Living History Books

Michael W. Smiths is a man that has created some of the best worship songs ever. In his book Its Time to be Bold Michael shows where and when he got the inspiration for many of his songs. In his Bold book he shares many times he had struggles and how good things from his God came from these struggles; including a countless number of his worship songs. The first chapter starts off with a great depiction of Michael¡¦s hectic concerts and how God total showed up for him, blowing his expectations away. These first opening paragraphs grab the readers¡¦ attention drawing them in to this eventful book.
In this book I loved the way that Michael W. Smith takes the worst situation, like his daughter being lost, and turns it around into something to praise God about then relates it to a persons¡¦ walk with God. I also love the fact that from this book you get a look into a worship leader¡¦s life; questions like: ¡§how do worship leaders get the words to write and praise God?¡¨ always came to mind, this book give a huge glimpse of that. I totally think that this book was awesome and I do not have any dislikes about reading it! Good Book ƒº

When I first picked up this book, I expected it to be a "sugar coated" writing by one more musical artist, trying to wax eloquant, when actually doing little more than delivering a half-hearted self-gloification piece. Not so with M.Smith's book. Granted, his true talent is better captured in both his songwriting and his vioce, the book never the less delivers a well thought out message. It is clear from the book, Michael dearly loves those he sings for. His inspiration comes from God, his reward is evidenced in his acknowledging the impact his songs have had on others. While M.Smith writes about the impact, he also reminds us how music can both bring us closer to God and to strengthen our relationship with Him. M.Smith takes us beyond the comfort of being a mere listener of music, he wants us to see music as a way of advancing the Gospel but also as a ministry unto itself.

The book was about how to live your Christian life, and had many good pointers. It is good for Christians and non-Christians alike. I enjoyed this book because it helped me out in this difficult world we live in. Smith is an excellent Christian pop artist and the title is from one of his songs. He wants Christians to be bold in their life, and be able to stand up for what is right. It is important to hang out with Christian friends. I recommend this book for anybody who's remotely interested in strengthening their Christian values.

This book has many spritual messages for young and old alike. Based on some of Michael's own life experiences, he gives incredible first impressions about his experiences and touches the heart of the reader. You too will find it "It's Time To Be Bold" to stand up to face the challenges that life seems to present. Some of his experiences are near the same things I went through and can relate to. He really spoke what was on his heart and touches the reader.

It's Time to Be Bold is an excellent read for anyone who wants to believe in and preach the Bible, but feels it is irrevelant to today. Through personal stories of his own and those of his fans, Michael W. Smith creates word pictures never thought of before. You will see church as the best hang-out on earth and the Bible as awesome as any romance or action novel. The bottom line: Smith is real. He realizes that young Christians need to evangelize more than ever in today's society and that with a few basic rules you can do it. This is a must read and, believe it or not, even more inspiring than many of his songs!

When I read Ed Hamilton's Legends of the Chelsea Hotel, I found myself getting more and more impatient by the day, in the same way I sometimes get impatient listening to a child telling a long story about his day with much excitement while I am "busy" getting through bad traffic. Look, buddy, I have no time for this and what is the point here, I would like to ask him. Ed seems to have such patience that few of us have these days for the details and mundane, insane dramas of life in general, and of the lives of New York city's strangers of no "social significance" in particular, like that of the dead exterminator's wife. Although the book drops many names of celebrities, I felt that he loved the NY transients and/or unknown artists he met at the Chelsea Hotel equally or even more than these cultural historic figures who shared the experiences of the unique lodging. The former souls seemed to have a way to dearly affect and disturb the author into drinking as well as prolific expression of the English language and profanity, not mentioning inspiring him into similar questionable behaviors. His stories seemed to aim at making readers either cringe in disgust (at his perverse enjoyment), or making us consider about embracing these extremely unpleasurable aspects of life as Mad TV-like jokes, or both. His style of writing also reminded me of George Grosz who was known for his "ferocious social satire" and "vitriolic social criticism" of his time and the modern urban life in his caricature art. Like the gentrification of the hotel itself, the author seemed to question our way of wallpapering over the real signs of life and muffling the real sounds of suffering modern souls symbolized by the diverse New Yorker population.

