King Books

As someone learning to shoot a longbow for hunting deer in western Oregon, I read the book more for the archery aspects than the historical ones; however, I was treated to a simply first-class book on a famous battle. I love the way Juliet Barker sets the scene. She provides ample background on the character of King Henry and other personalities so that his actions and responses make sense. In someone else's hands this could easily have been tedious reading but it was not; it was utterly fascinating. Another reviewer wrote that this book reads more like a novel and I would agree. The author is indeed sympathetic to this king and her writing influenced me. From knowing nothing about King Henry V I feel that I understand much about him. He was an amazing person, a genuine leader, a fearless warrior, a brilliant strategist, and most appealingly to me, a man of honor. Would that we could have a president with such character!

I found this book extremely readable and very entertaining. Not something you can say about a lot of historical tomes.

The author gives a compelling account of the actual battle. So much so that the smell of the horses, the blood and gore and all the other noxious smells that are part and parcel of a battlefield seem to pervade the readers nostrils.

However the book is not just about the battle itself but also about the participants particularly the English King, scheming churchmen and murderous Dukes. The knightly heroes, cowards, surgeons and spies. The book has them all.

The author has made it possible for history to be enjoyed by a wider audience, rather than the academic. History has always been interesting. Books written like this one will make many more readers aware of that fact.

I selected this book because of an interest in Henry V. However, the book is so full with anecdotes, stories and interesting tidbits about what life was like in the 15th century that it reads like a novel. Its really hard to put down. Highly recommended!

This is a very engaging work that goes beyond the simple logistics and mechanics of the campaign and battle. It is brings the major players to life in a way that the reader comes to understand their motivations and allegiances with biographical sketches woven throughout the book. Henry V is the main figure and is smpathetically treated. His sense of the noble purpose of the campaign and belief in the righteousness of his cause comes through clearly. By contrast, Charles VI and the Dauphin are no more than shadow characters, as they were in the entire Agincourt story. The book is rich in details of chivalry. For example, the story of Raoul de Gaucourt is followed from his life before the siege of Harfleur and through his leadership of the defense of the city. The strong defense of the city slowed Henry down and cost him unexpected men and material. When Harfleur fell, de Gaucourt surrendered to the king's justice. He was paroled with the expectation that he would appear at Calais to see what fate awaited him. After Agincourt, de Gaucourt presented himself to Henry at Calais and remained an English prisoner for some time. The reader gains a good appreciation of early 15th century chivalry. Barker also addresses other elements, often surprising to the modern reader, about the difficulties of a medieval campaign. Henry landed without maps as we know them and relied on local information and scouting parties to plan his route. Her discussion of the challenges an invading army has in findings its direction is just one of many that broadens the perspective beyond the Agincourt campaign. If you have an interest in the Hundred Years War or medieval warfare you'll find this book worth your time.

Alexander III of Macedonia - brilliant, intuitive, decisive, driven was chief, amongst many things, an outstanding commander in chief of arguably the premier military force of the ancient world. It is little wonder that Brassey included Alexander in their series (Dennis Showalter, series editor) of Military Profiles.

Admittedly a biography of Alexander as a military man, Tsouras opens by showing us the forces and experiences that instructed, equipped and empowered Alexander to become a successful leader of military forces. As he does, Tsouras includes most of the standard stories told about Alexander and puts them into their historical perspective.

The bulk of the book follows Alexander's exploits leading the Macedonian army as they secured their home base, conquered Persia and marched on into India and Afghanistan. Tsouras details battles and spends time detailing the ways in which Alexander managed his troops on and off the battle field. He presents in detail and with illustrations the tactics Alexander used in two significant battles. These were illustrative of Alexander's skill in leadership on the battlefield.

This is a short book, easy to read and understandable. I found it well worth the time and effort spent. As a lay person to military tactics I was able to comprehend the material presented.

I did find however, that many questions about Alexander, his life and times, were raised. But the answers to these belong to other books.

