Coleman Books

I picked this up after my little brother checked it out from the library. Which is great because this is a teenager book, pure and simple. However, I must say that I really enjoyed it. Nance's whole objective, it seemed, was to praise creative writing and storytelling, and he certainly did his job with this book that tells the tale of five teenagers invited to spend the night in a haunted house telling scary stories. It's better than it sounds and is very reminiscent of some of those old "Fear Street" books. Nance is clearly educated on various authors and folklore and he spreads information throughout the story. The characters are not particularly well-drawn, and some of the drama had me rolling my eyes--but I'm sure teens will fall head-over-heels for the angst. However, it's a scary, imaginative book, and I think any kid who looks scary, imaginative books should read this.

Horror writer Ian Tremblin holds a short story writing contest with an unusual prize: the five finalists will get to spend the evening with him in Daemon Hall, and the winner will be published. Wade and the others find much to fear in the haunted mansion, especially with an evening of horror story-telling planned... is Daemon Hall really alive? A tense thriller evolves.

My daughter and I read books such as Darren Shan's Cirque du Freak and Demonata series and all of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes- anything having to do with supernatural or horror anything... we read Andrew Nance's Daemon Hall which is the first in a trilogy, and are impressed to no end. It is scary and very hard to put down. We loved that there are so many stories within the story and that the book is dedicated to one of it's characters... You also must keep in mind that Andrew Nance is a ghost hunter in real life and this inspires his writing. He is an incredible new author and we can't wait for the next book...
You must read this if you like to be scared!!!

I purchased this book for and at the recommendation of my 13 year old daughter.
This book was part of her summer reading for 2007.
It held interest for her well enough that my wife and I had to prompt her very little to read.
Her reply was that she did like the overall book, but seemed disappointed in the format of several stories told by those in the book, as well as the undefined ending.
She said that she would recommend Daemon Hall, but only to her more well read friends.

If you are a fan of scary stories, be sure to get your hands on DAEMON HALL. Andrew Nance uses a unique approach that actually weaves ten scary stories into one already creepy tale.

Wade, Chelsea, Kara, Demarius, and Chris are five teens who have earned their place as finalists in a writing contest. Horror writer Ian Tremblin challenged teens to write their own scary stories. From the finalists he plans to select a winner who will be rewarded by having his or her story published. But there's a catch ...

The five finalists must bring their stories and their bedrolls and spend the night with Tremblin in Daemon Hall. No cell phones, no flashlights, just ten candles to keep the darkness at bay. During the night, a total on ten scary stories will be told, and after each story a candle will be extinguished, leaving the group in complete darkness until morning.

One story after another is told and darkness begins to take control. As the stories get creepier, so does the house. To add to the suspense, the teens begin to disappear one by one and Mr. Tremblin starts acting more bizarre. Who will win the honor of being published? Who will even survive the night in Daemon Hall?

Readers of DAEMON HALL are treated to ten truly frightening tales. Each on their own could entertain listeners around a campfire on a dark night. Andrew Nance's twisted tale will have you looking over your shoulder for many nights to come.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

There is a refreshing love and respect for the subjects of the photographs in this book. A real find.

After looking over this compilation of Carter's work which spans twenty-five years, I've come to the conclusion that his photographs are much like froth on beer: pleasing to look at, but lacking in substance. Keith Carter's recent technique of using bellows on his Hasselblad and manipulating this to cause portions of the photograph to be out of focus, is similar to any gimmick a photographer might use to enhance their images. The question of whether the same manipulated image would still be interesting if Carter hadn't used this technique, is what we should ask. The answer is "no", for the same reason a pinhole camera can be used to make an ordinary subject appear different and therefore, cause the photograph to achieve a level of interest that wouldn't be achieved by conventional photography. This recent technique of Carter's can easily be a metaphor for what he deems, "the poetry of the commonplace." What Carter neglects to understand is great poetry - like the best photography, is never in need of further enhancement. The book begins with his earliest and best work. The solitary images of a toy airplane on an unmade bed, an empty theatre, and a fence in an abandoned playing field find their strength in the delicate simplicity they intend to capture. These are the photographs that come closest to poetry, due to the photograph's strength being conveyed through straightforward mood, and not manipulation. As the viewer follows chronologically through this book, it becomes apparent how Carter uses premeditated set-ups and posing to achieve the final image: a man with a butterfly in his mouth, two children holding blocks up to their eyes, and `mud lovers' are no different than posed, studio shots. This style of photography is fine and Carter's images are pleasing, it's when he calls these same images poetic, when they are merely contrived, that causes one to raise an eyebrow in suspicion. Twenty-five years in the life of a photographer is not a long time. Hopefully, Carter will return to the approach of his earlier work and achieve the poetry he currently lacks by going back, instead of moving forward. Then he will truly be documenting "the poetry of the commonplace". Until then, he's merely documenting the mundane.

