M Books

This book is so beneficial as reference material. The images are unreal and so specific. At least four therapists I know have bought the book since flicking through my copy.

This is the most practical and informative book that teaches what you need to know and what is relevant...not filler material.

Why you should buy this book:
1. If you want to teach yourself massage.
2. If you massage school gave you a crappy Milady's massage book, or worse, their own hand written, poorly illustrated version.
3. If you really want to own a great massage therapy reference.

Why I think its so great:
The illustrations and visuals, give you everything you need to know to massage any area of the body. They have created a much more 3-d experience to learning massage from a book and translating that experience to a real body. ANYONE can learn from this book. Its an incredible resource. I don't know why every school doesn't use this book! If you are in school -- buy it!

I borrowed this from my library before purchasing it.
It is a must for an massage therapist, bodyworker, or closet healer!
Also great for National exam review.

can only say 'FABULOUS'!!! One of the most clearly illustrated, and easy to understand texts available, great for students and teachers alike!

I have bought many books and DVD's on massage and anatomy and this is by far the best. It acomplishes what others often fail at and what all my teachers tried to instill in me, looking at a body in a 3 dimensional way. Did I mention the DVD? I was soo suprised that it actually showed everthing (well at least all the anatomy, palaptations, striping and crossfibering) thats in the book. I am very glad I bought this book and see using it again and again, unlike several DVD's and books I currently have.

This is an excellent book that tells the story of cpl. Dunham and Lima company in Iraq. It has a smooth introduction that breaks off into an ambush with intense second by second battle recounts and then takes a turn onto the more emotional path of Dunham's and his squads wounded tales and their path home through many hospitals. This book will emotionally drain you, but has lots of comedy relief to bring you back to life and has a ver spiritual ending. I am very glad I picked up this book at the library when I saw it sitting on a shelf where it did not belong. This book should be a bestseller and be placed on many book club reading lists. Why has this book went unnoticed? It is too good to be placed in the shadows.

A quick read that will help the family of this fallen Marine heal their pain. Would be a good basis for a course or discussion or analyis of how wishful thinking and hope by well meaning people falls short when they lose sight of the realities of the situation and circumstances. None of which takes anything away from the valient heart of Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Jason Dunham, USMC.

This is also a non-fiction book about the trials of becoming a Marine, then a leader of men, and then a victim of the tribulations of that position. I have been reading the Wall Street Journal for over 50 years, and have been ever salutory of the reporters that have produced stories for that instituion----and this is NO exception! This reporter dug up the very varied backgrounds of these Marines, and brought them into focus of a VERY controversial time in the U.S.----and the M.D.'s and nurses that played their roles in the very lives of these fighting men and women----that are on the the frontline--------so that we do not have to be.

This was an incredible book about an incredible young man and his sacfrice for our freedom. As a USMC veteran of the first GUlf War I was interested in reading what these guys are dealing with in Iraq. As a father I was so caught up in what his family went through and how they dealt with the decisions they had to make. This book will be on the top of my list of favorite books.

I know it's only January but this book is fantastic - an extremely well-written account of a fascinating story of a true American hero. Strongly recommended.

The author describes in just the right amount of detail, what his residency in orthopedics was like at the prestigious Mayo Clinic. The struggle between the incredibly demanding hours of training and his responsibilities as a husband and dad are intense. Throw in some moonlighting on weekends in the ER and "you're good to go insane." A perfect summer read.

I really enjoyed this book. The author was very down to earth and had a great sense of humor. He included a number of wonderful stories about his experiences during his residency as a surgeon. I found it very hard to put this book down.

From the moment I started reading it, it was like the initial incision with the scalpel on my brain and I could not stop until I got to the end (close the incision--take the patient to the recovery)!! Dr Collins has done a great job in this fast paced easy to read manual of the 4 years of residency at the prestigious Mayo clinic revealing to us the incredibly long hours of residency while raising up a family, living from pay check to pay check(earned mostly by moonlighting), driving cheap cars(esp the Battleship, ha!),dealing with life and death decisions on a daily basis and eventually making it through it all. The doctor has a great sense of humor (I guess 'tis one of the survival tactics in the battle of life.) His scalpel sharp pen can touch the soul of the reader! You will laugh and weep through it all(as must have Patti(his wife) and the kids). It has given me a greater appreciation for doctors--they have a high endurance coefficient! A must read for all the doclings and doctors-to-be.

