H Books

Although I admit I intensely disliked certain parts of this book ( I won't spoil the book by saying which ones) I loved the language and the gritty description of life in north philadelphia. Although, I also believe that the author doesn't capture enough of the community. He doesn't mention enough the close-knit relationships and the welcome embrace you will recieve no matter your background. This book highlights a problem in the city that can have consequences like what happened in the novel. However, (stepping on soapbox)I don't believe they are going about it the right way and police officers, especially, are taking their rage out on bystanders and people that live in the neighborhood. Don't terrorize the citizens, because you have a score to settle!

this is one of my all time favorite books. the story is so engaging and it takes you on a roller coaster of emotions, ranging from pure laughter to genuine tears. the writing is so detailed and accurate, i swear you don't read this book - you see it. the images are simply etched in your mind. all the characters are rounded real people, each with his/her own unique personality and motives. you feel all of them, you relate to them, and you carry them with you long after you finish reading this book. Lopez doesn't adorn nor judge his characters; he tells it like it is, and that's what makes this book so intense and whole. an extraordinary work.

got there on time but the case was broken. did you warn me about that? i don't remember. sometimes the tape skips too, but i enjoyed listening to it

I recently attended a graduate class and heard this novel being discussed by high school teachers. Though the content and language are not appropriate for me (el ed), I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a consistently engaging read. I also saw many levels in the characters, and loved the foreshadowing and imagery. We live about 45 minutes away from Philadelphia and I was curious to see how much truth to real life the text was. I saw some reviews that claimed the book portrayed violence to an extreme, not surfacing the goodness of the city. Local news broadcasts reveal deaths and muggings daily. So, the reasons for the violence may not be the same as in the book, but I suspect it's not too far from the truth. For me, the goodness and beauty of the city developed through the characters. In reality, I would love to see someone do the bodies on the streets, every big city needs a wake-up call for peace and nonviolence, and sometimes nothing says that better than a visual. This is a book I highly recommend and will read again.

Steve Lopez has a straightforward storytelling style that manages to come up with interesting metaphors, images, and symbols without going overboard as too many contemporary literary writers do. The dialogue is accurate and the characters are truthful, and the story is riveting. Other 'hip' writers like Jonathan Lathem or Rick Moody have been acclaimed for their baroque, hyperrealist style that is supposed to awe the reader into something like a 'wow, that is SO original and unique.' But the minutae of everday life these more 'acclaimed' writers weave into their stories can get downright boring. I mean who needs to read a two-page description of a 10-year old examining the cracks in a sidewalk square in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn (that's the sort of stuff I did as a kid, but if someone found the process interesting, I'd tell him or her to get a life). Unlike such neo-baroque ventures, Third & Indiana places basic situation, interaction, struggle, tragedy and character--first: to give the reader time to consider not just the writing but the story. But since the literati get a bang out of arcana and cleverness, books such as this one will not get the credit they deserve for a long time.

I've read a number of books over the years, both about WWII and other topics. I can say that Torpedo Junction is the most fascinating book I've ever read. Even though the author gives lots of details about the attacks, he keeps it moving along at a steady clip. I didn't want to put the thing down. It's very well-documented (albeit with some secondary sources), but also provides a lighter narrative style along to way to break up the "action reports."

Ultimately how good I like a book is if I'm committed to finish it. Torpedo Junction by Homer Hickman is a book I had to finish, but I was so interested in what it revealed I hardly wanted it to end. Many factors were at work here. First, Mr. Hickman's writing is so clear and linear that it belies the painstaking research such an easy to read factual narrative requires. Thank you Mr. Hickman for doing the work so I could both be reviled and astonished!

This little known yet very tragic part of World War II played out right at our doorstep. Because of Japan's audacity to hit us with one massive surprise salvo the even more insideous U-Boat war on the U.S. coastline played out largely unknown to the general public. For months that seemed to drag on and on the Germans sank boat after boat after boat. Maybe for our protection or maybe because we couldn't quite get a handle on how to stop the German U-Boat threat the mounting damage was kept quiet. It was a tremendous tragedy which caused great loss of life as well as massive destruction of resources. With Torpedo Junction we can finally see how close to home death truly came. Also, we get to know the true courage of those who protected our home shores so we could both support the war effort as well as keep that all important semblance of a "normal life" at home. To know the facts surrounding the North Atlantic U-Boat war helps to rectify those long years of not talking about it.

