G Books

This was actually the first Daniel Steele book I ever read. It was wonderful the story so well developed and the characters so full of life. In fact I have now read this book at least 3 times maybe even 4, truly a classic. Everyone should have this on their shelf to read when you get tired of just seeing words on a page that take you nowhere.

Audry is SUCH a great character! Her love of adventure and for her man, but her loyalty to her family is what really pulled the story together. Very enjoyable book!

I have read many of Danielle Steel's books. This has to be one of her best. It is about a young woman named Audrey who has been caretaker to her grandfather and younger sister. Then, she has this need to do some traveling, and see the world. She does so, first going to New York City (she lived in San Francisco). She meets two people named James and Violet, and she becomes a travel companion for the two. In England, she meets Charles, whom becomes her one true love, and they travel the world together, and no matter what threatens to break them up, they never give up on each other.

This is not as formulaic as many of Danielle Steel novels, but it is still wonderful and one of her best.

This book is so cool...it takes you so many places, you most likely have never been to. It's so fun to put yourself in this characters shoes & see what it's like. I love to read about countries I haven't been to...classic DS

I have been reading Danielle Steel for over 15 years and own all her books and this is one of my favourites - one I can read over and over again and still enjoy the story.
I was transported back to the 1930's and admired the bravery of Audrey travelling to China when it was probably a dangerous (and not "proper") for a young single woman to do so. This one made me laugh, cry and wish that all would go well for Audrey.
If you are a Danielle Steel fan you will love this one. Her earlier novels (like this one) are so much better than her later books. If you are new to Danielle Steel - this one is highly recommended. Enjoy!

Pomerantz hit the high water mark of urban histories by providing an intimate picture of the emergence of the South's premier inter-racial city, Atlanta, from the standpoint of the two families---one once slave and the other slave owner---who helped to shape its progressive destiny.

As a recent transplant to the city of Atlanta, I didn't know much about Atlanta's history. And as an African American woman with grandparents who left the South in search of bigger opportunities in the North, I was more aware of the racism than I was of how and who ushered in the social and economic change that created more opportunities for my generation. The book is extremely well written and once I started I couldn't put it down. This is great way to learn about history. Anyone interested in Atlanta's history in particular and American history in general should read this book!!!!!!

This book not only is about two families but also about how those two families influenced and built one of the great metropolises of America. Greatly narrated and beautifully told.

I've read several of Gary's books and found this one to be an amazing work of not only scholarship and very detailed research but it was also very readable. Some people may be put off by the sheer size of the book but once I was hooked (it took a few pages), I really couldn't put it down until I was done.

Luckily, I was on a cruise and quite a few sea days to lie back in the sun and savour this wonderful book.

I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone interest in how the South was transformed (both intentionally and unintentionally) by a small number of people with not only immense vision but also immense bravery and a sense of justice.

Bravo Gary!

I am a native Georgian and raised in Metro Atlanta. This book opened my understanding of how, what, when and who made this city and why our state is so political about everything. Unfortunately, the race factor will always play a role in how we view and operate the local and state governments. This book just makes it clearer for anyone who works, lives and does business in Georgia. All Georgia history teachers should read this book. It would make Georgia history so much better for 8th graders and make them think. This is a must for reference material.

How Walter Dean Myers ever dreamed up a picture book of the Vietnam War is beyond me. I immediately wanted to read it and buy it. It turned out to be very good and contains imagery of the scariness of war. It avoids gore but people do die and soldiers do kill. Haunting.

"Patrol" by Walter Myers is a great book. The main charactor doesn't have a name in this book. Anyways, he is in the forsests of Vietnam during the vietnam war. He is slowly walking through the woulds and than he hears gun shots. He dives to the ground and and looks for the opponent. People who would like this book are kids to adults. Adults would like it because they can remember the war that was going on when they were a kid. Kids would enjoy it because a lot of times kids like to play as if they were army men fighting in a war.Thise book is Historical Fiction because the war happend but not this particular scene.

This book has different types of pictures. The pictures are a bunch of picturesf cut out and put on one piece of paper. I think this army book is a great book for kids to understand what it feels like to be in a war.
The writting of this book is also unique because it is a type of poem writting form. This book is easy to read and understand. Kids should read this book if they are interested in war stuff and if they don't like to read long books.

