G Books

When I discover an author I enjoy, it's not unlike making a new friendship - you look forward to your next meeting. I so thoroughly enjoyed A Death at Bennie's that I can't wait for my next visit with GG Robins.

This is very impressive first novel, and it is a page-turner from start to finish. Robins' protagonist, Keith Brett is a likable everyman who happens to find himself at the wrong place at the wrong time and then is forced to flee for his life.

If you get to know this promising new author, you might discover a new literary friend.

A page burner! Great beginning. Great ending. And in the middle is a guy with no combat or survival skills, running for his life. Good guys are after him. Bad guys are after him. Every step takes him deeper into the broiling Mexican desert and every time it looks like he's going to catch a break, another plot-twist you never saw coming gets him in even deeper dodo. I couldn't put it down.

"A Death at Benny''s is a fun ride. My attention was snagged at the Prologue and I couldn''t seem to untangle myself until the end. What a fantastic offering from Robins. It is hard to believe this is his first novel! I look forward to the next and would pay for a ticket to see the movie version of ... Benny''s."

A Death at Benny's is a fast, fun, exciting read. I spend a lot of time on airplanes and this book ate up the miles. It moves like Cussler with the twists and character-depth of Ludlum. If you like action-adventure with narrow escapes, you will not be disappointed. I felt what the characters felt. I'll be in line for this author's next one.

A DEATH AT BENNY'S


Robins' major character, Keith Brett, witnesses a murder in his
favorite bar next to his vacation trailer on the Sea of Cortez. He becomes an unwilling witness trying to hide in a foreign country with few skills and fewer resources; being pursued by corrupt cops, honest ones, the Mexican Mob, and plenty of locals seeking a reward. He ends up part Everyman, part Job, and ultimately part accidental Rambo.

Robins moves him quickly and has you turning pages as fast as Brett finds himself in a new dilemma, which is often. And not once during the 500 pages of chase does Robins strain credulity on what or how or where his hero is or how he reacts. Robins even works in a couple of subplots involving corruption on both sides of the border, and gives you everything from honest Mexican cops to crooked gringos. And every time you think you got the next move figured, Robins hits you with a new plot twist you never saw coming.

Those who travel into Mexico often, particularly Arizona regulars to Rocky Point/Puerto Penasco will never be able to do so again without thinking about this book.

EMIL FRANZI

KVOI Radio, Columnist/Reviewer, Explorer Newspapers, Tucson

There is no question about it: "The Devil, Me and Jerry Lee" is entertaining and fast reading. The author is the younger sister of Jerry Lee Lewis. It is for those of us that already appreciate the Killer. Folks who don't know who "The Killer" is should stop reading this review now. The faithful will be treated to a tale of life on the road and a little on the wild side of Jerry Lee. There are few surprises for those familiar with Lewis' past. His up and down career is covered form the mid -1950s at Sun Records in Memphis until the "present day". It's a bit foggy, perhaps intentionally so, as to what the Killer is doing right now. To quote the trailer in the movie "Great Balls of Fire" `he is probably playing his heart out-somewhere'. DMJL also tells the tale of the author's own strange career both on and off stage. The details of the latter are frank, earthy and mostly believable. (As to the former, it's a mystery: What "career" did Linda Gail have?Billboard credits her with 2 chart hits.) They are delivered in a take me or leave me fashion, just the way her big brother would want. The author has a definite manipulative charm to her, a trait she no doubt shares with her sibling. I am certain her 8 husbands could attest to that! The bottom line is that DMJL is recommended for Lewis fans only. The story won't win any new ones. Any serious country fan should possess at least one Killer CD. Amazon has several available! Jerry Lee is an entertainer one has to listen to, not merely read about. As for his little sister, she wore me down: 5 stars.

I found this book to be a very interesting look at the upbringing and early influences on Jerry Lee's life which was not detailed in earlier books on his life. It was sometimes shocking, but always interesting.

Reading this book is like having a conversation with Linda Gail Lewis over a cup of coffee. If you like knowing the inside scoop, this book is a must read. Sit down to and have a heart-to-heart talk!