Welcome to De De Land!!
"Legends of the Chelsea Hotel" is one of rare highly stimulating books published in the past decade.
"Hotel Chelsea" describes how old great American spirit has survived her legends through her history.
Each story is built up in the style of almost a haunting fashion and speaks to you directly voce con dolce.
From Madonna's #822 to Sid Vicious' #100,
Ed Hamilton caresses unique Chelsea rooms with enchanting brushings.
So vividly written, one may often be driven into trans and smell the scent of opium.
And, in trans, one could hit an idea perhaps on the wind from Montana that a former Foreign Minister in the Far East had better send his grandson, in the pine room at a famous Japanese restaurant, to the Annapolis;
or, one might be afraid of once again diluting victory for Democrats with Hillary Clinton against John McCain in upcoming Presidential race.
Stop worrying, just in case, and, simply love Chelsea!
That's all you good people have to do.
Incidentally, Hotel Chelsea's geographical location is in itself still fascinating.
The hotel is located on the 23rd Street in Manhattan, a bit west of the 6th Avenue.
You will be led, along with the Americas Avenue, to our most magnificent miles in either direction - regardless it is to the north or to the south.
It was the legend after all.
It still is.

What are the ten reasons? Never mind. You will watch inside.

This book isn't simply blogs--although the author did co-create [...]here he writes them: http://www.hotelchelseablog.com/. It's also not necessarily a journalist's book or a historian's. Yet I finished feeling culturally literate on outlaws, hustlers, and artists from Sid Vicious to Thomas Wolfe; Edie Sedgwick to Storme DeLarverie (so glad to know about her); Herbert Huncke to Dee Dee Ramone; Stanley Bard (the "illustrious proprietor") to Rene Ricard--as well as many more. I'd personally compare Legends of the Chelsea Hotel to literature on community like V. S. Naipaul's Miguel Street, no matter the differences in scene and tone. That's probably because I knew Ed Hamilton first as a novelist and short-story writer. But I don't want to classify him either--or take away any of the fun of the book (yes, there are zombies and ghosts and descents into madness). What I can say is I couldn't stop reading this inside account--and I especially love the section regarding Patti Smith, where past and present, as well as dream and reality, seem to fuse.

So much has been written, photographed, filmed, composed, documented, sung about the Chelsea Hotel, that the challenge for any passionate fan and creator is to find new ways in which to approach and cover the territory. Ed Hamilton does a terrific job of personalizing the extraordinary history and ambience of the Chelsea, and thereby providing a refreshing, engaging and extremely entertaining perspective, that brings new dimensions to the more well-worn aspects of the hotel's story, while also bringing that story right up to date. Very sadly, it can only be a matter of time now before the spirit and the inhabitants who have made the Chelsea one of the world's most storied cultural institutions gradually dissipate and disappear. Read this book now to get a sense of a very special place before it's gone forever.

This is a good, if somewhat disjointed, memoir of life at the Chelsea Hotel during the last ten years. It is certainly worth buying if you have an interest in the hotel. I stayed there during the 80s, so this is catching up for me. It is also a crime that developers have taken control of the Chelsea and it is now effectively history.

There is misinformation. The author has William Burroughs not only staying at the hotel, but writing Naked Lunch there. It is common knowledge that he wrote the book in Tangier. So, one has to question all the historical information.

But history isn't really the question - it is the vibe of living in the Chelsea, and the author does a good job of describing his experiences. He is not a professional writer, and it shows - the book could have used a good edit (which apparently publishers don't do anymore).

For a good history of the Chelsea in earlier years, read At the Chelsea by Florence Turner (which may be out of print - worth hunting down). Turner is a far better writer, and her memoir shines.

I agree that this book is only a brief introduction into the thoughts of Schauberger but hopefully many people are inspired by this book to move forward into the area of water research in an effort to uncover many more truths about what really makes water healthy.

Unfortunately there is so much...on the market, evolving around new-age water products, which in-no-way copy Mother Nature as Viktor had stressed. All these people need to purchase this book in order to obtain some form of initial clarity if they are going to be involved in water research or water products of any kind. Living-water; revitalized-water; restructured water; clustered & micro-clustered-water; alkaline water; Pi-water; crystal-water; snowflake-water; cupcake-water; energized-water; polarized-water; magnetized-water; and all the many others that are on the market have obviously never read any of Viktor's work or at least understood it. Let us all use Viktor's work as a basis to change the planet and make this world a better place to live.

Although it occasionally veers into new-age speculation or pseudoscience, this book offers a rare look at truly alternative ideas about water and energy. The description of Schauberger's early work with flumes is enthralling, and the brief exposition of "flow forms" towards the end of the book is valuable. Search "flow forms" in any web search engine to see some of the sites around the world espousing a fascinating technology that unites water pollution control with esthetics.

I have to say - I got very AGGRAVATED by some portions of this book , because it TOTALLY agreed and expanded on my very own frustrations with our retarded "modern" technologies.