This is a great collection of images from his books...I have it on good authority that Keith has a speedboat and can't afford the motor. He has the captain's hat, blue blazer, white pants, and a red sparkled speedboat with no motor. If you buy all of his books, Keith can go boating on the water instead of his driveway. His lips are swollen from making that motorboat sound. His wife is tired of spraying the hose at him to simulate waves. The neighbors are starting to talk. You will not regret owning this book. It's well designed and full of terrific images. Remember to get the rest of his books and unleash Keith on the water's of Beaumont,Texas.

Keith Carter is not only a great photographer, he is a great teacher. He has inspired many of us in south-east Texas not only through his photographs, but through his outlook on life. In this book you can see what I have come to recognize as Keith's true gift - his enthusiasim. He is a great photographer, but much of his talent is owed to his love of what he does and what he photographs. His books, like Keith himself, are truely an experince not to ever be forgotten!

I met Keith Carter while he spoke in San Francisco. He is a soft spoken gentleman from the South. His photographs are etherial and mystic in their effort to convey the memories of a childhood. Mr. Carter invites us back into a life in the south, when wadding in a pond - looking for fire flies was something very special. His portraits of dogs, children and towns all show us his world of East Texas through eyes that loved the pace, the flavor and the smells of down home. Mr. Carter really does share this lifestyle with the viewer as you look anew upon "common" buildings and animals with new eyes. You will not be sorry to see and read Keith Carters work.

I have had this bible for a few years now; I used this for our prayer group. Question within the side of the bible is great.

Highly recommend bible for bible study groups.

This Bible is awesome! If you can get your hands on a copy; get it! This Bible is great for those who are heading up a Bible study and need help with topics, questions, and scripture. The best is the topics are everyday topics and the questions tie in the topic with scripture.

I have a number of Bibles at home, and I like this one. I am Catholic and my priest pointed out the Old Testament books that are included in this one that are excluded from some other Translations: Tobit, Judith, 1 & 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach and Baruch.

Also the introductions of each book set the context of the writing. And then there are all sorts of group and personal study questions about the various readings that give you things to think about. Ideas to contemplate.

Joyful studying.

For either self-study or group study, this is an excellent choice.

I highly recommend this Bible for individual Bible studies or group Bible studies. Loaded with insights and extremely easy to read. GET IT!

I AM FROM CLEVELAND AND I GREW UP WATCHING HIM COVER THE SPORTS ON CHANNEL 5 NEWS. HE ALSO HAD AN EXCELLENT SHOW CALLED QUARTERBACK CLUB COVERING EACH WEEKLY BROWNS GAME. HIS CAREER IS A GREAT ONE. I THINK HIS BOOK IS VERY INTERESTING, WELL TOLD, AND ENTERTAINING. HE HAS MADE MANY RELATIONSHIPS WITH A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE SPORTS WORLD. I SALUTE KEN AND HIS GREAT CAREER.
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT TELLING OF HIS CAREER AND THE EVENTS HE HAS BEEN A PART OF. A MUST READ FOR CLEVELAND AND BOSTON FANS.

Ken Coleman was the announcer for the Browns and the Indians. I enjoyed reading about Jim Brown of the Browns and other football players. I remember a lot of the ball players for the Indians. They were noted for having one of the best pitching staffs in baseball in the late 1940s and 1950s. Ken was also the announcer for the Red Sox.

Talking On Air: A Broadcaster's Life In Sports is the biographical story of Ken Coleman, former Boston Red Sox broadcaster who worked in Major League Baseball from 1954 to 1989, including ten years with the Cleveland Indians and four years announcing games for the Cincinnati Reds. In the twenty years he spend as the voice of the Boston Red Sox, Coleman became known to millions of New England baseball fans, making him an institution throughout the region, and eventually resulting in his election to the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame. Talking On Air is a "must" for baseball enthusiasts in general, and Boston Red Sox fans in particular!