I recommend this book as both educational and entertaining. As with Rocket Boys I was pulled inside a time and place as if I was there. Storytelling really doesn't get better than this.

As the U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Dione's lead soundman during period of Hickman's book I can attest that he did a wonderful job telling our story about some real hazardous duty. Homer's collaboration with our Radioman 1st, Swede Larson really paints the futility and danger of our sub chasing before and after convoys. I'm so glad Homer wrote about us. Now maybe we won't be forgotten.

Reads like a Clancy thriller. I recommend this book along with Michael Gannon's "Operation Drumbeat" so one can understand the havoc wreaked by German U boats along the Eastern seaboard against totally unprepared and in many cases complacent ships in the early days of World War II.

I KNOW NOW FOR SURE THAT I WOULD NEVER WANT TO BE A MILITARY OR MERCHANT SAILOR OFF THE ATLANTIC COAST IN 1942. TORPEDO JUNCTION WAS EXTREMELY WELL DOCCUMENTED AND RESEARCHED, BUT ALSO DESCRIPIBED BY SURVIVORS FROM U-BOATS, NAVY AND COASTGUARD SHIPS AS WELL AS MERCHANTMARINES. MY LOWER RATEING COMES FROM THE FACT THAT IT MADE ME UNCOMFORTABLE TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT THE U S WAS ALMOST HELPLESS AGAINST THE STEALTHY GERMAN U-BOATS, AND THAT THE DATA WAS HARD TO STOMACH (I'M NOT A BEAN COUNTER). THE MOST VALUE I SEE HERE IS SOME BASIS FOR HICKAM'S LATER BOOKS, ESPECIALLY "THE KEEPER'S SON".

In doing some family history research I established that an 18 year old relative had died in a mid air collision while flying a Sopwith Camel in the same area and at the same time this story is set. I was searching for some literature that could give me some understanding of what this brave young man had experienced. I could not have found anything that could have been more compelling reading or had more of an emotional impact than this superbly written account of the machinery and the time.

A ripping yarn, a must for aviation enthusiasts, replete with explicit and graphic flight scenes. The philosophizing seems more 1930's than 1918, but that's when the author published it. The way the author/hero deals with the loss of comrades is skilled writing, evoking the banality of having to get on with the job without mourning. i'm not qualified to comment on any authenticity of the feeling expressed/felt but it stands out from others of the genre for that reason. for me, it ranks with Sagittarius Rising, and Derek Robinson's work. the author enjoys spiking the sometimes purple prose with neologisms and entertaining latinisms; a trait i enjoy but others shouldn't have much trouble ignoring.

One of the great novels about flying over the trenches in World War 1. The only shame is that this edition does not carry the introduction by
T E Lawrence ('Lawrence of Arabia') that the earlier editions carry. Based upon the author's own experiences in the RFC it does not glamorise the life, nor does it indulge in self-pity.

Based upon the author's own experiences in the RFC in 1918 here is the complete story of the war in the air on the western front. 148 sorties, the slow inexorable death of friends and squadron mates one at a time until only a squadron of ghosts is left, dogfights with Fokkers, air superiority over the Huns, death in the air, flamers (the worst way to die!), Archie, getting tight in the mess each evening singing rousing songs and smashing furniture to relieve the tension, dropping bombs, low altitude ground strafing, slaughtering ground troops with your machine guns until it sickens you, downing two seaters, mechanical failures of your Sopwith Camel while waiting for the new Snipes to arrive from England,gliding or limping back to the lines and safety, mid-air collisions, influenza turning to TB. It is all there. Highly recommended. This is the best book on the war in the air in WW1 I have ever found. Read it, and then read it again. It is that good.

I really can't understand all the 5 stars this got because other than a short, brilliant chapter on flying the camel, it just goes on and on and on and...you get the idea. Plot summary: get up and fly, dodge archie, come back to base, maybe somebody dies, get drunk, do it again tomorrow. That's pretty much it folks. Don't look for any plot development or character development here. There is some philisophical rambling about the meaning of the war which should rightly be included in any war book. Never goes anywhere. it was hard to actually finish the book but i was curious to see if it actually every "took off and flew". final verdict? down in flames! Want my copy free?