I have ALWAYS dreaded NOISE - I haven't done empirical research on this subject, but my gut instinct has led me to run from & truly hate noisy machines. I feel like someone were stabbing me when I am exposed to a Harley Davidson on the road ! The only friends I really have in this matter I think are the ANIMALS - have you ever noticed the DREAD & FEAR with which ANY animal reacts to our machines ( most notably our motors - be they lawnmowers, drilling machines ... ) Even birds totally abhor the NOISE from our aircraft & automobiles .. notice their flight, as from terror, when they are flying over traffic !

Now I see that IMPLOSION is essentially a NOISELESS phenomenon !! And this is the technology that truly supports the LIVING ! My question - FOLKS, WHEN WILL WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE NOT MACHINES ?? AND OUR SPIRITUALITY IS NOT SOME GOD-DEVIL-CRAP but a PHYSICAL manifestation of the higher ????

" They have eyes, but they don't see ..... "

This is a good introduction to the theories and life of Viktor Schauberger, an Austrian naturalist and inventor. Born in 1885, Schauberger started life as a forester who tried to understand and copy Nature. From watching mountain streams he developed unorthodox theories based on vortex movement about water and its use. He started out designing highly efficient log flumes that used water in vortex motion and at its densest temperature of 4 degrees Centigrade. He then proposed cleaning up the Rhine River by rebuilding the natural curves which stimulate vortex motion in the water. He said that this vortex motion in the Earth caused spring water to be more alive than plain water. He believed that plants grew better in this living water and developed laboratory sized egg-shaped water energizers to activate water.

He also developed theories about the harmfulness of iron and steel tools in agriculture and proposed replacing them with copper ones. He designed an egg-shaped composter that was supposed to develop Noble compost which would be much more beneficial in gardens.

Around the Second World War his theories and experiments take a much different direction and he starts talking about Implosion energy as opposed to combustion explosion energy. He starts developing machines that generate more energy than they use and that run on water and air. Out of this research he claims to have developed a domestic power station that generates large outputs of energy from slight streams of running water. Even more fantastic is a flying saucer that used a 1/20 horsepower electric motor as a starter and then ran on the surrounding flow of air. The research on these inventions was destroyed at the end of the war. Schauberger and his son Walter never seem to have been able to find the resources to develop working models again.

Today his theories on vortex motion of water are taught at the Anthroposophical Emerson College in England. His copper farming tools are sold from the school his son Walter started, the Pythagoras Kepler Schule in Austria. His water, forestry, and farming theories have been accepted by Biodynamic Farming communities and may be helpful to organic farmers today.

There are two appendices at the end of the book by New Age science experts on the underlying theories of vortex energy. I find these actually detract from the book rather than help it. A Bibliography also is less than useful. Most of the sources are to obscure journals or original Austrian publications. These types of resources are less than helpful in such an introductory text.

This is an excellent, brief introduction to the thought of Viktor Schauberger, and I hope it inspires works which are more complete. Callum Coates' books reach in this direction, but what is really needed are more people to read these books, synthesize their information, and come up with new and original books which take us further into depth in these areas. This will probably involve synthesizing the work of Schauberger, Grander, Bienveniste, and others.

An understanding of Schauberger is very important for those attempting to reconstruct an Indigenous European Perspective. Schauberger has the elements of a modern water shaman, and his shamanic / intuitive techniques of letting his body float with the water should be closely correlated with what Hans Peter Duerr has to say about "out of body" experience in his tome "Dreamtime". Although Schauberger lived in the 20th Century, his perspective allows us to imagine back what earlier indigenous practitioners may have been like. The Colonial, Imperialist Europe is only one side of the coin of Europe. We must also include the suppressed indigenous, pagan, and green sides. Significantly, the Inquisition represents a watershed in European history where a great deal of the indigenous healers and theorists were wiped out in holocaust proportions. An understanding of Schauberger, coupled with an appreciation of Steiner, Hildegard of Bingen, Hans Peter Duerr, and others, will allow us to reconstruct what a noncolonial, nonimperialist Europe was like.

Understanding water's nature is essential in this regard, for water forms the basis of our understandings of flow. Furthermore, understanding water's energetic qualities will help us understand how it interacts with the body. Traditional Chinese Medicine, for example, would benefit from an accurate and holistic understanding of water's qualities.

In short, this book is an excellent appetizer, but I await the main course ...

Great book! Teaching women that being out of control and under God's control is the only way to live life to it's fullest!

I love Lisa Bevere books and Out of Control & Loving It is one of my favorites. Why? Because Lisa's ministry allows her to be transparent, which means she speaks from her own personal struggles, and shares how the Lord brought her through. In this book she admits how she tried to be in control, but that in losing control (giving it over to God), she actually gained control. Her writing eases the readers fears, lets them know they aren't alone, and gives them a scriptural and practical perspective that is most helpful. I recommend this book as well as the others she's written.

