Cross Books

I enjoyed the cross section pictures and thought that the text was interesting. There is lots of fine detail, I see something different everytime I flip through it. Be sure to watch the movie "Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World". The movie director did an excellent job portraying life aboard the Man-of-War. In my opinion, the movie is the book put in motion. The movie and book captures what life could have been like aboard the Man-of-War.

This is a great book for getting an overview of the pieces of a first-rate ship of the line. In this case, the British first-rate, triple-(gun)-decker, 104 gun HMS Victory. The Victory was launched in 1765 and commissioned in 1778, but is best known as Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship in the victorious Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 (in which Nelson was killed by an enemy sharpshooter while standing on the quarterdeck).

The amount of detail packed into this book's 25 or so very large pages is mind-boggling. In fact, the book's so large that you may have trouble finding a place to shelve it. Although it took less than an hour to read all the text, I'm still finding new things in the pictures. It provides a great sense of just how crowded these ships were. The illustrations are in the very clear line-and-watercolor style of the rest of Biesty's "cross-section" books.

There is a lot of information on day-to-day life and practice in a ship, detailing foodstuffs (including weevils and bargemen), officer's roles, disease, the working of the guns, the cooking of food in the galley, the use of the heads, floggings, scurvy, etc.

Oddly, the book only concentrates on illustrating the decks; there is almost nothing said about the sails or rigging, which is a real disappointment. I found it very hard to get a sense of the fore-to-aft arrangement, with each cross-section being so narrow.

I wish I had found this book before reading about a dozen series of nautical fiction (Aubrey, Hornblower, Ramage, Kydd, Lewrie, etc. etc.). After all that background, I actually didn't learn anything reading this book I didn't know from reading the fiction and other supporting materials. For depth, you'll need "The Young Sea Officer's Sheet Anchor" written by Darcy Lever in the early 1800s, and comprehensive on everything from rigging to stepping masts to club-hauling off a lee shore. And its images are both beautiful and a complete contrast to the ones in this book, being early 19th century etchings.

Though some of the photos are a bit funny and maybe a little "crud", but it's a neat book anyway.

Also try another DK ship book called the Visual Dictionary of Ships if you can find it (it's out of print).

Dorling Kindersley has in the past twenty years quickly established itself as an outstanding publisher of niche books--children's reference books, travel guides, atlases, and the such. What I find so remarkable about a number of their children's books is how enormously satisfying they are for adults as well, even adults who are fairly familiar with the subject matter. One of the better series of books in their impressive list are the Cross-Sections books by Stephen Biesty. As someone who is interested both in the history of ships and the Aubrey-Maturin novels by Patrick O'Brian, I find this one even more interesting than most.

Two things stand out about this book: its remarkably detailed drawings and the enormous amount of information that gets stuffed into the book's relatively short length. This book provides a pictorial rendering of one of the great ships of the line of the Napoleonic navy, similar to H.M.S. Victory. Virtually nothing gets left out, and the book can actually serve as a surprisingly comprehensive introduction to the Royal British Navy during the time of Nelson and Napoleon. It is somewhat misleading in that the ship depicted was the exception and not the norm, the British navy possessing only a handful of ships this size. Apart from that the book has no serious flaws, except for the unaffordable one in a visual guide that it is sometimes hard to locate information in its closely packed pages.

I would also recommend another Dorling Kindersley book, also unfortunately out of print, THE VISUAL DICTIONARY OF SHIPS AND SAILING. It does a bit better job than this one of defining many nautical terms. Each represents a marvelous addition to personal library of books on the age of the sailing ship.

you should definitely try to get this book. I am a landlubber, who has just discovered the pleasures of Hornblower and Aubrey/Maturin (via Austen's Persuasion). Along with a number of more serious naval non-fiction reference works, notably THE WOODEN WORLD by N.A.M. Rodger (ISBN 0393314693; ASIN 0393314693)I found a copy of this wonderful book first at my public library and then in a sale at my local store.

This is an oversized book, thin but full of detailed information. A man-of-war, one of the mainstays of the Georgian fleet during the wars of the 1700s and early 1800s, is "cut away" section by section and deck by deck to illustrate life on board as well as the structure of the ship. The first works better than the latter, although I got a very good idea of how the ship's anchor works as well as how the ship crew handled guns and gunpowder (as well as the dangers of a loose gun). I wished that the authors had provided a bird-eye view of the ship from the top of the masts, and showed sailors working the sails. Apart from this and other minor quibbles, I think I learned more from this book faster than I had expected.

Yes, this is a children's book, but it is highly recommended by sites specializing in naval fiction of the Georgian and Regency era (think Napoleonic Wars, Revolutionary Wars, as well as sites devoted to O'Brian and Forester). Children will be delighted by various grosser aspects of life abroad (the very basic toilet and bathing facilities, the surgeon in action during battle, and of course the maggot-filled biscuits), not to mention trying to find a certain stowaway. Adults will revel in little details that explain things that have puzzled them.