Boom! A granade went off next to my buddy and sent him flying back to his death. Could I be next thought the brave soldier? Patrol is about the Veitnam War and a soldier who is very cautious about his surroundings. This book is very mysterious because you don't know what will happen to the soldier. He is constantly thinking about his family and how his death could come to him.
He is trapped in the middle of the Vietnamise forests and is lost with his buddies. They have a long maze of problems ahead of them including how they get back home. This book is good if you are a follower of this war or if you like stories that always are mysterious and are hard to guess what is going to happen. It is a picture book but that doesn't mean that is isn't good. Patrol is a mix of mystery and heroic. The author, Walter Dean Myers, realy knows how to make a great book for children.
I enjoied reading the book Patrol so I think you will too! Don't get too caught up in the pictures because they are awsome. If you are looking for an awsome picture book to just read then this is for you.

Patrol
Patrol is about a soldier in war looking for the enemy and doing what he is told. War makes the main character relies what he could loose and what he could gain. The captain never let up on the main character and never lets the platoon or him rest. Even when they are fired upon the captain tells them to shoot and keep moving. The main character calls in a bomber and the gun battle is over but that's not the end to the book.

I read his books as a teen and loved them. Bought the whole set for my grandsons, [teens]. They laughed until they cried. [so did I].

If you like animals you will enjoy all James Herriot's books. This is one of a series of delightful books. Reading one will make you want to read the next one. I can read them over and over.

I have the complete series of All Creatures Great and Small books now. This was the last one and I loved it as much as I loved the others. He was a fantastic writer and having been born and raised on a farm I can appreciate a lot of what he talks about. I also have his cat and dog stories books and loved them just as much.

The books arrived so quickly that I got to take my time
wrapping the books.

The third book in the series and you know exactly what to expect. Yes, folks, it is every bit as entertaining as the first two, and that's probably all you need to know. But I'll go ahead and mention that he spends some time in the RAF during World War II, which we knew he would as the second book ended. I'll also mention that he and Helen have a baby, which you probably expected. One of the great joys of his writing is discovery, so I'd hate to screw that up with a spoiler, but these two tidbits are on the back cover anyway. Oh, and halfway through it, I predicted an ending in advance, and I only had to read 1000 pages by this guy before that happened. It's still great, great stuff, and you know you'll love it.

B. G. Stroh's timely novel "The Dharma King" helps the reader examine the competing interests of capitalism and spirituality. The story allows the reader to vicariously experience through young Samuel Simms Jr. a personal spiritual journey through his Tibetan Crisis.

On a casual whim Sam booked a flight to Kathmandu to celebrate his college graduation. Events on the flight turned the trip into a one man quest to save Tibet. Entrusted with a map which included the secret of the location of the birth of the baby Panchen Lama, the spiritual counterpart to the Dalai Lama, Sam was faced with a grave responsibility to save the baby Panchen Lama.

Pitted against a Chinese colonel with his own demons, Sam comes to terms with a deeper level of meaning in his own life and purposes to save what may be the last hope of a religion and culture in danger of extinction.
The complex plot parallels young Sam's story of guilt and redemption and a search for meaning with the elder Sam's pursuit for more money, power, and prestige motivated by greed.

The inescapable tragedy of the current Tibetan situation makes this novel timely and important. Stroh's extensive travel throughout Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal give credence to the rich background of the geography and culture. His study of Tibetan Buddhism adds authority to the insights into the spiritual motivation of his protagonists.

Stroh's descriptive phrases made me feel the crush of the crowd, the stench of the latrine, the cacophony of street noises, the curry and spices in the air, the white sea of clouds, and the granite white capped peaks of the Himalayas.

"The Dharma King" is the perfect choice for a thoughtful intercultural reading experience. With China's emergence onto the world stage and with the uncertainty of Tibet's future "The Dharma King" is timely and important. B. G. Stroh uses the medium of the novel to deliver powerful insight into his own personal struggle to find meaning in a changed world. Stroh challenges the reader to step up to the challenge of the impact one person can make in changing their world.

