Clubs Books

Fell in love with the characters and the story is one that you don't want to end!!! I read the whole series Uncle Sean, Lance and All Over Him in 2 weeks. Ron Donaghe Did it again with this one. A Must Read

The reader first meets Will Barnett, the narrator of this short novel, at the age of fourteen, when his Uncle Sean, recently returned from Vietnam, comes to stay with his New Mexico farming family. The first third of Ronald Donaghe's narrative, told by the younger Will, is the best, as the boy gradually makes discoveries both about his handsome uncle and also about himself. Without crossing the line into an incestuous relationship, Uncle Sean leads Will to a sweet and poignant self-realization scene. After this, the older relative is relegated to an offstage role as Will must carry on without him. His subsequent chance encounter with the beaten and abused Lance and their falling in love is told with equal poignance, though one might feel that Will finds his true love just a bit too easily. Still, in an age where homosexuality, the Vietnam war and erotic crushes on same-sex relatives remain dangerous, taboo subjects for novels aimed at young adults, Donaghe's spare, economical prose treads this delicate ground with remarkable verisimilitude, taste, and emotional truth. This novel ought to be in high school libraries all over the nation--it's too bad that conservative machinations will undoubtedly keep it out of many.

I just don't have the words to describe what a heartfelt, tender, genuine recounting this novel is. This is my first foray into the works of Ronald L. Donaghe. He uses the rather clever stylistic device of a fictional narrator, a "writer" who happens to stumble upon 2 journals and a letter when he is tearing down an old barn. Each of the journals is penned by Will Barnett, the first when he was 14 and the second when he was 17. The letter is addressed to Will from his Uncle Sean. By having the writer "edit" and "polish" the first journal, Donaghe gives himself the liberty of creating a narrative flow that wouldn't be realistic in a real-life journal, yet still maintains the voice of a somewhat naïve 14 year old. The second journal, written after Will has had two more years of education and has applied himself to his writing skills, is said to be simply "transcribed."

The journals begin Christmas of 1968 with 22 year old Uncle Sean, recently released from a mental hospital after a tour in `Nam, coming to live on the farm with the Barnett family. 14 year old Will is smitten with his Uncle and senses that he is broken somehow and yearns to be able to help him.

The New Mexico locations are real and I have no doubt are recalled from Donaghe's real life experiences. The story is emotional and heart-rending yet never becomes overly sentimental or schmaltzy. Will and his Uncle share a secret, and that special bond gives each of them the strength to move forward with their lives. Uncle Sean is a marvelous character. He cares deeply for his nephew, and uses kid gloves to gently let Will down as he heroically tells him they can never be sexually intimate, but someday he will find that special someone.

1969 was a pivotal year in American history - The moon landing, Woodstock, the Stonewall riots - A perfect setting for this story, and the reactions to homosexuality are blisteringly accurate for the time period.

Ronald L. Donaghe has been writing since 1989 and has penned 10 novels. After reading Uncle Sean, I can positively say I plan to read every single one of them.

The first book of a trilogy, this deceptively simple, easy to read book has a way of getting under your skin and remembering all the good things in life. It's about decent people making choices, sometimes simple, sometimes complex, but in an environment of love and sustaining values. The book speaks to the heart and celebrates the goodness in people. Not that there aren't people who make bad choices, but, more often than not, the love and support of family has been missing for them.
Once you read 'Uncle Sean', you will want to read 'Lance' and 'All Over Him' so I recommend buying all three books at once, and settling down to enjoy yourself.
Ron Donaghe captures exactly what it meant to be growing up, discovering you are gay in a small town, but his writing speaks to all of us.
Finally, write the author and let him know what you liked (or didn't) and why. He is great about responding.

To my fellow hopeless romantics, and I know there are quite a few of you, I want to recommend Ronald L. Donaghe's trilogy, THE CONTINUING JOURNALS OF WILL BARNETT, three books so full of simple honesty and heartfelt sincerity that even a few cynics out there may be swayed. UNCLE SEAN, LANCE and ALL OVER HIM share the unique perspective of a country boy who discovers love and his homosexual nature on a dusty dry New Mexico farm in the early 1970's.

Will Barnett is only 14 years old when his Mother's brother Sean (UNCLE SEAN) comes to stay with Will's family after returning from Viet Nam. Will is instantly smitten with his beautiful Uncle. Sean, who is dealing with the murder by "friendly fire" of his army lover, eventually recognizes Will's infatuation and tries to distance himself from it, but he sees the truth inside the boy and eventually begins to become emotionally attached. Through the course of the first book the reader experiences Will's growing love for his Uncle, as well as his Uncles attempts to teach Will, the beauty of what he is feeling as well as the impossibility of the two of them ever becoming "boyfriends". Frightened by the magnitude of his feelings for the boy, Sean eventually moves on, but not before he impresses upon Will, the importance of finding the right person to share his love with.

