Gregory Books

This book contained things that I think all parents should know about dealing with kids and thier baggage. I have refered back to this when dealing with situations with my special needs child, if only to know that I am not alone in my struggles.

This book was very helpful. It helped me even though I haven't ever adopted. It helped me understand hurting kids more. I will buy this book! I would like to adopt older kids when I'm married. Besides I have known several foster/adopted kids. It helped me understand them.

My wife and I adopted a 5 and 7 yr old from Russia in Sept 2004. They have been diagnosed as mildly RAD, but RAD nonetheless. RAD is Reactive Attachment Disorder for those of you just beginning a path to adoption of older children. I can say from first-hand experience of the past six months that what Keck has written is true, verified and helpful in many ways. I would highly recommend this as a read while you are CONSIDERING adopting older children, domestic or otherwise. It is best to be prepared and accepting of the conditions that you will likely face before you suddenly realize what's going on with your child(ren). Between Keck and Nancy Thomas (When Love is Not Enough), your preparation for dealing with the behaviors that will sooner or later emerge will be rewarded in your ability to maintain some sanity in your home. You are also welcome to view our online story at http://www.hakpenguin.com/adoption_news.cfm

I read this book twice I liked it so much. I found many books minimized the struggle of raising adopted children and focussed too much on only the positive. Although I have not raised any adopted children myself I do plan on it after I finish university. After reading many books I knew it couldn't be as flowery as they put it. Although I am sure no book could truly prepare anyone for the realities of raising childeren it can help you understand where things are comming from. If nothing else I have a greater respect for the adoptive family because of this book!!!

Two years ago, we assumed guardianship of my husband's troubled 12-year old niece. She was my husband's sister's child and came from a "House of Horrors." Every conceivable problem existed. Drug abuse, domestic violence, sick pornography, sibling incest, severe parental neglect, sarcasm, ridicule, brutality and denial. She came from the inner city, to our sheltered, happy home in the suburbs. It was akin to someone moving to a foreign country. Fortunately, I read "Adopting the Hurt Child." The book was a lifesaver. I do not exaggerate. Social workers and incompetent therapists seemed to blame us for her problems, (and we hadn't had her for even a year). The authors said this is common. Adoptive parents take the heat for the original family's neglect. The authors nailed every single issue, or problem, with razor sharp accuracy. Our niece is an actress with attachment issues. She wears masks. She plots, she cannot "be." She was never taught real love or how to be with people. Her presence in our household really shook us to the core. She acted coquettish and manipulative with my husband; snide to me (the mom). I do not see the book as negative, but as candid. Love isn't always enough. Movies may have happy endings, but real life is altogether different. Sometimes, these children do not get better. At least, empowered with the advice of this book, you can seek better therapy treatments, know what kind of therapist to hire, and sniff out the bad ones immediately. Now, two years later, we found an attachment therapist. This terrific therapist cannot be manipulated. She is both tough and compassionate. We made more progress with her -- in three sessions, than our niece did with a sex abuse counselor in a year. Our niece still has many problems, and time will tell. We are hanging in there. And I still reference this book. It's just superb. God bless both the authors.

The characters in this book are four famous girls. There names are Galleria, Dorinda, Channel, and Aqua. Dorinda is there best dancer that teaches them the moves that they will need for there next chance to be on stage. Aqua is there best singer because she has such a great voice. Channel and Galleria are the ones who work together to write the songs and make the cover on there disk. Aqua, Dorinda, Galleria, and Channel meet Jackel Johnson and get this big chance to live there world wide dream. But Galleria says no and decides to turn her back away from this big chance. Latter her and Dorinda, and Aqua, and Channel meet down town because Galleria's dog gets stuck and shows up on live tv. You wanna now if they become friends again well you'll half to find out yourself by reading this magnificent book. This was typed by: Jenny

Hello.
I'm a Cheetah Girls fan. This book is special. Because it tells different stories from each girl.

Wishing On A Star: You mostly get to know Galleria in this book. So yeah, this is mostly about Galleria with The Cheetah's, Chanel, and the weird guy, Derek with this sidekick, Macarol. Spelling this right??? But anyway, this book is funny and fun!

