A Books

This is a book just itching to be made into an outstanding film. It's got all the elements of a film that people enjoy: action, drama, romance, danger, and IT'S TRUE! The new cover on The Company She Keeps is an eye-catcher and readers won't be disappointed when they read Georgia Durante's biography. The book captures the essence of life for a woman connected to an organized crime family. It spans a time period in Durante's life that goes from good times to bad times, from tragedy to triumph, and from fear to freedom of spirit.
Not just another biography like Nicholas Pileggi's Wiseguy, which became Martin Scorsese's Goodfellows, The Company She Keeps chronicles the spousal abuse which Durante endured while married to a member of the Family. How Durante coped and eventually left the Family life with her daughter is a chronicle that is all too common in cases of domestic violence and abuse.
Read this book and urge everyone you know to read it. Come on, Hollywood, when are you gonna get off the dime and put this on film???

Georgia Durante's book had me at the first word-- be prepared to go through the emotional roller coaster of a lifetime. How Georgia managed to not only survive but succeed is beyond me but her story is one that everyone-- men and women-- should read and remember. I carried the book with me everywhere until I finished it last night. You won't be able to put it down either!

I plan to buy a copy for each of my friends-- it's the perfect stocking stuffer!

The Company She Keeps by author Georgia Durante is one of the most
fascinating books i have ever read. No work of fiction could ever top
the life this woman lived. Ms. Durante has held nothing back, all of the
highs and lows are here, she has laid bare her soul. I can't believe
this book has not been made into a movie. It would be one of those
movies that you would want to watch over and over to make sure you
have seen every detail, it would be just that fascinating. Any of
hollywood's leading ladies could turn this role into an oscar winning
performance. This is one book i will not be lending out, it is one of
those you want to read over and over.

Georgia Durante's book "The Company She Keeps" is riveting. I could not put it down, I could not sleep because I wanted to get back to her story. I was proud of the warrior she is and I was sad when it was over because I will miss reading about her. I can not wait for her next book to come out.
She is truly an inspiration...to change your life...you can change your thinking.
Sincerely,
Susan Lynn
Jupiter, FL

I found this book very honest, exciting and interesting. Georgia Durante takes you along on her adventure and you will enjoy the ride.

I could not put this book down once I got into it. It has enabled me to understand the true nature of God and I have become involved in a Church that has many stories that echo the story of Ron, Deborah, and Denver.

Wow. This was a powerful story on so many levels. It challenged me in my perceptions of people. It also convicted me about "catch and release" friendships. In ministry it is easy to view relationships as a means to share the gospel rather than a lifelong committment to a person. I don't think this is always wrong per-say, you can't be all things to everyone, but maybe God wants to do something more in both my life and the life of someone else. It is a powerful idea to start of thinking of truly loving and learning to trust to the point of becoming "family" with someone who is so much "the same kind of different" as me. I would highly recommend this book!

What a beautiful true story that transcends two worlds and brings us to the place where we are all the same - people made in the image of God. I was moved to tears more than once, I smiled, laughed and cringed as I read through this amazing tale. In one way it was shocking to see that in my lifetime there have been people living in the conditions of one man while others are living in the "lap of luxury". But not only did God have to bring them from two extremes and bring them together, but then a sad event unites them. This is a touching story that has pearls of wisdom and spiritual insight wrapped in a covering of a story that will keep you turning the pages for more. Highly recommended!

Ron's wife, Debbie Hall was a woman called of God to step outside the boundaries of $1000 per plate charity dinners and high society to take follow in Christ's steps and take His love to "the least of these". Devoting herself to working with the homeless community of Forth Worth, Texas, she related to those she met as individuals and people with a purpose, loving them for who they were.

This flowing, authentic love was much more difficult for her husband Ron Hall to grasp hold of. Coerced into joining his wife's ministering efforts, his initial attempts were stilted. Focused more upon assuaging guilt and generating a warm, fuzzy sense of do-gooding, it was only when his friendship with Denver Moore blossomed that he experienced the depths of true compassion.

Raised in informal, modern-day slavery, Moore worked hard growing and picking cotton until some time in his late twenties when he left the only life he knew in search of a better one. The new life he found resulted in thirty years on the streets, homeless and without work. Over these years he became angry, his heart hardened and he slipped into darkness.