The first time that I read this, I read it to myself - meaning not to my kids, but just to myself. The concept sounded like a great one and I wanted to check it out right away. I have to say, with all my heart, I truly believe that this book should be one that graces everyone's bookshelves! If you have children, Grandchildren, nieces, nephews or even if you don't have children, The Magic In You is a truly uplifting book, for everyone of any age.
In this day and age of low self-esteem, peer pressure to fit in, and just all of life's pressures, it is reassuring to know that there is something out there that can speak to everyone and let them know that it is ok to be yourself - no matter what.
The Magic In You focuses on a little wildflower who has a bit of a disconcerting start, next to the side of a road, and all alone. She has splendid yellow petals that shimmer in the sun, yet all of the other flowers make her feel alone and like an outcast. All of this becomes worse when a Billy goat happens along and eats one of her petals, leaving her a damaged flower. Now, not only is she alone, but she is being laughed at because she is different. After another harrowing incident with a rude driver, who dashes by, running over the wildflower's leaf, life seems only to be getting crueler. Then one night, as the wildflower is weeping, a beautiful fairy happens by, asking what is wrong. The wildflower asks the fairy to make her beautiful, so that she will fit in and be liked by the others. However, the fairy refuses and instead tells the little flower that she is the one who can make herself beautiful and happy, anytime that she wants, she does not need the fairy's magic for that. At first, the little flower does not understand this, but after a bit of time passes and she learns the true gift of kindness, she discovers that real and true beauty comes from within.
You always hear that inner beauty is the most powerful and precious. No matter how true this is, it is easily forgotten in today's society. This is the perfect book to reinterate such an important lesson and serves as a wonderful reminder and pick me up. To me, it almost seems as though The Magic In You combines all of the many self-help books out there and sums them all up within a few powerfully packed pages.
Not only is the story memorable and beautiful, but the pictures are gorgous works of art. I highly recommend this to everyone - you will not be disappointed!

THE MAGIC IN YOU! is written for ages 4-8. It's about a little flower that is pushed from her comfort zone. She'll need to find the magic in forgiveness and self-love.

No matter what age, readers will delight in the book's masterful illustrations. The story also has a beautiful meaning, but I question the some of the phrases such as majestic kaleidoscope, crevice, simply ingenious, and grew in stature. Is this the appropriate terminology used for this age level?

Another concern is the amount of words on some of the pages. Not all pages, but a few were packed with italicized words. Before deciding to home school my children, I was director of a day care. I also taught Pre-K. If memory serves, these points are frowned upon. This was well over a decade ago, moving closer to two, and things might have changed.

What a wonderful illustration in word and picture of the power of healing that comes from reaching past ourselves!

"The Magic in You" is a good children's book that teaches kid's to reject the judgments of others and learn to love themselves. This paperback book tells a story that serves to inspire young children to rely on their own positive attitude to bring happiness. The story focuses on a little wildflower that feels dejected, unattractive, and unhappy and wants change to come quickly. After meeting fairy, the wildflower is hopeful that its problems can magically wash away. But the fairy explains that no magic is necessary- the ability to change is already there, inside the wildflower and inside every one of us. A positive self- image and acts of kindness toward others is all that is necessary to turn away the negative tide and improve self- esteem.

Among the many good qualities of this book, the most memorable are the illustrations. They are flawlessly drawn, with precise facial expressions on the different characters and muted colors that fit well with the story and plot. Author Sally Taylor is responsible for the illustrations, and she succeeds at creating just the right pictures and setting just the right mood to go along with the storyline. These drawings fit perfectly with the overall message of the book and they stand out as the book's greatest asset.

As for the story itself, it seems a little bit advanced for the type of book. The book's appearance and paperback format make it look like it was intended for young toddlers, but the amount of words and the message are really a little too advanced for kids at this age level. It seems more like a book that should be aimed at elementary school age children. Also, the topics are quite varied and younger children may not be able to understand everything taking place here. Topics like nature, seasons, beauty, forgiveness, etc., are among the book's many themes, and this is going to be quite a bit for a toddler to absorb. In addition, the message of the book isn't completely, crystal clear. Is the "Magic" referred to by the book's title and message meant to emphasize being able to forgive or is it accepting your beauty within? Or, is it a combination of the two? A young child may or may not understand.

