Blake Books

I recently finished reading "Ben-Hur" and I must comment that I'm glad I took the time to read it. The only reason I gave the work four stars instead of five is because Wallace's vivid details make the book somewhat tedious at times. The plot is very well conceived and Wallace created some memorable characters although I felt the characterization was not quite as good as in another famous nineteenth century Roman Epic "Quo Vadis". The way in which Wallace weaved the story together with the life of Christ and the political situation in Judea was effective. Despite being famous for the chariot race in Antioch, I believe the most powerful scenes were involving Ben-Hur's leprous mother and sister as well as Christ's crucifixtion. The ending is generally positive though somewhat of a cliff hanger if one thinks about it. I recommend the 1959 movie version as well as the book.

When I was 12 years old I first read this book, and have declared to my friends over the years that it is one of two best stories ever! The nativity story is the best account of the holy family. Sadly, the movie did not do justice to the book. I highly reccomend this to all ages of readers.

I read this for a book report and I had a hard time figuring out some of the words, especially the ones not found in the dictionary. Nevertheless, it's AWESOME!!!! I absolutely loved it! It's not a story that's predictable and full of cliches. It's fresh for the modern reader and gives an awesome perspective on the life of Christ from the view of a first century Jew. Great book!!!

General Lew Wallace deserves his own movie, so interesting was his life, and so great was his achievement with this mammoth novel. What is so magnificent to me here is that Ben Hur is about Jews as well as Christians. It's a story of Christ that unites us, rather than divides us. The hero is a Jew, and the novel is a story of a great Jewish family; and yet it is truly a story of Our Lord Jesus Christ and His entrance into history. How many other great Christian novels can interest our Jewish brothers and sisters the way this one can? Too much of our later Christian writing and films is marred by needless anti-Semitism. Not this monumental book! And don't believe that it is dated or unreadable. It is worth the plunge, worth the patience, worth the experience of surrendering to Wallace and his immense gift as a storyteller and a poet. There is so much in this story I can't begin to describe it. ---- The great motion picture versions of the book are vital and transforming today as they were when they were created. --- I hope the novel inspires Christian writers by its absence of bias against the Jewish people, the people who are Our Lord's people. I recommend you buy the new paperback version, of course, but also treat yourself to some of the old venerable hard covers still available; and if you cannot read the book word for word, then move to those parts which draw you in and move on from them. There are times when the writing can put you in a trance with its beauty and its pace. Again, Lew Wallace deserves his own filmed biography. He was a remarkable man. He made history with this book, putting it into the hands of millions of Americans who never read novels at all, and drawing people to Christ with his rich and unforgettable story. He gave Jews and Christians alike a classic that is now an American legend.

A previous reviewer praised the book, but said it was for students and scholars. I disagree with this assessment. I am neither a student, nor a scholar. I have long enjoyed the movie Ben-Hur, so I decided to pick up the book, since I have always found novels to be far better than the movies that they inspire. I was slightly worried after reading some reviews that made it sound like a dull history book. After reading Ben-Hur, I was very pleasantly surprised. It does contain historical information, and is rich with detail, but it is also action packed. I found myself not wanting to put it down until I was finished.

This is a book to be read and enjoyed by everyone. Whether you are an English major, or a business grad (like me), this book is for you.

Adds little to the ideas in the original book but what there is is helpful. I originally gave this two stars but having read more, I would give it three. The book is most helpful in elucidating sub-genre but you still need the original STC.

Many of the movies analyzed I admittedly find distasteful, would never watch, and am greatful I didn't write; that's just my personal opinion and does not effect the book's value.

Remember that the author's approach is not cut-and-paste. Snyder's suggestions are just suggestions. Even with the original I had to rewrite both this book and the original to make them fit my writing style. Again, you still need the original and IMO you still need to edit both books heavily to make them your own. Even so, these books are not the whole. They are about conceptualizing before you write and neither will help much with the actual writing or marketing.

Over the years I feared that I'd become a professional reader of "How to write a screenplay" books. This book when read and studied in conjunction with Mr. Snyder's first Save the Cat book cured me. These two truly are the only books you'll need to learn the ropes AND maintain screenwriting skills.

While Save the Cat is a no punches pulled, tight read on structure, story and plot, etc., "Goes to the Movies" takes these arts a giant step further. GTM breaks down genres and tells the writer what to look for, how to plot, and how to structure each type of SP. And Mr. Snyder uses popular movie examples to illustrate his points. Another plus because I'm sick of reading a How-tos that serve as advertisements for the author's unproduced SPs.

Unlike the vast majority of other How-to's, Mr. Snyder trims the pork and the "There I was" filler anecdotes and delivers in 280 pages what it would take others to convey in 450 pages. Just the facts, ma'am. Highly recommended!

