Lee Books

This text is a fitting tribute and memorial to the original personnel of VF-17. It and the associated photographic illustrations, also give us later generations, some insight as to how the F4U Corsair was developed and improved as a warfighting tool in WWII.
Well Done!

Just adding my 2 cents to "Country's" comments. My Father and Country were wing-mates with VF17 and I have had the privilege to sit down and talk with Country about his and my Fathers war efforts. He is 100% right about Lee Cook's book and if you love Navy squadrons and information about the Corsair, there is no finer book. Lee's attention to detail and information is second to none. A must read for any Corsair fan.

Jim Bitzegaio

Tremendous interest in following the retired squadron members. A very well developed book worthy of a place on any aviation enthusiast's bookshelf.

This review is not a review. My Jolly Rogers shipmates and I lived it and some of us died in the struggle for the Solomon Islands and the Japanese kingpin at Rabaul.

My good friend Lee Cook from faraway England dedicated himself to this task for the better part of four years, and succeeded admirably.

We were bentwing Corsair fighter pilots. We gave it our best. For a time we were the uttermost tip of the spear of National power. We made a difference.

I hope you read about us.

Lee offered me the privilege of writing the foreword. I accepted as a heartfelt honor.

Very repectfully,

Wm. L. Landreth Commander U. S. Navy (ret.)

This book should be included in the bedtime story canon, along with classics such as Goodnight Moon.

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, which look like paintings done on wood canvases.

The book shows several different ways that creatures sleep- from snowy cranes to crickets- and ends with of course, boys and girls. Both my 2 year old and my 6 year old enjoy this story. A good way to end the day and settle in with your little ones.

Both my five year old and three year old love this book. There are some familiar sleepy animals like bears, horses and dogs, but there are also a few that we don't think about very often like moths, cranes and even crickets. The children find it so interesting to see how other animals sleep and then compare it to how little boys and girls sleep. My kids have a hard time "winding down" at night so this is a good transition for them. They also get to see that EVERYBODY sleeps. Also worth noting is that the images are truly beautiful. And I like the fact that while this book reads like a poem, it doesn't rhyme.

This is one of the best books I have ever read for children of all ages. I read it to my children and now I would like to read it to my grandchildren. My children adored this book and it always put them to sleep at night and made bedtime enjoyable!

Every living being sleeps, from the bear in his dark cave, fish among the water ferns, and horses standing up switching their tails, to the snowy crane who sleeps standing on just one leg, turtles inside their shells, seals with their flippers against blocks of ice, and of course little boys and girls. Originally published in 1958, Charlotte Zolotow's Sleepy Book is as fresh and wonderful today as it was over 40 years ago. Her simple, gentle text is full of imagery and magic, and complemented by brand new, evocative illustrations. Artist, Stefano Vitale, has really captured the essence of Ms Zolotow's poetry with engaging pictures of sleeping animals in quiet, subdued tones. Together, word and art create a soothing and comforting bedtime story that will lull little ones off to dreamland. "...but little boys/ and girls,/ when the night/ comes/ and the wind/ whispers gently/ in the trees/ and the stars/ sparkle and shine,/ sleep/ warm under/ their blankets/ in their/ beds."

When I was in fifth grade, I thought this was the funniest and most entertaining book in the world. Twenty years later, despite high school, college and law school, my opinion of it is just as high. This is a wild, wacky, cult-classic that kids, young adults and even parents can read, enjoy and re-read over and over.

The sequel to _The Snarkout Boys & the Avocado of Death_, the book features the return of snarkers Walter, Winston and Rat, as well as Uncle Flipping; Osgood Sigerson and Dr. Sacker; the Mighty Gorilla; and that rascally Napoleon of Crime, Wallace Nussbaum. Just as the young snarkers discover the Dharma Buns Coffee House and a rising Transylvanian poet, the city of Baconburg begins to be terrorized nightly by something dark and fast and ... furry? A werewolf?! Quick, grab your stuffed Indian fruit bat and defend yourself!

Just as in _Avocado_, Pinkwater writes simply and clearly, deftly weaving the different plot-threads into a (literally) blazing finale. Quite simply, this is a great, often gut-busting, blissfully zany ride. (I only wish he'd write another one!) I ordered a copy off the internet, read it twice, and am donating it to my local library so that kids can enjoy it just as much as I did, back 'in the day'. Praise St. Barbara of Blint, five burning stars!

