King Books

Breathing Space: Living and Working at a Comfortable Pace in a Sped-Up Society
by Jeff Davidson

During the early nineties when I was embarking on my departure from the corporate world & entering the Corridor to pursue my entrepreneurial interests, one book caught my personal attention. At that time, I was told that "information doubled once every eighteen months". Alvin Toffler, John Naisbitt, & Richard Saul Wurman were already riding high on the information anxiety phenomenon, even though each of them has his own perspectives.

The book I am referring to is 'Breathing Space'. I am gratified to note that this book is still available. Although some stuff may be dated as it was written during the pre-internet era, a lot of the strategies & tools advocated by the author are still applicable in today's context.

First, the author defined 'breathing space' beautifully as: "You know it when you have it. It is the feeling of having time & space, of being in control, or content or relaxed. It is the room to be, to explore or to do nothing."

Let me outline here the major parts of his work:

1. The root causes of the pressure you feel;
2. Hand tools;
3. Power tools;
4. Cerebral tools;
5. Metaphysical tools;

Back in the early nineties, the book fueled me with a lot of valuable fresh insights, which empowered me to live & work at a comfortable relaxed pace in a 24-hour society:

- information only becomes knowledge when it's applied;
- choose to acquire knowledge that supports or interests you;
- about 80% of papers retained in office environments are never used;
- periodically, the sweetest choice is choosing from what you already have, choosing to actually have what you've already chosen;
- whenever you catch yourself making a low-level decision, consider: Does this really make a difference? Get in the habit of making only a few decisions a day - the ones that count;
- consider the value of any product, service or plan as two fold: (1) the intended benefit & (2) the ease with which you can understand, receive & enjoy those benefits. If it doesn't, don't buy it;
- Rules of Thumb: any item that saves you one hour per week for a minimum of one year & costs US$1,000 or less is an excellent buy; never mind if you purchased the latest or fastest model; there will always be later & faster models;
- any activity consuming 30 minutes of your day consumes two solid years of your life;
- to get to know someone better, ask him what his life priorities are;
- if you don't know what you have & you can't find it, it is of no use to you;
- just because it is interesting or expensive doesn't mean you have to keep it;
- being neat & being organised are not the same thing;
- a powerful way to gain breathing space, perpetually, is by seeking completions;
- preserve your weekends for recreational activites. You're worth it!;
- if you're serious about having more breathing space, give up fast food forever!
- you can increase the likelihood of experiencing time warp effect by removing yourself from the time measured environment - by hiding the clock;
- one hour of uncluttered thought can yield more benefits than days of common desk work;
- jump starting often enables you to capture your first & sometimes best thoughts;
- use the day units as a convenient measure for charting progress in pursuit of your goals;
- living in the moment does not mean living for the moment or living to get to the next moment. It means total, unconditional acknowledgement that what is now, is your life; that now is the only moment there is;
- the relentless quest to move on to what's next keeps you from fully enjoying what's here;
- longing more strongly for what you no longer have, rather than reveling in what you do have, is a guarantee that you will miss the present & all the magic it holds. Revel in what you have;
- how you elect to feel is always your choice. the act of choosing is a simple but powerful technique that will further aid you in attaining breathing space;
- when people make decisions based on instinct, they end up happier than those who make decisions based on careful analysis;
- choosing to feel at home frees you to experience the present moment, wit its surrrounding scenery, to the fullest;
- when you are off course, re-direct your energies. Ask: "What do I want right now?"
- go for a walk if you are stymied;
- most decisions you could make are of little consequence. Not choosing can be restful!
- some people remain poor is that they accommodate poverty...as difficult as it is for them to live in abject poverty, they are not willing to accept the difficulty of making a better life for themselves (according to Prof Kenneth Galbraith);
- get ruthless, drop what doesn't support you;
- constantly read your priorities & goals list;
- clear all your files of deadwood;
- count twice; look for all the ways to re-apply the work you have already done;

Even up to today, the insights from the book still work for me! Many thanks, Jeff, for a wonderful exposition!

To conclude my review, let me say this: Read this book & see how much more you can accomplish in a day & how much more you can enjoy it!

"Breathing Space" is a wonderful concept and is laid out nicely by the author in this easy-to-read book. It's only about 210 pages but mercifully, most pages don't contain a lot of text. So it's easy on the eyes, and easy on the mind. I agree whole-heartedly with the author's premise that the pace of life has sped up because of what he calls "macro-realities," a sort of mega-trends that are here now and continue to impact every element of our lives. Buy this book for yourself and for people you care about. It'll give you insights and perspectives that are unique and vital. More important, you'll have a broad-base understanding as to why we all seem to be in such a hurry all the time, and have a real good chance of getting past this trap.

This is a very insightful book and one that is unlike most others that I've encountered. The author maintains that the typical person in our society today is in a super-rush because of forces that uniformly impact us all. He then proceeds to lay out in a very logical fashion how to counter-act these forces and take control of your day as well as the spaces in your life, like your desk, your car, your closets, and so on, so that you're in control more of the time. I particularly like the sections called "Fresh Air" which are bulleted points offering innovative ideas for getting back in charge of your life.

This is a very good book on a topic that a lot of people will start to be aware of. I mean, gosh, can we all just keep rushing around, working like dogs, and not taking any time off for personal growth? It focuses on things how all got into this culteral rat race, the imprtance of balance, rediscovering aspects of yourself, cultivating new interests and new hobbies and taking appropriate personal risks that you weren't up to taking before reading it.

