Lee Books

Great book. I did not know all that much about Reagan and I feel as a introductory enthusiast this book is a great start. Compare the Republican of then to the Republican of now and it's amazing the swing in ideology. Ron Paul is the closest candidate to representing the traditional Republican ideology. Today other candidates hardly show a difference from left to right. Understanding Reagan is understanding Barry Goldwater conservatism.

The Essential Reagan is the perfect book if you want to a quick but thorough biography on this incredible man. It is an enjoyable read, and concise. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about Reagan or a diehard Reagan fan needing a "refresher course" on him and his legacy.

This book is essential for anyone wanting to learn about Ronald Reagan--especially those who are reading about him for the first time. It is a favorable treatment of the man and his legacy, and portrays him just as he was, humorous and yet serious in regards to the things that were important. Essential? Absolutely.

Brief as it is, this compelling political biography manages to capture the gist of Ronald Reagan in a clear and engaging manner. Edwards investigates Reagan's childhood, his leadership qualities and his accomplishments with keen insight and understanding.

The narrative concentrates on those people, events and circumstances that shaped the great man's character and career path, from his childhood and student days through his movie career, his two stints as governor of California and his presidency.

Both the failures and the great and enduring successes of the Reagan administration are covered. For example, Edwards looks at the Iran-Contra debacle as well as the economic miracle, the benefits of deregulation and the West's victory in the Cold War.

A highlight of the book is Edwards' analyses of the four essential qualities of leadership that Reagan possessed: courage, justice, prudence and wisdom. The author points out how these qualities came into play at various occasions in Reagan's life and career.

He discusses the books that helped persuade Reagan to change his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican and in the bibliographical essay at the end, he reviews the best and the worst books on the 40th President. The Essential Ronald Reagan concludes with copious notes and a thorough index.

I also recommend the books When Character Was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan by Peggy Noonan, Ronald Reagan: How an Ordinary Man Became an Extraordinary Leader by Dinesh D'Souza and Ronald Reagan: An American Hero, with an introduction by William F Buckley. The CD set Speaking My Mind, is a most inspiring collection of speeches and observations by the great man himself. God bless Ronald Reagan.

I'm a big Dillard and Andy Griffith Fan.
This book provided information I other wise would have not have access to. I have read everything I could find on the group, but It never told the whole story and left me longing for more.
Lee filled that hole. Nicely laid out, kept a smooth timeline, plenty of
funny stories.
I recommend this book to anyone.
On top of that Lee is a fine person to do business with. The book was shipped promptly and in great condition.

Thanks for a great book.

John
Chepatchet , R.I.

"Everybody on the Truck!" is an unabashed valentine to the unfairly unsung Dillards, who were bluegrass when bluegrass wasn't cool and country rock when there wasn't such a thing. As breezily told by Lee Grant, The Dillards' story is refreshingly devoid of raging egos, self-destruction and bitter ends. You'll come away from this compelling biography knowing, perhaps identifying with, and most assuredly liking The Dillards.

Grant sketches the original Dillards - brothers Douglas and Rodney Dillard, Dean Webb and Mitch Jayne - as proud sons of Missouri who longed to set the world afire with their hell-for-leather approach to bluegrass music. Grant's account of the band's misadventures during their go-for-broke journey from the Show Me state to California in late 1962 is funnier and more unbelievable than anything Hollywood could concoct. Against all odds, The Dillards enjoyed nearly instant but well-deserved success soon after reaching Los Angeles, landing a major recording contract and what would become a recurring role on "The Andy Griffith Show".

Grant devotes a good chunk of his book to his subject's indelible association with the Darlings, the eerily deadpan but musically gifted hillbilly clan The Dillards played on six episodes of "TAGS." Interestingly, The Darlings are the source of lingering ambivalence for Rodney Dillard, the group's integrity-conscious musical heart, who wasn't wild, at first, about playing a hayseed stereotype.

Between 1963 and 1970, The Dillards produced five critically-acclaimed albums, rubbed shoulders with the likes of Perry Como, Judy Garland, the Byrds and Bob Dylan and seldom rested from public appearances. "Truck" lets The Dillards themselves analyze the music and their somewhat anachronistic place in the swingin' Sixties. The insights and anecdotes of Mitch Jayne, who played bass and dispensed folksy humor in the role of group spokesman, are particularly entertaining.

