May Books

These are first hand accounts of men and women that lived through the first world war. It is all there--loyalty to your fellow soldiers, cowardice, indifferent heroism, terror, and the feeling of apartheid from home and family. The most striking rememberances I took from the book were the white feather incidents--where white feathers were given to soldiers out of uniform on leave in England by young women as a goad to get to the trenches.

This is the first book I've ever read in one day; 'I rest my case'.

My most lingering memory is the story of the soldier who was shot for 'losing his way' and not showing up for a battle. When offered brandy by the narrator before meeting his maker, he said he'd 'never drunk spirits and wasn't going to start now'. Not such a coward, after all.

Max Arthur's new book covering the Great War is quite unique in that its content is nearly all first-hand accounts from people who experienced the horror of the Great War. The author has utilized a number of tape recorded interviews conducted by the Imperial War Museum in 1972. Many of the tapes from the Imperial War Museum Sound Archive had been forgotten and left unheard for years.

Now Max Arthur has put together many of these unheard voices from the Great War to produce this spellbinding and captivating book. I must admit that I was reluctant to buy this book as I was worried that a book full of short accounts would be too disjointed and really not detailed enough to satisfy my interest. I can honestly say that I truly enjoyed reading this book.

Each chapter of the book was a year of the Great War and was commenced by an introduction by the author offering a brief run down on the major events of that year. Then we heard from the men and women who participated in these events, from both sides of no-man's land. The author has concentrated mainly on the Western Front and Gallipoli and has tried to run the oral segments in chronological order.

I was really taken by these segments and I found it hard to stop reading. The accounts from these soldiers and civilians alike were at times humorous, strikingly direct, horrifying and on many occasions quite sad. I was really taken in by these accounts and I don't think that any World War One library would be complete without this title sitting on the shelf. I can honestly say that I learnt quite a few things from this book and I would place it along side such works offered by Lyn MacDonald. Well done to the author and the Imperial War Museum for allowing these veterans, many now long dead, the last word on their experiences in the Great War. This is a great book, you won't be disappointed.

This book is full of fascinating wartime anecdotes given by the soldiers fighting it and the citizens involved in it. The staff of the UK's Imperial War Museum sifted through mountains of archives and picked out the very best to use in the book. Through the use of their own personal letters/interviews, the book follows the history of particular, mostly British, individuals during the war. It loosely follows the major battles of the Western Front and Gallipoli and even the Home Front.

Most of the letters vary in length between one paragraph and one page and are packed with the kind of realistic details that typical narrative histories of the World War I skip over. For example, in Gallipoli (p. 118) one soldier writes, "One of the biggest curses was flies. Millions and millions of flies. ... Immediately you bared any part of your body you were smothered." Short of actually being there, these kind of first person participant narratives deliver the essence of the war - harsh, demanding, brutal, comedic, and ocassionally surreal. The straightforward writing styles and unusual content make this book a true pleasure to read.

I have read over 40 books about the Great War, and this book is one of the best for personal narratives about the war. It's multi-person perspective delivers a well-balanced, insightful picture of the war at ground level (free of any hidden agenda). This book would perfectly complement a broad narrative history of World War I.

The name Baloo meant a lot to us old Bob and Ray fans who fondly remember the unique sports broadcasts of Wally Baloo (aka Bob Elliott). This Baloo is the pen name of Rex May, Numero Uno among the nation's gagwriters and a significant and much published cartoonist. There are over 100 very funny cartoons such as the heavenly golfer who sliced into Purgatory -- two to a page -- in this very affordable compilation aptly subtitled The Best of Baloo.

Rex May [d.b.a. Baloo] is for cartooning what Fred Astaire was for dancing: the textbook example of "making it look easy", with the emphasis on "look". Anyone who tries to write such seemingly bare-bone yet devastating gags, to "scribble" down characters who are actually solidly built and expressive, to flesh out a background with a select few lines, as Baloo does to perfection time and again... will realize that what he does is not easy at all. Snap this up and luxuriate in the artistry of an undisputed master of the gag panel.