Sister to Jerry Lee Lewis, Linda Gail has written a blunt, fascinating warts-and-all showbiz book about her life and that of the rock and country legend. Linda Gail, who hit the Top 10 with her duet with Jerry Lee "DON'T LET ME CROSS OVER", toured with Jerry Lee for 15 years as a background singer , and her love and concern for her brother shines through this fast-paced 166 page book co-written with Les Pendleton. The family grew up in a shack in Ferriday, La. with no insulation, no bathroom and no lack of hardship. A drunk driver killed their 9-year-old brother, their father spent time in prison for bootlegging, and Jerry Lee, when 22, married his 13 year old cousin, Myra. Writes Linda Gail, "Myra looked like she was 20, and she was more than a little bit on the wild side herself. In Ferriday, I could have married a cousin and not even known it. It was no big deal." Despite his career ups and downs, Linda Gail notes, "Momma would remain in new Cadillacs and housekeepers until she died." If there were book ratings, this one would be PG. And, if there were ratings on the most interesting books - on a scale from 1 to 10, this would be an 11. Linda Gail, now happily married and living in Big Sandy, Tenn., has written a compelling, no-holds-barred, true-life story with a very appropriate title. Gerry Wood, Country Weekly - January 12, 1999

What a great story and well written. Coming from a religious family, I enjoyed reading all the interesting circumstances that Linda and her big family went through. I've never read a much more shocking story and laughed so hard!! Double Thumbs Up!!!!!

The appointment with the surgeon about the pending back surgery of my husband let us confused, as the information blended together. By reading Dr. Filler's book, we were able to inform ourselves, and understand the procedure which had been recommended. It was a great help, and obviously written by a professional. Thank you, Dr. Filler!

This is a pretty comprehensive guide for understanding the workings of the human back. The author takes you through an anatomy lesson where you learn about the different sections of the human spine: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacrum. The structure of the individual vertebrae and the differences among the vertebrae in the various sections are described. Then he goes into the actual spinal cord and nerves and how they are affected by problems in the vertebrae. Various back pains are discussed including 'referred pain' which is where you feel pain in one of the body's extremities that is actually caused by nerve trauma in the spinal cord or one of the nerves that branches out from the spinal cord to that extremity. All facets of spinal health are presented in easily understandable terms.

The second half of the book proceeds by discussing the various surgical methods that can be utilized to treat spine related problems. Historical procedures are included along with current medical trends for treating spinal problems so that you can see how back surgery has progressed over time. Even future directions and experimental techniques are discussed to give you a feel for what is up-and-coming in the field of spinal surgery. Risks are discussed as well so that you can make an informed choice to have a particular operation and understand the related consequences.

There are even chapters that discuss types of pain, pain medications and their associated complications, non-surgical methods for treating back pain and their effectiveness and potential consequences, genetic spinal disorders, recovery from spinal surgery, and even cost and health insurance matters. In fact, the health insurance chapter has valuable information describing the differences among the various type of insurance available such as HMO's, PPO's, and PSO's and explains the difference between 'contracted' and 'uncontracted' providers so that you'll know what to ask when seeking surgical help and how to control your costs.

All-in-all the book was worth the price for the information you will gain. However, I found that there was little discussion about 'degenerative' spinal problems in specific though I could imagine some of the techniques described might be useful for these situations such as transpedicular kyphoplasty. I would have liked to see the book spend some dedicated time discussing this particular type of spinal condition with, perhaps, some information about technologies that are on the horizon. Perhaps a few references to internet sites where one could find information on specific disorders would be nice as well.

I am a physician who specializes in interventional spine procedures. I suggest this book to my more educated patients. Very good,well written overview of spine anatomy,physiology,and repair. Another reviewer suggested that there is not enough info in this book on disk replacement technology and kyphoplasty. My response is that understanding everything in this book will put you ahead of 99% of laypeople. This is not meant to be a textbook on cutting edge medical procedures.

I especially enjoyed the section on understanding health insurance. I have found the "Dummies" and "Idiots" books useless in helping patients understand back problems. Five stars.

Facing the prospect of a cervical spine fusion, I wanted all the information I could find. Dr Filler's book is a very easy and enjoyable read. The book has general chapters on spine health, conditions and diseases that may necessitate surgery, and diagnostic and surgical procedures. Dr Filler then dedicates chapters to specific conditions and specific areas of the spine. He concludes with postoperative considerations and the future. I'm no stranger to major surgery. This is the best book of its kind that I have read. I shared the book with family members. It helped me understand my condition and better communicate with my surgeon.

After a few years of worsening spinal stenosis I recently had to have a multiple laminectomy. There have been some post-operational complications or further problems, and I am trying to sort things out. I may have to decide to have further surgery or not.

Dr. Filler's book has been very helpful to me in understanding my situation regarding my spinal problems and my possible options for addressing them. The book presents basic, practical information in a comprehensive, well organized, and detailed manner. The writing is clear and straight forward. Dr. Filler clearly has a lot of knowledge and experience, and he shares it in a way that is very useful for patients.