This book has a large number of words on each page and this, again, makes the book a little less likely to be accepted by toddlers. My girls are both toddler age, and they loved the pictures more than anything. They grew impatient with the number of words on each page. They hurried me along and insisted I turn the page so they could enjoy more illustrations.

Overall, The Magic in You is a good, enjoyable children's book and it is worth reading to your children for the illustrations alone. The message of this book is a positive point, too, and while it does get a little carried away with words, it still serves as good learning tool for overcoming self- doubt and developing a positive self- image and personal confidence.

Sally H. Taylor's first children's picture book, The Magic in You!, is an enchanting introduction to an author with volumes of talent. The story tells of a little flower that grows by the roadside. The flower's self-confidence wanes after one of her shiny petals is eaten by a Billy goat, and dims even further when a car runs over one of her leaves. Depressed and lonely, the flower is visited by a fairy. The flower asks the fairy to make her beautiful, but the fairy declines. She tells the flower beauty and happiness can be found inside.

The little flower has several experiences that open her eyes to the truth the fairy has spoken, and learns the joy of giving. Through love and forgiveness, she regains confidence in herself and others and learns to enjoy life. It is such a positive message and one that adults need to be reminded of, as well. But Taylor's talent isn't limited to the story--her vibrant illustrations are as detailed and whimsical as the plot.

This book was unanimously enjoyed by every member of my family, which is a rarity. So if two adults, a nine-year-old, and a six-year-old can all agree on one title, I think we can assume this book is a gem. I am sure it is going to be read over and over again, and I may just refer back to it on those darker days. In fact, according to the back of the book, the story was inspired by the authors own trials. Thank goodness Taylor has overcome her own issues because she provides a wealth of wisdom for others through literature.

I received this book for my 10th birthday from my parents, many years ago. At the time, I was very impressionable and this book made a significant impact on my life. I learned then that what we as fallible humans consider to be "imperfect" according to our standards of ignorance and bias is usually the most precious of all things to God.

Now, I have a two-year-old son with Down Syndrome and I can relate in so many ways to this book. As I look back over my life and various correlating events that have taken place, I see that God was preparing me to be the mother of a special needs child all along. And it all started with this one little book.

I doubt even Dale Evans knew how much this little book would touch lives. It was published in 1953 and my 6th grade teacher read the book to all of us in her class years later. Of course, we were all Dale and Roy's fans so we could not wait until the next day when she read another chapter. It is one book that I have read over and over again. It is amazing how Dale got Robin's message which was told from her point of view. If you want to read a book that is life touching, then read "Angel Unaware". The Bible verse from Hebrews is still my favorite verse.

I bought this as a present for my wife and it moved both of us to tears. Wonderful.

I first read this book shortly after I learned to read, at my grandparents house. The book was hardcover with a pink cover page.

Every time I went to my grandparents I would reread the book.

This book will bring tears to your eyes, and it shows that you are truly not alone.

Karen

A brief story of a child with Downs Syndrome, born to Dale Evans & Roy Rogers, this story reaffirms the obvious...God makes no mistakes, & uses all things to draw us closer to Him.

if not the best book ever... then I don't know what is.
This book is so strong and so entrancingly written. Her style is amazing, as is her insight.
The main character describes herself, and the things which happen to her through amazingly new, bodily metaphors. The man she falls in love with reminds one of Howard Roark from The Fountainhead, though not as blatantly preachy.

These are well written and richly tex-tured coming of age sagas of Hampton-dwellers. It turns out that they are just as interesting as anyone else's young trials and struggles.

I just finished H.T. Hamann's "Anthropology of an American Girl" and I loved it! A friend of mine recommended it to me and I was skeptical--I thought it would be a "girl book." I was completely wrong. (I guess you should never judge a book by it's cover, or title for that matter.) It was one of the best books I've ever read. Intellegent, vivid and real are the three words that come to mind. This book spoke to me like no other book has. I want everyone to share in this experience.

What an amazing coincidence that almost all of the reviews of this book are rated 5 stars, that almost all of the reviews are by reviewers who haven't reviewed any other books, and that almost all the reviews say almost the same things about the book.

Gosh, It's almost like the writer had all his friends go out and write positive reviews of the book!