BG Stroh's THE DHARMA KING marks an impressive writing debut. In a brief 187 pages Stroh manages to share a significant amount of Tibetan and Chinese history, provide insights into the Buddhism realm of spirituality, cross reference American capitalism with the morphing Chinese economic structure, and introduce characters at risk in an intense thriller as they become involved in the continuation of the Dalai Lama line - characters who in many ways mirror the development of the Siddhartha to Buddha transformation. This may sound like too much story for a short novel, but in Stroh's talented hands the pieces of this complex puzzle fit together so well that his brevity of style suggests a major talent emerging.

Samuel Falk Simms, Jr. has just completed studies at Princeton and seems on his way to following the wealthy family business until he announces to his family that he will instead pursue his master's degree in East Asian Art. As a graduation trip, and after a night of heavy imbibing, Sam is off to Tibet to soak up the atmosphere and history. Literally unconscious on the airplane trip to Tibet he is seated beside a Tibetan monk, a gentle soul with whom he has little discourse until he awakens as the plane is landing. Little does he know that the monk has slipped a secret map of the whereabouts of the baby Panchen Lama who is being secreted by the Buddhists to avoid the infant's abduction by the Chinese police, led by the evil Colonel Zhang, in an attempt to further strangle the separatist Tibet from complete Chinese control. Along the way Sam is followed by secret agents, captured, tortured for something he is not even sure he has - the map in his luggage he sees only briefly - only to have it stolen by the police. Sam meets Parker, a beautiful and very intelligent woman with an abusive past, who not only aids Sam in his quest to find the infant Panchen Lama but also provides him with the love he has not known. Through a series of near death experiences Sam finally accepts the fact that he must act on his own and follow his destiny to return the infant to the safety of the Dalai Lama now dwelling in India. Concurrent with Sam's journey is the parallel business venture of his father's firm with China and it is this back and forth progress and regress between Sam's spiritual growth and his father's financial greed that heightens the tension of this well wrought story.

Stroh has researched his book well and on many pages there are eloquently written passages that solidly introduce the complexities of spiritual differences between the East and the West, and an excellent and informative explanation of the plight of Tibet in modern times. The characters are all well defined and enter the reader's psyche as fully developed people about whom we care deeply - or loathe! This is a personal spiritual journey of one man who moves from the comfort of home to the danger and sacrifice of Tibet and beyond. It is a journey with which we can all connect. `...there is no weapon more powerful than courage and hope forged together'. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, September 08

The thrilling novel of one man's quest to save Tibet and himself.
B. G. Stroh
iUniverse
ISBN: 9780595716906
5 stars
Thrilling...
Samuel Falk Simms, Jr. shunned the family tradition of investments to study East Asian Art. When he boarded his flight, he had no notion of the challenges that lay ahead of him. His seat mate was a monk, who shared what appeared to be innocent knowledge with him. Upon landing, he discovered his life was in danger. Sam's life changed the day he met the monk. He began a journey that brought suffering and pain. The Tibetan people's very existence and the life of a baby rested on his shoulders.
The Dharma King left me pondering why we did not boycotting the China Olympics. While this was a work of fiction, there was also a lot of truth woven in. B. G. Stroh style is bold and thrilling. He takes the reader along a path fraught with danger and leaves the reader questioning the world's tolerance to totalitarianism. Fans of fiction, world events, and suspense will enjoy this book.

The measure of courage is doing what's right, even when it's inconvenient. In the case of Stroh's protagonist, doing the right thing is likely to get him killed. The Dharma King comes onto the literary scene at just the right time to capture the intense drama being played out in Tibet, as a nation struggles to survive against almost insurmountable odds.

It's a page turner, complete with all the elements you want in a thriller: complex hero, sacred cause, romantic interest, and of course the entire Chinese Army intent on throwing half a dozen monkey wrenches into the works. Highly recommended.

