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E Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

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The Rescue of Bat 21
Published in Hardcover by Thorndike Press (1999-07)
Author: Darrel D. Whitcomb
List price: $27.95
Used price: $3.85

Average review score:

The Rescue of Bat 21
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-27
Book arrived within a few days and was in the condition that it was described or better, very happy with there service.

Awesome book
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 1999-09-08
I recently purchased this book through an South African bookstore and it rocks ! It is great book to read .

It is nice to hear the complete story
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2001-02-15
For years my family has wondered what happened during this period of the conflict. I was eight years old when my brother, Bruce Walker - Covey 282 Alpha, was declared MIA. This book gave my family and I a real view of what happened to him. This is something the government was never willing to do. I'm thankful to Darrel Whitcomb for this well researched and well written book detailing the rescues and attempted rescues during the Easter Offensive.

A READ WORTHY OF YOUR TIME
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2002-07-19
The lone survivor (Bat 21 Bravo) of a six-man crewed American warplane shot down by a surface-to-air missile parachutes near the DMZ and seeks cover to await recovery. Heavy clouds obscure visibility, but other than that the search and rescue aircraft crews have no reason to believe that this won't be anything but a moderately easy pickup.

Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Jay Crowe commanding an Air Force rescue helicopter drops through the clouds heading for the survivor when enemy fire comes up from all directions. The dashboard begins to disintegrate. Crowe and his copilot struggle to control the helicopter and clear the area. The crew is amazed at the scene below. North Vietnamese Army trucks, tanks, guns, and soldiers are everywhere. Bat 21 is trapped between two enemy divisions barreling across the borders in a full offensive to conquer South Vietnam. Still, the rescue attempt goes on.

As the author of "Coast Guard Action in Vietnam," I am pleased to read, not only a darn good true book about the Vietnam War, but, one that brings out the fact that Coast Guardsmen were active in that long engagement. Flying combat search and rescue was only one of their numerous missions. For example, LORAN, the electronic navigation system used to keep Bat 21 pinpointed and to place ordnance on enemy positions, was installed in the theater and manned by the Coast Guard.

Do yourself a favor, get both "Bat 21" by William C. Anderson and "The Rescue of Bat 21" by Darrel D. Whitcomb. Read them in tandem. Read "Bat 21" first. It puts you with the survivor on the ground evading capture for twelve days. Then read Whitcomb's book. It pulls back the camera to take into view the entire panorama of situation, equipment, and people, that went into this remarkable rescue exploit.

When you start the reading make sure you have a block of uninterrupted time because you may not want to stop until--the end.

From one who was there
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2000-01-26
This book is an extremely accurate history of this rescue and its heros. I was the on scene commander who arrived to find the Jolly in flames. There are other books written about this rescue but none are as accurate and well presented. The author did an excellent job in allowing a "non" military reader to understand this rescue situation without missing the power of the enviornment.

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Romans (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
Published in Hardcover by Baker Academic (1998-12-01)
Author: Thomas R. Schreiner
List price: $54.99
New price: $26.84
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Average review score:

A Must On Romans!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-21
Along with Moo, get this commentary! Schreiner is so solid and scholarly. I also have his work on 1,2Peter and Jude in the NAC. This NT scholar is so good.

His approach to scholarship reminds me of Dr. Moo. Both are really good. Schreiner does his own translation, and for me that is what makes this commentary so outstanding. If you appreciate adeptness in NT Greek, you'll appreciate this volume. But at the same time, Schreiner makes this simple enough for the person who doesn't understand NT Greek to get by.

This should be in every pastor's and anyone who's looking for the best work on Romans collection. Get this one!

Clear and Concise commentary
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-23
This is a very good commentary on Romans. It is very well written and is clear and easy to understand. Great Reference material that can be used for years to come.

Better than Moo
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-19
As someone who has done extensive work in Romans and is NOT a Calvinist, I have found Schreiner's volume to be the best all around commentary on Romans (not the best commentary on any book, however, as that would go to Schnackenberg's 3 volumes on John). He covers what you need to teach and to preach through the book.

While knowing Greek will certainly help one follow the author's arguments, he makes it easy enough to move past difficult material and get to the heart of the matter. Moo has a tendency to list multiple options and then pick one when it is unnecessary to list all the options due to a choice being obvious or else he does not list options at all when the choice is difficult. Schreiner avoids that problem by correctly majoring on the majors and minoring on the minors (with the exception of some issues at the end of Romans 8).

