E Books

Poor Fireheart. His beloved leader is losing faith in StarClan,her warriors and her trusted deputy. He can't decide what to do. When i read this book, i figured Fireheart was losing faith in Bluestar. The suspense picks up when the ThunderClan cats chase the dog pack to the gorge. Tigerstar tries to keep Fireheart at bay so the dogs can kill him. But Bluestar rescues him and loses her last life in the process. Mistyfoot and Stonefur morn for their mother and in the end, Bluestar regains her faith. Fireheart is heartbroken. He believes that he can't do anything without the help of Bluestar. But he accepts his new position. I always cry at the end when Bluestar dies, but I'm happy in the end because i know that Fireheart will become leader.

All of the Erin Hunter books are great! I just love them and have read them many times over. I am not a reader, I hate to read!!! But give me a Warrior series book and leave me alone for a few days. They are the best. Thanks Erin for opening up a new world for me.

Pre-teen and early teen girls love the series. It has my 10 year olds attention. She is reading like never before.

this book was a very good read. i would highly reccomend the series to any cat lover. you should always read the books in order, and NEVER read the backs or the character lists of a book ahead of you!!!! I found out something that you will find out in book #6 when I was reading book #4. it kind of ruined book #5 in a way. This book is definately good

The book that I'm reviewing is Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter. There are thirteen books of Warriors, this is one of the four that books that I've already read. I didn't really like it. The best book that I've read was Warriors: Fire and Ice. If you're a person who likes action, drama, and mystery, this is the series for you.
Warriors are cats who live in the forest. The cats are divided in to five clans when their born. They're Thunderclans, Waterclans, Windclans, Shawdoclans, and Starclans. The clans are in big tribes, which means big protectors which are called warriors. Cats have to be seven moons old to be a warrior. The following names are in the book that I'm reviewing Fireheart, Rusty, Bluestar, Sandstorm, Cloudpaw, Yellowfang and Tigerclaw. There are so many more names in Warriors. The Warriors books are fun and exciting to read.

By Bennett

This book is deeply moving, inspiring and challenging. Thomas a Kempis lays out what it means to be an authentic follower of Jesus, not just an adherent or a church-goer. The simulated conversations with Christ in the book are especially powerful. Aside from the Bible, no other book has touched and moved me like this. Highly recommended reading.

Why claim trinkets when you can read one of the best devotionals on the market. I use it to keep my daily life in check, to remember to have the right focus and to live what I believe. This is the top of the charts for a "Christian" work. Brother A'Kempis was a great instructor and a wise disciple. So much of todays mediocre fluff is twisted by society, self centeredness and lazy Christianity where the thinking is done for those who don't see the value in meditation and self examination. Next to the Bible, this is my favorite work.

This wonderful book was written by the priest Thomas a Kempis in the 1400's and is very reminecient of the Apostle Paul's writings by encouraging readers to live a simple spiritual life. It recommends that peace is found in the heart of the humble and that in overcoming the ego you overcome the world. Joy is found in a quiet conscience and you are only happy when you have done what is right. This may also be the original source of the advice to choose the less of two evils. It also warns that pleasure and desire carry the seeds of sorrow. This book is spiritual focusing on living the inner life and not getting entangled with the world. A must read for all Christians or anyone on a spiritual path.

This is one of the best books I've ever read. It's a slow read, but not difficult - there's so much packed into these 280 pages that you'll have to take your time to get it all.

This is not a review of the book per se (just got it, have not read it yet), but thought I needed to share this. Book arrived with another book (a textbook) in the usual Amazon box, each laying side by side. It was left out in the rain for most of the day by the local carrier until I brought it inside. The entire box was soaked and ruined, tape fallen off and box literally gaping open, all of the paperwork inside was falling apart in pieces and soaked, my textbook was completely ruined (soaked through, wavy wet pages etc - got returned), yet this book was absolutely dry - not a trace of even a microdrop of water - perfect condition. Take away whatever message you want...