I started out not knowing port from starboard, and very little else. By the end of this book, while I cannot claim to be proficient, I certainly understand that a ship has three masts in several sections, that it has several decks, and that life at sea was more complicated than is sometimes depicted in fiction.

You might also want to try "The Visual Dictionary of Ships and Sailing" (ISBN 1879431203; ASIN 1879431203) which apparently discusses different types of ships, the sails and ropes, and so forth. I have not seen this book yet, but it looks interesting.

One More Bridge to Cross is an inside look at the Noncommissioned Officers contributions to warfare. By providing direct insight to the Noncommissioned Officer, the author allows the reader to gain a great deal of in-depth knowledge in a short time. He provides the reader with real life experience as well as researched facts that build upon one another and enlighten the reader. A definite read for anyone interested in military tactics and training.

One More Bridge to Cross takes a truly unique approach to studying warfare and military reform. One More Bridge to Cross offers a close look at the moral factors of war that John Poole examines so insightfully in his other books. Most great military theorists (including Sun Tzu, Clausewitz and John Boyd) have emphasized the importance of moral factors. John Poole goes beyond theorizing about these moral factors and examines their importance in conflicts past and present. He shows how the United States has gained strength throughout its history by supporting worthy causes. He gives examples of how upholding moral standards in the conduct of war has contributed to ultimate victory. Finally, he shows how the United States has begun to loose the moral highground in recent times by practicing heavy-handed attrition style warfare. One More Bridge to Cross is particularly relevant to today's war against terrorism, where perceptions of values and morality can sway public opinion at home and rally new enemies abroad.

In this another excellent work from John Poole, the author has chosen to examine the moral aspects of good soldiering by focusing on their application on a tactical level (although his suggestions might be equally well applied on the strategic level.) Don't be mistaken, however. This is not simply a theological tract. The author, a Roman Catholic, probably has more first hand knowledge of good solid tactics than any other "expert" going. He knows how to kill another man, another unit, and/or another tank. His interest, however, is in the proper aim of maneuver warfare: winning the war with an eye on what Liddell-Hart called "a better peace."

It's been over twenty years since the U.S. military formally outlined their emphasis on maneuver warfare (hastily summed up as "achieving our objective(s)") rather than attrition (again, hastily summed up as "destroying the enemy"), and yet our forces still seem bogged down in no-win attrition style wars. Were they to pay closer to attention to the evaluations of gentlemen such as Poole, they'd have a much easier time winning those "hearts and minds" we're always hearing about.

There are, of course, a multitude of religious undertones here, but even the most atheistic amongst us will have to recognize the strategic pragmatism of Poole's suggestions. The bombardment of a city by air may win you some rubble, but it doesn't win you a war. A wake of bodies doesn't make for a victory, and it doesn't lay the groundwork for "peace-keeping." As we've seen, it only encourages resentment and an insurgency.

If there's an intruder in your neighbor's house, you seek out and remove the intruder. You don't blow up the building. If your goal is to show an eastern peoples that you've come to remove an indiscriminately violent dictator, you don't use indiscriminate violence.

One More Bridge to Cross addresses something that often gets forgotten- the training of our souls and establishing a natural moral compass when engaged in combat will instinctively take over as chaos ensues. Fight or flight instincts take over on the battlefield. If training is not effective and becomes a part of ones character, it's left behind in lieu to what already exists in one's moral fabric. This book is about avoiding killing when the opportunity exists in order to minimize loss of life and limb. It's about applying only the appropriate amount of force in order to meet mission requirements. Before going into combat we train mentally and physically with a quick skim over the morality of war, and the mental, physical and moral costs of war without ever realizing what war actually may entail.

So what happens when human beings ignore training of the compass? We have incidences like Abu Ghraib, WWII soldiers say they were only following orders when exterminating Jews, Serbs and Muslims of the Balkans revenge killing each other, Palestinians and Israelis going tit- for-tat, Special Forces Operators being accused of needlessly killing detainees, news reporters concerned about getting stories out without considering their uninformed or biased approaches. All of the above named actions contribute to the continuation of war.

Service members who are not mentally prepared for this reality may become susceptible to mental and emotional illnesses i.e. Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. They may feel guilt ridden for something they have actually done correctly, but do not realize that they had taken appropriate measures because faith in themselves and their training were not reinforced.

Again, war is the ultimate clash of HUMAN WILLS. The ultimate clash of wills is highly emotional for people on the front lines of a battle fields. Unless one has been in a combat environment, one will never truly understand and will attempt to subjugate the importance of the human in combat vice the machine. People die, friends die, and this causes anger, pain and the desire for revenge.