For Schreiner, this is certainly a step above his previous work and is much more readable than his book on Paul. The only Romans commentary I would rank ahead of this one is the incredible two volumes in the ICC by Cranfield, which is certainly not a series for those who do not know their languages.

Excellent Commentary
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-07
Schreiner's Commentary is an excellent work when studying the book of Romans. Amazingly, he manages to retain a contemporary edge on such a difficult book of the Bible. His technical prowess comes forward as he examines significant words in the Greek and helps the reader to explore for the correct understanding. This work coupled with Douglas Moo's commentary on Romans are powerful technical resources for any pastor or theology student.

An impressive piece!
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-16
Schreiner's work is one of the most celebrated commentaries on Romans today. Schreiner's interaction with the Greek text and scholars alike is quite impressive. The author shows familiarity with Second temple literature as well. The work reflects the author's best achievement (See his theology of of paul, Paul, Apostle of God's glory in Christ). This is a commentary that seeks to be faithful to Scripture and ultimately celebrates the glory, majesty and excellency of Christ in the book of Romans.

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Sandokán
Published in Paperback by Edaf S.A. (2001)
Authors: Emilio Salgari and E. Salgari
List price: $7.99
New price: $7.99
Used price: $20.15

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Great adventure book from an underappreciated writer
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-22
Italy's Emilio Salgari might not have been a great writer, his prose was often clunky, but his books were fast and entertaining, and he was an antiimperialist at a time when the west was imperialist. Who else in the west in the 1880s sympathized with the natives of what would be later be known as the third world?. This was a period when the European powers were scrambling to acquire colonies by force throughout the world, regardless of what its native peoples thought about it. His most celebrated character is Sandokan, a malaysian "pirate" (today, he would have been called a terrorist) fighting against the British Empire in his homeland. His books never achieved any fame in the english speaking world, and given the indictment of the British Empire in many of his books, this is not difficult to explain. He was tremendously popular instead in Latin America throughout much of the 20th century. No wonder that Salgari was among Che Guevara's favourite authors.

Love it so far
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-17
I've pecked at the first three chapters using my dictionary. So far, I've read "Charlotte's Web" and the like in Spanish (with a dictionary), and this is a good level for me to learn more of the language.

The story is enjoyable so far. I've shared what I've read with my students, and several seemed interested in the book. It's not short on adventure, to be sure!

Magnifico
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-09-08
I had the pleasure to read Salgari's books since I was a 9 years old kid in spanish. I still remember the characters in the different series of books (I am now 40 !). I will never forget Sandokan and Yanez, The black corsair with her beloved Honorata or the series of the Damascus Lion and Captain Storm.

All Salgari books are recomended for kids from 5 to 95, if you have the chance to get them, there are more than 80 amazing adventures available (most of them very dificult to find).

Enjoy Salgari books, you won't have any regrete !

Sandokan the Great - A reader from WPB, Florida
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2001-12-13
With Salgari the reader gets a mix of Verne and Dumas together. It is a shame that his titles are so difficult to find in English. Maybe because the "bad" guys are the British! Common get over it! These are just adventures of the best kind.

Storms, battles and twisted plots in mysterious Malasian islands that open kids eyes to the world. All before Internet and Satellite TV. With Salgari you travel around the world with a book, find the Taymir submarine adventures, superb!

Some day I will get the books from the Sandokan series I have not read.

Sandokan Series
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2002-08-05
As all the reviewers, it is a real shame that the readers that not speak spanish can't get all this series. I read all Sandokan series when I was a child and I had 8 years old, and I liked it so much at the grade that I re-read all the series again. The Sandokan books that I know was written by Emilio Salgari are:

Sandokan
The pirate's woman
The malasian pirates
The stranglers
The two rivals
The malasian tigers
The king of the sea
The Mompracem's reconquer
The fake bracman
The fall of an empire
In the indian jungles
The vengeance of YaƱez

It is important to mention that between The King of the Sea and the Mompracem's reconquer there are other two books that talk about the reconquer of the former Sandokan's kingdom. These tales are named Sandokan and The Vegeance of Sandokan.

That is the reason of when we read the Reconquer of Mompracem we read that Sandokan is now a king of a Bornean kingdom.

