A Books

first off - i am a real person and i did read this book back when it first came out and again in later years, i really like the storyline, it is a "what if" book - what if the 2nd comming is just a plain old everyday construction worker, what if some people believed, what if some did not and tried to discredit him, what if, what if, what if...... the only way to decide if you like it is to read it - it is a little dated now but the message is the same ......what if

I read this book originally in 1979 when it was first published when I was still in my teens. Someone lent me a copy recently and I was disappointed. The plot is ridiculous (hidden CIA informants, world conspiracies, ancient prophecies), the characters are cardboard cutouts and the "message" is about as subtle as a brick falling on your head.

I noticed that the cover blurb said "Soon to be a major motion picture." Looks like the producers came to their senses in time.

When Joseph Turner falls from a high rise building and survives without a scratch he puts it down to a fluke. However, other powerful people are now watching him in the hope he will fufuil a prophecy that is 500 years old.

Joseph is an ordinary and likeable man with an extraordinary destiny. The book steadly ramps up the tension with the stakes as each chapter progresses. Even though this was written in the late 70s its still a thoughtful story on a possible second coming in todays media obsessed and cynical world.

While I'm not particulary partial to religious books, this one has is emphasis on humanity and the human spirit rather than any specific creed. If you run across a second hand copy this book is still worth picking up for a read as the story easily holds you till the end.

These reviews seem to have all been written by bogus people or friends. I went to the trouble of putting all the reviews in a pdf file so that I could search the talking points like "best book I ever read,", "changed my life," "loaned it to someone, wish it was in reprint so I could read it again,", and especially "where is the movie?" Here is my question - which idiot movie producer would be convinced by such a pathetically transparent ploy to invest? This hasbeen hack tv writer should take a course in subtlelty at least, and forcing his teenage son to write a review approaches child abuse - what was he, grounded? The whole business reminds me of "Naked Came the Stranger."

OK thriller about Catholic intrigue and a "Life of Brian"-esque story (sans humor) of an ordinary Joe discovering he's no. 2 in God's family. The plot keeps you entertained until the last third, but doesn't really take you anywhere. One other thing: somehow, I don't think that salvation of the world is going to come through wildcat strikes.

Also, I have to agree with a prior reader that a lot of the five-star reviews look and feel like Spam. This book was not a particularly large seller and it's nearly 30 years old. I'm very skeptical of so many reviews at all, let alone so many five-star reviews. Someone's manipulating the system.

This was such a great book when I read it many years ago. I've recently gotten ahold of a copy and have to say that it's still a great read, especially when we are surounded by object in our daily lives that seem capable of their own thoughts and motives. It's also nice to see young people painted in such a way where they're not just miniature adults but actual kids reacting well to tough situations. I always wanted to learn more about what happened to Ellen and Otto and imagined they both continued to be self-sufficient individuals who went on to do quite well for themselves.

The Silver Crown by Robert C. O'Brien is a wonderful fantasy about a girl named Ellen Carroll. Ellen wakes up one day and finds a silver crown on her bedside table. Shortly after, her house burns down with her family inside. Not knowing what else to do, Ellen decides to hitchhike to her Aunt's house. But then she finds the person who burnt down her house is stalking her because he wants to kidnap her and take her silver crown.

The book begins with Ellen receiving a silver crown in the mail on her birthday. The next thing she knows, her house has burned down, her family is missing and people are willing to engage in mayhem and murder to find her. Ellen decides she needs to visit an aunt and sets out on foot to find her. She eventually meets up with a somewhat mysterious young boy and they attempt to solve the mystery of the crown and get Ellen to safety. This book was written in 1969 and at times it really shows. For example, that Ellen wears pants briefly and gets messy is considered striking within the book. However, in the end the book is driven by Ellen's determination and will.

I first bought this book when I was 12 years old at a book fair at school. I absolutely adored it and read it repeatedly for the next year. I gave it away to someone and never got it back. Only recently have I thought about it again and decided that Amazon was the first place to look for it. When I had read it again I couldn't believe how much of it I remembered from many moons ago. It was the first book to capture my interest in fantasy writing and I have never looked back since.

I first this book when I was about 12, and it remains on my shelf to this day (I'm now 35.) I highly recommend it for kids who enjoy fantasy books. Yes, it's dark and has genuinely creepy moments in it--but I see no reason that should discourage young readers or their parents, as it's an extremely engaging tale of a little girl battling the forces of evil. Resourceful girl characters are in short supply in children's fantasy literature, so this shouldn't be passed over.