I've always been fascinated by dreams we have and what they mean. Many of my writing ideas come from the different strange dreams that I have while sleeping. You can imagine my eagerness to read this book.

In "The Dreamer," Molly Parker has lost her father in a car accident exactly a year ago. In her dreams she is visited by a strange little girl who offers her help bringing her father back. Molly is introduced to Father Time, with whom she makes a bargain. If she finds and delivers a new crystal ball to Mother Time, she can have her father back. Molly begins an adventurous quest full of obstacles in search of Mother Time, along with her new and loyal friends.

I enjoyed this story very much. It's an easy read (as it is intended for all ages), and easy to follow.

My favorite of all, I have to say is Father Time, Mother Earth, Death, Chaos--all personified! There were many interesting fantasy characters. I loved the winged horses. I was particularly intrigued by Medusa who also makes an appearance in this story. I've always been fascinated by Medusa and her hair full of snakes (I'm terrified of snakes).

Overall, great story!

World building is one of the most significant aspects of any fantasy novel. For many people, including myself, that is the exact reason they read fantasy novels. Truly, if an author creates a unique world that gives life to the story and makes the reading experience memorable, he has written a first-rate fantasy novel. Matthew G. McMillan has done exactly that.

In his first novel, The Dreamer, McMillan has given us a splendid setting called The Realms of Timeless Wisdom. It is a place separate from our Earth, yet connected enough that with some help we, too, can go there-in our dreams. It is there that we go when we sleep or die. And, maybe more importantly, it is in this Realm that all the creatures of legend exist: dragons, flying horses, and giants to name a few. To make it a little more intriguing, McMillan hints at the possibility of other Realms, too. As one of the characters states, there are many Realms and Worlds.

Enter Molly Parker. She is a young girl from Littletown (on the planet Earth) whose father passed away in a car accident exactly one year before the book begins. Struggling with her loss, Molly has only one wish: that her father was still alive. Molly is then given a chance to see this wish come to fruition by Father Time, himself, provided she succeeds in the mission he has entrusted her to complete. It is this mission that remains central to the novel and sends the heroine off to battle evil in The Realms of Timeless Wisdom.
Though there are many facets of this book that I love, there are two that really stand out for me. One is that the book has some thought-provoking qualities. As a teacher I constantly find that I slip into Teacher Mode while reading and I ask myself, "How could I use this in the classroom?" Though many fantasy novels lack this type of educational quality, I could certainly see The Dreamer being used as a springboard for many discussions. Topics such as time and its uses, the possibility of life on other worlds, and what it's like to lose someone you love are a few that could be brought up while reading this book.

It is the topic of loss that truly puts The Dreamer into a unique group. In a day when most books seem to get their characters and families from shows like The Simpsons (where everything is sarcastic and dysfunctional), McMillan paints an opposite picture. The love between Molly and her mother Klara is tenderly portrayed and nurtured throughout the novel. We get to experience their pain over the loss of Mr. Parker, which in turn gives us a window to see that this was once (and in many ways still is) a very loving family. That, in today's market, is truly rare.

With all this in mind, I heartily recommend The Dreamer to all readers, both young and old. Matthew G. McMillan has written a wonder of a first novel. McMillan's novel has enough strange events in it to make Rod Serling scratch his head and enough fantasy to make Tolkien smile. Yet, like many of the classic young adult books, The Dreamer leaves one with the idea that hope is real, and life can (and will) get better even when it's rough. It's a great read and the thing that makes it even better is knowing that there will be more books to come!

Thomas Bolme, Jr.
an independent professional book reviewer

Matthew G. McMillan has written a superb fantasy story that asks you to suspend your disbelief in the impossible and allow the infinite range of possibilities to sweep you away in a tale of excitement, love, courage, and redemption. I cannot wait for the second and third books to arrive!!

With a writing style that I can only compare to the great Lloyd Alexander (Of "The Prydain Chronicles" fame: ... Matthew G. McMillan takes us into a world where fantasy is real and our heroine has only her wits and her friends to survive. I truly enjoyed this book, and can't wait for the next installment. I guarantee that my daughter will enjoy it as much as I did.

This is one of the best books I have read in a while,
I def. reccomend this book to anyone who likes fantasy. This book is good for all ages. I can't wait till the other 2 books come out.

Didi Conn's book is OK for fans of the movie "Grease". Most interesting is her behind-the-scenes info on everything from famous scenes from the movie(like the "Greased Lightning" musical segment) to the premiere of the film. Some of her interviews with the stars are insightful and some of the photos are OK. But Conn should have perhaps hired a ghost writer as her style is a bit weak. Also, it would be nice if there were more color photos in here as well. True Grease fans will appreciate this book.