This is the best book about screenwriting I have ever read!
I own and have read dozens of books about screenwriting!
Nothing I say can do justice to this book in a short review.

While other books cover the essential basic information needed to become a screenwriter,
This one book cover areas no other book even come close to mastering.

It doesn't tell you how to write, so much as it explains how to "think" like a writer and see the true shape of every film ever written! I have struggled for years to see the landscape in front of me and Blake provides a much needed map of how to get from here to there.

Some people have reviewed this book and missed the fact that while his books may seem casual and simple - they are far from it. His style masks the depth of the subject matter he is presenting. Like watching the Sixth Sense and missing the things set right in front of you!

Don't get lost in debating terminology and definitions and miss the big picture.
There are some extremely important treasures in this wonderful book.
Just because the book is not overly complicated does not mean it is not complex.

The great accessibility of this book can be deceptive. Don't let that keep you from taking it very seriously and getting everything you can from it. There's some really original and useful material in this book.

Whether you call it genre or categories or plot, he presents the contexts of every known form you could possibly find useful, to help see what kind of film you really are trying to write.

This might not be the first book you get about screenwriting,
but it should be the one you use most often! I only wish I had this book years ago.

I have five books about screenwriting on my desk that I use everyday!
I have every other book available about screenwriting on my bookcase, and while I do use them all at various times, the five books I use almost every day are:

Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
Save the Cat - goes to the movies by Blake Snyder
The Anatomy of Story by John Truby
Screenplay by Sid Field
The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier

Thanks for writing this book Blake.

John Bradt

You demanded a book on screenwriting by a working, successful screenwriter; better yet, someone who has sold not one, not two, but dozens of scripts to Hollywood. You got it with Blake Snyder's "Save the Cat" where he reveals the "secrets" he used to write and sell those screenplays, including two that sold for $1 mil a piece.

Then you wanted more proof that his guidelines worked in other films as well. In "Save the Cat Goes to the Movies" he shows you that your favorite movies from the past and present used these very same storytelling elements, which have been around since ancient times when people told tales around the fire.

In his first book, he spilled the beans on how he became a successful screenwriter; in this sequel, he shows how other successful screenwriters have been using the same bag of beans in your favorite movies, you just didn't know it.

Moviegoers know if they liked a movie or not; but they couldn't tell you all the reasons why. Snyder does, in a very readable format where all you have to do is add your great idea and some elbow grease and you will have a script that has a fighting chance for success.

Good writing!

I love going to the movies and people know it. So there is always someone asking me about them. After reading this book now I can go beyond this is an action movie or a suspense movie. Who knew that Lethal Weapon and the Black Stallion were the same kind of stories.

I thought this was a sweet book, and a pleasant read. Amanda Soule is a wonderful writer. I was a little disappointed that there were no new ideas presented here though. I felt like I was reading the same Waldorf family book I've read several times before. People say "everything has been done before", but I feel that authors can still incorporate new ideas or put their own twist on things. I did not see this here.

I was also disappointed with the craft projects. Aside from the fact that many were the same projects found all over the internet and in many other craft books, I found that most of them were projects geared towards adults with small touches added by children. I was expecting more projects actually for children, or where children played a much bigger role.

I think this would be a perfect book for someone who is new to Waldorf and Montessori philosophy and was looking for ways to incorporate these philosophies into their family life, or for someone who is looking for a simple, pleasant read paired with beautiful pictures. If you've been involved in simple family living for quite some time and are looking for something new, I would look elsewhere.

This book is a gift for my daughter, so I am unable to provide a review on the book. But if it is a book she requested, I'm assured it is a good one. The price was right.

As I read this book (in two days, and now I'm starting over again), I just kept thinking, "Wow." Wow because this is simple family living, which I hope to have. Wow because of the peace which seems an underlying theme throughout the ideas and examples. Wow because the photographs, which the author took herself, are stunning. Wow because the projects and ideas, far from anything I'd read or heard before, are doable and exciting. And wow because the author sounds like a best-friend/mentor, gently coaxing and leading to new ideas.

The only thing I thought it was missing was the Daddy side of things - what's his role in all this creating?

Otherwise, exactly (and more than) what I was looking for, and I was surprised by how much of the book I plan to apply immediately! My inspiration wire is hanging as I type :-)

I had this book on my "wishlist"on Amazon for some time & decided on a splurge for myself instead of a new treasure for the kiddos. I wished I'd checked her blog before I bought, I could've save myself some money. This is a classic case of don't judge a book by it's cover. The front is very captivating w/ the author & her beautiful children giggling & creating together. I was bummed to find that there are very few actual art projects in the books and the ones that are in the book are rehashes from old Martha Stewart Kids magazines or that we'd already done through Waldorf classes.
For those who are in awe of her parenting style, have they never heard of Waldorf? This book would be more aptly titled, "Living the Waldorf Life". You may be money ahead to find some Waldorf books on Amazon. All is not lost though, the photgraphs were fun to get a peek at her life & precious children. The photo of her son putting on make-up is priceless, what a handsome little boy. I also have to admit that I am a tad jealous of the armoire that they found by the side of a road as a freebie. Why aren't my curbside finds that good?!
Honestly though, this is really just a book on living the Waldorf lifestyle.