The issues raised in another review here (regarding the unhelpfulness of adult authority figures in the book, and Ellen's bad descision to accept a ride from a stranger) would be points well taken if this were a book for 5 year olds. However, any child old enough to read and appreciate this book should be well past the point of learning that policemen are generally good and that hitchhiking is unwise. Give kids some credit! And give them good books, like this one.

Probably one of the best sports related books I have ever read. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to build strength.

Hi

I teach Crossfit [...] and this book is quite simply Brilliant. It is also a great companion for crossfitters to help with technique. If you want to really learn the lifts, if you want to get stronger this is the place to go. Be warned this is not a hone and tone body building book but a great work dedicated to compound lifts and the development of strength.

Just buy it !

This is the best book on weight training I've read, and I've read a lot of them.

I wish I had had it 15 years ago. If you know a young person getting into strength training, buy them this book.

Also get Practical Programming for Strength Training, by the same authors. Consider getting Science and Practice of Strength Training by Zatsiorsky and Kraemer if you want the footnotes. Though frankly, all these books could use better footnotes.

One tiny quibble is that the book is strongly focused on strength training, as it says in the title. This isn't the same thing as fitness or aesthetics, which are probably more common motivators for weight training. As far as I know there are no really good books on weight training for non-strength goals. Yes, I've read Stuart McRobert.

Coach Rip applies a perfect amount of dry whit to his rock solid understanding of weight training and delivers a tutorial that is as readable as it is helpful. Starting Strength gives an insight to both form and function of barbell training that your everyday coach/trainer does not have and cannot provide.

Highly recommended for anyone that wants to improve their strength, and especially recommended for anyone that is in the position to be instructing others in weight training.

Mark Rippetoe's "Starting Strength" is, without question, one of the finest books of its kind. I have been going to gyms all my life, listening to people and reading many books on all aspects of weight training. Mr. Rippetoe, via his book, is the best teacher I have encountered. Whether you're a novice or an experienced lifter, "Starting Strength" will improve your performance and your outlook in the gym. It is a complete reference for the technique, and the purpose, of all the important barbell movements. It is well written, clear, and thorough. Highly recommended.

If you've never read a Vonnegut book before, then just go ahead and put this into your cart. Also add his other titles because you'll want to pick up another one after you've finished reading Mother Night. Yes, these books were written many decades ago, but the critics are correct in saying they still have relevance in today's time. Enjoy the read and reflection into today's environment.

it was quick read, and i enjoyed it very much. it's gives an interesting perspective on a lot of issues of world war II and human nature.

An interesting--almost crazy--ride through the later years of Howard Campbell, American-born, German playwright-turned-Nazi-broadcast propogandist, then-re-turned-American-spy.

Vonnegut once said, humbly, his writing was just 8 to 10-line jokes strung together. There is slapstick and farce here; great fun and entertainiment. What saves this from craziness is Vonnegut's ability to write so well about noble things such as love and kindness, friendship and decency. So one laughs and one thinks and one feels as he reads here. . .and in almost everything else Kurt Vonnegut wrote.

~Mother Night~ by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. is a dark novel set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany initially in the 1930s. An American expatriate living abroad Howard W. Campbell, Jr. marries a German woman Helga, and works as a playwright in Germany. But a dark cloud looms over the horizon, the spectre of Nazi Germany and its violent ideology of ultra-nationalism. Campbell's parents depart Germany for the United States as the war draws near, but Campbell chooses to stay behind. The playwright becomes a propagandist for the Nazi regime, declaring himself, 'the Last Free American,' and he broadcasts radio shows throughout Germany and obviously back West for the people of the Western nations to hear. Unbenownst to the Germans, he is also an American spy, a deep-cover double agent of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Behind ever gasp and stutter, he is sending hidden messages to the Allies. Following the war's climatic end, Campbell finds his way back to the United States. Gripped by the loss of his wife, he is utterly alienated and gripped by melancholy. Hounded by Neo-Nazis who want to extol him as a hero and Soviet spies looking to out him as an American agent provocateur for their own sinister Machiavellian purposes, Campbell grows despondent and troubled. He might as well forget about protection from Uncle Sam who won't ever acknowledge his service to the U.S. Government. The words of his father-in-law, a dedicated German officer could haunt him, as the German proclaimed when he thought with warmth about what the Nazi creed embodied, he didn't find it emanating from the words of Adolf Hitler, but in the words of Campbell. The theme is simple: we are whatever we pretend to be, so we better be darned careful of what we pretend to be. That's the moral lesson. When we are subsumed in lies and deception: the truth doesn't always set us free, it implicates us, and convicts us. Campbell learned that lesson with much guilt and resignation. His service to Nazi creed far surpassed his service to the Western Allies.