Sequel to The Snarkout Boys and The Avacado of Death, this is another great book by D.M. Pinkwater. While it obviously couldn't compare to the original, simply because the first was SO good, this book is still great. I read the Avacado of Death when I was in middle school (for the first time at least), and didn't discover the sequel until I was in college. So naturally that's a rather long time and my expectations were a little high I'm sure. Still, it was great to see all the characters again, and see Walter and Winston having another adventure. This book is fun to read and I highly reccomend it.

When I read this book in my early nubile childhood , I thought it was just a pretty darn funny piece o' work. Now that I'm a wee bit older and wiser I look back on Snarkout with a sort of awe, respecting it for the sheer genious and underground artistry. Werewolves, crazy speeches, donuts, hotdogs, cult movies, bitter rejects and terrible poets. Every man woman and child should experience belly lauaghter. It deserves to be the first cult classic childrens book.

Snarking: sneaking out when your parents are asleep, esp. to go to the theater and see the latest (or oldest) movie. Master snarkers Winston, Walter, and Rat have the technique down pat and somewhat uneventful until one night when Rat decides she wants to go to the Dharma Buns Coffee House. That night begins an adventure replete with werewolves, poets, borgelnuskies, the Napoleon of crime, and other assorted good guys and bad guys.

The town of Baconburg has never seen such a hodgepodge of people and adventures. At least not since "The Snarkout Boys & the Avocado of Death." But as long as they don't run out of Indian fruit bats, everything and everyone should turn out okay.

First published in 1984, the story doesn't seem out of date for young people born in the past few years. But to adults, parents, even young senior adults, some references bring a sense of nostalgia: Drive in movies, shopping malls. Although this is not the first in the series, the story stands alone quite well -- it actually makes one want to find the rest and read/listen to them, too. The action is swift, the characters interesting, and the plot complicated in a witty, twisted sort of way.

Pinkwater takes the reader from the familiar to the bizarre to the impossible in just a short ride. He's created a weird alternate reality that is fun for readers of all ages. In his narration he rushes headlong from beginning to end, leaving the listener breathless and tickling your fancy.

Mu Lan, will intrigue boys and girls alike. Her mission to provide safety and refuge for others, does not come without a price. She faces alot of misundersood culture barriers-what one expects from a daughter or a son! This book has some thing for everyone, with a powerful message to all, about what the human spirit can accomplish. Disney is making this story into a movie in June of this year! It's message will effect all!

The illustrations are beautiful! This is an authentic presentation of the ancient folk ballad of Mu Lan. The translation adheres closely to the original Chinese text. This is simultaneously the great merit and the great fault of this translation, since the original text is allusive and elliptical in its phrasing. For example, the ancient text appears to have several speakers, but it is not always clear who is speaking at any moment. Because of this, the English translation is at times unclear. The imagery of Jeanne Lim's lean interpretation of this poem is nevertheless powerful and rich, comparable to Han Frankel's translation of this poem, and quite a relief from the excesses of Arthur Waley. I recommend it highly.

In the US, most people came to the legend of Mu Lan via or following the Disney version, which was, for a change, amazingly close to the source material. In China, this story is as well known as George Washington and his cherry tree is in America. I was quite taken with the Disney movie, and went looking for books of the story. Many books later, in both English and Chinese, I have come to regard this version as the best of all. The translation is excellent, the drawings nothing short of captivating. My children, now four to fourteen, all enjoy hearing me read this book aloud, and I have not grown tired of reading it. There are many small true things in this book which may not be readily striking to the casual Western reader, but to those who have studied or lived in China, the story makes a great deal of sense, both in the details and in the broad message of the story.. I can't heap enough praise on this book. It is perfect in every way, all the details are just right.