I was so looking forward to this book -- it's title captivated me -- but I was so disappointed to see that nearly Everything in this book has been said before by someone else. The best idea I got out of the book was the felt birthday crown. There is also a cute birthday banner but you can find much better instructions for one on blogs. If anything, you may want to borrow this book but I wouldn't purchase it looking for fresh material.

I became interested in the history of Rhodesia back in November of 2007, when Ian Smith's death was reported in the media.

In reading the news reports of Smith's death, the tone of the stories left me with the impression that there was a lot more to this man's life, and the whole Rhodesia issue, than the media wanted to reveal. I started doing some research and was immediately attracted to the history of Rhodesia because I have always had a fascination with failed, but noble, causes.

To begin with, the charge of racism is absurd on its face. This is a well-worn tactic of the Left to try to shut down debate. I detected no racism in Smith's writings. A racist is someone who believes that his own race is inately superior to all other races. Undoubtedly, Smith believed that western-Christian civillization was the best, and that to the extent that colonialism spread it, colonialism was a good thing. Smith was also a firm believer that majority rule would not work unless the native population was first raised to a certain financial and educational status. ( Smith refers to this approach as "evolutionary" as opposed to "revolutionary" change). You may think his approach was wrong and hopelessly outdated, but that does not equate to him being a racist.

What comes through clearly is that Ian Smith was a bright, ordinary man with a solid inner core of decency, faith in God and love of his country. He fought bravely against Nazism in World War II. He lived and worked with black Africans on a daily basis, and even if one comes away disagreeing with Smith's conclusions, it is hard to argue that he did not have the best interest of all Rhodesians, black and white, at heart.

Another reviewer pointed out that Smith was patronizing in his use of the term "our blacks" in referring to black Rhodesians. The problem with this view is that Smith often uses the exact same term when he refers to white Rhodesians. I did not see that term as patronizing, but rather a simple expression of national kinship.

The historical narrative is compelling. Even though you know the story will end in tragedy, Smith's way of telling the tale is enough to keep you turning the page. (At a few points it does get a little confusing when he gets into the minutae of various conferences and meetings. ) If you are interested in learning more about the history of sub-Saharan Africa and the internal life of world diplomacy and politics, Smith offers insights and perspectives not often seen. In his attempts to secure a settlement of the Rhodesia quetion, Smith met frequently with many key historical figures. Its a virtual Who's-who list of the big players of that era: the first generation of black-African leaders such as Kaunda and Nyerere; Henry Kissinger; the notorious British PM Harold Wilson; Vorster and Botha of South Africa. Smith's impressions of these figures, and accounts on the meetings are always fascinating, often tragic and sometimes humorous. One particular account that was hilarious was of a peace conference held in a luxury train car on a railway bridge in South Africa. It ended rather abruptly with the African nationalist leaders staggering home drunk after they discovered, and emptied out, the traincar's liquor cabinet!

Despite such vignettes, Smith's harshest condemnation is reserved not for the black-African communist leaders, but rather for British politicians who he felt betrayed Rhodesia merely for political convenience. In fact, several times Smith states that he preferred to deal with black African tyrants over British leaders because at least he knew where he stood with the former.

I think the worst thing that can be said about Ian Smith is that he naively credited his opponents in the British establishment with the same ideals of honesty and integrity that he possessed. Smith himself realized this mistake, but perhaps too late for his country. That being said, from what I have learned of the Rhodesia issue, its hard to imagine anyone doing a better job for Rhodesia than Smith. The circumstances and the times being what they were, I think it was probably beyond the power of any Rhodesian to have saved the situation.

All in all, a worthwhile read especially considering the agony Zimbabwe is going through now under socialist rule. Here again, Smith's predictions about what would happen if majority rule came before the people were ready are tragically confirmed.

Ian Smith is one of the great patriots and statesmen of the 20th century, thus his memoirs should be read by all. To make apologies for those of his views, which may in today's Politically Correct environment be regarded as "racist," is most cowardly and disgusting. The deranged, tyrannical, murderous and yes, RACIST regime of his successor, the despicable Robert Mugabe, is answer enough for the leftist and egalitarian critics of the great Ian Smith. In a just and sane world, instead of invading Iraq, we'd be sending the Marines to restore Mr. Smith to his rightful place in the Presidential Palace at Salisbury. Would that we had more men like him.