I take my title from a piece by Kurt Vonnegut, "Why They Read Hesse." The "they" was the youth of America. His answer was that Hesse tells them the things they want to hear, like bad is bad. He forgot to also stress, if I remember correctly, that Hesse writes in simple sentences with few words. You can read it on a bus or a treadmill at the gym. Complexity and intellectual challenge aren't the main things here.

Vonnegut himself was a lot like that, and Mother Night is maybe the clearest example of this. It is a morality tale with all the ambiguity and subtlety of a topless bar. He starts with a conventional, but interesting, dilemma, that of the undercover agent who is two things at once, and the question is whether the inner is more real than the outer simply because it is inner. Vonnegut as usual attempts to cut this Gordian knot of the demands of duty with the sword of his 1960s hippy morality. And it's not such a bad approach--do no evil, don't think about the big picture, we are what we pretend to be.

So the protagonist willingly accepts his punishment as a traitor despite having the exonerating evidence at hand because he realizes he was what he pretended to be--that his pretend acts had real results. That works great--a "good" person pretended to be "bad" and so did "bad" things and hence was really bad once we use Vonnegut's miracle quotation-point-removing morality.

But if "we are what we pretend to be," is a bad person who pretends to be good actually good? If my hypocritically simulated sacrifice inspires others to sacrifice themselves for values they believe in, am I really good? Is the coward general who roars "come on brave boys, follow me!" and then doubles back once they start running a hero?

I wish it were so. But I don't think it is that simple. Although it wasn't my principal aim, I ended up being lauded as some sort of hero sacrificing myself for the truth. And that led others to make real sacrifices--and the funny thing is, this ended up wrecking my whole plan in the first place!--for things that I also believe in. Even if I set this in motion, I can't say that this makes my acts "good." I don't think Vonnegut was really up to thinking through the actual complexities of moral action in this world. It isn't simply about your "effects" it is about your self-hood, your authenticity. Campbell had that. Vonnegut didn't know how to deal with that.

One last thing--the new cover looks exactly like the logo for the Victor mousetrap. Is that intentional? Did they see Campbell as being trapped like a mouse in a larger plan he didn't understand? [42]

I had read another book on making lampwork beads which left me wanting so much more. I decided to purchase Passing the Flame and wish I would have purchased it first. Cornia's step by step instructions are what I needed as a beginner. I read her instructions, try making the bead and if I fail read the instructions again. This is a must have book for any lampwork bead creator, especially if you are a beginner. She "talks" to you and makes everything very understandable. I can't thank her enough for her instructions and tips.

Es un libro completo, excelente para los que comenzamos en este bello hobby, los paso a paso, asi como las demas explicaciones son tan graficas que se entienden facilmente aun estando en otro idioma, lo recomiendo ampliamente, ahora será más facil para mi realizar el curso de lampworking, gracias.

I had heard that this book was the "bible" of glass bead making and so I had to buy it even though it was quite expensive.
I must admit I was a little disapointed by it. I found the content all a bit jumbled and hard to follow. There is no doubt that this book is packed with amazing and useful info, but it's a bit hard to access because of the layout.

I like clear pics, not too much text to wade through and I'd always rather see big, clear images of a process than a full on written description - most creative people are visual learners, so loads of text really isn't much use.

Perhaps I wouldn't have minded if it was a bit cheaper. I'm still glad to bought it and I do wade through it sometimes and find out really useful stuff, but I just feel that it could have been so much better.

I love this book. I use it all the time when making beads. The techniques are understandable. Corina's sense of humor shines through and makes me laugh! Thanks!

Is the most comprehensive and beautiful book on lampworking out there. You can follow the prokjects and techniques and the pictures are just brilliant!

I couldn't put the book down. I stayed up half the night reading it. You become absorbed in the story, very well written.

All I can say is it's a good thing I didn't have much else to do. I could hardly put the book down. Great story, it flows and is easy to read. The story line was fun while intriguing and touching...Melissa Good is truly and artist with words. I have already purchased Hurricane Watch and am looking forward to starting it.

As the first Melissa Good novel that I have read. I found it to be engaging and the contemporary setting was refreshing.

While the relationship element was predictable, fortunately Goode stayed on the high road by not dipping to graphic details, leaving that to our own imagination.

The twists and turns of the actual story line were compelling and fairly true to life, in the 21st century. It was fun to to identify with the people and situations. It is apparent that Goode has more of this story to tell.

Kudos to whoever is making this novel into the movie. Cannot wait to see it!