Poole's book stresses the importance of maintaining a moral compass in combat. He is training the subconscious to contend with a reality that some hi-tech supporters of weapon systems do not understand. Killing is killing whether one pushes a button, or the other pushes a trigger. One kills people and calls some collateral damage and perpetuates the fight by providing the enemy a battle cry and information operation tool, the other engages face to face and knows he truly killed a legitimate threat. This is the bridge combatants are forced to cross.

As much as anything, this is a "how to" manual for warriors in the 21st Century. While some things have changed since this book was written in 1999, it is my contention that these much needed changes in ground force organization, training, and tactics were influenced greatly by this book and John Poole's recommendations. There is still a lot more to be learned from the thoughts and ideas this book, and it should be read by more than just warriors. This book would help legislators, parents, teachers, potential recruits, and ordinary Americans (voters and supporters) to understand what has happened to our military forces in the past 50 years and where we have to go to address the wars we are now fighting and those of the future.

John Poole provides a challenge to America's conventional military philosophy - In 1999, America's military leaders were not preparing the military for the current nature of war which some call 4th Generation War and others Asymmetric War and still others Irregular Warfare. In many respects, the reforms that John Poole calls for in One More Bridge are still not in practice. The price for not understanding what Poole has to say will be excessive casualties, disruption of indigenous populations, and erosion of their support for our military objectives. This is the very frightening and realistic picture that John Poole (a retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel and former Gunnery Sergeant) paints in One More Bridge to Cross: Lowering the Cost of War. John Poole is a recognized and noted expert on small unit battlefield tactics. He is the author of Phantom Soldier, The Tiger's Way, Tactics of the Crescent Moon, and The Last 100 Yards and has spent twenty-eight years leading and training Marines in small unit tactics, serving two tours in Vietnam.

His thesis is based on the history of the last fifty years from past wars. Poole stresses the need for radically different small unit decentralized training to prepare U.S. soldiers and Marines to fight the wars of the future (remember, this is 1999 that he wrote this). Poole states that change is needed in three areas: implementing effective decentralized light-infantry training, returning the moral quotient to the destruction of war by minimizing disruption of civilian life, and understanding and respecting the enemies' philosophy of war. This requires our military strategists to change their focus from attrition warfare to a more balanced approach with maneuver and Stability and Support Operations (SASO) as the counter. This idea is something that the military-industrial complex has been trying hard to ignore. If one looks at the guidance given to the Quadrennial Defense Review in 2005, however, that guidance seems to reflect a change in the old ways of thinking about how we fight. It is a decided shift toward what Poole was trying to tell us before 9/11.

Poole states that, "Attrition Warfare has become as much a part of American military thinking as apple pie." Modern warfare dictates that the military must add a new philosophy that enables America to win in many different environments in which attrition warfare will lose.

As this review is being written, some 30 Army artillery battalions are being transitioned to more appropriate types of units such as military police, military intelligence, and light infantry in recognition of the fact that our new enemies have neutralized attrition warfare, as Poole suggested. We are learning to adapt, but is it enough?

Poole's new military philosophy was based upon analysis of a new and different enemy, who is not obliging enough to sit still and face the military in massed formations to slug it out, where America's overwhelming firepower would prevail. Instead, he is a phantom living in the hidden jungle vastnesses, treacherous mountains, and maze-like cities, where he organizes his military into decentralized, small mobile elements. America, therefore, cannot destroy the whole country to get him. The French learned this in their defeats in Vietnam and Algiers. Americans saw the effect in Vietnam, Lebanon, Somalia and now Afghanistan and Iraq, but we have been late to adapt.

Poole explains how eastern warfare and military thought is very different. In the East, the decision maker takes everything as a whole and then proceeds with a comprehensive and intuitive bringing together of its every aspect. In the West, the decision maker divides a complex matter into its component parts, and then deals with those parts one at a time with the emphasis on logical analysis. For ground combat, the Eastern way of thinking may have more utility. The Asian large-unit commander is a bottom-up, holistic thinker. He briefs every subordinate (no matter how low ranking) on his overall goals and then encourages them to either make a contribution or get out of the way. As a result, his unit can more quickly adapt to the fragmented and ever-changing nature of modern battle. He exploits what his subordinates accomplish rather than dictating their every move. Does this even vaguely remind anyone of Osama Bin Laden?

In the West, the emphasis was, and still is in some respects, on long-range warfare and large-unit training, i.e., battalion and above. In the East, the emphasis is on short-range warfare and small-unit training, most notably, the individual, fire team, and squad. This means that the Asian soldier generally acquires more of the basic field skills he will need to survive in close combat.

In this book, John Poole tells us that American Soldiers and Marines have always been expert at using their equipment and following orders. Unfortunately, one must know more than that to survive against a loosely controlled and arms-poor but woods-wise opponent. Poole goes on to enumerate those areas where we need to train our grunts and all those who would participate in this kind of war.