This is a fascinating memoir, as much for what Smith leaves out, as what he writes. His recollections are highly coloured and one-sided -- he ignores much of which "white" Rhodesia under his leadership had cause to be ashamed. When his party, the Rhodesian Front, came to power, the self-governing colony boasted the continent's highest per capita expenditure on education, good and improving health and welfare services, relatively minor discriminatory legislation and sound economic growth. Under Smith things went into reverse and a largely quiescent black population became increasingly frustrated and militant, resulting in an insurrection that eventually brought Mugabe to power. The blame for the fact that Zimbabwe is today a brutal, fascist dictatorship and economic basket case, where starvation and the trampling of human rights have resulted in massive emigration and a steep decline in life expectancy may fairly be laid at the door of Comrade "Mad Bob" Mugabe. But it was the racist selfishness and political dishonesty of Smith and his cohorts that opened that door. -- Matthew C White, former political correspondent of the Sunday Mail (Salisbury/Harare) and author of "Smith of Rhodesia" published Nelson, Cape Town, 1978.

I bought this book in the spirit of open-mindedness and was fully prepared to stomach a good dose of bigotry and racism in an attempt to hear both sides of the story. `Never in a thousand years will a black man rule this country' was one of Ian Smiths more notorious quotes, and I fully expected him to defend or even attempt to justify his beliefs, I wanted to get inside his mind. Instead he chose to paint Rhodesia as a Utopia for both blacks and whites and to gloss over his oppressive and racist reign placing all blame on interference by the rest of the world. Why then did in hundreds of thousands of young men and women flee the comfort of their homes to fight to the death for the liberation of their country? He did not even seem to acknowledge that there was a war going on, preferring to think of it as a few terrorists attacking a couple of farms. Most of the book is dedicated to pointing fingers at the British and South African governments as the root of all evil- I guess the title should have given it away. His detailed accounts of meeting after meeting combined with his failure to address the real issues that resulted in majority rule made it a terribly tedious and disappointing book to read.

This was by far the finest book I have read. My heart goes out to the people of Rhodesia, black and white. A great country that was the bread basket of southern Africa was taken by a combination of treason and politics by England and the United States. As an American you must be ashamed of Jimmy Carter for turning his back on Rhodesia. After all that happened in the rest of Africa when Independence was given, Congo, Nigeria, Kenya and so on, Ian Douglas Smith was promoting a gradual turnover. But the rest of the world stood by and watched Marxism take over and the country is now destroyed. All his critics should take note. Ian Douglas Smith was right. God bless!

If you see the classic Roald Dahl cover illustration you might think this is an appropriate book for young children. It's definitely a book for 6th or 7th grade and up. Scroll around and you'll find some excellent reviews written by teenagers. I just gave it to my dad who is a WWII buff--he loved it. Adults, particularly those interested in Africa and WWII, will enjoy it so don't think you're going to read a children's book. It's really a classic memoir. The great British actor, Derek Jacobi, has recorded a fantastic unabridged audio version (and a fine one of Dahl's "Boy")

I've always enjoyed Dahl's children's books, and so I was curious to see what he might write about his own life. To say that his early adult years were exciting might understate the matter a bit. This book opens with Dahl embarking on a ship for East Africa, to start his first job as a representative of the Shell Oil Company, and follows him through his career as a RAF fighter pilot in the Eastern Mediterranean theater during WWII. Many of his tales are so over the top that it would be tempting to believe that he has embelished the stories. But even if he did, the result is an thoroughly enjoyable read, full of adventure and the excitement of youth. We also get a glimpse of the last hurrah of the British Empire, the epic struggle of the second World War, and just the barest idea of the conditions he found in war torn England upon his return. Very entertaining.

i must say, this book was incredibly hard to put down!

having read the previous roald dahl biography "boy," i was eager to read this book. i wasn't disappointed at all. i was absolutely fascinated by the things that this man has gone through. i feel like a coward indeed after reading about roald dahl's trip to africa and his terrifying wartime experiences! it's magnetic!

this book is written in a very straightforward style, and anyone and everyone should read it, i believe! there is a lot to be learned from this book. it shows the true insanity of war. people lose their minds in the kind of situations described in this book!

it has a happy ending, though. this, you can look forward to!

What an entertaining read this proves--not surprisingly--by the author of the children's classic, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Continuing the autobiographical expose of British boarding schools as revealed in BOY, Dahl opens this meant-for-adults book with a delightfully wacky view of his fellow Englishmen en route to work in Africa. Scornful of the repeated falls from stoic grace by so many of his predecessors, this young Empire Builder is at first shocked by the sight of so many decent chaps who have Gone Native--a result of prolonged absence from the UK and intense heat exposure. Can an idealistic youth rise above heat, humidity and British bravado to maintain his unflappable equanimity, or will he too succumb to the national trend?