This slim, 107-page book is superbly written and obviously based on a lifetime devoted to the study of Alexander. Yet, this in-depth understanding of the man and his accomplishments does not slow down the pace of the book. Peter is able to keep the fruits of his exaustive research in a supporting role, never letting it impeed or slow the velocity of Alexander's story, which is fitting. Peter provides just enough detail to explain the importance of each of Alexander's actions and how they were achieved. This is important because I really didn't believe so much insight could be packed into such a small book. Another point, Peter firmly roots Alexander in Macedonia, with its history, politics, traditions and expectations of leadership. Quickly, the reader comes to view the situation as a Macedonian, not a Greek. This distinction is important in understanding Alexander in context of his historical period and cultural background. Given Peter's preparation, the reader will understand that Alexander could become a god in the eyes of his contemporaries, given his unsurpassed military and political accomplishments. I will leave the superlatives to Peter. Within twenty pages you will know in detail that Alexander was superbly prepared for greatness. In another twenty, how Alexander turned his excellent preparation into an unmatched string of victories. Never once does the author loose sight of the man himself. If Alexander seems unapproachable and on a pedestal, it is because he deserves to be there. Peter's genious is to avoid the inclination to dislodge Alexander. Instead, Peter tries to bring us up to Alexander's level and into his world.
This could possibly be the only book on Alexander the historian or student of military art ever needs.

This concise, vivid retelling of Alexander's life is simply without equal. As both an accomplished historian and a military man (and, for that matter, a Greek-American), Tsouras is uniquely qualified to write on the subject; as a result, he's produced an analytical military biography to rank alongside the work of J.F.C. Fuller. Yet, for all the insight, there isn't a dry page in this book. In less than a hundred pages, the author catches the color and fire of a lost world, reminding us why Alexander remains a mythical presence in remote parts where American soldiers are fighting today. One of those sudden geniuses whose appearance changes the world, Alexander has long fascinated a wide range of intellects (beginning with his teacher, Aristotle), and it would seem that nothing new could be added to the library of works that exist on the subject. What Tsouras adds to the Alexandrine story is clarity. Writing for a series that might be called "brief military lives" forced authorial selectivity on the work. The result is not only the most lucid biography available of Alexander the Great, but one of the clearest, most readable biographies of any of the figures of antiquity. The writers of the classical age, from playwrights down to Plutarch, understood the art of capturing the total character in the gesture or the sculpted sentence. Tsouras has produced a highly readable biography that needs not one additional word, but couldn't spare one he included. It's a fine read, more relevant than one might at first think. And, if nothing else, with a big-budget Hollywood "sword-and-sandal" bio-pic of Alexander on the way, it's worth the while of any intelligent reader/viewer to learn about the man himself before settling down with the popcorn. Finally, I have to add that I've been a fan of Tsouras's broad body of work for years. I make no pretense of being anything less than a great admirer of his books--and only wish I could persuade still more readers to give him a try. His biography of Alexander is a great place to start.

I'm a hardcore Alexandrophile (having read nearly 3 dozen books about this remarkable historic figure) and I can say that this work by Peter G. Tsouras is the best concise biography of the man I've read to date. Considering that it's part of a Military Profiles series, I expected the book to be a rather dry military academia that strictly focused on Alexander's military achievements. While it's true that the focus is on the military aspects of Alexander's extraordinary life and career, I was pleasantly surprised by the broad range of Alexander's life that Tsouras covered with such clear prose and lucid writing style.

Tsouras takes a very balanced view of Alexander in light of today's mudslinging between the extreme pro-Alexandrian and anti-Alexander schools of thought. Overall, Tsouras comes to a fairly positive outlook and conclusion when it comes to Alexander's achievements and legacy after having thoroughly examined both sides of the story. I also have a very positive view although I am very well aware of the mistakes Alexander had made during his life. I just do not think it's Alexander's fault that the latter day imitators who followed in his footsteps didn't realize that they didn't have his immense talents and noble intentions and only focused on his military successes of vanquishing his enemies and enjoying the spoils of the victories. Tsouras is very well aware of this as he points out that many have tried to equal or surpass Alexander but fell woefully short and simply committed atrocities on a huge scale.

This is an insightful book that is chock full of interesting information and is easy to read. If you have time for only one concise biography of the greatest conqueror the world has ever known, this is the one to get. It's real history but isn't dry or overbearing with esoteric academia as so many classical history books tend to be. Tsouras also lays out the military aspects of Alexander's career in a manner both military buff and the layman can easily digest and learn from. There has never been a leader and military commander quite like Alexander the Great. Tsouras shows you why in a clear and lucid manner. I ended up finishing this book over a weekend but I expect to come back to it over and over again in the future. It's highly recommended to both serious Alexandrophiles and novices alike.

