Detailed, colorful, well written, engrossing, and entertaining.

Mellenthin was Major General and chief of staff of the German Fifth Panzer Army. He fought battles in Poland, France, the Balkans, the Western desert, Russia, Ardennes and the Rhineland. He gives us in detail, with periodically inserted maps, the German Panzer movements and tactics; accounts the enemy operations comparatively from his perspective; how armaments and tactics compared between us and the enemy--a military lesson.

Fortunate for us the German generals were not permitted to run the war. Once Poland was taken it looked as if Germany, with their military leadership and might, would take over the world. With the British poor management, French capitulation and the U.S. indifference it may have well happened. Were it not for the Russian masses, who's to say........

Mellenthin donates a good part of the book writing on Rommel's mastery and the leadership of the officers. He quotes from General Guderian's "Panzer Leader" throughout. The bulk of the book covers Russia, and he discusses his views on the Russian fighting man; this is excellent. Very little is mentioned on the fierce Tiger tank. The discipline remained till the end.

He refrains from discussing the political failure instead concentrating on the military side. Mellenthin did not realize the atrocities by Hitler till he was taken prisoner. He has an afterthought: how may the outcome changed if the war was fought differently. Did he approve of the domination? Was he just another General under orders?

Wish you well
Scott

Panzer Battles is a wonderful overview of practically all major tank battles of World War II. Major General F.W. von Mellenthin has personally been involved in them and gives his account in a well-balanced and honest way. I found it a thrilling story and read it with much pleasure.
In a memoir there are always moments missed and mistakes made, but in this case they are few and understandable. For example, only recently it was found out that Polish cavalry did not attack German panzers. If you are looking for an account on the war in North Africa, read the Rommel Papers. If you are looking for an account on the battle of Kursk, read Glantz. And I could go on like this. But for a solid overview of the major tank battles this is a must-read!

This is the best book I have read about the war. I found Mellenthin's thoughts on the psychology of the Russians particularly interesting.

I found this book at Barnes and Noble. They had it as a special reprint so I figured "why not?"

I am glad I did!

This is the perspectives of a man who served as staff officer in the command centers during the campaigns of Poland, France, Balkans, Africa, Russia and the West.

A great deal of the book centers around Rommel and he offers insight to the man and obviously he respected him highly. He also speaks highly of Manstein and Balck.

Von Mellenthin set out to write a book of war and tactics. Much of the book centers on the successes as I think he was attempting to show the Soviet Army could be fought if they were understood and and well trained forces opposed them. He speaks of this at the conclusion and even has a chapter discussing the Red Army and mostly the average soldier and his mindset.

He says he wanted to show the successes of the military and I think hoped they are not dismissed by the actions of the Nazis.

I think for the most part he tried to be impartial and tried to give complements and criticism were they were do.

One thing I thought was interesting was the fact that Operation Bagration was barely mentioned. However, he does write that that particular campaign was on a far larger scale then D-Day.

He does address the affects of the attempted assassination of Hitler and if it succeeded it would have ended the war maybe in 1944 but there would have been an internal battle mostly by the Waffen SS if it had happened.

He spoke of the affects of bombing campaign on production and mentions Speer's comments that peek production was reached in 1944. The aspect that did them in was the fact that fuel production was heavily targeted and that was what really did them in because Jets and Tanks still needed fuel. He posed the question as to what would have happened in the war if the oil fields of the Caucuses were taken instead of the ill-fated attempt at Stalingrad.

He also gives opinions to Hitler's bad decisions during critical moments in campaigns. Particular his decrees to stand and die versus giving up ground.

Over all the book is an excellent addition to any library of WWII.

This book belongs to the classic literature of World War II, as von Mellenthin took part in some of the most exciting and hard fought campaigns and served under great panzer leaders like Rommel, Balck and Manteuffel in the original triumphs of blitzkrieg and also in the last desperate defensive battles. Be careful though which edition of the book you will choose because that of the Arcadia Publishing (ISBN 0752420216) has no maps at all (although it contains numerous black and white photos) thus it is very difficult for the reader to follow the action. I think that the best edition so far is the hardcover published recently by Konecky & Konecky (ISBN 1568525788) which has all the necessary maps of the various campaigns. And they are many, indeed!

I read this story from three different authors. It is a sad but true story. Worth your time to read.

I live in Pontotoc County. Now that everything has settled down, it's back to normal. This is a scary place to live. This book is a very accurate account, things like that happen here all the time again. OSBI, doesn't seem to care. FBI will not return anyones calls. It's a must read people!! I just hope I don't disappear for saying so. You just don't go in front of most of the Judges here for anything. I am glad to not be a criminal but around here you don't have to be. I have been lucky thus far.

I bought this book after reading The Innocent Man by John Grisham. I personally could not get into this book like I did the other one. But other reviews tell me it is an excellent book.

No American can afford to not read either The Dreams of Ada by Robert Mayer or The Innocent Man by John Grisham. Coming from a family of cops I have always known that innocent people are convicted of serious crimes all the time but the cases outlined in these two books are detestable. You absolutely must read these books. Now.

This book is a great read, one of injustice and leaves the reader puzzled and sad, and wondering why in God's great world is this man (the DA) is still in office. It must be an embarrassment to the citizens of Ada, OK. I am in prayer for these men and their families.

A simply delightful tale of the life of a quirky woman with a unique sense of morality. Of all of the sins she commits in her life, Bonita Fae feels most guilty over a message she sent posing as a secret admirer, telling her husband's mistress that she looked good in a disgustingly colored dress. There are some good mysteries in here, but what makes this book so delightful is the opportunity to listen in as Bonita Fae puzzles out her life and those of the people around her. A great summer read, or just great anytime.

This is one of the silliest books I've ever read. The characters were original, but they all spoke like actors in cheap movies. Lines like a stewardess saying "It will be almost four hours to Paris even on the Concorde." are common. This is how the author tries to get information across - by having the characters over explain in a stilted lifeless way, most with "cute" accents. The title character's husband and ex both call her an "idiot" and "stupid woman" knocking her down on a gravel walkway, and then walk off together to buy each other a drink. This is played for laughs.
How this book was nominated for an Edgar Award, I'll never know. Must have been a bad year for first novels

I've read four of Margaret Moseley's books now and have delighted in each one! She has a knack for living up to her opening lines, delivering memorable characters, drawing in the reader to want more.

I did not want this book to end and am left wondering what becomes of Bonita Faye in the future. It's a wonderful tale of a poor girl who makes it big, but not in the usual hum drum Cinderella styles of so many others. She has a skeleton in her closet that you think will jump out constantly and pop the bubble. You pull for her, you root for her and you cry for her. All this and it's a great mystery to boot. Bring on your next book, Ms. Moseley, you've gained a devoted fan!

Likable characters, but the plot is just "too convenient". If you are willing to forego reality this book is a flight of fancy, with no real substance.

I've read four of Margaret Moseley's books now and have delighted in each one! She has a knack for living up to her opening lines, delivering memorable characters, drawing in the reader to want more.

I did not want this book to end and am left wondering what becomes of Bonita Faye in the future. It's a wonderful tale of a poor girl who makes it big, but not in the usual hum drum Cinderella styles of so many others. She has a skeleton in her closet that you think will jump out constantly and pop the bubble. You pull for her, you root for her and you cry for her. All this and it's a great mystery to boot. Bring on your next book, Ms. Moseley, you've gained a devoted fan!