Most of this book, however, consists of Dahl's serious account of his contribution to the Allied air war in Africa's western desert, followed by a long recuperation from head trauma. Before he returns safely to England, he describes the deadly action in Greece where German planes far outnumbered the intrepid RAF pilots. Interspersed among the reports of the air war are his own b/w photos and letters (self-censored) to his beloved Norwegian mother in England. This account will easily capture the reader's interest as Dahl translates the global struggle by bringing it down to an intensely human level. With his treasured possessions--pilot's Log Book and his 2nd camera--we leave him when he is reunited safely with his mother. A fast read--well worth the effort even if you are not a war buff.

Going Solo (the sequel to Boy) is a collection of Roald Dahl's most interesting stories of his time in Africa. These include: meeting a man you gives himself dandruff, teaching an African boy to read and write, seeing a lion attack a cook, learning to fly without a teacher, crashing in the African desert, leading a unit of R.A.F. soldiers to stop a caravan of German people from leaving Dar es Salaam, becoming temporarily blind, meeting the girl of his dreams then falling out of love when he sees her and living on a Greek airfield soon before he was grounded. Roald Dahl's style of writing changes each time slightly changes to fit the story. Basically, you get the idea that you have known Roald for years and he is just telling you an amusing story. Going Solo was not as interesting as some of his other fiction stories. For some readers it may not be interesting enough to keep you in the book; but it is not boring, thrills and adventure are always happening. To compare this to Boy would be a little difficult because even though they are the same writer, Boy is about his childhood and is for younger readers. Going Solo is probably for older readers. Even it you do not like one of the chapters the next will bring you back in. So if you want a lot of good anecdotes to read then or if you really liked Boy, you should pick up Going Solo.

My 3 stars might be a little low for a review of this book - Its a good reference for everything Netscape. Having bought the book for Javascripting help, I was a bit dissappointed with its handling of syntax. The Javascript object model provides a logical way to access most any element within an HTML page but the Netscape ONE book failes to specifically cover the object hierarchy syntax. Events and Methods are listed but very few of them are fully described with examples. Also, although some thought was given to cross-platform compatibility, there are some glaring problems that don't seem have solutions. One such problem involves Netscape's method for checking if windows are open and giving them the focus if they are instead of attempting to open a new window. While this works in Netscape, it does not in Internet Explorer - a fact not touched on

This book covers a lot of ground, but is out of date with the newest Netscape servers (just try and use SiteManager). I'd like to see a 2nd edition with less intro on Javascript and Java (I think there are over 200 other books that cover the same introductory material) and more in depth coverage of advanced Java, JavaScript, and server-side programming.

I found the book to be packed with useful examples. With so many useful examples I don't believe the previous reviewer even read this book! The book covers a lot of ground and is a book for developers.

This book fails to meet some standards for a reference it assumes to be. The source codes and examples are not in accordance, the book is full of useless examples and errors are abundant. Of course it is superior to "Dummies...", "Idiots ..." and similar books but I expected more.

This book is supposed to be a reference but since it suffers of many errors and tend to be overall confusing - for example it is trully unbelievable how the authors, writing such an exhaustive treatise, could not figure out better way to match source codes and topics. Some examples really make no practical sense at all, other are unclear or unprecise, the reference is incomplete or mistaken and in general it is hard to count on the book as a guide. I believe the second edition is badly needed to improve the style and clarity of the first.

King of Cats: A Life in Five Novellas is a tough novel to review without giving away all the secrets that make it such a fascinating, challenging and engrossing trip through the world of rock `n' roll, a trip most of us can only dream about. What author Blake Fraina manages to do in 236 pages is to create a vivid world, to conjure up an almost fairytale mythology of a band on the rise. And then she does what any good writer would do: she shatters all of our fantasies, all our preconceptions about the rock and roll superstar we've just become smitten with, the impossibly beautiful star who, even though he's a bit of a bad boy, manages to make us weak in the knees. The author strips away all the intoxicating glamor and the pretty facades. Sometimes she does it gently. Sometime she just rips the band-aid off without any warning at all. But the tool that Fraina uses to do this is real life. She picks at her characters and shows you the real people behind the "stars." And then she even makes you question how real the "real" person is. As the publisher's summary states: What makes a person fascinating? Is it what they hide or what they reveal? It's a question that Fraina asks and then gives hints about, but she never quite answers it, waiting for the reader, ultimately, to make up their minds about the characters she has created.

