Lee Books

I love the Harry Potter series, but I was unsure of the audiobooks. Jim Dale really brings J.K. Rowling's books to life. He doesn't read--he performs. I would recommend them to anyone!

The first time I picked up this book, the first in the Harry Potter series, it was with great hesitation. Firstly, it had been a few years since I had done much reading for pleasure, so I was out of practice. Secondly, and more importantly, I had heard a great deal of hype about the series in the media, which automatically made me feel that the books were probably overrated--and I didn't want to be disappointed. In the end, around the same time the film version of this book was released, two of my close friends convinced me to give the series a try, and lent me the first book, which I read shortly thereafter.

Within a week, I had purchased and read the rest of the series (at the time, books 1-4), and was itching with anticipation for book 5. I have since purchased and read the entire series, and just recently decided to reread them all in one go.

So what makes Harry Potter so magical? For me, it was the bare simplicity of the central premise of the series that drew me in instantly. Who hasn't dreamed of having some magical powers to spice up life a bit? Not that magical powers are unique to Harry Potter; far from it, in fact. But it's much harder to really relate to grand tales of epic battles in faraway, long ago kingdoms like Tolkein's Middle Earth or so many others that have followed. What Harry Potter touches is that little daydreaming part inside of us that believes that maybe magic could be real... that it might exist right alongside us in our own "real" world.

Book 1 (The Sorcerer's Stone) will always have a special place in my heart, as it really was the book that brought me back to reading (as stated above). It is imaginative, fun, and has splashes of humor throughout. It introduces many lovable characters who will be with us throughout the series, and does a brilliant job of setting up our journey. It has a comparatively light feel (the later books get progressively darker, without question), but still keeps the reader engaged with elements of mystery and rivalry to generate conflict. And, unlike some of the later books, it is a quick read.

There are, I admit, a few times when one must employ the willing suspension of disbelief (lest the grown witches and wizards of the story seem horribly inept), but otherwise, it is a charming story and a great introduction to the journey ahead. I give it 5 stars, even though it is not my favorite in the series, mostly because this one drew me in so effectively and made me want to read the rest.

What is there to say about this book. All of the books in the series were very good. Unfortunately, I loaned this one to a "friend". Had to replace it as I have them all in hardback.

Writing a review on the first Harry Potter book seems superfluous, as it must surely be one of the most reviewed books in the history of literature.

I will therefore refrain (more or less) from summarizing the story, and instead compare my first reading to my recent re-reading of the book.

In my first reading, I met a boy called Harry, who was the quintessential "uncool kid." He grew up at his aunt and uncle's because his parents were supposedly killed in a car crash when he was a baby. That was at least what Aunt and Uncle Dursley told him. Harry was the uncool kid both at home and at school, hence constantly jumping from the frying pan into the fire. At home, "the Dursleys often spoke about Harry (...) as though he wasn't there--or rather, as though he was something very nasty that couldn't understand them, like a slug." Their spoiled son, Dudley, also did his best to bully Harry around. And at school, "Harry had no one. Everybody knew that Dudley's gang hated that odd Harry Potter in his baggy old clothes and broken glasses, and nobody liked to disagree with Dudley's gang."

Hence, when Hogwarts' half-giant gamekeeper told Harry that he was a wizard, he could hardly believe it. And when Harry stepped through the Leaky Cauldron onto Diagon Alley, everything was new and exciting. He had not had the slightest clue that such a world existed; accordingly he saw everything through the eyes of an amazed and hungry learner.

And since I as the reader always walked by Harry's side, I, too, had this "sense of awe." Together with Harry, I marveled at Gringotts Bank and its goblins, the power of the magic wands, the magic broomsticks, Platform 9 ¾ and the steaming Hogwarts Express, the gigantic school castle, the meeting hall with its enchanted ceiling, the moving staircases, the "living" paintings, the ghosts, the owl post, and numerous other things.

Harry became like a two-year old toddler again who is excited about discovering the world, and as the reader I was a toddler with him. This is Fantasy at its best. The fact that J.K. Rowling made Harry an "outsider" to the world of magic is of great importance to the experience of the reader. Otherwise I would not have been nearly as astonished about the details of Mrs Rowling's world as I was. It also prevented the technological aspects of the Harry-Potter magic from totally disenchanting her world.

Now to my re-reading of the "Philosopher's Stone" (I still like the original British title better than the "Sorcerer's Stone").

I read the story again shortly after I finished the seventh book. Knowing where the story and characters are headed, many scenes now took on new significance. It was fascinating to read a particular passage and think: "Ah! Now I know why she put that in there." I have to complement J.K. Rowling on having planned the seven books so well.