I recommend highly this series and it will be one of my favorites all time.

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Secret Vows
Published in Kindle Edition by HarperCollins e-books (2007-05-08)
Author: Mary Reed, McCall
List price: $5.99
New price: $4.79

Average review score:

Great read
Helpful Votes: 16 out of 16 total.
Review Date: 2003-01-05
This story is about Catherine and Grayston and is set in the 13th century. Grayson, a powerful lord, is ordered by the King to marry Elise to try and stop a conflict between her brother Eduard and Grayson. Grayson has no choice but to agree. However the bride that comes to him is not Elise but is Elise's widowed sister-in-law Catherine.

Eduard, a very nasty person and makes my top ten bad guy list, decides that since the King has ordered the marriage of his sister Elise to Grayson he would have her set him up to be murdered several months after their vows. That way no one would suspect Eduards or Elises involvement and Graysons property would then become his.

Elise, having been severely abused by Eduard and not wanting to be an accessory to Graysons murder, commits suicide, leaving Eduard in a quandry. That's when Catherine comes into the picture. Since Grayson, or anyone for that matter, has never really seen Catherine before, he beats Catherine for days to submit to his murderous plot. She refuses until he kidnaps and threatens to kill her children. She is then forced to comply and assumes the role of Elise. The story continues with relationship developement and some good action scenes. Both characters have their own problems to work out, which is done pretty smoothly.

This story also has an interesting twist which really hooked me. The prologue starts in first person, as if Catherine was writing the reader a letter. You could really feel Catherine's pain and hopelessness in the writings. The first chapter then goes into 3rd person.

This book will definately be a keeper of mine for a long time.

SIMPLY TERRIFIC
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-23
This is one of the best romance novels that I have read in a long time. I got the book because it was rated highly and I was pleasantly surpised that everyone who rated it before me was absoutely correct in saying it was a 5 star read.

Am I getting jaded?
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2004-06-30
I bought this book on the strength of the Amazon community reviews...famous last words.

Let me say that I read lots of romance novels. And this one is pretty good -- but five stars? Hmmmmmmmm. The story/plotting has good moments, and the writer is creative & a fresh voice, but still...I can't put my finger on it, but I was able to put this one down with no problem. My criteria for a 5-star read has to be that I just can't put it down. I didn't have that feeling with this novel -- and I could wait to pick it up again too. Maybe I thought it was too melodramatic. Maybe I've met this hero & heroine before. If I were grading it like in school, I'd give it an 85 out of 100, or a B+. So, yes, I think it's good, but it's not the gripping keeper that other reviewers described, at least not for me.

No problem giving this keeper a 5*.......
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2005-06-04
When the book started with a first person narrative, it stopped me cold. I reluctantly trudge through it but was already thinking about tossing it. Well, I am glad that I did. It may start out a bit slow but by chapter 3, you can NOT put this down. The characters are so real, issues, warts and all. Our heroine starts out as emotionally and physically beaten and terrified.She's been forced into an evil plot to save her children by a sadistic, psychotic man. Our groom has demons that torment him and is also forced to wed against his will. This sounds same old-same old.......and to that point it probably is. BUT the rest of the story takes it in different directions. You will never regret reading this story. Accolades to Ms. McCall.The epilogue is also first person by our heroine but by then she is a strong, confident woman and it is perfectly done. The notes by the author explain several cultural aspects of the time and are informative and helpful. Wow..how far we've come as woman and as a society. Hoping for a sequel about sir alban.....enjoy.........

Full of emotional power
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2004-04-22
An excellent read...sensual, romantic, compelling, agonizing, and intense. McCall's story weaves a superb romance with harrowing personal demons and manipulative, exceedingly dangerous villains. McCall allows to to see Catherine and Gray fall in love, to feel them struggle with their pasts and their fears, to alternately worry and cheer as they face Eduard's manipulations.

Superb. Don't pass it up.