When God placed the Halls in his life he resisted their tapping at his heart. Survival skills learned from years on the streets launched his automatic defense system. Through prayer, persistence and love the lives of these three individuals would weave a new story that would inspire and touch the lives of thousands.

While God's importance in this work is never minimized, no clear presentation of the gospel is present. There are also some experiences related that some readers might feel uncomfortable with; spirit visitations and visions are clearly a part of who Denver Moore is and his understanding of God. While these may appear as superstitious to many, it's likely that these beliefs are common to those with Denver's upbringing.

That being said, books like these aren't read to inform your theological position. Read it to see the joy and fruit of being Jesus' hands and feet in this world. Read it to learn about striving to serve Him with love and spreading that love to those who have fallen through the cracks. Read it to experience the deep love between a husband and wife, the power of God to soften and change hearts and His ability to take grief and use it as a seed that will grow, flower and touch the lives of many. A beautiful story that warms and wrenches the heart; you'll want tissues on hand for this one.

When asked if they had any additional thoughts on the book the authors responded:

"Ron: Most of our thoughts were included and the book was never meant to be a self-help or instructional book. Ours is merely a story about how a Godly woman with a dream followed it to the point where a city was changed. Denver and I are not preachers or teachers, but sinners with a story to tell.

Denver: I didn't have any thoughts for this book, I just told my story. I just want to encourage folks to be more like Miss Debbie."

I'd say that about sums it up.

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore is a different kind of love story. Two men, who couldn't be more different, are brought together by their love for one woman who has a powerful love for God. Ron Hall is a successful art dealer in Dallas, Texas when his wife, Deborah, hears a message from God to serve the homeless in a dilapidated shelter. He goes along with his wife, only for love of her. But when Deborah tells him that she has seen a vision of a man who will change the city with his wisdom, and that the man is Denver, one of the biggest, most frightening men in the shelter, Ron struggles to believe as well. Through Deborah, the two men become friends, of the forever kind, and God will use that friendship to change the city. This nonfiction tale of friendship is wonderfully written in alternately chapters in Ron and Denver's voices. Denver, who was a sharecropper in Louisiana, never learned to read or write, but has a deep sense of right and wrong, and he manages to teach Ron and Deborah both what true Christianity means. This is the kind of book that makes you long to have a deeper relationship with God so that you can see miracles the way these two men have. Denver says, "I'm just a nobody tryin' to tell everybody about the Somebody who can save everybody." Amen!

Book was in excellent condition. There was no mildew smell, and this is very important to me.

I searched this out for the biscuit recipe but have to say all the recipes I have used have turned out lovely. Each recipe is well explained, well thoughtout and overall it is a very easy cookbook to use.

This cookbook is one of my most ragged cookbooks. It is the one I look for when I want to fix something special or homey. The stew recipe is absolutely the best!
Elaine Littau
Author of "Nan's Journey"

Yes, this is an excelent book. I cant think of a single recipe that I have made from this book that has resulted in a failure. However there are a few things that get to me when using the book.
1. The Index: The index in this book is perhaps the most absurd index I have ever encountered. I dont know who formatted it but they should never be allowed to create an index for the rest of their career. The way things are tabbed, spaced, and positioned on the page makes it almost impossible to find what you are looking for without sitting down and seriously taking time to search.

2. Christopher "I am depressed" Kimball - At the intro to every single recipe he startes it out with some depressing horror story "Most apple pies turn out soggy, burnt, too crispy, too moist, rotten, dog food..." "most roast recipies turn out like cardboard cooked in a lava flow"

he is depressing.
but cookbook good

I love this cookbook I recently recieved it from good friend and have used it so much since then which is saying alot since I have a vast selction of cookbooks. I learn so much and am content to just sit and read this book, the writing is stunning and I can't even begin on the recipes. The cauliflower recipes are to die for, they take a normally bland vegetable and totally spice it up. I think that if you don't cook alot you would be content with just this cookbook in your kitchen. And if your an avid cook this book is for you as well. I give it five stars and two thumbs-up.