This is a terrific book featuring some of Baloo's greatest work. I recommend this book for anyone who loves a good laugh and also for the aspiring cartoonist looking to learn by studying some great examples. I'm in awe of his ability to say SO MUCH within the context of a simple black and white cartoon.

Gesundheit Dummy is a long overdue collection of Baloo's cartoons. Rex May (Baloo) is one of the best known magazine cartoonists in America -- his cartoons have been published practically everywhere.

I love his expressive drawing style, his hilarious characters, and his captions, which are simply the very best. Rex May's work is legendary!

This very funny book has a place of honor on my bookshelf. Any fan of great single panel cartoons will love Gesundheit, Dummy!

Mary's book has wonderful insight and is a great resource for the busy mom--and who isn't a busy mom? With its short chapters and insightful questions, it makes a great small group study book or a nice quiet time boost.

This book's great tips and touching stories contain wonderful illustrations for moms who want to live a simpler, more purposeful life. But don't mistake this for just another how-to book. The key theme of the story is putting God and your family first. My favorite part is entitled, "From My Husband to Yours." It's a list of suggestions from Mary's husband, Jim, written to guide husbands who want to help their wives. But I also like the "100 Ways to Simplify Your Life." (A list of more ways to make your life a little easier.)

This little book contains easy-to-digest chapters that you can sneak in between bath time and bed time. And the thoughtful "Questions for Purposeful Living" at the end of each chapter help you apply the lessons to your hurried life.

A must for every mom.

Some of my favorite parts are:

1. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter PLUS a chart at the back of the book. After answering the discussion questions, Mary suggests placing one thought (something you need to start doing or stop doing) from each chapter in the chart. I think this is brilliant! How handy to have a quick snapshot of the top 15 ideas that stuck out to you.

2. Memory Makers-Mary lists tons of things you can do with your children that "make memories", including making rainbow toast (my kids would love this), and then she stresses the importance of journaling. No, we're not going to remember what cute thing our child was saying at age 2 1/2. Write it down and don't worry about trying to remember. You can go back and read it when the kids are grown! Mary opens up her own journal and welcomes us into her world of thoughts. So many times I feel like I have to write a whole page, but Mary shows that just 2 sentences is all I need to remember a special moment. She lists a host of journaling ideas, so you don't have to come up with them all on your own!

3. Chapter 5: 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life-How's that for a cool list? And they're broken into time management, meals & kitchen, clothes, housework, school tips, communication tips, entertaining kids, and misc. Here's #98 to give you an example: "Once a year burn a CD with favorite family pictures and put in a the safety deposit box."

My overall feeling of this book was energy. It motivated me to start connecting with my kids and giving them memories that they can carry with them and pass down to their own children one day.

Author Mary May Larmoyeux packs a powerful punch with her small, concise book, Help For Busy Moms- Purposeful Living to Simplify Life. Her book opened my eyes to God's word on my responsibilities as a godly wife and mother, allowing me the opportunity to rethink my daily routines to better impact my husband and children.

In fact, in the first few pages Ms. Larmoyeux gently reminds us that "Scripture tells us that we should honor and respect our husband, manage our homes well, and live in such a way that our children will recognize that our strength comes from the Lord-not from ourselves."

Let's face it ladies, it's near on impossible to be the perfect wife and mother. We try, don't we? So many of us, myself included, work day in and day out to reach a standard that the world sets before us, leaving us frustrated, angry and bitter. It's a constant, difficult struggle to find balance in our personal lives and meet the needs of those we love most. However, in Help for Busy Moms, we are ushered into a world of possibilities in time management which allow us the opportunity to refocus our relationship with the Lord, which in turn directly shape's the way we live our lives and how we treat those around us.

Within each chapter you will find bible verses as well as "Questions for Purposeful Living" that will encourage you to slow down and make time for the Lord, to listen to what He's really calling you to do with your time and efforts. Scattered throughout this helpful guide you will find tons of helpful tips that will enable you to streamline your busy day allowing you ample to reconnect with your Lord and precious family.