Lisa Bevere is a true Godsend. How marvelous it is to relinquish control over aspects of our lives that we were never meant to handle in the first place. And how maturing is it to realize what we do have control over..our responses...and how that allows us to make the right choices in life. God Bless this woman and her ministry. Trust me, this is not just a book for the Women of God. Everyone should read this!

This book is a powerful, sharp hitting expose' on some of the areas of our human nature that can easily be hidden to others. Lisa is bold in pulling no punches as she details behaviours that we are all prone to and often justify because 'everyone else is doing it'. Lisa highlights many areas specific to our modern situations where we fail to love,honour, fear and serve God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. In doing this we are failing to obey Jesus' first command (Matt 23:37&38). And in failing the first, we cannot obey the second (v.39). Prior to reading this book, I am ashamed to say that it was often the consideration of what others would think of me that determined my speech and actions, not a reverant fear of serving my Creator and Lord

This book helps women specifically to realise the enormity of what it is to serve God in this complete way. It is quite literally the loss of all control, leaving total faith dependance in the Lord and Creator of the Universe. It was not until I read this book that I realised how poorly I was performing in many areas of my life, in comparison to Gods perfect standard. Areas where I may have suspected some sickness if I had cared to heed my very muted conscience, and others where I was totally blind & in darkness. The chapters on fear and gossip were almost mind-blowing, as the depth of information contained within shone much needed light and understanding on how deeply rooted these things are, dictating many of my thoughts, responses, directions.

Many anecdotes throughout the book are evidence of Lisa's personal experience of complete submission to the rule of God in her life. The vulnerable position that this puts her in gives credence to what she is saying, and a definite sense of equal achievability to the reader.

The only areas of reservation I would express are the many narratives of Lisa's personal two-way conversations with God. I do not have as much knowledge as I would like on the subject of unhindered human interaction with God. I do not personally feel confident to say I hear the voice of God giving me specific direction. I do however, acknowledge that God being God may choose to reveal himself in many ways, and I have learnt not to discredit the spiritual experiences of others based upon the fact that I myself may not have had a similar experience. Reading this book has made me want to investigate this further ... is such a clear communitive pathway available to me also as my submission to Gods complete control over my life deepens?

One of the most bluntly honest and helpful books I've ever read.If you want to be set free from stress and worry this is a good book.

I have read this book three times, and each time find something new and wonderful in it. The complexity of the characters and the clarity of place and time make it very engrossing. The main characters remain strong as they evolve, bringing the reader along in their lives. From destitute villages to opulent palaces, Petersburg is entracing, enlightening and one of the best books I have read.

This is perhaps the best book I have ever read. It is a major accomplishment and I'm amazed that it hasn't received tons of literary awards. Hanlon's use of dialogue along with the flow and rhythm of the writing is just outstanding. Never before have I had such a clear sense of living in this historic time. Hopefully this book won't be lost in obscurity. It would make such an incredible movie.

I found this book a total thrill from start to finish and was totally gutted when it came to and end. I took myself there and lived the book, which had the most unpredictable story lines and characters you couldn't stop yourself loving or hating. I could almost feel the snow crunching beneath my feet. This novel had everything, i simply could not put it down. I can only hope and pray that one day it will make it to the big screens, it would be magnifcant.

They are a new social class in old Russia: the wealthy industrialists, who inhabit the glittering turn-of-the-century city of Petersburg. Torn between their loyalty to the Czar and their own peasant roots, they are about to ignite a revolution that will change the world forever...

At the center of the tumult is Alexei Kalinin, a self-made railroad tycoon who is fighting to overthrow the monoarchy. Alexei is in love with Anna Orlov, a gifted young pianist whose connection to Alexei will thrust her into the bloody events as they unfold. Alexei's pacifist nephew Misha escapes his abusive father only to land in the middle of the violence. And Misha's tutor, the proud and sensuous Irina Rantzau, renounces her aristocratic background to stand up for her revolutionary ideas.

Powerful passions catapult all four into a strange new world, where the sweep of history will force them to make grave choices-for their country and for themselves.

from back of book.

I found Petersburg to be a real pageturner. I was completely hooked by the plot, couldn't figure out what was coming next, fell totally in love with the characters whom I found breathtakinly real! I felt as if I was really in turn of the century Russia and as an afficionado of Russian history, I was impressed with the historical accuracy of the major events. The love stories were passionate and moving and the scenes of revolution bounced off the page. If you like historical fiction, this is a real winner.