Former Gunny Poole reminds us that those best qualified to develop the prerequisite procedures will be the non-commissioned officers (NCOs). By allowing his 30-40 NCOs to collectively design their own portfolio of tactical techniques up to squad level, the company commander will not only give his small-unit leaders tactical decision-making experience, but also he can ensure their non-predictability in war.

Until we reform our military philosophy, these new wars will be costly to our soldiers and the civilians that we are trying to win over to our cause. Read this book!

This is a very colorful book with a wide verity of designs to choose from. I would not recomend it for the beginning sticher or anyone who wants quick simple projects, for everyone else this book is worth the price

The projects are so beautiful, you won't want to stop until you find a place for every project. I found that the charts were easy to follow, and I didn't get "bored" in the middle. I highly recommend for anyone wanting a lot of color and variety.

Despite decades of designing my own needlework patterns, I found Kooler's delightful horses irresistible; and after three years of adapting them into a queen-size bedspread, I still haven't tired of them, but my book's taken a beating! Though intricate enough to satisfy a veteran needleworker, the easy-to-follow charts put these superb designs within reach of newcomers to the craft. Even those of you who don't embroider will enjoy perusing this beautiful collection.

I bought this book over four years ago and have enjoyed it every since. Each of the twelve carousel horses can either be used as a "month" decoration or a "holiday" decoration. What I like the most about this collection is that it shows alternative ways to use small portions of the designs to create new and beautiful gifts. For example, I used a small floral from the "June Bride" carousel horse design to create name place cards for my own wedding. It was beautiful! Opportunities abound in this book!

This is a beautiful book of wonderful carousel horses. the group to which I belong has a tie in to carousel horses and I purchased this book, in fact I purchased two. Twelve ladies each took part in a project to create a quilt which showcased Donna Kooler's horses. The quilt was then raffled off with the proceeds going to breast cancer research. The pictures in the book do not do justice to how beautiful the finished products are--but they come close. I'm already being asked about next year's project!

This is a wonderful and very moving book that would be a wonderful gift for anyone in your family or friends. I bought one for each of my children and their families to have for Christmas and for anytime they need to be thankful for their family.

This gorgeous little book presents a rich and heart-wracking story about a man in search of his past and identity. Jack Davenport is a successful journalist and struggling husband, trying to fulfill a holiday assignment while effectively fleeing a fight with his wife. After receiving a mysterious photograph in the mail, he heads to Texas for his work assignment and pays a visit to Clearwater, the little town from which the photograph was sent. In the midst of his trip, he finds the heart-breaking tale of two family tragedies, a Christian man rent by his past mistakes, the truth of redeeming love..and the revelation of his lost past.

In just 48 pages, amazing storyteller Max Lucado pens a beautifully haunting tale that left me marveling at its truth and power. This book is wonderfully made: not only is the story awesome, but it's accompanied with gorgeous photographs of the characters and envelopes with tokens of the tale hidden inside. I found myself sorry that the tale was over when I finished it! Buy this book; it's a treasure and you will never forget it.

This book is so great and sad. I'm not very emotional and I almost cried. It shows how any sin no matter how great it is can be forgiven by God because He loves us so much. I also recommend other Max Lucado books like Cosmic Christmas.

I started this book in the evening of Christmas Eve and finished it the minute I woke on the next morning. Never did I think a book could change my whole attitude. And on top of it all, my husband was listening to a Christian radio station and Max Lucado was reading this book on Christmas morning. My family huddled around the book and "read" along with the author. Now every year, I will be reading this book on Christmas Eve--hopefully out loud to anyone that will listen.

I got this book for Christmas last year from my Aunt and I read it that night... it was such and wonderful story it made me cry. This book really makes you think about how important it is to have family and friends around for Christmas and all through the year. The way the book is desinged and the little truesures that it holds makes you want to dive right in the story and it leaves you with a deep feeling of saddness and happiness. And when i have children i am planning on giving this book to them and to have it out every Christmas so that others can read is heart-warming story. Merry Christmas!

A Cross Estate was a book that I decided to read against my better judgement. I suspected that it would not be my cup of tea. But there was something about the idea that appealed to me-- something honest and fresh. I really appreciate that Mr. Kinsella gave me an opportunity to read the book. I rarely accept reading copies these days, since my work commitments make it difficult for me to promise to respond in a timely fashion.

A Cross Estate is, indeed, not my cup of tea. It is a kind of fable about human nature told against the backdrop of 9-11. I actually give him quite a few points for attempting the subject at all. It is such a hard topic that just about the only writer who hasn't given me hives when he/she tried to approach it is Paul Auster in The Brooklyn Follies: A Novel. It is really difficult to do the material justice. The book struggles against the weight of that image, and I am not sure that it ever really recovers from that fight. The base story (a young man torn between several sets of goals) is one that could have been written without the twin towers falling behind the characters.