Anthropology of an American Girl is an amazing book that is meant to be read slowly and savored. It's one of the most well-written books I've ever read- every word was so carefully chosen that each sentence is like a line of poetry. Don't be intimidated, though- it's totally readable and accessible. It's just the type of book that should be read thoroughly to truly be enjoyed and appreciated. Even the book itself is exquisite- it's rare to see a book that was so thoughtfully created with the essence of the novel in mind. It's really something to save and to treasure.
The story itself is beautiful as well- it's written in the first person so insightfully that by the end of the novel, you feel like you really know Eveline (the main character), whose life we follow from the end of high school through the end of college. The author is excellent at developing characters: Eveline is complex, flawed, and real, as are the other characters whose lives we follow through Eveline. As a girl around Eveline's age, I could relate to many of her struggles, but the issues that she confronts (falling in love, breaking up, the deaths of loved ones, evolving friendships, moving out, and growing up in general) are universal.
I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates beautiful writing and loves to become immersed in a story. The book's website, www.anthropologyofanamericangirl.com, gave insight into the author's creative process and helped me understand the book as a whole much better- the site has author interviews recorded from the radio, reviews, excerpts from the book, and thoughts from the author herself. Definitely worth a look- even if it's just to check out the website, which, like the book, was beautifully designed.
All in all, highly recommended for someone looking for something different.

After the Magnifecent Seven's wonderful performance at the '96 Olympic Games, I decided to read this book to find out more about these talented young women. I thought it was terrific! There are biographies of each of the seven members along with really cool pictures. This book was awesome. These seven are really magnificint and it shows!

The book was pretty good for writing a book. Gave good information but it was a hard book to just sit down and read but I would for sure buy the book!

A must read with lots of good pictures. Gives good info. on all the athletes, with quotes.

This book is what really got me interested in gymnastics.

I had gotten introduced to gymnastics through a book about Mary Lou Retton I had picked up at a thrift store, but I didn't become too interested until I saw a picture of Kim Zmeskal in an Encyclopedia Annual. I looked her up on the Internet, and the rest they say is history.

Through the Internet I discovered the Magnificent Seven, and I found this book at our library. I couldn't have been more satisfied!

The Magnificent Seven was a team of US girls that consisted of Amanda Borden, Amy Chow, Jaycie Phelps, Shannon Miller, Dominique Dawes, Dominique Moceanu and Kerri Strug. These talented gymnasts won the very first Olympic Gold team medal in US. Gymnastic history.

This book has very informative biographies about each girl, complete with full color photos. It is very well written, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about the Magnificent Seven, or just want to see some great pictures about them.

If you like gymnastics you'll love this book! It tells about the lives of the seven gymnasts on the 1996 gold medal winning U.S. Olympic gymnastics team, Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Kerri Strug, Dominque Dawes, Jaycie Phelps, Amanda Borden, and Amy Chow. There are pictures of each girl from their very young life to the 1996 Olympics.

What I found interesting about this book is that is a history lesson in American business and early regulatory policies that shaped the landscape we see today. At the same time, it is a story of classic love and betrayal. I found the author doing a great job when the story focused on Mellon's marriage and the demise of such, but he tended to become a bit lost in the details when describing all of the political ups and downs. Overall, a fine book and great American story

Though I can not claim to be altogether objective about the subject matter in much of this great book, I must congratulate Cannadine for a masterful study of what has been an extremely closed subject for a long, long time - most of all in the Mellon's home town of Pittsburgh. The late Paul Mellon must be given a lot of credit for breaking with family tradition - first for allowing the book "Thomas Mellon And His Times" to see the light of public day and then to let it all hang out with Cannadine with regard to sources and family papers.

All of the business glories (one wonders at times if Andrew ever really enjoyed his successes), all of the personal agonies (it must have been excruciating on many levels), and much of the rancor between both Judge Thomas Mellon's as well as Andrew's detractors and adversaries are, for the first time, put into print for ALL of the public's perusal. It will be up to each individual reader to judge for themselves how they feel about this man and his father and family.

It came as no suprise to me when Cannadine named my great-great grandfather as being one of the "vexatious litigation" principles who Judge Mellon would only refer to as "A", "B", or "C" in his autobiography. Cannadine is specific about the bad blood between the Negleys and the Mellons after the "eugenic" match (his words) and Pittsburghers specifically will find much new insight here.