Shop In The Name Of Love: Chanel uses her mothers credit card and she visits her stepmothers salon. Her mother gets angry. But later lends Chanel the credit card for one thing. Chanel buys more like 20 different things. Then, she gets in big trouble and has to work at Toto in New York....Fun in Diva Sizes. [ Galleria's mothers shop.]This book is hip and hot!

Who's Bout To Bounce: This one's magical. It's amazing how Dorinda has so many brothers and sisters. She really loves them. Miss Bosco [ Her Foster Mom.] Has an adoption party. But, the twist is, for " reasons" she can't adopt her. It's a good book.

Hey, Ho Hollywood!: This is a great book. Angie and Aqua's dad's girlfriend Aballa Shalla whatever. But they [ Cheetah Girls] perform at the Apollo theater and they lose. But this book is sweet.


This is one sassy book! Buy this lovely book!

It's Awesome!

Thank you for taking your time to read my review!

"Welcome to the Glitterdome." Galleria Garibaldi is a diva in training along with Chanel, Dorinda, Anginette or Angie for short and her twin Aquanette or Aqua. All of these girls dreams are to get a record deal, go to Hollywood and become famous. Galleria and Chanel have been friends ever science they were little. Galleria met Dorinda in a chat room and found out that they go to the same school.She met Angie and Aqua at a meeting but soon found out that they go to different schools. Dorinda loves to dance and sing but one day her dance teacher told her to try out for a dance compotion. Dorinda did not think that she would make it but she did. What would you do in her situation? Would you choose to just not to do the dance compotion or to leave the Cheetah Girls? The girls relationship is very strog because they help eachother out all of the time. This book is apart of a series. The plot of the story is these five girls are having a really hard time on finding a record deal so they can go to Hollywood. Will the girls be albe to find a record deal? Find out by reading this fantastic book.

"Welcome to the Glitterdome." Galleria Garibaldi is a diva in training along with Chanel, Dorinda, Anginette or Angie for short and her twin Aquanette or Aqua. All of these girls dreams are to get a record deal, go to Hollywood and become famous. Galleria and Chanel have been friends ever science they were little. Galleria met Dorinda in a chat room and found out that they go to the same school.She met Angie and Aqua at a meeting but soon found out that they go to different schools. Dorinda loves to dance and sing but one day her dance teacher told her to try out for a dance compotion. Dorinda did not think that she would make it but she did. What would you do in her situation? Would you choose to just not to do the dance compotion or to leave the Cheetah Girls? The girls relationship is very strog because they help eachother out all of the time. This book is apart of a series. The plot of the story is these five girls are having a really hard time on finding a record deal so they can go to Hollywood. Will the girls be albe to find a record deal? Find out by reading this fantastic book.

This is a great book! I first saw the movie and it was GREAT! So then I decided to read the books.It only took me about 5 days to read this book,because I got into it. It is worth every penny and you won't be dissapointed!

This book is helpful to us ozzies (those without bipolar) and lets you know that what you are experiencing is not unusual. that others are going through exactly what you are also.

This is your ticket to the start of a healed you! Ozzie_Tinman is the best pilot you can have in your journey to recover from the emotional scars caused by being affected by a borderline. Although the writing is hardly academic or professional, you will be given the best advice on how to start your journey to Kansas. Yes, the only way to save yourself is to LEAVE THE BORDERLINE FOR GOOD. Tips to remember:
1.Ozzie_Tinman is a great pilot but YOU have to make all the arrangements for this flight and that includes getting the ticket, the passport and making sure you get a good seat and buckle up (these metaphors will make sense as you read the book).
2. Don't get obsessed with reading about BPD- you don't need to become an expert - you need to heal yourself! I recommend "Boomerang Love" but that's about all you need.
3. LEAVE, LEAVE , LEAVE - Don't assume the borderline will get better- according to the book for a borderline to cure itself it takes at least 4 years to happen and much therapy.
4. Regain your self-esteem as that is what is preventing you from moving on!
5. Kansas is a wonderful place that you have been before (you met the borderline) - you can get back there, difference is that you will be stronger, more beautiful, and much smarter than when you were before the borderline drained your soul!
6. Think positive and don't dwell on then 10% of good times you had with the BPD- those were FAKE attempts made by the BPD to win you over so that the remanding 90% of time you suffered you will long for the good times to come back.