A few years pass and Will meets Lance, a frightened abused boy, in the desert. Lance's family has recently moved to the area from New Orleans and Lance has run away after a sever beating by his Stepfather. It's near love at first sight for the two teenage boys, and Will realizes the importance of his Uncle's lesson about waiting for the right person to love. Will's parents take in the battered boy, even though Will's father passes on soon after. Lance joins Will (LANCE) at the local high school where eventually their relationship is discovered. Both boys learn quickly about what to expect from the world where their relationship is concerned, but their passion holds strong.

Eventually the boys finish school, the family sells the farm and Lance, a very talented artist, accepts a scholarship to art school in San Francisco while Will takes a scholarship to U.T., and goes to live with his Uncle Sean in Austin. (ALL OVER HIM) Can their love and commitment survive this major separation, especially in light of the burgeoning gay scene in Austin and San Francisco? Can Will, help his Uncle to finally move on from his devastating loss? Or will Lance and Will's relationship fall victim to the new Gay Revolution?

I was mesmerized by how accurately Donaghe describes the times and places in these books. Without a lot of hoopla the reader is given a very important history lesson. When Will briefly describes reading THE FRONT RUNNER, it gave me chills. Reading THE FRONT RUNNER was the catalyst that made me come out 1974. I lived these times Donaghe writes about and felt these feelings he so wonderfully describes. I am forever in his debt for this love story.

Perhaps it is because I am the same age as Will or because I live in the same part of the country but I feel a bond to this story and its characters that I find difficult to adequately describe. I think more than anything it is the fundamental truth that runs through the books that makes them so special. In HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON, Ethan Mordden describes the characters of Walt and Blue as that extremely rare thing, a perfect fit. He could easily have been writing about Will and Lance. In relaying their story, Donaghe, provides hope for all the rest of us, especially our younger brothers who are just beginning their challenging gay lives. Donaghe's books speak to the magic of love, the desire to find the right guy, and be one. All the claims that gay men want a lifestyle different than what straight people have, all the assumptions that men are promiscuous by nature, are nothing more than misguided, weak attempts to erase this magic. Through the course of these novels Donaghe holds tight to these ideals, and it resonates on every page.

I could not believe Stacey,AT ALL!She is so boy-crazy,such a snob,and she always seems to get what she wants. Cluadia wants to be her friend again...or at least tries to. And all Stacey does is act like a big b-word! It's like she doesn't care about Claudia anymore,only Jeremy. Claudia and Jemery were made for eachother. I can't believe Stacey has him. Well,Claudia's found a new friend. Erica. She's adopted and she wants to know who are her biological parents. And Claud totaly understands how she feels because she used to think she was adopted. They become good friends...until Cluad calls her "Stacey" by mistake and can sometimes only talk about Stacey. Claud and Stace almost made up but then Stacey screwed up.

This was the first Friends Forever book I've read, and I liked this really much! This books was more realistic than the BSC series (and definitely more realistic than the Super Special series) and so good!!! I like that Claudia's got a new friend, Erica.I also like the other baby-sitters got new friends outside the club (Claudia and Erica, Stacey and Rachel, ect.) But I didn't like that Claud & Stace are fighting over a boy. I think Jeremy is better for Stacey, but I'm in Claudia's side at the Friendship Feud.

In this book (number 4), you see the huge fight with Claudia and Stacey in Claudia's point of view (just so you know- if you aggreed with Stacey in book #2, you'll probably change your opinion).

Claudia gets a new friend- her name is Erica. (In the last book, Stacey became friends with Claudia's old enemy, Rachel.) Stacey also gets WAY more over-protective with Jeremy when he starts hanging out with Claudia more. Mary Anne is still kind of sad about breaking up with Logan, especially when she sees him noticing other girls.

My thoughts on this book: I thought it was great! I'd read the Stacey version of "the fight" earlier, and it makes you see "the fight" in a totally different perspective. As always, the book was fun to read, well-written, and kept true to Claudia-the-character... though Stacey DID seem to be quite a bit more mean than usual. All in all- a great book!

All right, this is how it goes. Stacey stole Jeremy and I have to say I despise her for it. Claudia saw and met him first. Also, I can't believe Stacey would want to make an attempt to apologize to Claudia and then say, ''Okay, Claudia, I will not allow you to get anywhere near Jeremy." What right does she have to say that! Claudia can choose her own friends, but obviously Stacey can't see that! The book was good, except now I know I am on Claudia's side in the friendship feud. I'm glad Claudia is friends with Erica now, too. Erica is much, much, MUCH cooler than Stacey. If you want to find out more, read "Claudia and the Friendship Feud." That book is awesome, and I'm sure #5: Kristy Power! will be just as awesome!