Furthermore, reading the first book from the retrospective view of the whole series also makes a difference for the moral custodians among us. If you only read the first book, you might come away thinking that Harry Potter tries to justify the means by the end a little too much. Harry's magic is at first set into motion when he is "upset and angry", the toffee-nosed know-it-all Hermione turns likable by lying on Harry's behalf, and one of Harry's chief character traits is that of a rule breaker.

Aside from the point that novels--including juvenile ones--don't have to portray their main characters as saints, the series has, in fact, turned out to be of great moral depth. Given Harry's final moral choices at the end of Book VII, Book I can now be seen as the beginning of a "Bildungsroman." That is, a Coming Of Age Story in which Harry goes through all the stages of childhood and adolescence, to finally arrive at moral, social, and psychological maturity.

If that is not an ideal way of making teenagers aware of their own journey to maturity, I don't know what is.

- Jacob Schriftman, Author of The Crack Beneath the Worlds and Other Books

Well, This book and the whole Harry Potter Series is excelent, I love them. I'm currently thinking if I want to get the last Audio Books before the movies. I love the movies but books will always be better (although the first three movies I think are almost as good as the books). I did not give this 5 stars because I've heard the Audio Books by Stephen Fry (not sure if the spelling is right ;-P ). I have to say, in my humble opinion, Fry's voice is more grown up as a narrator and his character voices are excellent. His voice sounds over all more respectfull and apropiate. Jim Dale has done his version for the american audience which doesn't mean it's bad, but I like things in their original state. If a movie is made in the US, England, Mexico, or Spain, I usualy prefer it as it came out first. But that is my opinion. Listen to a sample of the Audio Book by each of the readers before you buy.

THIS BOOK HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE IS ACTUALLY A PRETTY GOOD BOOK. THE GOOD THING ABOUT NOT JUST THIS BOOK BUT ALL THE BOOKS IS THAT THEY TELL WAY MORE INFORMATION THEN THE MOVIE DOES. BUT THE PROBLEM ABOUT THIS BOOK IS THAT IN THE BEGINING IT STARTS OUT REALLY SLOW BUT ONCE YOU GET ABOUT 300 TO 350 PAGES READ IT STARTS GETTING REALLY GOOD AND YOU DONT WANT TO PUT IT DOWN. PROBOBALY THE BEST PART IN THIS BOOK IS THE ENDING WHICH I AM NOT GOING TO TELL YOU JUST INCASE YOU HAVEN'T READ THIS BOOK. OVERALL I WOULD SAY THIS BOOK IS PRETTY GOOD BUT IS IS NOT ONE OF MY FAVORITE SO I A'M GIVING IT A 4/5. OH AND HERES A QUESTION FOR YOU GUYS THAT READ THIS BOOK.
"DID YOU LIKE THE BOOK WHEN YOU READ IT?

Ok, we all know and love the Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling. And of the seven books in the series, I think Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is probably none other than the best. It's plot is amazing and it has the best descripion a book could possibly offer. The only critizisim I could give it is that things can be a bit predictable at points... The author uses a lot of conversation and dreams to really keep the book flowing. Now, here's a bit about the plot: Anyone who has read the Harry Potter series knows that the main characters are Harry and his best friends Ron and Hermione. It mainly follows a plot where the Triwizard Tournament happens at Hogwarts and it hasn't happened for 1'000's of years. Three schools are competeing, (where else would tri come from?) Hogwarts, Beauxaton's, and Durmstrang. They compete in various challenges and only one student does it per school. That's all I can tell you. Read it to find out what happens! I would highly recommend this book.

The Goblet of Fire is truly a special book. Delving even deeper (and darker) into the villainy that lies just below the calm surface, so to speak, Rowling succeeds...yet again.

The plot of the series thickens, what with fellow students turning their back on Harry, who is taking part in an old, old, old Wizard Tournament. It all culminates in a climatic battle with the flesh and blood Voldemort in a graveyard.

Rowling's writing style is so engaging and effective. She positively reduced me to pathetic tears in the closing chapters of this EXCELLENT book, leaving us on the verge of a looming danger.

As Gandalf might say; "The battle in the graveyard is over, but the battle against Voldemort has just begun."

Okay, that was a bit stupid...but true. Stupidly true.

Zap! Lord Voldemort's and Harry Potter's hex and jinx came zooming out of the tips of their wands and became connected. Find out what happens by reading J. K. Rowling's fabulous book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Harry has to spend another grueling summer with his evil Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and his cousin Dudley, until his best friend, Ron Weasley, invites him to the Quidditch World Cup. After the exciting game every body gets attacked. Luckily, Ron and Harry are ok. On September 1, as always, Harry and his friends get on the Hogwarts Express to go to school. A few days after their arrival 2 other schools come. The schools are Beauxbatons and Bulgaria. That night Dumbledore (the head master) revels an old goblet. He explains that only 3 people may compete in the Triwizard Tournament. The tournament has 3 dangerous tasks. 3 names come out of the goblet. Then a 4th . Harry Potter. He has no choice but to compete. Towards the end Lord Voldemort comes back. Does Harry live? Read to find out!