If you love the movie Grease this is a book you have to have. It is full of behind the scenes information about the cast,play,and movie. It also is full of candid pictures from cast members. It also tells about the casting and production,and is an overall wonderful book!

This book is all a Grease fan needs except the video.Full of rare B&W and color pictures.Bio's+interviews with the cast.General info and lots more.I recommand that book to not only Grease fans but also Olivia,Didi,Stockard,Jeff and John fans.

There's not a lot of new information in this book, unless it's about what the stars are doing now. There are lots of cool photos, although they're in black & white which is pretty disappointing. There are maybe a page or two towards the end, which are colour photos, but the black & white photos don't seem too clear for some reason.

There's not much reading to do either, and it took much about an hour to read right the way through. Didi Conn (Frenchy) was the perfect person to write a book about Grease. Whether she's babbling on about how drop dead gorgeous John Travolta, or that the actors were only a "little bit older" than the characters they were playing, she does it in such a bubbly way that you smile right the way through.

This is a terrific book, and well worth hunting it out on Ebay, or buying it used from Amazon. Mine was brand new, and managed to entertain me for a morning. But you have to be a serious fan of Grease. There is not a lot of new information, but the pictures are well worth it.

This book is full of rare information that the average Grease fan would love to know! The photos and facts are very interesting and fun to look at and learn. I would recomend this book to anyone that loves Grease, Olivia,Stockard,John,Jeff... It is truely the best asortment of information,and pictures I have ever read and or seen of the movie Grease!

My husband and I recently heard a taped interview with Father Boyle that aired on NPR. We were very interested in learning more about his unique outreach efforts with LA Gang members. This book is excellent.

"G-Dog and the Homeboys" shows how Father Greg Boyle and a select few adults, including the author, completely changed the lives of teens in East LA. Greg opened the homies' and his followers' eyes to the world outside of their lives in their little neighborhood. Many kids would not think past selling drugs to earn a little extra cash, or firing off a couple of rounds of bullets in order to simply stay alive. Boyle changed all of this.
In actuality, the homies were not violent, cruel, or evil kids at heart. Many had rotten home lives and joined gangs to find love. Others joined for protection. Gangs offered support if they were ever in serious danger.
Father Greg understood and felt for these teens. Greg lent them helping hand in any way he could. He gave them money for school, jobs, even a roof over their heads. However, the best gift he gave the homies was his love and caring for them.
As one follows the stories of numerous homies, one realizes how much of an impact one man, Father Greg, had on their lives. This story is touching, at times frightening, and over all, enlightening. It is highly recommended that you read "G-Dog and the Homeboys". Your eyes, too, will be opened to the world around you.

Although I have not read this book, I did watch a lecture by Father Boyle given at Regis University. It is amazing what he has accomplished in LA with these gang members. It is a true testament to what God can do if given the chance!

This book is quite unlike any other that I have read on crime or gangs, both in style and in substance.

The style is very simple. Fremon makes no attempt to be objective. She makes no effort to put the story into any larger context. She does not come across like a professional writer of any kind. Her ego is absent from the work. Instead, she tells a story, a simple, moving story.

The subject of her story is extraordinary. John Paul II liked to say that there are many more saints around us then we recognize. This story is another example of that. Father Greg Boyle is a normal suburban white guy who became a priest, and was sent to East LA. He found himself surrounded by gang violence. Nothing unusual in the story so far.

But his reaction was extraordinary. He responded to the situation in a radically Christian manner. He did not get into any of the usual left wing politics or posturing. Instead, he offered the gang members uncondititional love, just as the Gospel teaches. He spent time with them. He visited them in jail. He visited them in the hospital. Whenever the guns went off, he was there trying to bring peace. In one extraordinary incident, he put himself between two gangs who were starting a fire fight, and told them that if they wanted to kill each other, they would have to kill him. He was risking his life doing this, and the gang members knew it. They did not shoot; his Christian witness brought them back from their madness.

It took time, but the gang members responded to Father Greg's ministry with tremendous enthusiasm and love. It is an incredibly inspiring story. It reminds us of why we are Christians. It shows us the transforming power of Christian love.

I would like to be able to draw some political conclusions from all of this. I would like to somehow replace our current approach to gangs with Father Greg's approach. I do not know how to do that. I can not see how to make his saintly approach work in ordinary political or police work. But I do know that we are all better people with someone like him among us. If we had more like him, the world would be healed.

