May Books

All That's Left to You is a sad reminder of all that was lost by the Palestinian people in 1948. Families were separated, yet a nation was born from their sorrow. This novella is the second in what became a trilogy of the evolution of Palestinian consciousness. It is here that their anger erupts. It is here that a nation begins to hear the plea of the author himself - salvation comes through actions, not through memories. A most interesting and important aspect of the novella is Kanafani's accurate portrayal of a woman's heart. This story must be recognized as a contribution to feminist literature. The main female character struggles within the parameters of a deeply paternalistic society under military occupation to come to terms with her sexuality and her shattered dreams. It is through her that the nation will be reborn. Kanafani utilizes excellent literary devices and the translation by Kirkpatrick is superb. The reader is advised to read Men in the Sun first if possible.

Like all other Kanafani works, this book was a tremendous pleasure to read and at the same time intensely thought-provoking. "All that's left to you" contains, in addition to the title novella, a selection of Kanafani's short stories. All the stories in this anthology share the feature for which Kanafani has no contestant: the seamless changes of voice within a story, often from paragraph to paragraph, sometimes from sentence to sentence. Thus we explore the trials and tribulations of the five main characters in "All that's left to you", not as outsiders or even as one of the characters, but as each one of the characters in turn. The reader is made to travel invisibly from the mind of one of the characters to that of another, miles away, to learn what they are both thinking at the same instant. This is as close to a drama or a movie as one can get in a short story, or perhaps even better. It is also interesting to see how certain threads unify the narrative. Time, for instance, whom Kanafani even declared at the start to be actually a character, is one such thread. The layers of symbolism in the story destine it to be very deep reading for decades to come. Yet the novella is so fascinating, it is very difficult to put the book down. The short stories in the anthology are equally fascinating, each in its own right. They don't lack from the changes in voice that is present in "All that's left to you", and they also have their share of critical plot twists right at the end of the story. Thus be prepared to completely change your perspective after reading the last sentence of each story.

This discovery of unpublished fables by Louisa May Alcott should be read by children during their important impressionable years. The illustrations are beautiful and complimentary to the text. While classics of Louisa May Alcott, Little Women and Little Men, are for the early teens, these fables for the preteens tease the imagination in a magical way. This sort of alternative to the upbringing of children by the video media is sorely needed and provided by Flower Fables.

This was the most enchanting book I think that I have ever read. Such beautiful illustrations.

Lady Phillipa Frederick leaves her sheltered existence to investigate the death of her dear brother at an exclusive boys school. Phillipa takes an alias, gets a job as a maid and sets about her work, both as scullery and snoop. She meets a diverse cast of characters, one of the most important being Florrie. In their short-lived relationship, Phillipa gains not only a roommate, but is able to hear in Florrie a voice in her own blood. Phillipa soon falls for teacher Paul Ludlowe but since she is incognito as a maid, their mutual attraction-at first-pushes against and beyond all societal boundaries. May begins her tale of intrigue slowly and steadily but by page 130 - after readers have learned to follow her cerebral plot threads - is moving at break-neck speed! May's book proves most interesting as a philosophical comment on the use of aliases. Through Phillipa's travails, we learn that the use of an alias displays not merely the situation in which a real person exists shrouded by a hollow appellation. May teaches us how the use of a pseudonym enables one to contrive a distinct new identity which meshes with the chosen name. This book shook me to the depths.

I liked this book--it was very easy to get into. The writer's style is nice, with good, believeable dialogue, no stupid lines, and just the right amount of narration to bring more spice and understanding to the ensuing scenes.

I did not find it as philosophically deep as the previous reviewer, but I agree that this book is very good and very fast-paced in it's plot development. It is an entertaining read, with likeable, intelligent main characters and satisfyingly evil villains.

Phillipa's younger brother dies mysteriously while at a boys' school, and while grief-striken and drunk, her father mumbles indiscreetly about what his friend had written to him about suspicious goings-on there. When Phillipa is unexpectedly supplied with a convenient alibi, she determines to go there to investigate herself.