This book is one of my favorites in the BSC Friends Forever Series so far! A great job you're doing, Ms. Martin! Keep up the good work! I will certainly try to be the first one in line to recieve Kristy Power!

Claudia thinks her ex-best friend Stacey is a liar, a cheat, and a boyfriend-stealer. Sure, she misses Stacey... but she isn't about to talk to her. Instead she's finding new friends, like Erica Blumberg. And the most unexpected friend of all--Jeremy Rudolph, the boy who Stacey stole. Things are about to get very complicated...Will the friendship feud ever end? Read this book to find out!

I was fascinated by Huxley's use of this story as a way of trying to explain his thoughts on "man's deep-seated urge to self-transcedence, of his very natural reluctance to take the hard, ascending way, and of his search for some bogus liberation either below or to one side of his personality" - as revealed by our dependecies on religion and in joining mass movements like fascism or communism, as well as sexuality and substance use and abuse.
In Chapter Three he focuses on the religious aspects of these tendencies to "desire - and desire, very often, with irresistable violence - the consciousness of being someone else."
In the Epilogue ["In amplification of material in Chapter Three)"], he expands on these ideas by discussing substance use and abuse: "Alcohol is but one of the many drugs employed by human beings as avenues of escape from the insulated self." He adds to this the use of "From poppy to curare, from Andean coca to Indian hemp and Siberian agaric, every plant or bush or fungus capable, when ingested, of stupifying or exciting or evoking visions....seems to prove that, always and everywhere, human beings have felt the radical inadequacy of their personal existence, the misery of being their insulate selves and not something else.."
He then continues with the "crowd delirium" of mass movements:
"The professional moralists who inveigh against drunkeness are strangely silent about the equally disgusting vice of herd-intoxication - of downward transcendence into subhumanity by the process of getting together in a mob." leading to "The final symptom of herd-intoxication is a manical violence. Instances of crowd-delirium culminating in gratuitous destructiveness, in ferocious self-mutilation, in fratracidal savagery without purpose and against the elementary interests of all concerned, are to be met with on almost every page of the anthropologists'textbooks and - a little less frequently, but still with dismal regularity - in the histories of even the most highly civilized peoples."
His concluding sentence: "Every idol, however exalted, turns out, in the long run, to be a Moloch, hungry for human sacrifice."

This book is not merely an historical essay describing the lurid details of the events at Loudun [other books on the subject do that job], Huxley covers far more ground and delves far deeper into the experience of being human than that; it can be disturbing at times, but also illuminating.
Huxley's own later use of psychedelic drugs [mescaline, and, as has been said, LSD while on his death-bed] - which he describes in "The Doors of Perception" [1954] - indicates that he was still trying to reach an understanding of self-transcendence - in a more positive light.

It is the early 17th century in Loudun, France. The local parish priest, Urbain Grandier, has become embattled in various local rivalries with civic magnates and ecclesiastical officials. He makes powerful enemies among them but they are helpless to action against for the moment. Both sides are determined to see victory and religious sanctity takes a back seat to revenge and personal gain. Against this backdrop an altogether remarkable occurrence takes place; the inhabitants of the local covenant experience an extraordinary case of mass possession by demons. The head of the covenant, Saeur Jeanne des Anges, experiences the worst of the possessions and under an exorcism conducted by Jean-Joseph Surin she, or the demon within her, places the blame squarely on the shoulders of Urbain Grandier. The moment his enemies have waited for has arrived.

For those who are fans of Huxley's fictional and non-fictional works this book is not one to be missed. Although it falls into the category of non-fiction as it tells the story of a historical event in 17th century France, Huxley uses his creative powers and imagination to make the tale come alive. Granted historians may have an issue with taking such liberties in writing about a historical event, but Huxley's goal is not `pure' history, a pretty questionable term in itself, but rather to tell the story of a remarkable event with all the drama and suspense that it deserves.

His account of the mass possession in Loudun is backed up by an admirable amount of research. It is clear that Huxley's knowledge of both the time and place extend far beyond the details of the story and serve to enlighten his account. His understanding of human psychology as plays a prominent role in this book. It goes beyond a simple recounting of historical events, which as interesting as they are does not in itself make the book a unique one. It is Huxley's continual fascination with the human mind that really makes this book special. After setting out the basic historical framework for the story, he attempts to reconstruct the psychological factors that played a large role there. After examining the individual characters from the Loudun saga, Huxley takes the time to reflect and draw conclusions about humanity in general and what drives people to believe themselves possessed and the further implications this has.

Whether one agrees with the validity of conducting a sort of psychological analysis of historical figures hundreds of years removed from us and then in turn using those conclusions to draw wider ones about humanity or a time period in general, this book is an immensely interesting read.