I think "Son of Charlemagne" was very interesting. Before reading the book, I didn't think that well of Charlemagne, but after reading this book, my opinion changed. This book develops the life of Charlemagne through the eyes of his son, Carl. The plot was well developed, but on the negative side, the continuing change in area was confusing. The constant change from city to city was confusing, especially when I would go a few days without reading it. There was also many main characters, and so it was hard to remember who was who. I still enjoyed it, however, because it taught history, (which i don't particularly like), in a novel setting, so it was more fun to read. I have already recommended this book to someone else. And I would recommend it to you, too, if you would like to learn more about French medeivel history. Just be prepared for some confusion, unless you can easily hold a bunch of information in your head!!

Haley Houchens
(age 13)

My sons and I enjoyed this book. It is about Charlemagne, but written from the perspective of his eldest son, so it keeps their interest. This booked sparked us looking into Charlemagne in more detail, from the history books, so it was great.

We enjoyed this story of Charlemagne told by viewing the life of one of his sons, Carl. While not intensely detailed in regards to his historical battles, though they are referenced (and one particularly brutal event is covered intensely), it gives more of an insider view with the focus on his family life. That was very interesting! This incredible world leader was a devoted family man who desired for his children to travel with him whenever possible. He humbly sought a better education for himself, his children and his subjects. This focus led to the Carolingian Renaissance. While Charles the Great certainly had flaws, those too were inspiring examples. These multifacted qualities resulted in his rise from King of the Franks to coronation as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Son of Charlemagne was written very personally, a tender glimpse into the real life struggles of a political giant.

This telling of the life of Charlemagne was clearly intended for younger readers, but I must tell you, I enjoyed it very much anyway. Told through the eyes of Carl, his second son, the story of Charlemagne is brought to life in a vivid and personal way. The tale focuses mainly on the private lives of the great King and his family, mentioning most of the great battles and campaigns only in passing. It makes plain Charlemagne's love for his family, even though the demands of rule often forced him into difficult--and sometimes brutal--decisions.

I particularly liked how the author was able to convey historical detail about the time period in an interesting way without being overly didactic. The book introduces the young reader to a variety of historical personages (like Alcuin and Pope Hadrian) and ancient peoples (like the Saxons and Avars). The book makes clear Charlemagne's attachment to learning and his devotion to the Catholic Church and the Papacy in particular.

Personally, I would have preferred a little more action and detail on Charlemagne's military accomplishments, but I suppose that's a man thing. If you like historical novels with a Catholic flair like this one, I would also recommend Belisarius: The First Shall Be Last

I really enjoyed reading Son of Charlemagne for history. I learned more facts about Charlemagne in this book than in a regular study on him. It is a great book to read in your spare time. This book is told by his son Carl's point of view.

Here's the story: gay Jew (really a half-Jew under Nazi racial law) survives Holocaust in Berlin, despite spending lots of time risking his life by helping ferry other Jews to safety in Switzerland. I didn't find this book as enthralling as I had hoped; either the writing style or the translation left something to be desired. In particular, the last half of the book read like a laundry list of lovers and rescued friends. (Unlike another reviewer, I actually liked the pre-Holocaust half of the book better).

Having said that, I still learned something from this book; I got a real sense of the differences between "full Jews" and persons of mixed blood. Full Jews typically got deported to concentration camps, no ifs, ands or buts. But if the experience of Beck and his family is any guide, half-Jews stood a pretty good chance of survival if they kept their noses clean. Because Beck's mother was born Christian (though she converted to Judaism) his parents were never deported (despite numerous close calls), and Beck got in trouble with the Gestapo only because of his rescue activities.

Another interesting fact: throughout the book, Beck mentions various hunchbacks he ran into. What is it about early 20th-century Germany that produced so many hunchbacks?

Beck gives us a glimpse of a gay man's coming of age in Nazi Berlin. It is not only erotic but holds up a light by which all aspects of love should be measured. Once again, the Gay Spirit has triumphed over bigotry, intolerance, and in this case even the holocaust.

Beck, Gad. "An Underground Life: Memoirs of a Gay Jew in Nazi Germany, University of Wisconsin Press, 1999.