This book is nothing short of a sensational. It is one of the most forward-thinking texts I've encountered in quite a while. Starting with the premise that an over-populated world creates more information and communication than the typical person can keep up with---more media, more paper, and more choices---you begin to gain a sense of why each day feels as if there's too much to do, too much to know, too much to keep on top of. With this book, you gain a perspective that enables you to approach your day, your week, your month and so on in a more common and reasoned fashion. Some of the tips in the middle and latter chapters I have seen in otherbooks, but in this context they seem to work particularly well. I like theauthor's approach in giving out the tips based on hand tools, power tools,and cerebral tools. If you are experiencing increasing time pressure or stress, this is the book for you.

Carbonel took me away when I was a child,I loved every well written detail,and could imagine every event as it took place-the only problem was,when I got older (alot older!!)I had forgotten the title and despaired of ever finding the book again-Imagine my joy when I found a used copy in a thrift store-it looked familiar,could it be....? Hooray!It was!Carbonel!I bought it immediately and read it asap and will never ever let it out of my hands again!This is a fabulous book for children of all ages,and if my opinion counts for anything,I would advise to get a copy of your own right now!Truly a wonderful,wonderful book.

...It was my FAVOURITE when I was a kid - ...Why is this fantastic book out of print??

When I first read this book, I was 10-years-old. I grew up and never forgot the joy that I received from its pages. I kept looking for it when I got older and now have my own copies of all the Carbonel books. I am now in possession of an amazing child's book that deserves to be shared throughout centuries to come. Wonderful book - deserving to be named a favorite classic.

This book captured my imagination as a child and was a pleasure to read again after 17 years. I feared I might ruin a childhood memory by tracking it down and reading it again but it was well worth the effort. I hope it's magic will still reach young readers even though it is now out of print.

My mom gave me this book when I was 8 years old. Hesitantly, I started reading it, and was immediately hooked. It is the first chapter book I remember reading, and I owe my love of literature to Barbara Sleigh and Carbonel. Before the advent of the Internet, I spent many years trying to track down copies of all the Carbonel books, with limited success. Then one day, I discovered that they had had been reissued in the United Kingdom. I was in law school at the time, and my wife told me we couldn't afford them. Imagine my surprise, that Christmas, when I found them under the tree! My wife had called a bookstore in London, and had them shipped to the US just in time for the holidays. I'm now 39 years old, and still reread those books about once a year. I have read them to both my children, and they have read them by themselves. I think we can all look back on our lives, and find one or two events that shape aspects of our future. For me, a British book about a little girl, a witch and a magical, royal cat set me on a road where books became some of my most cherished possessions, and reading my most enjoyable pasttime. Read the books; feel the magic.

I spent hours online comparing Bibles before buying this one. Even though it's much less expensive then many other Bibles, I find it more informative. With each book, there is extensive background information (historical and on the writer), charts, maps, diagrams, outlines of each book, a concordance, and much more. I love the parenthesis used in the verses, comparing the King James with other versions. I found it helpful during Bible studies. I'd buy it again when this one falls apart!

Mine is the 1950 Revised Edition of Dickson's Indexed Bible by John A. Dickson Publishing Co. The useful supplementary features other reviewers have mentioned so.
For the verses cross reference throughout the Old and New Testament, this is the best and most resourceful out there, better than Scofield, Thompson, Nelson...

However Dickson's does not provide a commentary, my recommendation is going with Bullinger's one-volume (large-print edition is even better) study bible and make a good team.

For readers who like multi-volume set, in addition to convenient one-volume, I recommend Interpreter's Bible Commentary. Each page design is divided into verse, exegesis and exposition. See if you like the current edition or the previous edition copies (mine's throughout 1950s) better.

A meticulous academic set recommended, less known to the public, is the Seven-Day Adventist's Bible Commentary. SDA's is accommodative for non-SDA readers as Ellen G. White's comments are put in separate sections. SDA's design is readers should not have to possess knowledge of Hebrew and Greek to enjoy studying the Bible.

Advanced reader may prefer individual Books shopping, whether one's aim is about `instead of' or `in addition to'. For example, for the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), one may consider Judaism commentary (Rashi, Hertz, Munk, Neusner) to look at the Hebrew Bible the way it was studied by the Hebrew nations; Gospel of John: Raymond Brown 2 vols; Schnackenburg 3 vols; Book of Revelation: G K Beale, David Aune 3 vols, Bullinger.

Like more tools ? Try "Timechart on Biblical History", "Masoretic Text", "Interlinear Bible", Fulton Sheen "Life of Christ", R C Foster "Studies in the Life of Christ".

My advice is always take your time to search and add to your collection/potential to-have list.

I would recommend this study Bible for every Christian. It is, along with the Thompson Chain Reference, the best general study Bible on the market. It will help the believer to dig into the Word on their own. It has the best outlines of all the books I have seen. Though I too use some specialty Bibles too many general Study Bibles, i.e the NIV Study, are so crammed with notes the reader can become distracted. The tools available in this edition of the KJV are there to help us think and understand on our own. Get a notebook, a pencil, and a willing heart and let the Spirit use this Bible in your life.

Many have said this is the best "study" bible ever. I agree. I now own one for my office and my home as well as one for each of my kids and my wife. This is a terrific resource with a real dictionary, topical study helps, many notes before and after the chapters and much more. I especially like that the helps aren't mixed in with the text. You need this help.