The transition from lady to maid is difficult, to say the least--the hard labor, abuse, and occasional persecution from the bullying masters shocks her and tests her mettle, but Phillipa is made of stern stuff. In the midst of her bewildering and exhausting first days, she meets and falls in love with the history master, who protects her from a dangerous master and seems to care for her, as well.

But Phillipa is NOT a maid, and she is anguished that the woman he falls in love with is NOT her true self. But what she doesn't know is that her tall, dark history master is not himself, either. She KNOWS he is playing a deep game...the problem is that she just doesn't know what it is...

After the episode at the boys' school (with a dramatic ending to that in itself), Phillipa is off to London for her third Season...but she meets too many familiar characters there...

The description of Phillippa's time as a scullery maid is gratifyingly more realistic than I had expected, with emphasis on the hardships involved. I had expected a more unrealistic situation where a high-born lady masquerades as a proud, outspoken scullery maid and no one notices or remarks on the maid's very unservile behavior...but the author surprised me, and the plot moved well and believeably.

The ending especially is rife with misunderstandings and near-misses and coincidences. The book moves well in the midst of all these twists, and is not too frustrating for the reader, with an easily followed storyline. I think it is a more extensive and complicated plot than many more recently published Regencies I've read--there are more supporting characters than on the average--but I tend to like that better. Too few characters can sometimes make the storyline dry and the plot scenes too predictable.

Characters are consistent throughout the book, which is something I personally appreciate. It was also very nice to have intelligent main characters to follow, rather than characters who ignore the more obvious clues and muddle in ignorance while the reader writhes in frustration!

A pleasant read for a rainy day. It's a keeper for my shelves, at least. I'm looking forward to any more of this author's books that I happen to come across.

This is one of the funniest books I have ever read. It reads just like a teenager writing it which is a credit to the author, M Reinhart.

The scrapes and adventures Bab gets herself into and the long suffering she puts up with are too funny (because of course the rest of the world just doesn't understand the woes of being a sub-deb).

Read it for yourself and if you have an adolescent daughter, pass it on!

Bab is a melodramtic young lady with a habit of getting herself into hilarious scrapes as she attempt to deal with the indignity of not being allowed to be a debutante (deb) like her (slightly!) older sister.

This is one of the funniest books I have ever read. I still laugh out loud over Bab's sincere "lothing" of her enemies and her attempts to do good deed by helping others with their "speling."

I am thinking about stealing a line or two from this grand book,
The Bee Flies In May, and then using them to help properly dress/complete (tamper with) a few Rumi translations/renderings I am working on for a book with Penguin called, The Fidelity of Light, Poems of Hafiz and Rumi. This might be the best way for me to bring to the attention of thousands Stephen Paul Miller, who deserves more press. That is I would openly credit him ... maybe right there in the poem title or something. When Rumi says,

I am a painter, a maker of pictures;
every moment I shape a beauteous form.
How can you see them if you are
building a nest in the mirror?

I think that works just fine and says a hell of a lot tooooo. The forth line in the above verse is Miller's from a lovely poem in Bees ..., a poem called, Poem for Noah, who is Miller's son.

I think it is rare to come across any real poetry these days. Often to me, it seems, whole books of poetry ... seldom even have three of four lines of genuine lightning, enough voltage to bring us to our senses for a few seconds ... shove some wonder down our throats, restore life to our eyes.

An exceptional collection here. A ripe, grand range of thought, feeling and unique -- often playful -- insight.

Daniel Ladinsky, best-selling Penguin author of several poetry volumes

What's nifty about this book is how it contains many "long" poems that never get slack. As a result, in addition to appreciating the narratives, there are many great lines or brief excerpts that make you pause and appreciate them on their own; for instance, "there's a certain/ S and M bureaucratic attitude/ going around." Or, "It was as if he was in the/ dead center of sanity and/ the moderns and ancients/ were playing with mirrors." Or, "I have had nothing to say/ since Italy." (Granted, I love Italy but still!)