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The State Boys Rebellion
Published in Paperback by Simon & Schuster (2005-03-29)
Author: Michael D'Antonio
List price: $13.00
New price: $7.51
Used price: $6.07

Average review score:

I am the author of the book, HARD CANDY: Nobody Ever Flies Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-26
Hello avid readers of true stories. I appreciated The State Boy's Rebellion, as I too was a victim of the mental health system when I was 8 years old. I remained institutionalized for 10 years; even though authorities were informed I was not retarded. Like the kids in The State Boys Rebellion, I was deprived of my civil liberties, denied an education, and horribly abused. If you want to read a remarkable story of the human spirit to survive horrific odds, read my true story. You'll be glad you did.
Charles A. Carroll, Author, Victim/Victim's Advocate
HARD CANDY: Nobody Ever Flies Over the Cuckoo's Nest

My Personal Experience
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-19
A must read for anybody. I am currently employed at one of the said institutions in MA and heard of this book through a co-worker. I have worked here for over 20 years, long after they stopped admitting people. The residents that currently reside there get the best of care available and the staffing ratios way outnumber the amount of clients residing here. I am in no way condoning what happened to Freddie and all the other state children, I just wonder how some of the residents would have turned out if not institutionalized. My supervisor and I have roamed through the old dormitories and found a wealth of info and pictures. Some of the pics show young children about Freddies admission age that looked scared to death, it brought tears to my eyes to think of what these poor kids went through and reading Freddie's story helped me better understand just exactly why these children were admitted. When I started working here, over 1,000 residents lived here, now we have under 300 and the remaining people really do benefit from the care they receive. I just could not comprehend why some of the residents were there 20 years ago, now I know. My family has welcomed in a former resident in the shared living program and it has been benificial to both him and my family. After reading the "State Boys Rebellion", my only regret is that I never got to meet Freddie Boyce. In my eyes, he and all the other state children are true heroes for surviving the great injustice done to them. In closing, I have to truly say that I have been humbled.

Very interesting biographical-type assessment of American eugenics
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-26
Michael D'Antonio has provided us with a very interesting book that he has subtitled "The Inspiring True Story of American Eugenics and the Men Who Overcame It". There is no doubt that he cares tremendously for his subject, but this is not a comprehensive history of the Eugenics movement or even of the the State Boys Rebellion at the Fernald School for the Feebleminded.

From a journalistic perspective, this is a tremendous piece of writing & investigation. Evaluating the events primarily through the eyes of Fred Boyce, the author skillfully weaves in the stories of fellow inmates at the Fernald school and the events leading up to the rebellion. Unfortunately, the key point that I see as the "rebellion" only gets about 4 pages of treatment, with regular references to the people involved in the riot throughout the rest of the book. Boyce's life is traced up through the time when the book was written, and is a compelling story.

From a historical standpoint, although there is no clear thesis, the book obviously was written to educate the reader about the Fernald school and a few key residents that were able to make great strides in their lives and lead a relatively "normal" life after being released from the institution. The most interesting argument the author presents is that some of the medical experiments conducted within the confines of the Fernald school were reflective of Cold War America, where government aims included furthering science in an effort to find a way to defeat the Communists.

Overall, this is a very interesting book and an easy read. The story is enthralling, and keeps the reader entertained throughout. If the reader is looking for a comprehensive story of the American Eugenic movement, this is not the book; I believe there are probably better scholarly works out there that address eugenics in America. I would recommend this as a book to start one's understanding of eugenics and how this one school in the Boston area plays into the bigger picture.

The Horrors Next Door
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-06-24
I never gave the imposing Fernald School campus much thought, even though the house I shared with my friends was literally across the street from the large brick buildings. It was not until I researched the effects of radiation on soldiers during the Cold War that I learned Fernald's dirty secrets. I immediately bought this book, and it filled me with rage and despair. D'Antonio's style is not preachy, nor does he editorialize. He allows the recollections of those who were there to speak for him. Wherever he can, he uses several sources to shade each event, from conversations with the boys, to the memories of the staff members, to the cold, un-enlightening medical records from the school. As others have said, the story ends not in misery but in triumph. It is a cautionary tale about society's complacency and willingness to let the horrors of our past remain behind the locked doors of our crumbling institutions.

Excellent Book About State School Horrors
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-03
The State Boys Rebellion tells the story of the Fernald State School in Massachusetts. Michael D'Antonio does a great job of telling the story through the eyes of Freddie Boyce, a child that grew up in Fernald. The story is quite chilling, specially to those of us who did not live through that time period. It is disgraceful that we, the United States actually started Eugenics, although I was taught in school that Nazi Germany was the creator. This book should remind us that as a society, we sometimes leave out the bad stuff our forefathers did, even if they meant no harm. I would highly reccomend this book to anyone, but it will touch the heart of anyone with a child who is considered "special".