RECEIVED THE bible THAT WE ORDERED AND WAS WELL PLEASED IN THE STUDY bible AND WOULD RECONEND IT TO EVERYONE IT IS A VERY GOOD bible TO STUDY FROM IF YOU WANT TO LEARN THE TRUE WORD OF GOD we were also well pleased with the quick shippment and the money that you saved us thank you very mutch RON& NANCY

Anthony Trollope is a favorite author of mine, and this audio CD version of Framley Parsonage, read by Simon Vance, is well worth the investment. Deft use of language and a keen sense of human motivation, time, and place characterize all Trollope's writing, and those who enjoy period literature will be more than satisfied with this book. It starts slowly, as Trollope's stories often do, but once the background information is given, there are many interesting social, political, financial, and romantic plot developments to engage the reader and listener. Simon Vance's reading is superb, as always. The only caveat is that his rendering of the voice and character of young women is not as good as his pitch, tone, and inflection when narrating the voices of mature women and all men. His skill in rendering different dialects for different social classes and geographical regions is matchless. By all means, listen to this book.

In this novel we find one Mark Robarts, clergyman and parson of Framley. He is an ambitious young man desirous of rising in society. He is friends since childhood with Lord Lufton who makes an unfortunate introduction in the person of Sowerby who seduces poor Mark into signing his name to a debt which the parson cannot afford.

Mark Robarts's father passes away early on and his sister Lucy joins Mark and his wife at Framley Parsonage where Lord Lufton falls in love with her. Two more couples form and while I won't reveal how any of these relationships work out it wouldn't really matter if I did. Trollope's plots usually vary from bad to good but they are hardly ever of any importance anyway. What is important in a Trollope novel isn't what the plot is or how it concludes, it's how it works itself out and how Trollope paints his characters.

The characters in Framley Parsonage are a little whiter and blacker than those of the previous novels in the Barsetshire series. Sowerby is by far and away the blackest and Trollope was so effective in painting him black that towards the end he clumsily appeals directly to the reader and assures us Sowerby isn't really as bad a fellow as he seems.

Dr. Thorne and his niece Mary Gresham appear (from Doctor Thorne) as do the Grantlys and the Proudies (from Barchester Towers). Lucy Robarts is a fascinating woman even more headstrong here than Mary Gresham was in Doctor Thorne, but my favourite character in this novel is Lady Lufton. She opposes her son's desire to court and marry Lucy but does so politely and with consideration. At the same time, Lucy behaves in way Lady Lufton can only find irreproachable. So of course, not having anything with which to reproach Lucy, Lady Lufton has nothing with which to oppose her son's suit. And yet she does. How will this three-sided battle of wills, pitting Lord Lufton against his mother against Lucy against her suitor, resolve itself?

Well, that would be telling, wouldn't it? Let's just say that Lady Lufton has painted herself into a corner and let us leave it at that.

All in all, another fine example of Trollope's mastery of moral calculus.

Vincent Poirier, Dublin

Framley Parsonage is the fourth in Trollope's Barsetshire novels. Trollope (1815-1882) wrote the novel as a serial in the influential Cornhill magazine in 186-61, This novel along with the others in the series: The Warden; Dr. Thorne, The Small House at Allington, Barchester Towers and the Last Chronicle of Barset is a delightful return to mid-Victorian middle class society in a rural mythical county named Barsetshire.
In this long novel of over 600 pages there are several stories. The main character is the Rev. Mark Robarts, a
doctor's son, who at a young age becomes the vicar of Framley Parsonage. He has children and a kind wife Fanny. Mark has visions of grandeur in his head. He lends money to the unscrupulous Member of Parliament Mr. Sowerby. As a result of this fatuity Mark falls into debt. His friends rally to his aid.
Mark's sister Lucy Robarts is novel's heroine. She falls in love with the wealthy Lord Lufton who lives at Eustace Court with his formidable mother Lady Lufton. Lady Lufton wants her son Ludovic to wed Griselda Grantley the statuesque but dull as dishwater and cold as a cucumber daughter of Archdeacon Grantley. Lufton is torn between these two women. We see Lady Lufton overcome her prejudice against Lucy. Lucy is a kind girl who minister to the family of the poor clergyman Josiah Crawley. She wins over the heart of Lady Lufton and the reader.
Secondary plots concern the midlife romance of Miss Dunstable and good Doctor Thorne. Olivia Proudie daughter of the fussy busybody and scold Mrs. Proudie and the uxorious Bishop Proudie weds a clergyman Mr. Tickler who is a widower. Griselda Grantley is courted by the stupid Lord Dumbello who possesses a name and title to the Hartletop lands and fortune. Will she win Lord Lufton or choose Dumbello?
All's well that ends well in this classic Trollopian tale. Long before Jan Karon, Anthony Trollope wrote humorous, moving and plot driven tales of the lives of the clergy dealing with real life problems, romance and challenges. In my opinion, an Anthony Trollope novel is a good way to spend a quiet evening before the fireplace. Enjoy this wonderful author and the world he created.

The fourth of the Chronicles of Barsetshire, Framley Parsonage (1861) is a gentle novel filled with memorable characters, including many characters from The Warden, Barchester Towers, and Doctor Thorne (Barsetshire Novels). Mark Robarts, a young vicar with a devoted wife, has a comfortable situation at Framley Parsonage on the estate of the indomitable Lady Lufton. Her son, now Lord Lufton, had been a friend of Mark Robarts at school, and it was their friendship which resulted in Mark's position. Mark, though conscientious in his duties and grateful for his situation, is ambitious, however, anxious to expand his horizons beyond Framley.