After making the decision to return to school after 7 years to become a cardio surgeon- I seriously doubted my own abilities. I read everything I could get my hands on concerning others and there first year experiences. Hot Lights, Cold Steel was amazing. I was able to relate with Dr. Collins and soon realize that I too may be ill prepared for like as a resident but along with anything, time, experience and studying will prove that I too can be just as amazing as he is. (Only difference- he has 12 children, whereas I only have 5). This book is a 5-star hands down.

I can tell when I am reading a book that I really enjoy, it keeps pestering me until I finish it. Read it in 2-3 days!!! Very enjoyable. I even like the binding on this hardcover, large inside margins, etc. Hey Doc, how about writing another book??????

I'm a first year vet student and have read this text over the summer to get my feet wet. Excellent. Its just enough to explain the real mechanisms of specific cells and immune functioning. I would highly recommend as this text gives a thorough explanation to very difficult material.

For someone with no immunology background this is a great place to start. I wish I'd known about this book before taking immunology in medical school. It is short enough and such engaging writing that I'd strongly recommend reading it before taking an immunology course. This book isn't going to be one you go to for specifics about this receptor or that cytokine it's all about understanding how all the parts fit together.

This is one of the best books I have read in Medicine, for its ease and information. It stimulates you to go and read more.

The beauty of this book lies in its folksy language, brevity, completeness, and versatility.

First, the author avoids making you snooze over this potentially dry subject. The prose is clever and written basically as someone would talk to you. Of course, the prose does get a little too relaxed at time, but I find the language far more understandable than some stuffy textbook.

In addition, the author has compiled a brief yet very thorough composition on the immune system here. If you were seeking a very complete overview of immunology without needing to memorize all the details (like cytokines, names of cell receptors, etc.), you could read this book in one night and have a very good understanding of the immune system. However, if you're a medical student needing to actually memorize all those seemingly trivial details, this book is probably sufficient for you as well. That versatility really lends this book to a very diverse audience.

I think that anyone from a college student in an introductory immunology course up to a practicing physician needing a quick reference to the immune system would love owning this book.

I'm a first year medical student and hadn't had immunology until I was taught it in about two weeks this year. This book was exceptionally helpful in giving me the big picture while still providing enough detail to unite the big pieces together. The book isn't exhaustive, but it's not meant to be. It's also very easy to read and memorable. This book was quite useful to me and I highly recommend it.

I read this book when I was about 12 or 13 (about 20 years ago). I thought about it for years afterwards. One evening recently the book and it's haunting last line popped into my head. How I ever remembered the name of this book is beyond me. In any case, every female should read this book, particularly younger kids. Do girls today even read books like this anymore? Hope so...

I read this book when i was 15 and could not put it down untill i reached the end. It was hands down the best book i have ever read. The booked touched me on an emotional level like no other has before and i recomend it to anyone. You will laugh and cry but come away feeling a great passion and love for life! Its a fantastic story.

I read this when I was a teenager and it made me cry for hours, in the best way possible. Her love for her daughter is indescribable -and even though she chooses to not undergo treatment, you know she's doing it for the right reasons. She wants to be able to live her life without being held back by treatments that make her sick and make her angry - she wants her daughter to love her and remember her before she loses her.

The poetry in the novel is beautiful. I have never found a book that can make me get so sentimental every time I read it. Please find this book and read it - and then pass it along to friends!!!!

All I can say is that I read this book back in 1985 and twenty years later the story sticks with me. So much so that when I found out I was pregnant I started a journal for my kid. Not the usual "I felt you kick today" but a journal of how I feel about certain subjects, my interests, hobbies, things I wanted my child to know about me and about life in general. I wanted to do this because just in case something ever did happen to me before my child grew up, they would be able to know who their mother was. This thinking is a direct result of this book. And I can't thank Norma Klein enough for sharing a real-life story in such a wonderfully fictionalized way.

Sunshine is the tale of a young woman. She didnt have a very great family when she was growing up, and now she is happy with a man that she loves and a beautiful little girl, Jill. But then Kate, the main character, is diagnosed with an uncurable cancer, and she decides to go off the pills because of what they are turning her into. It is based on a true story of a woman that kept a tape recorded diary. She has to try to get as much done, and to live life to the fullest, in the very short time she has left to live. The friendly manner that the novel is written in makes it easy to understand Kate's feelings and views toward life and her disease. You will laugh and cry, and you will not be able to put down the book until you have reached the very end and read it twice more over again. It is such a riveting tale of a very brave woman who must do what she has to do before she dies. It made me cry, I only hope that you will be as touched with it. It gave me a whole new view on life and a feeling of how lucky i am to be living here today without a care or burden. A TRULY touching tale.....