As always, Madeleine L'Engle delivers a stunning piece of fiction with `A Ring of Endless Light.' Although the main character, Vicky Austin, gives off a distinctive mary-sue air, the book (especially the guys!) are very enjoyable. Pieces of poetry found in this book are beautiful and elegant; they alone would be cause enough to read the book. `A Ring of Endless Light' also offers the reader an insight into the emotions and thoughts of a teenage girl in a fantastical setting. I would recommend this book for ages 13 and up. If you enjoyed this book, I would recommend Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume, Father Figure by Richard Peck and With You and Without You by Ann Martin as well as the rest of L'Engle's books.

A review from my teenage daughter:

"A Ring of Endless Light" is one of my favorite books!

I've read it five times since I first found it at the library last summer, and since then, I have also read "A Wrinkle in Time," "The Moon by Night,"and "An Acceptable Time".

What I really like about it is the characters. They are so interesting!

The movie, on the other hand, was nowhere near as good as the book. (Characters they left out: John, Leo, Grace, Binnie, Nancy Rodney, Jeb Nuttley, and probably somebody else, too...) And after I read the book, I was rather upset with the Disney Channel.

Although this is a wonderful novel, I would not recommend it to anyone under the age of thirteen because of some mature content.

Lastly, I want to include my frequent rant ( more of a whine, really) about that Zachary Gray person: I never understood why Ms. L'Engle kept putting him in her books. He never changes, and he's just as much of a jerk in "An Acceptable Time" as he was in this book. I don't know what Vicky sees in him. He kept saying that he "needed her" but she can't be his psychologist; Earth to Vicky, Earth to Vicky! Not a good reason to go out with him!

Once again, Madeleine L'Engle has constructed a masterpiece. All her books are superb, but this one stands out to me as my absolute favorite. I understand its a Disney Channel movie now as well. I remember reading this book when I was about middle school aged and thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, I took notes. There are several wonderful quotes that are worth remembering, and I think by the end I was left with some 10 pages of notes. I was a bit of a nerd as a kid, I guess. Still have all the papers filed away somewhere. Also memorized one of the poems to recite in my english class in about 7th grade. Fantastic book. I need to read it again.

In Madeline L'Enlgle's A Ring of Endless Light, 15-year old Vicky goes out to visit her sick grandfather to spend some time with him. During her stay, an old family friend, Commander Rodney, dies because he was trying to save another person from dying. On top of this, three young men are trying to get her adornment. Leo, Commander Rodney' son, is the nervous and puppy like young man who needs Vicky's attention. Although he may be nice, Vicky just wants to be his friend. Adam, a young man working at the marine biology center, confuses Vicky because he likes her, but pushes her away at the same time. Zachary, the rich, young man Commander Rodney died saving, wants Vicky back and claims that he needs her. Even though she has to deal with her love life, she has to help her grandfather, and other family members. During this vacation, she learns a lot about herself, death, life, her friends and family.

I really liked this book because it is very insightful. It gives me a lot of insight about living life. I want to live my lifelike Vicky and think like her because she lives her life to her fullest poetical and is moral, unlike me. She put phrases and lessons to heart and has a way of putting things into the right words. I liked how the author also wrote about death because I know that everyone is confused about tins subject. Some people firmly believe in one thing while other people are confused and wobbling. I remember what the Madeline L'engle writes about death whenever I come across one because her words sooth and help the soul.

I dislike the fact that the characters are a bit to perfect. The Austins are a bit like robots. There is the housewife mom that loves her husband and doesn't seem to have any arguments are all with him. The father is a strong man that supports his whole family. The oldest brother, like his father, is strong and smart. The youngest sister is beautiful and smart. The youngest brother is cute and innocent. Although Vicky seems more human than her family, she is still robotic. She always tries her hardest and it seems that everyone is drawn to her. Everyone trusts her with his or her secrets and everyone in the story has a longing to be with her. She is the person that people always want to be.

My favorite part of the book is hard to decide, but I think that my favorite part is when Vicky goes and visits the dolphins. I think that this is really interesting because Vicky learns that she can communicate with dolphins. In the beginning, she is really scared, but then she realizes that there is nothing to be afraid of. Soon, she feels comfortable with Basil. She can play with the dolphin and communicate freely. Even though people can't communicate with dolphins, Vicky can because her mind is somewhat childish, open, and free. I think that this is my favorite part because Vicky's relationship with Basil is much like my relationship with my friends. When I first made my friends, we were scared and shy, but once we knew each other, we had a lot of fun. When I am with my friends, I become childish, open and free, just like Vicky.