Lady Lufton, who rules with an iron hand, is appalled when Mark decides to spend a weekend with a "fast" crowd, one which he believes can advance his career. Young and naïve, he becomes the dupe of an aristocratic "con-man," an MP named Nathaniel Sowerby, who persuades him to help him out of a financial jam by signing a note for five hundred pounds (more than half Robarts's yearly salary), allowing Sowerby to draw funds on Robarts's name. In the meantime, Robarts's sister Lucy arrives at Framley Parsonage upon the death of their father. Lucy, a sweet ingénue in mourning, soon comes to the attention of Lord Lufton, but Lady Lufton has many more "significant" matrimonial prospects in mind for her son. As Robarts's financial miseries become more pressing, and as Lucy's disappointment in love increases, the scene is set for a final showdown.

Numerous peripheral characters, many of them known to readers of the series, add to the drama of the primary action. The implacable dowager Lady Lufton, wishing to maintain her family's social position, pushes Griselda Grantly, daughter of Archdeacon Grantly, as the Duke's suitor. The competition between the (Archdeacon) Grantlys and the (Bishop) Proudies for suitors for their daughters adds great comic relief to the story, and the internecine manipulations among the clergy provide gentle satire in a novel which seems to be remarkably domestic in its focus.

Trollope provides a full picture of Victorian life, representing many aspects of society, and though his view of the clergy has in earlier novels been a bit jaded, he is sympathetic to many of its representatives in this novel, seeing them as humans, rather than as types. A sweet novel, part love story and part social commentary, Framley Parsonage is charming, memorable for its characters and picture of Victorian England. Mary Whipple

The fourth of the Chronicles of Barsetshire, Framley Parsonage (1861) is a gentle novel filled with memorable characters, including many characters from The Warden, Barchester Towers, and Dr. Thorne. Mark Robarts, a young vicar with a devoted wife, has a comfortable situation at Framley Parsonage on the estate of the indomitable Lady Lufton. Her son, now Lord Lufton, had been a friend of Mark Robarts at school, and it was their friendship which resulted in Mark's position. Mark, though conscientious in his duties and grateful for his situation, is ambitious, however, anxious to expand his horizons beyond Framley.

Lady Lufton, who rules with an iron hand, is appalled when Mark decides to spend a weekend with a "fast" crowd, one which he believes can advance his career. Young and naïve, he becomes the dupe of an aristocratic "con-man," an MP named Nathaniel Sowerby, who persuades him to help him out of a financial jam by signing a note for five hundred pounds (more than half Robarts's yearly salary), allowing Sowerby to draw funds on Robarts's name. Though Sowerby swears he will resolve the problem within weeks, he needs an additional four hundred pounds when the note comes due.

In the meantime, Robarts's sister Lucy arrives at Framley Parsonage upon the death of their father. Lucy, a sweet ingénue in mourning, soon comes to the attention of Lord Lufton, who is fascinated by her naivete, a marked contrast with the women he has known to date. Though Lady Lufton has much more "significant" matrimonial prospects in mind for her son, the courtship begins, and though Lucy declines Lord Lufton's initial proposal, she remains in love with him. As Robarts's financial miseries become more pressing, and as Lucy's misery at having turned down Lord Lufton increases, the scene is set for a final showdown.

Numerous peripheral characters, many of them known to readers of the series, add to the drama of the primary action. The implacable dowager Lady Lufton, wishing to maintain her family's social position, staunchly opposes the Duke's relationship with Lucy Robarts, pushing Griselda Grantly, daughter of Archdeacon Grantly, as the Duke's suitor. The competition between the (Archdeacon) Grantlys and the (Bishop) Proudies for suitors for their daughters adds great comic relief to the story, and the internecine manipulations among the clergy provide gentle satire in a novel which seems to be remarkably domestic in its focus.

Trollope provides a full picture of Victorian life, representing many aspects of society, and though his view of the clergy has in earlier novels been a bit jaded, he is sympathetic to many of its representatives in this novel, seeing them as humans, rather than as types. A sweet novel, part love story and part social commentary, Framley Parsonage is charming, memorable for its characters and picture of Victorian England. n Mary Whipple

The Warden
Barchester Towers
Doctor Thorne (Barsetshire Novels)

No wonder this fabulous work of historical fiction has withstood the test of time. The only copy I was able to obtain was dog-earred with many pages coming loose from the binding. It had obviously been a classroom textbook in earlier days as there were underlinings and pencil comments in a schoolgirl hand all over the margins. I actually found these "annotations" helpful in clarifying some historical references which I would otherwise not have understood. Even absent such helps, however, I would have loved this great history of the Norman invasion and the life-or-death conflict between two men of destiny. The thing about historical novels is that the reader already knows "how it will come out." Interest derives from how able the author is to make past events and long dead people come to life. Ms. Muntz succeeds brilliantly. Even though I knew who the ultimate victor would be here, I still read with avid interest as the story unfolded and found myself rooting for King Harold, knowing full well that he would be vanquished in the end. The tone here is reverent and somber - perfect to establish the mood of impending tragedy and the loss of the old Saxon England. I don't know if Muntz's depiction of the psychology of William and Harold is accurate - how could anyone know the true character of people who lived 1,000 years ago? - but she does a masterful job of bringing these men, their ambitions, their fears and their humanity to vivid life. The dignified writing style and measured pace of the language is hypnotic. There are no flowery flights of descriptive prose here, yet the very austerity of the writing captures the feeling of the time. As with most excellent historical fiction, I was intrigued to learn more about the participants in this pivotal time in Britain's history and have found wonderful resources on the Internet. This book was so good, so gripping, so moving, I have begun to re-read it already, although I just finished the last pages yesterday! No shoot-em-ups here, but something much better. A pleasure to read; a pleasure to recommend.