Mr. Coleman is considered one of the finest of baseball broadcasters, but his (and Mr. Valeni's) writing is rote - tell a lot of familiar yarns, and hope Red Sox fans will buy the book.

Although Ken Coleman was primarily identified with the Boston Red Sox, you don't have to be a fan of the Bosox to enjoy this book. (I'm a Tigers' fan.) Ken was blessed to be a part of the Cleveland Indians, Coach Paul Brown's Cleveland Browns during the days of the great Jim Brown, Cincinnati's Big Red Machine, and two stints with the Boston Red Sox, including the Impossible Dream year of 1967 (The Year of the Yaz.) The most interesting story that I found was Ken's telling for the first time the story of the decline of Indians' pitcher, Herb Score. People attribute Score's decline to the 1957 line drive off the bat of Yankees' infielder, Gil McDougald. However, Coleman relates that Score had his ankle injured in a spring training pickup basketball game in 1958 and tried to come back too soon before his ankle had a chance to heal and ended up with a sore arm. Ken provides us with a good summation of his career and his subsequent retirement from play-by-play work. He wanted to continue on a year-by-year basis, but an excuse was given that an announcer was wanted who would insure of being there for four full years. We are all remembered by what we give to others, and Ken Coleman gave his listeners and others he came into contact with a lot to remember. The Lord doesn't permit us to know all the good we do for others, but, in time, He will reward us. Thank you, Ken, for sharing your career with us.

this is a good book to introduce kids to the world of drama play and help to use their imagnation in the world of drama.

This book is like new--beautiful! Thank you! Came fast and safe.

The person who received this book as a gift loves the plays in it for their class.

Coleman Jennings is known in the theatre world for his vast knowledge of plays for young audiences, and this collection of plays is an excellent one. Jennings combines great plays in this book, ones that audiences and actors love! Great scenes for the classroom or for enjoying at home. EVERY classroom teacher should own this book!

I love this book! The plays are deep and meaningful. Normally, my students would never want to read something so deep but since it is a play they are more motivated to do so. I like it a lot better than using novels because most of the plays are fairly short at least for 5th graders and up (They're about 10-20 pages long). This perfect for pulling lessons about story structure, characterizations, themes, and whatnot without having to read a full length novel or a lower level picture book.

There is a lot to discuss in these plays. For example, we are reading The Ice Wolf in class today. This is a story about a little Eskimo girl who is rejected by her community because she looks different and was almost threw out in the snow to die by her own father. We were about to discuss the father's internal struggle to follow the ways of his people and the love of his own daughter with my 5th graders.

Plays seem to be great motivators for my kids to read and discuss literature in a deeper way. These plays allow you do so in a 'just right' manner. You are putting the kids over their heads with Shakespeare or dumbing it down too much with other kiddie plays out there. I would recommend this for Intermediate/Upper Grades.

Growing up in Virginia, I never knew all the fascinating myths, legends and folklore that existed in this area as well as the real and unusual that this book explores. Truly an entertaining book - one that you would want to keep on your coffee table for others to enjoy! Before I vacation this summer, I will probably pick up a corresponding book on the State I visit for unique sights and attractions along the way. Highly recommend to all just for the entertainment factor!

This book is great it taught me myths and history in my own state worth buying to learn about where you are from and things that go on... I only wished they had more stuff that was directly in my area.

I got this book for my husband for Christmas- and I read it first! I really found it interesting- as we have been in VA for 22 years and didn't even know some of this stuff existed. And my son is in the book in the section on wrestling-which I didn't know! I'd like to read other states by this author.

A fun read- interesting facts.

Weird Pennsylvania (Weird)
I purchased the 'Weird' book for my 10 year old grandson, Jacob, who enjoys weird things and reading about them. I looked through the book before I gave it to him and was pleased that it was full of colorful pictures and illustrations and was easy to read. After giving it to him, I asked him if he had read it, and he indicated 'from cover to cover'. I have since purchased several more. I think this series of books are educational for him because it links his curiosity about 'weird' things with different places in different states.

This is a fun book. It did not have a couple of things I was looking for, but it DID have many things I hadn't thought about in Virginia.
I ordered the book to give to my son in college for Christmas as a laugh, but I ended up reading almost the whole thing myself! I am going to order another copy to give as yet another gift for someone else.