If you're feeling like you need a little bit of guidance, words of encouragement or a few quick tips that will help remove the stress you're feeling in your daily life, I highly recommend Ms. Larmoyeux's Help For Busy Moms - Purposeful Living To Simplify Life.

Armchair Interviews agrees.

This was a very interesting book for me. I'd often wondered about the military capabilities of the Mormon Battalion; this is the first book to address the question directly. I can't give the book 5 stars due to some awkward sentences and typos. Nevertheless, military-minded Latter-Day Saints and serious enthusiasts for the history of the American West will enjoy this one.

History May Be Searched in Vain: A Military History of the Mormon Battalion is an in-depth historical study of the only religious unit in American military history - the Mormon battalion, which was recruited entirely from one religious body and had a religious title as the unit designation. Though the battalion served in the Mexican War and marched across the Southwest to California, it never engaged in battle, and has consequently been ignored by military historians. History May Be Searched in Vain seeks to rectify this oversight by delving into more than eighty diaries, journals, memoirs, and typed manuscript copies prepared by battalion members, including the journal of Dr. George B. Sanderson, widely feared and hated in Mormon legend as "Dr. Death". Illustrated with a handful of maps and black-and-white photographs, History May Be Searched in Vain spares no effort in its minute and accurate depiction of the battalion's unique formation and composition, daily life, strategic role, and legacy.

Norma Ricketts in her book on the Mormon Battalion focused on the human and religious aspects and the individual participants. David Bigler and Will Bagley in their book on the Mormon Battalion provided much technical detail and excellent source material. But Fleek has addressed the Mormon Battalion from the military perspective which is a new look at the subject. In so doing, he has clearly placed the Mormon Battalion in its proper role in the Mexican War and in the history of California. And, he has incorporated new information which was unavailable to the previous authors. His book is an excellent addition to the the subject and should be read by anyone with an interest in the Mormon Battalion. Best of all, it is a very readable book that will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the history of the West.

It is about time a qualified military historian tackled the Mormon Battalion. I am a Civil and Mexican War nut, and I have known a little about the battalion for a long time. Finally, we have an outstanding study of this truly American unit, a unsung and fascinating story. Lt. Col (ret) Fleek has made the claim it was a religous unit, he convinced me. He has truly placed the Battalion in context with the rest of the war and the events by using these "interjections" concerning the unfolding drama in Texas or Mexico. His descriptions of John Fremont, Robert Stockton are right on, as adventurous idiots. Fleek has a high regard for General Kearny, Col. Cooke, the Mormon soldiers and also for Mormon leader Brigahm Young, though he takes issue with the Mormons and some of Young's involvment. For a Mormon himself, Fleek's fairness and objectivity are quite refreshing.

Outstanding history! Excellent writing! A marvelous product by Arthur Clark and Company, as always!

This is a great book. It's packed with TONS of useful ideas and pleanty of great advice from Steve Broydrick. A must have for all new buissness owners!!

This is a great book. It's packed with TONS of useful ideas and pleanty of great advice from Steve Broydrick. A must have for all new buissness owners!!

Simply marvelous buisness advice! Mr. Broydrick has done an excellent job With this book!!

This is a great book. It's packed with TONS of useful ideas and pleanty of great advice from Steve Broydrick. A must have for all new buissness owners!!

Exhaustively researched and beautifully crafted, this book provides a much needed insight into the inherent flaws and complication posed by the FBI's informant system. It's historical -- in the sense of looking at historical events -- but it's also extremely relevant to the problems of today.

Gary May is a talented storyteller and his account of what happened to Viola Liuzzo is riveting. I spent Christmas week with his book in hand, taking every opportune moment to continue learning about this young mother's quest to do something right about the civil rights movement and how she was partly the victim of Hoover's FBI. Often, I felt that I was traveling along with Liuzzo as May's tale unfolded - I felt I was in the car when she was murdered. Great book. Couldn't put it down.