Not a whole lot is known about English King Harold, the loser of the momentous battle of Hastings in 1066. After all, he was only king for about nine months, and, well, he lost. Not only do the winners write the history, as we know, but they often obliterate the histories of those they vanquished. However, what little is known makes for fascinating conjecture, and this great novel by Hope Muntz gives us a very convincing depiction of what very well may have been.

It is easy to forget that history is made by men, not the other way around, and Ms. Muntz's novel rises above hundreds of others of its type because she understands that things happen in this world because of the characters of those involved. After meticulously painting the complex personalities of both Harold and William--and those who preceded them--their conflict becomes inevitable. What is fascinating is that the outcome of this conflict, this world-altering conflict, was in doubt almost to the bitter end.

What is known is that heirless Edward, Harold's predecessor, promised the throne to William the Norman. He himself was raised by the Normans, was their friend, and was enamored of them. We also know that prior to Edward's death, Harold himself promised to support William's ascension, although there is some debate as to whether this promise was coerced.

How did this come about? Harold would seem to have been the obvious successor. He was by the far the single most respected figure in fractious England, his was the largest earldom in the land, his sister was married to Edward, and, perhaps most importantly, he was English to his bones, unlike the Norman William.

The die was initially cast by a weak and vacillating Edward, who foolishly promised the crown to William more than a decade earlier. But when it became obvious to Harold and the English nobility that he would be the most logical choice, Harold went to Normandy to undo this. Harold, you see, was a proud, powerful, generous man, motivated entirely by his desire to see a united and peaceful England. His mistake was that he naively assumed William's desires for the English were similar, and although unstated, it appears his motive in visiting Normandy was simply to convince William that he was the right man for the job.

But William was far less altruistic, and in fact was unscrupulously motivated by wealth and power. After months of being feted, it became obvious to Harold that William was not going to let him go. When informed that civil strife had erupted in England, Harold determined to leave by using any means at his disposal. Thus the promise--nobly motivated to be sure--but a terrible promise nevertheless, and with his youngest brother Wulfnoth left behind as hostage to it.

There then follows the inevitable. Edward dies, Harold succeeds him to the throne, and William vows revenge. Harold marries Aldyth, sister of an English rival, in order to facilitate peace, but in doing so breaks the promise he made to the mother of his children, Edith, his "hand-fast" wife. Again, a poor, but nobly-made decision.

By this time the reader has been utterly swept up by the empathy he has been made to feel for the all-too-human Harold, and the tragic events we know must follow. Yes, tragedy is the word. The passages in the latter part of the novel are almost Shakespearian in their eloquence and power. On the eve of battle Harold is scorned and reviled by Aldyth, who was jealous over his inability to let Edith go; on the eve of battle his weeping, inconsolable mother berates him for losing her youngest son, the doomed Wulfnoth. Harold goes to his final confrontation tormented by these thoughts.

William, in an enemy land and with dwindling supplies, knows he must force the battle with the weakened Harold immediately, and does so by ravaging the countryside, knowing that the good Harold can not abide the suffering of his poor peasants. Again, we see actions motivated by character.

And then there is the battle itself, the horrific, day-long, bloody, hate-filled clash, the ebb and flow of which is recounted here in vivid, realistic detail. Both men fight valiantly, but in the end, a mortally wounded and practically blind Harold is informed that his brothers are dead, and that the Normans have broken through the right side of his line.

The first part of this novel can be a little daunting. There is a large cast of unfamiliar, inter-related characters, with names like Leofwin, Alfgar, Siward and Gytha. But once the narrative begins to focus on Harold and William, the going gets a little easier, and the book becomes a powerful, irresistible force. This is truly a magnificent piece of work, the memory of which still haunts me weeks after finishing it. It will likely do so for many weeks to come.

I can only agree with the other reviewers when they eulogise over this book. All the characters, not just the two main ones, are 3-dimensional and you really feel that you are there with them. A beautifully written book that deserves to be on everyone's reading list.

This story emcompasses the life of Harold who starts out as an earl and eventually becomes King of England. His genius and his shortcomings are intricately portrayed by Ms. Muntz. The novel has an old world flavor to that at times is enchanting, and at others tedious.

It also showcases Duke William of Normandy as a shrewd, calculating future ruler of England. He uses Harold's faults as well as his virtues against him whenever possible.

Although the writing is somewhat archaic, it is a genuine retelling of this famous man, who would be King and for a brief time was just that. This book is out-of-print, however, if you can locate it it is well worth reading!

This was a very detailed and flowery retelling of the battle for England in 1066. The cast of regulars is all included - Harold Godwinsson, his brothers, mother and sister, Edith Swan-neck, Aldyth and her brothers along with the entire Norman roster under William the Conqueror. Is the book good - absolutely. Is it great - no - not in comparisson to Housecarle by Laurence J. Brown or Gildenford and the trilogy by Valary Anand. I found the book a bit of a slow read. The language is in a more dated style and just didn't flow well. Also, the author re-tells details over and over and over. If I had to read one more time about the broken oath between Harold and William I would have packed the book away. I find it a bit insulting for an author to feel it's necessary to tell the reader the same thing incessantly. I GET IT ALREADY!!! Was the book thorough - definatley - perhaps longer than necessary. Good points - I liked the ending. It made me think much better of William and Willaim Mallet than the endings of other books on the saga. I also liked strong references about Harolds early illness and William's visions - these men both believed God was on their side. It's hard to say who was right or wrong - which is perhaps why the "what ifs" of this story never cease to thrill me.