This book is really written for folks with family and friends who are either diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or are exhibiting similar symptoms. I have both family and friends who have various psychological disorders including Borderline, Depression, Bipolar, Anxiety, Autism, etc. Information useful to many types of psychological disorders is included in this book. It hits head on a variety of symptoms and how to deal with them. While the focus is on BPD it has lots of how-to information for related or similar disorders.

This is a great book. It's partly about the journey of the author "Ozzie" as he recounts dealing with his borderline wife. It's heartbreaking and encouraging at the same time. Ozzie has had quite a tough time but he's handled it with a grace that I hope I can achieve.

One Way Ticket To Kansas is also about educating us on symptoms, possible responses to behavior, access to support, etc. If you think you have someone near you with BPD you really should read this book. This is this kind of book I'll buy and give away to people needing the help. It's just that good.

Best of the book: Chapter 7 "Ozzie Stinkin' Thinkin'" where Ozzie helps us understand how our own thinking becomes warped. Even better he helps us understand how to modify our thinking to become healthier for us, and at the same time possibly healthier for our loved one with BPD.

Buy it now for immediate insight and support.

I hope you enjoy One Way Ticket To Kansas.

In my opinion this is hands down the best book out there for dealing with someone with borderline personality disorder. Yes, there is SWOE and other books that are out there, but One Way Ticket To Kansas is the only book that I have come across that is writen from the perspective of a spouse. It is also the only book out there that explains in detail the eratic and seriouly disturbed behaviors the person with BPD directs at the person they are most intimately close to, the spouse. The information in One Way Ticket To Kansas is easy to read, entertaining, and the author has a knack for explaining the complexities of bpd in easy to understand terms. While the book is sensitive to the person with bpd, it also does not pull any punches either and gives an honest look at the effects to caring about someone with bpd. This book will make many light bulbs go off in your head, and help you realize that you have had the power all along to find happiness. It's empowering to the reader and focusses specifically on the reader, not the person with bpd. Once you start reading this book you will not want to put it down. Then you will read it again as you will emotionally connect with the author about so many aspect of your life. This is a must have book.

This book is a must have for all people who have a borderline person in their life. This book is an easy read and captures the true feelings a person without borderline personality disorder is experiencing. It has helped validate me as a person and has allowed me to move on. I highly recommend this book !!

This book is an eye opener. There will be a before and after in my life regarding having read this book. I was just not aware of the peril that Islam represents to our Christian-Western civilization. The author does a great job explaining why Islam is not a peaceful religion, in fact, Islam is as much a political system as it is a religion. Politically, Islam is bent on world domination as much as Fascism and Communism once did. If you are not already planning to become a Muslim, ignore this book at your own risk.

Gregory Davis has written a book that will hopefully dispel the most common misperception of Islam as a religion of peace. In no way does Davis proclaim all Muslims are violent or fundamental but he does detail the struggle between one set of values and another and how Islam is believed by Muslims to be the only acceptable religion. The reader will learn that there is no freedom of religion in Islam and how Muslims have a duty to Allah to replace all other religions with Islam through whatever means necessary.

While some of the more moderate Muslims will sit back and condemn us infidels for being "intolerant" to their beliefs (just read some of these book reviews!)they are also looking the other way at violence committed in the name of Allah. Muslims that believe fundamentally actively seek the subjugation or destruction of all other religions. It is something that the Western World must come to grips with to combat it.

This is an excellent book for anyone just starting to question what they've been told to believe about Islam and just how much it contradicts with what they see. The book is a fast read and will hopefully leave the reader wanting more information.

This is quite simply an excellent book. It is clear, concise, and includes the sources from which the information is derived. I have read many books on the subject of Islam and its political impact on the world today. This book tackles this complex subject with amazing clarity. The book does not read as a polemic or an anti-Islam screed. It simply analyzes the religion as a philosophy and a political movement from the sources which are most revered by Muslims themselves.
If you are trying to understand the ramifications of this religion and its implications for both believers and non-believers this is an important work. The work may be frightening to Westerners, but that is because of the religion itself and not because of some bias of the author.