Triumph of Will

Amos Lassen and Literary Pride

We all have a great deal of trouble understanding the Holocaust and what it did to so many people. We have been slowly getting the stories of the Nazi persecution if gays and if one was both gay and Jewish, he had real troubles. Gad Beck was a man like that but he survived and was able to tell his story as he does so eloquently in "An Underground Life". Even though his book begins slowly, it picks up pace quickly and as you read your mouth falls open to see stories about man's inhumanity to man. When the Nazis began their reign of terror he was living underground and was sought by the Gestapo. Beck was an organizer and helped many who lived illegally by finding them shelter and food as well as providing a listening ear and support in any way that he could. The fact that he was gay was secondary to the fact that he was Jewish.
In this memoir Beck brings to life both the cruelty to the Jews but the cruelty to the gays as well. This is a shocking and horrifying account as he writes about a gay man's coming of age in Nazi Germany. It is an erotic tale but also shows how love should be considered. This was probably the first time in the modern age that the gay spirit managed to triumph over intolerance and bigotry--even against the greatest crime ever against humanity.
The fact that Beck survived in itself is miraculous but even more amazing is that he was able to write about what he endured. When Robert Plant published "The Pink Triangle: The Nazi War against Homosexuals" in 1986, the door was opened to a new aspect of the Holocaust. Several personal accounts followed, but few have been published that talk about the Nazi treatment of gays ad I imagine that this is because so few survived and those that did could not think about what they had endured. This makes this book that much more valuable.
Beck's own story is unique in that he was born of a mixed marriage in 1923 to a Jewish father and a Christian mother thereby not Jewish according to strict Orthodox law. Nonetheless, the Nazis did not care--if he had a drop of Jewish blood, as far as they were concerned, he was Jewish. As the Nazi party rose to power and began their housing relocation plan, forced labor and transport to death camps, Beck organized a resistance movement to hide others and to smuggle food and drugs to them, He even once wore a Nazi uniform to rescue a doomed gay man from the camps. He does not in any way disguise his sexuality and he gives details of his own sexual liaisons. He gives us an amazing picture of the horror of Nazi rule. He was one of the fortunate gay men whom his parents loved and accepted his sexuality and was very lucky that the Christian side of his family felt the same. In 1933, when Hitler came to power, he was forced to attend a Jewish school to reinforce his identity and to be visible to the ruling party and he immersed himself in Judaism and embraced the idea of the Zionist movement. He also embraced a great many men and he hides nothing about his sex life (except for actual sexual descriptions) as well as writes openly about his secret political activities. He rose in power in the Zionist movement and became a central character in working to establish a Jewish homeland. He survived the Nazis by living illegally in Berlin. Because of that he was able to write this wonderful memoir.
This is a book that holds you from the beginning to the end, so much so that you want a sequel. He embraced his gayness at the same time that he embraced his Jewish--at a time when it meant death to be either. There are stories of betrayals and back stabbings and secret meetings and the memoir reads like a combination thriller/spy novel. That he survived s incredible and even more incredible is that he endured all that he did.

Gad Beck brought to life not only the cruelty to the jews but also the cruelty of the gay and lesbian people of the Nazi Era. I had to do a research paper for a Holocaust in Literature class I took my junior year in high school...and I was entralled the whole time I read this book. It shocked me, it horrified me...and I loved it.

Here is a memoire of life in Berlin during the Nazi regime from the perspective of a gay Jew. Gad Beck was an organizer and friend to many who lived illegally during that period, finding shelter and food and providing friendship and support. That he was openly gay was not important during that period - there were more important thiongs to worry about.

I found this book at the bookstore of National Haulocost Museum in Washington DC on a recent visit. It fits in perfectly with that museum, in that it fleshes out the life in hiding. If you have an interest in the struggle for human rights and length to which people will go to survive, this is an excellent read.

One fact that is underemphasized in the book is Beck's youth during this period. By the end of the war he was in his younger 20s. Yet he had accomplished so much and had the strength of one much older. Bravo!

Excellent book. Frances has given us all an opportunity to "try" to recreate the patterns she has in each of her 4 books. You do have to read the instructions on how to enlarge them OR as I have done...take them to a drafting company and have them enlarged. I give her book a 10. She has done a large amount of research and I own all 5 of her books. ( Call me crazy but I love her books )

When I first got this book I had a lot of fun just looking at the fashions during that time period. I bought the book to make an outfit for a re-enactment. I read the instructions for using the Diamond Cutting System and the rulers provided on the back pages of the book, and although I read it all through a few times, I was very confused on how to draft the patterns. My sewing experience is limited to following the instructions that come with today's regular tissue patterns. I had never drafted a pattern before. But once I started the "hands on" work it suddenly made sense! I picked up some old curtain materials at garage and rummage sales for my project. I started with the simplest skirts and I even found it very easy to modify the draft to fit irregular body shapes using the rulers which I photocopied from the book, cutted out, and pasted to cardboard. Pattern paper is impossible to find these days therefore I drafted the patterns onto old bedsheets. I also had to use an ordinary carpenter's angle to work with the rulers. The only tool I don't have, which the book tells me that I need, is a scroll or french curve to shape the armholes, neck curves and some skirt curves. To make the skirts I found that I didn't need this curve tool for the simpler patterns. However, once I start into the more complex patterns it will become a necessity. Pattern instructions are scarce, but if you have some sewing experience this fact should not discourage you too much. Yardage required is also seldom given, so you will have to estimate how much you need once you have drafted the patterns - or just buy yards and yards of old curtain material to start with! I so pleased with this book that I intend to make many more outfits than I had originally intended to make before I bought the book!

