Gilbert Books

Leskov's works were until recently difficult to find in the US. His writing is simply incredable. His greatest work is generally considered to be the Enchanted Pilgrim which demonstrates the immense cultural diversity of Russia even in the 19th century and the strong connections to religion in everyday life. Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk is another great story of woman's fatalist drive for wealth and love that anyone who studies any literature should read. At times his stories read almost like science fiction, but instead of other worlds, he writes about other cultures so alien to our own that they may as well be from other worlds. His stories are very enjoyable to read and I often difficult to put down. It is absolutely impossible to predict what will happen next in his stories and I was never disappointed at the end of any story.

Thinking of the Russian literature produced in the XIX Century, Nikolai Leskov is one of the least known writers -- however he produced great works, like this "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk". Starting with the Shakespearean allusion, the author created his own version of one of the most famous female characters from the theater.

This lady Macbeth is Katerina Lvovna, married to a man twice her age, unhappy and idle. Until the day she meets her servant Sergei Filipych, a lady's man who seduces her and leads the woman to do the most unthinkable things for love and money.

Idleness has produce great marital betrayals in literature -- "Anna Karieninna", "Madame Bovary", "Cousin Basilio" -- and the same happens here. What defers Leskov's literature from most dealing with the theme is that he doesn't judge or psychologizes his characters. Actually, he was a journalist and this gave him the background of being a very matter-of-fact writer. His story focus on action rather than on thoughts, and he is able to make everything believable and never shallow.

Katerina is a fascinating character, although we don't learn much about what is going in her mind. What we see is she being led by her desires albeit we can't understand much of it. She seems to be tired of her shallow existence and her boring husband, but these are just suppositions -- yet, very strong ones.

Hesperus edition brings two very informative introductions. The first written by Gilbert Adair gives the background of the novel, and a little about Leskov. The second one is written by Robert Chandler, who translated the book. The text gives information about the process of translating this specific novel and has some spoilers, therefore it is recommended to read it only after finishing the story.

Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk is the masterpiece of the now mostly forgotten Nikolai Leskov. This novella is a powerful story of obsession and violence, which shocked readers in it's day, and still has the power to shock today. Shostakovich chose the story for an opera because of it's dynamic storyline. The young and beautiful Katerina Lvovna has married a merchant twice her age, in order to rescue herself from poverty. Bored and stifled in the marriage she becomes enmeshed in a steamy affair with Sergei,a steward of her husband. Obsessed with the feckless steward, Katerina will stop at nothing to keep him. Her obsession leads to murder, and prison in Siberia where once again her obsession with Sergei leads to a desperate act. Frank in it's depiction of unbridled sexuality and violence, the novella is as fresh today as when it was written. This short book is definitely worth the time of any serious reader of literary fiction.

I must say I was amazed... I didn't like the "Enchanted Pilgrim" much, but "Lady MacBeth" made me cry in the end (for the first time in my life)...
I've read quite a number of ëussian classics (I have to- it's part of the school programme in Russia) including books like "War & Peace", "Crime and Punishment" and "The Master and Margharita", and although I'm still quite young (fifteen) I think that this one of THE greatest works of the XIX century.
It's astounding how in the space of about 60 pages Leskov has managed to capture practically every feeling a human being can experience during his/her lifetime...
In short, read this, because believe me it IS worth it.

a marriage of the visions of frida kahlo, the tales of carlos fuentes (think AURA), the humanity of gabriel garcia marquez, gilbert hernandez's opus THE BLOOD OF PALOMAR redefines the novel for an american late 20th century that found literature in flux: think pynchon, or vonnegut, or, even, warhol or coppola. his is a tale of art, murder, love, loss, and desire that few others could tell.

A remarkable book that ranks with Maus and Binky Brown as the best graphic fiction I have read. Tonantzin's search for answers and meaning, and her ultimate fate, are truly poignant. A masterpiece.

Although the premise (a serial killer is stalking the Central American town of Palomar) initially stuck me as a bit over the top, the execution more than makes up for it. The murders become almost secondary to the human drama of the residents of the town, as families are pulled apart, reunited, and the entire town struggles with an invasion of demonic monkeys. All this, and Luba too! A fantastic book, that I find stays with you long after you've actually put it down.