To paraphrase Jayne, this "Truck" will run. Hitch a ride and hold on.

Lee Grant's fresh southern (but not too southern) writing style lights up the page. This book is a real joy to read. I highly recommend it. I am eagerly awaiting another Lee Grant book. I have heard rumors of a novel in the works. I am waiting anxiously to see if this is a rumor or plain old fact.

GG

This book is an excellent reference for one of bluegrass music's legendary bands, the Dillards. Anyone interested in learning about Rodney, Doug, Dean and Mitch need to get a copy of this book, and fast. Lee Grant has provided us Dillards junkies with a veritable "bible" on the lives and careers of the boys. It is an engaging read. When I bought my copy, I read it straight through in one sitting! For me, that is a rarity. :-)

Suggestion: put on a copy of their CD, "There Is A Time", while reading this book. See why Briscoe Darling once said, "they's all keyed up"!

They were, and you'll be, too.

This is perfect for every new mother. it is a great gift item

You have pitched in for the baby stroller and you want to get just a little something extra - this is it!! Funny, insightful and fantastic illustrations. Highly recommended.

This is an absolute must for every new mom. Best shower present!

I bought this book for a friend, but ended up keeping it because it is so sweet! I have now purchased three more for my new-mom friends. As a brand-new mom myself, I found this to be a wonderful little book that really made me chuckle and touched my heart. This is a beautiful little book for a very special time in a woman's life.

This story is another inspiring story of the Holocaust. Although I am very intrigued by the Holocaust, this is an aspect of it that I had not realized was out there. This story had little to do with the death camps and the Eichle's knowledge of the awful things being done to the Jews at the death camps was minimal until after the war. It still paints a picture of the poor treatment of Jews at this time and was a touching family story.

This book is a moving memoir of a man who has lived a truly extraordinary life. The journey begins in early adolescence when his otherwise normal childhood growing up in a Jewish family was turned upside down by the German invasion of Poland.It records in a very personal way the experience of his family as some of them fled east to Russia to literally save their lives while those who stayed behind ultimately perished in the Nazi death camps. The survivors set off on an odyssey which takes them further East to the labor camps in Siberia then back to a displaced persons camp in Europe and finally to the United States where they found a new home. It captures both the challenges many world war two refugees had to overcome to survive but also the new life they built in America.As time passes this cyle of life that many experienced during and after world war two becomes more distant and seemingly less relevant to new generations. This memoir will help insure that we do not forget the remarkable accomplishments of those who had the will and luck to survive the horrors of world war two and the strength of character to pick up the pieces in a new country and lead a productive and fulfilling life.

A wonderful story that covers a different aspect of the Holocaust; surviving the labor camps of Russia. Writings and journalings historically reflect the Holocaust through stories that are primarily focused on Germany, Hitler, and the death camps that systematically murdered millions of Jews. Rarely do we get to see what role Russia played in tending to the thousands of refuges that fled Hitler's grip. The Family Whistle shares the Eichel family's escape into Siberia, the repeated survival that harsh conditions demanded, and the success of repeatedly starting over. Hope of reuniting with loved ones back in beloved Poland was the driving force for surviving six years of camps overseen by the NKVD and Russian Forces. At the end of WWII, Simon Eichel, his father, older brothers and new members of the family retraced their journey back to Poland with burning desires to once again be together with those they were forced to leave behind. What awaits them is the news that is so horrid and unbelievable they cannot fathom its meaning. The Eichel family is forever changed when the dreams of reunification are shattered...forever.

Simon Eichel takes us on a voyage of incredible emotions. The roller-coaster experience is all the more intense because it is real. We live in an era when such degradation of, and dis-respect for, human life seems remote here in cozy east coast America. Well, Eastern Europe was pretty cozy before Nazi Germany erupted. How would any of us cope without the day-to-day liberties we now assume as our inalienable rights.
I took from this book the meaning of armaggedon. But, also the meaning of perserverence and courage. And above all, the value of a life. This book makes me cherish the time I do have on this Earth.
The Family Whistle is a story we should all read, especially when lives and liberty are currently questioned in areas of the world. Simon Eichel inspires us with his will to live and unbroken hope.