Trial by Journal is one of the most intriguing and one of the best books I have ever read. Whomever would of thought that a town would actually allow a child on jury duty just because another child was involved in a murder. Well, she needs to pass [...] grade and the journal she keeps of her experiences helps her recieve and A+ from her teacher. This book is told in newspaper articles, maps, radio talk shows, newscasters, and ofcourse journal entries.

Trial by Journal was written by Kate Klise. It is a fantastic mystery that takes place in the mythical town of Tyleville, Missouri. The book is written in a very unique way. It is based on journal entries by Lilly Watson (the main character); newspaper articles from the local newspaper; transcripts from the local radio station; and personal letters

Trial by Journal is filled with never ending action and jokes by the quick witted Lilly Watson. Twelve year old Lilly Watson is a member of a jury attempting to solve the murder of Perry Keet. Perry is a twelve year old boy that works at the local zoo. Perry did not return home from work one day and his body was not found. His co-worker and friend of Lilly's, Bob White, is accused of Perry's murder. Lilly is selected to be on the jury because of a law that requires a juvenile to be on the jury of cases that involve children. The book chronicles Lilly's adventures as she tries to unravel the mystery of Perry Keet's murder. Other characters in the book include Lilly's co-jurors Fawn Papillon and Anna Conda; and the wealthy Rhett Tyle whose testimony is important to solving the mystery.

My favorite part of the book is when Lilly solves the mystery. I like this part because of the clever way that Lilly analyzed the clues and uncovered the truth. Trial by Journal was an exciting and thought-provoking mystery. The protagonist, Lilly Watson, is a bright, funny, and enthusiastic girl. I particularly enjoyed the way the author developed this character.

I give this book four out of five stars. It is a very enjoyable read. I became very involved with the characters and rooted hard for Lilly to solve the mystery. I recommend this book highly for people that enjoy good mysteries and humor. This book is suitable for anyone over nine years old. Adults may enjoy this book, but the complicated storyline may be too confusing for children under the age of nine.

Trial By Journal was written by Kate Klise. The illustrator for this wonderful book was M. Sarah Klise. Trial By Journal has 238 pages total in the book.

This book is about a 12 year old girl named Lily Watson who was put on to a jury to solve a murder of a sixth grader, who happens to be a boy named Perry Keet. The person who they thought was the murderer was Bob White. Her teacher Mr. Holms has asked her to keep a journal about what is going on with the case the whole time of jury duty. Mr. Holms has also told Lily that she will have to go to summer school for missing so much of school, but Lily doesn't think that is fair, because she never asked to be a juror.

Lily's problem is that she has to find out/solve the case and prove that Bob White is either innocent or guilty.

My favorite part in Trial By Journal is when we meet all of the jurors and we find
out their names. I like this part because the names are so funny. Some of the character's names are Perry Keet, Bob White, Fawn Papillon, and Anna Conda.


The genre of this book is realistic fiction because this could happen but I doubt the names. When I read Trial By Journal I felt like I was actually there to witness everything because the author had great description and I was really caught into it.

Trial By (Jury) Journal, By Kate Klise, Illustrated by Sarah Klise 256 pages


I read the book Trial by (Jury) Journal by Kate Klise. I think that this book is great! The author Kate Klise did a wonderful job of describing everything and making it all come alive. It seemed real! I would definitely recommend this book to other readers who like to read books that have fake letters, articles, and journal entries. It was a little hard to read because of all these things, but it was definitely easy to enjoy!

In this book a law is passed that if there is a child under 18 in a case, then a child under 18 has to be on the jury. The main character in this book is Lily, who gets chosen to be on the jury. While on Jury duty, Lily keeps a journal telling about her experiences in the courtroom and at the hotel where the whole jury is forced to stay during Jury duty. They can have no contact with others except fellow jurors.

My favorite part in this book was when Lily and her new Jury duty friend Fawn Papillion decide to let out all the birds in the hotel out of their cages. My other favorite part is when they discover the paintings in Priscilla the Gorilla's cage.