Gilbert Hernandez outdid himself with every new installment of "Heartbreak Soup". As he took his characters through each realistic and dramatic experience, they grew more lifelike, and the reader gained something close to friendship with then. Every one of his stories of Palomar affected me in a way; this one probably had the greatest impact.

The book begins with a few typical, cute Palomar stories (one of the most brilliant things Gilbert did was to jump the characters ahead 10 years, and look back once in a while; he created instant nostalgia), then launches into its centrepiece, the 100+ page "Human Diastrophism". This is a brilliant story that juggles three or four subplots at a time with ease. Luba's journey through family-abusing depression, regression into lust, and her final success at reclaiming her dignity is poignant and unforgettable. Marciela and Riri's romance unfolds slowly and is eventually revealed as the foundation of the whole story. Tonzantzin's pathetic, cathartic, and tragic story is the biggest suprise her; she had been pigeonholed as the town slut, and a 2-D figure, but by the end you can't help but feel sympathy for her. And there's a murder mystery, too; sometimes I wonder why I bother to write comics when Gilbert has already perfected them.

Please, please don't be an intellectual snob and disregard this as a "funnybook". Pick up the book; Blood of Palomar and the other 14 Love and Rockets paperbacks deserve a place at the table of the great works of the century.

This was definitely one of the best "reads" I have found lately. "Magi" is a timeless story brought to life by Dan Gilbert in a way that I could have never imagined. I will never look at a star-filled sky the same way again. Thank you, Dr. Gilbert, for making such a world changing event come to life for me.

Dr. Dan Gilbert's ability to make this book come to life is incrediable. Once I started reading it was very difficult to put down. When you start getting toward the end you get a bit depressed because you just don't want the story to end. Along with the book there is the added bonus of his well designed web site, www.danielgilbert.org, which allows the reader to follow the characters movements along with the book. I look forward to seeing more work by Dr. Gilbert in the near future. I highly recommend this book for yourself or it makes the perfect gift.

If you are tired of the "Christmas card" version of the magi, read this incredible account of an ancient story. Feel the energy that Dr. Gilbert puts into his research on astronomy and the first century Parthians. The way he sets the stage for each chapter with a quote from ancient historians -- some quite obscure -- creates interest that is fully satisfied with rich detail. I recommend the Magi to men and women and especially to those history and astronomy enthusiasts.

A richly woven story, steeped in research of historians such as Pliny, Josephus, Macrobius, Strabo, and more. This is no piece of Christmas fluff - no stale leftover of the tin-foil-crowned, bath robed Magi stumbling in at the end of the church play. It is inspiring as well as entertaining. Dr. Gilbert respects the intelligence of his readers and presents an authentic portrait of the first Gentiles to worship the Christ Child. He also lays to rest some of the myths and legends surrounding the famed gift-bearers. The perfect gift for all readers, but especially history/astrology buffs - much classier than the worn out cheese assortment or tie-of-month. No gift wrap needed - the cover itself is an ornament. Highly recommended!

Some of the real life business cases in this book puts emphasis on the different behavior in every organization. How an organization react to the unstable economic condition of the country, How an organization maintains the M's of Management namely: Man, Machine, Money. How's the TQM of every organization, How sensitive an organization to the needs in the market, How they accept upcoming competitors and investors.Lastly,a must to read book Because everything you want to know about today's business environment is here!

I've read this book way back 1997, in one of my MBA subjects. This book comprises of real life business issues and what really is happening in the external and internal environment of an organization. Management does not only mean the people but also, time management how we budget and allocate our time to different areas of responsibility.

I've read this book way back 1997, in one of my MBA subjects. This book comprises of real life business issues and what really is happening in the external and internal environment of an organization. Management does not only mean the people but also, time management how we budget and allocate our time to different areas of responsibility.