I ordered this book to provide as a gift to other Stephen Ministers. It proved to be very helpful for individual devotional reading and for comfort. Many times some of the offerings are appropriate to share with our care receivers.

A friend had this book and recommended it to me. After seeing her copy, I ordered one for myself.
I find it very comforting and moving. There are many words of wisdom applicable for alomost any occasion.

Our church's Stephen Ministers have found this book invaluable to use when praying for and with their care receivers as well as for their own prayer needs. The prayers reminds us that God, indeed, is the one who heals.

I picked up Lyn Klug's book when I lost a loved one. The passages in the book filled the void I had been feeling. Now, whenever I am sad or afraid, I pick up the book and read my favorite prayers over again. They give me a comfort I've not found in another book. A must-have for anyone who needs peace from time to time.

I first read this book a couple of years ago and thought it was very clever. Though the author sometimes sacrifices compelling language to reach a rhyme, the overall story is a rich, satirical tale for adults about how TV is used to lull a group of dissatisfied slaves back into complacency, presented in the guise of a children's book. I bought a copy recently to read to my junior high media literacy class in honor of "Turn Off Your TV Week" and a lot of it flew right over their heads. I think the rhyming helps to cloud the real issues being presented so I would recommend this title only for a high-school-and-older audience. Also, this book, unedited, is not suitable for read-alouds as it is deceptively long (and one can only listen to rhyming couplets for so long).

A classic! Fable for today's kids. My boys got the message, and my husband and I both loved it! Our current family favorite.

This is a fun book. The graphics are really engaging, and the writing has a really incisive glance at consumerism and how TV and media control every aspect of our lives. It's a nice follow up to Snark, Inc. and in many ways it's a stronger book.

Turn off the TV and check it out!

This is a very clever follow up to Snark, Inc. I read a review somewhere stating the book puts more twists into fewer pages, and I agree with that. I liked Snark but this book is more of an interesting critique of its enemy (if you will) as it has a stronger narrative. I think the best underlying theme of the book is that the "protaganosts" are treated as a faceless collective - which is exactly what people become as media consumers. There's a great illustration to convey this when the Snox Boxes are delivered to slaves, and they're all in the background with no discernable faces. Definitely worth picking up if you have your doubts about the true intentions of mega-media corporations. Control, control, control!

Another reviewer pretty much said it: "... What a wonderful book. It has the depth of an adult book, yet is written at a young person's level..."

I picked this up for my almost 8 year old for summer learning. I think I'm enjoying it more than he his. I've learned so much. We have some other books on Ancient Rome, but this book goes into more detail with short chapters.

This is a good book for those that are just coming to explore the Ancient World of the Mediterranean. Rome came to dominate that world and influences us even today. It is not purely by acident that we have a Senate, and that many of the buildings in Washington, D. C. resemble Greco-Roman buildings, nor that we have a republican form of government. It all comes from and through Rome. This book will give the beginning explorer information that can stand as a beginning point to mark the beginning of the exploration of this ancient culture that still influences us today. But that is its limitation, too.

From a legendary prince's journey across the sea to an African general who travels with painted war elephants, the story of the ancient Roman world's history needn't be a dry one: not with Ronald Mellor and Marni McGee's ANCIENT ROMAN WORLD in hand. Yes, there are the usual primary sources lending to a research paper; but there's also the lively overtone missing from many similar coverages on the topic, using that material to create an engaging drama of Roman times.

I got this book for my 10 year old son for his study of Ancient Rome. What a wonderful book. It has the depth of an adult book, yet is written at a young person's level. The Latin and Greek roots and primary source quotes are an added bonus.

Andrew's Angry Words is a fabulous story. It explains in simple terms the effect of angry words on others. I highly recommend it!

Poetic, lovely, unique, imaginative, funny, sincere, honest and approachable, Andrew's Angry Words handles the subject of anger beautifully. Children and adults, both, can benefit from this gentle, yet profound, story that reminds us that angry words have a negative impact on the giver as well as receiver, and all touched by either.