It is anathema in America to vocally criticize another's religion. But the critique of Islam is not restricted to merely religious doctrine.

It would be a joy to see an Islamic scholar attempt to debunk even one of Dr. Davis's numerous cogent arguments and conclusions. It simply isn't happening nor will it. Note one reviewer of ROP (a Muslim) attempts to invoke the "no compulsion in religion" Sura; conveniently excluding any mention that this Sura has long been abrogated by Islamic jurisprudence and Qur'anic expositors. Dr. Davis (a Stanford PhD) has, as have a number of contemporary scholars, exposed completely the fallacy of Muslim contentions that there is no "religious compulsion" in Islam. The distinctly Islamic ideological concepts of "abrogation" and "takiyya" will startle the reader who is making an intellectually rigorous and honest attempt to learn about the dysfunctional aspects of the Qur'an and Haddith. Why does Islamic law (sharia) punish with death a Muslim who sees the light and discards his/her Islamic faith?

130 pages of scholarly rigor will compel those in free societies to be further educated about a clear and present danger. This is patently not hyperbole.

Muslims can no longer be permitted to hide behind the veil of their religion; it is not merely a religion but a primitive totalitarian ideology. Therefore, the Qur'an and Muhammad (sunna/Haddith) are absolutely fair game and subject to critical examination and scrutiny requiring more substantive responses from Muslims than the typical proclamations of "anti-Muslim propaganda," and "religious prejudice."

Anyone who understands the value of classical liberal thinking MUST, at some point, address the inherent problems of Islamic ideology. Dr. Davis will have the most skeptical reader motivated to learn more.

It is astounding that we permit public education in America to teach Islam is a religion of peace. A Muslim may be peaceful but stop the intellectually fallacious notion the Islam is a religion of peace.

The evidence demands a verdict, and Dr. Davis has delivered. An astoundingly timely read. High School and college students can begin an intellectually honest and academically rigorous study of Islamic ideology with this book. I submit that for legions of readers, Dr. Davis will ignite an epiphany.

A true eye-opener. Many people are aware that, for Islam, the only acceptable form of government is a theocracy. That is, one in which religion dictates the laws. What few people realize, is that Islam has not abandoned its expansionist philosophy of the seventh century. It has simply lacked the means to further that expansion, until recently.

Yes, one can find verses in the Our'an which speak of peace with the other "peoples of the book", that to say, Jews and Christians. However, these verses date from the beginning of Islam, when it was struggling to
exist. Once Islam became well established in Arabia, the verses of the Qur'an instruct Muslims to make war on the unbelievers, and to spread the religion by force.

As the Qur'an is the word of God, it can never be changed. However, verses can be abrogated (made void), by later verses, although all of the
verses, both void and current, remain in the text of the Qur'an. Today's Islamist terrorists are but practicing the mandates of the seventh century
Islam, in accordanc with the dictates of the Qur'an. Their goal is to conquer the entire planet for Islam. The extablishment of an Islamic hegemony.

This is an excellent book/series. I could not put this book down. It is 'action packed',from a spiritual and physical perspective. (A large percent of this book seems to be fact rather than fiction).

Having had the opportunity to read Brother G's works was a joy in itself. It is about time someone has given readers the opportunity to read and enjoy the "truth". As opposed to fantastical tales like "300" which redirect the attention from who really did what. "Shades.." is as accurate a fictitious tale as there could be. It was more than my pleasure to read the first two volumes of "Shades..." and I plan to read the rest ASAP!!
VERY POWERFUL, AND A GREAT PIECE OF WORK. I RECOMMEND ALL READ THIS MATERIAL!
"D"

Finally someone has created a great mythology featuring people of color. It's about damn time. Brother G has done for people of the African Diaspora what Hollywood had done for white people for the past 100 hundred years. He has created an African hero the brothas can be proud of based on true world history and ancient mythology. Brother G gets the original Hip Hop Hooray. I own the whole series and recommend it to every black man and boy in the world. Hotep. Two words describe Brother G: Griot/Jeli Extraordinaire. This is what a Griot/Jeli is:

The Griot/Jeli in Mande society was as a historian, adviser, arbitrator, praise singer (patronage), and storyteller. Essentially, these musicians were walking history books, preserving their ancient stories and traditions through song. They were said to have deep connections to spiritual, social, or political powers as music is associated as such. Speech is also said to have power as it can recreate history and relationships.