This book has something to do with today's business world, some of the featured real life business cases puts emphasis on how the M's of Management namely Money, Man, Machine, Materials interacts and how we utilize them to function efficiently and effectively.

This book is an excellent introduction and advanced resource for all those that wish to be a marketing research professional (or to those that just want to understand it). The authors present in-depth explanations of the field's theory populated with day-to-day examples.

I have read it attentively more than once and it was a very useful resource for two courses in my masters: 'Research methods in markets and in organizations' and 'Data Analysis in Marketing'. In both courses, the Professors were really weak, and I learned most of the topics thanks to the book. Some of the themes treated in the book are:

Part 1: Marketing Research, the Research Process, and Problem definition. Part 2: Determine Research Design. Part 3: Design Data-Collection Method and Forms. Part 4: Sample Design and Data Collection. Part 5: Analysis and Interpretation of Data. Part 6: The Research Report.

The book fits academic as well as industry readers and the content justifies the price.

An excellent work both theory and analysis. Provides an insight about the math requirments for the Marketing Researcher. In certain areas it gives the basic ideas - pp 752,753 - Fig.13.1 Histogram and Frequency Polygon of Incomes of Families in Car Ownership study. The Preface states- this edition, is designed to avoid such extremes by providing the student with a thorough treatment of the important concepts, both simple and complex - This aspect is proved in every section of the book. Really it will help the student to develop their creativie and analytical marketing skills. A very good work.

This is the new edition of the book we used in the marketing research course at the Michigan Business School. It was great then and is even better now that they have tightened it up and slimmed it down a bit. It reads clearly, is focused, and doesn't pull any punches about the benefits, tradeoffs, and limitations of the various problems and methods involved in this subject.

Rather than focusing on decision support systems or marketing information systems, this book is focused on a project based approach. The authors help you recognize a problem, how to formulate it clearly, present it to decision makers for approval, designing the research to be done, data design and collection methods, they offer sample designs which is very helpful. They then do a fabulous job on data analysis and conclude by showing you how to present a proper research report.

There are several helpful appendices providing statistical values for those calculator based problems, but, really, who doesn't use a spreadsheet or SPSS or some similar package anymore?

There is also a glossary, a subject index, and an author index.

This is a standard text on the subject, and it is terrific.

This is a huge work of marketing research, both in terms of volume and importance. Although intended as a grounding in the foundations of market research, the book takes you further than that. As a result I was using it as a text at post-graduate level.

The book sets out to explain how to: Formulate your problem. Determine your research design. Design your collection method and forms. Design your sample and collect the data. Analyse and interpret the data. Prepare your research report.

It is then subdivided into sub sections. I was particularly impressed with the section on ethics, which was so clearly laid out that I used it as a guide when writing a pure ethics paper.

The book is amply supplied with examples and case studies to illustrate the text and make it useful in a more practical sense.

All in all a clear, accessible, well laid out and well indexed textbook.

Monolithos is a moving and enigmatic series of poems. Divided into two parts, the first largely written in the 60s, and the second, far larger part, written in the intervening years; the two sets of poems contrast each other. The second part appears to be a long mediation on the failed aspects of the poet's life, including his marriage. There is an ever narrowing quality to the themes, as the expectancies of the narrative voice grow less secure as time passes. The scenes change from place to place: Denmark, Northern California, Japan, Greece, as if the voice of the poet has been set lose upon the world, to scavenge its themes here, there, everywhere. The collection ends at a beginning of sorts, with the poem "Threshing The Fire," where the poet is back in the Pittsburg of his youth walking "the mean streets of Pittsburg/ knowing their leafy summer. Let him make sure the dreams are loose before the fire gets it all/ And I am hammered into the sun."

I had the privilege of taking a class with Jack Gilbert in Spring of '04, and I can honestly say that this book is a better representation of his professed views than the newest book, _Refusing Heaven_. He talks about poetry like someone who is continuously falling in love with it for the first time, and this book conveys that more than any of his other ones. There is something more charming and interesting about the fresh look this book represents that makes it more accessible than later works. For fans of his later poems, this book provides a wonderful insight into Jack's beginnings, and it allows you to complete the arch of his journey as a poet. Not that many of us have access to his first book, _Views of Jeopardy_, but this book takes that work to the next level, cutting out the amateurish wordplay poems in _Views_ and leaving the real meat behind. Jack knew what he was doing with this book: it is passionate, concise, insightful, and gorgeous. If you can manage to get your hands on a copy of this book, HOLD ON TIGHT!