This book features patterns for dresses, skirts, shirts, jackets, underclothing (etc.) for the years 1900-1906
25 (patterns) from 1900
18 from 1901
5 from 1902
16 from 1903
7 from 1904
5 from 1905
3 from 1906

This is a good book, well up to Frances Grimble's high standards. It contains many patterns but can also double as a sourcebook, as it contains many pictures of clothes from fashion plates. I would recommend buying it, but make sure to research these years to find out if you really want it.

Between this book and Grimble's "Edwardian Modiste", I'll never have to buy another antique "Gibson girl" pattern again. The illustrations in my opinion don't do the dresses justice; the garments themselves are just stunning when you actually make them. Having said that, these patterns are not beginner-friendly. If you want a quick-and-easy Edwardian ensemble you'll be very disappointed because these patterns require a lot of forethought, a lot of time, and a lot of work. They are not the modern "here's-how-to-sew-a-seam" kind of patterns you see commercially available today. Most of the tucks, for example, are not marked, nor are they allowed for in the pattern; you'll have to draft those yourself from scratch. The same thing goes for trimmings, lace insertion, and shirring. Also, very few patterns mark locations for fastenings, and many lack patterns for things like cuffs and collars, which can't always be made from a straight strip of fabric and still look right on the garment. You can substitute collars from other patterns in the book but there's no guarantee that they will fit properly. Plus, the patterns in this book must be scaled according to your measurements, which still involves a good deal of tedious arithmetic even with the "rulers" included with the book. Overall, I love this book to the point that it's starting to fall apart from use. However, the buyer should be aware that the patterns in this book are not for the faint-of-heart or the impatient.

I make custom reproduction clothing and I have found The Voice of Fashion to be extremely helpful. The pattern selection is very impressive and attractive. I have the Janet Arnold book and the Norah Waugh book, but this book has many more patterns for this era. I can find one for any style the customer wants, rather than having to take some basic pattern and alter it. I just let them leaf through the book and pick one out. By using the special rulers I can enlarge the pattern to fit any customer with no (or hardly any) alterations-these patterns fit better than most commercial sized patterns. The rulers are easy to use, you just follow the instructions. The book also has instructions for early 20th century sewing methods, and lots of fashion columns on fabrics and trims. I consider it indispensable to my business. If you wanted to make even one period outfit, this book would still probably save you money, because otherwise you'd have to buy separate patterns for the dress, the underclothes, the outer wear etc.

My students enjoyed the book and it tied nicely into our unit on Alaskan sled dogs. Good history tie in as well.

Just so you'd know, this book is not denouncing Togo. It is merely telling Balto's side of the story. And it is a courageous one taht deserves to be well-known. There.

One day, a serious diptheria epidemic breaks out in Nome. Sled dogs are selected to deliver serum to the town before time runs out. Will they succeed?

This compelling book tells the story of Balto's brave and graet contribution to this race (he never tried to claim all the credit!), and I would recommend it even to Leonhard Seppala, so he would stop despising Balto, but sadly, he is now dead.

We purchased this book after seeing the real Balto (courtesy of the art of taxidermy) at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Our quest in Northeast Ohio, where Balto enjoyed his senior years, was prompted by my seven year-old daughter's love-affair with the animated film about this dog, who navigated a lost sled team carrying life-saving medicine through Alaska in 1925. I hereby confess publicly that, after myself reading the book, which is aimed at the 9 year-old set, I cried, much as I had done 35 years before after reading "Lassie Come Home." This account, however, is much more compelling than "Lassie" or "Old Yeller," because it entirely factual (possibly excepting the subjective thoughts imputed to the protagonist).

The author did her homework researching this story about a sled dog who was just one of the pack facing poor odds against daunting weather and unrequiting expanses of blinding snow and ice. When the alpha dog loses the trail, and another refuses to lead, the team turns to Balto to bring them and their cargo safely to rest in Nome.

Perhaps Balto deserves an authentic, grown-up biography, but this one will serve in the meantime. It appears to be the definitive account.

This is an excellent book if you are interested in the Iditarod race in Alaska.The book helps young children understand the importance of perserverence and is a great introduction to history for the very young (6-8).A true story that inspires people to understand the bond between animals and people.