B. G. Stroh has written a fast paced, entertaining, and thought-provoking novel. It is tightly woven and filled with suspense, adventure, romance, and political intrigue on a world wide scale. It contains one main subject, the encroachment of China into Tibet which has not been addressed by leaders of the free world. The invasion of Tibet means China not only stole her territory but is preventing this peaceful nation from expressing its religious freedom. Based on this last and most important human right, the author creates a fascinating drama filled with unexpected self-exploration and personal discovery as Samuel Falk Simms, Jr takes a trip to Kathmandu and Tibet after graduating from college. On the airplane, he meets a Tibetan monk who explains the Tibetan religion to him and the importance of their two religious leaders, the Dalai Lama and the expected birth of the next Panchen Lama. The monk explained how the fate of all Tibetans is connected to these two religious leaders and how their lives are related to the cycle of birth and death as explained by their religious beliefs. The lives of all Tibetans are connected to the over 500 year unbroken cycle of birth and rebirth of these two religious leaders. The Chinese occupation of Tibet is threatening this religion and the destiny of all Tibetans ...

Through this chance meeting, Sam's own destiny is challenged: he is forced to make many choices and becomes embroiled in the destiny of Tibetan Buddhism in unimagianble ways. Not long after his arrival in Kathmandu, Sam is interrogated by a high-placed Chinese Colonel regarding a secret map he is certain was passed onto Sam by the monk on the airplane. The map is the link to the birthplace of the next Panchen Lama, one of the most important religious leaders in Tibetan Buddhism. Despite being physically beaten, Sam denies knowledge of the map. When he returns to his hotel, Sam discovers the map among his belongings and is awed by the religious symbolism, and intriguing temple and Buddha depicted on it. It is at this point, Sam realizes he was entrusted with the map in order to find and help the next Panchen Lama ...

Sam changes hotels and along the way meets a beautiful woman named Parker, with whom his destiny is also inextricably tied. I love how the author creates suspense and drama when the two manage to evade Colonel Zhang and then later are captured and imprisoned as the Colonel attempts to squeeze more information out of them about the next Panchen Lama. Sam and Parker manage to escape but realize the life of the future Panchen Lama is in great peril, unless they can discover this new born baby's location and somehow save his life. The Colonel discovered and took Sam's map therefore the two of them have only Sam's memory of the great temple and picture of the Buddha to guide them, plus whatever religious symbols Sam can recall. The author does a phenomenal job in tying together the lives of these two individuals with the mysterious birth of the next Panchen Lama. It is a fascinating story which unfolds that explains how the life of this baby is saved and how Tibetan Buddhism continues with its unbroken cycle of birth and rebirth for one of its main religious leaders. I love how the author tied in the subject of global business connections with China and the life-saving story of this important baby. I found this book difficult to put down. It is jam-packed with excitement, action and covers a very important subject which has been virtually ignored by the world. Erika Borsos [pepper flower}

This is an excellent study guide to help the reader understand symbols and imagery in the Bible.

This is a very good reference book. I have a couple of seminary graduates that recommended it to me.

a tremendous work of explaining the imagery found in the bible. The range of subjects are vast in scope. A must have reference resource for serious bible study. Goes a long way towards helping one to understand the various levels and ways that symbolic and picturesque meaning is used and construed in the bible. Deals with individual concepts, broad ranging themes, people, places, books of the bible, events and more. Top notch resource!!!

The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery is an excellent reference for obtaining expanded meanings of the different words and images of the Bible. And even if it's a "dictionary", it is an enjoyable read straight through or even just when you want to hop from one entry to another. And for the price, it's a steal.

Highly recommended!

This book was one of the most unusual presents I have ever received. It was given to me by an individual who had enjoyed my teaching and thought I would find it helpful. It has proven to be an indispensible aid to Bible study and the understanding of deeper underlying themes of the symbolism which are so prevalent in the scriptures if you have the eyes to see them. The reader/researcher will find the material easy to use and well refrenced with historical and theological explanations. Although the Dictionary is written from a Protestant viewpoint, seekers of wisdom from a variety of different experiences will benefit from the insights and cultural revelations which can aid in unfolding deeper meaning through the symbolism, stories and pictures of the Bible.

This is the story of an unpretentious, self effacing, little newspaper man, who once described himself as a "slightly used second hand man;" a man who through dedication, common sense, and a love for his fellow man and "the God-damned infantry," as they liked to call themselves, went on to become the pre-eminent war correspondent of World War II and likely of any other war -- past, present, or future. But, Ernie Pyle was much more than that. As the war wore on, Ernie, through his thoughtful and heart-felt reports from the European war zone became America's "everyman," a little fellow, who could be your next door neighbor, caught up in the events of war. Many of his readers came to see him more as a friend than as a reporter and, as America's situation improved, became more concerned about Ernie than they were about how the war itself was going.