This is one of the most beautiful books of modern poetry out there. I am so sad that it's out of print. The poems, which span a period of time in which Jack Gilbert got a divorce and moved to Greece, are extreemly emotional and expertly crafted.

Jack Gilbert was living in Greece, writing poems, and corresponding with Gordon Lish for almost twenty years. Lish had previously published a "Celebration of Jack Gilbert" in his magazine Genesis West in 1962 shortly after Gilbert's famous Yale Younger Poets book Views of Jeopardy hit the stands. Gilbert had worked as poetry editor for Genesis West until Lish had to let him go because he wasn't being nice to the other poets submitting poems for publication. Gilbert soon escaped to Greece. During their correspondences, and without Gilbert's permission, Lish began publishing a few of his poems here and there, and before you know it, Lish had a new book to publish with Knopf in 1982 called Monolithos. Lish borrowed from Views of Jeopardy to reintroduce Gilbert to the public and construct the opening segment of the book, and then followed with the brilliance of the Greek island poems called Monolithos. This book, in my opinion, makes for the very best poems America has to offer. Although Wallace Stevens and Emily Dickinson have given us many great poems to enjoy, Gilbert beat many of them with his very best from Views of Jeopardy, which are found in this book. Poems like "The Abnormal Is Not Courage", "Perspective He Would Mutter Going To Bed", and "Don Giovanni On His Way To Hell II" will live forever, or at least, as long as there is humanity.

G.K. Chesteron's book titled THE NEW JERUSALEM is the only "angry" book this reviewer has ever read of Chesterton's vast literary work. This book is not for the timid or the dull. Those who are serious Catholics, religious Jews, or devout Muslims will learn from this book. Those who religious views are fashionable and politically correct will be shocked by honest language and thoughtful insight.

Chesteton reminds readers that Palestine and Judea (modern Israel)was at one time under Ancient Roman control and during the late 11th. and 12th. centuries under European control. The complex history of the Middle East includes peoples of different cultures, languages, and political views. The fact is that Europeans as well as Western Asians. The Middle East was "the cradle" of early Catholocism, the flowering of Judaism, and the original area of Islam.

Those who are aware of the Byzantine rule know that the Byzantines used the Greek language. Yet, they ruled using Roman Law, and the Greek Orthodox Church was very similiar to the Catholic Church. As an aside, the Greek Orthodox ligurgy and sacramental system are similiar to those of Catholicism. This reviewer is very aware that there are differences which have caused bitterness and schism.

Chesterton chides the British for not knowing little or nothing of the Middle East, and the same could be said of American "experts" whose knowledge of the history and georgraphy of this area is either nil or fabricated nonsense. Chesterton contrasts the vague, undignified language of modern policy "experts" with the clear yet poetic bluntness of the Old Hebrew Prophets whose denounciations was quite understandable by those whom they condemned.

Contrary to modern fads and notions, Jerusalem was and is a place of vivid religious and cultural differences which has exploded at times in violence and bitter clashes. As Chesterton makes clear, modern fashionable Protestantism would never have survived in Jerusalem. Islam, Judaism and Catholcism did.

Chesterton saw the post World War I situation with prophetic vision. He argued that while there was no war, there was no actual peace, and the Middle East was an armned camp. This was a problem for the British who were under the illusion that their inherent superiority and arrogant ignorance would protect them from the realities that Chesterton clearly understood.