For me the best part is the 1st task. Harry had to get a golden egg from a fierce dragon. He barely gets the egg. I liked this because it had a lot of good words and action. It kept me turning the pages.

The main character is Harry Potter. He is a good kid but gets in trouble by Snape. Ron is Harry's best friend. Professor Snape is the most hated teacher in the whole school. Malfoy is a bad kid and Harry's worst enemy.

I recommend this book to people who like long books, good words, and a great book. I bet you will love this book like me!

Listening to Jim Dale's narration of the Quidditch World Cup makes it all come to life, better than in the film. He is almost without peer. I can't imagine anyone else doing it. The conclusion of the book is effectively emotional and it all complements reading the book itself. Bravo!

This is truly a great book. It is the real starting point for Harry's adventures. The Chamber of Secrets and The Sorcerer's Stone weren't able to give me anywhere near the amount of excitement I received while reading this book. I give this book 5 stars for many different reasons

Harry Potter's skills as a sorcerer aren't very impressive until this book when he learns to use the Patonus...something...I read this a while back lol. Also, the Dementors were the first creatures throughout the whole series to really strike fear into my mind. Sure there were traps that were devastating in the first book, and sure there was the basilisk who could kill people with its glare. But the Dementors were able to make a person suffer horribly through only emotions. I mean, who wouldn't be scared of having all the happiness and good emotions sucked out of you and the environment around you. The chilled air and flickering lights (maybe they actually turned off) scared the bejesus out of me.

Here's a measurement for how good this book is and how it's a turning point for this whole series. I cannot begin to describe how fast I read this book compared to the first two. The Sorcer's Stone took me a whole year because it bored the crap out of me. The Chamber of Secrets...I got up to the 2nd paragraph and actually could not go on reading it. The Prisoner of Azkaban, by far my favorite of the whole series, took me the better part of a week or two to read. The same with The Deathly Hallows and The Half-Blood Prince. Overall, the maturity of this book compared to the first two is pumped up and it is truly a masterpiece for people of all ages.

Mr. Dale has a strange way of pronouncing accio folks, prepare yourself.

We all really enjoy listening to the Potter series on audio CD. They are well done.

We've now bought all the Harry Potter audio books. My husband's not a great reader at home (newspaper and sports mags) but he drives a lot for his job. He loves listening to all these stories. We also play them in the car for the kids when we are travelling. We are big Harry Potter fans and these books have been a wonderful purchase. Now he can join in all our conversations too! Jim Dale is amazing, you completely forget it's only one person reading the book.

This is a very good book, i thought the harry potter books would suck but they dont. they are getting better and better. This was a good book to read

My Favorite book is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling. This book is funny. My favorite characters are Harry Potter and Ron Weasly. Harry's funny and adventurous. He's fun and likes to try new things and has lots of courage. Ron is funny also, and likes to do almost what Harry does. Ron and Harry make the Harry Potter series joyful.

The author's writing style is joyful and the genre is adventure. J.K. Rowling is best at setting up the setting I think Hogwarts is a wonderful setting.


The best part of this book is that ever character is different in each chapter. They do lots of mini adventures in the big adventure; to find the prisoner Sirius Black. Best yet, Harry tries to go to Hogsmeade but gets caught by Professor Snape. I recommend this book for people in 3rd and above.

I bought this book as a gift for my 16yr old niece. The very next day, she told me how much she loved the book. She even cried reading it. I think it's nice to find reading materials that can move the minds and feelings of teenagers.

I skimmed through the book before I gave it to my granddaughter who just turned 13. I thought it had some well written stories that a teenager can relate to and a lot of food for thought. She was so happy to get it, since she had the one for pre-teens also and really liked it.

Once again, "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books has a hit. This is a wonderful gift for young teens with its easy read of short stories on pertinent topics and experiences teens face. Teens I have given it to as a gift have loved it and purchased the next in the teen series. Also a source of good talking points for those anxiety ridden moments or social issues teens face.

I am a teacher in two high schools and I like to read the stories of the book to my students from time to time to inspirate them and reinforce their teenage self esteem! I suggest it to all teacher to make the same with a nice calm background music.

I recomend that you read this book because its stories are touching, sad, heart warming, and pretty much every other emotion you can feel. You can learn a lot about different in life, and how people got through them. :p
zoe r.
lanier ms

the lives of retired rangers their story, on a journey on the trip to montana, the lost of one of them. and story of the other taking him home.

The best novel I've ever read! You'll fall in love with the characters to the point in which road trips out west will never be the same.

Get past the first 50 pages and it will pull you kicking and screaming to the very end, where, when you close the book, you'll feel the loss of a good friend.