Grasping the Ring is an impelling presentation of nine personal portraits of leaders in sports, the media and national governmental services including two U.S. senators. The author, Dr. Gene Budig, is a greatly respected and admired educational leader who was president of three national universities, president of the American Baseball League, a general in the U.S. Air Force and senior presidential advisor of the College Board in New York City. In reality, Dr. Budig is the tenth portrait in Grasping the Ring, a must read.

The biographies of these distinct and heroic individuals, so elegantly and masterfully nestled together by Dr. Budig's wise and artful hand, weave a delightful and illuminating tapestry of profound impact. The work is not only interesting and entertaining, but it also carries the freight of a stirring realization--that the human spirit can indeed overcome adversity and deposit experiences that shape human history. A very enlightening, thought provoking and enriching book!

These clear and concise biographies of famous individuals who
persevered thru challenging circustances is inspiring to read.
Gene Budig gives the reader the feeling that they are having
a personal interview with these heroic figures.Anyone who has
experienced a roadblock in life must read this book.

Gene Budig has given us an insightful snapshot into the lives of nine outstanding individuals who were driven to success in spite of adversity and sometimes outright hostility.

The essays are made more vibrant because Mr. Budig's personally knew these remarkable people. Reading about each person's strength, innate desire and determination to achieve desired goals makes this a most enjoyable and refreshing read.

Gene Budig has written a delightful and enlightening book about some major sports figures, a gifted newspaperman and the significant politicians, Bob Dole and Bob Kerrey.
He knows all well and profiles their achievements along with their vivid personalities in a riveting way. As a daughter of the Midwest, it made me cheer for my achieving brothers from America's heartland. It is a fast read and you'll learn a lot in an enjoyable way!

Great book, all instructions are very well written and patterns are well done, can't wait to get started on this project!

Love it

I found this book to be absolutely great!! There is a great variety of easy, medium, and more challenging blocks to complete in this book. Also, there is a good variety of designs amongst the blocks. Each block is represented in color on the front and back covers. The rest of the book is in black and white. Root also gives you an idea of how each block could be quilted. Although I only have 1 thing that I would change, and it's probably just my own personal curiousity but nonetheless, I wish the blocks had a little tid bit of their own history saying why that design came to be immortalized in a quilt. The book still deserves 5 stars!

Perfect book for the beginning quilter who wants to make a first attempt at a Hawaiian quilt. This small blocks are perfect to get a taste of the techniques involved and to improve your skills.

Very well constructed book, with excellent drawings of patterns and thorough instructions included. There are additional graphics depicting suggested quilting ideas, which, for the novice hawaiian quilter, such as myself, is an excellent tool to create an outstanding finished result. Her patterns are full sized so you do not need to re-size the patterns to use them. You can trace or copy them for use. Overall, an excellent hawaiian quilting instruction book.

Hunting the King, by Peter Clenott, is set in modern Iraq after the US coalition forces overthrew Saddam Hussein's regime. The blurb on the book's cover is "The race to uncover the most prized archaeological find of all time: the tomb of Jesus Christ."

This is Dan Brown light. Fast action, fast paced, details are not in-depth, the story facts are woven in with the real facts for a seamless, believable, whole. It is a good, easy read with mystery, dreams, visitation from the past, and puzzles. It is believable enough for you to wonder how it happened (You need to read the book for the 'it'!). Clenott, like real archeology, does not provide all the answers. So in my few quiet times, I can ponder back on the story line and wonder about meanings and futures.

The tomb of Jesus, where his mortal form was last laid to rest only the vanish three days later. "Hunting the King" is a race between archaeologists to uncover what could be the biggest discovery in their history, the tomb of Jesus Christ. Set during the height of the Iraq War as the army still marches against Hussein, Molly O'Dwyer is on the verge of discovery, but must face against rivals, the military, and a Muslim cleric all with their own agendas but in Molly's way nonetheless. A captivating thriller from first page to last, "Hunting the King" is a top pick for fiction lovers and community library collections dedicated to them.

HUNTING THE KING is a fast-paced story of the search for the remains of Christ. And if not Christ's remains, at least those of his family members. Throughout the complex compilation of characters from academia, religion, the military and the past Iraqi regime, you wonder what will happen to the faithful if Christ's temporal remains should be found. The story is very well written. Clenott keeps the numerous characters and their stories clear and interesting and the dénouement is clever. I highly recommend this book.

One of the joys of reading 'first novels' is the pleasure of discovering a mature writer who is able to construct a book with a strong idea, a solid cast of varied and wholly credible characters, and the ability to pull it all together with elegant writing. Peter Clenott seems to have the qualities that define a writer of class - a rich imagination, a commitment to research, a facile way with words, a sense of the arc of a story line that is as smooth throughout the curve, and a style that manages to make a complex story very easy to follow.