This said, there are a lot of really nice moments in this book-- writing where the image flashes, and stands out from the rest of the pages around it. There are times when I found that he told too much-- using the narrative voice, conversations, etc. I wish that he had let his images do more speaking-- trust them a little bit more. To some degree this is the nature of a fable. And then we are back to my original problem. I do not really like fables.

I guess that it says something about the strength of the book and the writer that in the end, I almost liked this. The characters of Jack and his parents are naggingly human, and I found myself thinking about the issues raised after I closed the pages of the book.

This was Kinsella's first novel, and there is (for me) enough here to hope that he continues to write more work. Like I said, I would hope to see a whole lot more showing and a whole lot less telling-- but, again, that may just be a matter of personal taste.

Three stars with an extra star for several kinds of bravery.

I found the book, " A Cross Estate" a very poignant, moving novel. Much of the story is centered around the tragedy of September 11, 2001, and the resulting emotional aftermath, the families of lost ones faced. I found myself "feeling" those same feelings of sadness, anger, sorrow, and loss that touched so many Americans on that tragic day.
The novel tells the story of "Jack", who, upon graduating from a prestigious college, must make a choice of either following his own dreams, or his parents wishes and heading to Wall Street to follow in his fathers footsteps. He chooses his parents wishes, leaving them, his girlfriend Veronica, and his dreams behind. His new job moves their offices to one of the twin towers. From there the story tells of how each of his loved ones dealt with his death.It is a story of heartbreaking loss, the healing that eventually comes, hope for the future,and love that never dies.

In A Cross Estate, William Thomas Kinsella weaves together a cast of characters whose internal and external struggles are complex and quite sad in its rendering. It is a world that straddles two eras in the lives of a young college graduate Jack Conroy, his girlfriend Veronica and his parents, Catherine and Alexander.

Book I revolves around Jack's quandary concerning his career choices. Should he follow in his father's footsteps and join a financial company on Wall Street or accept an offer from a nursery as a landscape designer? In the first few pages we learn that during Jack's college summer vacations he had worked at the Durham Nursery and prepared a few landscape design sketches-something he had enjoyed immensely.

Kinsella portrays Jack as a kind, competitive and energetic young twenty-two year old, graduating Magna cum Laude in the Class of 2001 from Duke University, majoring in finance with a minor in landscape design. He was captain of his university's swim team and above all, he deeply respected his parents as well as their choices pertaining to his future, particularly his father's desire that he emulate him and find his fortune on Wall Street.

However, matters become a little dicey when Jack tears up a letter he received from a Wall Street investment firm extending an invitation to him to be interviewed. He now finds himself torn between staying in Durham, North Carolina near his girlfriend Veronica or pursuing a career on Wall Street following the hopes and aspirations of his parents. What complicates matters is that Jack omitted to tell Veronica or his parents about the interview invitation he received.

Weighing his options, Jack feels that Wall Street is more attractive, as he feels it presents more opportunity to make a difference in the world and as he mentions to his uncle Browne, "I am my father's son," to which his uncle retorts, "Indeed. And from the time you were young, you've been made into his image."As for Veronica, she only wants what will make Jack happy, although deep down she would be terribly sad if he left for Wall Street.

Jack's dilemma begins to unravel when he and Veronica spend a week-end with his parents. It is here where Jack learns that his parents had received a copy of the interview invitation and they are quite perturbed as to why he has not followed up and arranged for his meeting. Moreover, they blame Veronica for his actions.

Jack defends his girlfriend, although she in turn is confused and angered by Jack's mother Catherine; she also feels betrayed in that Jack had excluded her from his confidence.

Book II picks up where Jack decides to accept the Wall Street offer; however, unfortunately within a very short space of time he becomes one of the tragic casualties of 9/11. The ramifications are far reaching as Kinsella depicts the extreme sorrow and fragility of Veronica and Jack's parents as they try to come to terms with Jack's death. Ultimately, some important event in the lives of Jack and Veronica is revealed and the souring relationship that existed between Veronica and Jack's parents is resolved.

There are hints in the novel that Kinsella would like to see his readers examine broader connotations to such concerns as parental guidance pertaining to counseling children as to their career choices. When dishing out career advice to our children, at what stage do we fall into the trap of becoming overbearing? There is also the issue of guilt and the blame we sometimes attribute to ourselves if our children's lives don't pan out as a result of our influence in their choice of careers. Most parents try to do what is best for their children however at what point must we stand aside and permit them to decide for themselves.

How often have we encountered individuals who are in the wrong job or profession and are miserable, often leading to health and family problems, all due to the wrong occupational choices. In the case of A Cross Estate, the result was tragic, as it resulted in Jack's death, for he happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. As so often happens, the "what if" syndrome looms in the back of our minds even when the ramifications may not be as shocking as the one depicted in this novel.