This book is definitely an interesting read and the adventures of Memnon are memorable, but what does this author (or Afrocentrics) have against Jews? According to the glossary at the beginning of the book, Jews were exiled heretics who were banished from Kamit and who, in their anger for having been exiled, "concocted a false history based on Kamitic history... including hateful stories about the nation that had banished them." (p. 19) How can this book be classified as mythology when the author's agendy is to "educate" readers about historical misrepresentations? I think there are sore spots on the part of Afrocentrics towards Jews because the Jews translated the Bible from the Greek and some Afrocentrists have claimed that the Jews mistranslated or something. I could be wrong. That HUGE issue aside, there are too many typos in this book. Grammatically, it is well written; however, there is evidence of punctuation and spacing errors. The publisher needs to print another edition of this work.

Considering I am not a big fan of science/fiction, I have since become one after reading this book. It was full of action, sadness, triumph, and most of all imagination. It was if when I opened the pages I transformed to the person in the tale following Memnon around through all of his trials and tribulations. Excellent book I must say. I read it quite a while ago, and now I think it's about time to refresh my memory.

This book took me from the infancy of a genius to his last days at his piano and in the arms of his immortal beloved. So convincing is it , that if you had any doubt that Antonie Brentano was Beethoven's secret lover, this book will remove all doubt-- entirely convincing. It is a fast moving narrative, not a study, but it is sound. Even where we know the author is improvising, he is convincing. I find it believable that Antonie heard the premier of the Ninth Symphony-- not a shred of evidence, but it is the right conclusion to the premise of the book and its logical momentum. This book stays in the library to be picked up again and again.

This novel explores B's enigmatic relationship with religion and women. B. needed to be rescued, Mr. Gregory says, from the notion of a wrathful god who laid on him the command to be a musician but robbed him of the instrument by which a musician lives-- his hearing. And B. needed to be rescued from his distorted images of sexuality-- female sexuality and his own--for a childhood trauma robbed him of normal development. The author, a psychotherapist and a theologian, gives much intelligent thought to these subjects, and his thoughts are rewarding. In the 6th syumphony, Gregory says, B. heard the thundering of the angry god (in the thunderstorm movement) and the stomping of peasant feet in flight (B's own feet, figuratively speaking). B's erotic impulses were thwarted by the thundering god. Appropriate, therefore, and consistent with this insight, Gregory describes the 7th symphony as B's "pagan" symphony, in which the stomping feet of the 6th can romp and play in festive innocence, and feel no guilt and fear no god. Thankfully, the mood of the 7th prevailed when he met Antponie. But the reader need not fear that this book is a dissertation; it is not; it is a love story, and a very moving story it is.

This fiction has the weight and authority of truth. Antonie was certainly his lover,and the reason why the two star-crossed lovers never made it permanent is convincingly stated by the author, who clearly is devoted to the composer and his lady-love. The narrative description of Beethoven dropping his britches and making love to this lovely woman is breathtaking-- not to be missed. And the author's insight into the music is stunning. Reading the book made me want to go back and listen to the "complete works" as if that could be done in an evening or two.

Leonora's descent into the dungeon to dig her husband's grave made my hairs stand up, so to speak. The furious dialogue between Pizarro and Florestan, interupted by Leonora's pistol, made for goosebumps. Then the captain on the rampart aims his spyglass down the road that leads from Seville; "A four horse carriage speeds toward the prison gate bearing outriders who wear helmets and bear arms... the captain lifts the trumpet to his lips." (from page 106) Reading this scene from FIDELIO was more imaginative than seeing the opera performed. Then Beethoven dashes from the theater because he has spotted his whore in the audience, in the arms of a handsome member of the Guarde Imperiale, with his bearskin headress and red plume...