An uber with a duo every bit as vibrant as those in her beloved X&G sagas. Whoda thunk the world of corporate computing could be so darn entertaining and compelling. With one of the best rescue scenes ever. Dar and Kerry are alive and living in Miami.

This was the first "uber" piece I had ever read and I was pleasantly surprised by what a good story it was. I didn't know what to expect in the beginning, and even had a hard time getting past the first chapter. But, I persisted and made it through. Boy was I glad that I did. Ms. Good has written about two very strong characters who are different as night and day. I found myself intrigued by their relationship and couldn't wait to read more. I have now read all of the DaK series and would still say that this one is my favorite. However....
What I didn't like was the large amount of inconsistency in the story. At first Kerry's siter's name is Susan, then it's Angela. Her father's name is Kevin, then Roger. Kerry's personnel file says she's 26, but she tells Dar she's 27 (okay, I can overlook a birthday). There are at least four or five other inconsistencies that I can't think of right now...but it bugged me...a lot. The grammar was fine, in my opinion, but there were some typos which should have been caught during editing. And I don't buy Dar working for ILS for 15 years when she's only 30 (I may be bleeding into some of the other books).
The point of the matter is....honestly I really did like this book. That's why I continued to keep reading the other stories. Yes, I wish the love scenes had just a little more "umph" to them and I wish Kerry wouldn't say things like "oh, poo." I gave this four stars, mainly for the continuity issues....but it is a good read and I would recommend it to my friends.

Item sold - exactly as stated online - item was delivered very fast and in perfect condition.

Out to Canaan (The Mitford Years, Book 4)

Most wonderful fiction series I've read in many years! I love Jan Karon's Mitford Season, and can't wait until the next ones come out. The characters have become so real to me, I feel like I've known them all my life. It's hard to find good Christian fiction, which are loved even by those who do not usually read Christian literature, but these fit the bill! I give them for gifts to many.

I just loved this book. I am reading the Mitford series and getting to know the characters. It's great to have a respite from our busy world. This book had me laughing out loud in a few places.

My 97 year old grandmother is in love with Mitford. She has macular degeneration and can no longer read with her eyes so she "reads" with her ears. Whenever she is feeling blue or is sick in bed, she just puts Mitford in and says she feels comforted. This was the missing book of her series on CD and we sent it for her 97th birthday. A highly recommended series - the first book may seem a bit slow, but once you finish, you'll want to read the rest of the series.

This is a great book. It contains no violence or sex and still manages to entertain on every page.

I love this book. I love the rhythm of it, I love the note at the end, I love the dedication - love it.

Unfortunately, I've yet to get either of my nieces overly involved in it. They'll sit through it, but they won't request it :(

So I've had to take a star off what I'd normally rank this book as because, in my house, it's just not doing its job. I don't know why they don't love it, they just don't.

This book was a favorite with our first child 10 years ago, and we just bought another copy for our 1-yr.-old! I love the flowing, rhyming prose, and the illustrations allow for so much discussion and interaction. As with Dr. Suess books, I find myself repeating the words throughout the day (like when we're eating berries!) I definitely recommend this book!

This was my kids' favorite book when they were little, and now I'm buying many copies for nieces, nephews, and little cousins. Wonderful verse, fun pictures. Lots of repetition, which the little ones love. Enjoy!

My grandson loved this book once he turned about 16 months old. Before that he had no interest.

My 2 year old daughter loves this whimsical, rhyming story. The illustrations are beautiful, and the story is quirky and quick paced. Originally we checked it out from the library and she enjoyed it so much we had to eventually buy the book. We also gave this to a friend's 18 month old daughter as a present and it has quickly become one of her favorite books.

Just read this book (yet another great page turner) and i enjoyed the fact that Kendra uses everyday real life things in her books..i was so into this one i gotten upset every time my boyfriend called, i'd let him know he was interuppting me and Grace and nem...LoL. someone else said that it was a romantic and wholesome book....I have to agree! i pray that God continue's to use Kendra as a great author and continued her success...her books also have a way of having a person beleive that God still has some nice man or female out her and that all is not lost as far as a God ordained relationship goes...God Bless ya!

I've read A Love So Strong, Crossing Jhordan's River,and One Prayer Away. LOVED ALL THREE. I found the first two Grace books, and FLAG and BOG were letdowns. I realized they came first, and KNB was probably fine tuning her flow, but I just could not get into these. I ended up skimming them on the train. Not terrible books, but definitely not repeats like her others for me.