This book was one of the best I have read in awhile. I consider it up there with Nora Robert's Montana Sky. It was very suspenseful - keeping you guessing to the very end. Thank you Amazon for helping me to find this wonderful author. I am looking forward to reading the author's other books under the names Rachel Lee and Sue Civil-Brown. I would highly recommend this author.

Wow! This is an excellent book of suspense and romance nicely tied together to keep you guessing right until the last page! I didn't want to put the book down! The author does an incredible job writing suspense/romance. I agree with the reviewer who suggested a T.V. movie. Whew...you'll be on the edge of your seat!!

I loved this book. I've never read Rachel Lee's books before but I will defenitely from now on. It was one of those books you could hardly put down. You wanted to see what was going to happen next. I give this book a 10

This book kept me on pins and needles throughout the entire book. This author is a rare find in that she can keep you in suspense, never give any indication who the person(s) is you are trying to identify while still keeping an unbelievably touching romance going on. I was ready to jump with fright one minute because of the mystery and cry the next because of the romance and heart wrenching story line. This is a must read for any true mystery/romance enthusiast. I would recommend this highly to all my friends, and will. If you have some spare time (say several hours) to kill, try this book...you won't be able to put it down.

I want to commend Sandra Lee on speaking up on such a difficult subject to talk about in society. Everything is always hush hush. Sandra puts it all on the table in her book. Signs, symptoms and how WE, as a community can help speak up for those who are too afraid. Being a victim of incest and sexual abuse myself, I found this book to be extremely helpful in the healing process. There are alot of educational tools listed in her book to help you get the help needed to properly heal from years of abuse. She doesn't hesitate to give God the glory in helping her heal. You won't find many books written on this subject with a Christian perspective. Many children wouldn't even think of forgiving their father, brother, uncle or neighbor for this type of abuse. Because of the love of Christ, she was able to get past her emotional pain and scars and forgive the man who caused it all. For those of you who have been through this type of sexual abuse, this book has so many useful tools needed for healing. Please take the time to purchase it and read it...and pass it on to another victim. 1 in 3 girls have been abused in this manner, and 1 in 5 boys. Those statistics are outrageous! Chances are you know several victims and now is the time to step up and help by passing this book along. Very well written!

This book is extremely helpful in forgiveness to their daddy. A sexually abuse person who is struggling with their identity will find all the answers in this book. Sexual abuse is a disease that not only affects the individual abused but also the extended family. Sandra shows the reader every detail there is to know from this heinous crime that will rob a child or adult of their well being. Thank you Sandra for being bold enough to share your story and how to recover in the Lord.

Sandra tells her story to help those that may be struggling with similar situations. She shares from her heart her feelings, struggles, pain and then her emotional healing and the process that it took to obtain the forgiveness of her father. This book may touch your heart like no other!

I have completed the book by Sandra Lee and contradulate her on perservering to the acceptance of her childhood life and revealing the epidemic that has touched so many children in our country. Sandy has fulfilled a promise to assist and help others with this disease and teach others how to heal and come to the place that she is currently at in life. Hats off to this author for taking the responsibility to acknowledge her pain and the impact of this disease on her family. She will be rewarded for her continued effort to bring good from evil. A must read book to all the hurting people that have experienced some sort of abuse in their lives.
Jo Ann Tigue

I thoroughly enjoyed this very interesting history of the early days of Fidel Castro's revolution in Cuba. The photos of Osvaldo Salas and his son Roberto, personal photographers and confidants of "el jeffe", have never been seen in the US. The personal anecdotes relating to Fidel Castro and Che Guevara are fascinating and give new insight into these historic characters. It is fascinating to read that the long hair and beards of the 60's anti-establishment hippie movement had its roots with the "barbudos" the soldiers of Fidel's revolution. The chapter on the bay of pigs invasion gives new insight to this historic event. The beautiful photos in the chapter, Cuba the land and the people are stuning. Overall a good read, great photography of an interesting topic.

Soon Castro may be judged by history, as he once claimed he wanted to be, and the facts point in the direction of a dark, blood-stained judgement. Nonetheless, the photography in this book is a brilliant work of photojournalist art.