Gary May brilliantly tells the story of the murder of civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo on March 25, 1965, and exposes the violent misdeeds of KKK members, who mostly considered themselves to be doing "God's work" when they harrassed, beat, and murdered blacks as well as white citizens who were unfortunate enough to get in the way. The career of the self-centered, attention hungry, redneck informant Gary Thomas Rowe is skillfully retraced, and the ineptitude and negligence of FBI agents and the organization as a whole are exposed. The copy I have is an "advance uncorrected page proof" (review copy) and has frequent spelling and punctuation errors; thus the four star rating. Otherwise, I would have given this book a full five stars, because it is excellent.

Forty years ago, a civil rights movement grew in the south that was opposed by white supremacists who thought blacks should not have equal opportunities in shopping, dining, transportation, and education, and who were ready to use violence to maintain segregation. The murder in Alabama of white civil rights worker Viola Liuzzo on 25 March 1965 got the immediate attention of the nation, and of President Johnson, who was proud to be able to tell the nation twenty-four hours later that the murderers had been caught. It was a killing by Klansmen, but not one of those that went unsolved for decades. The only reason the murderers were caught so quickly is that with them was an informant, the FBI's man who had infiltrated the Birmingham Klan branch and who reported the crime and the criminals immediately. Johnson was proud, J. Edgar Hoover was proud, and the informant, Gary Thomas Rowe, was a hero. The problem is that the story is far more confused and Rowe's heroism and the FBI's tactics are far more questionable than they seemed at the time. In _The Informant: The FBI, the Ku Klux Klan, and the Murder of Viola Liuzzo_ (Yale University Press), history professor Gary May has told an exciting story full of ambiguity and of criticism for the FBI, and has described a long-ago society which accepted that skin color was an individual's most important characteristic.

Rowe was recruited by the FBI in 1960; he was a bartender, bouncer and machinist who accurately proclaimed himself a hell-raiser, and so he fit into the Klan. An informant has to act the role of a group member, and this means enthusiastically participating in what the group does, which Rowe did. He worked up the Klan hierarchy and did provide valuable information, but also he participated in brawls along with his fellow Klansmen. He was in the car with three other Klansmen after a Selma-Montgomery march. The shooting wounded a young black civil rights worker and killed the driver, the mercurial 39-year-old mother of five from Detroit, Viola Liuzzo. He was the main prosecution witness in the trial of the other three, but even so, they were eventually found innocent of murder, only being found guilty in federal court of civil rights violations. Rowe's role in the murder is not clearly that of a mere observer and informer. He may have tried to influence the others to call off the chase, but he may also have shot at the car himself, and thus may have been an accessory to the crime. The Liuzzo family was devastated and torn asunder by the murder, and although they had originally joined in the general approbation of Rowe as hero, two decades later they sued the government in a wrongful death lawsuit; the judge threw out the suit because, among other reasons, Rowe was in his estimation not violent or dangerous, but a model public servant. Rowe died in 1998, a bankrupt ne'er-do-well who blamed the FBI for not supporting him in the way he had expected.

Liuzzo's story has been largely forgotten, although she was the only white female civil rights worker to be martyred during the days of demonstrations in the South. This is, however, Rowe's story, and it not only stands as a remarkable recreation of a tumultuous time, but is a cautionary tale for our own time. As May points out, Hoover to his shame used informants as pawns against Martin Luther King and against the movements opposing the Vietnam war, and the FBI has subsequently had its own thugs in the Mafia who were personally guilty of murder and robbery while getting FBI salaries. There are calls for more "human intelligence" in the actions against terrorists, but we should remember that it is not simply a matter of paying snitches. The costs of supporting informants who are supposed to be acting like miscreants, and may do a convincing job in their roles, may be incalculable, and the information gained by such ambiguous means may not be worth the resultant mistrust of government agencies.

I wrote a review of this novel some time ago, but for whatever reason it was not posted. In that review I expressed a desire to read more work by K. C. May. Is there more? Will there be? While I am not particularly a fantasy aficionado, this one caught and held my attention.