A wonderful read that can be shared with reluctant readers to bring them face to face with their place in modern literature. A book that should be shared with more teenagers. A look at gang life/ prisons in our urban world through the eyes of someone on a shared journey. I shared this book and another series that Celeste wrote in LA Weekly (2005) with my students as a combination class: experience of life literature and morality. Father Boyle is a master at understanding humanity and our call to larger social responsibility. We are not permitted to dismiss the world around us after reading this book that tugs at the corners of your heart. Greg gives hope where it is needed the most - to everyone. If the opportunity to hear Father Greg Boyle speak presents itself, do yourself a favor and go.

We just lost our Golden Reteiever of 10 years totally unexpected due to cancer. She ran off to die. We were able to find her and bury her in our backyard. "Amy", the Golden in the book is like our Chantal who loved the Gulf beaches. For any Golden owner, this is MUST have book to help with the loss of the best breed of dog I've ever encountered.

I laughed and cried when I read this book. Vanderbilt truly depicts life with a Golden. My son was devastated when we lost our twelve-year old Golden; I sent him this book so he could, like the author, reflect on the joy of having one of these incredible dogs in our life. The author truly touches the sacred moments we share with these beautiful creatures. A must read for Golden owners.

You don't have to own a golden retriever to read and really enjoy this beautiful book. As a dog lover that I am, I read anything which has to do with dogs regardless of breed. This book is similar to "the dogs of our lives", a book which touches your heart and brings tears & laughter as you read it. Thank you Mr. Vanderbilt for sharing your memories with us.

This is a beautiful, honest book about a family's love for their Golden Retriever. While the humans in the story are skillfully drawn, the central character is Amy--a loving and loved Golden Retriever. I cried at the end of the book. The lesson of the book is that a much loved dog can have a dramatic impact on a family's life--even if she isn't a search and rescue or therapy dog.

I will admit right off the bat that the Chatham neighborhood that Amy and her human family inhabit is also my neighborhood. But I am sad to say that I never met Amy who sounded like a wonderful dog. All dogs are wonderful, in my book, and certainly in Arthur Vanderbilt's book "Golden Days." This is one of those tales where, although you know how it ends, you still weep at the end. Months later, certain scenes-- such as Amy's unusual love of bananas-- stick in the memory so that you feel you really knew Amy. "Golden Days" is a book about a golden retriever and it's also about those golden days of summer in a certain special place that Arthur Vanderbilt knows very well. I recommend this book for anyone who has ever cared for a dog. For anyone who has ever loved Cape Cod. In fact, I recommend this book, which is profoundly moving without being sappy, to everyone!

i'm do organic synthesis. i reference this one once a week on average. it's the first stop whenever a protecting group questions comes up.

if you are synthetic chemist you ought to have this book with you

There are other protecting group books out there but I found this one to be the most comprehensive and easy to use.

This book contains methods for the installation and removal of practically every protecting group you can think of, and likely some you've never encountered. Most methods are referenced to articles containing representative procedures, saving valuable time scouring the literature. It is compact, well-organized and reasonably priced. Along with March's Advanced Organic Chemistry, this book is a must have for any organic chemist.

If you doing any sort of organic chemistry in the lab, you will really get your hands into this handy reference on protecting groups. The book neatly organized into functional groups and their protecting groups. A Primer for organic chemists. It will save you zillion hours of researching for papers/references on the appropriate protecting groups used in reactions.

Having had little information on the life of my great, great, great grandfather this book was facinating. I had no idea he had participated critically in so much of the civil war. Not only Warren's genius of analysis of conditions in battle, but his engineering skills were also very notable, indeed his accomplishment in cartography and engineering of the Rock Island bridge some could say eclipsed anything he did during the war between the states. The book is a facinating inside look at relationships between men of high rank and served to show that patriotism was not the sole factor in their decisions and exploits. Great leaders, sadly, usually have great egos and Warren was no exception. I also thought the final analysis of why Warren, though brillant, failed to achieve the greatness he was surely capable of achieving, to be profoundly accurate, in light of previous chapters of each battle. His broad understanding of the big picture came into direct conflict with men of lesser intellect, but higher rank, who had the "tunnel" vision to stay the course and simply overwhelm the enemy with shear numbers. I applaud this work of David Jordan and for taking so much time to research and write about a man the world did it's best to defame and hide in obscurity.