Mysteries about the origins of Christianity have been a popular topic for the past decade or so - was Jesus crucified until dead and did he rise from the dead and in resurrection ascend into heaven, or was there more to his important life than tradition and the Church would have us believe - questions that to some casual reader of a book jacket may sound heretical but to others who love historical investigation open new paths of exploring, and even enhancing, our belief systems. Clenott writes with authority and yet with a profound respect for all religions as he traces a mixed group of archeologists, clerics, historians, politicians, Intelligence experts, and military personnel from varied countries in a search for the possible remains of a buried Jesus and his 'earthly family' - all from insights provided by the Book of Hannaniah (the daughter of Jesus and Mary Magdalen) excluded from the Bible. His cast is lead by a fascinating Dr. Molly O'Dwyer who is convinced through her sessions of 'Regression therapy' by a Catholic priest turned professor that she has inhabited the character of Hannaiah and is obsessed with discovering the burial site of Hannaiah and possibly even the grave of Jesus. The book follows the expedition team gathered from various countries to Iraq, a timely current and well-managed proscenium arch for the story. Clenott manages the various aspects of this story by breaking his chapters into fragments that serve to transport the reader to various vantages of the involved and very disparate characters, allowing the story to flow without disruption while at the same time giving the reader a depth of understanding about the forces involved. His knowledge and research is evident on every page as we learn the terrain not only of Afghanistan and Iraq but also of the Vatican and the US and tenets of the world religions. And to keep the novel grounded in credible reality Clenott manages to introduce sidebars of love interest and profound friendships as well as the brutalities of war and conflicts that enhance this story while successfully questioning historical Biblical accuracy.

To offer more of the plot would spoil the adventure for reading Peter Clenott's fascinating tale. HUNTING THE KING is a very fine, very successful work of literature - a book that, once started, is quite impossible to put down. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, May 08

One more book in the "just like Da Vinci Code" genre, but the only difference is, this one is good.

In 2003, as America is invading Iraq, a discovery is made that leads Molly O'Dwyer to believe that Hannaniah, the supposed daughter of Jesus, is there and Molly must find the remains before they are lost forever. Being an observant Catholic, she battles herself over the bigger picture. If she finds and reveals them to the world, what will happen to the Christian faith? With a long list of characters that had me a bit confused at times, Molly and her fellow scientist's race through Iraq and Afghanistan following clues that Hannaniah herself left in her poetry. Climaxing in a battle of good vs evil and who can outwit who, Clenot has you on the edge of your seat until the final pages.

The brutality of the time and place are not lost on the reader, Clenott manages to carry the reader through Abu Ghraib and into the beauty of the country that protects their traditions and will fight to withhold them.

What I respected Clenott for was his implying but not really coming out and saying who the mother of the child was. Mary Magdalene's name had been mentioned in the book as a follower, but it was never said outright that she was the mother of Hannaniah. I'm glad he didn't get caught up in the current hype and let the reader reach their own conclusion. The one thing that did caused me to mark the book down one star was the fact that the lead character was a diabetic, but yet was able to go long days without eating and only needing one insulin shot. I don't know why Clenott included this tidbit about his character since it really wasn't necessary and for me, drew me away from the story. Having lived with my father, a diabetic for years, this didn't make sense to me and kept drawing me away from the story.

Apparently, this is the first in a planned series and I look forward to see more from this writer and Molly O'Dwyer.

Though Kotz is writing about oft-covered material, this book comes across as a fresh and vital examination of the relationship of two of the most important figures of the previous century. He spends a lot of time going over well known facts but also highlights the personalities of these two men. The portraits that emerge are quite interesting. MLK comes across as a man committed to change and--despite minor flaws--as the hero he was.

More surprising is Kotz take on LBJ, who comes across as equally committed to change and righting wrongs. Kotz argues that LBJ always displayed a commitment to improving the lot of the poor. Though he does not explain LBJ's early votes against civil rights, he argues that his eventual support of major civil rights legislation had its roots in his desire to help the disadvantaged, like those he grew up with in the Hill Country of Texas.

While stressing that both men were brilliant leaders, Kotz does not shy away from their flaws--of which LBJ had many. Most interesting is his take that both hoped to accomplish significantly more in the realm of abolishing poverty when their efforts were cut short--LBJ's by the morass of Vietnam and MLK's by a bullet. Ultimately this was a great read and should serve to hold those readers over who are eagerly awaiting the years-away release of Robert Caro's next LBJ volume.

Author Nick Kotz brings out the personalities of the heavy hitters of the 1960's, especially President Lyndon Johnson and civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. The book begins with the assassination of President Kennedy as Lyndon Johnson is then thrust into the presidency. Determined to carry out Kennedy's programs Johnson achieves initial success with his Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Equal Voting Rights Act of 1965. The author does a wonderful job characterizing Johnson's ability to give others the "Johnson treatment" in convincing them to go along with his programs. He has to deal with, not only conservative Democratic politicians determined to keep segregation permanent, but with diverse personalities such as Bobby Kennedy who felt Johnson was trying to "take over" too fast following his brother's assassination, F.B.I. Director J. Edgar Hoover who kept voluminous files on those he may need to blackmail at some time in the future, and Martin Luther King, Jr. who wanted to achieve equal rights through nonviolence. King realized, however, that he needed to wake up the country by having them see the physical violence his marchers were subjected to in the South. Vietnam put the kibosh on Johnson's Great Society program and War on Poverty to such an extent that he chose not to run for a second term in that horrendous year of 1968 which saw both Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. assassinated, the Vietnam was spiraled out of control, cities continued to burn in rioting as they had in 1967, and Richard Nixon went on to become the next president. Whether you lived through these years or not they were historic times and this book is required reading for those wanting to learn about this period in history.

A few more pieces to the civil rights movement,very well written. there was new stuff here along with insight and some behind the story things I really liked. You should enjoy this one.

No need to be interested in Civil Rights to enjoy this book. If you aren't hooked after the first chapter, no need to continue.