I loved this book and I would recommend it to girls from the ages 10 and up. This was a good story to connect to your life or the lives of the people around you. The things that happen to Vicky in A Ring of Endless Light might happen or may have happened to the reader. Therefore the plot of the story is believable. I would like to read another story by this author because I loved how thorough she was when describing Vicky's thoughts and feelings. When she was explaining how Vicky was seeing only darkness after a friend died in her arms, she painted a very vivid picture in my head. I thought that a Ring of Endless Light was truly a great book.

This is a total gem of subtle hilarity. Imagine your average farm where the cows get a hold of a typewriter and use it to bend their poor farmer to their every whim. The tension that follows the various cow-typed notes leads to a farm animal strike. Who would have thought something so random could make such an intelligent book?

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type, written by Doreen Cronin and published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, is a humorous rendition of animal life on the farm. Understanding moo is important in this tale, where cows go on strike and chickens refuse to lay eggs, and a neutral duck delivers messages between the beleaguered farmer and his demanding farm animals. Negotiations are important in this witty story of typewriters and electric blankets, where the big, vivacious pictures grab hold of the imagination and bring the words to life. A book children can read over and over as they interact with the repeated "click, clack, moo" and learn to recognize those sight words to start the journey towards reading on their own. A little book full of great fun that should be placed within easy reach right on the nightstand.

You'll never look at a typewriter or barnyard animals the same again once you pick up "Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type" by Doreen Cronin (Simon & Schuster, 2000). This incredibly witty and humorous tale of demanding cows on strike sends readers on a journey from one side of the picket line to the other. Kids (along with parents) will laugh hysterically as the cow's quest for electric blankets unfolds and will enjoy reciting "click, clack, moo" along with the text. This Caldecott winner exudes with beautiful watercolor characters and barnyard scenes making the book a pleasure to the eyes along with the funny bone. As soon as you put this book down, you'll pick it right back up again for another read and will soon be hearing "click, clack, moo" in your dreams.

Farmer Brown's cows are on strike: no milk till they get electric blankets for cold nights in the barn. How does Farmer Brown know? The cows typed a note on the barn typewriter. "Click, clack, moo." Farmer Brown demands milk. The cows type a response: the hens need blankets, too. The barnyard standoff escalates to the increasingly familiar beat of "Click, clack, moo." Children will cheer as the cows' quiet defiance foments an Orwellian barnyard rebellion that brings Farmer Brown to his knees.

Told in straightforward language that captures the archetypal laconic farmer, Doreen Cronin's offbeat tale grows funnier with repeated readings. Betsy Lewin washes her black drawings with warm, earthy watercolors that echo the text's simplicity. Her deft use of shading and shadows evokes the sun-up to sun-down rhythm of farm life. The fluid lines and bright colors recall Matisse, while the cows' wide eyes and thoughtful expressions suggest Gary Larson (or perhaps Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park) and bring the barnyard to life. The cows, chickens, and duck stare dolefully but invitingly out from the page, transporting the reader beside the water trough to join the revolution.

Absolutely for preschoolers. My son loved this book almost as much as I did. Everything about this book was adorable- the silliness, the electric blankets, and the diving board. He and I couldn't stop laughing. The reader (most likely the adult) will love how often the neutral party isn't neutral at all. I'm an animal lover, so this book will always have a soft spot in my heart.

I purchased this series, having read it a long time ago as a young teen, and found it to be every bit as good as I remembered. My only complaint is that this boxed set version has some truly terrible CGI art on the cover. I remember the edition I read as a child was very mysterious and ancient-looking. It's too bad that that much superior artwork was not used for this edition. That's the only thing that stands between this set, and my 5th star.

I remember reading this series years ago and since then I have always thought that it would make a great movie and guess what someone else thought so as well. IMDB is reporting that this movie is in production and will be released in October 2007. I am very excited about this and I am really wishing and hoping that they translate it well to the big screen. I have since lost my books but I have just purchased this set to read all the books again and relive my youth again.