The story of Mu Lan is the chinese woman warrier fairy tale that describes a young girl that is capable and courageous. Her father has no elder son, so she disguises herself as a boy and joins up when they call her father's name. The original fairy tale poem is reproduced in poetry, both in chinese and english. The calligraphy is artfully done and the story rings genuine. The words are faithfully reproduced to convey the original meaning. It is a book you can display on your coffee table or read over and over to your children. The beautiful illustrations are done in watercolor on silk and are lush and expressive. Because of her service to the emperor, she is rewarded. But she only asked to go home after 10 years of valor. They welcome her like a lost child and hold a feast in her honor where she surprises family and comrades alike with her real identity. This is a wonderful book to teach girls that they can be anything they want and not lose their identity. And it is humerous when she reveals herself. The chinese proverb at the end states that when two rabbits run together, no one can tell which is male or female. The original text was written in AD 420-589, and it can be considered one of the first statements of female independence in a society that is proud of sons over daughters. I know it gave me and my daughters pride to be Chinese women and the sense that we can be both beautiful and strong. The book is a good teaching tool but it can also be enjoyed purely for the artwork and calligraphy. I would recommend this book highly to all girls everywhere and the action and surprise will surely delight young boys as well. It is no wonder that Disney chose this book.

What I love most about this book (and my copy is really well-thumbed!) is that Susan organized it by question...so that instead of only hearing about one writer at a time, you get to hear how a dozen or more writers handle each aspect of their work. It's very freeing, as a songwriter myself, to hear so many different ways of working, so many different ways of finding ideas, handling slumps, getting songs heard.

So many "teachers" or self-proclaimed experts will tell you THE way "it" is done. But the truth is that there is no reason that we can't be as creative in our approach to writing...as we are creative in the writing itself.

There's so much encouragement in getting to know these writers and their personalities...

It's a terrific book, and although there are other good songwriting books, this one is unique in presenting many viewpoints. I think it belongs in every writer's library.

You're sure to find a successful writer in there who does things the way YOU do...and has made it work! And you'll learn alternate ways of tackling everything a writer must.

This book gives a great insight into the creative minds of some of the best songwriters around! It's better than meeting them yourself, because the author also thought of all the right questions to ask AND you can read through the answers over-and-over again! An insider's view of creativity, inspiration, and effort!

"The Soul Of A Writer" is not only thought-provoking, it delivers inspiration in the face of adversity. To begin the journey, is to start with the soul, and that is exactly what these authors accomplished. There are no right or wrong answers, just the true and human insights from those who write the songs. How powerful is the human voice and how ever-present is the writer who gives life to it! Truly a world of revelations , habits, and human ancedotes fill the pages of this book. It is a rare find for those looking to identify their thoughts and feelings with other songwriters. Whether you are a writer in full blown success or a writer still in search of that "first:" hit, I highly recommend settling down in your most comfortable spot and jumping right in. It may be remarkable what you discover in the "soul of a writer."

The format for this book is truly unique! Instead of focusing on one writer at a time, the issues of the creative process are the subject. Each contributor songwriter then provides their thoughts and experiences in that area. Great to read cover to cover or to pick up and thumb through for inspiration and ideas! Highly recommended!

The beautiful thing about this book (other than the title), is each little proverb is very short and easy to read. Each message is simply stated and followed by the name of the Native American nation it came from. I found it to be warm, visual and thought provoking in its emphasis of high values, spirituality and natural connections. This is a true gem that should be shared with all family members and friends.

Wonderful for Calligraphers because the sentences are short ones. Great inspirational quotes to pen!

This book contains the wisdom of many Native American tribes. Through these reading we find meaning to some of lifes mysteries.

A thoughtful collection of Native American proverbs that gives pause to consider the meanings of life and important values. We can learn much from these old proverbs. It is interesting how some of them have similar counterparts in other cultures and ethnic groups, including the white man's! For example, "It takes a whole village to raise a child." Where have we heard this recently? Where did it actually originate? Who knows, but there is a similar Native American proverb in this interesting book. Each has the tribe of origin listed below it. A wonderful springboard for discussion and thought, and basis for research on the Internet on Native Americans. Use selected proverbs in my teaching.