K.C. May's first novel, The Kinshield Legacy, is a spellbinding tale of magical moments with truly unforgettable characters. You will find this book difficult to put down as you follow the twists and turns of a finely woven story, cheering on the main character as he follows the path to his destiny. I find most first novels to be mediocre, but this one was definitely above the norm. We can only hope that the next installment will be soon forthcoming!

I was hooked from beginning to end. The Kinshield Legacy sold me on reading more fantasy instead of my usual mystery/suspense fare. The characters are wonderful - well-drawn, interesting, multi-faceted. I found the writing to be superb, especially for a first book. The riveting story and artfully-created world drew me in and kept me there. I look forward to more from K.C. May.

I've read many second, third, fourth, and even later novels, that were not as well written as this. The strong story arc, somewhat tortured but good-natured hero, and sympathetic supporting characters make this a pleasure to read, and I will wait impatiently for the second volume. While I expect K.C. May's writing to mature further with succeeding novels, she's written this in straight-forward language, which keeps the reader well abreast of the story as it unfolds. Not always an easy task when characters change sides and the charcters are hiding plots within plots.

If, like me, you find the scarcity of good High Fantasy or Sword & Sorcery being published by main stream publishing houses to be short-sighted, swing your support to the independent houses who still recognize that this market has an audience. The Kinshield Legacy is a good place to start.

Georges Blond takes the reader with Napoleon and his men as they march from Boulogne to Waterloo with a completeness that one would expect from an autobiography. The book describes the day-to-day life and death in the army of the Emperor with all the detail of a conversation with a grizzled veteran at a Parisian café. Mr. Blond provides character sketches of some of the leading historical figures of the time that illustrate motive, desire and fault. His descriptions of the Peninsular War and the retreat from Moscow vividly illustrate the suffering and horrors of war in the Napoleonic era. The author's in depth treatment of the medical services is most enlightening, describing the frightful lot of the wounded in gory detail. The reader cannot avoid having an increased respect for the physicians Rene Desgenettes and Jean Larrey. Touching on the political, personal and military histories of the period, the book provides the reader with a unique vantage point from which they may view battles like Austerlitz and Waterloo in a new light. The descriptions of the campaigns and battles avoid tactical details while providing sweeping descriptions that answer many of the how's and why's of the conflicts events. With the chronology, maps and statistics included in the appendixes, this book will become a valued addition to the library of any student of the Napoleonic era.

There are many books about Napoleon Bonaparte, and probably even more about his campaigns. "La Grande Armee" is set apart from those works since it focuses on the men who fought and died for Napoleon. Blond makes this apparent from the start and it is an objective that he rarely strays from throughout the book.

The book covers the campaigns of the Grand Army from the thwarted attempt to invade England (1805) to Waterloo (1815.) "La Grande Armee" does an excellent job of delving into the life of the average grunt: the disease, the pillaging, the marches, even the horde of prostitutes that followed in the army's wake. Blond gives due consideration to the many non-French foreigners that filled the Army's ranks, and he gives particular interest to the budding medical corps of the Army.

'La Grande Armee"'s greatest strength are the details it presents: from the tactic of Russian playing dead on the battlefield and then getting up to shoot the advancing French in the backs is hard to ignore. To American readers, the chapters on the Spanish insurgency will be particular interest. Many other books of the era gloss over the Iberian campaign, especially after Napoleon himself later refused to enter Spain in an attempt to rescue the situation. That slow, tortorous defeat experienced by the Grand Army will make any reader wonder if the United States is headed down the same disastorous road in Iraq.

Of course, the famous retreat from Moscow is covered in all of its tragic detail, as is the Battle of Nations, and Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo.

Overall, "La Grande Armee" is an excellent book and one that remains very relevant right to this day!

I found this book very provocative. The anecdotal comments throughout the book, personal accounts on each campaign and method which the author introduces character sketches as the applicable historical figures come into context were refreshing and enlightening. Despite references to Maps in the appendixes of the book, I found the author's description of tactics and battle movements to be somewhat confusing at times. I was a little disappointed with the amount of attention given to the last years of Napoleon the 1st's reign. All in all, a good, enjoyable read. DPS

Blonde has written a superb tour de force in a style which makes one think you are reading a novel and transports you to the battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars. One learns a plenty of the lot of the common soldier and meets characters such as Murat, Ney and other lesser knowns. All in all a brilliant history without the boring prose of some better known history books!