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Statistics for Experimenters: An Introduction to Design, Data Analysis, and Model Building
Published in Hardcover by John Wiley & Sons (1978-06-22)
Authors: George E. P. Box, William G. Hunter, J. Stuart Hunter, and William Gordon Hunter
List price: $115.00
New price: $129.34
Used price: $9.00
Collectible price: $115.00

Average review score:

Additional Praise
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-17
I can't really add anything the other reviews haven't already covered. I just wanted to add my praise of this classic. This book is very relevant in a lab setting. I would recommend it to everyone to start with, but especially those with experimental problems to solve in an objective way.

Buy the 2nd edition of this over Montgommery's Book
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-30
I used the Montgomery DOE book as an undergrad...but chatting with a Stat prof freind of mine..she recommened Box Hunter & Hunter over this. I had never covered the entire book..& was reading up on Factorial designs...I went ahead and bought Box Hunter & Hunter...(do wait & buy the 2nd edition due out in May-I think Amazon trys to sell you the old inventory if you are not careful)...nonetheless, the old edition I bought actually is much more intuitive and easy to follow that the "Design and Analysis of Experiments" book by Montgomery....I think its b/c the latter is written by an engineer..no offense to you out there...just that engineers cover so much material that there texts seem more "cookbook" like..here's how...w/ no too much intuition as to why ...probably catering to the engineer who has not the time to care about the why...I am thoutoughly enjoying the read...some of the quotes in hte book are pretty funny yet all the while relevant...

Outstanding book, but you should buy the newer edition, not this version
Helpful Votes: 15 out of 16 total.
Review Date: 2005-07-27
All of the reviews on this book are generally consistent in their praise for the book and the authors. I do not have any points to add to the discussion other than this:

It is a credit to this version of Statistics for Experimenters that it has remained relevant throughout the years as a classic introductory text that has kept selling consistently since it was released in the 1970's. Nevertheless, unless you have a particular reason for purchasing this version, you should purchase the updated version(also available through Amazon).

The full title of the newer edition is:

Statistics for Experimenters: Design, Innovation, and Discovery, 2nd Edition

The 2nd edition, written in the same engaging and readable style as the 1st, contains virtually all of the content of the 1st edition plus advances in design of experiments that have happened since the 1st edition was published.

Outstanding, sophisticated, unconventional classic
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-18
George E.P. Box, the senior author of this magnificent example of great teaching for adults, is one of the great statisticians of modern times. He is a master at teaching those with experience, especially industrial experience, but not necessarily the most advanced mathematical training. My own background in econometrics and decades of work experience left me in a position of having too little knowledge to apply sophisitcated statistical methods to experiments and too much knowledge to settle for the exposition of statistics in many experimental design texts, especially those for behavioral scientists. I had read some of Mr. Box's "Evolutionary Operation" [with Norman Draper] ("EvOp") (also outstanding, practical, and unusual) and looked at "Bayesian Inference in Statistical Analysis" [with George Tiao] ("BISA") and hoped the book was as practical as EvOp rather than as mathematical as BISA. It has turned out to be so without being unsophisticated.

Once you have mastered this, I am sure you will be prepared for many of the challenges of applying statistics to practical industrial and experimental situations and for more advanced and modern methods that have emerged since 1978 with the ubiquity of very cheap computing power.

What it may lack in the most contemporary methods it more than makes up for by helping the reader develop a good intuition for applying statistical methods and judgment.

classic text on design, well presented
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-09
This book was published in 1978 but as other reviewers have noted its practical methods and advice are timeless. George Box and Stu Hunter are both very famous statisticians who are also great teachers and lecturers. Bill Hunter is now deceased. All three authors have made major contributions to the design of experiments. The book is written for practitioners and in the simplest language possible. Emphasis is placed on practical designs and not optimal designs because optimal designs are very sensitive to model specification.
It does not include the robust designs of Taguchi which came later and could easily be included if the authors choose to revise it.

E
Straight
Published in Hardcover by Penguin Putnam~trade (1989-08-14)
Author: Dick Francis
List price:
New price: $12.75
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Collectible price: $10.00

Average review score:

Many ways to be straight
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-03
In Straight, Francis gives us another of his honorable and vulnerable heroes who find themselves in trouble through no fault of their own. True, part of Derek Franklin's problems stems from not getting to know his much older brother, Greville, but the rest of his problems just seem to happen. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time is never in one's favor.