Huxley has written a wonderful study of witchcraft,demonic possession and social commentary that is an historical cornerstone.Both religion and psychiatry are carefully intertwined in this lengthy novel.Set in France, it explores the human condition at that time.Greed,jealousy,revenge and theatrical performances are core themata.The inquisitional pressure coupled with political appeasement on the local,state and national level are explored.Mad nuns teased by repressed sexual needs and the subsequent outcomes are discussed. The careful documentation of the interplay between religious fervor and satanic influence are revealed in this exacting book.The twisted motivations of maladjusted individuals and the harm they can cause,the somatic possibilities and manifestations,coverups and intrigue are deftly and intellectually examined and detailed.The horrors of torture,self mutilation and sexual deviation as viewed as deviate for the times, gives one a sense of being voyeuristically one of the crowd.Watching the nuns perform their tricks,allegedly possessed by devils for the benefit of the church is amusing.Sister Jeanne,Father Grandier and Father Surin are all players in the game of gods love,human sexual needs,demonic possession and rather kinky goings on in the nunnery.It's a regular satanically,sexual soap opera with much guilt, regret and tragedy at the end.Any fan of Huxley needs to read this if they haven't already.Fans of the origins of psychopathology will marvel at the many mechanisms of defense used as justifiers for actions that were over the top for a pre-enlightened world.For witchcraft afficionados this is required reading.Again, it is a long read but worth it for purely historical anaylysis of the crypto religious/sexual linkage that to some degree is still present today.A must read for lovers of this subject matter.

HOW does a book this important come to be out of print?!!

No matter. Used copies can be had here for very little. Buy one and read it.

One of the joys of reading is how one subject can lead to a serendipitous find. Having recently come across a brief reference to the early 17th century barking nuns of Loudon I went in search of a more detailed exploration. In Aldous Huxley's book I found all that I sought and much more.

Urbain Grandier, the local parson of Loudon, is a very naughty cleric who partakes much too much of the sensual world. One morsel happens to be the daughter of his best friend. She becomes pregnant with unhappy consequences for many people. Grandier manages in this way of behavior to alienate nearly every important Catholic in Loudon as well as make an enemey of Richelieu.

When Grandier spurns the local prioress, Sister Jeanne, she claims demonic possession at the hand of Grandier as do 2 of her nuns. Grandier may have been guilty of many sins, but demonic possession was not among them. Exorcists are brought in as much too destroy Grandier as to throw out the devils (7 specific ones inhabit Sister Jeanne alone). The exorcists produce devils in 14 more nuns. The public exorcisms provide great entertainment, reviving the local tourist industry, but eventually produce the trial of Grandier, who in due turn is burned at the stake. The story continues when the Jesuit Surin arrives to finally successfully exorcise Sister Jeanne's demons.

Huxley's 1952 work explores the psychological aspects of demonic possession and exorcism, sometimes brilliantly against the backdrop of the madnesses of his own time. Liberal rationalists had "fondly imagined" an end to persecutions of 'heretics'. Instead, as he observes "from our vantage point on the descending road of modern history, we now see that all the evils of religion can flourish without any belief in the supernatural, that convinced materialists are ready to worship their own jerry-built creations as though they were the Absolute, and that self-styled humanists will persecute their adversaries with all the zeal of Inquisitors exterminating the devotees of a personal and transcendant Satan...In order to justify their behavior, they turn their theories into dogmas, their bylaws into First Principles, their political bosses into Gods and all those who disagree with them into incarnate devils. This idolatrous transformation of the relative into the Absolute and the all too human into the Divine, makes it possible for them to indulge their ugliest passions with a clear conscience and in the certainty that they are working for the Highest Good."

In the last third of the book he explores the nature of Sister Jeanne's possession, the possession of her exorcist Surin, and the manner of her recovery. The modern mind has some difficulty here. Clearly Surin and possibly Jeanne believed in the reality of demonic possessions (it is worth noting that many learned men, including those behind Grandier's fall and most Jesuits did not believe in the authenticity of these possessions). At the same, Jeanne is also play-acting at times as she concedes in her own subsequent writings. They believed in the Devil, they believed in possession, but understood that the Devil could not overcome the will of the possessed. Huxley paints a poignant, if oddly amusing, scene when he describes how Surin ordered Jeanne's devils to discipline themselves - in other words to flagellate Jeanne. Two of the devils lay on the whip with gusto, but Balaam and Isacaaron abhorring pain, would barely swing the whip and yet the possessed Jeanne would scream in agonized suffering.

An absolutlely fascinating read by one of the great minds of the 20th century.