Chesterton reserves his most serious writing for Zionism. He presents those of the Jewish faith that they were Europeans or Zionists. Chesterton DOES NOT condemn Judaism. He was critical of what some may consider Jewish Nationalism as compared to Judaism as a religion. By avoiding these issues British, and later American, policy makers tried to exert their influence with little knowledge much to their chagrin. Chesterton argued that Europeans regardless of their religion benefitted from Catholic Canon Law, a gradual respect for legal rights, and the rediscovery of reason via Aristotle and Catholic Scholasticism. The Zionists were forced to ask themselves whether or not they were Westerners. This is still a current debate. Chesterton commented that he had more respect for Jewish radicals who championed the rights of the poor than he had for the wealthy plutocrats, Jewish or not.

G.K. Chesterton knew that after World War I, the Middle East was a political powder keg. One weakness of this book is that Chesterton could have critisized the Balfour Declaration (1917) which was so poorly written and vague that both Arabs and Jewish Zionists could use it to justify their political aspirations. An Ancient Hebrew Prophet would have been much clearer and succinct.

G.K. Chesterton defends his views from a Catholic point of view. THE NEW JERUSALEM is a well written and blunt assessment of the Middle East that thoughtful men (there are so few of such men) will have a better understanding of the historical drama (a tragic historical drama)that is evolving. What is more tragic is that sensible men were avoided or ignored when something could have been done during and just after World War I. But men in power were and are seldom sensible.

The New Jerusalem reprints G. K. Chesterton's classic travelogue in which he sought to better understand the Middle East in the years following World War I. Nearly three decades before the creation of the State of Israel, Chesterton observed the Christians, Jews, and Muslims of Palestine; his unvarnished conclusions are presented at face value, without any allowances for political correctness or other modern contrivances. In addition to his blunt assessments and judgments are also a wonder of firsthand description and depiction of ordinary people surviving day-to-day life, and evidence of seekers searching the holy land for revelation, and extended philosophical speculation concerning the ancient histories destinies of races and faiths of people. Though limited by Chesterton's individual perspective and opinions, The New Jerusalem is an invaluable addition to collective understanding concerning Palestine and how it was viewed by individuals and religious organizations nearly a century ago.

G.K. Chesterton displays his level of wit and insights into Palestine. His candid views are presented here in a style that is fresh and interesting to modern readers. I highly recommend "The New Jerusalem".

When G. K . Chesterton published The New Jerusalem he was called an anti Semite. He denied it but after reading the book it's pretty clear that Jews were not his favorite people. He refers to the poor newly arrived immigrant Jews as tacky to the point of hideousness and showered contempt on the sophisticated fully assimilated upper class London Jews. He even goes as far as to opine that had a great disaster had befallen England during Benjamin Disraeli's years as prime minister, Disraeli (because he was Jewish) probably would've sailed off to America or somewhere else without a thought for England. That's harsh.

Chesterton also had sour things to say about Orthodox Christians. His comments on the religious Jews of Jerusalem are a little kinder or at least less mean but his only real admiration seems to have been for the Muslims of what was then called Palestine. He seems to have viewed them like we view wild lions today. You can't help but be awed by the beasts but you also know that if that they're dangerous.

Finally, this cold, gloomy book makes a startling prediction that has, alas, come horribly true. Chesterton bluntly stated that the area known as Palestine was hopelessly divided if a Jewish state was ever established there the local Arabs would fight it.

Please don't come to this book looking for the cuddly fellow who wrote the Father Brown stories because he is not here.

Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev (1818-1883) is one of the finest novelists who ever graced God's great and green earth.

He is unjustly UNDERRATED.

I've never read a novel with a Bulgarian hero before, so this was a first. If you haven't read any Turgenev, you should. You should, that is, if you like idealistic romances between young people who lack all the cynicism and worldliness of our times or even Balzac's France. Turgenev's heroes and heroines shine in the dark, they're so good. But the brilliantly-drawn, humorous characters surrounding the pure main protagoniste are created with such skill that 144 years after this novel first saw daylight, Turgenev could still get a few laughs out of me.