All of the Erin Hunter books are great! I just love them and have read them many times over. I am not a reader, I hate to read!!! But give me a Warrior series book and leave me alone for a few days. They are the best. Thanks Erin for opening up a new world for me.

Nice how the Clans could come together, and not rip each others throat out.
My fave bit would have to be when Crowpaw/feather said he wasn't afraid of dying because Feathertail would be waiting for him.
Kind of longish, but still good.

Pre-teen and early teen girls love the series. It has my 10 year olds attention. She is reading like never before.

This is the third installment of the New Prophecy series, the books based on Firestar's ( the hero of our Erin Hunter's first series )and Sandstorm's children, and Tigerclaw's children. ( Tigerclaw was the bloodthirsty villian on the last series ). In this book, our characters Brambleclaw, Squirrelflight, Crowfeather, Stormfur, and Tawnypelt all return from the long, sorrowful, and dangerous journey. They are missing a gentle soul though- Stormfur's sister, Feathertail, died in the second book.
If you haven't read any of these nooks yet, they are superbly written and star cats- my favorite animal! These cats live in four Clans, or tribes. They do not live with humans, but live in the forest.
Life is dangerous in the forest, as not all the Clans are always friendly. Especially now, since the humans are ripping up the Clan's territory and killing and capruring cats. When or heroes return to their home, each must cinvince their Clans to move out of the woods- and into a safe territory.
I suggest that you but every book in the series and devour them within 24 hours.I absoulutely love these books, though they contain heart breaking parts.
This review should have helped you decide to buy this book and every other one is each series. No matter the price, these books are solid gold to me!!!
Just another Amazon reader and reviewer,
Moonwhisker

"Today is a good day to die, but tomorrow is better. Unless, those doing the dying are six foot, mutated chipmunks with blaster rifles. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I should start at the beginning. If you ask me, the end makes a fine beginning. Things come together and things fall apart, and the fur flies a little easier with the help of a Rolling Thunderä shotgun, as long as that fur isn't mine, and I'm the one pulling the trigger. Yep, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, but I ain't Mr. Rogers."

"But, I should introduce myself, you can call me Ishmael. Just kidding, bit of classical allusion there. Call me Hobo, warrior, poet, and one fine-looking feline, that's me. See, all cats are warriors, at least at heart, and that's why I'm the best one to introduce the series, Warriors."

Warriors is a book series first published in 2003 by Kate Cary and Cherith Baldry, under the pen name Erin Hunter, and introduced to me by cat and book lover Billy Waltz. The second series was written under the title Warriors: The New Prophecy. The third series, The Power of Three, and two more books, Firestar's Quest and Secrets of the Clans, are coming in 2007.

The series starts off with Into the Wild and a young "kitty pet"(house cat) name Rusty who yearns for adventure and has vivid dreams of the wilds. He meets a young feral cat, and this meeting leads to a chance to join a clan of wild cats called Thunderclan. He's renamed Firepaw and becomes an apprentice warrior. He finds himself in the middle of a tribal war with three other clans who coexist and compete for food and resources.

Allegiances are constantly shifting among the clans of warrior cats that roam the forest. With tensions so delicately balanced, former friends can become enemies overnight, and some cats are willing to kill to get what they want. Our young protagonist quickly moves from apprentice to warrior, to second-in-command, to leader of his clan. He must learn wisdom, deal with betrayal, and ultimately save his clan and the forest way of life.

The author has created an intriguing world with an intricate structure and mythology. There is intrigue, themes of loyalty, friendship and death, and an engaging young hero. The difficult life of a feral cat is described in some detail. (Oct. 16 is national feral cat day. Check out www.nationalferalcatday.org ) The cats, anthropomorphism aside, are true to their feline nature, which should delight cat and animal lovers alike. There is some violence. Some characters are killed through fighting and natural disasters, and there is treachery, betrayal and traitors, and even murder among the cats and clans, though it is crucial to the plot and not excessive.