Again, Peddicord finds a magical way to weave wit, humor, love, surrealism, and darn good writing into a novel with picturesque words that leave you questioning your own obsessively organized views of life. If you can take anything away from this novel, take from it an outlook on life that will inspire you to live more spontaneously, freely, and on the verge on a state of non-reality.

In all honesty, I found a brief portion of the book (towards the middle) that seemed to drag on a bit too long. However, the beginning and ending of the book make up for this somewhat jet-lagged feeling for 50 pages or so.

The personalities and ideals of the characters are so charming, so "out there," but rather brilliant. Towards the end, Jay was a good friend and confidant, and I was just about ready to invite the dog to curl up into bed alongside me.

Again, like other Peddicord novels there always seems to be an underlying message, if one can only take the time to find it. I believe his message in "...Jay Gould..." would be to screw the "American Dream,' the rules and regulations, the clausterphobic lifestyles we're quickly heading into, and courageously swan dive into the experiences life has to offer, regardless of the consequences. This book inspires you to LIVE actively, rather than passively watch as the years pass you by. And if you don't feel inspired in some minute way to do just that, I suggest you read the novel a second time.

If nothing else, you'll fall in love with this incredible piece of work, and perhaps someday be inspired to find your own piece of Paradise.

The Late Jay Gould May Be Alive and Well provides for a perplexing course of affairs to ponder. How refreshing to read a brilliant sense of humor in today's paralytic (or is it politically?!?) correct world. Masterfully defined characters will have your heart leaping and your knuckles whitening with each chapter. This writer left me wanting more - I hope he can write as fast as I need to read.

You probably know the experience of leaving a theater after a thoroughly entertaining movie, shaking your head in amazement and wondering "How did they do that?" But never before reading "The Late Jay Gould..." have I done that with a book. Writing is more dexterous than camera work and words are more nimble than pictures, so we expect literary works to be more efficient and inventive than movies. Even so, as I left this book I shook my head in amazement and wonder and thought to myself, "How did Lou Peddicord do that?" I can answer only by saying that he is a great writer. He has created a world of fascination, joy and heartache with galloping plot and languid rumination, sweeping scope and intricate connections, playful befuddlement and razor-sharp insight that we can only hope some movie-maker will attempt boldly to put on screen. The masses need to meet Jay Gould and Christine Nostrinco, the love of his bittersweet life, as they strive to live nobly and make sense of it all.

i have been reading since prior to grade school. i will read just about anthing once, but there is a special bookcase in my bedroom for the books that i know i will read over and over. my husband asked me just how i could keep reading the same books, time and time again. i tried to explain that some books are like great memories that you want to recall throughout your life. these special books touch you in some way that adds to the meaning of your existence. they are like an epiphany, whether they teach a more in-depth view of the world or of yourself. "the late jay gould may be alive and well" has now joined a permanent home in this bookcase with the likes of "to kill a mockingbird", "alas babylon", "illusions" and "the alienist".

its characters are plentiful and varied, their personalities painstakingly real and vital. even the dog has a fully developed personality and role; one that is intricately necessary to the process of learning that this book takes us through. it would be difficult to believe that anyone would be able to read this without periodically laying it down to ponder a self realization that has jumped from the book into your head. the questions it provokes, such as what we expect out of our own lives and those around us, gives a new meaning to the word "accountability". most importantly, it asks why we deny ourselves the joys in life that are right at our fingertips by establishing our own personal walls to keep us apart from them. whichever character you identify with in this book, you will find a revelation.

at its start, a seemingly light and airy story about a magical man and the characters he touches, "the late jay gould may be alive and well" is actually much, much deeper. it attacked my stoically safe attitudes toward life and the boxed-in, nonsensical rules by which most of us follow. by its ending, i was wishing that i could live my earlier years over again, and made me promise myself that i will finish the remainder as tenaciously as humanly possible.