Idealistic, but drifting, Elena is being courted by both an overserious student (known in our times as a `geek') and a budding sculptor who devotes himself mainly to wine, women, and if not song, at least to unorganized messing around. The geek doesn't "get it". The sculptor easily sees through everyone, but is less talented in holding onto anything substantial that comes his way. Elena's parents are weak, her relatives entirely unprepossessing. Her father tries to marry her off to a rather sharp bureaucrat with polished manners. Enter our Bulgarian champion, who only wants to liberate his homeland from the Turks. Elena falls for him and the rest, while not history, is quite predictable. No, this love story is not unique, nor is it extremely complicated.

ON THE EVE is a great novel because of Turgenev's style---that seemingly artless, light, flowing prose. Turgenev is one of the eternal masters, no doubt. The world will probably never see his like again. A Turgenev novel resembles a Mozart piano concerto. It looks so easy, sounds so simple, but it is total genius. I recently re-read this novel and found it just as good the second time. What a shame that only two others have reviewed it !

Though its' a very old book still worth reading. It was interesting to read gradual building-up of character - Insarov. The end of Insarov was a melancholy. I think Turgenev had tried to shape his own views in the form of Insarov.How Insarov becomes so soft in front of Elena is also beautiful. This book depicts the frustrations, struggle,revolution,parents' dilemma and love all together in the form of this great story of Insarov & Elena. You can't stop your tears while reading the helplessness of Elena on gradual ending of Insarov. Really a legendary work ! Worth reading many times !

On the Eve deals with the friendships and love affairs between a twenty-year old provincial Russian woman named Elena and a number of men in her social circle: the young artist Shubin; the intellectual Berzeniev; and, ultimately, Berzeniev's friend, the Bulgarian revolutionary Insarov. Though Berzeniev is in love with Elena, he introduces her to Insarov (who Berzeniev describes as the only interesting man he's met at the university), and Insarov and Elena rather quickly fall in love and secretly marry. Elena's parents, particularly her father, don't care much for the impoverished foreigner that their daughter loves, especially since they've recently found her a nice Russian man for a fiance. Worse still, the start of the Crimean War ("on the eve" of which the novel is set) will force Elena to leave her parents and join Insarov in Bulgaria if she is to stay with him.

In addition to being an interesting love story in its own right, On the Eve develops a couple of themes often seen elsewhere in Turgenev's work (and also that of some other Russian authors around the same time). In the conflict between Elena and her parents, we see shades of the generational conflict that Turgenev would develop very well two years later in Fathers and Sons. The fact that the only man who can thoroughly win Elena's heart is a Bulgarian (as well as comment by Berzeniev about Insarov mentioned above) reflects the aimlessness and superfluity that so often shows up among Russian men in the literature of this time period (e.g., Turgenev's Rudin). While Shubin has his art and Berzeniev his historical studies, Insarov is driven by a cause (the freedom of the Bulgarian people) that is deeper than anything that Russian men were pursuing at the time and accordingly makes him a more intriguing character.

The novel did read, for me at least, a little slowly at first, and I found that some of the characters (Shubin in particular) weren't much more than cliched archetypes when they could have been fleshed out a little better. However, On the Eve is definitely one of Turgenev's better works and was all in all a worthwhile read.

This book provides fabulous insight on WWII and the spirit of America that helped win the war for the Allies. So many times, my parents said, "Why, back in my day we didn't get meat at every dinner. But we didn't complain: we LIKED it!" If you want to know more about America's patriotic spirit and how it "gets the job done", you'll love this book. The Andrews Sisters were a class act and Maxine and the other USO "soldiers in greasepaint" did their best to encourage and cheer our fighting forces on home soil and abroad. This book has a lot of history and tells about emotions of the folks during that time in a very poignant way. If you ever wondered why certain songs with wacky titles were popular ("Six Jerks In A Jeep"), you'll come away with greater understanding.

Great book about the Andrews Sisters, their work during the WWII years with the USO, and many of the other stars that participated in these shows to entertain the troops.

This book provides fabulous insight on WWII and the spirit of America that helped win the war for the Allies. So many times, my parents said, "Why, back in my day we didn't get meat at every dinner. But we didn't complain: we LIKED it!" If you want to know more about America's patriotic spirit and how it "gets the job done", you'll love this book. The Andrews Sisters were a class act and Maxine and the other USO "soldiers in greasepaint" did their best to encourage and cheer our fighting forces on home soil and abroad. This book has a lot of history and tells about emotions of the folks during that time in a very poignant way. If you ever wondered why certain songs with wacky titles were popular ("Six Jerks In A Jeep"), you'll come away with greater understanding.