This book is incredible! I've already read it and given them as gifts and need to buy more. Love the content and the message. Should be on your front page of the children's section for easier access. :)

This book is a delight from beginning to end. With its adorable faux-naive illustrations and offbeat but heartwarming story, "Sparky" makes a perfect bedtime story. It's got just enough "new" words to keep curious kids engaged and asking questions, and the story itself takes a surprising number of unexpected turns, given the book's brief length. The last line on the last page put a lump in my throat -- and how many children's books ever do that? That says "classic" to me. "Sparky the Wonder Fish" unfolds as a series of delights, adding up to a very enjoyable read. Your kids will love it, and you'll have fun reading it to, or with, them!

I loved the engaging story, clever use of language and charming illustrations. My 4 and 6 year-old niece and nephew went crazy over this book. They asked for several readings, would anticipate what was coming next and point out Sparky on each page. I highly recommend this book to anyone with children or for adults who enjoy a touching and magical story.

Really enjoyed this story -- in fact, I just ordered a second copy for another (younger) child. The first young girl (9) loved the illustrations. Now she wants the other articles featuring this great little guy!

The first part of this book deals with the death of Captain Stacy, which is a lovely Doctor Octopus story which features Ock at his deadliest. Penned by Stan Lee, and drawn by legends John Romita and Gil Kane, these are the pinnacle of classic Marvel Comics.

The second part of the book deals with the death of Gwen Stacy. There's no way around it: These issues are beautiful and touching. Filled with emotion and drama, you're drawn right into the story. This is what makes Gwen one of the most important parts of the Spidey mythos. NEVER read SINS PAST. It's complete crap and destroys the image of Gwen, and further more twists this story into total dirt. If you have read it, forget the story or this volume will be ruined for you. The issues in this collection are how Spidey should be. This one's a keeper!

What made Spider-Man different from the very start was the adversity he faced as Spider-Man and as Peter Parker. Even in the more innocent time known as the "Silver Age" he had to learn early in his super-hero career that even with all of his amazing powers he could not stop tragedy from befalling those he loved. What started with his Uncle Ben continues here with the deaths of Captain Stacy and his daughter Gwen.

Collected in this volume are the stories that marked the end of the Silver Age and the beginning of the more grim Bronze Age. Gwen's death in paticular is one of the watershed moments in comic history. And that death is followed the very next issue by the death of Spider-man's arch enemy, the Green Goblin, another shocking death in it's time, one that has lost some of it's significance with Norman Osborn's return in the 1990's.

What's also included in this volume is insight from the man who killed Gwen Satcy, Gerry Conway. In writing about her death, he tells us Gwen died not become of some grand plan, but rather he didn't like her, and he like Mary Jane Watson better.

I't amazing that in almost 35 years since Amazing Spider-Man #121 was published Gwen Stacy has managed to stay dead all this time when just about everyone else has come back to life. Hopefully this will remain as a classic story like this should not be cheapend to make a buck as part of some compnay-wide crossover epic.

Definitely worth picking up and adding to your collection!

Having just read this story makes me realize how die hard comic book fans had so many problems with Spider Man (the movie). Basically the first Spider Man movie takes this horrible trajedy of the death of Gwen Stacy and turns it on its ear by making it happen to a different girl (Mary Jane Watson), and making it a rescue instead of a trajedy. What a slap in the face to the fans who know how it really went down!

I am a new fan of Spider Man, so I am trying to catch up on my 40 plus years of being behind (and I aint even forty yet:). I feel this story is a milestone in my understanding of the character, and perhaps a milestone in my understanding of how great ideas can transform an industry.

This is my first Marvel Premiere book and it wont be my last. The quality of the pages is excellent, and it makes all the difference in my overall enjoyment of the story. The story is great, and surely pivitol in the life of Spider-Man, and perhaps the catalyst for many super hero stories who have had to deal with a dark chapter in their lives. If you don't know the story, then please get this book. You wont be disappointed.