Overall, I believe readers will find a fun-to-read series of books. Though not as elegantly written as Brian Jacques' Redwall series. The superb storytelling drew me into a realm so vivid that it could almost be real and I really came to care about the characters I found myself staying up late, with the old flashlight under the cover trick, to finish the books, and that Sand Storm sounds like a babe. Wonder what she's doing Saturday night? Hey, this cat is a fighter and a lover....

Author of "Hobo Finds A Home" editor "Of A Predatory Heart"

This novel brings you to the late 1700's and offers the drama of a modern romance with all the trials of war while in another era and country.
Twists and turns along with an easy/quick history of early Poland will keep the pages turning. Quickly went to buy the sequel before starting a new book b/c I was up in arms to find out the happenings of these compelling characters.

This book is a page-turner right from the beginning. I loved reading in this time period when men spoke to women like this (from page 23):

"See the two meadow flowers, the yellow and the violet? One is as different from the other as day from night. Yet who will say that one is more beautiful? Oh, a fool might. But only a fool... But do you know what may determine the desirability of one over the other?... The fragrance!"

Be still my heart! If you love that kind of subtle romance, you will love this book.

Anna shows such strength despite the overwhelming tragedies (one after the other) she faces in her young life. And even though she is a Countess, she is very down-to-earth and sensitive to those "under her" although it was a no-no for those of such high society. Her tenderness and innocense makes her so very likable.

The book goes back and forth between family life and what's politically going on in Poland during the late 1700s with the underlying romance throughout. You're always wondering about what will finally happen with Jan Stelnicki. At no point was this book boring!!!

I loved it.

I loved this book. There are so few novels on the market about Poland and Polish history (I don't know of any others!). This is indeed a rare find. The characters are well developed, the descriptions of locations and activities are wonderfully detailed and passionately written. The setting and content about the significant historical moments are woven in expertly. It really is a history lesson embedded in a very fast-moving and dramatic story. Yes, sometimes it may be a bit overly dramatic, but I really enjoy that rich, gossipy style. So cool that it is based on REAL journal entries. These characters come alive and will stay with you well after you are done reading. Great ending, too.

Looking forward to reading Chrimson Sky.

I found this historical fiction text to be absolutely enthralling! It has not only provided me with hours of enjoyable, page-turning reading, but has also given me great insight into my Polish ancestry and heritage. The strength, spirit, and heart of the Polish people--MY people--is wonderfully portrayed within the pages of this book. I'm so looking forward to receiving Mr. Martin's sequel, Against a Crimson Sky. I'm sure I'll not be disappointed!

I found the book very engaging. I loved the characters and can't wait to find out what happens next.

I have always been interested in WWII history and this book is excellent as it deals with the consequences of war. Wolfgang was blessed with an incredible memory and this book tells the story of the time from 1945 to 1950 in Germany and how things were. I will not recap the story since others have done it so well, but this is in the top 10 of the hundreds of books I have read.

This is a great book. I gave the book to a few German friends who lived in Germany during the war. They could identify with the author's experiences.

The author became a U.S citizen and fought in Vietnam. I would have liked to read about the author's experience in this country, and his experience, as a pilot in our Air Force.

A well written book and interesting too.

Wonderful and descriptive first hand account of living through WWII in Germany and the life there afterwards.

The author, who was 10 years old and living in eastern Germany when WWII came to an end, has an amazing memory for telling details and an irresistibly engaging personality. His memoir of that dreadful time is framed as a tribute to his mother, who certainly deserves it, and an unforgettable lesson in history as it is really lived. Once you start reading this book, you will be unable to put it down and you will never forget it.

This harrowing memoir should be required reading for all children. Perhaps, as adults, they will think hard and deeply before embarking on war. The description of life at the end of WWII and postwar Germany are harrowing. The reader cannot help but wonder how he or she would or could cope in the same situation.

I found the comparison among the American, British and Russian zones in postwar Germany to be fascinating. I hope that the friendliness and genorosity which have historically characterized Americans have not been lost in our recent imperialist adventurism and immoral acts.