I am a professional director in the American theatre, and for the last 20 years of her life, it was my joy to direct and collaborate with Maxene Andrews on many shows, radio interviews, personal appearances, and stage appearances! She was a great lady with a heart of gold, and such pride in America!

She always spoke highly of her sisters and family, and was never boastful about the major contribution "The Andrews Sisters" made to America, and especially the WW II effort to bolster the spirits of our fighting men and women.

Maxene is sorely missed by her friends and fans, but the book she wrote with Bill, "Over Here-Over There," is a treat to read and love! She was excited when "telling the memories!" The book especially reflects wit and faith in times of great trouble for our country. The music and the stories behind the shows for the USO are inspiring!

I am happy to have known Maxene and to have been a part of her life as her director and friend! No single singing group in our history has equally the perfection and spirt of these three Greek daughters of an immigrant to America!

Maxene Andrews is a spirit that continues to brighten our torch of freedom through the music that she and her sisters sang. The stories told in this book reflect the scenes behind the scenes of keeping America smiling!


CASH BAXTER
Producer/Director
Palm Desert, CA

This is a wonderful book. I read Gilbert Morris' series 'Cheney Duvuall M.D.' and decided to give this one a try and I'm glad I did. Gilbert Morris has wonderful way of spinning plots so that sometimes you never know what's going to happen. This is only the first book in the series I suggest the rest of the books in the series as well.

Josh Spencer leaves Williamsburg after the birth of his son Jacob and the death of his wife Faith to find himself in the Appalachian Mountains. For the short time he is there alone, tragedy strikes and a Cherokee chief, Sequatchie, finds him and brings him some hope.

After Elizabeth and Patrick MacNeal were married they stayed with Elizabeth's parents, William and Anne Martin, in Boston. They had two children, Andrew who will be thirteen and Sarah who will be ten. Patrick MacNeal's dream was to own a house and have his own land for his family, his dream hasn't been able to come true yet. Then a conspiracy is put into action to take over Martin Shipping Company, which results in a broken engagement for William Martin Jr. After the conspiracy Elizabeth and Patrick decide to follow Patrick's dream by going over the Appalachian Mountains and get their own land.

They sail to Virginia and join a wagon train heading west. The leaders of the wagon train end up being Josh Spencer now called Hawk and Sequatchie. Hawk's long time friend Paul Anderson heads over the mountains with him to preach to the Cherokee. The journey is packed with broken wagon wheels, horrible storms, flooded creeks, and last but not least a renegade Indian attack. The Indian attack has some casualties, which result in broken families.

The Frontier brought them together but will God keep them apart?

This book, Over the Misty Mountains, is an excellent book. It is a book that one would love to just sit back and read from cover to cover. An exciting book well-written by a brand new author(Aaron Mccarver). I can't wait for the sequel!

This was an excellent book. You can't wait to find out what happens to all the characters. Hawk spends a good share of his life hating God because his wife died. Its sad to see someone go through life like that. The story shows how he overcomes that along with how the other characters face their problems. This book teaches valuable life lessons. Well written, great story.

I am certainly not anyone to give a book review. I am only a reader, not a writer. But the style of these two writers is exactly what I have been looking for. I have read the first two books in the series of 'Spirit of Appalachia' and I'm looking forward to the third.

The story was so captivating to me, I couldn't stand to put it down! I am sure the writers had as much fun writing these as I had reading them!

The descriptions of places and characters puts a vivid picture in one's mind, so the reader feels as though he is actually standing in the place that is being described and with the character being described. Each character has a unique personality, so the reader can decide what kind of person he is reading about immediately.

Upon completion of the first book, I began reading the second one almost immediatly. I am anxious to find out what Hawk's son is going to do now! God bless you! Keep up the good work!