If you love the Iditarod and you want your children (or children you're fond of) to be introduced to this great race, the story of Balto and the Great Race by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel is a good place to start, beginning with the cover illustration by Nora Köerber. This book is a Stepping Stones chapter book with black and white illustrations throughout.

At the beginning of the book is a map of Alaska showing the Iditarod railroad and dogsled trail, along with some illustrations depicting the basic story of this great race against time to get much-needed diphtheria serum to Nome in 1925.

Balto is a Siberian husky born to run, and to lead. He guided his musher, Gunnar Kaasen, into Nome on the final leg of the journey, when only this magnificent dog could sense the way through a terrible, deadly blizzard with no trail to follow and wind at such strength it tossed Kaasen and dogsled into the air, almost losing their precious cargo. A short time before this near disaster, Balto saved the team from going through the ice to certain death. His instincts were in the realm of the supernatural and his devotion to the task at hand human in awareness.

It states on the back cover that this book is for children in grades 1-3. As the Cleveland Museum of Natural History states on the same back cover, "Balto's story is one of courage, cooperation and inspiration, and personal sacrifice for the greater good."

Carolyn Rowe Hill

Another in Bethlehem's series of excellent historical fiction reprints, Beorn the Proud tells a harrowing tale of the 9th century Norsemen. Beorn is the 12-year-old son of the Sea King, Anlaf, a pagan raider who pillages the Christian settlements on the Irish coast. During one of these raids, Beorn captures young Ness, the daughter of an Irish chieftan. Having lost her entire family but little of her combative nature, Ness wins the grudging admiration of Beorn, but the enmity of his rival, the powerful Helge. When Beorn's father dies, Helge usurps Beorn's inheritance and has his eye on an even bigger prize--the throne of all Denmark. Can Beorn reclaim his heritage and warn the ancient King in time?

Beorn the Proud is a superb tale of the Dark Ages on the fringe of Europe. The characters are wonderfully drawn--particularly the main characters. Beorn's extreme pride, rooted in pagan conceit, is challenged repeatedly throughout the book and I found his reactions very true to life. Ness, on the other hand, is independent and stubborn, with a sense of humility and Christian piety that is often subsumed by her too-quick tongue.

The book is a quick and easy read for kids 12 and up and is deep enough for adults to enjoy as well. The plot is quick paced and the style is tight and flows very well. I highly recommend it!

This adventure is told through the eyes of a 9th century Irish girl, Ness, who is kidnapped by a Viking Sea-Captain's son after the raid of their village. She gradually becomes friends with him after the two struggle to learn of the differences in one another's cultures. Tenacious Ness and prideful Beorn provide entertaining dialogue! While it is not challenging to convince a young man to read exciting Viking adventures, this book was equally enjoyed by my daughter.

This is an exciting adventure story that keeps the reader's interest while modeling values without being preachy. My eight-year-old just finished this as part of our Viking studies. He enjoyed it greatly and would read us his favorite passages. I found the historical elements complemented what we had already learned from non-fiction. While this type book is generally what would be considered a "boys' books", the presence of a strong major female character might make this book more appealing to some of the girls than other stories of this genre. Ness is in the midst of the action, and exhibits courage, intelligence, and compassion. These and other virtues are shown in the characters as traits worthy to develop. Specifically, Beorn learns the dangers of pride and how a Viking chief can be both gentle and strong. A great book - I highly recommend.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story set in the 9th century ofIreland. The main characters are Beorn, 12 year old son of a Vikingsea king, and Ness, a young Irish girl who has just witnessed the raiding of her village by the Vikings. Ness is taken captive by Beorn and is forced to go to Denmark with the Vikings. The contrast between the gentle irish farmers and the proud and cruel Vikings is great, but we also see the courage of both races as the two slowly become friends. Ness' christian faith shines amidst the turmoil of constant raiding and plundering. The living conditions of the Irish and the Danes are seen and hints of the influence of Norse history. It is easy to care about Ness, but Madeleine Pollands skillful writing made me start to care about Beorn also. Exciting, inspiring, historical and good literature make this book a good resource for homeschoolers.

Polland, while delving nicely into the setting and background of ninth century Viking Age, lost me entirely with the child-like dialogue and weak story-line. Much of her writing was un-realistic and therefore highly un-appreciated. Her writing definately needs to be brushed up several notches. While she develops her characters personalties nicely enough she then twists them around in odd ways that make the book rather undesirable. The book was rather boring all in all, I would not recommend it for an enjoyable read. If your having your child read this book for school and learning, fine then, It does indeed have valuable information concerning ninth century background, but if you want a nice book to enjoy, this is not the one for you!