They take us from the tender beginnings of a Revolution of bearded young men against a bloody tyrant. They are young gods in olive-green uniforms. The photo of Camilo Cienfuegos and another unidentified bearded guerrilla in front of the Lincoln statue in the Lincoln Memorial in DC is magnificent. What did America think of these young white men, in their dark, long hair and their huge beards? It stunned and seduced the nation and the seeds of the hippie movement were planted.

The book delivers with visual insight and power. The photographs are vivid and full of history. My highest possible rating!

Apart from the amazing photography, which captures an epoch so freqently only seen through CIA-filtered eyes, the book is a simple overview of the Cuban revolution and the real people of Cuba - not just the materialistic bourgouisie - who supported Castro and still do. Most enigmatic of all are the photos of Castro and Che, and then just Che, his magnetism shining through regardless of his beliefs.

Set your politics aside. Look at this wonderful book and ponder how close Fidel and Che came to actually getting it right.

For the millions of Americans who have only ( until recently ie since the Pope's visit to Cuba ) seen Fidel as a military man this book adds a bit of humanity to that image. The imae of him as a threat to my safety is a view I could only suspect was being presented me as my government's own bit of propaganda (thinking of how recent publication's on how the Soviets used photography as a tool to control the masses) I was genuinely pleased to have my suspicions confirmed.

Nonetheless, upon opening this book, one finds that it is more than meets the eye. It is not the political treatise one might expect. I am grateful for the honesty the son (Roberto) gave in the acknowledging the irony in being both a suporter of the cause as well as a photographer/reporter of history.

Of particular interest, which I think self taught photographers may find of interest, is the many anecdotes on how Roberto and his father "made do" with what little equipment they had (both before going to Cuba and after) and how they shared equipment. Such disclosures dispell the popular belief that an aspiring photographers needs all the latest gadgetry that manufacturers pump out. The kind of "socialism they [Cubana] fought for is the kind struggling artist could practice.

From a political perspective. The book (story) of how the U.S. Government ousts individuals be they journalist or subversives is touched on. This is a book that may touch the heart and the soul of a anyone who suspects Cuba and Castro have stories to tell. Finally, it is a photographic feast of photojournalism from the inside of not only the revolution but the photographers who documented it.

As a Viet Nam era Army MSC Officer I particularly appreciate
Tom Lee's understanding of military politics and how that can impact so many aspects of the success or failure of any military action. This was a very intriguing and compelling story with real life characters and circumstances. The author is a master story teller who develops the events and characters with such believeability and skill that the reader becomes emotionally involved. I've enjoyed several hours of good reading and pleasure; I delighted to tell others to buy a copy and get set for a terrific read.

It's a difficult book to put down. It's well-written, interesting, exciting and informative. Significantly, it has relevancy to what is happening in Iraq today. What happened in Vietnam should have been a powerful lesson for our nation's leaders. They should read Final Curtain: Saigon.

Final Curtain: Saigon is a tale of intrigue and romance set in the waning months of US involvement in Southeast Asia. Lee looks at some of the real world problems associated with intelligence collection, analysis and reporting. His protagonist's efforts to correct the situation and improve the quality of intelligence reporting are at the core of the story. A romantic theme provides some insight into cultural differences between the protagonist and the Vietnamese family he becomes involved with. Lee's story will be informative for those who have not been to Southeast Asia and those who are too young to remember that period of history. For many who were there during the '60s and early '70s, Final Curtain: Saigon will be interesting and enjoyable.

Final Curtain: Saigon is a compelling novel that was difficult to put down. The author reminds us of the politico-economic basis for hostilities between nations as well as providing an understanding of the Military perspective that arises from having their hands tied by that basis. These ideas are the backdrop to a story that reveals the humanity of those that served in the Military during the Viet Nam era which ended with the evacuation of Saigon. The characters are well developed and the descriptions are reminiscent of John Grisham. A wonderful first offering from Colonel Lee (Air Force, retired).

I started reading this book in school and i thought it was a little slow but then Bing Bang Boom!!! You just cant put it down!!! Your drawn in to the story by Protagonist. She is a real person and doesnt mask her feeling. You can realy relate to her.

Once I read the final pages of this novel, I considered myself extremely fortunate to have had the honor of reading a modern day masterpiece. Joy Lee Rutter should be highly commended for her work. She has successfully weaved a love story, a story of self-evaluation and a story of discovery into one novel. It is a very difficult feat that she authored rather marvelously.