I too read the book after watching the made for TV series, and as far as the made for TV series is concerned, I can't imagine it ever being any truer to what McMurtry's literary intentions may have been than what Bobby Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones did with it; even if John Wayne and Henry Fonda were its original intended cast.
Regardless, people will always tell you the book is much better than the movie and after reading this book you will no doubt agree. Though the series proved to be absolutely compelling, the book proved to be even better, dispite your knowledge of the novels outcome.
The wit and depth of constitution these old cowboys possess will make you realize what an exciting, enchanting and downright wild period in Americana history it truly had to be.

Great movie, and absolutely captivating book.

This is my second reading of this contemporary classic. I generally disapprove of long books, but this was one tome I regretted closing for the last time. It is truly an awesome accomplishment. LONESOME DOVE was written at a time when popular culture had recently abandoned the Western as too hackneyed and bathetic to entertain. Then comes this massive novel opening up numerous unforseen perspectives about the American West a mere 130 years ago. This is the novel future generations will read when they want to know how it was on the high plains in Custer's time.

The characters are given huge latitude to capture your imagination, and even the minor ones are impressive. You will come to know them better than most of your family. You will dream about them. And, unless you're as hard as Blue Duck, you'll shed a tear over their destruction.

There is no doubt that Hugo can be quite long winded in telling this story, but it is worth every second. A classic story of human suffering, kindness, cruelty and redemption.

Oh,I think that those of you who swoon over this novel, for reasons that I fail to comprehend completely , will not take my comments kindly.

While I grant that Les Miserables holds a reader's attention in spite of himself, I should point out the glaring defects in this work. No, it is not the lengthy digressions. David Foster Wallace is so much more irritating in that regard. Victor Yugo's magnum octopus simply is littered with characters that are pure ideals of good, evil, misfortune, piety, etc. One cannot travel more than fifty pages without encountering some anectdote that has no resemblance to anything that ever happened on earth, outside of a moralist's mind.

Give me the near-hack writing of Balzac or even the long-windedness of Dickens with his sloppy sentimentality at times ruining his comedy. Huge-Go simply took his banal messages to humankind too seriously.

Come to think of it, maybe his pre-modern sociology mixed with romance is what so appeals to the progressive wing of modern romanticists. That and a good score and grandioso staging.

Simply the most beautiful work of art I have ever been exposed to...anything beyond the brevity of this statement is an attempt in vain to "review" genius.

I have read this incredible work of art several times and never cease to be amazed by the enormous impact it has on me. The first time I ever read it, I cried off and on for about three days, I was so moved. Victor Hugo tapped into something profound when he penned this story. It is long, yes, but I find that every little rabbit trail Hugo goes down has a very important point. I can just read the first chapter and feel humbled and challenged by his description of the way the bishop lived his life for God. It is better than most Christian devotionals I have read. Most people think of this as a somber story and indeed in many ways it is, but I am always surprised how much humor is infused into it as well. I have said it to many people and I say it here: every Christian should read this book. It is a perfect fictional example of how Christ can change anyone and of how believers should relate to their fellow man. I have even given it as a wedding present, considering it an excellent guide to living selflessly for another person. I challenge people to read it and see if they are not in some way changed.

A masterpiece of a novel, complete with numerous detailed sidetrips to the battlefields of Waterloo, a strict convent, the Bastille, and even the sewer system of Paris. Victor Hugo uses his hero's resolution of many conflicts between conscience and reason to show what it means to be truly human.

The characters are immortal, the plot is second to none, and the writing is absolutely superb.

I wish there would be six stars to give.

Shooter Movie Versus Point of Impact Book:
The Bob Lee Swagger story lines in the book and the movie are different in character building, action, and political satire. Very understandable, screen productions can rarely replicate a book.

Although I hesitate to "spill the beans" on the movie or the book, but the movie is so entertaining that I watch it over and over and the Point of Impact book is one of the few books worth reading over and over again (sorry Clancy, Koontz, Coontz, and Ludman).

Shooter Movie:
The movie from director Antoine Fuqua takes the world after 9/11 (El Salvador is not of much interest, but oil is) and he pumps oceans of well oiled political satire, which is at its very best: "there are only have and have-nots (Iraq ref)", "I didn't much like the President before him", "I still have the shovel (JFK ref)," "its just human weakness, and you can't kill that with a gun," "Exactly!...Bang!"

Although the Shooter movie character building could have used another half-hour or more, the character-action building of the movie (if there is such a thing) was superb. Anyway, more time on character building would have put the brakes on the movie. It was one lightning action sequence after another that not even a Die Hard or a Tom Clancy movie could match or even top (and I loved the Hunt for Red October, the Sum of All Fears, Bourne Trilogy, and so on).

The movie plot deviations from the book were very well thought out and made the movie rip and roar through one satisfying scene after another. The long distance shot at the Presidential podium was superior to the book and did a very credible job of integrating Nick Memphis's role and his timely flow throughout the movie.