Also, while tempting to consider this "wise guy" poetry (and it is), there is an (often subtle) undercurrent of lyricism (e.g. the lines "It touches every facet/ of our lives in a way/ punch cards never could" or "The color of the day expands and springs through the checkerboard/ Where a truck twists in the wind") that is just one of the many ways this book offers a long-lasting, enjoyable resonance through multi-dimensionality.

A "must have" for anyone considering birding in the Cape May area!!! Clay and Pat Sutton are wonderful writers making this book not only a wealth of information but also very enjoyable to read!

I couldn't put this book down once I started to read. The author has included the most interesting details of the real life saga of Germany's occupation of Norway and Denmark during WWII. Excellently researched.

This book tells the story of Norway and Denmark during the Second World War. Beginning with the history of the Scandinavian countries traditional neutrality, through their attempt to appease Nazi Germany, the invasion, the occupation and repression, to liberation, and the countries' early post-war years. With the stated objective of clearing up old misconceptions, Professor Petrow examines all that occurred, laying bare all of the travails that Denmark and Norway suffered. Sprinkled throughout the book are a number of wonderful black-and-white photos and maps, which help the reader immensely.

This is a great book that tells a story that is not often told in most history books. It is an easy to read book that draws the reader along, wrapping you up in the story. As such, let me say that this is a great book for anyone interested in what happened in Norway and Denmark during the Second World War.

This was a wonderful book, its a wonder how Dr. Mays overcame all the things that was holding him back. This is one you should read.

Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays (1894-1984) was one of the most prominent educators, social reformists and civil rights and religious leaders of his time. This book magnificently captures a time in American history that is far too scarcely documented: the Post-Civil War segregation era, leading up to 1970. This book gives a very personal description of Dr. Mays's struggles for dignity, respect and integrity, while simultaneously touching upon the collective struggle of African-Americans. I recommend this book for anyone seeking a greater understanding of African-American and American history. Mr. Mays was a pioneer in social reform and civil rights, was the President of Morehouse College from 1940-67, was a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and held the honor of being the "First" to hold several important and powerful positions in private and public organizations. He was a giant among men. I assure you that this is one of the best autobiographies that you will read.

Very accurate.. . It's a great read. I got the whole series.
Do not skip Volume 3 " The Rising Sun in the Pacific" I spent 2 1/2 yrs in Pacific from Jan '43 to Jan.'46

This volume 6 of Morison's series on U.S. Naval operations in the second world war continues the excellent tradition set in the first 5 volumes. While written shortly after the war, the data are still quite good. Extensive research was done on both U.S., German, and Japanese records, as well as interviews and on the spot accounts with many participants, something hard to do today! I've so far only read the first 6 volumes of this 15 volume history, but each one has been well worth it. Extensive battle maps are also a plus. If you enjoy WWII naval history, start collecting these volumes.

This is a very good discussion of Madison's role in the development of the Consitution. Very readabl

The Busines of May Next is easily the best book I have ever read on James Madison's intellectual journey from his dismay over the ineffectiveness of the Articles of Confederation to his draft of the Virginia Plan, which was the underlying foundation of our Constitution.

The title is taken from a letter Madison wrote in which he discussed the "business" of the upcoming Constitutional Convention (in May of 1789), of which Madison--along with Alexander Hamiltion--was the prime mover.

Miller's book expertly and eloquently explores the influences on Madison's thinking, from his reading of David Hume's essays on the ideal conditions for a republic, to his correspondence with Washington, Jefferson and many others in which he fleshed out his ideas of how to turn the weak, ineffectual Articles into a government that had both power and staying power.

As Miller points out, Madison's genius was his understanding of human behavior, and his awareness that any government must be shaped in ways that take advantage of the "better angels of our nature," but also (more important) minimize, or at least accommodate, the darker side of our nature.

By fashioning a government with limited and shared powers; by holding frequent elections in which the leaders are held accountable; by ensuring that the people possess certain rights that no government can threaten (on pain of being altered or abolished), Madison was the first among equals in the creation of a truly representative government that has lasted more than 200 years and shows no signs of dying out.

Miller himself is one of the few (William Manchester is another) historians whose thorough research is matched by his delightful writing style. I have two copies of the book--a hardcopy for reading and a paperback for underlining.