I found this book disappointing. The characters were too simple and the story too fairy-tale. Jake is simply rotten, Nan is simply perfect, Ben is a perfect gentleman... everyone seemed very one-sided. Girl meets boy and they are "deeply in love" within a couple of days, she has the money and support to leave her bad marriage and move straight into "perfect" love - a little too Harlequin romance-ish.

I simply loved this book. I started to read it one day last week, at about 4pm. At 7 or 7:30pm (that same day!) I had finished it. Just a great read.!!And even though the story seems familiar: unhappy wife, rotten husband, confused child, it is not familiar at all. The wife really, genuinely suffers as she makes a decision that will alter their lives. This is not a pretty story, but it certainly is a riveting one.!!!!!!!

I took longer than I would have liked to read this book, but it really hit home. I too was in an abusive relationship for 26 years. I tried like Nan to make the best of everything. She went through so much and I could relate to almost everything she went through. Most people will ask why did you stay? Well Nan and I know how difficult it is to get out and away. She made me cry, and she made me cheer. Every Woman and Man should read this, and really try to understand what happens in these situations. I too now live in the Southwest and have found a wonderful life here, and a wonderful Husband. No one should go through what Nan went through. I hope Jane never stops her writing. She really knows how to keep the reader interested.

Thank you Jane
Karen

I purchased this book on a Sunday, but didn't have time to begin reading it until the following Friday. I began to read and couldn't put it down - I finished it in one sitting! It's a powerful,emotional novel with everything-friends,support, hurt, hate, husbands, wives, children,and lovers! The author also has a definite love and knowledge of nature, the southwest, and animals -educating us on these elements while taking us with her through the story! It's a book every woman should read and so should men! Thank you, Jane!

The title of this review is based on the reaction to the reading this book by Hollywood Agent (Selleck/Elliott) Bettye McCartt.

Psychological battering is very real and so much a fact of life for the victims that they think it is simply something they have to bear, like whipped dogs, as this book makes graphically clear. This form of abuse is subtle and insidious, but nonetheless equally as painful as beatings, perhaps more destructive of the soul.

As this book emphasizes, the first step needed for a woman to escape to a normal life is to recognize that she is abused. (Of course women are not the sole victims of psychological battering – or abuse, as it’s more commonly called – men are sometimes abused as well, both physically and mentally, but not as often as women.)

This book is a primer, based on real-life experience by a prize-winning author who recounts a parallel to her own story in the novelized form for which she is well known. This is fiction, but based on solid first-hand knowledge.

The first “desperate act,” is the suicide attempt of Nan’s teen-age son, Jamie, who has become desperate enough to do anything to escape the constant abuse of his father. This awakens Nan to her responsibility to save someone beside herself – the next generation. Only then does she fully comprehend that the primarily abused people have perhaps greater responsibilities to help their children escape and gain a hope for a normal existence. Yet, even with this incentive, she is paralyzed with fear of her husband, Jake.

She is driven to her own desperate act, the pivotal point of the book, after she is subjected to an outrageous cruelty when she is almost too ill to move. Still fearful, Nan braves up to the huge first step, which is to get a lawyer and discover her options. Writer Coleman makes clear how important this first step is, since most abusive husbands have convinced their wives that they can’t live without their support – can do nothing on their own, have no rights.

Even after she files for divorce and flies to a distant hideout, Nan is still afraid. She wonders if she can support herself and her son. She meets a man she is attracted to who appears to be everything she wishes Jake had been, but wonders if she can ever trust love again?

Jake told Nan, who was actually a stunningly talented writer, that her writing was trash and she could support herself as nothing better than a paper grader in some backwater school if she left him. She had her doubts, but never quite believed him despite his hold over her. However, his almost complete hypnotism of her is something she must overcome, and although she realizes it, and sometimes almost overcomes it, it recurs and she constantly has to fight the fear that he is right, or that he will follow her, make her come “home.”

Bonuses in this story are the parallel experience of Nan's lifelong girl friend with an unfaithful husband, which she valiantly concealed for sixteen years and the experience of Nan’s black maid and supportive friend with a troublesome man.

Nan and her lifelong girl friend are amazed to discover how successfully they veneered their misery in order to keep it from the public. Nan’s uncomprehending mother, a stereotype of proper upbringing, and her demanding mother-in-law contribute to her daily slavery. These older generations are at the root of fear of scandal if one’s marital misery is exposed. The feeling is always there for conventional wives, planted by the old ladies in their worlds, that perhaps there actually is “something wrong with them,” as their sick husbands keep telling them. The reactions to Nan's final desperate act of her mother and mother-in-law provides some of the most surprising scenes of this story.