Although almost everything about being on Jury duty is tough, Lily makes the best of her free time off from school. She has many unforgettable experiences.

The case is hard and everyone thinks that one person did it. Bob White. But did he? If you want to find out you should read Trial by (Jury) Journal.

I think that anyone who likes a laugh, a good humored girl, and a bit of mystery would love this book because it's all of those things wrapped into one.

Kate Klise probably knows that her books will never win her any great big awards. If she receives recognition for her published works, by and large it's by children and not adults. Don't believe me? Check out the other reviews for this book down below. Who has written them? Kids. Lots and lots and lots of kids. And how do the kids feel about the author who has brought to the world books like, "Trial by Journal" and "Regarding the Fountain"? They worship at her feet. Even those kids who have NEVER read her, never even HEARD of the woman, gravitate to her novels like the books were singing a siren song to beat the band (and other mixed metaphors). I run a homeschooler bookgroup at my local library. The other day I gave the children a choice. They could choose an infinitely cool and relatively new fantasy novel with a shiny cover and the promise of magical creatures. Or they could read, "Trial By Journal". And unanimously they all reached for Klise's book. Not having read it myself, I quickly zipped through the story as quickly as I could do so. What I found was a book that contains horrid puns, contrived plot devices, so-so pictures, and a mystery. I also found a book that children will be lining up around the block to check out again and again and again from the library. She may not be the best writer you even encounter, but she'd certainly win a kiddie popularity contest beyond a shadow of a doubt.

There's trouble in Tyle County. Trouble like you wouldn't believe. Murder trouble. Yes, a perfectly nice twelve-year-old boy has undoubtedly been murdered by a creepy keeper at the local Tyle Park Zoo. Now there's to be a trial to determine whether or not Bob White is guilty of the murder of Perry Keet. In Tyleville, however, there's a new law that declares that when any crime is committed against a minor, a minor in turn must be on the jury panel. In this particular case, that juror is Perry's old classmate, Lily Watson. During the course of the trial Lily befriends an aging film star who is also on the jury, and keeps a journal of events in lieu of the schoolwork she's missing. As she remains sequestered from friends and family, Lily slowly begins to unravel the mystery of what actually happened to Perry. What she discovers will pit her against the most powerful man in town and mean that she must save the life of an innocent man jailed for a crime he did not commit.

The book is told in the form of journal entries, newspaper articles, letters, notes, and radio transcripts. That's Klise's schtick. Not only is it an appealing method of storytelling, but an eclectic one as well. When my homeschoolers (aged 8 to 12) picked up the book and randomly flipped through it, some were reduced to giggles when they saw a pretzel taped to the bottom of one of the journal pages. It was just an illustration of a pretzel, mind you, but the effect was instantaneous and effective. Most of Klise's books are put together in this way. You can talk all you want about the cool young adult titles written entirely in e-mails, but Klise was the first to do it this consistently with children.

Of course, her storytelling has to be fairly simple as well. There are always rather large plot gaps and stretches of plausibility. I'll try to avoid giving away any plot details, despite the fact that kids will probably figure them out long long long before Lily does. At one point out heroine encounters SOMEONE who is being held hostage by the story's villain. He rests the hope of escaping his imprisonment entirely on her shoulders. Then, to make certain he doesn't escape too soon in her tale, Klise writes in all sorts of peculiar details. Still, when you compare the book to "Regarding the Fountain", "Trial By Journal" is far better thought out.

The illustrations in this book are written by M. Sarah Klise, Kate's sister. She has illustrated all of Kate's books. They are a team. Peas in a pod. Two of a kind. For the most part, M. Sarah is a fine illustrator. She's created some highly amusing and intricate building and Tyleville landmarks at both the beginning and then end of the book. Unfortunately, she's not so hot with people. Even gorillas look pretty darn good when she draws them, but human beings by and large are grotesque. The villains are always obvious right from the start and the good guys don't fare much better. If M. Sarah could somehow avoid people altogether when she draws her elaborate concoctions, she'd be a perfect complement to Kate's tales. As it stands, she's only so-so.

You can't judge, "Trial By Journal" too harshly since it's clear that the Klise sisters are having a wonderful time writing their books and kids have a wonderful time reading 'em. More importantly, the book even manages to show exactly how trials work, defines terms for children to understand, and goes through the entire legal process in a fun and interesting way. They come for the kooky format, story, and mystery. They stay for the legalese.