Once known for his somewhat mundane traveling adventures, a column which he wrote for seven years prior to the war for the Scripps-Howard Newspaper chain, Pyle's reports from North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and eventually broader Europe took on a life of their own. His column spread to other papers and to a much broader readership. But this new found fame, and the prospect of fortune, never went to Ernie's head. He said that he was too old, he was in his forties, had been a reporter too long, twenty years, and had seen too much of the war to be impressed with such things. It seemed funny to him that he should be considering a deal worth $150,000 while soldiers were dying all around him on the battlefields of Europe for only $50 a month. Ernie didn't expect to live to see war's end anyway.

There was only one Ernie Pyle and it is unlikely that there will ever be another, for in his writings he caught the essence of the young men who were fighting and dying in war. His readers got to see what they saw, feel what they felt, and know what they hoped and dreamed of. And it was through his reports that the American people caught a glimpse of World War II and what their sons were going through.

This is a remarkably good book about a remarkable man; well researched and well told. In it, you will get meet the real Ernie Pyle and read some of the writings which won him praise and eventually the Pulitzer Prize. Among them are four of his finest: A Forward Airdrome in French North Africa (pg. 71); In the shadow of the low stone wall (pg. 133); Now to the infantry (pg. 262); and A Pure Miracle (pg. 271).

This is a fascinating book, and this from a reader more into fiction than historical biography - but the best fiction writer would be hard pressed to come up with a character like Ernie Pyle.

A page turning look into World War II from someone who could have been your neighbor but was far more than what you would have expected.

I have no idea why a modern rendition of this story has not hit the big screen - it seems a natural, captivating story that would educate as well as entertain.

this must be THE book to read on war - what it's really like in all of its aspects - his description of the beach, after D-Day was gripping and haunting and it has stayed with me many years later -

and how he relates the everyday and ordinary in war -

and how, in any group or organization, it's often a small percentage of the people who are carrying the load - that's just one example of the many insights and truths in this book that relate to all of life, not just life in a war zone -

and it is a great book for anyone to read - a stunning life achievement for ernie pyle -

James Toban has written a stunning book in "Ernie Pyle's War: America's Eyewitness to World War II". Toban has succeeded in giving readers the rare opportunity to see the human frailties concealed within one of America's greatest and most valuable World War II correspondents.

James Toban present a picture of the complex Ernie Pyle; a man that entered the World War II carrying only a broken Remington typewriter and a deep desire to describe the life and hardships of the horrific world of the infantrymen to the American public. The reader will learn of the contradictory Ernie Pyle. The Ernie Pyle who despised war, but who could not stay away from the physical and emotional anguish of battle. The Ernie Pyle who loved his wife, but who continually left her behind to travel to the front lines. Ernie Pyle, the seemingly frail and terrified journalist who demonstrated his bravery by traveling to the front lines to be with and write about "his boys". Ernie Pyle, a genius for writing about the common soldier, but who needed constant reminding that he was the best at what he did. His articles became legendary and the hope and news link for Americans with loved ones in the front lines.

James Toban's "Ernie Pyle's War: America's Eyewitness to World War II " is a must read for World War II readers and all readers who wish to know about the human spirit and about a plain old fashion brave American.