Jake's obdurate belief that he is normal and everyone else is aberrant, and his antics to avoid facing himself are instructive.

It is not clear at any point whether Nan will fail or succeed in recovering her identity, and what her destiny will be. Author Coleman skillfully maintains the tension over this dual possibility of tragedy or redemption until the final pages. Nan’s story could be a tragedy or a success story, as she is all too aware, and the outcome is solely up to her right up to the wire.

This is a book that could have a great effect on correcting a barely recognized, widespread tragedy by alerting the public to the true nature of a mental problem of alarming prevalence. Too many women are alone and desperately afraid, for their lives and those of their children, unaware of the fact that there are houses of refuge for them. There are men who – dependent on an insane domination of women – try to recover by any means, including violence, their wives or “others” from such shelters – a horrifying but true fact.

This book is an eye-opening shocker and should also be read by ALL MEN. It obviously would be a waste of time, however, for Jake’s type, who cannot see themselves as less than perfect, but facing reality would be a delightful punishment...

I found this little jewel quite by suprise and have since shared it both as readings and as gifts. I really appreciate Coleman Barks' translations of Rumi. Enjoy and share!

A glance ... a gaze ... full recognition ... connection ... that is how I felt reading some of these poems. Anyone who has experienced strong emotions which transpose events into a new way of "seeing" ... turning an ordinairy experience into a spiritual, other-worldly, almost "divine" encounter will understand the impact of Rumi's poems. The trigger could be a heart-felt conversation, an over-powering view of nature, or a deeply buried emotion which surfaces, or meeting someone special. Rumi describes many life experiences. Each poem is like a crystal which reveals a flash of infinity that is captured in words. The world would be a better place if more people could relate to the brilliance revealed by Rumi's poems.

Coleman Barks provides unparalleled free verse translations which breathe new life into these ancient verses. His highly appealing style makes the poems palatable to modern readers. Maybe, just maybe, Rumi loved life more and dared to live it more fully ... than many people livng today. Perhaps, more "love for life" can be awakened in the readers of these poems. We can only hope ... Erika Borsos (erikab93)

I may not know a cake from a cow-pie, but if Coleman is cooking I'll take two helpings please! And serve it up on audio...straight from the lover's lips is best...images clear as mountain air, accent thick as pine tar, and voice sweet as peach nectar. YUM...YUM That's the way I like it. During my first listen, I felt the music on this audio to be a little too over-powering for some of the readings, but it has grown on me. Now I love even the quirkiest of the pieces. He may not be the chef for you, but he is the word gourmet for me.

The very title of this Coleman Barks translation of some of Rumi's most soulful love poems is what initially drew me in - because I felt as if I knew this "Glance" he spoke of with a deep soul-friend of mine. May everyone know just a taste of what Rumi felt with his beloved, Shams. Perhaps this book may spark exactly that intent for many readers.

I have been a long-time fan of Rumi's poetry, this title helped me become a bonafide Coleman Barks fan as well.

In the introduction, Barks does a tremendous job in his summation of Soul-Friendship, both universally and what was known between Rumi and his
soul-friend Shams. Hear what he says about the concept of Rumi's "love lyric" from page xv:

"expands the concept of love lyric into a region where many languages blend: the jewel imagery of mysticism, clouds of bewilderment, the charge of erotic language, and the feel of drunkenness. It's a new and old mixture of human desirings, longings and other intensities. these poems come from a place where those experiences are both felt and transformed. the realm of the glance is beyond touch and somehow within touch, too. THe friendship of Rumi and Shams goes beyond wantings, past ideas of gender, beyond old love categories, beyond the synapse of the garden balcony scene and beyond mind."

These poems - and Coleman Barks introduction and closing notes - would be excellent reading for anyone who has a heart for the sensual (not only the sexual aspects of sensual, but the deep experience of all of the senses through soul breathed and connective descriptions that gather your being up into a taste of the ecstatic spin that is Rumi - that seedling of spiritual alchemy that comes from not only reading Rumi's words, but allowing those words to become a part of your blood, allowing those words to be an invitiation into experience.

I also admire Barks' closing notes, where he pays homage to other Rumi translaters, honoring the specific work of Nevit Ergin.