While A Cross Estate is inarguably a thought-provoking novel of issues, the entire novel doesn't completely hang together. For one, it would have been much better if the players had been more vividly and richly constructed, as I failed to become emotionally attached to them-something that generally is expected from a story of this nature. I also felt that there was not enough of a psychological charge illustrating how Jack was struggling against contradictory visions and indecision. And in the case of Veronica, in Book I she seems to be peripheral at best and only towards the end of the second book do we have some idea as to what she is all about. There was also an overwriting of chapters considerably slowing down the pace of the story particularly when Kinsella describes the property Jack's parents purchase after his death. I also found it odd that a prologue was included that serves little purpose.

In the end, however, A Cross Estate is a good yarn worthy of reading as it is a poignant and touching story depicting the experience of the human condition in moments of bleakest sadness to future hope.

Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor Bookpleasures

Jack Conroy is living life on his terms. Being the only child of Alexander and Catherine is a challenge at times, but the mutual love is always there. Jack is competitive in everything he tries and he loves to succeed. His Wall Street job after graduating from Duke University has him conflicted.

Jack is torn between following in his father's footsteps and his own passion for landscape design. Moving away from Veronica is difficult, but the couple agrees their relationship can work while Veronica finishes college and Jack pursues Wall Street knowing that once he succeeds there, he can pursue the life he truly wants. After all, they have all the time in the world.

William Kinsella uses his personal experience of losing some of his fellow commuters on 9/11 to create an intense story of true love, compassion, and the struggle to go on after the loss of a loved one. He brings the reader into the hearts of people directly effected by the tragedy. Compelled to write this novel for "everyone who never made it home," Kinsella has produced an emotional and historical work of fiction filled with hope.

Kinsella, a husband and father of two, commuted daily into the city to his offices in Lower Manhattan. He was there when the towers fell. He hopes 'A Cross Estate' keeps the spirits of those who died, alive. He lives in Basking Ridge, NJ and is currently working on a personal memoir.

William Thomas Kinsella has written an amazing first novel. The strength of each character's voice keeps the reader turning the pages. It is a thoughtful and powerful highly recommended read. Reviewer: Lisa Haselton, Allbooks Reviews.

This is not another 9/11 account, but rather an story of a family's journey through pain and grief, using the event as the catalyst. The characters are richly drawn and wholly believable, and almost everyone will find someone here to whom they can relate. Kinsella is a beautiful writer. There are many passages of pure poetry as he tells of feelings, places and moments of simple observation. The depiction of Catherine's emotional ride through her grief are particularly moving and dead-on. In the end, this is not a book of sadness, but one that is uplifting and affirming of the resilient nature of the human spirit.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read good literature.

After having read all three books - Wow! She deserved the Nobel Prize. This last book is a great read - much exciting stuff. And how she understood what a mother feels about her sons - and their leaving her.

THE CROSS is the final shattering novel in Sigrid Undset's KRISTAN LAVRANSDATTER trilogy. In it, Kristin reaps both the rewards and sorrows of the choices she sowed in the first two volumes.

In the first novel, Kristin's passion for Erlend Nikulausson led her to break her betrothal to Simon Andresson. In the second volume, Kristin sought to atone for her sin (she was already pregnant when she celebrated her wedding with Erlend), but had to struggle to forgive Erlend for leading her astray. In THE CROSS, the consequences of Kristin's choices all come to a head. The first section of the novel focuses on Simon, who has been a faithful friend to Kristin and Erlend, even as he continued to harbor feelings for Kristin. In the mid-section of the novel, Kristin and Erlend strive to find peace with one another. While their passion for one another never died, they were never fully able to overcome the mismatch in their marriage. And in the final section, we follow Kristin as she seeks acceptance from her seven sons, and most importantly from God.

For while KRISTIN LAVRANSDATTER seems to be a novel about love, friendship, and marriage, its deepest message is about the struggle of deeply-flawed humans to reconcile themselves with God. The trilogy is set in medieval Norway and all of the characters order their lives (as best they can) around the Christian moral order. Even as they knowingly fail, the Faith is a part of the very air they breathe.

The miracle of Sigrid Undset's trilogy is the clarity of her perception into the human condition. All of these characters live and breathe, and (more startling) we see clearly how they impact each other through the tangled webs of their lives. But Undset's literary talent is embedded in a sharp religious vision, which points to God's relationship with us as sinners. Undset never denies the good in Kristin's passion for Erlend. Nor does she hide the devastating consequences their passion had on each other and on all of the lives they touched. Often, to sin is not to choose that which is evil, but rather to choose a lesser good. Yet as the saying goes, God can write straight with crooked lines, and at the end of this extraordinary trilogy, Kristin comes to see how God has been with her through all of the light *and* through all of the dark. We walk away from the novel enthralled by the grandeur of the story we live out in this fallen world, and the enormous love God has for us.