When I saw the cover of this book, I was struck by the tilted candle by the music stand. Why didn't someone (the girl in the photo) straighten it? When I got to the last chapter of the book I caught on: the tilted candle is a symbol of Beethoven's fear of domesticity and his clumsiness: Antonie (represented by the cover girl) was tempted to straighten it, but didn't-- she was not supposed to domesticate him. The ending is poignant and memorable. As as whole the narrative moves forward with meaning and momentum-- nothing lumpy as in so many historical fictions. The author takes us on stage when Fidelio is first performed: the dungeon scene almost made my hairs stand on end. This book is quite a read!

Morris is the early master of "modern" heroic fantasy.
At the same time, Morris was a socialist and there are many political overtones to his last prose romances. These subthemes are subtle but elevate him above most others in genre. Tolkien and his one-dimensional, and somewhat puerile characters are a far cry from Morris, his literary grandfather.

Check out his other prose romances if you can find them esp. "The Water of the Wondrous Isles"

I read this book when I was 15, in 1975. I still have the 1st paperback edition from Ballantine Books. It was a bit of a daunting read when I was a teenager. After reading this book I was hooked. I have never looked back, and have been reading this type of literature ever since. I remember spending hours in the forbidden alcove in the back of the local bookstore perusing all of Ballantine's Adult Fantasy series: E.R.Eddison, Lord Dunsany, James Branch Cabell, Tolkien, H.P.Lovecraft. My mother cut off my allowance because I spent too much money on these types of books. So I got a job. As a teenage artist I spent many days and nights depicting scenes from this gorgeous work of imaginative fiction. I even started writing my own fantasy. This is a work of the highest order and tradition. This is not for everyone being as how this book was penned in the 19th Century. But for those who are patient readers looking for romantic fantasy, I highly recommend this book and other books by authors I have mentioned in this article. BE WARNED: This is not your usual swords and sorcery fare. THIS IS LITERATURE. I'm ordering a copy as soon as possible because I'm still reading my dog-eared 1st Edition. I can't believe these marvels are being reprinted again! Thank The Gods someone is reviving this seemingly dying genre. THERE IS STILL A LIGHT IN THE WORLD!

I first ran into this book by accident in 1975 - it still remains one of my absolute favorites and I encourage anyone interested even remotely in fantasy or heroic romanticism to read it.

However, some caveats should be observed. The ORIGINAL story was published by Kelmscott Press which used "gothic" fonts and unconventional design. Ballentine used this as the source for the 1970 edition and a lot of textual errors crept in - not all of which have been corrected in this new version. (For example "A garth of pound" should read "A garth OR pound.")

But this does not excuse the omission of several paragraphs which are dropped from the bottom of page 308. It looks almost as though a whole page is missing.

I still highly recommend this book regardless. But if a better edition makes its way into the market I would buy that one instead.

I, like many others, came to read this through the influence of C. S. Lewis. Lewis said, and rightly so, that no book could match the titles which William Morris gave to his books, but that he came closer than anyone else could have. This and The Wood Beyond the World are both spectacular, and I look forward to reading his other literature when I get the chance.

This particular book weaves the story of Ralph of Upmeads, the youngest son of the king of a small nation, who runs away from home to seek adventure. He hears of the fabled Well at the World's End, and decides to seek this Well. On the way he encounters numerous smaller adventures, built into what became the first truly epic fantasy book. Morris was the first to ever create a new world as his setting. Sure, there had been fictional books written before his, but he was the first to leave behind conventional countries and lands as his setting and create new lands and new countries in which to place his story. Tolkien, Lewis, etc. all simply went farther down the path that Morris had begun to blaze before them.