Now, I have to say, this novel is not going to be everyone's cup of tea. It can, at times, be a tough read. Let's just say that if you are looking for a typical romance -- boy-meets-boy, boy-gets-boy, boy-and-boy-move-to-California-to-get-married -- you will be sorely disappointed. If your tastes run more to the authentic version of life, perhaps something along the lines of messed-up-boy-meets-messed-up-boy, boy-gets-boy, boy-doesn't-want-boy-but-can't-break-away, then this may be the book for you. There is a strong sense of realism woven into this story and like real life, sometimes it just ain't pretty. For me, it was fascinating from beginning to end.

Originally reviewed for Uniquely Pleasurable.

I bought this book years ago for an book club and never read it. It landed on my shelf as a book to be read at some point. Sunday night I dusted it off and brought it to bed with me. I read the first 10 pages and thought it sounded promising.

Last night I went to bed with the thought of reading just a bit more. I read until two in the morning. At 6:30 I got up and finished reading the book. It is not often that I finish a book in less than 24 hours. It was surprisingly good. I am not sure what it was about the book but it kept me interested.

I think the first story really brought me in and I was intrigued with Jimmy simply by the one appearance he had at the end. From then on - I wanted to know his story and to understand him. I loved how the book jumped back and forth through history and really let you get the feel of this mans journey. I only wish I was able to see how he got through the rest of his life.

Well done! I am now in search for another book by this author. If there is not one- I hope there will be one soon.

Blake Fraina's KING OF CATS is composed of five novellas/long short stories, each of which can stand alone although they are connected by one character James (Strange) Lyons who appears in all of them albeit briefly in the first story. Entitled "King of Cats," it is named after the self-portrait of the same name by the painter Balthus in which a large cat rubs against one of his legs. It is in front of this painting at an exhibit in the Metropolitan Museum of Art that the narrator Sam meets Elliott who introduces him at the end of this story to the man he lives with, James (Strange) Lyons, who dominates the following four stories.

The stories do not appear in sequence. "King of Cats" is set in 2002, "The Bargain" in 2001, "Kissing the Gunner's Daughter" in 1995, "In My Father's House" in 2003 and the final story "Hidden History" takes place in 1987. James Lyons-- when we first meet him-- is not a likeable character. He is controlling, withdrawn at times, heavy into drugs and treats other people badly, particularly Elliott, a sad masochistic young man with whom he sleeps but does not discuss with the outside world. By the time you finish this book, however, your feelings toward James/Jimmy will change when you learn of the horrors he suffered both as a child and as a teenager. The Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis said that if you really know someone, it is impossible not to love them. That statement may not apply completely to James/Jimmy, but he certainly becomes an empathetic character and, along with the two other main characters in the series, Elliott and Adam, often acts like many people I have known. The on-again-off-again relationships and the games-playing sound far too familiar.

Mr. Fraina in this his first published work appeals to both the intellect and emotions. I was so taken, for instance, with his descriptions of Balthus' paintings that I looked them up for myself and found them just as he had described them. He looks deep into the dark places of his characters and what he finds is not always pretty. There is child molestation as well as a rape scene -- or is it a rape scene-- that will make you very uncomfortable as it is even told from the point of view of the aggressor. Mr. Fraina asks hard questions: can we really know another human being? Do we sometimes overlook the goodness of someone until it is too late? Life does not always give us a second chance.

These events take place from 1987 to 2003 chiefly in New York but also in England. It seems strange then that not one word is ever said by anyone about the AIDS epidemic that would have already been a spectre in every promiscuous or sexually active man's life in New York by 1987 and surely by 2001 for the character Elliott, who sleeps around with a lot of different men. This omission makes an otherwise fine work slightly out of kilter. KING OF CATS is far better, however, than the novels of a lot of established writers. We can only hope that his next book is as good as this one and on the horizon soon.

What makes a person more fascinating? For me, it was the real truth hidden behind each of the characters. What one person perceived as opposed to what the other was really thinking,& feeling.

For me it was what was hiding, lurking and tormenting one of the main characters..Jimmy Strange or Jimmy Lyons. An emotionally, sexually & physically abused young man whose beautiful face left men and women desiring him and his body. What people perceived as brooding, sexy, cool was hiding his gayness,his torment,his self-doubt,his anger, his shyness, his scars. They loved his 'look' and he thought they loved him. He didn't know how beautiful he was until he discovered he could use it as a weapon.
Eamonn, his cousin, was obsessed with Jimmy's body.
Adam was a man who was given everything money could buy except love from his father. He was obsessed with Jimmy.
Elliott an enigmatic man/child who was a manipulative sub. Got whatever his wanted. He got and wanted Jimmy.
Cass, Amey, Lisa all were mesmerized by Jimmy's looks and his perceived sensitivity. They all 'wanted' Jimmy. He wanted their love.
Sometimes it felt like they hated Jimmy for creating the lust and desire for him that no on could quench!
The relentless story of the love/hate relationships that became Jimmy's life. Each chapter captured the feelings of this closeted beautiful gay man, looking for love...always looking and hoping for a true love.
A wonderful novel of subtle eroticsm, sensual desires, gripping lust,angry love, sad realizations, shattered lives...Of course, I am wondering is Jimmy Lyons the king of cats? This book left me satiated for another story for a few days.