This is a great storytale with a valuable lesson to be learned in regards to how our negative actions can cause a domino-effect of negative reactions in others. I bought this book for my five-year-old who started to say "angry words" after beginning Kindergarten. Not only has this book helped us in discussing "angry words" and why they are never appropriate, but we have had fun in the process reading this together! I enjoy the storytelling aspects of this book (lots of great opportunities to creat different voices with all of the interesting characters, i.e. poet, dragon, motorcycle man)and would recommend this book to teachers and librarians as a read-aloud. Enjoy - we have!

Few kids' books clearly show the consequences words can have when they are used as weapons. This book is one of them, and does it in style.

Even little kids understand the consequences here, because the ripple effect is illustrated so well. Andrew's older sister ran to answer the phone, tripping Andrew and spilling him and his toys in the process. He then spewed "the angriest bunch of words anyone has ever heard."

As soon as he said them, he wished he had not. But it was too late. Marion got on the phone with Ted, the baker's son, and yelled at him, who yelled out the window and into a room where a poet was working. The poet lost his rhyme, and screamed angry words at a motorcyclist passing by. And so on.

The words went to some fanciful places, including a dragon's breath, but kids get the message: Once spoken, ephemeral though words seem, they have a way of traveling.

The story ends on a happy note, the happiest part of which is that kids finish this book understanding the hurtful potential--and positive power--of words. Alyssa A. Lappen

In retired USMC Lt. Col. Neil Levin's memoir, An Angel Rode My Wing, what begins as a young man's adventure becomes a calling to a purpose greater than self.

I was particularly struck by Levin's use of first person present tense narrative in certain vignettes. He doesn't so much tell these stories as he relives them, establishing a rare intimacy with the reader as one only would with a trusted confidante. You will be right there with him in the cockpit, whether soaring for the pure pleasure of it or engaging the enemy in deadly combat, and you will stand beside him at "The Wall" and understand when he weeps.

Readers who have never served - the overwhelming majority of our society since the draft ended - will find revealed here the draw and the truth of military life, as opposed to Hollywood's stereotypes. Readers who have served in combat arms units, regardless of service branch, will find throughout Levin's story striking similarities to experiences and remembrances of their own. And those of us who served 20 years, 30 years, or more will once again experience in his writing that last day's emotion of it all having been done too soon.

An Angel Rode My Wing goes beyond Neil Levin's deeply personal and unique story to give voice to all those who served, sacrificed, and survived nightmares, been blessed with lifelong friendships in which love is not too strong a word, and have found their life's dreams fulfilled.

The author takes us all back to a time, somewhat forgotten. But, never by those who were there. His recollection of the events that happened took me there next to him in his flying endeavors.

He openly discusses his views, his personal life, his love for country and fellow comrades.

It's truly a refreshing story and one that I would encourage anyone to read.

I found this book to be highly entertaining. It was exciting, had both pathos and comedy. Could not put it down and look forward to Mr Levin's future writings

Neil Levin writes about what he knows best --flying and living life to the fullest! His paperback autobiography, "An Angel Rode My Wing," has all the elements of any great action novel--from being shot down over North Vietnam and miraculously surviving, to mysterious and mystical occurrences in his life. I read his book in one sitting. I could not put down the book until I read that last page--which will bring tears to your eyes as he talks about his granddaughter. I do not want to give away the ending but the book is appropriately titled.

There is just enough of "the real" Neil exposed in his book to allow you to see another whole side of this career military leader and pilot. I enjoyed reading it and found it so completely different than all the other military stories I have read over the last decade. Levin does not take his story so serious. His good sense of humor shows with an easy writing style. It is almost like you are sitting down at the bar with him and he is reminiscing with you about his life. It feels that personal--kind of one on one feeling between the writer and the reader. He understates his combat actions and gives us a wonderful insider view of those dashing aviators who flew over North Vietnam.

This is a book that can be read by all age groups. It is comfortable entertainment that also presents some thought provoking issues about marriage, divorce, children, out of body experiences and even UFOs. MWSA gives this book its top rating! A must read.

Scholarly but not stuffy, Eric Ives' book is the best biography by far I have read of Anne Boleyn. It is packed with original research and serious scholarship but at the same time is readable and easy to follow. The average intelligent layperson would enjoy reading this. Ives, Antonia Fraser and Alison Weir are all MUST READS for Tudor scholars and history buffs.