However, this long and comprehensive book never lets down as it explores all facets of the Mellon dynasty, how it was aquired (at times skirting legality and even morality), and he leaves very few stones unturned. What Cannadine might have missed was the fact that the rehabilitation of the Mellon name in Pittsburgh was undertaken by Andrew's nephew Richard K. Mellon (Richard Beatty Mellon's son) when "Renaissance I and II" which, along with the Allegheny Community Conference, cleaned up the city of Pittsburgh and made it livable again after over 150 years of take, take, and more take by men such as "A.W." and "R.B" among many others, including Andrew's buddy Henry Clay Frick.

The mystery of "M..." will, I feel, eventually be solved but as was mentioned in a previous review, even as good a sleuth as Cannadine could not hazard even a guess (though I'll bet he had a guess). Notice that she becomes "Mrs. M---" on pg 259. I hardly believe that such a man would be so indiscreet as to write an entree with such a clue, or such an admission of a possible affair - but this entree IS followed by perhaps the most emotional outburst of his heart, "CRUEL", in uppercase.

A flawed man, as are all men, and obviously a tortured one for much of his life, this book will give everyone the chance to weigh the evidence and decide for themselves the verdict which until now was impossible to consider to to lack of full factual disclosure. I found it fascinating the whole way from beginning to end. The source notes are a gem in and of themselves.
I would also recommend both books by father and son for a comprehensive look at all three men, and how wealth, acquisition, and the drive and pressures of both shaped them.
"Thomas Mellon And His Times"
"Reflections In A Silver Spoon"

If you like history you'll love this book, it's long and "gets long winded in history" but try stop reading I couldn't, if your over 55 you will really love it. I still don't know how I feel about Andrew, Dick and Thomas Mellon. I found myself loving this book excellent read.

You will savor this account of the tumultuous life of Andrew Mellon, an arrogant turn-of-the-last-century industrialist and millionaire. He was torn to tatters by a scandalous divorce and, later, by opposing politicians. However, he transcended those humiliations by establishing the lavish National Art Gallery just before he died. "Andy" Mellon's life (1855-1937) stretched across critical years when the U.S. was transformed from an appendage of Europe to a superpower. His work as treasury secretary was held in such esteem that the Republican Party considered running him for president. However, even given his role as head of the Treasury, Mellon could not curtail the 1920s margin-buying stock market mania that led to the 1929 crash and the Great Depression. He is mostly remembered for the National Art Gallery and for his sex-scandal divorce fight. David Cannadine offers a highly readable biography, which is very balanced though Mellon's son, Paul, commissioned it. However, some readers may decide to skim through the extensive coverage of the politicized "Tax Trial," and Andy's ordinary trade in minor art and small firms. We highly recommend this extraordinary saga.

Cannadine exceeded expectations on a number of fronts with this definitive biography of Andrew Mellon. It has everything you'd expect from a grade-A biography, laying out where Mellon's family came from (both physically and philosophically), how Mellon grew up, his rise, peak, eventual fall from grace, death and legacy. Not only that, but Cannadine does all of this exceedingly well, giving his reader a sense of the nuances and subtleties of Mellon's personality and life. If Cannadine had done nothing else, he'd still have written a five-star book.

This book goes beyond most rock-solid biographies that I've read in Cannadine's sensitivity to the larger meaning of the events in Mellon's life, his place in history and his impact even after his death. While this sensitivity is present throughout Cannadine's book, it really comes together in in his three-part epilogue, which you will absolutely not want to miss, it is the highlight of the book.

The first point Cannadine develops is that Mellon's life straddled the line between two different eras in American history. He shows how Mellon, without changing his behaviors, was perceived one way for much of his life, then a totally different way at the end of his life. Through his awareness of this point, Cannadine really demonstrates to the reader how radical the shift in sentiment was in America in the 1930s.

The second point Cannadine is aware of, as any successful biographer of a great historical figure must be, is the idea that Mellon was a human being with some great strengths and some great flaws. In my experience, people who have the strengths to accomplish the most often have corresponding weaknesses to go with them; Cannadine really makes this point clear in his epilogue, doing a "balance sheet" of positives and negatives of Mellon's character and accomplishments. I've never seen an author take even-handed analysis to a similar place, and it really helped bring together the books ideas at the end.