I can't even begin to describe this series and I won't try to. I'm afraid I'd only do it a disservice! Susan Cooper says SO much in so few eloquent words that her books are rather like listening to fine music. I rank this easily with the Narnia series as well as Lord of the Rings. And while I adore the Harry Potter books and think JK is a fabulous writer, I truly feel that even they cannot live up to the quiet serious intensity of these books.

Every year I read this series again. I love it more and more with each read.

Recently many illiterate folks have called these books 'boring' and 'flat'. Those same modern day readers often have to be babied through text & dazzled with fancy action scenes. It has also become a fad to bash things that have won awards or recommendations.

This is a story told with very deep and quiet emotions and if you give it a chance then I can promise you, you won't be disappointed. :)

The series as a whole is great. if you have never read them before but enjoy other great fantasy such as Harry Potter, the Forgotten Realms, or even the Lord Of The Rings these are a must read. they have been great books for the last 35 years or so and will continue to be great books 50 years from now.

This series is my son's absolute FAVORITE. He's 8 and I recently decided to introduce him to the books, and he ate them up. He said he likes how the bad people aren't always perfect, and he likes the way the Drew siblings work together in OVER SEA, UNDER STONE and again in GREENWICH and SILVER ON THE TREE. I'm pretty sure that he didn't understand all the symbolism in THE DARK IS RISING, though he liked it and made up his own belt of rings as a result.

This series is really wonderful, and I agree with other reviewers - it should be better known. It's mythical elements mix well with the action scenes. Plus, it's very well written and edited - creating really unique and interesting characters.

I'm sort of judicious with my 5 star ratings, but this one definitely deserved it. Pick them up - you won't be disappointed.

Obviously written to provide background for previously written books, this book is stilted and predictable.

While the story had some potential, the writing and characterizations were wooden and unfortunately Mr. Salvatore cannot write a fight scene to save his life.

From reading Homeland since I was a high school teenager, it had inspired me to publish my own fantasy/adventure novel entitled The Final Crusade at age 21. Drizzt was my favorite character of all time, a maverick hero who defies the evil ways of his race and follows his own moral conscience and honor. His background delivers a strong message to everyone living in the real world that nobody should be subjugated by laws and regulations that denies their rights. Reading it made me imagine how it was to be trapped alone in a dictatorship society that rejects integrity, become a prisoner of my own home, and that I (as Drizzt) had no freedom to voice out my own beliefs.

Drizzt had taught me to become a leader instead of a follower and that being different from the rest was never a crime, especially if I knew that what I did was good. Zaknafein, the supporting character, was a mentor figure because he was the one who shaped Drizzt's personality. However, he lacked the courage to escape Menzoberranzan, something he failed but Drizzt succeeded. Again, I want to emphasize that this novel will have an impact in changing someone because they will always have a role model to emulate. Salvatore, in my opinion, was the most interesting novelist out of all fantasy authors because his stories really paint a picture on how it will feel like to be inside his dreamscape. His combat scenes and detailed characters surely hook the audience.

Once I finished reading Homeland, I was compelled to order Exile. I was never aware on how a normal Sunday visit to the local library that sold used books for less than a dollar could have made me a fortune in knowing one of the best writers in the fantasy genre.

I've never been too big into fantasy, so when I was told to read this book I didn't expect to enjoy it. Though, to my suprise, I fell in love. I simply couldn't put the book down. Drizzt is one of the most interesting characters I've ever read about, and his clash with drow society is amazingly interesting. I've been suggesting this book to everyone I know.

Epic. Masterful. Stunning. Immersive. Spell-binding.

From the very beginning of this novel and this trilogy I found myself captivated and intrigued by the magic of the story. R.A. Salvatore is simply an amazing writer. The characters seem very real; they are well-developed and possess a degree of tragedy, but not to the point that they become distant or vague concepts. The descriptive writing will paint beautiful and unforgettable mental landscapes, from the regal comfort of the Do'Urden home to the caverns and tunnels of the Underdark. There's also quite a bit of action, interesting creatures, and even subtle hints of humor and levity.

With that said, the most remarkable thing about this novel is the creation of a timeless, heroic figure: Drizzt Do'Urden. Drizzt is truly intriguing through and through. His personal struggle in an immoral, loveless world is fascinating. Many times I found myself feeling his pain and anger but also sympathizing with his joy. Somehow, this make-believe dark elf is all too real and substantial.