This is Amalia' second book.....you should realy read the first one before you try yo read this one.They aren't very thick....so you can read them in about an hour.They are realy good books!

This is a great book. Maggie is still battling her eating disorder, and Amalia is trying to help her cope with it. The author really brings on strong points about anorexia and things that some may not know about. Amalia & Maggie's friendship reaches it's max. in this book, which is another reason why it is so good. Meanwhile, Amalia is also developing a romance with a certain new guy named Brendan. To find out what happens between the two, read this book and get ready to read it over again about 10 times, just because it's so good!

Amalia is my favourite CD person. She's cool, and this book wasexcellent. I hope the next books will mention Brendan, who sounds realsweet, and I hope Brendan will actually have a diary, although he porbably wont.

Maggie & Dawn are lucky to have Amalia for a friend! Even though Amalia is recovering from that awful relationship with James, she goes out of her way to help Maggie, who is showing symptoms of anorexia. I liked how she didn't give up until she found help for Maggie. The part where Maggie finally opens up to the therapist about her parents' problems & how they affected her is very moving.

This is a wonderful book about Amalia Vargas and all of the problems in her life. Her best friend, Maggie is suffering from anorexia, and Amalia is fighting to help her. Amalia (an 8th grader) is having some problems with a Junior in her school, James, who is stalking her. She finally finds love for a new kid in school, Brendan. This is an excellent book!

A wonderful horse story! The plot was a bit far-fetched, but it was still an amazing read. A classic girl-and-her-horse story. I really loved it! I wouldn't reccommend it to readers much under eleven, as they might not fully understand it. However, Peyton's work is so excellant, that I should think adults might love it too! Destined to be a classic, Blind Beauty has earned a spot among such giants as Misty of Chincoteague and Black Beauty.

This book is called Blind Beauty by K. M. Peyton. This book is about a girl named Tessa who, when she was young went with her mom to live in England. By taking Tessa away, Tessa's mother separated Tessa from her drinking father and horse Shiner. Being separated from Shiner made Tessa so upset that no one could cheer her up and she started smoking and doing terribly in school on purpose. Tessa and her new stepfather hate each other. Her stepfather sends Tessa off to work at Sparrow Wyck after being expelled again from school. There she meets Buffoon, Shiner's baby, that Tessa will do anything to be with. Shiner gave birth to Buffoon in Tessa's Dad's stable, but Buffoon was ugly, so eventually he was sold at an auction and then taken to England where Tessa finds him. Tessa rides Buffoon and shows everyone that he has talent to race long distance races and isn't lazy all the time. Then she meets Tom, another jockey who agrees to ride Buffoon and can get Buffoon to do his best. Tessa really likes Tom and looks up to him. That's when things get worse and Tessa's stepfather ruins Buffoon's chance of winning the Grand National by stealing Buffoon's buddy Lucky. Tessa stabs her stepfather and is sent away to a rehabilitation place. While she is gone Buffoon is sold and Tessa doesn't want to get better. So now Tessa has to somehow shape up and find Buffoon. Read the book to find out what happens!
I thought that this book was good. I liked how there was always something exciting going on in each chapter that made it hard to put the book down. It often felt like I was Tessa, angry at her stepfather or talking to Buffoon. The main conflict kept me interested in finishing the book to see how everything turned out. The main character, Tessa, had a rough beginning which explained some of her behavior for most of the book. By the end she had grown up a little bit more and had figured out who she wanted to be and what she wanted to do. The characters were so realistic that they could just pop out of the book and be in real life. I think that this book could be made into a movie it was a really good story. The beginning was really quick in getting into what was happening and what was going on, so it didn't take too much time explaining stuff. I also liked the ending, it was just the way that I thought that it should turn out.
K. M. Peyton wrote the book like it was in Tessa's mind. The book had what Tessa was thinking most of the time but every now and then it had what one of the other characters was thinking about Tessa or what was going on. K. M. Peyton had a few tough words but otherwise there weren't many difficult vocabulary words. The author would end every chapter with a statement that made you want to read on to the next chapter and made it difficult to put the book down. The author also described every new thing entering the book so that you could picture it clearly. The dialogue in the story went smoothly with what was going on and the mood of the current situation in the book. The tone was upset, angry or cold a lot but there were some happy and a lot of exciting parts. I really liked how the author kept the book moving at a nice pace and didn't slow it down with too many descriptions. I've read a couple of books where the author explains and describes to much that the reader loses interest.
I would rate this book at a seven out of ten compared to other books I have read. The book was good and well written but it wasn't as exciting or page turning as others that I have read. It also didn't have as an exciting plot and climax as other books I have read. I would recommend this book to people who like horses and are over the age of eleven. Younger children might not understand some of the things that happen in the book and people not interested in horses might get bored with the book or not understand some parts.
I thought that this was a good book. Some parts were heartwarming while other parts were disastrous. It was weird how nobody could get through to Tessa except for Tom and how Tessa looked up to him of all people. Also, I think It was weird how Tessa's father didn't try to help or find Tessa after seeing her at one of the races. He did get drunk a lot but he still should have a least visited Tessa. This book was also kind of emotional because of Tessa changing out of her old ways and people getting hurt. I liked how Tessa liked Buffoon and Shiner not because they were pretty (which they weren't) but because of their personalities. Overall I think the book was very well written and exciting to read. If you want to read a book on horses then you should read Blind Beauty.