Antoine Fuqua exploits what I define as the Al Qaeda mind-set (AQMS), which is the same brain dysfunction that people everywhere are wired into, but just use different means that cause different results: the church killing Islamic people and women centuries ago, and raping boys in this century, web video murders/suicide bombers of today's Islamic Terrorists, the previous decades of killing by the KKK, Hitler's killing of more than 6 million Jews...the never ending human carnage, no matter what millennium, from the beginning of testosterone beings or until the end of testosterone beings...I doubt that Homo Sapiens will ever change.

AQMS applies to political character assassinations in DC, where multi-millions (billions this year) are spent by political candidates attempting to destroy the reputation of all other candidates, Congressmen writing bad checks not so long ago, paying for sex, and sucking soft money at the expense of all American citizens.

AQMS applies to Enron and many others, to Mortgage banks and their infamous ARMS (the Fed is now rewarding them at our expense, with proper spin), and the Medical establishment in the movie "Sicko" by Michael Moore. It is one-sided negative-news from the media, harping on one murder after another. It is the negative consumption syndrome of the general common-denominator population that tunes in for all the sick TV shows (most of them), puts up with depraved commercials (especially those commercials that depict greed, drugs, new car decadence, and people being hurt)...almost nothing positive in the news, ever. Most AQMS folks probably never heard of and never tuned to the commercial-free Arts channel (there is some hope for Homo Sapiens even though we may yet kill the planet Earth).

Even if everyone on the Earth knew about the overwhelming genetic evidence (The Journey of Man, by Spencer Wells) that makes every person on the Earth (without exception) a child of the Bushmen of Africa, the world today would probably be the same and nothing would change. Denial is incurable, unbeatable, and an unstoppable plague on our planet.

Denial is about "No input, Stephanie...Number 5 is alive" and making it all up as he/she goes, "Short Circuit" or not: from ridiculous royalty delusions of Kings/Queens, back to Hitler's despicable Arian race, to Religions that murder people, and on and on.

Denial at the individual level is just smoke and mirrors, devoid of reality, and founded upon "What's in it for me," but more precisely "It's mine all mine!" Denial is the mother of all that is wrong with the human race.

Compared to the book, I found Antoine Fuqua's version more satisfying. Swagger being pulled down the river by a barge was a lot more believable than the book's Swagger holding onto a log for 18 hours, with two bullet wounds. It is a more believable for the sniper action on the Glacier and in its ending when Bob Lee Swagger (not his lawyer) demonstrated why the gun would not shoot. The icing on the cake was when Swagger fired his last shot into the most corrupt and well deserving Senator's head. What followed was even more explosive.

Point of Impact Book:

Stephen Hunter illuminates the world before 9/11 (El Salvador was of interest, it just after the first Gulf war) where he guns genocide and greed into political satire, which is very good but not as satisfying as the movie's one-liners which underscore greed, corruption, and other negative attributes of us Homo spaiens (means wise men, yeah, right)!

There is not much I can say about the book that can top several hundred other reviewers. However, I wished that the book had been twice as long. It was a terrific read. Hunter "the psychology nailer" knows political infighting of Government agencies.

Hunter's character building of Bob Lee Swagger was superb, starting with cutting off Tim's antlers the day before deer season to letting Dr. Dobbler cop out at the end.

For me, the book was a physiological thriller that was absolutely on target. Stephen Hunter's grasp on how the mind works was well orchestrated by the evil psychiatrist, Dr. Dobbler. Hunter's technical prose on weapons was no less impressive than Clancy at his best (I read most of Clancy's books). Hunter's prose matched the five senses Dean Koontz can conjure up, including the sixth sense (I read most of Koontz's books).

However, the book's version about Swagger's woman being an actual nurse and not a third grade teacher (where is a teacher going to get antibiotics or surgical skills for deep wounds?) made significantly more sense. The movie left out the need for antibiotics, the book was right on target for gangrene candidate wounds.

The book's version about Swagger's hilltop battle was good, but not as totally satisfying as the Movie's shootout with 24 child killers that got their just dues from Swagger and Nick. The book did not have a nasty nemesis inside the VA cabin commit suicide, a child and woman killer that deserved to die. This shooter's suicide stayed within his evil character, denying Swagger the satisfaction of killing him. And even rubbing it in with "They've got your woman...Bang!"

The movie changed Colonel Shreck's name to Colonel Isaac Johnson. The title of the movie "Shrek" kept popping up in my mind every time I read the Colonel's name in the book. I was glad that the movie changed it to Johnson.

Unlike the movie (probably no sequel is planned), the Bob Lee Swagger books are a trilogy. Thank you, Stephen Hunter, I've got two more Swagger books to savor, "Time to Hunt" and "Black Light!" And after I'm done with these, there are books about Bob Lee Swaggar's father, plus other great books by Stephen Hunter.