Just about every big name super hero in comics has at least one pivotal moment that always gets remembered by fans. For Spider-Man, what's collected here in Death of the Stacys is THE pivotal turning point for Marvel's celebrated character. The death of Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker's first true love before Mary Jane, meets her demise thanks to the Green Goblin, which leaves Spidey blaming himself for her death. This story alone makes Death of the Stacys worth picking up, and it begins with the death of Gwen's police captain father and mentor to Peter. After that, poor Gwen meets her maker, and the story concludes with the final (well, it was at the time) battle between Spider-Man and Norman "Green Goblin" Osborne. Though the dialogue may be dated, the overall story is ahead of it's time, thanks to the talent of the legendary Stan Lee, and the underrated Gerry Conway, who took over Amazing Spider-Man with big shoes to fill, and only ended up scripting the most pivotal event in Spidey's history (and would also create the Punisher to boot!). Not to mention artwork by the legendary John Romita Sr. and Gil Kane, and well, you get the idea. All in all, Death of the Stacys is the absolute pivotal event in the Spider-Man mythos, and for fans new and old, this handsomely designed hardcover is a must own. Just remember to ignore anything that was attempted to be undone with this story by J. Michael Straczynski's Sins Past storyarc in his Amazing Spider-Man run.

Lee Friedlander's monograph on STEMS not only represents a tender history of an artist's temporary battle with physical restriction and pain, it is also one of the more eloquent collections of black and white photography on a narrow subject to appear in book form.

These beautifully photographed and equally beautifully printed and presented series of images were taken when Friedlander was confined to sitting, a position not compatible with a photographer out in the fields of the world capturing life as it continues in motion. But due to physical restrictions, Friedlander had to either be artistically silent or elect to combat his dilemma by using his camera to study the simple beauty of nature at hand. And, so like his proclivities in all of his art, he elected to use the stems of flowers and plants as subject, including the cylinders and vases of water into which they had been placed. Some of the more eloquent photographs come at the end of the portfolio when Friedlander captured the containers of his subjects in the empty state - levels of water in class containers alone and in tandem. The results defy written description: these are subtle, tenuous, fragile works of art with few peers as still life.

The production of this portfolio is in keeping with the content: the cloth covered cover is in a mossy green and the binding, quality of paper and of reproductions is of the highest order. This is a unique and very beautiful book. Grady Harp, January 06

I first caught a glimpse of Friedlander's _Stems_ displayed in the MoMa store in New York. It is a gorgeous book, sitting in front of me now. I keep it open at my desk instead of an actual vase of flowers- the images are somehow haunting, melancholy, and oh so still and hushed all at the same time. If you've ever chosen a bouquet of flowers not only for their color but for their structure or shape, the ragged and choppy line of a cut orchid, or smooth sweep of a calla lily, you will adore these photographs.

yes, this is a wonderful magical book. essential even. and yes, i can imagine people breaking the binding and framing favorite images. it's that good. it reminded me that imogene cunningham turned to flowers when she had to stick around the house. who but friedlander wd think of sticking w/ the stems through glass vases. the design is a gift.

This is a sensuous still life study of stems and gorgeously printed. The subject does not really matter: it might be called The Joy of Seeing. The three dimensional effect of these photographs makes for an unexpected joy .
A barbarian might cut the book up and frame the individual pages to hang on walls. The printing is superb. Could not think of a better photography gift.

The text and especially the illustrations in this book were just what I needed to explain to my kindergarten students what it would be like to visit the Statue of Liberty. The illustrator shows an aerial view of the statue on Liberty Island, the ferry needed to reach the island, and New York City in the far background. He continues with pictures showing the construction of the statue to the impressive fire works celebration on the Fourth of July. The author explains the building of the statue as well as the purpose. If you had only one book to explain the Statue of Liberty to school age children, I would recommend using "The Story of the Statue of Liberty" by Betsy Maestro and illustrated by Giulio Maestro.

This book gives a perfect response to the questions of a very inquisitive 5 year old--His teacher told a story of Lady Liberty and he was loaded with questions about her-- this book filled in the blanks--Super reading for a child and his Grampy or Grammy.

My 2 year old is facinated with the Statue of Liberty. So before we visited her in person, I wanted to find a simple worded book with lots of captivating pictures and found this one. It really does an excellent job of telling the story of how America obtained Lady Liberty. We would highly recommend this book to any American Patriot!!

I also use this book in my classroom and third graders love it. They are fascinated with the size and grandeur of the Statue of Liberty. This book tells the history of the Statue in simple text and large, vivid illustrations. (Did you know that he made it to look like his mother?) I recommend this book for 7-9 year olds. It will expand their horizons and leave them hoping that someday they will see the Statue in person.