Derek is a successful jockey whose ankle is broken in a fall in a race. Just after he learns that his brother has been killed in a freak accident. Now, Greville was a gemologist who tended to be more than a little paranoid. He loved gadgets and puzzles and lives in a house outfitted like a fortress. Unfortunately, the strength of the house does not prevent Derek from being pummeled and otherwise abused nearly to the point of death. The worst thing is that he doesn't know why. This is a story of many mysteries most of which have nothing to do with one another. True to form, though, the villain once identified, proves to have no compunctions about doing whatever it takes to get what he/she wants and for self protection. Or is that villains?

As the story unfolds, the reader finds out as much about the deceased Greville as Derek, his brother and sole heir. (There are two sisters who live abroad.) It's difficult not to care about both and to feel the regret about not getting to know someone before it's too late.

Straight is a typical Francis novel in that it's a fast read, one cares about the protagonist, and pretty much despises the antagonist. Few surprises when it comes to it, but one of Francis's good ones.

Yet To Read
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-24
I hve been reading Dick Francis books for at least 15 years. My father introduced me to them. When I go on vacation this summer, some of them will accompany me. "Straight" will be one of them.

Diamonds are . . .
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-07
Greville and Clarissa had concealed their love affair for three years.

Greville was a middleman, who had traveled the world to search out reliable sources of semiprecious gemstones. The successful London company he founded would have the stones cut in Antwerp, Tel Aviv, New York, or elsewhere, then distribute the gems in quantity to creative designers and producers of fashionable jewelry. Greville also owned racehorses, starting when someone had given him one in settlement of a debt.

Clarissa was the attractive wife of an older British lord, who had pursued her. Greville became Clarissa's first love, as she became his. When he was not on a trip, and she could come to London, they would meet. When apart, which was most days, they had agreed to pause at a set time of day to think of each other, knowing that each was doing the same.

A sudden accident ended all this. Greville had been walking down the High Street next to a construction site, when collapsing scaffolding from high up, struck him, sending him to the hospital, where he never regained consciousness and soon died.

Here are Dick Francis's very first words of the story: "I inherited my brother's life. Inherited his desk, his business, his gadgets, his enemies, his horses and his mistress. I inherited my brother's life, and it nearly killed me."

The speaker is Greville's brother Derek, younger by nineteen years. Too tall for flat racing, Derek is a steeplechase jockey, which is especially dangerous because of the jumping. In the story he is, in fact, on crutches recovering from a broken left ankle injured in a race.

Derek's racing world and Greville's business world collide throughout the book. Derek must pick up the complex gemstone business traces, while undergoing continuing pressure from racing owners and trainers to hurry up and heal.

The company employees tell Derek that Greville did not deal in diamonds. In going to the bank, Derek discovers otherwise. The manager tells him that three months earlier the bank had loaned Greville a million and a half U.S. dollars, specifically to expand into diamonds, and would soon be looking to Derek to start repayment.

Where are the diamonds? Stolen? Who are the customers who wanted them? Greville's company business and his house are broken into. Derek is assaulted and shot at. The action is nonstop. The book is a fascinating, literate page-turner.

Note: Probably all of us readers like to notice where a book's title appears in the text, and to see the meaning in context. I frankly lost count after more than a dozen instances, many of them different -- from Intensive Care Unit monitor lines going flat, to straight thinking versus labyrinthine, to honest test reporting versus shadiness, just to name a few. And a big one near the end of the book, which I wouldn't want to reveal here. Your reading will have to decide which of the many applies most strongly. Or perhaps they all do?

A Detour for Dick Francis
Helpful Votes: 14 out of 14 total.
Review Date: 2005-04-02
This has to be one of my all time favorite Dick Francis novels. It has everything a mystery should have in it - murder, missing jewels, mayhem... In my opinion, it's going to be difficult for Francis to top this one, but I can't wait while he keeps trying!

Straight takes the reader behind the scenes of the jewel trade and it's not an industry that's always on the up and up. Derek Franklin has been on a roller coaster ride of late as his steeplechase jockey career is nearing the end with him sustaining yet another injury. During his forced leave to heal, Derek finds out that his older brother, Greville, has been attacked and is on his deathbed. After his brother succumbs to his injuries, Derek is told that he has inherited his brother's business. Too late to protect himself, Derek realizes that his brother was a target and Derek suspects it has something to do with a fortune in missing diamonds.