Arguably the best book I've read in 2007. The movie follows the main story line, although a decade or two behind. The movie was great, the book was better. It was full of action/suspense from cover to cover. I was impressed with Hunter's writing and will definitely get the second book.

This is a great book that kept me up all night, several nights. Hated to see it end, but fortunately, I had Time to Hunt.

I would usually give a longer review but I see the 100 plus on here and all are good. Same would come from me. If you want a great thriller and well written book this is it. If you haven't read a Stephen Hunter book this would be the one if any to read. I just started on his other books and am enjoying all of them. So if you have $8 laying around and want a good few hours of entertainment this is the way to go.

I know that the summer is winding down, vacations are finishing up, school will soon be starting, and the chance for some additional recreational reading is quickly coming to a close. But don't just yet stop reading. You have one more book to get through, Point of Impact by Stephen Hunter.

I came across this book as I was beginning to watch The Shooter. That movie is based on the novel, Point of Impact. Since the movie was rather good, I wanted to know what the author was really had in mind, and headed off to the library to get a copy. As an aside, our library has a "cheat sheet." If there is a recent movie that you enjoyed, they have a list of the books that were used as the basis for the movie. Pretty cool, I thought.

Bob Lee "The Nailer" Swagger lives alone, in a cabin in the woods. Everything that he ever wanted is gone, except for an old dog and his guns. He was once a extremely gifted sniper in Vietnam, until someone shot him, and killed his spotter, from 1400 yards. After the shooting, he was no longer able to perform his duties and he retired to the mountainside. A footnote in the war. Until retired Colonel Shreck comes calling. He has a proposal for Bob Lee, help them figure out where a sniper will attempt the assassination of the President of the United States. Bob accurately details the site that the assassin will use, but is shot by one of Shreck's men and framed for the hit. He teams up with an FBI agent, who he himself was once a sharpshooter. Together, they track the actual killer, Shreck and his organization, and a few Salvadoran gun men.

This novels moves. There are times, where Hunter exposes you to the gun culture, that some would say drags the story down a bit, but I found the background on the culture fascinating and a key part of the novel. Also, the novel ends in a courtroom, which would see anti-climatic after the action, but wait for the payoff. Bob Lee is a very well thought out character and the novel allows the reader to understand where he comes from, his duty to the United States, and that he feels that he has unfinished business. Much more than the movie, and you would expect that. This is a character that I see Hunter brings back for a few more novels. He is another Reacher, and I have now added another author to my list of "must reads."

An excellent novel.

I'm so glad this is out on DVD. The quality of the picture is excellent! Extras on the DVD are a nice added feature. This is a wonderful classic you must have! They don't call it the "Golden Age of Hollywood" for nothing! Simply the best! Highly recommend you also get Jean Arthur's films "You can't take it with you" and "The more the merrier".

A very simple story written for another time that will cause you to laugh, cry, and, if you're very lucky, remember the way it should be and the way it was. A romantic comedy starring greats from another generation, Gable and Colbert. Nothing else need be said.

I had seen the movie years ago, and after searching the internet to find a copy of it, I was so hapy to have found it off of Amazon.com. It was exactly how I remembered...fantastic! The quality was great and the story is funny yet romantic.

What's not to like with this classic, original screwball comedy? It still holds up after all this time, and Clark Gable is as sexy as ever with those pervasive dimples and ironic grin.

If you crave some real star quality, some Hollywood [as well as American] history, get this film now. The chemistry between Gable and Colbert makes this movie hum, and compared to the drek we get today both in our "stars" and the scripts, it is a stellar piece of art.

Heartily recommended!

Since ths reviewer seems to be on an "oldies" kick of late, certainly this film has to be included. The movie swept the Oscars for a production of 1934 vintage, and of all the movies made in this era, this one seems to stand up today as best. The opening credits are absolutely childish; one would swear that he or she were about to watch a silent film. End of swearing! Capra's direction flies at the viewer at a lightning pace. Spoiled rich girl Colbert seems as natural as any seasoned actress, and Gable's famed barking quickly turns to love, albeit none too tenderly. The plot is simplistic; no need to embellish a theme repeated hundreds of times. But, just imagine even one short sex scene in a 2008 remake completely ruining the movie.No, the chemistry between the budding lovers is just fine, thank you; even an idiot can tell where this duet is heading. One story, perhaps apochryphal, has Colbert showing up late for the Oscar ceremony, leaving a cabbie waiting outside the theater, running down the aisle, accepting the award , and running back outside jumping into the cab. As Gable had said in the movie: "All you dames are so darned dizzy".

I'm so glad this is out on DVD. The quality of the picture is excellent! Extras on the DVD are a nice added feature. This is a wonderful classic you must have! They don't call it the "Golden Age of Hollywood" for nothing! Simply the best! Highly recommend you also get Jean Arthur's films "You can't take it with you" and "The more the merrier".