Before reading this book my interest in the Civil Rights Era was probably at best a 4 on a scale of 1-10. After reading a few pages, I was instantly hooked. "Judgment Days" is easily one of the best-written books I've read in the last year (possibly only surpassed by "John Adams"). Nick Kotz does a wonderful job at making history read like a novel and despite the fact that someone completely unfamiliar with American history would still possess some basic knowledge of the subject matter: most Civil Rights legislation is passed, Vietnam is a quagmire, MLK is shot - I found myself unable to put this book down. Upon reading this book, I have a new-found respect for LBJ, view MLK in a different light, and my disdain for J. Edgar Hoover is even greater. This book should be a mandatory read for most US History and Civics classes. The struggle of the Civil Rights Era is only a generation removed for most of America's youth - yet is viewed as distant history. What MLK and others endured to ensure that the American Dream is possible for anyone provided that they want it, is eye opening (to say the least). The author does a great job of revealing how in the "land of the free" you were only truly free as long as your skin wasn't black. Nick Kotz deserves the Pulitzer for this book and it's also an excellent tie in to "The Years of Lyndon Johnson: Master of the Senate" by Robert A. Caro.

I am a young woman in my early 20's and probably have not read a book since high school, but this book certainly caught my eye. I have always been attracted to bad boys throughout my life and reading this book surely got me the hots for the characters in this book. The pictures of Craig Glazer with his shirt off in the prison yard, with his muscles showing and sweat dripping off his body was tempting and I had to read more. Don the other main character was a descent guy, but could not compare to Craig in appearance.

I am a young college student and have always wanted to be an undercover cop in highschool catching people selling drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol to minors. I believe there is good in everyone, in every aspect. Craig went on through his life after the aftermath to succeed in a Comedy Club that I have personally attended. He is still not only successful in what he does, but has not changed in his appearance either. Like I always say, "Once a bad boy, always a bad boy."

I was driving across town when I heard this guy on the radio who turned out to be Craig Glazer, telling some of the craziest stories I have ever heard. And then I realized the stories were about his life. At first I thought it was a new movie coming out then I thought he was a celebrity speaker like Sam Elliott but nope.....it turned out he was a guy not much different than me. I haven't bought a book since my wife made me buy her a weight loss book called "Atkins Diet" ....it didn't work.
Times are tough so I went on Amazon to save a little money and buy the The King of Sting. I was hoping it would live up Mr. Glazer's storytelling on the radio. I had high hopes...it was even better. I am not a fast reader and I drive for a living but I finished that thing in 4 days. My only regret is that it wasn't longer. Boy, did it bring back memories of my younger days. Now mind you I never did what Glazer and Woodbeck did but I wanted to live the life of an outlaw like those guys. Kinda a good guy-bad guy. I was impressed with the fact that Glazer really did study up on how to be an outlaw in high school. It sure paid off for him...at least he lived to tell his tale. I think the best part was how far he went to impersonate law enforcement. That was clever. I took it kinda hard that Woodbeck got himself killed. I really wished he would have lived. It would be so entertaining to hear Glazer and Woodbeck tell their stories together on radio or television today.
Mr. Glazer, I hope you read this and there is more coming after The King of Sting. My wife and son are fighting over this book right now over who gets to read it next. The King of Sting is now my favorite book....before you guys it was Northwest Passage.

This is one of the most action packed books I've read in awhile. Craig has definitely lived a full life. Truly an interesting book that you won't want to put down. Excellent.

I heard Glazer on the radio in Myrtle Beach. At first I thought he was an on-air D.J. then I realized he was telling his own life story. I usually buy books that are fiction but this story had me going. The book was every bit as good as I hoped it would be after I heard him on the radio. I missed the first part of his story when I tuned in to the show. I couldn't help but get behind him and his partner Woodbeck, even though I am a law and order person. I found what he did somewhat justified but still he and his crew were criminals themselves. I guess in a way they were better than the people they robbed. The story was so much fun that I just was really pulling for him, the guy went through alot and I could relate to that. My only criticism of this well written piece was that I really wanted to know more about Don Woodbeck. There was alot of background on Glazer but not much on Woodbeck. I thought they were truly a duo much like Wyatt Earp & Doc Holiday.....I was sad that Woodbeck was killed. I enjoyed the pictures.....what a crazy family the Glazers are! His dad reminds me of my own dad. They never seem to grow-up, maybe that is a good thing....one of the better books I have read in the last several years and I read alot of books!

Sal Manna, you are wonderful, thank you for making my first week in August memorable. That is assuming Mister Glazer told you the story and it was your writting of his story that has had me re read this fantastic tale. The King of Sting is now my favorite true story. I am in my early 50's and boy could I relate to these two modern day pirates/Glazer and Woodbeck. Man just reading this book gave me a rush....you guys got me high on your high. Stinging or rather robbing drug dealers posing as cops, cool, but then becoming a real undercover agent...at twenty...bet you pulled over a few hot chicks Glazer....The Hollywood part was second only to the final sting, ripping off hoods that turned out to be feds...priceless.....I was sad when Don died and I really liked Grandpa Benny...in an odd way I was entertained by Glazer's father, Stan...not a total villian...did I like the King of Sting...NO, I LOVED THE KING OF STING, please, please don't leave me hanging and write what happened these last fifteen or so years Mister Glazer and Mister Manna....You boys have a big fan in Dave....thank you for reminding me of why we read books, to learn, to enjoy and to dream...thank you both