Rereading Sigrid Undset's classic trilogy has been one of my most rewarding projects this summer.

Sigrid Undset is a master at character and place. She seamlessly draws you into medieval Norway while captivating you with the depth and humanity of her characters. I read them breathlessly captivated. No wonder Ms. Undset received a Nobel Prize for these historical novels--among the best I've ever read. Bravo, Sigrid Undset.

...this one brought me to tears in more than one place. If you're reading "The Cross," or considering purchasing it, you've probably already read the first two books in the series and are caught up in the story. Is this book worth it? Yes. It's not an uplifting read by any means, but it brings the Kristin story to a logical -- though heartbreaking -- conclusion. I am in awe of Undset for her creation of such believable characters, and grateful to her for this glimpse into medieval life. Nunnally's translation is clear and reads smoothly. This, along with "The Wreath" and "The Wife," is one of those books you hate to see end.

This is a worthy sequel to The Silver Sword. Ms. Hunt's heroines are believable and inspiring. You can't put these books down. The historical aspects are fascinating. Buy the series - you won't regret it!

This is the second book in a four book series titled "The Heirs of Cahira O'Connor" (the first one, also excellent, is titled the Silver Sword). In this book Aiden O'Connor learns to survive and maintain her virtue when her father dies at sea, leaving her and her mother homeless and without money. Aiden, who has a God-given talent of drawing & painting, is given a chance to use her gift disguised as a boy on a ship. The story is an excellent example of how good overcomes evil and how one can rise (with God's help) above unfortunate circumstances.

The author does a thorough job of researching the culture of the Dutch in the time period, provides accurate details of water coloring & painting, and how life was typically lived on a ship in the 1600s.

It was a terrific book, as was the first one. I highly recommend them!

This book surprised me! (in a VERY good way) I read the first book in this series, "The Silver Sword", and didn't think much of it so I wasn't really looking forward to reading this one so I was amazed when I couldn't pull myself out of this one. Some of the other reviewers said that the book captures your attention and you won't be able to put it down. This is sooo true! I found myself taking it everywhere with me so that I could read it, including the grocery store. I was constantly wondering what was going to happen next with Aidan! So definitely read this book one and all and also check out my other reviews! :)

This book is engrossing, to say the least. Be prepared to lose hours of your time in order to finish this book. The book moves quickly, with secrets and dastardly plots. Aidan O'Connor seeks to escape her life in the slums by using her art. Her patron sees her talent and seeks to have it brought to the light of day.

The characters are rich and well rounded. The conversions and realizations of self are truly well written and believable. Personally, I like how the beginning and end of every book begins with Kathleen setting up the story, and then giving a postscript.

This is a wonderful book that can bring to life an entirely new world.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked it better than the first in the series, although that was good too. Stories about the sea always interest me and the book held my interest all the way through. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to paint as well. The character's faith in God was brought out through the whole book. I am looking forward to the third in the series.

Nirvana was an iconic album of the alternative rock genre. "Classic Rock Albums: Nevermind Nirvana" is just short of the music CD itself in fully understanding the album that made the grunge movement of the early nineties so memorable. Taking a look at the early days of Nirvana's career complete with black and white photographs of the band's early days, information on recording sessions, and information on each track of the million selling album. "Classic Rock Albums: Nevermind Nirvana" is an absolute must have for any Nirvana fan who can't get enough of trivia for the group.

It tells alittle bit about the history of Nirvana but its mostly about the making of Nevermind and about the songs. Its pretty good.

This book gives an excellent account of what led to the great CD we now know as Nevermind. It briefly describes Nirvana's rise to stardom and gives a glimpse into the personalities of the members, but is at its best in describing how the actual production of the album went. Using numerous sources, the author lets us listen to Nevermind in a completely different way. The only downside is that it is a relatively short work, and I left wanting more

This is an excellent book on Nirvana, and it is too sad that it is out-of-print. It contains important interviews and write-ups from several pop culture mags of that era on the band--on performances--on their overall views...

Does this signal that Kurt was right: Grunge is dead?

Well, perhaps dead but not yet interred into the earth.

Yeah, yeah, it's really lame to buy a book about them and all, but this isn't just another stupid ripoff fan book- this is really good stuff. It's funny. It's sad. It gives Courtney a chance to look less evil- I changed my mind about her because of this book. And it's not just about Kurt like most Nirvana books are- there's a good amount of stuff on Krist and the various drummers as well. Serious Nirvana fans really need to read this.

I have actually met the artist and viewed his original works at a gallery in Germanton, NC. Although the book cannot possibly convey the beauty and artistry of his magical vision that is captured on canvas, it is still a feast for the eyes. And, since his original pieces cost a good bit more than my average monthly salary, this is one great way to enjoy his imaginitive pieces without having to fork out a lot of cash. I also reccommend his other books, especially the Fairy Garden.