This was one of my favorites as kid. Then, sadly, I forgot about it until stumbling across it in the school library. It is once again one of my favorites. Cynics might roll their eyes at this tribute to good ol' days gone by, but I personally appreciate the nostalgia and the house with its subtle face parts is adorable. You feel so bad for the cute little house! It is also an observation at the change of time. I don't know how intense that is as a theme, but I found it touching and Burton tells the tale with such heart and care.

We live in a very old house in the country and this book was such a cute story about just that. We enjoyed it.

Another timeless classic by this author. It's an amazing story about appreciation. Completely entertaining and like the other books in this series, the artwork is phenominal!!!

This was my favorite book as a child and I am so happy to find it again!! Now I will enjoy it as I read it to my grandchildren.

It was my favorite book when I was little, now it's time for my children to get know bout little house story. I got today from Amazon with free shipping. Great story book delivered to the door. Saving time to seaching at book store with carrying 2 little childrens especially summer hot day!
Thank god Amazon... I'm looking forward to reading this book tonight ^0^/

One of Peter Drucker's last books. He was originally going to write a life's work summary, but changed his mind to write a prophetic type of book. His two big topics are (1) the declining birth rate in developed countries, and (2) the transition from skilled laborers ("tin bending") work to the knowledge worker ("technologists").

His discussions are fascinating and I won't steal any of his thunder other than to say that he feels traditional management techniques based on time and motion studies (Total Quality Management is the latest rendition) do not motivate the knowledge worker.

Drucker's second big point is in extreme harmony with Marcus Buckingham's work (which I suggest reading first). Drucker has a similar message as Buckingham, motivated from a completely different viewpoint.

The book also has some self-help. Do you know what your boss' learning style is? Don't you think you should have asked that on the first day? Drucker thinks so, and explains why.

Peter Drucker writes a set of essays which present an outlook of the greatest challenges ahead such as the definition and role of the knowledge worker, the role of management, demographics and innovation. It will definitely make you think a lot... as all good books should.

Drucker challenges its readers to think about the future of society by addressing management challenges for the 21st century. By comparing yesterday's assumptions to today's realities, he helps connect the dots. Drucker strategically pinpoints what management challenges we can learn from the past, and at the same encouraging readers to ask the right questions to address how we can use this knowledge to prepare for what's ahead.

I also found Drucker's message inspirational and eye-opening. It's a reminder that today's Informational Revolution has been part of an evolving cycle, which started before printing presses were invented. He emphasizes, for example, that today's Information Revolution is not led by the technology folks but by those in other fields, such as finance and accounting. I applaud this, as the key message that should be emphasized today in preparing the future IT workforce is to diversify. Excitement over technologies such as the printing presses, software, and hardware is all part of what makes the IT industry exciting--but not THE key elements for career survival. Drucker does a great job addressing that in this book. Albeit unintentional, Drucker does a great job addressing this.

Management new paradigms, strategy, the change leader, information challenges, knowledge worker productivity, managing oneself, Druker proved himself more than capable in his definitions and unique challenge to managers. Rather of a retrospective of his past work "he set aside to wirte not the known past but the unknown future".
Peter Drucker discusses the profound social and economic changes occurring today and considers how management--not government or free markets--should address these new realities in the workplace. "Management is Business Management in all kind of organizations". This book is easy to read. For most content may be wider than how we think management usually is. Druker wrote in his introduction " the advice in this book requires a reversal of what most people have thought about management for more than a century". Peter Drucker discusses how the new paradigms of management have change and will continue to change our basics assumptions and principles of management.

Drucker outlines lessons that management can learn from the changing world economy and population.

1. Management is not just business management, but is the ability to take advantage of opportunities in sectors of the economy that are likely to experience growth in the future, like education, the professions, and healthcare.
2. Recognize that there is not one ideal way to organize an enterprise. Both "team" organization and the "CEO cult of personality" have their shortcomings. It can be difficult for teams to make decisions effectively and popular CEO's must have successors. You must find the right balance of organization that fits your company's business needs.
3. There is no one way to organize employees. You need to lead workers rather than manage employees. This is because management increasingly does not know the areas of expertise that employees possess, and employees are now seeking interesting and rewarding work.
4. National boundaries and regional markets will become less defining factors of the companies boundaries. Innovations in an industry don't necessarily come from within the industry anymore. Further, national governments will be less able to protect local industries from facing the competitiveness of the global industry leaders. Global competitiveness must become a strategic goal for the business.