A very simple story written for another time that will cause you to laugh, cry, and, if you're very lucky, remember the way it should be and the way it was. A romantic comedy starring greats from another generation, Gable and Colbert. Nothing else need be said.

I had seen the movie years ago, and after searching the internet to find a copy of it, I was so hapy to have found it off of Amazon.com. It was exactly how I remembered...fantastic! The quality was great and the story is funny yet romantic.

What's not to like with this classic, original screwball comedy? It still holds up after all this time, and Clark Gable is as sexy as ever with those pervasive dimples and ironic grin.

If you crave some real star quality, some Hollywood [as well as American] history, get this film now. The chemistry between Gable and Colbert makes this movie hum, and compared to the drek we get today both in our "stars" and the scripts, it is a stellar piece of art.

Heartily recommended!

Since ths reviewer seems to be on an "oldies" kick of late, certainly this film has to be included. The movie swept the Oscars for a production of 1934 vintage, and of all the movies made in this era, this one seems to stand up today as best. The opening credits are absolutely childish; one would swear that he or she were about to watch a silent film. End of swearing! Capra's direction flies at the viewer at a lightning pace. Spoiled rich girl Colbert seems as natural as any seasoned actress, and Gable's famed barking quickly turns to love, albeit none too tenderly. The plot is simplistic; no need to embellish a theme repeated hundreds of times. But, just imagine even one short sex scene in a 2008 remake completely ruining the movie.No, the chemistry between the budding lovers is just fine, thank you; even an idiot can tell where this duet is heading. One story, perhaps apochryphal, has Colbert showing up late for the Oscar ceremony, leaving a cabbie waiting outside the theater, running down the aisle, accepting the award , and running back outside jumping into the cab. As Gable had said in the movie: "All you dames are so darned dizzy".

Seung Heun was reminded at the end of this book on p.85 of a story from Lao Tzu:

Lao Tze "had a bright student who trained for 10 years in order to be able to control the flow of Ki energy to such an extent that he could form an energy bridge over a nearby river. One day, he showed Lao Tse what he could do...Expeting high praise, the student was flabbergasted when Lao Tse turned purple with anger and shouted at him at the top of his voice, "YOU STUPID IDIOT. You spent 10 years to a stupid trick, all this time, there was a cheap ferry to get accross the river at any time you wished!

Being an incarnation of Lao Tze, let me lead by example from the only letter i gave personally to Jimmy Carter & Rosalynn:

dearest peaceMaker Jimmy and mother Rosalynn,

First I do thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done for humankind so far and for who you are. This letter may reach your heart(s) on George Washington's birthday and is a wake up call for both of you to forgive ourselves even more.
I have asked around 200 adults the following question: IS REAL LOVE CONDITIONAL or UNCONDITIONAL?

More than 95% do choose unconditional, out of that less than 5% can declare they are being it, while the rest say that they know that it is unconditional but can't do it (in China.)

I have asked around the following question: in almost EVERY NATION on earth there are AT LEAST 2 SLAVE CLASSES or caste, my definition of slavery is when we force another human to do what we ourselves don't even want to be. I haven't yet found a person who can tell me who they are?

This is not a test, simply an observation of what is. The answer is SOLDIERS and CHILDREN.

The only reason to have soldiers is to force them to kill fellow human beings using any available weapons, we are the ones TRAINING MURDERERS. The only reason we are forcing children to get educated is for them to compete like GLADIATORS by first using mental weaponry. To DISALLOW that we are ONE HUMANKIND and to enforce the notion that some humans are superior to others and any inferior humans deserve to be at least exploited, if not disposed, by the superior ones. No wonder the US is the first country with incidence of children happily shooting and disposing of fellow humans and showing us how clearly insane we all are for allowing such forceful enslavement, and our children are using exactly the same behavior we taught them with our own blindly learned prejudice and acquiescence.

To ABOLISH THIS kind of SLAVERY, ONE simple UNCONDITIONAL LOVE ANSWER is-Start telling all politicians and generals and any humans that their army and weapons can either be offered to the United Nations or to the temporary leadership of a massing group of unconditional lovers for all life under the temporary leadership of a triumvirate. If this joint-chief-command ever choose to send this volunteer global army to even mediate dispute between warring factions or to forcefully remove some confirmed dictator or to prevent possible genocide, then they will automatically resign their post and leave the function to another triumvirate, preferably one who disagreed with them. This is missing in every constitution as a check and balance. Start telling all humans that firearms and explosive cannot be bought at any price and that all firearms and explosive are for use by this global army only. For the few humans who enjoy the sound of firearms they can only practice shooting in shooting ranges at dead targets. In the long run this standing army can simply become a corps of engineers specializing in explosive and dangerous situation and helping in emergency disaster cases, such as evacuation and re-building.