When I first picked up Blind Beauty, a book by K M Peyton, I wasn't expecting much of it, it was just going to be another silly horse book I'd read to pass the time. I couldn't have been any more wrong. Blind Beauty is a story of a girl and a horse that don't fit in and have troubled lives. They find each other by destiny, and develop an undying bond of love. The girl, Tessa, has always loved horses, and finds peace and serenity in riding her cherished horse, Buffoon, through the rolling green hills of a steeplechase farm called Sparrows Wyck. Through experience, she becomes a skilled rider and begins to dream of riding in the Grand National. Blind Beauty is a story of love, hope, and dreams that stay true through whatever life throws at you, and I highly recommend it.
By Maggie

from the glossy, smooth cover and beuatiful illustration, to it's descriptive words, everything about this book is perfect. Now, I know that there is no such thing as a perfect book, but while reading this, i realize, there is. As i am writing, I am holding this wonderful book in my hand. I am in the middle right now, so am not fully done with it yet, but i can already tell that this is going to be one of my favorites. I HIGHLY!!!!!!!!!! reccomend this book to all people, horse lovers or just book luvers!!!

HURRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You simply MUST read this book! So quickly, gallop over to your favorite bookstore, and don't whinny if it's not in stock, you can order it on amazon! Once you are done reading it, you will simply neigh with happiness!!!!!

The impact of this novel is materially diminished by its reliance on obsolete paradigms of the previous century. Science seeks to reanimate creatures of the past not with incantations, wall inscriptions and the usual mumbo gumbo of witchcraft and sorcery, but with the information storing capacity of DNA macromolecules and cellular implants. In Lovecraft's works, as in certain scriptural references, matter is endowed only with minimal capacities to create the inorganic realm - but living creatures need to have the influence of nonmaterial spiritual influences from BEYOND. Lovecraft hints at methods and materials used in the "experiments" he describes, but relies too heavily on "fancy" language to create atmosphere...a practice losing its impact after frequent repetition. His work would have proved prophetic if he invisioned the capacity of inanimate matter to link free energy with self-organizing potential. Beyond these failures of prescience, the novel also exhibits artistic failures: the plot develops much too slowly......the material would have fit more comfortably in a short story or a novelette....... it seems H. P. might have started writing a handbook for tour guides of Providence, R. I. and took a sudden turn on Route 2 in Cranston - that excursion being included is an obvious diversion from the main story line. The reader might also consider an amusing thought postcard of the of the REAL Providence and its appeal - consisting until recent times - mainly of sidewalk art of prostrate bodies, crowds of pan-handling bums, or rats scurrying about freely in daylight along the canal. In spite of these comments I would recommend this book. Read this volume and then go for a walk in the environs described therein ---watch out for ..."shunned culverts, hideously dark - wherein lurk formless masses rubbing softly in the depths...evoking delerious thoughts of sodden, ravenous rats....."

If you want really classic Lovecraft at the top of his form, then this novel is it. It is a good, tight, driven read- except for the extensive prose tour of his beloved old Providence near the beginning. Yet, even this detailed introduction helps to weave an unmatched atmosphere that draws you deeply into Lovecraft's world. This is an ode to Providence, and to those unobtrusive and unlikely heroes that would keep it safe from cosmic evil.