As far as the actual writing goes, I find it superb (for the most part). Many dislike his archaic English, but I very much enjoy it. I actually prefer to read books written like that, as I find that it adds greatly to the general feel of the story. The archaic English makes it really feel old, as if it really did take place ages ago. Morris does not use it quite so skillfully as someone like Howard Pyle, but it is very good, and does not fall flat like it tends to do when many less skilled modern authors try to use it. The only part of his writing style that I disliked is his odd manor of switching back and forth between past and present language. For example, he will be going along writing things like "Ralph looked around and knew not where he was" and then suddenly go a few pages writing things like "Ralph looks around and knows not where he is" for no reason at all. It simply makes no sense to me, and I found it rather annoying. This happened in only a few places, so it is not a major issue or anything. For the most part, Morris' writing is superb.

In all, I highly recommend reading this, as it is one of the most important fictional books ever written. Make sure you get Volume 1 and 2, as it was originally one volume but simply had to be split up when they re-printed it so as not to be so bulky. It is long, but well worth the time. If you like it, I recommend checking out The Wood Beyond the World, as well as Howard Pyle's material.

Overall grade: A+

As C.S. Lewis claimed, a story cannot match the wonder and expectation that comes from a title "The Well at the World's End." Indeed, my expectations of a spiritual grail-type quest, the joy of finding another George MacDonald, got in my way of enjoying a fascinating recreation of the medieval romance, an experiment in archaic English, and a materialistic examination of the relativity of culture structure.

Like reading the "Faerie Queene," the characters are shadowy forms whose presence goes beyond simple characterization. Do not look for deep psychosis. Ralph, the hero of this romance, is just that, a hero. Like Ivanhoe or Galahad, Ralph is a luck child and is less interesting than his supporting cast. For example, "the Lady", his first romantic encounter, is a mysterious character, existing beyond good and evil, almost half goddess, a combination of Faerie Queene and Le Belle Dame Sans Merci. Unfortunately, she does not inhabit the whole quest, and her replacement, Ursula, who is confused with "the Lady," is lifeless mirror image her.

The difference between the Well quest and a Grail quest is that the Well quest is attainable. While the Grail lies outside of reach, a spiritual mystery to be claimed at the end of life, more spirit than body, the Well is a material mystery connected to life not death, body as well as somewhat spirit. Being a material possession "The Well at the World's End" is less concerned with spiritual transformation as it is cultural transformation. Therefore, the climax is not the drinking of the well, but the in the life that follows. The relativity of the divergent cultures that Ralph eludes aligning himself with, becomes more black and white after the well. Morris's Marxist optimism shows himself as Ralph retraces his steps and like a revolutionary transform what was a cultural mixed bag into wholly good.

I think my disappointment was a mater of preference and personal expectation. Perhaps my desire for a climax at the end of life reveals my lack of living.

Quick note: this is only part 1. Part 2 is in orange.

Professor Urwin has contributed a priceless addition to the collection of great American historical letters. Perhaps one of the best compilations of Wake Island information that at no time reads like the encyclopedia it resembles.
This is a huge and potentially intimidating book that is worth every bit of its seemingly steep price tag. Invest in your brain, you get what you pay for and then some!

REVIEW EVERY BOOK YOU READ, AUTHORS DESERVE YOUR OPINIONS!

Most people only know about wake Island from the William Bendix movie made in 1942 when very few facts of the battle were known. What was know was that in 1941, as most American outposts in the far east fell in hours, this small Island with a garrison of some 450 marines and a few airmen held out for weeks and became a symbol of hope for Americans in a world of otherwise bleak news. The papers called this unlovely rock "The Alamo of the Pacific" in rememberance of that other famous last stand.
What Dr Urwin goes into is the detail beyond these facts, having interviewed survivors from both sides of the battle and poured over navy records he takes Marines who were little more than faceless icons, and made them human, with fears and hopes and lives all their own, and in so doing makes their stand more iconic. He gives them lives and personalities with annecdotes and humor as remembered by their friends in later years that shows them as a uniquiely American force.
Is it a big book? yup. Is it easy to read? Oh Yeah! The early chapters are about the finding, losing and refinding the atoll known as "Wake," then going into how it was developed in an attempts for commercial air travel in the 1930's. These chapters were so easy to read I found myself wondering if there were books on this, A topic I'd previously had no knowledge of or desire in. The writing is that good.
"What better way for man to die, then facing fearful odds, for the ashes of his fathers and the Temples of his gods." yup, sums it up well.