This isn't a direct "who dun it" but also has a few subplots that are enjoyable in their own right. When Derek is summoned to his dying brother's hospital bed, the interaction (or lack there of) made me very thankful for the close relationship I have with my brothers and sisters. This thankfulness was reinforced throughout the story, as Derek learns more about his older brother and begins to understand him.

One of my favorite parts of the book is when Derek is sure that a clue is hidden in his brother's computer, but he is unable to access the correct password. Greville's secretary comes to the rescue. After hearing the clues left by Greville, followed by a brief mind struggle, she comes up with the correct code word and up pops a message on the computer screen congratulating her and promising her a raise. Now that's the kind of boss I want - he sounds fun!

The only negative some may have with this book is that it is a detour for Dick Francis. As most of his books revolve around horseracing, his devoted fans have come to expect that background. In Straight the only reference to horseracing is the fact that Derek is an injured jockey.

Want to read a mystery that will have you guessing until the end? If so, then this is the book for you to read next! It's very enjoyable and will have you wondering until the very end.

Another gem from Francis
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-05-11
A reader knows what they are getting with a Dick Francis book. The mystery will be well plotted, the hero (usually a jockey or former jockey) will bravely face whatever trials that face him overcoming his troubled past and/or secret sorrow and the action will center around the some part of the racing world. Every once in awhile though a surprise pops up, this time the jockey is thrust into the totally alien world of gems.

Jockey Derek Franklin has been sidelined by a broken ankle, shortly after his brother Grenville is murdered. As Derek tries to settle the estate he finds himself drawn more and more into his brother's world of finance, gems and quirky little gadgets. Gradually he begins to sort out the mysteries surrounding Grenville's life and death but soon discovers that there are others who are determined to keep him from the answers. In the end, of course all is revealed.

This is a well plotted and clever mystery. The clues are all there for the reader to follow. The characters are well written, and draw the reader into the story.

E
Termination Dust
Published in Kindle Edition by HarperCollins e-books (2007-03-20)
Author: Sue, Henry
List price: $7.99
New price: $6.39

Average review score:

Great story well told
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-29
I find it easy to see why Sue Henry has consistently earned five star ratings for Termination Dust. As a mystery writer I loved the interweaving of two stories a century apart and the parallels between some of the characters then and now. I also appreciated the maps at the beginning of the book. Not having been in that part of the world, I found them helpful anchoring the action to the place.

I particularly liked Henry's thorough character development, not only of Alex Jensen and Jim Hampton, but also of the less central characters. I fell in love with Jessie Arnold, Jensen's significant other and even felt a little sympathy for Charlie, the grubby city kid who couldn't seem to do anything right.

To sum up, while I found myself sad to have finished Termination Dust, as I always am finishing a good book, I was also glad to discover Sue Henry has ten more books out to explore. Highly recommended.

antoher great sue henry book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-02
i began my sue henry travels with another mystery line and then bought the jesse arnold series. this is the second one in the series and is well written, entertaining and also been an education about a part of the world i am unfamiliar with - alaska and canada.
these books should appeal to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, or a cozy mystery or learning about new enviroments and places. I am hooked!

A real pleasure to read
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2001-09-04
I particularly enjoyed this book, I think because of the interesting contrast between the present and the past. The author skillfully switches between the two stories, and she is adept at conveying both a sense of time and place. I've already finished Death Takes Passage, another one containing lots of interesting historical information, and I'm looking forward to more by Sue Henry. Thanks for taking me away!

Blew me Away!
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2002-12-27
I couldnt put this book down. 2nd in Sue Henry's series set in Alaska. A canoeist finds a journal set 100 years in the past of a journey to find gold. He is set upon by the bad guys and the book takes off from there. Alex Jensen and a Canadian Mountie are called in to investigate and work hand in hand to solve this intricate but fascinating plot.