"King of Cats" is a masterful piece of writing. It is divided into five novellas, each parcel a slice of the life of rock-musician Jimmy Lyons. The novellas are not presented chronologically and therein lies the genius of Blake Fraina's diverting design - each segment augments the preceding segment, fitting together like pieces of an intricate puzzle. The author has stated that the novellas are self-contained stories that may be read in any order the reader chooses, but the order they are presented works best as the enigmas in earlier segments are deftly revealed in later ones. The characters are well developed, the descriptions vivid, and the dialog is authentic. At first American readers may think there are typos and unusual word choices, but Fraina has chosen to have the narrator's voice reflect the British vernacular to blend with the viewpoints of the two British characters. I've read many a good book that was still a chore to get through. Not so with "King of Cats." It's a quick, captivating read, and all five stories, each unique and different, demonstrate how a life can evolve yet is never quite free from the ties of its past.

This is a fabulous book. Not only are six classic tales retold with delightfully gruesome details (more in keeping with the originals), but a creative teacher and/or student can go nuts with this book. I have used this book extensively with middle school aged students, both native speakers and ESL. The rhymes are engaging and catchy. Even struggling and insecure students shine when they read the lines. I have also had students use Dahl's script to create mini screenplays and short theatrical productions or used them as springboards for creative writing assignments. These rhymes have helped dozens of students gain confidence and fluency in speaking, acting, and writing. I am thrilled with this book, and I wish there were more like it.

Another gem from Raold Dahl. A delightfully nasty take on favorite fairy tales. Red Riding hood with a taste for fur and pig skin! Makes the Stinky Cheese Man look wimpy! Read and enjoy!

My dad used to read Roald Dahl books with me when I was a little tyke, and this particular little devil DEFINITELY lives up to its title, so if you're one of those parents who wraps their kid in cottonwool you'll want to pass it up. That being said, I am excessively fond of this book as it gives several traditional fairy tales a deliciously nasty twist that are unforgettable. Language use is about PG-13. If you and your kid are sensible/mature enough to have a sense of humor, you'll enjoy it immensely. My dad has since passed away but one of my many fond memories is that we both got a kick out of this clever little book.

This clever little book is a delight for both children and adults. Dahl takes the oh-so-familiar nursery rhymes you're used to - Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Goldilocks, Jack and the Beanstalk, etc. - and turns them upside down and inside out.

Using his brilliant imagination Dahl makes these ordinary little tales come alive in a way only he could - with clever twists and a modern take on the events that transpire in these tales.

I do have a word of caution, however: They are titled Revolting Rhymes for a reason and are not for the faint of heart! If you are looking for a charming little story where all of the characters live happily ever after, then you've come to the wrong place. These little poems are graphic and grotesque and well, revolting! I wouldn't recommend them for very young children (probably ages 8 and up would be more apt to enjoy this book).

For the reviewers who got all upset because of the nature of this book, I would say first of all, you must not be very familiar with Dahl's work! Secondly, what were you really expecting when you bought a book called "Revolting Rhymes"?! These aren't Beatrix Potter-esque stories! Think Shel Silverstein if you're not familiar with Dahl. (And if you don't know who Silverstein is and the only Potter you've heard of is of the Harry variety, then shame on you!). But, I digress as usual. Anyway, consider yourself duly warned. Enjoy!

Dr Seuss is nothing in comparison to Roald Dahl in REVOLTING RHYMES. I actually had fun reading this book so did the kids I read it to. There are a few words I have to explain but it didn't take out the fun of the book. This book plays around with a few of the very known fairy tales known by kids and swing it around in an interesting parody.

The list of the fairy tales with a twist that are being fetaured in this book:

1. Cinderella
2. Jack & the Beanstalk
3. Snow Queen & the seven dwarfs
4. Goldilocks & the three bears
5. Little Red Riding Hood & the Wolf
6. The Three Little Pigs

The characters are hilarious and you will enjoy the different look of the old age fairy tales that you knew. So spread the word, buy a copy for yourself, read it to the children. Anyway, you won't regret this particular book.

When I learnt that James Blake, the author of the book, whom I have admired as a good tennis player, suffers from a condition which affects me as well, I was surprised and decided to pick up this book hoping to gain some insights by learning how he managed to stay fit enough to become a tennis pro....