Drucker also outlines the economic consequences of the declining birthrate in the developed countries. A declining birthrate means that the working population will become progressively older. New relationships must be forged with older workers, especially knowledge workers. Companies that attract and retain knowledge workers past retirement age will gain a significant competitive advantage.

Managers must become Change Leaders, who direct inevitable change in a controlled and orderly fashion. Managers must look to extending the lifespan of their companies and approaching change as a source of business opportunity.

This book was amazing. I started to read the first chapter and automaticlly was hooked!!! I love Shawdow Horse. Alison Hart, when does the next book come out?

When I first got this book I wasn't interested. My Mom and Dad wanted
me to read the book but I kept saying no. One day my Mom said, "Just read
the first chapter." Once I starting reading it I couldn't stop because it
was so good!!!!!! This is what I have to say to Alison Hart: WRITE ANOTHER
SHADOW HORSE book!!!!!!!!!! I say this book is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

Jas, a kind and fun loving young equestrian lover, was well aware that she had no chance winning a course case against Hugh Robicheaux. After all, he had all the money and the power. She had attacked him, and to the jury, for no apparent reason. But both Hugh and Jas know that she had all the reason in the world, he killed her horse.

Jas is sentenced to two months on house arrest at a small farm for abused animals. She knows that somehow this farm ties into the killing of her beloved horse and she is determined to find proof. Little does she know she will find all that and more! Now the only question is, can she go up against the richest guy in Virginia State, Hugh Robicheaux?

Filled with twist and turns and not to mention amazing passages "Shadow Horse" kept me reading until I turned the last page. This book is meant for younger readers and preteens,(those who are older may find it juvenile). Though the ending was somewhat of a disappointment for me the "Shadow Horse" is a great book for young horse lovers and mystery lovers alike.

This is like the best horse booke EVER! It ends weird though, so THERE REALLY SHOULD BE a sequel!!!!! So to Alison Hart, MAKE ANOTHER!!!!!!!!!!

I got this book back in 2002 or so and have read it countless times...at least 15 times or so. It is extremely well written and keeps you interested from cover to cover. I have been waiting for a sequel since the first time I read it. This book really is a must read!

As a Marine veteran, this book gave alot of good ideas. The authors tell you different aspect of how the Marine Corps is ran and they explain why the Marines do this and how to implement it into the business world.

It's a good book. There are a lot of leadership techniques in here that can be applied. There is also a lot of information about the Marines, which is interesting. For a leadership book, I could have used less information about the Marines and more about leadership in business, but it's good for what it is.
One thing, the chapter on women dealt with sexual harrassment, mostly. I think that with everything women deal with (lower pay, glass ceiling, family life, etc) there could have been more info on women and less on sexual harrassment. That could have been a seperate chapter.

Semper Fi does a good job of relating the organizational and cultural strengths of the Marine Corps to successful essentials for corporate America. The beginning of the book emphasizes the importance of recruiting and maintaining the enthusiasm and energy or new hires. The book keeps it focus on sharing the attributes of the Marine Corps' organizational attributes contributing to its success rather than organizing around what corporate America needs and how the Marine Corps has solved those problems. Strongly recommended for HR professionals and managers leading large organizations. Always a good book for former Marines although some may remember a few details of Marine life differently.

Want to develop sound leadership and solid loyalty? This book clears up many of the misconceptions of USMC training and brings the same form of positive supportive leadership into the civilian and business world. Leadership is more than just telling people what to do. Leadership is established by being in the front lines with all your "troops". It's you're willingness to get your shoes just as dirty as anyone else's while providing an example of being out in front and at the same time making sure that everyone is up there with you. You, the leader, are the example! It is extremely well-written and should be in any top sensei's [martial arts instructor's] book collection. Dan Carrison is one of my Black Belts. I recommend this book to all my black belts!