Although this book is worth owning just for the beautiful pictures, I have enjoyed the writing as well. As a student of magick, myself, I can appreciate the story of the Wizard's training and details about the elemental magic he practices. Good for young and old alike, it will inspire you to seek out all the bits of magic in your own life.

One of the reviewers said this is a kid's book, but that's not true at all. Tom Cross has combined clever, captivating writing with some of the best illustrational magic I've ever seen. Young and old can enjoy this phenomanal book, as even my parents who are into their 60s enjoyed it. It's hard to not appreciate the artwork, and the enviromental message that is subtly but powerfully interwoven into the "narration" by "Penelo". This has been a book I've read over and over, always catching something new in the artwork, and enjoying the sly sense of humour, not to mention the semi-historical, semi- mythological section regarding some famous Magicians, and the history of magicians. If you enjoy fantasy at all, or you know someone who does, and even as a work of art in and of itself, this book is easily going to produce a lot of joy to anyone who owns a copy. Don't wait any longer!

My mom bought me this book because I'm a pagan that loves fantasy. She was right that I would love it. The pictures are beautiful, and the writing is just as good. This is the perfect fantasy book! A must have for all fantasy lovers!

If you love fantasy and wizardry, this is a MUST HAVE for your collection. Every time I read this book I feel as if I've been swept to another realm filled with magic, whimsy, and beauty. One of the reasons that I love this book is because not only is it very intersting to read, but it has just as much....if not more, illustrations-artwork, as it does literature. The artwork in the book has so much detail that I notice something new everytime I read it. This book breaks down every aspect of a "wizard". Anything that you every wondered about, or wanted to know about a wizard is in this book!
The book it's self is a piece of artwork, and I highly recommend it.

This beautifully illustrated, poetically imaginative book will delight your mind and your eyes. Tom Cross uses his great skills as an illustrator and his deep imagination to create a work that is fun and enjoyable. With staff in hand and tongue in cheek the author takes the reader on a journey of beauty, reverence for nature, history, fantasy, and every other place you'd like to go with a genuine, down-to-earth, honest-to-goodness wizard as guide. One of the best books I've read, pure delight.

I highly recommend this wonderful story. Haley Scott DeMaria tells her incredible story with just the right balance of tragedy, humor, grit and feeling. She brings to life all the people who played such a part in her journey. With this distance (over 15 years) from her accident and recovery, she is able to reflect on the events and relate them with the right mix of what a 17-year-old thought and what it looks like today. This true story will bouy up anyone who is facing challenges in his or her life. It's an emotional roller-coaster ride with a very positive ending.

I ordered several copies of this book, as I have many visitors. My visitors have insisted on taking copies home to share this heartfelt story with others. Haley is an inspiration to all of us. This book is what life is all about. Family, friends, faith, hope and determination. And, the humor, when you least expect it, is very uplifting. Thank you for sharing such an emotional story.

Living in Chicago at the time of Haley's accident, and being so close to Notre Dame, I vividly remember the press coverage of the accident. It was great to finally get to read how it all turned out.

This book worked on many levels. First, it's a great story - a true page-turner. I was visiting several family members while I was reading it, and many of us were fighting for "reading time". I had to leave the book behind and I plan to buy more to pass around and for gifts.

As a retired ER nurse, I was enthralled with the medical drama of the story, and as a mom, I couldn't help but be amazed at how this accident affected the entire family. Even though you kind of know the end of the story from the beginning, if you know what I mean, the suspense is in how each part of the story unfolds and in how each person is profoundly impacted.

As a former South Bend resident, I well remember the horrible bus crash and the sadness at the loss of the two swimmers. Haley Scott DeMaria's book takes the story into the aftermath of that crash and her physical and emotional struggle to recover. She is incredibly honest about her feelings, especially toward her mother. Although her resentment at being so dependent upon her mother is natural, most people would hesitate to admit it.

Haley's determination to overcome her physical disabilities is inspiring. Throughout what must have been incredible pain, hard work and disappointments, she continued to keep her eye on the goal: to once again swim competitively for Notre Dame.

"What Though the Odds" is an aptly named book about a young woman facing life-altering circumstances and triumphing.

Into a world in which things seem to be falling apart comes Haley Scott DeMaria's What Though the Odds, a recounting of the author's personal and inspirational courage in response to a sudden and tragic accident. The depth of it all goes beyond her agonizing, physical recovery from a broken back, to her emotional evolution from a typically self-centered teen-ager into a mature and loving human being. The challenges met and the outcomes effected could only have been overcome through the intense support of her family, friends, and university and her faith in God. It is a beautifully told story. You may weep a bit, but mostly for joy: Better than a triple espresso and much more durable