Author Gregory Urwin spent years researching the epic defense of Wake Island using uncovered documents, personal interviews of civilian and military survivors, diaries, library archives and just plan hard leg work. The author to this day still honors those that served at Wake by staying in touch with the survivors at their yearly reunions and was instrumental in making the documentary on The History Channel become a reality. 'Facing Fearful Odds' brings the battle to life again through the eyes of those that were there and gives a balanced view on the Devereux-Cunningham contravercy which showed beyond doubt the shabby treatment given to the Navy Commander. The book is a must read to anyone who wants to learn about dedication, friendship, survival and love of country.

I am a student in one of Dr. Uwrin's classes and he assigned this book for us to read. Usually I get annoyed when this happens because it is usually a way for teachers to throw their ideas further onto students and make them pay (literally) for it. Urwin's is one of only two professor written books that I have enjoyed reading for class. Dr. Urwin's writing is extremely clear and easy to follow, and he grips the reader. The language is not the pompous scholarly language one usually finds in books like this. You don't have to be a student of WWII to read this, anyone could pick it up and read it without problems. And to answer someone's musing that if Dr. Urwin's lecturing is as good as his writing, it is and then some! READ THIS BOOK!

The title, Facing Fearful Odds, is taken from Macaulay's "Horatius at the Bridge" (a poem I lovingly remember reading as a schoolboy), and it's evocative of the dramatic siege of Wake Island in the immediate aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Gregory Urwin is a fine writer who vividly portrays the drama of a handful of Marines and civilian construction workers who repelled daily assaults by the Japanese navy and air force for 16 harrowing days before finally capitulating to overwhelming force. In stunning detail, the author depicts the frantic preparatory events leading up to the siege, the fierce resistance, and the bitter aftermath. It is sad that these heroic events are little known by today's generation.

What is compelling about Mr. Urwin's account of the Wake Island story is his depiction of ordinary men thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Although the Marines were volunteers, many of them joined the Corps to escape the Depression, and many of them never expected to find themselves in such a perilous position. Nonetheless, like Horatius at the Bridge, these men did more than their duty.

Facing Fearful Odds describes how the United States failed to marshal its considerable resources during the year and three months that Europe had been at war; we were dreadfully unprepared militarily, economically and psychologically for the sudden impact of the terrible defeats Japan dealt us. If we view the events of late 1941 in the context of the smug condescension most Americans felt toward Japan, and the fact that we woefully underestimated Japanese military prowess, we can begin to understand how shattering Pearl Harbor was. Americans were angry as hell and damned scared.

Then, a few gritty Marines and civilian construction workers - every one of them a regular "Joe Everyman" with whom any American could identify - held off the mighty Japanese navy and air force for more than two weeks and dealt them a stunning, crushing blow. That we ultimately lost Wake Island mattered little. That these brave men showed the world that Americans could - and would - fight back meant everything to the people at home and to those in the service. These few men lifted America from its fear and helped focus its anger in a powerful resolve to defeat the enemy.

The Marines of Wake Island were expendable, and they knew it. Mr. Urwin enables the reader to imagine why a man would willingly put himself in harm's way knowing - with near certainty - that he was unlikely to survive. One could argue that the man doesn't have a choice, but of course he has a choice - he can surrender. Urwin shows us that the willingness to fight and not surrender came from something more than patriotism. Though they fully expected to die, it was a matter of pride; though they believed no one would ever know it, they were determined to make the enemy pay dearly for American lives. They knew if they did that, someone else might live a little longer.

Facing Fearful Odds is about defiance in the face of certain death, of abject determination to make the enemy pay a terrible price for their arrogance. The men of Wake Island didn't save the world - that was for the men and women who came after them to do. But they saved America's face. Guam surrendered immediately. Wake Island did not.

Several weeks before the battle of the Alamo, Mexican troops marched into San Antonio demanding a siege cannon that the Texan rebels held. The Texans' reply was, "Come and take it." Implied were the words, "...if you can." Gregory Urwin gives the reader a rare opportunity to know how the men of Wake Island felt when they made the Japanese Navy "come and take it."