This book was good for a short read. It was not as good as the original little women. The book was about 4 sisters Joe, Meg, Beth, and Amy and what their life was like. If you are looking for a good short read this is one I would sugest.

This edition of LITTLE WOMEN is great! First of all, there's the wonderful story of the March family in the years during and after the Civil War, as the 4 daughters -- Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy -- grow to womanhood, experiencing joy and overcoming obstacles and tragedy. This edition stays true to the language and grammar used in the original. I have read versions of the novel in which the girls' grammar is cleaned up for them!

In addition, the introduction by Susan Cheever is first-rate; it is neither too long or too short, and she beautifully ties it to her own experience without being cloying.

Another reason why I so highly recommend this edition is because there is a glossary at the back to explain some of the obscure (to modern readers) terms and obsolete slang. Also, there's a nice essay/review by G.K. Chesterson, who warmly praises Alcott's book.

Read the tale of four sisters Meg, Jo, Beth, & Amy as they grow up together. Learn about their hardships as they face each problem thrown at them side by side. This is a wonderfull book and is beautifully writen. I teches someone a lot about the value of family, friends, and true love. This book is more than what others amount to and would reccomend this author to anyone.

Louisa May Alcott wrote many books, but "Little Women" retains a special place in the heart of American literature. Her warmly realistic stories, sense of comedy and tragedy, and insights into human nature make the romance, humor and sweet stories of "Little Women" come alive.

The four March girls -- practical Meg, rambunctious Jo, sweet Beth and childish artist Amy -- live in genteel poverty with their mother Marmee; their father is away in the Civil War. Despite having little money, the girls keep their spirits up with writing, gardening, homemade plays, and the occasional romp with wealthier pals. Their pal, "poor little rich boy" Laurie, joins in and becomes their adoptive brother, as the girls deal with Meg's first romance, Beth's life-threatening illness, and fears for their father's safety.

The second half of the book opens with Meg's wedding (if not to the man of her dreams, then to the man she loves). Things rapidly go awry after the wedding, when Laurie admits his true feelings to Jo -- only to be rejected. Distraught, he leaves; Amy also leaves on a trip to Europe with a picky old relative. Despite the deterioration of Beth's health, Jo makes her way into a job as a governess, seeking to put her treasured writing into print -- and finds her destiny as well.

There's a clearly autobiographical tone to "Little Women." Not surprising -- the March girls really are like the girls next door. Alcott wrote them with flaws and strengths, and their misadventures -- like Amy's embarrassing problem with her huge lobster -- have the feeling of authenticity. How much of it is real? A passage late in the book portrays Alcott -- in the form of Jo -- "scribbling" down the book itself, and getting it published because it feels so real and true.

Sure, usually classics are hard to read. But "Little Women" is mainly daunting because of its length; the actual stories flow nicely and smoothly. Don't think it's just a book for teenage girls, either -- adults and boys can appreciate it as well. There's something for everyone: drama, romance, humor, sad and happy endings alike.

Alcott's writing itself is nicely detailed. While certain items are no longer in common use (what IS a charabanc anyway?), Alcott's stories themselves seem very fresh and could easily be seen in a modern home. And as nauseating as "heartwarming" stories sometimes are, these definitely qualify. Sometimes, especially in the beginning, Alcott is a bit too preachy and hamhanded. But her touch becomes defter as she writes on.

Jo is the quintessential tomboy, and the best character in the book: rough, gawky, fun-loving, impulsive, with a love of literature and a mouth that is slightly too big. Meg's love of luxury adds a flaw to the "perfect little homemaker" image, and Beth just avoids being shown as too saintly. Amy is an annoying little brat throughout much of the first half of the book, but by her teens she's almost as good as Jo.

"Little Women" is one of those rare classic novels that is still relevant, funny, fresh and heartbreaking today. Louisa May Alcott's best-known novel is a magnificent achievement.