I found this an excellent read when I was studying Anne Boleyn. While never becoming too bogged down in details, it tells her story compellingly and with the necessary human touch which makes Anne's story so engrossing.

Focusing on faction as one of the major causes of Anne's downfall, we are taken from her contested date of birth to her final end, through the whims of the king, life at court and her dubious romances. Ives gives the legends a brisk working over and gives the facts clearly with all the available evidence. This is THE book on Anne to read and I strongly recommend it to anyone studying her life.

Even those who have little interest in the story of the second wife of Henry VIII could be attracted by Mr. Ives' clear writing style, wit and "proper historical scepticism". To those with a keener interest, this book is as irresistible as Anne herself. With much of the book based on original research, the text offers new and absorbing insights into a complex person and of life at court under Henry VIII. For the most part, Mr. Ives maintains a proper distance from his subject, but from time to time, he opens his cloak of objectivity to expose the admirer beneath. If you are also an admirer of glimpses of court life, both in France and England, then you should order this book.

Anne Boleyn was accused of essentially the same catalog of crimes used against every powerful woman since (and probably before) Jezebel - sexual infidelity, witchcraft, heresy, capriciousness and foul temper. As Ives explains, she may not have been physically the most beautiful woman at court, but her intellect, sophistication and worldliness (she had served at the Austrian and French courts) made her by far the most attractive. What is incredible about her courtship with Henry is the sheer number of missed chances to get a proper annulment of Hal's earlier marriage to Katharine - which, of course, would have removed the impetus for the English Reformation, and all the carnage that followed. What makes this a great read is Ives' ability to translate renaissance history into modern terms: Anne's rise and fall were inextricably linked to larger political and religious forces in Henry's court: her demise was the direct product of a temporary court alliance between the hard line crypto-Protestants (Thomas Cromwell et. al.) and the equally hard line Catholic sympathizers (Norfolk, plus the former followers of Thomas More). Once Anne was off the scene, they happily returned to their ideological trenches and resumed ploting against each other. Anne's was a vibrant life in a world which punished the vibrant and the intelligent.

I would like to know whether this book has already been translated and publlished in Japan. If it's coming in near future, when and which publisher.Thank you. (I have sent 2 other. I skipped my name then)

I would like to know whether this book has already been translated and publlished in Japan. If it's coming in near future, when and which publisher.Thank you. (I have sent 2 other. I skipped my name then)

I would like to know whether this book has already been translated and publlished in Japan. If it's coming in near future, when and which publisher.Thank you. (I have sent 2 other. I skipped my name then)

I don't usually buy this type of book, but I saw it on a bargain book table a few years ago and picked it up. King Kong is the greatest monster movie of all time, and this illustrated account of the story looked interesting. In 92 pages, the familiar story of Kong's tragedy is told rather well, and the illustrations are quite good. Browne especially did a great job capturing the emotion and sadness of Kong at the end, lending him a much greater sense of humanity than can be found in the true monster of the story, filmmaker Carl Denham. One thing that could not help but strike me was the way in which Browne depicted Ann Darrow-there are definite similarities to Marilyn Monroe, and one early illustration is a perfect likeness of the blonde bombshell. I also noticed that one illustration of Kong on his abode atop Skull Mountain depicted what looks exactly like a bi-plane in the corner beside a basic V-shaped bird; I don't know if this is a mistake (the corner does closely match that of a later illustration of Kong atop the Empire State Building) but it did jump out at me.

Basically, this is a children's book, although I rather enjoyed it myself. This may not be a wise choice for bedtime reading for a small child (Kong's battles with several prehistoric beasts are vividly illustrated along with the horrors of Kong's escape in New York), but older children should enjoy it. The pictures pretty much tell the story themselves, so a child can enjoy the book even without reading the accompanying text. I think both the story and the illustrations convey an important message about the dangers of greed, one which parents can reinforce in their children by discussing Anthony Browne's King Kong with them.

Of all the Medieval Mysteries, this is by far the best of the bunch. The storytelling is absolutely superb, the rendition of Hamlet is remarkable.