This story shows the kindness of children when un-blemished by societies views. The adults are tarnished with opinions based on years of living in a beautiful town. But one asks the question. Who is really beautiful? Fritz with his shaggy mane and brave kind heart, or the horses with gracefull necks and hearts of fear without sacrifice?

We love this book about Fritz. The illustrations are beautiful. This is one of our favorites.

A great story especially for children entering school and not "fitting in". Jan Brett again blends beautiful artwork with an easy to follow story. Highly recommend for ages 4-10.

Once long ago there was a walled city known for its beautiful horses, and so a law was passed out that only the most beautiful were allowed in the city, not even a scruffy pony who very much wanted to look and be grand. Suddenly, the bridge breaks. Will Fritz be able to save the children? The plot is colorful and imaginative. The setting is just outside the walled city with ponds, fields, and roads. Fritz is the main character of the book. He is sure-footed, kind, and always willing to work. The men and ladies mock poor Fritz because he is scruffy. The children absolutely adore Fritz but are scared of their own horses who prance around and show themselves off. Jan Brett, the author of Fritz and the Beautiful Horses, was born December 1, 1949, in Hingham, Massachusetts. Fritz and the Beautiful Horses was her first published book ever. Today she lives in Norwell, Massachusetts, an historic area on the south shore, and spends her summers up in the mountains where she works hard on her books. Jan Brett wrote a boat-load of other books including Hedgie's surprise. I thought the book Fritz and the Beautiful Horses was great and would recommend it to everyone.

I love the illustrations in this book, and my horse-crazy daughters enjoy them too.

I just think that the very end of the book [SPOILER - the citizens welcome Fritz into their town at the end because of him saving their children] wasn't handled the way I would have. It felt like an implicit ratification of the townspeople's attitude - still only the beautiful horses allowed in town, and Fritz is allowed because he worked so hard. I'd have preferred something about the people realizing that the heart matters more, or that they were wrong about what's most important (exterior vs. interior beauty). I don't think it would have needed to be heavy-handed.

As it is, we don't read it that often and when we do, I find myself modifying the last few words. Or starting a discussion about being kind etc.

This classic story carries a message, not only for children that don't want to help with their chores, but for anyone who hasn't quite got into the gardening mood. This book is all about helping, sharing, and making an effort in your own behalf. I bring it along with me when doing presentations on gardening and food security, and the grown ups pick it up read it, and they really get it. Great for families and class rooms . . .

This fable tells about the lazy animals who did not want to help the hen. They let her do all the work, but did not do a thing themselves. Then at the end when the hen reaps of the fruit of her labor, all of a sudden they want to share in that fruit. However, the hen gets it all to herself and they get nothing.

This version is a classic one. The story and illustrations are very inviting for any child. I love the classic moral of the story too.

I purchased this book for my children and did it bring back memories! I had it read to me when I was little. So the story line is cute and teaches a valuable lesson with the moral the lazy cat, dog, and mouse do not get the snack. All of my children from 2-6 love this story, it never grows old.

Her ability to cook empowers this little red hen to motivate her housemates. Help me with some of the housework if you want cake. A final illustration shows all the animals working, sweeping and dusting!

After reading the story as it is written, follow along with Heather Forest's Little Red Hen from the album, Sing me a Story. End on that final illustration with her words, "Sharing the work makes working fun."

Different versions may use different characters. This one uses the traditional Dog, Cat, Mouse.

The artwork stands out and the book is worth the price for that alone. The story itself is also wonderful and gives a good starting place for talking about what happens to a person after s/he "dies." My daughter loves this book.

Although my 20 month old is too young to understand the story he definately relaxes from the calm that this book brings to me as we read it together. Beautiful illustrations too.

I checked this out of the library and read it when I was 4 and have loved it ever since. It's one of those "must-have" books. It's a children's book but adults can enjoy it as well. The idea of the book is very sophistocated but can be easily understood by kids due to the simple language and color artwork.

I asked friends who practices Buddhism about any books that they could recommend that I could gift to a young friend who lost a companion very unexpectedly. Although they said that the content does not strictly follow Buddhist principles they suggested it with rave reviews. I was intrigued by the delicate simple manner of the story and noticed an interesting element in the illustrations ( read it to discover for yourself!)The story seems to soften the sadness of losing a loved one, reminds the reader of how dying is a part of living and raises hope that there is life after. It also beautifully narrates how fulfilling and rich a simple life can be. The illustrations are soft and enchanting like the story and the ending is all embracing....

Gorgeous illustrations and a truly beautiful story make this book a rare treasure in Children's literature. A valuable addition to the book collection of Buddhist parented children. Explains the process of death and rebirth/reincarnation in a gentle and interesting way. Not weird at all and so suitable for children of non-Buddhist background as well as it provides an valuable insight as to how Buddhism/other belief systems explain death and the afterlife.