When I first picked Homeland up, I didn't realize the power within. I found myself addicted and read through the entire trilogy almost non-stop. I have now bought most of the collection and certainly recommend it to anyone who appreciates a fine read!

Some of the (relatively few) negative reviews of this series on Amazon feel that the premise--a dark elf who just happens to have human values leaves his bad, bad world behind--is too contrived. However, I don't think an attentive reading of the first book supports that view. It's oversimplifying too much and ignores important details.

First, Drizzt was NOT the first one to question the values of the drow; he was the first to LEAVE drow society because of his refusal to compromise with it. Zaknafein felt nothing but contempt for Menzoberranzan (see his monologue after the battle with House DeVir), and he channeled his contempt for drow society into a love of killing those who reveled in it. Yet Zak ultimately still contributed to the system he hated, while Drizzt chose to leave a world he couldn't fix behind and face the unknown rather than be part of something he considered evil. Pretty heroic, I think. We all could learn something from Drizzt.

Second, while many drow are definitely evil, it isn't true that all of them are or that they are evil innately. Zak clearly cared for Drizzt's welfare--for one obvious reason, but especially because he sees in Drizzt the same disrespect for drow rules as he has. Vierna, Drizzt's older sister who first raises him, has moments of sympathy and even admiration for Drizzt. Of course, her cultural conditioning kicks in and she feels guilty for such tenderness--whipping the boy for inspiring such feelings in her. Yet clearly some drow other than Drizzt were at odds with or at least ambivalent about dark elf society, and that makes Menzoberranzan a more complex place than some readers have assumed it to be.

Yes, Drizzt's values do happen to coincide with our own. But think like an author for a second: if Drizzt didn't have "human" values, would readers be able to relate to him at all? Could we cheer for Drizzt if he showed any hint of the traitorous and sneaky nature of his kindred? For Drizzt to be a hero to us humans reading the book, we have to be able to admire his actions. Sure, there may be some people out there who admire cunning, ruthless people who cut down their enemies with intrigue; but the huge following that Drizzt has seems to suggest that most of us would prefer such conniving people to be cut down with two sharp scimitars.

Here's to 20 years of Drizzt Do'Urden. Thank you, Bob Salvatore.

Every cupcake I have made from this book has been a big success. Well done...

I've had this book for awhile, but I feel it's time to finally review it. This cookbook is truly the perfect way to show family and friends that being vegan isn't a big deal--no really. I'm the only vegan in my family, but I can't wait to knock everyone's socks off at Christmas with these delicious recipes (I'm thinking blueberry lemon creme cake for the adults, and 'decorate-it-yourself' banana split cupcakes for the younguns). Please buy this book. I love exotic vegan cooking as much as the next person, but I don't have to funds to acquire the really weird ingredients. This book has those exotic ingredients, but also simple recipes with common ingredients. I'm hoping this book will propel me to official baker of the extended family, making each gathering a little less cruel!

I made the S-more cupcakes for a group of meat eaters young and old, and everyone loved them! The kids took seconds and the adults asked for the receipe!

Unlike others i went straight for a hard recipe. Well, for me at least :) Orange creamsicle cupcakes! After my bf helped me figure out I would have to turn up the heat a little to make the orange pudding, (evil electric stove) it was smooth sailing. They came out fantastic and noone at the party had any idea they were vegan until we told them. The orange buttercream frosting is to die for btw.
I also made the mexican cocoa cupcakes that day. They tasted great but i had a little spill over and the tops kept popping off. I think that was me, not the recipe!

I've had this cookbook for a couple of years now and have easily tried out half the recipes, all with excellent results! The recipes are easy to follow, even the more complicated ones, and produce great treats every time ranging from the simple to the decadent.

I get repeated requests for the gingerbread, chocolate chip pumpkin, and almond cupcakes (which I make without the apricot filling and with almond buttercream frosting). The green tea, chocolate stout, and banana split cupcakes are all delightful as well. In addition to the recipes the authors include hints, tips and tricks to answer baking questions and give additional options.

All this and vegan too!