Lovecraft carries us from colonial days to the "modern" 1920's in this tale. We are introduced to the hidden brotherhood of dark magicians and necromancers- those to seek to wield unnatural power from beyond the grave and beyond the stars. So much concentrated occult information, or rather enticing hints of such information, is packed into the narrative. Mystery within mystery unfolds. Yet, it is rather ordinary men that are called upon to confront this inconceivable evil, even though it threatens their very sanity.

Besides being an extremely well written tale of supernatural suspense it also serves as a teaching tale. There is madness out of time and a horror from beyond the spheres that threatens to entrap and destroy the unwary. Do not call up what ye lack the power to put down. Upon this depends more than can be put into words- all civilization, all natural law, perhaps the fate of the solar system and the universe. Perhaps even more than this- all because one fool opened a door and there was no one there with the knowledge to close it...

This is the type of story that you sit back and imerse yourself in the setting. With each new tid bit of information the horror of Joseph Curwen becomes clearer and clearer. The final chapter however sent chills down my spine, as Dr Willet searches through Curwen's undergroud, antedeluvian laboratory. The dank putrid odors, the slime green walls, and the horrific wailing from the darkness... the build up is phenominal, and the pay off will have you sleeping with your lights on!

Great read, you will go back to it again and again.

At 48,000 words, this is the longest tale that H.P. Lovecraft ever wrote. It is also his best.

This novel has both good plotting and an otherworldly atmosphere that pervades the book. The setting is 1920's New England where there was a revival in interest in the occult. However, the key to the tale is the 18th Century New England scene that Lovecraft had a lifetime interest in.

The character of Charles Dexter Ward was based on Lovecraft himself: a lonely intellectual who was an antiquarian who detested the Industrial Revolution. Ward's research into the occult leads to the reincarnation of one of his ancestors who in turn hatches a plot with both Ward and one of Ward's friends for a mass resurrection of the dead who would become mindless zombies dedicated to both the destruction of heavy industry in America as well as the forced expulsion, if not mass murder, of the Roman Catholic immigrants who Lovecraft detested so much from America.

The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is a fantasy/horror novel that tells you a lot about its author. H.P. Lovecraft was a self-styled aristocrat from a decadent Old Money family who bitterly hated the Roman Catholic Church and especially the Irish and Italian immigrants who by 1928, when this novel was first published, had already assumed a position of political power at the expense of the WASP elite that Lovecraft was a member of. Clearly, The Case of Charles Dexter Ward was reflective of Lovecraft's religious bigotry and his hateful tendencies towards certain ethnic and religious groups. It should come as no surprise that during the 1930's, Lovecraft frequently praised Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.

The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is a uniquely powerful and compelling work by a master of horror fantasy.

Charles Dexter Ward is a young man in Providence, RI who is fascinated by antiquities --- too fascinated, perhaps. He becomes obsessed with an ancestor, an alleged warlock named Joseph Curwen who escaped persecution in Salem over 200 years before and fled to Providence. A unusually long-lived ancestor, I might add.

If you aren't used to reading Lovecraft, or other writers of the same time period, the language and writing style might be a little tough at first, but it is well worth getting into. Lovecraft leaves a lot to the imagination of the reader --- a device that works quite well in this story.

This is one of my favorite novellas --- actually, one of my favorite stories, even. I first read when I was in high school, and I have re-read it every few years ever since. I re-read it again a couple of days ago and I still love it. This is Lovecraft at his best.

Laura is a normal girl with a sweet younger brother and a frazzled single mother. Her life is ordinary until the day her brother is stamped with the image of a horrible man. Laura turns to Sorry, an older, intriguing boy who she believes to be a witch. Will he be able to help her?

This story is entrancing to read. I first read it as a 13 year old, and I still find it fascinating. It is a great read, especially for those interested in witchcraft stories.

Margaret Mahy's book is an unusual take on the juvenile magic-user theme. It takes place in New Zealand, in a single-parent home. Laura Chant lives with her divorced mother, and her toddler brother. Nothing is entirely reliable in Laura's world, certainly not her slightly flaky mother, their extremely flaky car, and especially the surrounding landscape, being transformed from forest and farm into a new subdivision.