"The Past through Tomorrow" is a collection of short stories, novellas and shot novels written by Robert A. Heinlein. They all have a common context, Heinlein's Future History as conceived by the author during the 1930s and 40s. It was during this period, the author created a timeline of mankind's progress into space.

To the best of this reviewer's knowledge, this was the first attempt of anything like this on this scale. Several of these tales are considered to be classics of their genre.

We start with "Lifeline" the first published short story written by Heinlein. Hugo Pineiro has created a machine that can tell you exactly when you are going to die. Of course the insurance industry and various other interests are not amused.

Another is the classic "The Man Who Sold the Moon". Delos David Harriman was a reluctant businessman. He couldn't go to the University of Chicago to study astronomy because he had to support his family. He started in real estate then prefabricated housing on to ballistic hypersonic transport. Now he thinks the time is ripe to make possible his true ambition - a trip to the moon. Harriman has only ever wanted to go to the moon but he winds up created an interplanetary business empire and a victim of his own success.

There is "the Green Hills of Earth" where we are introduced to "Noisy" Rhysling, the blind singer of the space lanes. Blinded in an engineering room accident, he is forced to change professions and becomes a traveling musician ultimately writing the songs that defined this era in human expansion.

In "Logic of Empire" two wealthy drunken dilettantes sell themselves into indentured servitude on Venus. In "The Roads Must Road" (voted one of the greatest science fiction stories of all time) a civil servant must head off a labor strike that will cripple the U.S. economy. "The Menace from Earth" deals with young romance while indulging in a distinctly lunar past time, flying with strap-on wings.

There other stories in this volume but the reviewer will mention just one more, "Methuselah's Children". This is where we are first introduced to the Howard Families, a secret group bred for longevity. They approximately 2.5 times as long as their more ephemeral brethren. This is where RAH first introduces Woodrow Wilson Smith better known as Lazarus Long, the oldest man alive. The Howards make the mistake of revealing their existence to the world at large. Humanity drops its veneer of civilization and arrests the members of the Howards in order to torture their secret of longevity out of them.

The problem is there is no `secret'.

If you enjoy science fiction and/or Robert Heinlein, this collection is required reading. It doesn't get any better than this in any genre.

Though I greatly enjoy Heinlen's writing, I didn't think I'd read very many of his short stories. Surprisingly, I had read "Life-Line", which is the first story in this book. But I didn't mind re-reading it one bit! One thing I had not realized before was that it was the first short story Heinlen had ever submitted for publication. I think the book is worth getting for it alone.

Now, not only is this book just an incredible collection of plain good 'ole fashioned story-telling at it's best, but the stories actually proceed in chronological order in the same timeline, which creates an incredible fluidity between stories. You find yourself trying to figure out how far in the future from the last story you read you are in the one you've just started.

I think of the stories in the book, "Life-Line", "The Green Hills of Earth", and "Methuselah's Children" are my favorites, though I think I enjoyed every one of them. And you have characters that flow from one story to the next, so every now and then you get to spend more time with a character that you found you enjoyed.

Do I recommend this book?! Absolutely! And despite it's thickness, it's actually great for people who aren't much into big books - because it's a collection of short stories. You can sit down and read for a half an hour or an hour and then put it down without regret. Awesome book!

"I wonder why nobody reprints it: look at all the good marks it gets!!! "

Fantastic book, but holds way too much in the way of stories that can be (and are) printed and sold seperately.
It's unfortunate for new Sci-Fi fans, very hard to find a decent paperback copy somewhere. Mine is so worn, I need to rebind it.

The Past Through Tomorrow (1967) is an omnibus collection of the relatively short SF stories in the Future History series. These stories were originally published between 1939 and 1962. Many were first published in Astounding Science Fiction, but others first saw print in a variety of other venues. This edition includes an introduction by Damon Knight.

Life-Line (1939) tells of the man who could predict the time of death of an individual; this was Heinlein's first sale. The Roads Must Roll (1940) is about an illegal work stoppage on the mechanical roads. Blowups Happen (1940) depicts the tensions among the workers in an atomic breeder plant. The Man Who Sold the Moon (1949) relates the story of D. D Harriman and his efforts to establish a base on the Moon. Delilah and the Space-Rigger (1949) recounts the tale of the men who constructed Space Station One and the woman who came among them.

Space Jockey (1947) describes the perils of piloting a passenger ship in space. Requiem (1939) reveals the story of how D.D. Harriman finally got to the Moon. The Long Watch (1948) is a tale of duty, honor and death. Gentlemen, Be Seated (1948) tells of three men in a tunnel on the Moon that starts leaking air. The Black Pits of Luna (1947) concerns a lost child on the Moon.