In "Happiness is Not My Companion," David M. Jordan performs his usual solid job in assembling a biography. Jordan is, as always, excellent when it comes to digging in primary sources and he does breathe a good deal of life into the rather obscure G. K. Warren. Best known for his role at Little Round Top, Warren led the 5th Corps of the Army of the Potomac during most of the Overland campaign before his removal at Five Forks. He also held a number of important staff assignments under Joe Hooker and George Meade. Jordan is able to offer an excellent account of Warren's Civil War career as well as his quest for vindication from being removed from command. Jordan also offers an excellent look at Warren's morose and often overly critical personality. There remain some problems in the book. Warren's role as an explorer is covered too quickly. The same can be said of his role as an engineer in the West after the war. Still, Jordan is excellent on Warren and the war. Anyone interested in the Union effort in the east would profit from this book about a leading and very unique general.

Solid bio on General Warren, like George Picket, known for Gettysburg and Five Forks, the latter in his casea great controversy. Warren was the opposite of the Confederacy's impetuous A. P. Hill, Warren was brave but detailed and thorough in his planning. Often thinking of his men's welfare, he frequently clashed with not only Meade but by war's end Grant and Sheridan. The author provides a healthy history of Warren's family and his time at West Point and his gallant service mapping the Black Hills among the Sioux before the war. The reader may be a little impatient to get to the Civil War and the controversy but you get there relatively quickly. Warren serves on McClellan's staff and stays as a staff officer as a topographic engineer through his famed role at Little Round Top. Warren then becomes a corps commander, although he seems ill suited personality wise for the task. His dispatches to Meade naively offer too much advice and seemimg less action than his superiors expect, which he never seems to fully appreciate. Jordan utilizes many primary resources such as reports and letters by Warren, his bombastic artillery Officer, close military friends, commanders and many other witnesses to give you a first hand perception of the man. Warren's was notable in refusing to attack Lee's fortifications at Mine Run, a little written about campaign that establishes Warren as a man considerate of his men yet suffering in the eyes of his his commander. Here the author could have offered more maps as the Mine Run campaign starts questions about Warrens propensity to inform and perhaps lecture. During the overland campaign, Warren alternately hesitates and attacks and the author describes the reasons for each, particularly the Confederate fortifications. Rhea, in his great series of books on the 1864 campaigns, probably describes best Grant and Meade's frustration with Warren but Jordan does well here in this 320 page book. Although aquiting himself well during the Petersburg siege, with some question at the Crater, Warren's 5th corps continues to actively pivot late in 1864 alternately with Hancock's 2nd to the western outside edges of Petersburg. A question worth asking here is why, if Grant and Meade already question Warren's timely ability to attack, did they not keep his corps east of Petersburg in a static position? This is not answered by Jordan but should have been explored. By late March 1865, he is ordered to maneuver around Lee's far right to support Sheridan that culminates in the battles of Dinwiddie Court House (a setback for Sheridan) and then Five Forks. This unusual collaboration between two Generals that mutually dislike each other is immediately antagonized by too many confusing orders from both Sheridan and Meade to Warren compunded by Grants independent control of Sheridan. Jordan points out well that Warren is succesful in his dificult manuevers in the face of the enemy yet Warren fails to report timely to Sheridan. Jordan covers the battle of Five Forks well, ironically Warren's best and most succesful attack, and the controversy of Sheridan sacking Warren after the battle was won. Jordan's reserach also notes Warren's colorful charge across the final breastworks with his troops happens just before his sack notice reaches him as opposed to what some historians describe as happening only after he learned he was sacked. Ed Bearss book "Five Forks" in the VA. series probably describes the battle best with an excellent map but Jordan does a fine job describing the battle. The latter parts of the book follow Warren's post war career and his unusual dedication as an military engineer refusing to leave the army for much needed income as a private engineer as he waits his day in court. Warren comes across as a festidious egineer more suited for that kind of work but his extended military career and his desire for a trial seem to aggravate his sensitive health. The trial, 16 long years later, is well covered as well as the political difficulties as Sherman, Sheridan and Grant act as roadblocks. Jordan paints Warren appropriately as a man of talent but lacking in perception that the war changed and that Grant and Sheridan were trying to bring the war to an end in a hurry, which contributed to the abrupt and disasterous decision by Sheridan ironically after the day at Five Forks was won. At Five Forks Warren was relieved not for his actions that were unknown to Sheridan at the time but for the reputation that preceded and sterotyped him in Sheridan's eyes. One of the last ranking officers who served with McClellan, it is unfortunate that Warren did not leave when Hancock did or at least recognize that Grant and Meade required less opinions but timely reports of action as did Sheridan. A sad end with a final victory, reversed court finding, coming too late as the book's title aptly professes, happiness was not be his his post war companion.