Finally, Cannadine captures a truth about life, society and politics that imbues the book with a sense of sadness. It becomes obvious that many (though certainly not all) of the good things that happen to Mellon happen out of chance. Similarly, when bad things happen to Mellon, most (again, not all... his divorce comes to mind as an obvious exception) of them are undeserved. Mellon dies near the low point of his public popularity, suffering primarily for sins he did not commit.

I highly recommend this book for lovers of biography and history, it is truly a step beyond a really good biography.

This is the first volume of the two volume herbal set.If you like classical literature and recipes,you will enjoy reading this book.Also has information on tonics and liniments for various aliments.Methods of harvesting and chemical dosages are discussed.And preparation of the extracts and tinctures are detailed.Some illustrations,from the root to the bud,are drawn clearly.Folk tales and cosmetic aspects are included.It's a bit old-fashioned ,yet it reads like an enchanting medieval Herbal Arthurian text. If you're a serious student of herbalism and classical studies,then you'll find this botanical set engrossing reading.

I enjoy this book because it has so many plants in it, even plants we don't usually consider herbs. It gives a lot of info about each plant listed. Very good!

Wish this was back in print in one volume but glad I was able to pick this up. One of the most invaluble resources I have give tons of wonderful information very comprehensive...love it. Only wish the pics of the plants were with each description instead of in their own lil groups.

I received my book in excellent condition and in very short order. I am pleased to add it to my library and am sure it will be well-used.

Although I preferred the older verison this is great for the beginner and advnce alike.

Rattrap is an excellent book. Because of events like the Kobe Bryant case, one might think that the plot would be straightforward and predictable. It is anything but predictable. Ms Hamilton takes the characters through series of highly charged emotional events that are thought provoking in their presentation. The raw power of life comes through in many of its varieties and is dealt with in ways that leave the reader wondering about life and people in general. While some may feel that these unabashed displays of life are offensive, I find them refreshing. The characters are real and the ways that they deal with life are real.
More importantly, the book is enjoyable. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more offerings from Ms Hamilton.

Great character line it has all the good stuff! The story line is very believable it has a driving movement or action in it. The characters are very news worthy, it has drama,guns,sex,murder,drugs,and it keeps you wondering what happens next. Very good story line very good first book with great imagination, well thought out, Great effort to keep it real. Good job! Ed Abner

"In order to defeat evil, you must understand the nature of evil." This is a profound and demanding statement that occurs several times in Sarah's first novel. In many important ways it is a summary of the novel. Over the course of the novel, the reader is given the chance (choice?) to understand not only the `greater evil' of the main villain, but also the `lesser evils' of the various characters in the novel. The novel also wrestles with the idea that perception creates reality.

RATTRAP as a story can be read on many levels, from the erotic novel to a philosophic discourse on the nature of evil and thus should appeal to a very diverse audience. The novel also contains many vignettes that will amuse, arouse, disgust, enlighten, and entertain.

This one of the most intense and believable novels I've read in a very long time. I look forward to reading Sarah's next novel!

Sarah, I thought this book was fantastic. Read every word cover to cover. Graphic, but not offensive, and I think you displayed a wide array of knowledge and familiarity with sports, pop culture, history, art and so much more. It took me a while to get through all the book, but it was well worth it. A job well done and best of luck in the future.

Jose Romero
Seattle Times Seahawks writer

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Sarah's stories online I couldn't resist trying her first book, despite the fact that I read very few novels, don't care for violence, and have no particular interest in sports. But it was like getting on a wild carnival ride, once you got into this story, there was no way you were leaving until the ride was over. Be prepared for twists and turns and bumps in the road. Sarah will keep you guessing with her rapid fire short chapter style.
And be prepared to meet some larger than life characters along the way. There are enough bad guys to populate three novels. But for those of us that have witnessed examples of celebrity "justice" in action in recent history, this book will land a little close to home. Sex, professional sports, the criminal justice system, race, gangs, there doesn't seem to be a topic that Sarah is afraid to tackle head on. Where one so young gets the knowledge and confidence to do so and make the book believable and real is beyond me but more power to her. I know that Sarah's goal is to be a full time writer and I think she's well on her way. What a great first book. She's almost converted me to become a novel reader; at least when her second book comes out and I hope that's soon. Bravo Sarah, I just hope you will still have some time to titillate your online story fans as well.