"It's Great to be Back!" (1946) is a tale of homecoming for two Luna City residents. "--We Also Walk Dogs" (1941) discloses how General Services performed an unusual task for the government. Searchlight (1962) concerns another lost child on the Moon. Ordeal in Space (1947) is about a man who is afraid of falling. The Green Hills of Earth (1947) depicts the last voyage of Rhysling, the blind poet of the spaceways.

Logic of Empire (1941) exposes the reasons for slave labor in the colonies. The Menace from Earth (1947) relates the story of Holly Jones of Luna City and the beautiful tourist. "If This Goes On--" (1940) describes one man's role in the Second American Revolution against Nehemiah Scudder, the Prophet Incarnate. Coventry (1940) tells the story of a rebellious young man who defies the Covenant. Misfit (1939) portrays a young man with an unusual talent.

Methuselah's Children (1941) concerns the troubles of a group with greatly extended lifespans. This tale introduces Lazarus Long, one of Heinlein's most popular characters. This version of the story is much longer that the original and has been further extended into a series of novels.

The book also includes a chart of Heinlein's Future History upon pages 622 and 623. The chart includes the stories Universe and Common Sense, which are not contained in this omnibus. However, this chart also omits several full-length novels in this series.

Although Heinlein wrote many other stories and novels, the stories in this omnibus are probably the reason for his initial popularity within the science fiction community. Stranger in a Strange Land led to his fame within the general population, but was not treated as a cult book by SF fans. We understood a lot more about this novel than did the general public and accepted it as just another of his major works.

Highly recommended for Heinlein fans and for anyone else who enjoys classic tales of high technology, highly competent people and human values.

-Arthur W. Jordin

John W. Campbell, editor of the sci-fi magazine "Analog" coined the term "future history" about the chain of characters and stories written by Robert A. Heinlein. It's a brilliant term, because Heinlein literally created a fictional history of an entire people, from Earth, to early space travel, to settling the moon, to moving out among the stars.

This book, astonishingly out of print, contains many of Heinlein's best short stories and novellas, filling in the gaps for his major novels such as "Time Enough for Love" and "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress."

Heinlein apparently kept a complicated character-and-time chart in his study. This book has a copy of the chart, plus the award-winning stories and short fiction.

Included here: "Methuselah's Children"--the beginning of the story of the Howard Families that is taken up in the sweeping novel "Time Enough for Love." You'll also find stories that explain the founding of Luna City, pioneering space travel, and the revolution against the theocracy begun by Nehemiah Scudder.

If you are a Heinlein fan, this is a great book to have--fills out the gaps in his complete works. If you aren't a Heinlein fan, start with "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" or "Starship Troopers" to find out how great Heinlein's science fiction is.

While hiking and taking nature photos for a school project, Lisa
stumbles across a badly abused horse in a paddock. She, Carole and Stevie call the local animal rescue league who impounds the mare. As the mare dislikes men, Lisa assumes most of the care for her. This is a very poignant tale, and I won't give away the ending.

This is the most beautiful Saddle Club book yet. It shows how important love is naturally, as ALOT of books do, but it also shows how important it is to be willing and brave to let yourself love totaly. Lisa risked alot of saddness if Eve would have died, but it wasn't until she named Eve and let herself be vulnerable to the saddness of losing her that Eve started to realize Lisa cared and look forward to life.
The part with the brush was my favorite, like one reader said before. It was the first time Eve showed any sign of wanting to live.
I know Lisa loves Prancer, but Eve and her seem like such a perfect match.

This was an excellent book!The story was very heart felt but not as much realistic and correct like most of Bonnie Bryant's Saddle Club books. But overall this was a great story to sit down and read.In my opinion,the problems that Stevie,Lisa,and Carole have are very rare but can put you in a good mood somehow. BUY THIS BOOK! IT'S WORTH IT!

Hi!!! We're the Stirrup Stars. We love this book because it shows that if you just believe and do your best, you can reach your goal. Lisa took wonderful care of Eve. Also, it was full of suspense that made you want to keep on reading and never stop! Please, read this book!!! It's a great example of a horse/rider bond.

I thought this book was really heart warming. It really showed determination and love for a horse. I think Broken Horse is one of the best books in series.

Bought this after surfing some amazon recommendations. Characters start strong and peter out half realized. The' Just Won't Die' bad guy is so cliche it's really annoying. Constant suspended disbelief after the first couple chapters. Safeties on revolvers.... its a shotgun, no a rifle.....maybe a 5 minute talk with a helicopter pilot if you're going to write obout a flight emergency. Sheesh. Three stars is generous, remember Gerald Ford and WhipInflationNow, star inflation that is.