There are so many reasons to pan a book like this, writting, viewpoint, historical accuracy, but this book gets 5 stars in all catagories. So true, so full of action, so sad, so much to say. My true interest lies on the Eastern Front between Germany and Russia, but this was so good it is my favorite of WW2 in spite of the subject matter. Wow.

I have told people that war is the Second worse thing that could happen to a human. The first? Slavery - which is the battlefront against Hitler's National Socialists and the Imperial Japan in World War II.

That's where this story takes place. I have read few books that convey the realism and horror of war so well, without reservation. This is one.

Eugene B. Sledge, an Alabama boy, heads into War in the Pacific as a member of the U.S. Marines. He lands with the famous 1st Marine Division - 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. His training was concentrated and intense - but still nothing prepares one for the onslaught of Pelilieu. He was a vet when he hit Okinawa where the fighting got even tougher. The image that sticks with me about Okinawa is a Marine who has to head back to get ammo. He slips in the mud and slides down the hill, rising to discover that he was covered in the maggots uncovered by his slid that were gnawing away at the dead bodies in the mud. This Marine, inured to death and destruction, is rattled badly. That image has stayed with me to understand the horror of this generation's sacrifice and their quiet acceptance of Duty.

By the time Sledge hit the hell of Okinawa, he was a combat vet, still filled with fear but no longer with panic.

I can't go into detail since I didn't read it myself, but my dad enjoyed it a lot.

I have wanted this book for some time. The seller gave a fair price and good service. I received the book in good shape, as advertized.

I was very satisfied with the level of customer service that I received from Amazon.com. As a college student I am always looking for cheaper books, so this has become one of my new favorite websites.

Excellent! 10 out 10! The true story of Sailor Moon! If you're into Manga and Anime, I would recommend this manga 100%. Sailor moon is full or Romance, Adventure, Drama and More. If you like sailor moon you might also like Revolutionary girl Utena another Manga written by Naoko Takeuchi.

This graphic novel is still great, even though it's old and it's not available since it's out of print. If you have the opportunity of buying it in a cheap price, then do it. The story is great and it won the an award for best graphic novel!

This seller changed the volume # of the book I ordered by handwriting "8" next to the "1" sending volume 18 rather than the 1st book of the series. To make matters worse, they did not respond to my email or attempt to make any effort to rectify this situation. I will never buy from them and highly advise others not to as well.