For Civil War readers, Gouverneur Kemble Warren is not an unfamiliar name. He is most associated for his slow response in the Wilderness campaign where he was dismissed without, as we read, justifiable cause. This action was driven more by spite and the ego issues of Phil Sheridan, who failed to understand the issues causing Warren's delay at Five Forks. And then there was U.S. Grant's rigid blind faith in Sheridan that led him to summarily dismiss Warren, also without knowing all the facts. Jordan does a good job of showing the many facets of a general who was not only competent but ethical in his conduct of the war. While admittedly cautious and slow at times, he was still able to win battles and not needlessly compromise his men's lives. As a psychotherapist, it was personally interesting to see the psychology of this complex man, from his highs to his rages and deep depression. He was without question, intelligent and with great courage. He did have issues that could compromise his "generalship" at times but then shine at others. Yet, his leadership of men was done with character and ethical responsibility and discipline. I highly recommend this book as not only a means to understanding an excellent civil war general but also as a way to see how circumstances create decisions, both good and bad. To see how incompetent leaders can manage to survive and highly competent ones fall, all in a flash. The book, from the early days of Warren, through his Civil War battles, court of inquiry trial and, ultimately, his lonely and sad death, is well written, easy to read and, like a complex movie, shows us pieces of the war and its many unseen still frames that are so easily missed. The reader will come away with a greater understanding of G.K. Warren as well as the civil war. David L Mazzola

Before I review this one, let me admit that I've never been into book length biographies, even when they concern Civil War era figures, so this is a bit of a new experience. Keep this is mind when reading these early attempts at reviewing biographies. I picked up this bio of Gouverneur Kemble Warren for two reasons. First, Indiana University Press was having an unbelievable sale, and I managed to find this one as a brand new hardback for only $6. Second, I'd been looking to get into the biography arena by looking at men who commanded at division level or higher during the siege of Petersburg.

"Happiness Is Not My Companion" takes a look at the checkered career of Gouverneur Kemble Warren, a man who was stripped of his command at the moment of his greatest triumph at Five Forks. Author David Jordan covers Warren's life in some detail, though I thought that a closer and more definitive work can probably be penned at some point in the future. With that said, I enjoyed this biography, especially the section dealing with the Petersburg Campaign. Jordan keeps the reader interested while moving the story along. The author argues that Warren was wronged by Sheridan at Five Forks, but he does candidly admit many of Warren's flaws, though I suspect he may not have gone far enough in revealing these.


Gouverneur Warren was an extremely intelligent man, but his main faults, according to author David Jordan, were his difficulty in following orders given to him while at the same time giving frequent unwanted "suggestions" to his superior officers. Jordan downplays somewhat Warren's nature to frequently act with great condescension, which is to me his greatest flaw. Warren was born on January 8, 1830 in upstate New York in the little town of Cold Spring, just a short distance from West Point. That Warren ended up at the Military Academy is hardly surprising given his birthplace and his prominent family. He graduated second in his class, and was awarded a spot in the coveted Corps of Engineers. In this role, Warren spent the better part of the 1850's on expeditions to the west, where he encountered friendly and hostile Native Americans, including the Sioux, and participated in his first military actions. Warren had accepted a position to teach mathematics at West Point by the time war broke out, but he soon became Lt. Colonel and then Colonel of the famous 5th New York, Duryea's Zouaves. He led the men of this regiment as a brigade commander in the Seven Days and at Second Bull Run, and was afterward promoted to Chief Topographical Engineer and then Chief Engineer of the Army of the Potomac. It was in this position at Gettysburg that Warren perhaps gave his greatest contribution to his country. Warren, while out scouting on the Union far left, noticed the importance of the Round Tops and the fact that Confederate infantry were approaching. He immediately found the nearest Union troops, the brigade of Colonel Strong Vincent, and sent them scurrying for the crest of Little Round Top. They barely beat the Confederates to the crest and managed to secure this vital area for the Union. Warren was promoted to Major General after the battle, and he was temporarily placed in command of the II Corps while Winfield Hancock recovered from his severe Gettysburg wound. In the Mine Run Campaign of November 1863, Warren called off an attack that he deemed suicidal on his own responsibility. Meade was at first furious that Warren had disobeyed, but he agreed with Warren's decision after taking a look at the Confederate entrenchments. This first instance of Warren questioning his orders as a corps commander was only the beginning. Meade and Grant would grow exasperated with Warren on more than one occasion during the Overland and Petersburg Campaigns. It was during this time frame, while commander of the V Corps of the Army of the Potomac, that Warren had his greatest problems as a commander. Meade and Grant were on the verge of relieving him several times for his continued questioning of orders, or in some cases, his outright disobedience of these orders. Jordan quotes the diary of Charles Wainwright, the V Corps Artillery Chief, quite often during this time period. Apparently Wainwright did not much like Warren and was constantly critical of his commander. All of this was leading up to Warren's greatest triumph...and his greatest disappointment. Warren was placed under Phil Sheridan during the attack on Five Forks. Grant, apparently having grown tired of Warren's tendency to question his orders, gave Sheridan the right to sack the v Corps commander at any point and replace him with any of the V Corps division commanders. Although Warren moved his men up in a satisfactory manner, and although the V Corps was able to flank and drive off the Confederates guarding Five Forks, Sheridan relieved Warren and sent him back to Grant. Jordan discusses Warren's unceasing efforts after the war in his quest to see a court of inquiry convened. It wasn't until the early 1880's that Warren was able to make this possible. He had known that while Grant or member of his circle were in power that his request would never be granted, so he had waited until Rutherford B. Hayes was President to press home his request. In my mind, Jordan demonstrates pretty conclusively that Warren was not at fault in any way at Five Forks, though Warren's peers who oversaw the court were rather ambivalent in their findings, perhaps to appease Sheridan, who now commanded the entire United States Army. Warren died before the findings of the court were made public. He deserved better, from Sheridan on April 1, 1865, to Grant in the intervening years concerning the granting of a court of inquiry, to the men who finally made judgments on his behavior.