Awards were just announced and this one won in the Thriller-Horror category. I have read it twice and while some find the action too violent and bloody, I found it to be a very fast page turner. Revenge sought by the local sherriff against the intentional killing of Jimmy Taggert's wife during a bank holdup is the central plot. But the killer, Baker, is a vicious mean spirited man who will stop at nothing to kill anyone who gets in his way. Expending his forces to escape with the money and rescue a prisoner from Attica State Prison, Baker leaves a bloody trail behind him, unmindful of thesorrow he is causing others. The action leads to the Peace Bridge between Buffalo and Canada where Baker plans to trap our President and the head of the Canada with innocent people gathered for a ceremony rededicating peace between the two countries. People are tossed into the Niagara River to be swept over the Falls of the mighty Niagara. Ony one 12 year old boy went over the Falls unprotected by a barrell and lived to tell about it.Taggert uses all his strength and wits to abort Baker's plans. While some people will think this is more of a man's book to read, I find that women have enjoyed it too.Congratulations, Mr Furlani....please bring us more!

This book has been nominated for the Bloody Dagger award and itearns it by the rip-roaring actionpacked in almost every page. Ijust read it again and it's evenbetter the second time around.The author is featured in this month's issue of The Third Degreemagazine, formerly known as Judas,It is on-line issue of Bumpin Guns. DR deserves all acclaim forfast action, thriller-suspensefans. The book is not fluffed upby tiresome descriptions of theimmediate surroundings. It takesplace in the beautiful area aroundBuffalo, The Peace Bridge and downthe Niagara River to the Falls, but your mind is on the action asJimmy Taggart, sheriff, chases down the notorious Baker and hisgang are killed. But is Bakerreally dead? A coming sequel toDR will tell the tale so you wantto read this book now and be readyfor more this fall. You are in forsome of the best reading out thereso hold on for the ride of a lifetime

I normally don't care that much for action books but this book was great! It had a little bit of everything for everybody. There was a little war action, some prison action, some robbery action, bombs and more! Everything you could ask for! This would make a wonderful movie. Very descriptive and thrilling to the very end.

Dead Reckoning
Robert Furlani
c. 2002 iUniverse, Inc.
ISBN# 0-595-21960-8
paperback
suspense
3 dynamite sticks + 1 knife

If you like your suspense hot, hard and brutal, Dead Reckoning should suit you fine. If it pushes the bounds of reason in a few of its survivals, it compensates plenty in grit a gall. Its twists and turns are numerous, its pace unrelenting and its body count appalling: a fast and breathless rush which can scarcely fail to satisfy those with a taste for what my dad used to call "the mud, the blood and the beer."

Jimmy Taggert lost his best friend in Viet Nam to the senseless violence of a savage quartet of VC. And avenged him in spades. Thirty years later, sheriff of a small town near the Canadian border, he loses his wife to the happy trigger of sociopath Michael Baker during an opportunistic bank robbery which had been meant to go much more smoothly. He takes that loss just as personally.

Between Jimmy's smarts and good instincts, and Baker's arrogance, a confrontation is inevitable. In fact, both being focused upon a small area, they have several run-ins in which both take their lumps, and their losses, neither of them gracefully. Luck and blind, bloody-minded determination throw them together repeatedly, the last time for the culmination of Baker's plans to commit an historic act of terrorism at nearby Niagara Falls.

Mr. Furlani shows us, in gripping and very effective fashion, the ugly side of life in the second millennium, through two characters who will stick in the memory long after you've laid the book down. In Baker we see the destructiveness and random violence typical of those who take up killing as a method of expression, and in Taggert we see the upholder of Society and all the best values of Mankind. Neither of them is stereotyped, neither blunted or fuzzy, and both are delightful in their own ways, though there's little to like in Baker. Mr. Furlani's writing is literate and vivid, if a bit fraught with favored turns of speech, an easy and lively read. You may gag in places, rage in others, but you are unlikely to put it down until you've turned the last page.

Kaththea
9/3/2002

I bought this for my brother, who is 11, for Christmas. He already loves to draw cars. Being an artist myself, I looked through the book and I am sure that this will be a wonderful guide for my brother to develop his technique and skill.

The book shows you step by step how to draw cars.

This is a helpful book whether you are drawing for the first time or have been doing it for years!

It goes from simple shapes and line structure all the way through shading and adding detail.

Definitely a must for anyone who wants to add cars to their visual story telling or even an automotive design student.

Just remember to be patient with this book.

It takes a while to get the hang of it.

Once you do, you'll be fine!

This was a 9th Birthday present for my nephew. It kept him entertained for hours! He loved the book and still uses it almost daily after 8 months.

This book has many examples of step-by-step drawings. The only drawback might be that there is very little explanation. You learn mainly by copying the examples. It has a great selection of different cool cars and vehicles to draw. Equally good for young teens or adults.

I have the 1993 publication of this book, and it's amazing. It teaches you how to draw cars in general, not just the ones shown in the book.