Though little has been discussed about Scoliosis,there is enough in the whole book, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. The fundamental aspects which have governed the life of James Blake are seemingly obvious but hard to stick to and implement during trying times like the ones he had to face up in 2003 with a broken neck and losing his hero, his dad, to cancer - accepting what has transpired, taking one step at a time, focusing on process rather than results, count one's blessing rather than brooding what could have been, and simple things like these...

It seems to me that we are good at learning things when we can tie them to experiences, both direct and vicarious. The lessons that I take away from the life of James Blake - how he dealt with career threatening injury in neck, a viral attack that left him paralyzed in left side of the face and made a comeback within a year, how his dad, who really comes out as a super hero as described by James Blake, dealt with imminent death...

I would highly recommend this auto biographical account to anybody who is concerned about gaining some insights into what really defines the strength of one's character...

I learned about James Blake last year when I started watching tennis matches on the Tennis Channel. The book is easy to read. I highly recommend it.

The most boring tennis book I ever read.I bought almost every single tennis book Amazon has to offer, and this one is by far the dullest one.This book is not aimed at the serious tennis player.You'll learn nothing new from it.It's just a personal journal where he keeps trying to take the focus away from tennis. The only conclusion I arrived to is that Blake's life without tennis is boring as hell.

Interesting, inspiring, uplifting story. Reminds us that there are still a lot of GOOD people in this world.

A good and enjoyable lesson for people of all ages, athletes and couch potatoes alike. After reading, you will be a James Blake fan, even if you have never seen a tennis match.

This is by far a must read for any person. Realizing the hardships and injuries for Mr. Blake to overcome is incredible. The best part about reading his book is the way you view life and to understand everything happens for the best.

Towards the end of the book there is a chapter on his friends who he calls the J-BLOCK. People would kill to have something like that Today, and the best part about it is he is so great full to be where he is today.

We have been to CR for a visit and are now considering the BIG move. This book covers every you would need to know and surprises you with information you didn't think of. We have even shared this information with our family that has lived there for 5 years and it has helped them. It also gave a brief but interesting history of Costa Rica as well as current government, economics and culture. Does a good job of explaining the cultural differences which are most important to the person considering a move anywhere! One thing I might stress... the author states several times that English is taught in the schools. This might lead you to believe that you will have little problem with communication. In our trip last year to the Central Valley and the Pacific Coast we did not meet one person that understood us or could speak to us in English. I highly advise, begin you Spanish Lessons before your anticipated trip!

This guide was the better of the two I bought....and the other one was Fodor's. New Key was accurate, impartial, and covered lots of different kinds of stuff....

Absolutely the best of the four (you can guess the other three) books we took, because this on focuses on the off-beat and the green. Use it to locate the indepth Costa Rica, the one that gets you away from everyone else and makes you feel happy about it.

I used this book, and the community-based eco-tourism agency recommended in this book, to plan a two-week trip. I was alone, female, and non-Spanish speaking. I had the time of my life. Everything went off without a hitch. Great people, waterfalls, food, views, and adventures galore. Thanks to the author. None of the other guidebooks came close to the insight and accuracy of this guide.

[...]The 18th edition of New Key to Costa Rica improves upon a veritable classic.

2006 marks the 30th anniversary of the guidebook which guides travelers toward
tasteful family-run lodgings and communities that are actively protecting the rural environment.

Written in a style that feels like a conversation with a travel guide, the New Key provides countless insights about the culture, the environment and the people of Costa Rica.

First authored by Jane Wallace, the book was then updated by her daughter Beatrice Blake and Anne Becher. Beatrice prepared this edition alone, but it is easy to see that the text has been guided by a number of joyful souls.

In 1992 this book was the first guidebook to use a green-rating system. In this edition, the rating system is downplayed in favor of focusing on community efforts.

Focusing on family farm visits allows Blake to show travelers the connections among organic agriculture, appropriate energy technology and diverse ecosystems. She writes: "By visiting these communities, not only will you meet some lovely people, but you will be inspired by their ability to put innovative principles into practice."

For travelers wishing to experience tropical nature, there is no better immersion than visiting the communities that are at the forefront of conservation.

Exciting adventure sports are not omitted. One of the highlights of the book is a review of the country's best canopy tours. Additional "adventure reports" showcase innovative efforts throughout the country.

Among the informative sidebars are capsule reviews of the Talamanca Ecotourism Network, the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center and turtle watching at Ostional Wildlife Refuge.

New Key to Costa Rica covers all the bases - from the practical details of deciding when and where to go to tips on learning Spanish and volunteer vacations. For those seeking an eco trip, this book is a must.