The main four characters of the story are Joleen Cumberland, Geoff (with-a-G) Stevens, his brain injured brother, Mitch and Mitch's roommate at River Edge, Alex Williams. Joleen starts the story off wondering where life is taking her after seven years of witnessing the unthinkable at the neuro-rehabilitation facility where she works. Torn between pursuing her author ambitions and the unexplainable urge to return each day for another episode of punishment, she sees life passing her by and her accomplishments being constantly put off until tomorrow. At the neuro-rehabilitation facility, there is an array of people staying there that she must care for, including Alex who seems to be lovable, yet unpredictable at the same time. Her co-workers sometime seem to appear to belong with the inpatients rather than working with her.

One day a new patient arrives by the name of Mitch. He was an author that suffered an accident that renders him speechless and with a huge memory loss. Alex is assigned to be his roommate. While everyone else marks Mitch off as just another patient, Joleen senses that he is more coherent than he leads on to be and, through sometimes trying circumstances, she helps to push him on the road to recovery, falling in love with his brother along the way.

The twists that the tale takes are incredible and entice the reader to read on with anticipation as we are privilege to watch from the pages a very well told story. Spiced with humor, sprinkled with emotion and overflowing with intrigue, this is a story that is a must read for every avid reader.

After reading the first few pages of Joy Lee Rutter's novel, A Flamboyant Disarray of Dreams, I realized it was well written and that the author knew her subject well. I did wonder how she was able to write a full-length book that would keep the reader's interest, when the subject was a neuro-rehabilitation center, its staff and patients. Still, the author managed to paint an intriguing description of her protagonist, Joleen Cumberland, that made me want to continue. This wild-haired, burnt-out, would-be writer, who wore unmated socks like a badge, came to life under the skilled pen (or in this case word processor keys) of the author. And I was hooked.

Rutter goes on to introduce her other characters, one by one. These are not one-dimensional people. There's Brad, Joleen's coworker, who seems ill placed in his vocation of working with brain-damaged individuals. And the patients, themselves, Alex, a young man full of rage, who coddles a violin like a child clutching his security blanket; Mitch, a talented author, who suffered brain-damage from a drunken fall; and his overly-protective brother, Geoff, who is stiff and authoritarian, but who eventually shows his softer side.

Rutter weaves these and her other characters into a tapestry that had me captivated long before the first chapter ended. As the characters dance around each other, they are slowly drawn together in stunning and beautiful ways that made me smile long after I'd finished the last page. I eagerly await a sequel to this work by a truly gifted author.

This is the second book by Joy Lee Rutter that I have read.
"A Disturbing Pesence" was her first book and it was great and made me want to read another book that she had written. Both of her books are great and I will certainly recommend them both. I have read many books by many authors and this author is one fine author. You will find her books interesting and books that you will not want to put down until you have finished them. "A Flamboyant Disarray of Dreams" is a book that I will keep in my library as it is a very good book.

Carol Lee Sanchez writes from a position of humor and strength about the concerns of the modern day. "From Spirit to Matter" shows the evolution of a very personal woman's voice. She doesn't spare either her reader or herself in speaking of her passions and concerns. This book is an essential part of any modern poetry library.

Our world is so full of the reality of greed, cruelty and violence, and even our finest art seems often to depict these horrors. The work of Carol Lee Sanchez provides something else - an honest recognition of the depth of injustice, and a ringing challenge to celebrate life, and to use our powers in the service of life

Carol Lee has assembled an excellent collection of poems she has written over the course of her life, giving us an imtimate glimpse at her spirit and providing us with a new insight for our own spirituality in the future. This very uplifting tome brings understanding to us all by subtle hints and lessons from her lifetime which can aid us in ours. Her precise use of the language is refreshing, and always conveys clear images even when dealing with the most abstract concepts...a true gem!

Through her poetry, Carol Lee Sanchez is a spokeswoman for this time in history where the languages of all people must come together and merge in a new understanding and respect of our multi-cultural heritage. She is a most generous writer shedding light on what it is to grow up fitting nowhere and belonging everywhere, finally; a poet who teaches, guides and shows us a way which has been her way. --Perie Longo Author of "The Privacy of Wind: Poems"