This was the first Sailor Moon book. There are five chapters. (I am going to write about exactly what happens in each chapter, so you might want to skip this part if you haven't read it yet.)
Chapter 1 - Bunny a.k.a. Sailor Moon - (That is the name of the chapter in the book, but I'm going to call her Usagi instead of Serena or Bunny because that is her real name.) Usagi is late for school but on the way there she finds a black cat with a bandage on its forehead. She takes the bandage off and sees a cresent moon symbol. She thinks it is a bald spot. After school Usagi and her friends go to a jewelry store. Molly's mom works there. But it's actually a monster in disguise as Molly's mom. Usagi goes home and dreams about being Sailor V, a superhero that her friends told her about. She wakes up and the black cat, Luna, comes to her house and talks to her! Luna tells Usagi that she is Sailor Moon and gives her a brooch. Usagi uses it to transform into Sailor Moon. She sees Molly being attacked by the monster that was pretending to be her mom. Usagi goes to the jewelry store and fights the monster. She uses her tiara to destroy it. Then she sees Tuxedo Mask and falls in love. The next day all Usagi's friends are talking about Sailor Moon and Usagi knows that it wasn't a dream.
Chapter Two - Amy a.k.a. Sailor Mercury - (Actually her Japanese name is Ami.) Luna tells Usagi that she thinks she found another Sailor Soldier. (In the book they are called Sailor Scouts, but that is sort of annoying and it should actually be Sailor Soldiers in the Japanese version.) Usagi sees Ami, and Luna jumps on Ami. Usagi goes and talks to Ami. Ami is really smart and Usagi actually wants help with her homework. Ami goes to the arcade with Usagi and wins a pen in the Sailor V game. Usagi kicks the machine until another pen comes out. Then Ami has to go to school but the teacher is really a monster. Ami left a disk she needs for school so Luna puts it in the computer but it is really a brainwashing program. Luna tells Usagi she can use the pen she got for disguises so Usagi turns into a doctor and goes to the school. She transforms into Sailor Moon and tries to fight the monster but the monster gets Ami. Ami uses the pen and she turns into Sailor Mercury! Usagi beats the monster and Ami is a Sailor Soldier.
Chapter Three - Raye (Rei) a.k.a. Sailor Mars - Lately people who rode a bus have been disappearing. Ami shows Usagi a priestess at a temple named Rei. Usagi tries to follow Rei but Rei thinks she is evil and attacks her. Luna thinks that Rei is the moon princess. Mamoru, a boy that Usagi keeps seeing, thinks that Usagi is Sailor Moon. Rei has a vision of a person attacking Usagi. Later she sees the same boy driving a bus. (He is really Jedite, Sailor Moon's enemy.) She gets on the bus but it goes through a portal. Usagi sees Rei on the bus and uses her disguise pen and jumps through the portal after the bus. Ami teleports to where Usagi is and they become Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury. Usagi traps Jedite but she can't defeat him. Earlier Luna gave Ami another pen so Ami throws it to Rei and Rei becomes Sailor Mars and destroys Jedite!
Chapter Four - Masquerade - Luna tells Ami, Rei, and Usagi more about the princess and the Silver Imperium Crystal that they have to find. Melvin shows them a picture of Princess D, who is having a party that night. Usagi sees her father getting dressed up for it but he says she can't go. Usagi uses her pen to morph into a princess and Ami and Rei go with her. She sees Tuxedo Mask at the party and they dance. A woman at the party is really a monster and she possesses Princess D to steal the treasure. Tuxedo Mask saves Usagi again and Usagi transforms. She gets a new tiara and destroys the monster. Usagi falls asleep and Tuxedo Mask kisses her.
Chapter Five - Lita (Makoto) a.k.a. Sailor Jupiter - Usagi accidentally walks in front of a car and a girl with rose earrings saves her. Usagi sees the same girl at lunch and they sit together. The girl is Makoto. Makoto comes to the arcade with Usagi and Ami. Usagi sees people talking about a ghost in the bridal shop. Thatr night Andrew, the boy who works at the arcade, sees the ghost and gets possessed. He finds Makoto. Mamoru, who is really Tuxedo Mask, sees it happen and turns into Tuxedo Mask. He tells Usagi and Usagi, Ami, and Rei go to save Makoto. Makoto gets mad at the ghost and Luna gives her a pen. Makoto becomes Sailor Jupiter. She destroys the ghost and Nephrite, another one of their enemies. Luna tells Usagi that she must become the leader of the Sailor Soldiers.

Usagi, Mamoru, Ami, Rei, and Makoto are the Japanese names. This book has the American names instead: Serena, Darien, Amy, Raye, and Lita. I used the Japanese names instead because Sailor Moon's full name is Usagi Tsukino. Tsukino Usagi means "rabbit of the moon" or something like that, which is why she has that name. They messed it up when they changed her name to Usagi.
There are three Sailor Moon series:
Sailor Moon (11 books)
Sailor Moon SuperS (4 books)
Sailor Moon StarS (3 books)
Most people saw Sailor Moon on TV first. There is also a TV show with five seasons:
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon R
Sailor Moon S
Sailor Moon SuperS
Sailor Moon Stars
Sailor Moon Stars was never shown on TV in America and there are no videos or DVDs either, unless they made them and I don't know about them. You can probably buy them in Japanese though.

Okay, what hasn't been said about sailor moon. It's wonderful and happy and gives little girls the fleeting hope that one day a magical cat will show up and tell them they're a super hero (yes, I secretly hoped this and when I finally passed my 14th year, the year sailor moon becomes sailor moon, I was noticeably dissappointed). Yes, it's pathetic. However, I'm not really here to review. See, I have owned the manga series since they first came out in the US and my first five or so have been read so much that they aren't in great shape. But #1 is by far the worst (the binding is shot), so I thought that I would get a new copy to read and cherish and protect my first copy. I did not know that it appears that it is out of print or something in the US. So I'm just writing about my incredulity at the prices it is going for now and feeling very proud of my ownership of one of the first prints in the US. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, and yes I'm over 13, I just hate to divulge the info they want for the adult form.