As I stated in the introduction, this is a good but not great book. Jordan goes into considerable detail, but I couldn't help feeling that even more could have been done. He also seems to go a little easy on Warren in some cases, especially when it concerns Warren's difficulty in dealing with subordinates and superiors who he felt were not as intelligent as he was. One trait I dislike more than most in my fellow human beings is condescension. Warren was filled to overflowing with condescension for quite a few people, and I would have liked to see the author get into this in more detail. Other than that, I thought he tried to be impartial, as a good biographer always should. The maps that accompanied the text were solid, and really a bit of an unexpected bonus as far as a biography goes. Anyone interested in biographies of Civil War generals will not be disappointed in this one. Those interested in G. K. Warren or in the later campaigns of the Army of the Potomac will also want to give this one a look.

I was looking for this book as I had given my copy away. Luckily, Amazon had it! It is a place that I can 'travel' that offers kindness and hope. Hearts on Fire fulfills me with the strength to stay fully present to others.

If you have an interest or backgorund in the spirtuality of St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, you will find this book to be a rich treasure. From Ignatius himself, to Jesuits still serving today, you will discover wise and challenging prayers and poems, each pertaining to specific movements of the Spiritual Exercises. Additonally, appropriate scriptures are suggested for praying the Exercises. If you know nothing about Ignatius or the Jesuits, you will also find this a rich source of meaningful prayer and reflection. I regularly give these booklets as gifts to people seeking good resources for prayer. A special book in deed!

It opens your heart and your mind. It is at once intriging and delightful. Not a book to be read from cover to cover. But one to pick up and read and contemplate.

This was just as I had hoped it would be. I am very pleased with it.

It is seldom that I actually like a book of prayers, rarer still that I enthuse, and only once or twice ever would I actually rave about such a work to my friends. I don't normally think prayer books help; they are after all someone else's prayer and I see prayer as an intensely personal thing that cannot be attained 'second hand'.

Thats probably why, even before joining the Jesuits, I came to appreciate Ignatian Spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola. For the Exercises [often called SpEx in shorthand by Ignatian retreat directors) are not prayers you say specifically but guidelines on how to do the prayer yourself. Even here, in Harter's book, this is clearly the purpose...

In effect, Harter brings us meditations on the four Weeks of the SpEx that clearly serve to aid us in our prayer. We read these meditations - from Ignatius, Xavier, Rahner, Teilhard,Hopkins et al - not for themselves [though the glorious quality of their language makes it aesthetically worthwhile even without praying]but for how they might ignite in our hearts (to use the title's metaphor) our own spiritual encounter with God.

Of course it is not the same as making the full Spiritual Exercises (30 days) or the SpEx in Daily Life (8 months to a year, with 1hour of prayer per day) or even doing an 8-day Ignatian retreat. Though it is certainly a book one could take on such retreats (as, in fact, I did recently). The beauty of this little book is that it can be used by pretty much anyone, anywhere. One hopes, as I am sure Fr Harter hopes, that it will also draw more people to encounter God through the Spiritual Exercises.