"Ernie Pyle's War" by James Tobin was a thorough read. Tobin described Pyle down to the very last detail, uncovering almost every aspect of his life. After reading this book, the reader had a clear view into Pyle's mind and was able to recognize the feelings he possessed about his professional and private life. The way Tobin intertwined Pyle's messages home with biographical details along with interviews of acquaintances, made this story an easy read. "Ernie Pyle's War" earned five "stars."
Tobin's style of writing was one reason this book was so effective. He used partial quotes from Pyle to title his chapters, which brought an immediate sense of intimacy to the story. Tobin began the book with a chronological introduction to Pyle. This style of writing, although typical for biographies, was well suited for this story and not at all cliché. Readers were able to become acquainted with Pyle as a young man and then mature along with him as he grew into an established adult. By describing Pyle as a young man, readers were able to understand more clearly why he was the way he was as an adult.
Tobin used vivid descriptions to paint a picture of Pyle in the minds of the readers. This was an important aspect because Pyle's physical demeanor was one of the main problems and/or benefits in his life. As a child and young adult, his size hindered his relationships. But, as a war correspondent, the people saw Pyle as more of a hometown boy rather than a studious journalist. This added to his success as a war correspondent.
After transitioning into Pyle's career as a war correspondent, the story line became more tedious. Pyle was in and out of combat and the surface facts of his life were boring. Tobin, understanding the paleness of biographical data, used Pyle's messages home to spice up the story. Like most people, Pyle's life was not what it seemed to be. Besides leading a "glorified" life as a war correspondent, he had major problems at home. Tobin showed the audience this by weaving together Pyle's biographical information with the messages he sent home. This gave the reader a sense of what Pyle was actually feeling. Using these messages instead of his columns allowed reader's to see the "real" Pyle.
Tobin uncovered personal feelings about his professional and personal life, which gave the reader a feeling of empathy toward Pyle. Showing that he did not feel like an outstanding reporter, let readers see Pyle was human. Tobin successfully showed the man behind the pen by opening up Pyle's mind to the audience. He did this by using Pyle's own letters and messages home that contained intimate details of his life. Without the added touch of Pyle's actual writing, the story would have failed to be as successful.

It was a timeless story.I was quite upset cause it wasn't all about horses.

This is a very good book. Although it features horses it is not completely about horses. It is a strange--in a good way--study into human nature, from Uncle's disturbing rage to Will's defiance.>>Summary<

wonderfully written, timeless story

Helpful Votes: 13 out of 13 total.
Review Date: 2001-12-25

I first read this trilogy 18 years ago, shortly after I had seen bits and pieces of the series of the same name on PBS, and I was unable to put it down. Although the books are geared towards young adults, do NOT let that hinder you--adults of any age will find these novels appealing because they are well-written, the characters are fully developed and engaging, and the storyline, with its triumphs and tragedies, is timeless. They are the stories of Christina, a young orphan who is sent to live with her uncle because she is an heiress and he needs her money to continue the lifestyle he is accustomed to living. The story progresses as Christina grows up, learning to both love Flambards, the ancestral home, and yet despise the backward-thinking ways of her uncle and his eldest son, Mark. It tells of the rivalry between Mark (the favorite) and William (the second son) not only for their father's love but for Christina's as well. It illustrates how life was changing in England at the time (just before WWI), and the hope that those changes brought to many who felt restricted by hide-bound Victorian (& Edwardian) rules. I think that readers will be able to relate to Christina, William, Mark, Dick, Sandy, and Dorothy regardless of their age, or where you grew up. I do suggest reading them in their proper sequence, beginning with "Flambards", continuing with "Edge of the Cloud", and finishing with "Flambards in Summer". I have read these novels again and again, and have loaned out my copy of the trilogy so many times. The author has a rare ability to truly take you back to an Edwardian county estate and to draw you into that world through Christina and her cousins. The books are very emotional, and have touched me in ways that other books depicting this era do not. I think that the best word for them is "haunting". It is too bad that they cannot be rated as 10 stars.

My Favorite Book

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2002-11-22

I'll admit it....I'm a Flambards Fanatic. I read this book in the early 80's, after seeing the series on television. I found the book at a local bookstore, loved every word, reread it immediately, ordered so many copies that the bookstore owner started calling me "The Flambards Lady". I was thrilled to be able to get another copy here at Amazon. This book is sometimes considered to be a child's book, but I think adults enjoy it very much. It's a marvelous, unforgettable story of love, loss, and picking up the pieces (or reins) and moving ahead. The series is available on VHS and DVD. I own both but prefer the DVD.

the most emotional book i have ever read

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2001-09-03

This moving story of the struggling relationships between Mark, Christiana, William and dick will touch the hearts of anyone who reads it. I finished reading the whole series a few days ago and i cannot forget the effect that these books had on me, i admit that i did cry at times. The book tells the story of christiana, an orphan, who is sent to live at the crumbling Flambards. It tells of her life and loves in the old manor. An excellently written story and a must read, especially for a country lass like myself!