Chant, perfectly named, can sense things that others can't. She can sense that her brother's rapid descent into illness is supernatural, and that it is linked to the boy's unfortunate contact with the also perfectly named Carmody Braque. She also can sense that the mysterious prefect at her school, an older boy named Sorensen Carlisle, is a "witch" and that he may hold the only key to healing her brother.

Sorry, as he's called, is one of those magnificent characters, the enigmatic boy who shows all the signs of being a proto-romance hero. But here, he's young, sly, and not above using his advantage over Laura. Mahy writes Laura as a strong character, and watching her handle Sorry is a lot of fun.

This novel is full of brooding atmosphere but with a great contemporary setting. Mahy's protagonist carries her weight, but everyone else is equally nuanced and fascinating. The book calls itself a romance, but I've never read an adult romance filled with such menacing ambiguity.

This book is amazing. The writing is so simple and so beautiful that the images stay in your head for days after you've finished it. The story is about change and transformation, seen through the eyes of the two very different main characters. Both of them is different at the end, and has a different place in their lives and their families. The romance between Laura and Sorry really moves you, because they learn to love themselves as they fall in love with each other. Also, the magic and danger feels so real and not stupid or made up at all. The best thing about this book is that when you finish it, you feel transformed too. I love this book.

GENERAL COMMENTS: "The Changeover" strikes the tone of a precocious adolescent with verve. Fourteen-year-old Laura sometimes communicates with an open frankness that gets ignored, sometimes through sarcasm, which she uses as a screen when she must tell the truth but doesn't necessarily want to be understood. Her sensitivity to the nature of others grants her an awareness of her own growing body even as she delves into her gift to protect her brother. This book does a good job of showing the selfishness of teenagers, AND the selfishness of the parents that love them imperfectly, even as they compare to the sinister greed of Carmody Braque, the villain. The resolution(clue: quasi-spoiler appears in the rest of this sentence) aptly makes use of this comparison, by depending upon Laura's understanding of Carmdoy's needs, and her ability to exploit them as he exploits the children's desires.

MORE SPECIFIC DETAILS: Her sensitivity to others allows fourteen-year-old Laura to recognize danger, but she remains helpless in deflecting it, as when her parents get divorced. At fourteen, she is faced yet again with her gift of sensing the nature of things, and this time, it's her baby brother who will suffer. Mahy intertwines Laura's current dilemma with her family issues. She lives in a single-parent family in which the mother is no angel (although awfully close) and the absent father is no demon (although most noticeably absent). Laura is aware that her parents have needs that don't always include her best interest, but this doesn't mean that she doesn't seethe with resentment. At times, her mature assessment of the situation only frustrates her desire to react as a child.

ABOUT SORENSEN, LAURA'S CO-STAR: The flip side of her family is Sorensen Carlisle's two-parent family in which both parents are women (his mother and grandmother). His guardians, who are both witches, were sorely disappointed in Sorensen when they found a boy instead of the girl who might complete their circle of magic, and deserted him, albeit with a generous allowance, to an adopted family. One day he shows up at their door, with obvious marks of abuse on him, and in spite of his gender, the mark of magic as well. This late in the game, they are forced to repair their mistake as best they can-- only they can't take away his alienation from himself. It is these two teenagers that must fight Carmody, without further estranging themselves from their families in the bargain.

I read this book as a teenager when it originally came out in 1984. The greatest compliment that I can give The Changeover is that twenty+ years later, I still reread it sometimes--and I still enjoy it. I can't say that about too many of my childhood books.

The Changeover was a rare bird back in mid-eighties--there weren't too many well-written books about magic and the supernatural with teenage girls as the protagonists in those days. This was a genre that I adored and could never get enough of back then. So this novel was an instant favorite.

There are certain books that you read when you are young that shape the kind of person that you become--not necessarily in a large way, but in subtle way. The Changeover was one of these books for me. I didn't realize it when I read the book at fourteen, but The Changeover is a metaphor for changing from childhood to adulthood--from becoming a girl to becoming a woman. And this book really captures that--all the insecurity and the fear, and even the pleasure that you feel as a girl in your own new-found, womanly power. I guess this book appealed to me so much because it made me feel better about a lot of the things I was going through at fourteen; it gave me a certain confidence in myself: I wasn't just getting older--I was becoming a different being.

I have read other comments about this book and I agree with the reviewers that say they want a sequel. I still think about Laura from time to time--she and I were the same age when the book came out--and I often wonder what became of her and what type of woman she became.