I loved this book it had elements of drama, humour (the two mothers were funny but I felt there as a bit of overkill with those two it started to get annoying to read) and romance. Yes there is a fairy tale aspect to the story - the hero and heroine seem too perfect to be true- they have the perfect courtship with no drama whatsoever maybe cos Grace spent most of the time in a coma- lol. Anyway this is a good start to a lovely series. However an element of realism is there in regards to Derrick's response to his mother's death. It does makee one think this is where one's faith really is tested and how most of us probably would truly behave if we were in his shoes.

I really enjoyed this novel by Kendra Norman-Bellamy. She is an extrodinary writer when it comes to Christain books. It was soft and sincere. Also emotional. All I can say to sum this book up is 'You Go Girl'. Because this is truly every Christain as well as non-christian dream come true. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book was so GOOD!This was one of the best books I have read,my first christian fiction book was COVER GIRLS,but this book ,FOR LOVE AND GRACE takes the cake! As a young women who one day wants to get married, this book shows what to look for in a good saved man. Thank you soooooooo much for writing this book kendra norman-bellamy!This book was so good,I was almost done reading it in less then two days!Keep doing what you are doing because you are doing it right! GOD BLESS.

After reading Stanek's "The Kingdoms and the Elves" books and "Service of Dragons" books, my kids and I discovered this one. Journey Beyond the Beyond is an entertaining read, not as deep as Mr. Stanek's others, but with a terrific story none-the-less. Huge fun for ages 8 and up especially boys.

This is the first Robert Stanek book I read. Even though several years have passed since then I still remember the characters and pick up the book from time to time to re-read it. Anyone who liked Shrek the movie or books with creepy critters in them is going to love this. I totally enjoyed it and recommend it.

Jake Jr.

My favorites by this author are his Kingdoms and Dragons books. I love the Kingdoms and enjoy reading and re-reading the books. Magic Lands is very different from the other ones, but still fantasy. This is the story of Ray, a 13-year-old village boy who must journey to the place lost and deep. The journey is a rite of passage, and he must undertake it by himself. During the journey he has many strange encounters with the creatures living in the wild areas around his village. This is a hugely fun and fast read!

I thought this book was a good read in general. I liked the storyline and the characters. It's exciting and fast paced. Easy to read and understand. I strongly suggest you read this event-filled journey.

Remember those times as a kid when you picked up a book and got lost in it? Well, this is such a book. I read Journey Beyond the Beyond a few years back and I was immediately drawn in to this truly magical story. This is a thrilling, edge-of-the seat read, even for an adult like me. You'll be swept away in an amazing world and desperately desire to become part of this magical universe.

Robert Stanek writes deftly as he tells the story of 13-year-old Ray who must journey to the place lost and deep to prove to himself and to his people that he is no longer a child. Ray's journey is a rite of passage, a trial that tests Ray's strength and courage. As soon as he sets out from his village he is set upon by Old Bull, a terrifying creature with human characteristics and traits. Old Bull chases and taunts Ray every step of the journey. The journey to the place lost and deep is only the beginning, however, for Ray's dreams--dreams the village elder warned Ray about--are taking him on a much longer, darker path.

The imagery in Stanek's writing about this watery world filled with strange and wonderful creatures is deep and occassionaly dark. You can't help but worry about Ray and his safety as he faces the many perils along his journey. I was equally impressed by the illustrations throughout this over-sized book. The intricately detailed cover illustration shows Ray leaving his home village, leaving behind his friends Isaac, Tall, Ephramme, and Keene. The back cover has a detailed illustration of Ray battling a large bull. Throughout the book there are amazingly detailed illustrations as well.

If you haven't discovered the worlds of Robert Stanek yet, you should. Here's why:

1. His books have imagination. Most books written for adults are seriously lacking in both aspects. His books on the other hand have rich imagery, well-designed plots, and plenty for imagination to feast on.

2. His books have heart. The books have moral, life, and relationship lessons that are meaningful. The characters show courage, bravery, heroism, loyalty, compassion. You don't feel like you're being preached to because the writing is mature and the subjects are approached in a way that is part of the story, part of the world he creates.

3. His books are Fun with a capital F! They're fairly easy reads that you can pick up and completely lose yourself in. They're great escapes from daily life and from "heavy" literature. With series like, The Kingdoms and the Elves, and In the Service of Dragons, the books get better and better as the series progresses.

4. His books are incredibly good. We all need a little magic in our lives, and his books provide that. It's good to feel like a kid again, and for younger readers it's great to find an author that doesn't talk down to his readers. His books are written in a way that is equally adult-friendly and young people-friendly.

Highly recommended reading!