Coleman Barks has done a supurb job of selecting and translating Rumi's poetry. The words will move you to tears, the imagry inspire you, the lyric sound of the prose bring joy to your heart. It is a simply magnificient collection and translation. The volume is slender, containing only a handful of poems, but the impact of them is weighty. If you own only one book of poetry - or even only one book by Rumi, this is the collection I recommend.

Really enjoyed this celebration of that special relationship of girlfriends. In various women's own words the transformative and healing power of these connections are validated and described. Hooray for this book and the author. It's a definite feel good book.

I found this book to be very uplifting and had many rewards for myself and others that I shared it with. I was able to focus on the word Girlfriend. I want to salute Chrisena and I'm holding on tight for the next book and books to come. Thank you Girlfriend :-)

Just Between Girlfriends......Friendship Amongst African American Women was quick and enjoyable reading. It made me pause and reflect on the friendships I have and had throughout my life. Hopefully this book will serve as a catalyst for "sistahs" to cherish one another. Take time and try the different activities Chrisena has suggested in her book, you just might learn something about yourself and your friends. Chrisena.....continue to putting your gift...writing....to good use.

Thanks Chris!

Chrisena Coleman's book is a funny look at friendships from Childhood on and is a great read. Each vignette brings a smile to your face..and gives you the urge to call a friend! Whether or not you can relate to each story shared you'll enjoy the celebration of the magic of true friendships. This is a book for friends of all colors... one read it and pass it on to a friend!!

I was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church for about six months before re-locating to the Atlanta area. I however did not have the pleasure of meeting Ms. Coleman or any of the women of Mt. Olive. I did share a brief relationship with Rev. Rae Brown and was delighted to see her picture on the back of the book. Ms. Coleman's book bought back a memory of a childhood friend of mine that I haven't seen in years. After reading this book, I wrote her a letter telling her how much I would love to see her and find out how she is doing. And that I hoped to hear from her soon. This book is a quick and humorous read or simply a good gift for one of your "girlfriends." It has good ideas for get togethers and it also has the warmth of loving that we should have for one another. Very positive and encouraging.

O'Neill captures well the angst of Regine whose first love just happens to be Soren Kierkegaard, a wildly intelligent man who battles depression. Based on a true story, O'Neill does a stunning job of integrating a true sense of place and custom along with the tortuous, meandering thoughts of a girl in love with an impossible man. Even in that wrestling, there is hope. And another man who loves her through the pain. If you're looking for a well-written, beautifully crafted novel, this book will satisfy.

This is a wonderful book. It really brings to life the feelings and difficult decisions of the characters while giving insight into their backgrounds and the spirit of the age in which they lived. Absorbing and impossible to put down.

This is one of those books where after the first few chapters you just can't put it down! I can't imagine the number of dry biographies that must have been written on the subject -- O'Neill cuts through all that to produce a very human story. It says on the inside cover that this is her first book -- I look forward to seeing what she cooks up the next time around. . .

I couldn't wait to find out what happens to Soren and Regina. This book is a wonderful combination of a good story plus some edifying content. You can pick up on a little of Kirkegaard's philosophy as well, but the philosopy is not handed out in a heavy-handed manner. We read this in my book club, and the discussion that followed was one of the best we've had in 8 years of meeting. The book touches on self-sacrifice, religion, philosophy as well as some great characters. I highly recommend the book.

I just finished reading Caroline Coleman O'Neill's account of Regina Olsen's version of "Loving Soren" Kierkegaard and I actually hated the thought of finishing the book because I just didn't want it to end. If you are a fan of Jane Austen's writing, then you will absolutely love the mind of Ms. O'Neill. I am amazed at the vision, the implementation of that vision and the sheer romance of her mind. She is a vivid, energetic, poetic storyteller which completely draws you into the time and space of the actual events. I found myself identifying completely with Regina (yet knowing that I could not possibly be more the antithesis). You can tell from this book how much Ms. O'Neill loves life, how much she appreciates people and how much she loves the Lord. It was thrilling, easy reading, romantic and challenging all at the same time. She didn't write this book assuming her readers ignorance, she wrote it celebrating her readers intelligence. I loved her descriptions of both the surroundings and the minds of the characters depicted in her book. Clearly, she took great care and time to give us as close to an authentic account as possible and we are ALL the better for having had the pleasure of sharing such an intimate account of Kierkegaard's life, Regina's heart and Ms. O'Neill's mind. My only disappointment was that I wanted to know more about what happened to Regina -- perhaps that will come.