For the first elected triumvirate I would love to be able to choose from such unconditional lovers for whole humankind as Jimmy Carter or House Rep. Barbara Lee of California (hers was the sole vote in either the House or Senate opposing a resolution authorizing military action against the terrorists ... The House vote was 420 to 1. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/16/national/16LEE.html) or Nelson Mandela or Boris Yeltsin or Mikhail Gorbachev or the first lady president of the Philippines Aquino, etc.

As for liberating the unconditional love that is present in all children before the age of 5, education after 5 will be modified to only include self-paced-study available via Internet with guidance counselors in each different subject. The core curriculum will be based on first-person confirmable examples of unconditional love and that fear is its only opposite. Schools and churches and libraries will be re-opened as places where more people can enjoy one another face-to-face or hug-to-hug, etc.

Needless to say, the side benefit of the above solution is that global disarmament will be in effect immediately at both the national and individual level and unconditional love will start to flourish beginning with all new born. The natural dignity inherent in treating everyone as equal is reclaimed by every living human being. A world will indeed be born anew as long as we don't deny that absolute power corrupts absolutely, as Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin, Mao Zedong, etc. have demonstrated dictatorship and with Bush and Hollywood stars and private schools, etc. demonstrating nepotism and most of us not doing anything when dearest Jimmy declared from his heart in his Nobel speech:

`I decided that the most serious and universal problem is the growing chasm between the richest and poorest people on earth'.

The great prophets and holy men in all of the major religious traditions have conveyed the insight that all men and women are "One". The eastern traditions note that this phenomena is reflected by the energy called "Ki" and is the common bond directly connecting body, mind and spirit. In Healing Society: A Prescription For Global Enlightenment, Seung Heun Lee reveals how we can draw upon this energy to strengthen our spiritual bodies, actually experience a direct connection to ultimate oneness down to the center of our very being. Seung Heun Lee clearly explains how this "noble enlightenment" is meant for everyone, and that by getting into contact with this sense of oneness men and women can illuminate the world and secure their children's future in a transformed world. Healing Society is a very highly recommended addition to Eastern tradition, spirituality, metaphysics, and self-help reading lists and reference collections.

The writer says he is enlightened. Is he sane? I don't know. I don't want to ask him whether he is enlightened or not. Because when I ask so, he will answer me he is enlightened because he realized that there is nothing to "realize." So, I don't need another teacher who want me to surrender before him. Dalai-lama said "spy on your spiritual teacher before you surrender yourself before him." Dalai-lama himself never says he is enlightened. But we know lama himself is a very trustworthy teacher for humankind. Be careful, people. I'm from the same country where this writer came from.

Dr. Seung Heun Lee wrote Healing Society: A Prescription for Global Enlightenment because he wanted "to call upon the world to embark on an Enlightenment Revolution" and "to let everyone know of their own right to enlightenment." Dr. Lee has written sixteen previous books and lectures extensively. He also founded "Dahn Hak Movement," which is designed to help in spiritual awakening, and helped establish the New Millennium Peace Foundation with Neale Donald Walsch. The United Nations has recognized Dr. Lee as a preeminent spiritual leader of the world.

He emphasizes throughout the book that enlightenment is not just for a select few, but available to everyone. He defines enlightenment as "a simple choice that you make to live your life for the betterment and benefit of all those around you." One needs only to make that choice, and then develop the discipline to live out that choice.

Part of becoming enlightened involves training your life energy, or Ki. Dr. Lee explains exactly how to do this. He has also developed a technique called "Brain Respiration" as a "realistic and everyday form of spiritual training" for all those people who don't have the time or inclination to go live on a mountain top or join a monastery.

Once people achieve personal enlightenment, the next step is global enlightenment. Dr. Lee says that we once all lived together as enlightened beings in harmony, and that we have deep spiritual longings to regain this world. In order to do that, "we need to recover the sense of Oneness and harmony that we have lost." That requires making both a personal and a collective choice to be enlightened. He wants at least one hundred million people to be spiritually enlightened by the end of this decade. "The healing vibration of their choices and determination will cure the Earth of the ills we have caused," he says.

Most people have forgotten that we are all part of One. Forgetting that has led to the state of affairs that exists today. If you'd like to meet your Creator Within and become a part of the solution rather than continue as part of the problem, then I highly recommend reading Healing Society.

This book has a bit too much self-promotion for me. Over and over and over and over and over again the author claims that through his program 'Brain Respiration' one may become truly enlightened. His message is encouraging and I like that he says enlightenment is nothing if it doesn't help somebody else. However... this book is simply laced with too many references to his 'Brain Respiration'. If I wanted to read a book on Brain Respiration I would have bought it. Now I won't thanks to this author's rampant self-promotion. This book seems to be merely a lengthy advertisement.