In case you want to know how this 175,000 strong force is led/managed to live up to the "Send the Marines" legend, you will be largely satisfied. Many unique features, including the Buddy System (two friends get recruited, trained, and deployed together), Tour of Duty (a Marine can opt to remain or transfer several times during the enlistment period of four years), the strong emphasis on quality HR and recruiters, the "Crucible" (the 54 sleepless hours of hellish training with only one meal), the need for an officer/NCO to be better in all aspects (esp physically) than his fellow men till his retirement and so on are vividly discussed. However, I am obliged to comment that the successful principles of USMC are not readily applicable to the commercial world, primarily because, as per pg 123, "Unlike the Marine Corps, the workplace environment is not one of self sacrifice. Employees are motivated much more by self interest than by the collective good and are not shy about asking, "Why did he or she get this assignment and not me?" Anyway, this is definitely a good read. Highly recommended!

Below please find my most favorite passages for your reference:-

One of the legends every NCO has heard tells of a young officer who did not return an enlisted man's salute - and was subsequently ordered by the renowned Marine general Chesty Puller to stand there and salute the nervous private one hundred times. pg 66

The "monkey experiment" is a classic laboratory experiment that illustrates exactly what the Marines try to avoid - the thoughtless passing from one group to another of a learned tradition. Six monkeys were put into a cage in which bananas were suspended by chains...when a monkey pulled on the bananas, the entire group received a shower of cold water. It didnt take long for the six monkeys to learn that the bananas were to be left alone. A new monkey was then introduced into the group, while one of the original monkeys were removed. Of course, the newcomer saw the bananas and thought it was in monkey paradise. But, as it climbed upward, the five remaining original monkeys would actually prevent it from reaching the bananas.....Other newcomers were introduced, for each one, a monkey from the original group was removed.....Soon, none of the original group was left in the cage, yet the bananas were undisturbed - by monkeys who had never felt the cold shower themselves and who did not know why the bananas were to be left alone. pg 115

Today, teams of recruits clash in the pugil stick circle so that one learns not to just fight for himself but for his buddy as well. If his buddies are "killed", the remaining recruit must defend himself against multiple attackers, who close in intelligently, as a team. Thus teamwork is taught while defending and attacking. pg 130

If a manager has not called his own customer service desk in a week, then he has no idea how many times the phone will ring before it is answered, how politely the customer will be greeted, how willingly that customer will be helped and then thanked. pg 171

p.s. Semper Fidelis (Always Faihtful), the motto of USMC, is an indication of how much value is placed upon the virtue of loyalty.

5 stars for this magnificent family book! Why? I have to very inquisitive daughters who ask many questions. Of course many relate to the natural world, more specifically insects and animals. When the inevitable questions come I say "C'mon let's check the book". We check this book often and have spent hours going through the pictures. What greater way to spend time with your kids,than learning together. The pictures are beautiful, the information is concise and interesting. A truly great book for the family, for browsing, and the coffee table. Great value! I also recommend D.K. publishing's HUMAN. Another amazing book.

Great! Very detailed information but not too lengthy. Nice for quick reference. Clear photographs. It's a thick book with lots of information but it is very organized. Not just about basic animals but nearly every known animals in the world and the areas they live in. I would recommended it for kids, teens, and adults alike.

This is the book I've been looking for- tons of information and beautiful pictures. I highly recommend.

This book is filled with incredible pictures. It also contains topical infromation on different animals. The book is broken into sections that allows the reader to look up information easily. DK gives us another high quality informative book. A must have for lovers of animals!

Overall a great valve for the money. Pictures are clear and all in color. Explaines well the breakdown of species. For a book at this price it cannot be beat, but there are some items that I think should have been included. The first is the average life span of the species. It's mentioned for very few animals but it always facinates me to realize how long or short some of these animals live for. Another puzzling exclusion from the book is that humans are not included ... unless humans are not considered part of the Animal Kingdom. Puzzling choice not to include humans.