Sue Henry writes one good mystery with a little romance thrown in to the mix. I read this thru a New England snow storm and enjoyed it immensely.(The book; now the snow storm :))

Past and present are interwoven
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2002-04-09
Sue Henry writes another winner in "Termination Dust", the second book of her Alex Jensen Mystery Series. Canoeist Jim Hampton is on a trip down the Yukon River when he discovers the bones and the journal of a prospecter, Addison Riser from the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897. While pondering the question of what may have caused Riser's death, Hampton is attacked and left for dead himself. He escapes and is discovered by Detective Alex Jensen and Inspector Charles Delafosse who are investigating a stolen car ring and the murder of a prominent man. There is evidence to suggest that Hampton committed the murder and the two lawmen investigate that possibility. The story continues with the constant weaving of Riser's story from the 1800's with that of modern-day Hampton. The story includes lost treasure and a further murder. Henry makes the story rich and complex, yet manages to convincingly tie up all of the loose ends at the end. The reader is also treated to the rich background of the Yukon and a history lesson about the Gold Rush.

E
There's a Mouse About the House!
Published in Hardcover by E.D.C. Publishing (1984-01)
Author: Richard Fowler
List price: $11.99
New price: $6.43
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $10.95

Average review score:

There's a Mouse about the House.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-05
This is a wonderful book for young children. They love moving the mouse through the house to see where he will be next. Expect to read this one over and over again!

Innovative, sturdy and lots of fun.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-27
This book comes with a cardboard mouse who slides through slots in the sturdy pages as he goes on his adventures. This is not a board book; the slots can tear if handled roughly but easily remedied with a little scotch tape. There is a template for a mouse, on the back cover of the book, so you can make another one if the original is lost. I made a spare for use while my daughter is younger and very rough with her books. The original started to peel a bit but that is easily fixed with a little glue. So although this is a fairly sturdy book it is not indestructible. My two year old loves this book.

Great Book...A Classic
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-08
As a child I read this book a hundred times with my parents. It was truly my favorite book and I can't wait to purchase a copy for my future children.

fun!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-01
My son loved this book so much and I didn't mind reading it over and over....the first one hundred times! You will be asked to read this book more than once. IT is such a cute story action book.

My 5-year-old's favorite book!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-24
This is a delightful and fun interactive book! I've owned a copy for many years and my five-year-old just recently pulled it out and has shown interest in reading along with the captions in the book. He loves moving the mouse in and out of the pages. I find that him being able to move the mouse around has helped him pay attention to the story.

We lost the fist mouse but were able to trace the one on the back cover to create a new mouse. We've since ordered other copies of Richard Fowler's books. They are all cute books but this one is our favorite.

E
Three Billy Goats Gruff
Published in Hardcover by Harcourt (1957-06)
Authors: Peter Christen Asbjornsen, J. E. Moe, and Marcia Brown
List price: $10.95
Used price: $1.27

Average review score:

A favorite old classic
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-23
I bought six of my favorite childhood books for my great-grandson..."Little Black Sambo", "The Three Billy Goats Gruff", "Henny Penny", "Chicken Little", "The Three Little Kittens", and "Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit". My great-grandie is 2-1/2 and I can't wait to read these wonderful stories to him.

Billy Goats Gruff
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-05
Timely delivery. The book was great. My great grandson loved it.

A fabulous addition to your library - classroom or home.
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-22
I bought this book on an impulse, simply based on the brightly colored illustrations and a brief refrain that that appears when you look inside the book. I couldn't be more delighted with this purchase. The book is a wonderful addition to my fairy tale library and my kindergarten kids absolutely LOVE listening to and participating in the retelling of the story, especially the rhyming refrain..... "I'm a troll from a deep dark hole - my belly's getting thinner. I need to eat and goat's a treat - so I'll have you for my dinner!".

Marcia Brown's 1957 "Billy Goats Gruff"
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-01
PS - I agree: How lame that Amazon has mixed together reviews for all these various versions of "Three Billy Goats Gruff." They are all so different and all by different illustrators and authors!

Anyway, this is a comment about Marcia Brown's 1957 version, which I found to be incredibly gory. Rather than merely knock the troll off the bridge, this billy goat gruff graphically dismembers him, poking out his eyes and reducing him to "bits, body and bones." Yuck! There are other, mellower version out there... This one's not a favorite. (ReadThatAgain!)

One of my boys' favorites!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-15
Cute book with pictures that keep their attention. My boys walk around all the time saying "who is going over my bridge" in their gruff little troll voice! "Don't eat me... I too little," they say. I am so glad I added this book to our collection.


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Related Subjects: Edward Evans Edwards Elliott
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