Gordon has really outdone himself. This series keeps getting better and better with each new novel. How is he going to top this one? I have no idea, but I cannot wait to find out!

In 1204 AD, Pope Innocent III declares the Fools' Guild as the most dangerous enemy that the Christian hierarchy faces, even more perilous than the Saracens, due to their subversive mockery of church hypocrisy. He sends an army of God to devastate the guild. Though they are Fools, these are not fools so they hide in the Black Forest (thankfully it is summer). The members heed the words of leader Father Gerald as he tells a morality tale from the annals of their history that explains why they must continue even though outlawed.

Less than five decades ago in Denmark, three men were in a power struggle to claim the throne. As civil war explodes, another claimant patiently waits to usurp the throne. The Fools' Guild dispatches Terence to observe one of the contenders Duke Orvendil. Upon Terrence's arrival, Orvendil's son renames him Yorick. Major double crosses and murders become the norm as Danish blood flows freely and no one trusts anyone else. Fools like Theophilos, alas he knew Yorick well, was a key player as they destroyed some of the more vile pretenders and their followers. Still he wonders if back in 1157, he and Yorick crossed the line as he has hid his role and his ungainly heritage even from his beloved Claudia.

AN ANTIC DISPOSITION uses a tale within a story to develop a deep morality tale as the prime story line though that is a flashback. That inner plot tells the excitingly "true" story of Shakespeare's' Hamlet. Alan Gordon may have written his best tale to date, which says a lot as this is one of the finest medieval series on the market today.

Harriet Klausner

While gathering in the Black Forest for training, the Jesters Guild hears a story of how the Guild worked to prevent a war in Denmark. The story is a long one, involving a man who betrayed his brother and married his sister-in-law, the son who seemed mad, that son's doomed love for a beautiful woman, spies, secret messages and poison.

For the first half the story, the protagonist is a fool, Terrance of York (renamed Yorick by the young Amleth), while Amleth himself becomes the primary figure after the death of his father. Strong story-telling, and the strong underlying story propell the narrative seamlessly through this transition.

In fact, author Alan Gordon retells the story of Shakespear's Hamlet--but with the Fools playing a larger role. The Jester's Guild is a formidable force for peace during the middle east, and a small group of fools have their hands full in a wild time in Denmark's history when the nation is pulling itself together, but where multiple men see their chances to become King--even if it means betraying their promises.

Fans of the Shakespear play will enjoy Gordon's retelling of the story--and the surprise ending. But the enjoyment is not limited to Shakespear fans. The idea of a medieval Fools Guild which wroks for peace is a strong one that has served Gordon well across a number of these stories (and something we need more of in our world today).

If you enjoy historical mystery with a touch of humor, you don't want to miss Alan Gordon's Fool series--and AN ANTIC DISPOSITION is a great one to get started with.

I get so excited when I find another great writer especially in the medieval era. Not only do I get my history, but a mystery mixed in with it. I prefer my history to be as accurate as possible, and though I know from geneaology, going past the year 1000 makes it real fun to find out names and births and deaths because the only records kept at that time were those of kings and queens, and monastery records. They were just starting to keep written records of the local areas and they were very inconsistent. People could and did disappear off the face of the earth just as if they had never existed.

Soon into the story, I became aware that this story was based on Hamlet's story...but not the one that Shakespeare wrote. He wrote a play that was designed to please the masses and get the most information in in as little time as possible. Gordon uses historical records from which Shakespeare also gleaned his stories. This story within a story does a great job of 'filling in the blanks'. When I was in English Literature I did not enjoy Shakespeare's tragedies as much as his comedies for obvious reasons and some not so obvious reasons. I felt that much of the background to Hamlet's inability to forget his father's death was lacking. He would say some things that were poetic alright, but why bring it up if it didn't add much to the story (Alas, poor Yorick, I knew him well).

I intend to read all of Gordon's books now and look forward to it. I had no idea that there was a guild for fools/jesters, though that makes sense. Guilds were their versions of our unions today. Besides the fact that they provided shelter and a sense of companionship for each other.

I was sincerely glad that the story ended a bit more happily than in Shakespere's version. When Amleth brought out something of Yorick's to give to his son, I was relieved he didn't give him his skull! Excellent writing, enjoyable reading, good history. Couldn't ask for more!

Karen Sadler